Stay With Me
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See this review and more on my blog Lilybloombooks
3.5 stars
Stay With Me was one of those galleys that I jumped at to request, then jumped into once I was approved. Why you ask? Honestly, the cover for starts. Which is shallow but whatever. And it’s premise! I can’t put my finger on exactly why I wanted to read this so bad. It’s NA and if you know me at all, you would know that I am tired of it. BUT.. But look at the cover and the blurb!
Stay With Me was a pretty good read but less than what I had hoped for. It was.. different… less than what I expected. It fit that NA mold that I dislike so much. Aside from that though, there were a few other things that I had difficulties with. But I have NO regrets.
Hailey is famous. Since she was a baby, she has been in the splotlight. Whether it be movies, sitcoms, music. You name it, she did it. Tired of it ALL, she decided to leave that life behind and do something she has never done before. Attend school. Well, now College. Much to her dismay; this life is no easier than the one she gave up. Then there’s Caleb. Sexy, charming and one of the first people that wants her for her, not her fame. But being used her entire life, she isn’t quite sure she is able to commit. And her fear that he will leave once he learns her secret holds her back.
Hailey. Hailey Hailey. Well, I did like her. I felt she had legit reasons for her trust issues, since she pretty much was used by everyone in her life. She was pretty funny and I felt sorry for her because she was so alone. And I applaud her for not jumping into a relationship right away. She slowly lets Caleb in and lets him break down her walls. I do feel like she had the right reasons for leaving her past. It wasn’t because she was trying to hide from her secrets or run; it was because she wanted to find herself. To discover more about herself than just her fame. Find real friends and people who could love her for her. Her secret was shocking. I had my suspicions on what her scandalous asks were; but this tops it. I felt horrible for her and what she had to go through. I wish it wouldn’t have been brushed aside though. Once it would OUT, it was DONE. No follow-up, no elaboration. Nothing on how it effected her. It was just.. not brought up again.
I have to admit– I had my doubts about Caleb. I can’t really explain WHY but I had this.. unsettling feeling that wouldn’t go away for the longest time. It’s no secret who Hailey was and I just found it hard to believe he “just wanted to get to know her”. He’s charming and sweet, which is always nice. And I liked that he didn’t push Hailey and actually backed off for a period of time instead of pushing her. The chemistry between these two was off the charts. They had some pretty hot and steamy sex too. *wags eyebrows*
There is an array of other characters. I was mixing them up and confusing them, to be honest. Caleb’s friends, his sisters and Hailey’s estranged best friend, Alex. (Who we don’t get much with anyway). They all accepted Hailey into the fold. This was awesome, yet.. weird for me. I know celebs are people too but there is NO way that all these people are just “that cool”, ya know?
The issues I had with the book– Hailey had been famous for a long time. So, I found it hard to believe that she could/would walk away from that life with NO repercussions. Save for her mother’s interview. Also, why were there NO paparazzi following her or still writing stories about her? It wasn’t like she was a one hit wonder and fell through the cracks. She had fans EVERY WHERE. Aside from the few “freak out” moments from fans, there wasn’t a whole lot of recognition So this makes me think that a.) ALL this talk about how popular and big she is, is just that, Talk. b.) These people are freakin clueless; or c.) they just didn’t care. And, like i mentioned before, there wasn’t that much details into her past. Don’t make it a point over and over again, that you are scared this will tear your world apart but not discuss it. Maybe that’s just me. There was also this small detail about Hailey cutting her Mom off, financially. THAT, knowing what we do of her Mother, would have caused an UPROAR. But, nothing.
Overall- I really enjoyed Stay With Me. I thought it was a well written, sexy and at times, funny. More depth could have done this book some justice. I will continue on with the series.
*A free copy was provided from the author via netgalley for an honest review. THANK YOU*
3.5 stars
Stay With Me was one of those galleys that I jumped at to request, then jumped into once I was approved. Why you ask? Honestly, the cover for starts. Which is shallow but whatever. And it’s premise! I can’t put my finger on exactly why I wanted to read this so bad. It’s NA and if you know me at all, you would know that I am tired of it. BUT.. But look at the cover and the blurb!
Stay With Me was a pretty good read but less than what I had hoped for. It was.. different… less than what I expected. It fit that NA mold that I dislike so much. Aside from that though, there were a few other things that I had difficulties with. But I have NO regrets.
Hailey is famous. Since she was a baby, she has been in the splotlight. Whether it be movies, sitcoms, music. You name it, she did it. Tired of it ALL, she decided to leave that life behind and do something she has never done before. Attend school. Well, now College. Much to her dismay; this life is no easier than the one she gave up. Then there’s Caleb. Sexy, charming and one of the first people that wants her for her, not her fame. But being used her entire life, she isn’t quite sure she is able to commit. And her fear that he will leave once he learns her secret holds her back.
Hailey. Hailey Hailey. Well, I did like her. I felt she had legit reasons for her trust issues, since she pretty much was used by everyone in her life. She was pretty funny and I felt sorry for her because she was so alone. And I applaud her for not jumping into a relationship right away. She slowly lets Caleb in and lets him break down her walls. I do feel like she had the right reasons for leaving her past. It wasn’t because she was trying to hide from her secrets or run; it was because she wanted to find herself. To discover more about herself than just her fame. Find real friends and people who could love her for her. Her secret was shocking. I had my suspicions on what her scandalous asks were; but this tops it. I felt horrible for her and what she had to go through. I wish it wouldn’t have been brushed aside though. Once it would OUT, it was DONE. No follow-up, no elaboration. Nothing on how it effected her. It was just.. not brought up again.
I have to admit– I had my doubts about Caleb. I can’t really explain WHY but I had this.. unsettling feeling that wouldn’t go away for the longest time. It’s no secret who Hailey was and I just found it hard to believe he “just wanted to get to know her”. He’s charming and sweet, which is always nice. And I liked that he didn’t push Hailey and actually backed off for a period of time instead of pushing her. The chemistry between these two was off the charts. They had some pretty hot and steamy sex too. *wags eyebrows*
There is an array of other characters. I was mixing them up and confusing them, to be honest. Caleb’s friends, his sisters and Hailey’s estranged best friend, Alex. (Who we don’t get much with anyway). They all accepted Hailey into the fold. This was awesome, yet.. weird for me. I know celebs are people too but there is NO way that all these people are just “that cool”, ya know?
The issues I had with the book– Hailey had been famous for a long time. So, I found it hard to believe that she could/would walk away from that life with NO repercussions. Save for her mother’s interview. Also, why were there NO paparazzi following her or still writing stories about her? It wasn’t like she was a one hit wonder and fell through the cracks. She had fans EVERY WHERE. Aside from the few “freak out” moments from fans, there wasn’t a whole lot of recognition So this makes me think that a.) ALL this talk about how popular and big she is, is just that, Talk. b.) These people are freakin clueless; or c.) they just didn’t care. And, like i mentioned before, there wasn’t that much details into her past. Don’t make it a point over and over again, that you are scared this will tear your world apart but not discuss it. Maybe that’s just me. There was also this small detail about Hailey cutting her Mom off, financially. THAT, knowing what we do of her Mother, would have caused an UPROAR. But, nothing.
Overall- I really enjoyed Stay With Me. I thought it was a well written, sexy and at times, funny. More depth could have done this book some justice. I will continue on with the series.
*A free copy was provided from the author via netgalley for an honest review. THANK YOU*
DNF @ CHAP 13, 14%
I had so many days to read this book but I just couldn't pick it up because it was so draggy and long.
THIS IS NOT SPOILER FREE
I get that this book is about Mia and she has some mental health struggles and so she's put into an institution where she hopefully comes out like a bright flower. What I don't understand is how can she pull the "I don't feel anything" card yet go around smashing mirrors and guys? There's some contradiction there.
Also what's with the people gathering in others' rooms to grind and smoke with the typical truth or dare until it turns into a sex party? There was so many of these scenes within such a small time and I'm sick and tired of reading about it.
I am disappointed because I've heard a lot of good reviews about this series and I was looking forward to it but it doesn't seem to be something I can tolerate.
3 DNFs in January already? I'm growing up!
I had so many days to read this book but I just couldn't pick it up because it was so draggy and long.
THIS IS NOT SPOILER FREE
I get that this book is about Mia and she has some mental health struggles and so she's put into an institution where she hopefully comes out like a bright flower. What I don't understand is how can she pull the "I don't feel anything" card yet go around smashing mirrors and guys? There's some contradiction there.
Also what's with the people gathering in others' rooms to grind and smoke with the typical truth or dare until it turns into a sex party? There was so many of these scenes within such a small time and I'm sick and tired of reading about it.
I am disappointed because I've heard a lot of good reviews about this series and I was looking forward to it but it doesn't seem to be something I can tolerate.
3 DNFs in January already? I'm growing up!
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