Books & Spoons Review for PROTECTING MY HEART by Melanie Shawn

Welcome to Valentine Bay! 

Ella Fletcher spent all of high school in love with the boy next door--her best friend, Donovan. It was never more than that, but she fooled herself into believing friendship was enough. 

Donovan Valentine knew he could never make a move on his best friend Ella. After all, she depended on him. He was the only stable man in her life. If denying his feelings was the price he had to pay for protecting hers, then he was more than willing to pay it. 

Celebrating their high school graduation, they drunkenly took part in a marriage ceremony using fake IDs. But now, fifteen years later, it turns out that the IDs weren't so fake, and neither is the marriage. 

When Donovan returns to Valentine Bay to straighten things out, will this accident turn into the best thing that ever happened to them? 

*** Standalone romance with HEA and no cliffhanger ***

---

A sweet and sizzling hot read to heat up a freezing cold winter evening! 
This book starts a new series from Melanie Shawn, and it's already promising to have a charming, alluring, and fascinating cast of characters, lots of small town banter and meddling, with humor and lots of heart and smoking hot love scenes. 
Ella Fletcher and Donovan Valentine have chemistry and connection that has been developing ever since they were kids. The former best friends soon found the old tone after a couple of awkward moments. Even the love they had for each other was well established and developed though not on the forefront of their lives for the past ten years. 
I found this story an entertaining and fun read. It was sexy, it was sweet, it was humorous and lovely.
There was a chance to go deeper with on the emotional side of the tale, with Donavan being 'the only stable man in her life' that was never really gotten into in more details. Donavan's guilt towards his family and mourning of his parents did show some deeper emotions, as well as his sister's need for her family while missing her brothers. 
Delightful, enjoyable, and lively start to the series with likable and charming characters showing a lot of promise of intriguing stories to come. 
~ Four Spoons

---

---

NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Melanie Shawn is the writing team of sister duo Melanie and Shawna. Originally from Northern California, they now make their home in So Cal.
Growing up, Melanie constantly had her head in a book and was always working on short stories, manuscripts, plays and poetry. Shawna always loved romance in any form - movie, song or literary. If it was a love story with a happy ending, Shawna was all about it! They have joined forces to create a world where true love and happily ever after always has a sexy twist!

---