Real Love Series by Melanie Codina

For Jake, it's always been Gillian It's been her since that day she unknowingly stole a piece of his heart.....when he watched her fall for one of his best friends. Resolved to the fate that she couldn't be his, he locked up the deeper emotions he felt for her and loved her as a friend. As friends, they went through it all together. Marriages, births, divorces and even death... moreFor Jake, it's always been Gillian It's been her since that day she unknowingly stole a piece of his heart.....when he watched her fall for one of his best friends. Resolved to the fate that she couldn't be his, he locked up the deeper emotions he felt for her and loved her as a friend. As friends, they went through it all together. Marriages, births, divorces and even death. But when a shameful secret Gillan has kept from her friends is revealed, Jake realizes that she needs him more than ever. He knew what it was like to go through heartbreak and he wasn't about to stand back and watch her endure it alone. He also knew she would turn to him for support. What he wasn't prepared for was the return of the emotions he had long ago locked away. Could he control these emotions again and did he even want to? Could he make her realize his love for her was real, or would she slip through his fingers again? less

For Allie Baxter, love was never something she had to worry about. She was loved by her friends, her family, her husband … until the day it was ripped away. Losing love was the deepest pain Allie had ever endured, and it was an agony she vowed to avoid feeling ever again... moreFor Allie Baxter, love was never something she had to worry about. She was loved by her friends, her family, her husband … until the day it was ripped away. Losing love was the deepest pain Allie had ever endured, and it was an agony she vowed to avoid feeling ever again. Crippled with guilt over her loss, for five years Allie served her self-appointed exile from the daily comforts offered by friends and family, only to return and attempt to fit herself back into their open arms—even if she knew she didn’t deserve it. Mike Lawson was not something Allie expected; the love of a man was not something Allie was prepared to want. The spark of desire that had long ago died inside her suddenly returned, bringing the memories of her pain with it. She swore she would never allow herself to love again … but how long could love be resisted? less

Jason Michaels knows second chances are very much a part of “happy ever after.” He’s seen it firsthand, more than once. So when will it be his turn? He has a great group of friends and family to share his life with, but he knows there is one thing still missing. Love isn’t something he’s been avoiding, he just hasn’t found it yet… or has he? Tori Peterson has made mistakes in her life, but they all pale in comparison to her marriage... moreJason Michaels knows second chances are very much a part of “happy ever after.” He’s seen it firsthand, more than once. So when will it be his turn? He has a great group of friends and family to share his life with, but he knows there is one thing still missing. Love isn’t something he’s been avoiding, he just hasn’t found it yet… or has he? Tori Peterson has made mistakes in her life, but they all pale in comparison to her marriage. Luckily, she’s a woman who quickly learned from her mistakes. Doing everything in her power to escape the man who promised to cherish her, she builds herself a life she can be proud of. Never again will she be fooled into being with a man who she might love. She knows she has too much to lose. Her hope? That she will recognize real love when she finds it. Her fear? That her past will catch her before she has a chance to find the love she deserves, the love that is required … So what happens when her hopes and fears catch up to her at the same time? less

Its Christmas time in San Diego once again and there’s holiday cheer everywhere. The stockings have been hung, and the mistletoe is in place. The lights are all twinkling and there’s even a chill in the air. Sure, you won’t find a single flake of snow adorning the palm trees outside, but you will find Real Love. Come visit and celebrate the holiday with your favorite members from the Baxter, Michaels and Lawson families... moreIts Christmas time in San Diego once again and there’s holiday cheer everywhere. The stockings have been hung, and the mistletoe is in place. The lights are all twinkling and there’s even a chill in the air. Sure, you won’t find a single flake of snow adorning the palm trees outside, but you will find Real Love. Come visit and celebrate the holiday with your favorite members from the Baxter, Michaels and Lawson families. The whole gang is coming, with some new additions, so you won’t want to miss out. In this special holiday novella, we get to see how this large extended family celebrates. From Christmas Eve gatherings to Christmas Day chaos, all rounded out by the silence of night when everything is finally done. So grab your hot chocolate and get ready to dive in for some Christmas cheer, Real Love style. **This is a companion novella in The Real Love Series and is intended to be read in order. A Very Real Love Christmas is #3.5.** Other books in The Real Love Series: Love Realized Love Resisted Love Required Other related books/series: Assumptions, book one in The Assumed Expectations Series. Please see my Amazon Author page for more information. less