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With Me #1
Stay With Me
I’ve been famous since I can remember. Singing, acting, dancing—I’ve done it all. The tabloids cover my every move, but I don’t want that anymore. I want to be normal, whatever that is.
When I leave Hollywood for college in Vermont, I’m on my own for the first time in my life. This is my chance to figure out who I am and what I want in life.
But it’s a lot harder than I expected. I can’t escape my image. Classes are difficult, and I’m struggling. And then there’s Caleb Fox.
Sexy, intriguing Caleb Fox.
Caleb is the one man who doesn’t want to use me. He breaks down my walls. He challenges me. He wants me. And I just don’t know if I can give him the same—or if he’ll stick around when he finds out my shameful secret that the tabloids haven’t managed to uncover.
Dating him is risky enough, but loving him could break me.
New Adult/Contemporary Romance with a HEA - Recommended for ages 17 and older.
When I leave Hollywood for college in Vermont, I’m on my own for the first time in my life. This is my chance to figure out who I am and what I want in life.
But it’s a lot harder than I expected. I can’t escape my image. Classes are difficult, and I’m struggling. And then there’s Caleb Fox.
Sexy, intriguing Caleb Fox.
Caleb is the one man who doesn’t want to use me. He breaks down my walls. He challenges me. He wants me. And I just don’t know if I can give him the same—or if he’ll stick around when he finds out my shameful secret that the tabloids haven’t managed to uncover.
Dating him is risky enough, but loving him could break me.
New Adult/Contemporary Romance with a HEA - Recommended for ages 17 and older.
276 pages, ebook
First published August 30, 2013
119 people are currently reading
3660 people want to read
About the author
Elyssa Patrick
17 books262 followersElyssa Patrick writes romances that have a lot of heat, humor, and heart--and they always have a happily ever after. Elyssa lives in Upstate New York and is working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
October 21, 2013
5 MELTING ADORABLE STARS
How can you not love Caleb?!
"I'm so glad you came here, Hailey. So very, very glad. You are my every heartbeat, and I love you"
My God, this book turned me on, made me melt and smile! I love this book :) There’s something about the intimacy and connection between Caleb and Hailey that definitely not only melts but keep you gripped to their story. It was a very sweet love story and it's beautiful journey!
My sweet and adorable Caleb
"And you were all dark and mysterious in the shadows"
And our heroine, Hailey, who is teenager movie star, singer and leaves everything behind for a normal life.
"But you walked out onto that deck, so shiny, so bright"
I really warmed to her. I felt for her, where her parents were concerned, but she was strong to fight for what she's wants. N having Caleb right besides her was the best! He was the best boyfriend <3
I friggin' love Caleb!! And oh boy, everything just gets hot and steamy daily with them!
Besides Caleb, all this room mates are hot too! I so can't wait to see how they end up!
27/8/2013
Am re-reading this book so frequently, it just makes feel so in love! Elyssa is magical <3
Caleb so so so my new book boyfriend!
If you are in mood of romance, read this book! Caleb and his mates will bring that romance alive!
**ARC received from publisher**
How can you not love Caleb?!
"I'm so glad you came here, Hailey. So very, very glad. You are my every heartbeat, and I love you"
My God, this book turned me on, made me melt and smile! I love this book :) There’s something about the intimacy and connection between Caleb and Hailey that definitely not only melts but keep you gripped to their story. It was a very sweet love story and it's beautiful journey!
My sweet and adorable Caleb
"And you were all dark and mysterious in the shadows"
And our heroine, Hailey, who is teenager movie star, singer and leaves everything behind for a normal life.
"But you walked out onto that deck, so shiny, so bright"
I really warmed to her. I felt for her, where her parents were concerned, but she was strong to fight for what she's wants. N having Caleb right besides her was the best! He was the best boyfriend <3
I friggin' love Caleb!! And oh boy, everything just gets hot and steamy daily with them!
Besides Caleb, all this room mates are hot too! I so can't wait to see how they end up!
27/8/2013
Am re-reading this book so frequently, it just makes feel so in love! Elyssa is magical <3
Caleb so so so my new book boyfriend!
If you are in mood of romance, read this book! Caleb and his mates will bring that romance alive!
**ARC received from publisher**
March 1, 2015
Hailey walked away from Hollywood, from the movies, from the stage... from it all. She wanted a chance to be herself, a person she hadn’t met over the last 18 years, and someone she had no idea how to be. Leaving Hollywood for Vermont to attend college was the first step.
Hailey’s never had someone in her life that wasn’t looking for a way to cash in on their friendship, so when it comes to interacting with her classmates it is not an easy task to try to sort those that she can trust. Enter Caleb. Instant attraction and chemistry. But she holds back just a little. Unsure if Caleb sees beyond who she is, but there is something about him that makes her feel like she’s on fire. A way he has about him that allows her to trust him with almost everything. Everything but one secret that she knows would make him hate her.
This was a very, very sweet romance. But don’t let that fool you, because there were some scenes in this that were off the charts hot. As a reader there are a few key things that I love in a story. One of them is the first kiss. Some authors will just brush past this, but in Stay With Me we get one helluva first kiss. One that leaves a lasting impression. I enjoyed the way the author balanced the sexual chemistry and the romance.
I really liked Caleb, but I wanted to know more about him. There was this feeling like there was something that just wasn’t revealed. He was nearly perfect, but there were a few things that were touched upon but never discussed further. I think had more of Caleb’s past been discussed a bigger connection would have been formed. With Hailey I wasn’t completely won over, but I did not dislike her; which is a win.
In the end, the author had several ways she could have played out this story. I am glad she went with the way she did. This was heavy on romance and light on drama and angst. And although there were plenty of places some angst could have easily been added, I don’t think it was necessary or that it would have helped the story. Sometimes people just need to simply fall in love.
The cast of characters in this offers up some interest was well. I know that I’ll read the rest of this series at some point, but not quite sold on it jumping any of the books already on the list.
ARC provided on behalf of Elyssa Patrick from NetGalley
Hailey’s never had someone in her life that wasn’t looking for a way to cash in on their friendship, so when it comes to interacting with her classmates it is not an easy task to try to sort those that she can trust. Enter Caleb. Instant attraction and chemistry. But she holds back just a little. Unsure if Caleb sees beyond who she is, but there is something about him that makes her feel like she’s on fire. A way he has about him that allows her to trust him with almost everything. Everything but one secret that she knows would make him hate her.
This was a very, very sweet romance. But don’t let that fool you, because there were some scenes in this that were off the charts hot. As a reader there are a few key things that I love in a story. One of them is the first kiss. Some authors will just brush past this, but in Stay With Me we get one helluva first kiss. One that leaves a lasting impression. I enjoyed the way the author balanced the sexual chemistry and the romance.
I really liked Caleb, but I wanted to know more about him. There was this feeling like there was something that just wasn’t revealed. He was nearly perfect, but there were a few things that were touched upon but never discussed further. I think had more of Caleb’s past been discussed a bigger connection would have been formed. With Hailey I wasn’t completely won over, but I did not dislike her; which is a win.
In the end, the author had several ways she could have played out this story. I am glad she went with the way she did. This was heavy on romance and light on drama and angst. And although there were plenty of places some angst could have easily been added, I don’t think it was necessary or that it would have helped the story. Sometimes people just need to simply fall in love.
The cast of characters in this offers up some interest was well. I know that I’ll read the rest of this series at some point, but not quite sold on it jumping any of the books already on the list.
ARC provided on behalf of Elyssa Patrick from NetGalley
January 11, 2014
Stay With Me caught my eye right away, and I was really looking forward to jumping into this novel about a rock star who leaves it all behind to finally start to live the life she defines for herself. Hailey Bloom had it all… fame, money, and fans that loved her movies and music. However, being in the spotlight from a very young age, she never got a chance to feel what “normal” was like; until the day she decides to walk away from the only life she’s known, to try something new.
I really enjoyed this story and was not disappointed one bit. What I loved most about Stay With Me was that it didn’t over-dramatize the character’s life in any way. From beginning to end, I felt like I was traveling right alongside Hailey as she started a new chapter of her life as a college student.
Caleb was a perfect addition to this story. He was not only too good to be true, but genuine, sweet and swoon-worthy. What’s not to love? Right from the beginning, there was no pretense with this character. What you saw is what you got. And, I loved to see how he handled falling in love with someone famous.
There was definite chemistry between Hailey and Caleb and they sure knew how to steam up the ePages of their story, but most of all their romance felt sincere. From the beginning, they were compatible. Caleb was a perfect fit for Hailey’s new life.
The secondary characters were fun to meet, and I even look forward to reading some of the roommates’ stories. The friendship and camaraderie among the cast is a storyline I’d like to continue reading.
Finally, I’m so glad the showdown between Hailey and her momager didn’t swallow up the essence of the story. This was about Hailey starting a new chapter in her life and learning to adjust to the pressures of being a student. It was very well done! I look forward to the next story in this series. Give me more!
I really enjoyed this story and was not disappointed one bit. What I loved most about Stay With Me was that it didn’t over-dramatize the character’s life in any way. From beginning to end, I felt like I was traveling right alongside Hailey as she started a new chapter of her life as a college student.
Caleb was a perfect addition to this story. He was not only too good to be true, but genuine, sweet and swoon-worthy. What’s not to love? Right from the beginning, there was no pretense with this character. What you saw is what you got. And, I loved to see how he handled falling in love with someone famous.
There was definite chemistry between Hailey and Caleb and they sure knew how to steam up the ePages of their story, but most of all their romance felt sincere. From the beginning, they were compatible. Caleb was a perfect fit for Hailey’s new life.
The secondary characters were fun to meet, and I even look forward to reading some of the roommates’ stories. The friendship and camaraderie among the cast is a storyline I’d like to continue reading.
Finally, I’m so glad the showdown between Hailey and her momager didn’t swallow up the essence of the story. This was about Hailey starting a new chapter in her life and learning to adjust to the pressures of being a student. It was very well done! I look forward to the next story in this series. Give me more!
August 25, 2013
ARC provided from Netgalley.
This book is about a girl named Hailey Bloom. She has been her mother's money maker since she was little. Tired of being a star & in the public eye Hailey just wants to know what it's like to live a normal life. She leaves Hollywood and the acting & music career behind and enrolls in college. She wants to find herself, and figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Shortly after starting college she goes to a party one night and meets a guy named Caleb Fox.
I thought this was a fabulous book!!! I have never read anything by this author before, and was seriously missing out! I loved Daphne & this whole group of guys. I can't wait to read all their books! I am excited to read Jamie, & Griff's books, but am dying to read Nick's book the most! This book was extremely hot & I just can't get Caleb, kisses, blackberries, & birthday cake out of my head!
-My skin prickles with awareness. I'm nowhere near him, but it feels like he's standing right next to me.
-He's easily one of the most handsome men I've ever seen in my life, but not in the pretty boy kind of way.
-He smiles, and my heart gives a hard, swift kick in my chest.
-Caleb a`la mode sounds really sinful and awesome.
-"I want to kiss you. Everywhere."
-He is so damn sexy. And mine.
-"Yours, "he says, his voice low, harsh with desires. "All yours."
-I love his kisses. I could get drunk on them.
-Two heartbeats, two hearts, but there's something here - something I can't name yet. It almost feels like there's this thread, this oh so delicate thread connecting us.
-Caleb is the best man I've ever known. He deserves the best me possible.
-I started believing in me. Because of you. You are everything to me."
This book is about a girl named Hailey Bloom. She has been her mother's money maker since she was little. Tired of being a star & in the public eye Hailey just wants to know what it's like to live a normal life. She leaves Hollywood and the acting & music career behind and enrolls in college. She wants to find herself, and figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Shortly after starting college she goes to a party one night and meets a guy named Caleb Fox.
I thought this was a fabulous book!!! I have never read anything by this author before, and was seriously missing out! I loved Daphne & this whole group of guys. I can't wait to read all their books! I am excited to read Jamie, & Griff's books, but am dying to read Nick's book the most! This book was extremely hot & I just can't get Caleb, kisses, blackberries, & birthday cake out of my head!
-My skin prickles with awareness. I'm nowhere near him, but it feels like he's standing right next to me.
-He's easily one of the most handsome men I've ever seen in my life, but not in the pretty boy kind of way.
-He smiles, and my heart gives a hard, swift kick in my chest.
-Caleb a`la mode sounds really sinful and awesome.
-"I want to kiss you. Everywhere."
-He is so damn sexy. And mine.
-"Yours, "he says, his voice low, harsh with desires. "All yours."
-I love his kisses. I could get drunk on them.
-Two heartbeats, two hearts, but there's something here - something I can't name yet. It almost feels like there's this thread, this oh so delicate thread connecting us.
-Caleb is the best man I've ever known. He deserves the best me possible.
-I started believing in me. Because of you. You are everything to me."
July 20, 2014
"You are my every heartbeat, and I love you"
Since she was a little child, Hailey was famous...singing,acting, she was always on the spotlight. Until the day she cut ties with her mother and left the Hollywood world behind and start fresh, to have a new beginning and to figure out what she really wants for her life.
And then she meets Caleb, that see her and not a celebrity persona...an intriguing forst meeting, that becomes more when Hailey become friends with Daphne, without knowing she is Caleb's sister. So she starts hanging out with him and his friends, and love blossoms between them.
Meanwhile, her mother, since she lost all the money Hailey gave her, is set on revealing secrets that she wanted to remain buried.
Can she have a shot on a brand new future or will she always be stuck with her part?
**
I really enjoyed this story...it was sweet and surprisingly wasn't overloading in drama. The last couple of books NA I read had just too much drama, hurt or abuse, so it was refreshing that the hero/heroine actually spoke to each other and didn't let many misunderstandings set between them.
I really liked the romance between them and how slowly it was building and I loved her relationship with Daphne.
"Girl." Daphne bumps her shoulder against mine.
"You're not alone anymore. Get that through your thick skull. You have me. And though I may be short, I am one fierce motherfucker."
Hell Yeah!
Now I want Daphne's book! :)
*egalley given via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
September 2, 2013
Stay With Me is a refreshing New Adult Romance that is relatively drama free. Hailey is a former child actor/rock star who is looking to leave her former life behind. She does what so many other nineteen year old's do, she enrolls in college. She's hoping to keep a low profile, but things rarely go as planned and soon she finds herself back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Hailey was in the spotlight before she was even able to walk. Her mother took her to Hollywood as an infant and she became the next Gerber Baby. Hailey was an actress and eventually she began singing. She sold out arenas around the country and she hated every minute of it. When she became an adult, she decided to take control of her life and find out who she really was.
Caleb is a student in a small college. He lives close to his family and when he begins his junior year, he runs into none other than the Hailey Bloom at a party. He is immediately drawn to her. Hailey is afraid to get close to anyone because they may not be interested in her but her persona.
Hailey just wants to blend in. She tries so hard to not be Hailey Bloom the star and just be Hailey the person. One day while trying to blend in Hailey encounters Daphne. Also a freshman, Daphne quickly befriends Hailey and Hailey discovers that Daphne is Caleb's sister. Hailey falls into this tight knit group of friends and finds something she has always wanted.
In Hollywood you have to constantly watch your back and even "friends" can stab you in the back. Trusting others does not come easily to her.
Hailey's mother was the mastermind behind her rise to fame. She isn't happy about Hailey going to college.
Hailey has turned her back on her mother but she may not be able to move on so easily. Caleb and Hailey continue to get closer. She finds something she never planned on.
When Hailey's secrets are threatened, she is sure that Caleb will disappear. Caleb is her rock and he is absolutely swoon worthy.
This was a sweet and mostly uncomplicated romance. Hailey is a young woman who is just coming into her own and finding herself. Caleb knows who he is and where he is going an he helps Hailey in her journey. If you are looking for a light sweet read then this one is for you.
4 Sweet Stars!
Hailey was in the spotlight before she was even able to walk. Her mother took her to Hollywood as an infant and she became the next Gerber Baby. Hailey was an actress and eventually she began singing. She sold out arenas around the country and she hated every minute of it. When she became an adult, she decided to take control of her life and find out who she really was.
Caleb is a student in a small college. He lives close to his family and when he begins his junior year, he runs into none other than the Hailey Bloom at a party. He is immediately drawn to her. Hailey is afraid to get close to anyone because they may not be interested in her but her persona.
Hailey just wants to blend in. She tries so hard to not be Hailey Bloom the star and just be Hailey the person. One day while trying to blend in Hailey encounters Daphne. Also a freshman, Daphne quickly befriends Hailey and Hailey discovers that Daphne is Caleb's sister. Hailey falls into this tight knit group of friends and finds something she has always wanted.
In Hollywood you have to constantly watch your back and even "friends" can stab you in the back. Trusting others does not come easily to her.
Hailey's mother was the mastermind behind her rise to fame. She isn't happy about Hailey going to college.
Hailey has turned her back on her mother but she may not be able to move on so easily. Caleb and Hailey continue to get closer. She finds something she never planned on.
When Hailey's secrets are threatened, she is sure that Caleb will disappear. Caleb is her rock and he is absolutely swoon worthy.
This was a sweet and mostly uncomplicated romance. Hailey is a young woman who is just coming into her own and finding herself. Caleb knows who he is and where he is going an he helps Hailey in her journey. If you are looking for a light sweet read then this one is for you.
4 Sweet Stars!
August 28, 2013
Stay With Me by Elyssa Patrick
3 stars!!
This is the story of Hailey Bloom, she was a child protégé, her mother being the driving force behind her acting, singing and dancing career. She had been living this life since she was a baby, she had enjoyed it “once” but not anymore. Her mother wouldn’t give her a break, everything was monitored, what she wore, her appearance, her weight, her diet and her down time. She had, had enough and wanted to just be herself, find herself and do something for herself. She decides at eighteen that she wants to go back to college, find her niche in life, find something that she is good at, but most of all she just wants to be normal. Therefore she leaves her mother, the fame, the glamour and Hollywood behind and goes and enrols at a college far away from her mother.
Her “new” life begins. She tries to blend in, but that is hard when you are famous, I must admit I thought she would have had it a lot tougher than she did, but was glad her transition was fairly seamless. She gets talked into going to a party, she is not really wanting to be there so she sneaks outside to get some fresh air. There is already somebody out there, Hailey meet Caleb Fox! This was definitely lust at first sight for both them, but Hailey had her head screwed on and tries to put her studies first and her old life behind her, she doesn’t need a man to confuse her and basically walks away! She meets a new friend, Daphne, she was adorable and so funny. She befriends Hailey, not because of the fame but because they genuinely like each other. She has her own posse of men that are her “protectors” and it is during one of these encounters that she realises that Daphne’s older is the “Caleb Fox.”
Being in such close proximity to each other through their mutual connection to Daphne, eventually the lust gives in and they do get together. Caleb was totally adorable, he was super sexy, smart, thoughtful, genuine, just a really lovely guy. Hailey was obviously wary, she always thinks that people are only friendly because of who she is, so it takes her a while to, trust and open up.
“It’s too rainy,” I say. “I’m so wet.” He pauses, then rocks against me. “You’re about to get a lot wetter.”
The rest of the story is Hailey and Caleb’s journey, there are obstacles of course, but it is a tale of learning to trust and love and appreciate genuine friendships. I think her mother should be shot, god I had an extreme dislike for the woman!
It was a super cute story, which I liked, I didn’t fall in love with it though. I think that this is mainly because I found the writing style to be a little bitty, meaning it didn’t really flow. It didn’t detract from what was a lovely story and as this authors writing develops I can see that this is going to be a great series, I would still read the next one. I can’t wait to see who is up next!!
www.theromancecover.com
3 stars!!
This is the story of Hailey Bloom, she was a child protégé, her mother being the driving force behind her acting, singing and dancing career. She had been living this life since she was a baby, she had enjoyed it “once” but not anymore. Her mother wouldn’t give her a break, everything was monitored, what she wore, her appearance, her weight, her diet and her down time. She had, had enough and wanted to just be herself, find herself and do something for herself. She decides at eighteen that she wants to go back to college, find her niche in life, find something that she is good at, but most of all she just wants to be normal. Therefore she leaves her mother, the fame, the glamour and Hollywood behind and goes and enrols at a college far away from her mother.
Her “new” life begins. She tries to blend in, but that is hard when you are famous, I must admit I thought she would have had it a lot tougher than she did, but was glad her transition was fairly seamless. She gets talked into going to a party, she is not really wanting to be there so she sneaks outside to get some fresh air. There is already somebody out there, Hailey meet Caleb Fox! This was definitely lust at first sight for both them, but Hailey had her head screwed on and tries to put her studies first and her old life behind her, she doesn’t need a man to confuse her and basically walks away! She meets a new friend, Daphne, she was adorable and so funny. She befriends Hailey, not because of the fame but because they genuinely like each other. She has her own posse of men that are her “protectors” and it is during one of these encounters that she realises that Daphne’s older is the “Caleb Fox.”
Being in such close proximity to each other through their mutual connection to Daphne, eventually the lust gives in and they do get together. Caleb was totally adorable, he was super sexy, smart, thoughtful, genuine, just a really lovely guy. Hailey was obviously wary, she always thinks that people are only friendly because of who she is, so it takes her a while to, trust and open up.
“It’s too rainy,” I say. “I’m so wet.” He pauses, then rocks against me. “You’re about to get a lot wetter.”
The rest of the story is Hailey and Caleb’s journey, there are obstacles of course, but it is a tale of learning to trust and love and appreciate genuine friendships. I think her mother should be shot, god I had an extreme dislike for the woman!
It was a super cute story, which I liked, I didn’t fall in love with it though. I think that this is mainly because I found the writing style to be a little bitty, meaning it didn’t really flow. It didn’t detract from what was a lovely story and as this authors writing develops I can see that this is going to be a great series, I would still read the next one. I can’t wait to see who is up next!!
www.theromancecover.com
August 14, 2013
I wanted to like this book, but I just didn't. The plot and characters had the potential to be interesting, but the execution was poor. The concept of a former celebrity trying to blend back into the "real" world, was an interesting one, but I didn't think it was handled at all realistically in this book. Besides being mentioned over and over again, I didn't see much of how it actually effected Hailey's life. Having been famous and knowing that people may very well be out to use her would have probably, in my opinion, have given Hailey a bit more pause before she just fell into Caleb's arms.
