Hold Me Close by Shannyn Schroeder – a Review

Hold Me Close
O’Learys series – Book #6
by Shannyn Schroeder
Release Date – July 21, 2015

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Description:
Maggie O’Leary is finally coming home to Chicago. After more than a year in Ireland, she’s ready to make a plan for her future. But first, she’ll have to confront the tragedy that scarred her so deeply. Asking for a job in the family bar is the first step, and it’s one her family isn’t entirely happy about. At least Shane Callahan, her best friend in the world, is behind her a hundred percent. He’s also a hundred percent more lovable than she remembered…

Shane is determined to keep Maggie safe, even if it means working three jobs and giving up sleep to be around during her shifts at the bar. But when Maggie boldly tells him she needs more than a loyal friend now, Shane knows a single night together won’t be possible. The idea of spirited Maggie in his bed is electrifying, but will she believe he wants to give her his heart, too?

Review:

Hold Me Close by Shannyn Schroeder is the 6^th and final book in her wonderful O’Learys series. Maggie O’Leary is our heroine, and she has just returned from a year in Europe. 5 years ago she was raped by her ex-boyfriend and has been trying to overcome her fears and the memories. Maggie calls on her best friend, Shane to pick her up at the airport, and not tell her family, so that she had time to settle before they came as a group to see her. She loves Shane as a friend, someone she has always been comfortable with, confided things to each other and hung around together all the time.

Shane Callahan, is our hero, and he has secretly loved Maggie, more than as a friend, all these years. Shane feels he needs to protect her, as does all the O’Leary Family. He knows that Maggie would get mad, so he privately works out a deal with Ryan O’Leary to work part time at the bar, and take an apartment above, since Maggie is planning on doing that. He wants to be close to be able to watch and protect her.

Maggie is determined to get her life back, and become normal again. She still has some issues, such as always locking the door no matter where or when; and she has not had sex for 5 years. Maggie does dream of a hot sexy fantasy man each night. Maggie also sees a therapist, and tells her about how she freezes during any attempt at sex. The therapist tells her she needs to be able to find someone she trusts to help her through her crisis.

After her sister, Moira teases her about her fantasy man possibly being Shane, Maggie laughs it off, but decides perhaps he is just what she needs to get past her sexual fears. She decides to ask Shane to have sex with her, just as an experiment. Shane is shocked at first, but understanding what she wants, and he having loved her for so long finally agrees, but only if she allows him to do this at his pace. As much as he wanted her, he was determined to take it slow, and allow her to relax with him. I loved Shane, as he was a sweet, caring, affectionate, loving and a hot hot hunk.

This was a great friends to lovers story, with the added element of the scars that remain from rape. Maggie was a tough heroine, though at times, even if I understood, she did annoy me a little that she was not seeing how much Shane loved her, and that she truly loved Shane. All she could see is that she loved him as a friend, and did not want to lose their friendship. Of course, my annoyance was probably due to me wanting both of them together.

Shannyn Schroeder has given us an emotional, but sweet romance, and the chance to spend time with all the O’Learys, as we say goodbye to them. Hold Me Close was an excellent story with great storyline and a wonderful couple we rooted hard for. I for one will miss the O’Learys.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher