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Heron's Landing #3.5
Hold Me Close
After a messy break-up, police officer Matthew Haldon is fine living in his cabin out in the woods all by himself. He has his dogs to keep him company and his job to keep him busy.
He never expects to find love again, especially not with the woman he finds stranded on the side of the road during a blizzard. When Matt realizes that Holly Cook has nowhere to go, he invites her to stay at his cabin for the night.
Holly is dangerous, though: with her fiery red hair and her bubbly personality, she tempts Matt like no woman ever has. As the snowstorm rages outside, Matt and Holly share a night that neither will forget.
Yet Holly’s past isn’t about to let her go—and now, neither is Matt.
This title was previously published as Adore Me Ardently. It’s been rereleased with a brand-new look and with lightly edited content.
He never expects to find love again, especially not with the woman he finds stranded on the side of the road during a blizzard. When Matt realizes that Holly Cook has nowhere to go, he invites her to stay at his cabin for the night.
Holly is dangerous, though: with her fiery red hair and her bubbly personality, she tempts Matt like no woman ever has. As the snowstorm rages outside, Matt and Holly share a night that neither will forget.
Yet Holly’s past isn’t about to let her go—and now, neither is Matt.
This title was previously published as Adore Me Ardently. It’s been rereleased with a brand-new look and with lightly edited content.
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2016
About the author
Iris Morland
45 books1,085 followersA coffee addict and cat lover, USA Today bestselling author Iris Morland writes sparkling, swoon-worthy romances, including the Flower Shop Sisters and the Love Everlasting series.
If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.
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If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.
Sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date with new releases, sales, and exclusive giveaways!
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 1, 2022
It’s right before Christmas when the heroine holly finds herself stranded on the side of the road in the middle of a snowstorm. A local cop just happens to drive by and come to her rescue. Over the course of only two days the two fall in love and fend off advances from her slimy ex. Cute read but hella fast.
July 3, 2020
I was glad that Officer Matt Haldon come across Holly when she was stuck in the snowstorm in Missouri. Luckily Matt takes Kelly home to keep her safe until the snow stops. He can tell Holly is running from something or someone and wants to help her. They have all kinds of time to get to know each other and you could feel how attracted they are to each other. This was a short story about love at first sight. Here are two people trying to protect the other. It was a good story with two people looking for love. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.
March 19, 2022
(Matt & Holly): TRIGGERS: Domestic Violence, stalking. Holly is stranded, her car has a flat tire and she is stuck in the middle of nowhere in the middle of a snow storm. Rescued by Matt, a police officer who offers her safe haven at his home until the storm is over. They end up with no power and nothing to do but talk. This is an insta romance and despite that, their situation allows them to get to know each other on a deeper level. We get more of a backstory on both characters. We find out that Holly is running for her life and Matt will do anything to protect her. One thing that bothered me is the whole protection order situation. A police officer SHOULD know that if you file a protection or restraining order against someone, that person will get a copy AND the order will include the city, state and county from which it was filed. So…. If a person is running to get away from said person, you basically just told the offending party where he/she is currently or was last. That seemed like a research failure because it didn't make sense, and then not to address it as to how she was found bugged me. Anyway, the characters I didn't get had that much romantic chemistry. Probably because it was a slow burn and it's literally a novella. I felt like the author spent more focus on other things and not enough on the actual romance. If we're classifying this as a romance. It's also PG, so everything is implied. No juicy details.
August 10, 2017
A super quick story full of sweetness. There was a bit of passion to hint at more than just mere attraction and the epilogue was absolutely sweet and gave the whole story a complete conclusion. The romance was a bit rushed and since it's a novella I expected a shortened romantic timeline, but this was still a bit too short for me. Without the epilogue I would have found the whole relationship a bit forced and unable to last beyond the drama and attraction died down, but Matt and the epilogue were the highlights of the story. I was so very glad for a tender hero who wasn't typically handsome and had so much more to offer than instant attraction and bedroom skills. Matt was humble, simple, real, and so very considerate. He was also strong and determined and very willing to love the flawed Holly. Holly was vulnerable and still intelligent enough to know that any connection, no matter how strong or how tenuous, is suspect when fleeing from a traumatic past. The way that they find each other is serendipitous and the evolution of the couple was heartwarming.
August 5, 2017
I really liked this novella. It shows us that sometimes you can find love in the most unexpected places. Matt and Holly had so much chemistry and I loved there game of truth or dare. It was a very interesting way to learn more about each other. The only thing I wish was this book was longer. I would love to have read more about Matt and Holly.
Definitely 5 stars.
I voluntarily received a copy for my honest review.
Definitely 5 stars.
I voluntarily received a copy for my honest review.
August 20, 2017
What a cute quick book. I enjoy Christmas books. Makes the season nicer. When Holly meets Matt she is leaving behind her old life. She doesn't want to start anything. Matt immediately starts feeling something for her that scares him. When the perfect situation happens will the passion between them take over? I enjoyed that it was a nice quick, feel good book. Iris has yet to let me down with a book. No cheating, no cliffhanger and a HEA. Enjoy!
February 4, 2019
This book is now showing in Amazon as "Adore Me Ardently" but whatever name you want to call it, you'll read a great story. This is a very quick read but I absolutely loved it. Matt and Holly quickly fall for each other and I loved the epilogue one year later. Happy to see Officer Haldon get his happily ever after.
August 11, 2017
* I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
I thought this book was just so cute and enjoyed reading every minute of it!! Right from the beginning I liked Holly and how could you not like the guy that swoops in and saves her. It was a quick read but definitely worth it!! :)
I thought this book was just so cute and enjoyed reading every minute of it!! Right from the beginning I liked Holly and how could you not like the guy that swoops in and saves her. It was a quick read but definitely worth it!! :)
December 27, 2021
I grabbed this short audio book for a car ride. I have not read any of the rest of this series. Things progressed quickly with Holly and Matt. I'm not sure I found it believable but I also get that this had to move quickly as it was a novella.
March 18, 2022
I really had no expectations. I loved this book. It was quick, it was sitting on the edge of your seat good. Matt was the man! I don't know what Holly was thinking. I will look for more books by Morland. I hated Sam. I hate abusers.
October 7, 2022
Very quick read
A quick read. Holly is on the run and does not trust her judgement. Matt is taken by Holly and wants to help her. I to wish they had known each other longer than a day before declaring their love.
A quick read. Holly is on the run and does not trust her judgement. Matt is taken by Holly and wants to help her. I to wish they had known each other longer than a day before declaring their love.
July 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this novella. Holly and Matt have immediate chemistry but she is slow to trust, with good reason. I loved Matt.
March 5, 2022
Tropes:
- Forced Proximity
- Instant attraction
- "I'll protect you no matter what"
It was a fun quick read!
- Forced Proximity
- Instant attraction
- "I'll protect you no matter what"
It was a fun quick read!
March 12, 2022
Good addition to this series. I enjoyed this sweet short story all in one sitting. I’m looking forward to reading more books from this author.
December 23, 2022
2.5⭐️
I love cheesy books but… this was a bit too much for me.
I love cheesy books but… this was a bit too much for me.
February 28, 2017
This book is very realistic about domestic violence.
There was a happy ending for all in this very realistic story regarding domestic violence, which continues to be a way of life for many.
There was a happy ending for all in this very realistic story regarding domestic violence, which continues to be a way of life for many.
July 5, 2020
Looking forward to hunkering down before the blizzard hits, Officer Matthew Haldon is en route home when he discovers a woman trying to dig her car out of the ditch. There is no way to get her car out with the storm approaching, and the nearest hotel is far away enough to make it unfeasible to take her there. The closest and safest place to take her is his own home. Unfortunately, Matt forgot that he hadn't been grocery shopping and for that matter, hardly had enough wood for a fire. To his surprise, the red-haired beauty takes it all in her stride and together they make the best of the situation. When Holly's secrets start coming out, Matt realises that he cannot leave Holly on her own, especially if she has an abusive ex coming after her, and before he knows it, she becomes his to protect. This is a fairly short novelette, one that can be read in an evening. Despite its brevity it is an enjoyable story and ticks all right boxes for a romance. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
July 9, 2020
Matthew Haldon , a police officer, is on his way home when he sees a stranded person along the highway. He stopped as it was the right thing to do and was shocked to see it was a woman. She had a flat tire and there was no way it could be changed in all that snow coming down. With the closest motel ten miles away, he told her she could stay at his cabin until the snow stopped and they get her car fixed. She had such a bubbly personality you couldn’t help but like her. As the snowstorm rages outside, he got a fire going and before long, the power went out. They played a game of True or Dare where they found out a lot about each other and their pasts. She also told him about her past. As he plans on protecting her, can he when her past catches up with her? A short read but powerful. I received a copy I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 9, 2020
Officer Matt Haldon has broken up with his long time ex and is heading up to his wooded cabin for the Christmas Holidays when in a growing blizzard he comes across a stranded car. Stopping he then is amazed to see a beautiful red head trying to fix her flat tire. Matt offers to take her to his cabin for the night since they are ten miles from a hotel and the blizzard is worsening. She hesitates but accepts. They spend the night with his two mutt dogs and get friendly. He learns she has escaped from the clutches of her controlling abusive ex boyfriend. After a cold night when the power goes out Matt calls in for a restraining order. The bad ex does show up in the night. This is not really a Heron's Landing type read but not bad.