Speaking of falling into Caleb's arms, talk about insta-love! They were up close and personal within the first few pages after just barely exchanging names, she's up all night thinking about him at the end of chapter one, and they're making out by chapter two. A lot of the dialogue felt awkward too, and I'm wondering if the insta-love was part of the reason. The dialogue between Caleb and Hailey was striving to fill in all this information that would have already been there had they not gotten together basically upon meeting.
The pacing of this book seemed off to me. It seemed split between inappropriately intense (since they just met) Caleb/Hailey 'love' scenes, and endless rambling descriptions to try to fill in a plot that wasn't all that strong. Oh the descriptions! I understand that characters need to get from point A to point B, but we don't need to read about every single step and breath and leaf along the way. They were actually so long and involved that they distracted me from what was actually supposed to be going on. I also thought Caleb and Hailey's college experience sounded a bit more like high school, but maybe that's just me.
In the end I feel like there really wasn't much of a plot at all. That the whole premise was just set up as a shaky framework to characterize these two people a certain way and the main focus of the book was just one 'love' scene after another. After initially finding a couple good books in the New Adult genre when it first began, I was excited that this new market had opened up. I'm very disappointed in the way it's so quickly gone. In my opinion it is not "YA with sex scenes" as a lot of people describe it, it's more like erotica lite for the barely legal set. Which is actually kind of disgusting when you think about it. YA books have actual plots, whether characters are sleeping together or not. New Adult seems to have unfortunately become about nothing but sex and I don't think I'll be trying any more in the future.
*I'd like to thank Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
Speaking of falling into Caleb's arms, talk about insta-love! They were up close and personal within the first few pages after just barely exchanging names, she's up all night thinking about him at the end of chapter one, and they're making out by chapter two. A lot of the dialogue felt awkward too, and I'm wondering if the insta-love was part of the reason. The dialogue between Caleb and Hailey was striving to fill in all this information that would have already been there had they not gotten together basically upon meeting.
The pacing of this book seemed off to me. It seemed split between inappropriately intense (since they just met) Caleb/Hailey 'love' scenes, and endless rambling descriptions to try to fill in a plot that wasn't all that strong. Oh the descriptions! I understand that characters need to get from point A to point B, but we don't need to read about every single step and breath and leaf along the way. They were actually so long and involved that they distracted me from what was actually supposed to be going on. I also thought Caleb and Hailey's college experience sounded a bit more like high school, but maybe that's just me.
In the end I feel like there really wasn't much of a plot at all. That the whole premise was just set up as a shaky framework to characterize these two people a certain way and the main focus of the book was just one 'love' scene after another. After initially finding a couple good books in the New Adult genre when it first began, I was excited that this new market had opened up. I'm very disappointed in the way it's so quickly gone. In my opinion it is not "YA with sex scenes" as a lot of people describe it, it's more like erotica lite for the barely legal set. Which is actually kind of disgusting when you think about it. YA books have actual plots, whether characters are sleeping together or not. New Adult seems to have unfortunately become about nothing but sex and I don't think I'll be trying any more in the future.
*I'd like to thank Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
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August 17, 2013
Hailey left her famous life behind to go to college...
It was insta love with Caleb...
Something's holding her back...
A secret that may destroy their relationship...
My thoughts
I actually thought I would end up wanting to slap Hailey but she wasn't too bad. She was holding back a big secret and the reveal just made me roll my eyes.
I quite liked Caleb but the two of them as a couple was just... alright.
There was some really nicely written sex scenes which is always a plus.
If your looking for a sweet drama-free college romance with some nice sex scenes then this would be the book.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley
It was insta love with Caleb...
Something's holding her back...
A secret that may destroy their relationship...
My thoughts
I actually thought I would end up wanting to slap Hailey but she wasn't too bad. She was holding back a big secret and the reveal just made me roll my eyes.
I quite liked Caleb but the two of them as a couple was just... alright.
"You are my every heartbeat, and I love you"
There was some really nicely written sex scenes which is always a plus.
If your looking for a sweet drama-free college romance with some nice sex scenes then this would be the book.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley
August 4, 2013
As the lucky recipient of an early reading copy, I just finished Elyssa Patrick's latest, "Stay With Me." A truly delightful and wonderful fun-to-read story with such captivating characters you'll enjoy getting to know.
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW CLOSER TO RELEASE DAY.
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW CLOSER TO RELEASE DAY.
August 28, 2013
Caleb and Hailey
GIVEAWAY TODAY!!! 8/28.
Really enjoyed this one. It has a great main couple and some really fun secondary characters. Full review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
Hailey Bloom just wants to be normal. She has been famous her whole life and now she doesn’t want to be. She has left that life behind and enrolled in college hoping to be just like everyone else. There she meets Caleb Fox. He is different. He doesn’t treat her like she is famous or like some conquest he will run and report to the media. Hailey has real trust issue because of the life she has lived but maybe Caleb will be the one to show her that she can have something different.
Hailey has her 19th birthday in this book so while it is a romance novel I also felt it was a novel about a young girl discovering herself. Hailey had a real piece of work in the mother department and with her move to college she was finally out from under her. This was Hailey’s time to figure out what she wanted from life not what she had always been told she wanted. The parts with her discovering who she is are very heartfelt and well done. I think that is the crux of NA and what makes it so different from other romance genres.
Art sings in my every nerve, my blood…and what if this is really who I am. Who I’m meant to be. But I don’t want to be famous. I don’t. I want to be normal. Have a normal life. Not have to open a paper or turn on a TV screen and see my name all over the screen. I want to fall in love, get married one day, have a family in the far future and have a career that I love.
I don’t want to stay in Hollywood. I don’t want to be the Hailey Bloom.
Now let’s talk about Caleb, wonderful, sweet, sigh worthy Caleb. Could he have been anymore perfect? Where was a dude like that when I was 19? He was so sincere in his love for Hailey and is so sweet in the things he does for her. He didn’t let her run or turn away and he took everything she had, all the insecurities, and only gave back happiness and love. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to take him home with me, you know if something like that could be done. Heh.
For about the first 10% of the book I was thinking it was kind of slow. Hailey and Caleb meet and then don’t meet and it is kind of a back and forth game. Then we meet all the secondary characters. Daphne, Caleb’s sister and Hailey’s new BFF and all Caleb’s friends. Once they are introduced the story takes off. The interaction between all of them and how they are with Hailey and Caleb made the book for me. I think they served well to balance the main relationship.
I don’t read much NA because I find that I can’t identify with the younger characters. I had heard really good things about Stay With Me so I decided to give it a shot. I wasn’t disappointed. The characters might be young in age but they are mature in life and in the way they act. I had no issues with their age nor at any time did I roll my eye at the angst as I am often wont to do with NA. I did have one small issue with the book and that was how easily the main conflict was resolved. Hailey stressed for most of the book and then it was done in two pages. I would have liked to explore more with her mother or more with how something was done about the conflict.
I know that Ms. Patrick has several books in this series releasing over the next year and I cannot wait to read them! Final grade- B
Favorite Quote:
“Awww, you two lovebirds are so cute.” Jaime leans forward. “So, show her the magic trick.”
“I’m trying, but you still haven’t disappeared yet.”
GIVEAWAY TODAY!!! 8/28.
Really enjoyed this one. It has a great main couple and some really fun secondary characters. Full review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
Hailey Bloom just wants to be normal. She has been famous her whole life and now she doesn’t want to be. She has left that life behind and enrolled in college hoping to be just like everyone else. There she meets Caleb Fox. He is different. He doesn’t treat her like she is famous or like some conquest he will run and report to the media. Hailey has real trust issue because of the life she has lived but maybe Caleb will be the one to show her that she can have something different.
Hailey has her 19th birthday in this book so while it is a romance novel I also felt it was a novel about a young girl discovering herself. Hailey had a real piece of work in the mother department and with her move to college she was finally out from under her. This was Hailey’s time to figure out what she wanted from life not what she had always been told she wanted. The parts with her discovering who she is are very heartfelt and well done. I think that is the crux of NA and what makes it so different from other romance genres.
Art sings in my every nerve, my blood…and what if this is really who I am. Who I’m meant to be. But I don’t want to be famous. I don’t. I want to be normal. Have a normal life. Not have to open a paper or turn on a TV screen and see my name all over the screen. I want to fall in love, get married one day, have a family in the far future and have a career that I love.
I don’t want to stay in Hollywood. I don’t want to be the Hailey Bloom.
Now let’s talk about Caleb, wonderful, sweet, sigh worthy Caleb. Could he have been anymore perfect? Where was a dude like that when I was 19? He was so sincere in his love for Hailey and is so sweet in the things he does for her. He didn’t let her run or turn away and he took everything she had, all the insecurities, and only gave back happiness and love. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to take him home with me, you know if something like that could be done. Heh.
