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Memories #1.5

Holding On

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Living in London after spending almost twenty years in a town with a population of three hundred would be hard on anyone – and Alec Johnson is no exception to the rule.
When Alec followed Lexy to London, he knew his life would change drastically. He just didn’t know how much. With Lexy’s friends and admirer to contend with, he has to show there’s more to the country surfer boy than his ability to ride the waves. With his own shameless admirers, he has to keep Lexy’s trust – and despite her love for him, that’s no easy task.

Beneath her tough girl exterior, all Jennifer Mason has ever wanted to do is paint. London’s School of Art can give her that, and she couldn’t be happier she’s finally breaking free from Lilac Bay. What she’s not happy about is having to leave Carl behind – or his reluctance to visit her while she’s studying.
Their relationship is put to the test as living on her own for the first time and university take their toll on Jen. After all, three hundred miles is a long way to be away from your boyfriend when you’re eighteen years old.
And it’s even harder when you can’t keep your eyes off your best friend’s older brother.

88 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2013

28 people are currently reading
1358 people want to read

About the author

Emma Hart

134 books7,567 followers
Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels and has been translated into several different languages. She first put fingers to keys at the age of eighteen after her husband told her she read too much and should write her own.
Four years later, she's still figuring out what he meant when he said she 'read too much.'

She prides herself on writing smart smut that's filled with dry wit, snappy, sarcastic comebacks, but lots of heart... And sex. Sometimes, she kills people. (Disclaimer: In books. But if you bug her, she'll use your name for the victims.)

You can find her online at www.emmahart.org, www.facebook.com/emmahartbooks, or join her reader group at http://bit.ly/EmmaHartsHartbreakers.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Mary Tatar.
643 reviews62 followers
April 18, 2013
Why couldn't this book been longer? Now I am psyched for the next book in the Memories series! If you haven't read Emma's previous books I highly recommend you do. I absolutely adored this book. I loved all of the different pov's in this story. I felt like I was in everyone of these characters heads. This was definitely a great lead up to her next book Always Remember,

Holding On starts off with Alec and Lexi just moving and getting settled in London. He decided to follow her there so because he couldn't bear being without her. We also find Jen has also moved there to start school. It really is the start of the next chapter of their lives. With Bing in tow you can imagine the fun they will have. Now a lot has obviously changed over the summer for all of them, especially for Lexi she has changed the most. With Alec by her side she is truly happy. He has been so good for her through the loss of her Grammy. I really do miss that sweet lady! She truly new what was best for Lexi. Will there future hold the happiness that they imagined? Will old friendships along with new ones be able to survive together?

My favorite part of this book is how we see Bing and Jen's relationship developing. Sure Jen still has a boyfriend, but how long will happiness last with miles separating them. Bing and Jen have this carefree love hate relationship. They both don't let anyone walk all over them and fight for their loved ones with everything they have. The tension building up between them is about to explode and I can't wait to be witness to it. Also we get a greater understanding of the depth of love that Alec and Lexi feel for one another. These two love is so amazing that I hope they having an amazing life together.


This is a must read series for me. With characters so perfectly flawed you can't help but fall in love with him. Emma is such a talented writer that her male characters are so swoon worthy, and the females are so very sweet,strong,and loving fitting together perfectly. So I would recommend you check this series out.


Profile Image for Victoria Kennedy.
Author 8 books39 followers
January 5, 2018
Bridging the gap between Lexy & Alec and Jen & Bing's stories, this novella continues the story we started in book one, and kick starts the story we continue in book two.

Alec has moved to London to be with Lexy, leaving the little town of Lilac Bay behind. For this country boy, it's a big move, but being with Lexy makes it all worth it. However, Lexy's old city life is threatening to tear them apart. Meanwhile, the sexual tension between Jen and Bing continues to grow, despite the fact they are continually at each other's throats and that Jen has Carl back in Lilac Bay. Both want each other, and only Bing is ready to admit it out loud. But we're in London now, and everything's different - it could make or break relationships.

I loved Lexy and Alec in the first book, so to have their story continued was great. Having Lexy back in her home town, surrounded by the toxicity of her old life was an interesting contrast to what we see of her in Never Forget.

On the flip side, it was so great to finally get to read from Jen and Bing's perspectives. They were both such fun characters in the first book, and it was heavily hinted that sparks would fly between the two, so to finally properly see that was great.

This novella really helped bridge the gap between the two books in this duology, closing off the focus on Lexy and Alec, and turning the focus towards Jen and Bing. I kind of wish that more authors did this in companion novel series as it's such a great way to ease into new characters' perspectives.

Definitely a must-read if you're reading this duology, especially since book two picks up over a year after the events of this story, which is heavily influenced by what we see in this story. Get on this duology new adult romance fans!
Profile Image for Emma Harris.
105 reviews12 followers
May 6, 2013
Oh man my only compliant about this book is...... It should be longer, lol. I totally loved this novella, it's great with other people's POV throughout. This is about Alec settling into life in the big city after following Lexy there as well as having some stiff competition in the form of Adrian (don't like him one bit) and her former best friend Jayna who is as shallow as they come, both Alec & Lexy find the move back a struggle. Now this novella sets up the story for the next book which is mainly featured on Bing & Jen and without letting too much out the bag "I can't wait to read Never Forget" I reckon it'll be an extremely interesting read ;) I love how their relationship is & Jen is such a feisty girl, u can't help but like her & Bing well he's seems as hot as they come.... Fireworks ahead me thinks ;)

I gave this a 5 star rating, loved it & couldn't put it down - read it in one sitting :)

I received this book as part of Emma Hart's Never Forget Blog Tour :) xx
Profile Image for Jenn.
2,060 reviews328 followers
February 9, 2015
Novella's are basically short stores. But this one just felt like it dragged on and on and on and on...

Alex and Lexy are living in London after their summer romance. Everything is going good between the two of them so why not just add some ridiculous drama so they both start second guessing Alex's decision to move there. And not even that, it wasn't even good drama. Oh no, Lexy doesn't fit in with her friends anymore! Oh no, one other guy likes Lexy and watch out Alex, it may be too much competition. Like...what?

Much like it's predecessor, most of the dialogue between the characters felt forced and didn't flow well at all. I would have loved to have seen Lexy showing Alex around London more and helping him adjust to the change in location instead of all the pointless drama.

I honestly don't know if I will continue this series. I really was interested in learning more about Bing, but I don't know how much more I can stand of Jen.
Profile Image for Donna Miller.
397 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2018
Loved how we got more of lexy and Alec story and an insite into Bing and Jen
Profile Image for Mary.
12 reviews
February 19, 2018
Good, but I expected this one to be more on Lexy and Alec and less of a set up for Bing &Jen. But I liked it.
Profile Image for Robin.
771 reviews3 followers
June 23, 2013
holding on is a short novella that is in between books 1 & 2. it leads off with Lexy and Alec adjusting to life together in London. Alec moves to London to be with Lexy, but he has his own place, and Lexy and Bing live at home and are getting ready to go back to school. Jen, Lexy and Alec's friend from Lilac Bay, is also going to attend college in London so she also arrives and gets an apartment, too. her boyfriend Carl stays behind in Lilac Bay, not coming with Alec or Jen. i thought that was a little weird of him since he and Jen were together for a few years that he might consider moving too, especially when Alec decided to and they could get a place together if he and Jen weren't ready to live together. but obviously that was a sore subject and there are definitely signs there is trouble in paradise throughout this book. and there are also a lot of insinuations that Jen and Bing are attracted to each other even though they act like they can't stand each other most of the time. but they always say there's a thin line between love and hate, right?

so anyhow, Lexy's London best friend Jayna demands she comes clubbing, after she has had 'more than enough time' to help her boy and other bestie get settled in. at first Lexy feels reluctant to do because her whole used-to-be London life isn't really who she is anymore, but she agrees to go once Alec, Jen and Bing decide to go, too. at the club and in a couple of other instances, Lexy's London friends are all rude and disrespectful of her relationship with Alec, thinking he is too much of a country bumpkin to be with her - which seems kind of weird because he doesn't come across like that at all. i understand they may think he is unsophisticated compared to them city kids, but still. one of Lexy's male friends decides to pursue her, although she makes it clear she is happy with Alec and not interested. another issue is that Lexy also worries that now that Alec is loose for the first time in a big city, he may not have eyes for only her anymore since London is full of lots of beautiful women. her friends continue to meddle, causing tension and trying to test their relationship, even at Lexy and Bing's dad's birthday party, which Jayna and Adrian unfortunately were invited to because her parents are friends with Lexy's. it was nice to see that Jen and Bing had Lexy and Alec's backs, threatening to beat both of them up if they didn't leave Alec and Lexy alone and start to respect their relationship (is it wrong that made me laugh?). after sharing their insecurities with each other, and reassurances that they both only wanted each other, they realize that the threats are meaningless obstacles they can overcome as long as they remember that what they what they have is important to hold onto and they cannot let such stupidity come between them. so the story is mainly focused on them dealing with these issues, but it is also about how Jen and Bing seem to be getting drawn together a lot, too, since they are now the odd non-couple hanging out with the couple, just as Lexy and Alec were when they were hanging out with Jen and Carl in the first book before they got together.

i liked how this story was told from all four of the main characters perspectives because it makes you get a better feel being inside each of their heads, but i will admit at times it got confusing remembering who was actually narrating since it kept switching off between the four of them. anyhow, now i am ready for the next book in this series, always remember. i am assuming it will continue and that Jen and Carl will probably break up and that she and Bing will probably get together. hopefully there will be more of Lexy and Alec's story, too.
Profile Image for Christianna Marks.
351 reviews66 followers
May 6, 2013
You can read this and many other reviews on my YA book blog The White Unicorn!

Holding On was such a sweet little novella with a ton of attitude! It brought back all of our favorite characters from Never Forget and got to the bottom of a few questions we had. It also built more drama and lots of laughter!

It catches up with Lexy, Alec, Jen and Bing all getting used to their new lives in London before uni starts. The story is told from all 4 of their POV, so it puts us into all of their heads and that's quite a lot of fun! It puts us into the middle of things, possibly even things that you don't want to be in the middle of.

It's so sweet to see Lexy and Alec together once again. They are just as sweet as you remember them being. There is a little bit of trouble in paradise, but that is created fully by an outside force and it's nice to see them working out all of the issues that that brings out. Also it's fun to watch Alec in situations that he isn't used to...yet.

But my favorite characters Bing and Jen stole the show! Jen's snarky attitude and her interactions with the city people made me laugh outright. The girl has a lot of spunk! And no matter how much of player Bing is, I have to love him. He's so ridiculous, but it works for his character and when you get those two in a room together the sparks fly. Even if they aren't supposed to.

It made me mad that Carl is being such a pain in the ass to Jen though. And with the cliffhanger ending of this little book, I'm curious to see what happens next! But I have to admit that I want more Jen and Bing!

You could get away as reading this one as a stand alone, but it will be so much more fun if you read or have read Never Forget first!

*book was provided by the author for an honest review*
Profile Image for Rachel R. (My Book Empire).
78 reviews191 followers
September 27, 2013
"..but if Grammy taught me anything, it’s that the heart controls all matters of love."

This is the first novella that I have read that has multiple POVs in it. And I must say, Emma Hart didn’t disappoint me. :)

I liked the dual POVs from Never Forget but I’m surprised that in Holding On, readers will get to see the POVs of the four main characters: Lexy, Alec, Jen and Bing. It’s very nice to see what’s inside the minds of these four characters that we all grew to love. We can see the progress in Alec and Lexy’s relationship and the continuous teasing between Bing and Jen! I loved it when they were all together in one room.

From Lexy’s POV:
“I thought we were all doing some work here?” Bing grumbles.

“I am working,” I say innocently. “I'm supervising.”

“Supervising doesn't involve ogling your boyfriend.”

“You're just jealous because there's no-one to ogle you, Samuel.” Jen smirks. My brother glances at her. “If you're my only option, I'd rather have no-one ogling me.”


What I didn’t get was just about Lexy’s old admirer, and I thought it would be better if the ending to the novella also gave closure to this issue. But other than that, this is a very fast read and you’ll laugh, be frustrated, and fall in love with these characters all over again. :)

So, double the fun, excitement, tension, and witty banter!

Favorite lines/quotes:
“Grammy always said you can't have a smile without a little pain, and she was right.”

“Because there is no way on this planet, or any other, that I could ever get bored of looking at you.”

"..because wanting what you can’t have is both the best and worst thing in life."


*I received an ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, however, did not influence my review in any way.*
Profile Image for Dani Morales.
Author 9 books24 followers
April 19, 2013
One of the best thing about Emma Hart and her writing is that it captivates you. Completely sucks you into the story that you forget that your not apart of it. She has a way of bringing ALL of the characters to life and making you feel like you have front row seats to story.

Holding On is no different to that case. I would definitely recommend reading Never Forget first so you can understand who the characters are and why what they are facing is important. I fell in love with Alec and Lexy in Never Fogert, but there was always something about Bing that drew my attention. Maybe it was the fact that he was outspoken like my brother or just the fact that he wore Pink boxers. Whatever the case I knew I was going to want more of him. Jen. Oh how I love Jen. In Never Forget you see the rivalry that Bing and Jen have and it makes you wonder whats really going on.

In Holding On, it has not one, two, but four POVs which I absolutely love. You get to get inside each of the heads of the characters, making you fall in love with each of them that much more. You see that Lexy and Alec are having some issues, not within themselves but with an outside force. You also see that Jen and her boyfriend Carl's relationship is shaky. Holding On is the perfect novella for those wanting a little more Alec and Lexy and a wonderful set up to book 2 Always Remember.

Remember this is a novella, therefor it is shorter but definitely doesn't lack the wow factor. Emma Hart is kicking some major butt in the writing department.
Profile Image for Laura.
262 reviews961 followers
April 19, 2013
This review and others can be found on http://www.bookishtreasures.blogspot.com

Sometimes for me novellas don’t always work but I think Holding On definitely did. Rather than being a full standalone story it shows us Alec and Lexi’s move to London together and properly introduces feelings between characters that will be greater explored in future books. It works well as a transitional novel between Never Forget and the soon to be released sequel Always Remember.

This book is from 4 different points of view, Alec and Lexi with their sweet loving romance, and Jen and Bing with their love/hate relationship. Jen is one of my favourite characters in any book; fierce, protective and very smart mouthed. Her often hilarious comments keep the book very light and I loved her and Bing’s constant banter.

Not too much happens in this book and it only covers a short span of time but it works for the length of the book. There is a little drama in the book but it mainly introduces a few new characters and the relationship between Jen and Bing. For those of you who are anxious for the sequel of Never Forget this may help you wait a little longer.

I wanted to see more of the characters but after all thats what the next book is for! From the ending I am very excited to see what will happen in Always Remember which I have heard is about Jen and Bing.

*I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, this has not affected my opinions or rating in any way*
Profile Image for Megan.
230 reviews62 followers
April 25, 2013
So I generally don’t enjoy novellas so I don’t read them very often… however Emma Hart has basically ruined me for all books at the moment (ok I am totally exaggerating but I LOVE her) so I had to check out Holding On, especially because I really needed my Bing and Alec fix!

So because this was a novella, it didn’t take me long to read (not that any of Emma’s books take me long to read) but this took shorter then most. It was a mix of a continuation of Never Forget and a teaser of what’s to come in Always Remember (which btw I am SUPER excited for)

We met all of the characters in Never Forget, however we were focused on Alec and Lexie, in Holding On we really get to know Bing and Jen… and let me tell you their story? Its going to be AMAZING! Bing and Jen are both brash, sarcastic, fun, and quick witted… whereas Alex and Lexie are more laid back, focused, and calm.

What I loved most about this book though was all the different points of views we get to see, this book has 4 different points of view, Alec, Lexie, Bing, and Jen. Each character is so totally different in what they see and say that it was fantastic to read each ones point of view.

If you read Never Forget then Holding On is a must read just to get the continuation of Alex and Lexie’s story… although it is very short (and the ending totally killed me) don’t let the fact that its only a novella scare you, trust me so much happens in the book that you wont be disappointed!
5 reviews
July 28, 2013
This novella gives us a glimpse of the life of Alexis (also called Lexy) and Alec after the end of Never Forget, of some little problems with Lexy ex-friends, but we get to learn a little bit more about Jen, Lexy's best friend and also Bing, Lexy's brother.

This novella was sweet and funny, the main couple have some problems but they're strong so it's okay (I can hear "Us Against the World" by Westlife, if you've read Never Forget in the same series you'd understand ;-) ) . The funny part is the relationship between Bing and Jen and it's full of tension and full of funny and feisty lines, really, you never know what you can expect them to say to each other ! The author raised the topic about long distance relationship and I find that it makes the story even more realistic ! If I had to point out something, it would be the 4 POV writing, it's a little bit hard to read sometimes, but it's okay since it's a novella.
I really love Emma Hart writing style, fresh but real, not too descriptive !
Profile Image for Laura Berry.
170 reviews
January 12, 2014
I loved this novella. The tension between Bing and Jen was so obvious. I can't wait to read their story. The ending definitely left me eager for more.
This novella definitely makes you want to read more about Bing and Jen. I'm hoping their story is just as good as Alec and Lexy's.
Jen's sense of humour is addicting to read and I'm looking forward to seeing if Bing can change his player ways and finally settle down with the girl he truly wants. Although, based on this novella, I think he's more than ready to commit.
This is a short, fun read but I'd definitely recommend it as it sets the story for the next book in this series: Always Remember. It's also included in the FREE book, Never Forget. This is definitely worth downloading.
Profile Image for Janell Wheeler.
954 reviews11 followers
April 7, 2017
Was so happy about this book but hadn't noticed that is was just a short novella, that was sad. I don't think it held true to the synopsis but still loved the continuation of the story. Sorry that the original story line is ending but very excited for the story that is being created for the next book. I hope my original characters are in it a bit at least. I didn't love the way it ended so I'm hoping to get a little closure on the next book although the author already stated they she was done with the first story line. As a completion to the 1st book I didn't like it, but as a prequel to the 2nd book I think it was great.
241 reviews11 followers
May 5, 2013
This is a short continuation of the story of Lex and Alex once they get back to London. It's a cute read but the romance that is in the mix for Bing and Jen is great!!! I wasn't a fan of Bing and his womanizing ways in the first book but these two are made for each other. Can't wait till next Monday when the next book comes out.

I'm wondering if we see more of Ade trying to get Lex from Alex. I just want those two to be happy.

Good short read.
Profile Image for Jeraca.
2,708 reviews32 followers
May 10, 2013
Here is my review for "Holding On": http://jeracalea.blogspot.com/2013/05...

LOVED this book! Even more than the first. Really enjoyed the 4 different perspectives and I definitely could tell there was some tension between Bing and Jen during the first novel. Even though this was a little short, I was glad to read it and see what happened when all of them went back to London after a summer in a small town!
Profile Image for Jeanie Robinson.
145 reviews2 followers
November 26, 2013
Woah!!!! I started this Morning, and now I'm dying to know what happens with Bing and Jen. It's crazy how an annoyance toward someone can go to addiction within minutes. Emma Hart, you really do know how to capture your characters and draw us readers in.

~ It's you. It's always been you, and it'll only ever be you! I'm not leaving without you. I mean it. When it's me and you, it's forever! - Alec Johnson
371 reviews8 followers
May 11, 2016
This was a short read which was perfect and alternates between Lexy and Alec's story and Bing and Jen's.

I loved this because there was no dragging out the whole Adrian part they both had complete faith and it pretty much ended like that which I appreciated since sometimes when the author drags it out it can get boring but not here.

This was just a short introduction to the ending of Carl and Jen and the beginning of Jen and Bing.
Profile Image for Warpedmind.
579 reviews
July 24, 2013
This was a continuation of Never Forget (Memories, #1) by Emma Hart of Lexy and Alec love story. But this added the characters from the last book to have their own story to tell. This was a short story to set you up for the next book.
Profile Image for Stacey Conrad.
1,110 reviews17 followers
February 21, 2014
So, I'm going through my Kindle and realized I'd never finished this series. Silly me... I really liked this author and this particular series. This is a place filler between books one and two, and gives an update on Jen and Bing as they circle around one another denying that that they like each other. Book two picks up right where this leaves off, so don't skip it.
Profile Image for Jackie Lynn.
815 reviews
January 11, 2015
This was a nice novella. It was really focused on Bing and Jen though. It was in the voices of almost everyone, which I didn't really care for, but it really it the stage for the next book in the series.

As always, I loved the characters. I think their attitudes towards each other is what makes the books so worth reading. The feel so real.

I can't wait to read Jen and Bing's happy ending!!
Profile Image for Tammy.
3,797 reviews16 followers
March 23, 2014
Little Novella following Never Forget- Lexy, Alec and Jen are all in London now before University starts. Bing and Jen are starting to show an attraction and people threaten to ruin what Lexy and Alec have- but really don't know why they let those annoying ex-friends even get in their heads. Cute little read. I am continuing on.
Profile Image for Brittany.
76 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2014
This is a great gateway to Always Remember. It's in Alec, Alexis, Jen , and Bing's pov and it is awesome. We get a little bit of everyone in this story and it helps to love the next book.Again, the conflict was stupid and so tedious. If Hart can work on this part of all her stories then the stories will be awesome.
Profile Image for Becca.
656 reviews106 followers
April 25, 2013

This book was a really fun novella. I was very excited to get a peek inside book #2. Although, I was hoping to see more between Alex and Alec. I loved the sparks between Bing and Jen and I absolutely cannot wait to read their story!!
Profile Image for Tracy Anderson.
103 reviews2 followers
April 20, 2013
It was just enough ti tease me I want more I want hen and Ning together and I want Alec and Alexis to be able to handle everything snd for everyone to leave them alone they have already had to fight for there love let them be happy I can't wait til the next book I just live them
Profile Image for Megan Shultz.
92 reviews2 followers
April 29, 2013
woowsa. I love Jen. I love her attitude and she's absolutely hilarious. and I love Bing for the same reasons. I cant wait for the next book to read more about them! and of course more about Alec and Lexy!
Profile Image for Karen Goosie.
165 reviews
August 22, 2013
short sweet and awesome. the love between alexis and alec is amazing. love the back and forth banter between bing and jen. time to read and see what happens between them. recommend this series to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews

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