July 7, 2020
Matt and Holly's story was a quick read that I enjoyed, but found it a little hard to believe. I wish there would have been more to do with Heron's Landing, because it all took place in his cabin or in a car. I am not saying I don't believe in love at first sight, but they literally fell in love in like a couple of days. I did like the connection they had and how he protected her. Her story was sad and may trigger some people. Overall, the book was good, but I wish it would have been longer so we could see more of their relationship and some of the townspeople of Heron's Landing.
I recommend this whole series. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.
I recommend this whole series. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.
July 7, 2020
I've read the other books in this series and really enjoy the characters of Heron's Landing. In this novella, you've got Matthew, still getting over his ex. Then there's Holly who is escaping an abusive ex-boyfriend. Fate brings them together when she gets a flat tire during a snow storm in Heron's Landing and Matthew just happens to be driving by. For a novella, this story packs a punch with enough substance to bring the characters to life and keep your interest. Looking forward to seeing what comes next in Heron's Landing.
July 9, 2020
This is a quick read which moves along well and has likeable characters. It brings two people together around Christmas and gives them a glimpse of what they could have if they were brave enough to go for it. There was suspense, chemistry, connections, past to deal with, doubt, the need to protect each other and two lovely dogs. I would have liked more of Heron's Landing personally, but I enjoyed reading Matt's story and seeing him get a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 10, 2020
This is a quick sweet live at first sight story.
Matt is a police officer in Heron Bay and he stumbles upon Holly who is trying to change a flat in a snow storm.
Matt is immediately attracted to her but tries to push it off because he hasn't dated since he broke up with his ex a year ago.
Holly, may be attracted to Matt, but she's running from an abusive ex.
As these two stop and start they finally realize their attraction when Molly's ex kidnaps here.
This is an honest voluntary review.
Matt is a police officer in Heron Bay and he stumbles upon Holly who is trying to change a flat in a snow storm.
Matt is immediately attracted to her but tries to push it off because he hasn't dated since he broke up with his ex a year ago.
Holly, may be attracted to Matt, but she's running from an abusive ex.
As these two stop and start they finally realize their attraction when Molly's ex kidnaps here.
This is an honest voluntary review.
July 10, 2020
If you believe in fate you will enjoy reading the short story of Matt Holden a police officer and Holly Cook who is running away from her ex. Hold Me Close by Iris Moreland is romantic and brings the protective instincts of Matt by saving Holly in a blizzard. Matt and Holly’s story is heartwarming and intense. I highly recommend reading this short story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2020
Matt and Holly are such opposites that you just know they belong together (balance and all that). Also love visiting this sleepy little area that seams to become their own little heaven. Until the past comes crashing in on them giving them a chance to see just how strong their love can be. Loved the small twist of action.
July 11, 2020
This was a great romance. Matt and Holly were likeable characters and they had great chemistry. The story was enjoyable, well-written and had an interesting storyline. There was plenty of emotions, great interaction between the two main characters, drama, romance and love.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book through Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book through Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
July 12, 2020
A Heron's Landing Novella a short well written story that kept me turning pages. Police officer Matthew Haldon and Holly Cook's story there is suspense, drama, danger, a villain, and romance. A very fast story to read, I am glad Matt got a story of his own. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2020
Matt and Holly are such opposites that you just know they belong together (balance and all that). Also love visiting this sleepy little area that seams to become their own little heaven. Until the past comes crashing in on them giving them a chance to see just how strong their love can be. Loved the small twist of action.
July 11, 2020
This is a very quick read but I absolutely loved it. Matt and Holly quickly fall for each other and I loved the epilogue one year later. Happy to see Officer Haldon get his happily ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 11, 2020
After reading Make Me Yours - where we meet Matt, it's great to get his story. While things do go from 0 to 100 in moments, it all fits. All in all this is a quick and generally easy read, even with the dark that drives a lot of the story forward.
*I'm a lucky fish and on the author's ARC team*
*I'm a lucky fish and on the author's ARC team*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews