Karen Hulseman

Karen HulsemanLaugh out loud office romance with heart. Chemistry between MMC starts at the first meet cute and continues as the battle wits. A another stellar read from this author

Karen HulsemanWell written following the marriage and overcoming traumatic events. Finding how we revert to our safe place reactions. Katy was the star once again. LOVED IT

Karen HulsemanMy obsession with this book is legendary. And READERS this is the best book ever. Something you didn't think you needed. A cheeky take on one of my favorite tropes. In short, you are going to love everything about this book and I'd love to tell you my favorite parts. Starting with -- The whole damn book. Listen we all know, Melanie Moreland doesn't 'stay in her lane'. Sometimes we get angsty then she give us romantic suspense, and then small-town found family goodness. This time she looked at the lanes and said "Hells Bells. Let's drive down the middle and give each one some of both". AND I AM HERE FOR IT. Yes, it's literally forced proximity. Yes, we got an older man who thinks he is going to fix all the heroine's problems because he is more worldly and has the money to do so. Yes, she is sassy and not going to give his overbearing ways one inch. Until they finally give into the undeniable chemisty. Dante is the alpha, possessive hero perfection who has no idea who cupid is and why he is no longer acting rationally. AND I AM HERE FOR IT. Brianna is the sassy, hustling heroine who has been dealt the crap hand in life but isn't going to allow it (or her crappy boss) let her take the eye off the prize. Until one night she happens to go to sleep (aided) and wakes up in Italy. The prize may have changed. They are the sunshine to each others grumpiness. They are impulsivity to the others ordered lives. They are the missing piece of their souls and everyone (readers) can see it and we get the perfect light bulb moments and crashing of walls we need. Mkay - I need you to read this book. Because for me to discuss "my favorite scene", it's the whole damn book. Honestly there is nothing I would change. And I should know because I've read it at least 12 times by now. Okay one part - if you are a girl like me, Melanie Moreland wrote the mirror scene for us. IYKYK We want to be seen for all our beautiful parts. And Dante SLAYS the swoons in this scene. This boo

Karen HulsemanThis is my top read for 2022. You find yourself in the emotions of this family wondering how to deal within your family - you do it with open arms and grace. Melanie Moreland touched on each corner of this blended family to give a well-rounded journey. Character-Driven Romance - That is what the first book of The Contract series was. The arc of character change for the hero that slowly and artfully was written for him to accept and be loved. The second, a novella, gave what readers asked for - an epilogue into the future. When readers continued to ask her for more books with this couple, book 3 came out with a shake-up. An accident that can change things in the blink of an eye and builds character strength in this couple. When more messages and comments on social media from readers for another book, how can the author bring another storyline to give our beloved characters more to grow from - This book. Rather than taking the easy way with a continuation of the couple's story by showing us their HEA as all sunshine and roses, Mrs. Moreland has given the characters a situation to deal with and grow. Instead of painting with broad strokes through rose-colored glasses, she wrote her characters with flaws. Maybe not handling this new situation perfectly - but with the bumps and warts of human emotion that on a level, readers can react to. This book is so many love stories. The love story of a couple and how they keep the romance fires burning. The love story of family those bonds and how to not take sides but open arms in welcome. The love story of the friendship of your found family and how they stick with you when the waters become troubled. The love story of finding your soulmate and how they support you as you are not the best version of yourself. Bravo Melanie for writing the story you wanted to tell. My heart was a bit bruised in parts. This new, bigger and better family made it all worthwhile. If you loved book 1 and don't wish to delving in, don’t

Karen HulsemanIt has taken me forever and a day to write this review. My struggle was with if I write this review, I have to finally let go of these characters as those I know in Romancelandia refuse to. If truth be known, I am one of those bugging the author for more. More Katy. More of their lives. More Richard. That man I couldn't figure out how this storyteller in The Contract was going to make me like him much less love him. I did... I love him. I love his story. Richard is one of the most challenging character arcs for a reader to watch. You wonder how this man - this man who is so unapologetic about his behavior can learn to love. He finds Katy. This woman who - I seriously wondered how she could tolerate him. But the more you get lost in their world, the more you come to understand the whys and - damn it - you WANT them to have a HEA which they get - and you laugh with- in The Baby Clause. Anytime I am bored with my reading selection, I pick up The Contract/The Baby Clause to binge in. Not because fake romance/enemies to lovers is my favorite trope. Because the brilliance of the storytelling keeps me mesmerized in the tale. Like another reader friends states - it's my GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). I became giddy when Richard and Katy showed up in Maddox (major fist bumps with romance friends) and in Reid. He was still Richard, and Katy was still keeping him in line. How could their story possibly be better? HOLY SH*T! I mean what possibly could the author give us? Grocery shopping? More holidays? She gives us that. Melanie Moreland paints a beautiful picture of a man - a man who never dreamed of this life - a wonderful family of marriage and friends. As we all know, life isn't without challenges. What happens when the unthinkable does? How do the characters react? It is real, raw and emotional. I will not lie. It gripped my heart and kept me devouring page after page. My GOAT just got better in more ways than I could imagine. Thank you Melanie Moreland

Karen HulsemanDo yourself a favor, last year this time I was going ON and ON and ON about this story called The Contract. If you haven't read it, you've been not been following me closely as it was one of my all time favorite reads. What made the story? The leading man. For all of us who need: give-me-a-man-who-will-sweep-me-off-my-feet-by-his-handsome-alpha-ways, we got: I-want-to-slap-him-then-kiss-him-and-kick-him. Never has an author so turned on every emotion for reader in a character. And it wasn't just the leading man we adored. The heroine and secondary characters left a lingering mark. So what happens after the HEA? Ms Moreland gives us exactly the perfect followup and so much more. Best part about 2.0, Richard is still Richard. You want to smack him upside the head while you hug his mug. And Katy still deserves every reward for taming this man. You get their next phase that has you grinning and swooning with each page turn. And wanting the 3.0 "Teenage Years" next. If you've not read The Contract, you must. Then pick up this gem to get a further look into these fabulous characters.

Karen HulsemanEver work a job where someone you interact with everyday- boss, coworker, vendor - you hope chokes on their sandwich or has a fatal accident with a letter opener? Be prepared: Richard VanRyan is that person. I have disliked the Hero of the story before. However, they have charming qualities that I can overcome douche like behavior. Richard - OMG - he is just an asshole. I mean there would be a moment in the start of the story you'd think he'd be charming then he'd go open his mouth. You want to junk punch him. Yet, you love to hate him. And you just gotta wonder how this contract will all play out with him at the helm. You may read the synopsis of the story and think, "I've read this trope before." Or this can be your favorite type of storyline. You are in for a very pleasant surprise. Yes, Richard and Katy work together and the contract is the means to an end for both. They will both get what they want and walk away unscathed. Or maybe not... Although Ms Moreland tells the story from a dual POV, it's Richard's POV that keeps you turning the pages to see how this unfolds. "That's it. You want to f### someone? Go f### yourself, VanRyan." Our heroine, Katy isn't what she seems and helps Richard see the world from a different view point. His character is a study in what nurture develops us into from children to the people we associate with as adults. Can we become 'better humans'? Possibly. Richard's change isn't "Boom, now he's a teddy bear." So stealthy is the change, it's surreptitious to him. For me, to really hate a character and actually root for his HEA proves what a talented writer Ms Moreland is. This book will bring out the feels. Sometimes stabby, sometimes sad, sometimes happy. The cast of supporting characters bring the Hero and heroine through their journey that can't help loving (most) of them. If you never read Melanie Moreland's novels, I highly recommend this novel. 5 out of 5 'love to hate him' stars.