Book two in The Pure Talent series, teaches many lessons with forgiveness being at the head of the class. Skye Palmer and Garrett Steele have to go back to their childhood. As they navigate work, friends, and life in general, Well written with characters who help each other. Throughout the book, the key phrase is "five minutes" read THE WAY YOU HOLD ME to see where five minutes lead. Enjoyed checking in on characters from book one in the series.

Received from Netgalley for an honest review.

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Second chance romances always hold a special place for me because that happens to be my love story. While not every couple who calls it quits are supposed to find their way back (in fact, probably not most), sometimes it really is just timing and circumstance, and the space between to grow, and go through some things, really is what the (relationship) doctor ordered.

Skye and Garrett have been through it! There was a real down-to-earthness about the whole story. I don’t know a better way to put it, but I immediately felt like I was in their friend group along for the ride. I got major “Insecure” vibes. In short, I love us. And I appreciated the representation in the story. It’s sometimes difficult to articulate but, there is just something about finding yourself in a group of characters.

Highlights
- I really appreciated the time and attention given to Skye’s mixed-race heritage. She is Filipina and Black and I thought the author did a great job of engaging all of it.
- I loved the thoughtfulness given to both leads’ incredibly complex family dynamics, and personally, as a woman raised by a man whose last name I don’t share, I got a little emotional reading through and seeing myself in Skye’s sweet relationship with her stepfather. Garrett’s care for his sis!!!
-Cannot say enough about the friends who kept it real and held them down throughout.
-Skye’s in therapy from just about chapter one. I appreciated going on this journey with her. Even when she got on my nerves on occasion (because, of course, we have to get in our own way sometimes), I loved being able to see her actively working through some of these things. Even though it was technically a dual-perspective story, we did get a lot more of Skye than Garrett, and I would’ve appreciated a bit more of Garrett.
- So much steam!

This book # 2 in the “Pure Talent Series” and Elle has done a great job and I am waiting patiently for book # 3 “The Way You Love Me” where will we get to know more about Paige Mills Skye’s client and Andrew Weathers.

We met publicist Skye Palmer in “The Way Hold Me” cousin of Xavier who both work for Xavier’s father Jax who is CEO of one of the best talent agencies in the country Pure Talent. Garrett Steele is a crisis attorney manager. He and Skye were once lovers and Skye baled on him because of some personal issues but Skye and Garrett never seem to forget each other even though Skye was once about to be married to Broderick Hill whom she caught cheating on her.

Skye and Garret broke up 10 years ago and the flames are still hot and the sheets are burning up.
Skye’s business life was so well put together, but her personal love was not so. She was over thinking about Garrett. Skye decides to see a therapist after her informs her to seek one.

Skye’s overthinking started when her mom’s husband wanted to adopt her. As a child she struggled with never knowing her biological father. When her mom married Jax’s brother he adopts her and asks if is she want take his name and she replied no she didn’t want to lose her identity to her dad.

Skye feels she always makes the wrong decisions from not taking her adoptive father’s last name to not wanting to design clothes like her mom and giving up her virginity because her high school boyfriend pressured her, breaking up with Garrett and falling for asshole who hurt and embarrassed her by having an affair on her.

Skye is representing Paige Mills world renowned actress and Garrett is represent Paige’s director husband Julius who has had numerous affairs and produced several children and he’s being indicted on several sexual harassment charges.

Garrett has a little sister that he has been taken care since his parents died and has done an excellent job. His little sister Max is very comfortable talking to her older brother Garrett about sex. There have a very close knitted relationship he more of a father to her than a brother.

Xavier and Zara are headed to alter quicker than they had planned. Zara and Xavier are expecting a baby July 23rd and before they tell everyone other than Rissa and Skye they want to make it pass the 1st trimester. They had a freaky Halloween.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley, and my review is voluntary.

I enjoyed Garrett’s and Skye’s journey to their second chance romance. Although, Skye’s indecisiveness got old after a while. However, I loved how patient and understanding Garrett was with her. Their five-minute conversations were cute. I also loved Garrett and Skye’s occupations. I love when characters have interesting careers. I had never heard of a “crisis management attorney”. but I loved getting a taste of what that would entail..

I loved the bond of sisterhood, brotherhood and strong family ties displayed in this book. The relationship between Garrett and Max was especially heartfelt.

The story showed the importance of self-care, which includes having good mental health as well as physical health. Asking for help doesn’t make a person weak, but shows a strong will and determination to better themselves.

Overall, I loved the well-developed main characters as well as secondary characters. I loved the Pure Talent world and all of its inhabitants. I can’t wait to experience more of these amazing characters.

The Way You Hold Me is book two in Elle Wright’s Pure Talent Series. Here Skye Parker is the heroine of this story and she is the “Olivia Pope” version at Pure Talent’s best. She works with well-named stars to ensure any scandals and “fires” are handled accordingly. She is doing it all professionally, however her personal she tends to overthink too much and there have been negative results.

When she is tasked with handling damage control for a well-known actress, Skye never expects she will have to work alongside and communicate with her ex-boyfriend, attorney Garrett Steele, who is the crisis manager for her client’s husband. Skye broke off the relationship years ago and regrets that decision, while Garrett really never got over Skye.

While the two try to work on a solution for their respective clients, the two realize the passion is still there but will old insecurities resurface and keep these two from getting that happily every after? Readers will need to download a copy to find out.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Skye and Garrett and see a love rekindled. There were times Skye will make you want to reach through the book and shake her but we get to delve into the reasons for her actions. As always Ms. Wright was on point with character development and l loved catching up on the secondary characters and their insights on Skye and Garrett’s relationship. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Note: I received an advance copy from Netgalley

I’ve been waiting for this book and Elle Wright does not disappoint! Second chances, badass women who aren’t ashamed to be passionate about their careers, intrusive but loving siblings (faux and real), and sexy romantic moments...what else can you ask for? Read this one!

Skye Palmer is a master at handling disasters for top clients. When Hollywood actress, Paige Mills, finds herself at the forefront of a major scandal involving her husband, Skye is selected to help navigate this publicity nightmare. Garrett Steele is an attorney whose firm handles disasters. He is hired by Paige's husband. Skye and Garrett team up to handle the case and these former lovers' passion reignite. Both Skye and Garrett have to overcome issues from their past before they can ever have a chance at a future.

I loved that the author portrayed a main character who was seeing a therapist. Many times there is a stigma with that and so seeing a successful woman do this, I think will be empowering to many readers. I especially loved the bond between Garrett and Max and how he stepped up to be there for his sister. Those scenes were heartwarming and I can relate as there is a fifteen year gap between myself and my sister.

Memorable quotes:
"I want to kiss you again. I want to kiss you so long and so hard and so deep that you forget about the past and the future." Whew. What a line.
"The problem with overthinking is people tend to live their lives based on what could happen as opposed to enjoying what is happening."

This is the second read in the series. I loved seeing glimpses of Zara and X - her pregnancy eating was hilarious. I look forward to reading the third book.
Thank you #Netgalley