Review- Bentley by Melanie Moreland
Bentley by Melanie Moreland –
Book 1 in the Vested Interest Series
This book starts with a fantastic, classic romance Meet Cute that pulled me in right away! I listened to the audiobook, performed by Maxine Mitchell and John Lane—both of whom I’m a huge fan of—and their narration was flawless, capturing the essence of each character beautifully.
Bentley gives you everything you could want in the first book of a series and so much more. The banter between Bentley and his friends Aiden and Maddox is absolutely epic! The “bro-mance” is real, and their dynamic brings so much humor and heart to the story. Just wait until the shopping scene—it’s an unforgettable example of the power of friendship among men who bonded in college and have become like family to one another.
Of course, I have to talk about the romance too! Watching Bentley open himself up to Emmy was so touching. This isn’t a story about a woman “changing” a man; it’s about a man who discovers his best self with the person his heart connects to. Bentley’s heartfelt gestures, especially around Emmy’s birthday celebration, melted my heart.
Ms. Moreland has crafted a world that’s immersive and emotionally resonant, and the connections between her characters leap off the page. Each character’s backstory unfolds gradually, giving depth and authenticity, particularly to Bentley and Emmy. We get just a taste of Aiden and Maddox’s stories here—and now I’m dying to read more about them!
And Greg… oh, what a journey! His storyline is powerful, masterfully written, and leaves an impact long after the book ends. Then there’s Aiden—who had me craving his story from the very first chapter. And quiet, mysterious Maddox… I can’t wait to see what’s in store for him.
I’m absolutely thrilled for the rest of this series and have high hopes for Reid too. He’s endeared himself to the whole cast (and to me!), and I can’t wait to see what happiness awaits him.