For about the first 10% of the book I was thinking it was kind of slow. Hailey and Caleb meet and then don’t meet and it is kind of a back and forth game. Then we meet all the secondary characters. Daphne, Caleb’s sister and Hailey’s new BFF and all Caleb’s friends. Once they are introduced the story takes off. The interaction between all of them and how they are with Hailey and Caleb made the book for me. I think they served well to balance the main relationship.
I don’t read much NA because I find that I can’t identify with the younger characters. I had heard really good things about Stay With Me so I decided to give it a shot. I wasn’t disappointed. The characters might be young in age but they are mature in life and in the way they act. I had no issues with their age nor at any time did I roll my eye at the angst as I am often wont to do with NA. I did have one small issue with the book and that was how easily the main conflict was resolved. Hailey stressed for most of the book and then it was done in two pages. I would have liked to explore more with her mother or more with how something was done about the conflict.
I know that Ms. Patrick has several books in this series releasing over the next year and I cannot wait to read them! Final grade- B
Favorite Quote:
“Awww, you two lovebirds are so cute.” Jaime leans forward. “So, show her the magic trick.”
“I’m trying, but you still haven’t disappeared yet.”
September 26, 2013
I think Elyssa Patrick's biggest problem with "Stay With Me" was that it was incredibly boring and shallow. I really dislike saying that, but I don't think there's any other way to say it in succinct terms as far as why this novel didn't work. The prose is dry, most of the time the focus in the narrative is on Caleb and Hailey making eyes at each other and having sex, and for a novel that supposedly had moments of building up over a "tortured past" female character, and a male character who was so perfect and helping her "find her place" I couldn't stomach how uninspired and lacking in emotional resonance this was. .
Hailey is a former child star - actress and singer - trying to adjust to a normal life by going to college and leaving her celebrity life behind her. She's estranged from her celebrity mooching mother, and has a "deep, dark secret" which she believes that everyone would hate her for. People have betrayed her in her life and she won't allow herself to get close to anyone. Lo and behold, she meets Caleb, a guy that she can't keep her eyes from, and the narrative spends the longest time having them gaze into each others eyes with lust among other dwindling moments of romantic possession. The chemistry felt so elongated and forced. I actually hoped it would improve as the narrative went on, but I didn't feel their connection - it was threadbare at most, and for some reason, I thought that the characters in the novel were at arm's length for most, if not all the time they were featured. Caleb's sister was an interesting character, probably the most vibrant the narrative had to offer, but even with her, something felt like it was missing - like the characters could've been developed and given more substantial weight and stakes in the respective narrative. There was very little intimacy and emotion throughout this.
The narrative keeps driving attention to Hailey's secret and when the reveal is pulled - I felt absolutely nothing. It wasn't a shock, it wasn't a surprise - it wasn't handled well for the reveal. I've seen many narrative deal with the emotional ties of that measure, and by far and large, the disconnect in the style of the narrative ruined it, if it had any point of suspension at all. I could also note that for the presentation of celebrity and music (including some very threadbare turns of lyricism), it was underwhelming.
I can't say that I would recommend "Stay With Me" because of its formulaic measures and stylistics. Granted, I know this is supposed to be a coming of age and branching out story in the root of celebrity life, but I think there are far better narratives to be had in the scheme of contemporary romance, New Adult, and tough subject stories than this. I will concede that there were surface moments that I thought were promising, but those were far and too few between for me to rate the narrative higher.
Overall score: 1/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
Hailey is a former child star - actress and singer - trying to adjust to a normal life by going to college and leaving her celebrity life behind her. She's estranged from her celebrity mooching mother, and has a "deep, dark secret" which she believes that everyone would hate her for. People have betrayed her in her life and she won't allow herself to get close to anyone. Lo and behold, she meets Caleb, a guy that she can't keep her eyes from, and the narrative spends the longest time having them gaze into each others eyes with lust among other dwindling moments of romantic possession. The chemistry felt so elongated and forced. I actually hoped it would improve as the narrative went on, but I didn't feel their connection - it was threadbare at most, and for some reason, I thought that the characters in the novel were at arm's length for most, if not all the time they were featured. Caleb's sister was an interesting character, probably the most vibrant the narrative had to offer, but even with her, something felt like it was missing - like the characters could've been developed and given more substantial weight and stakes in the respective narrative. There was very little intimacy and emotion throughout this.
The narrative keeps driving attention to Hailey's secret and when the reveal is pulled - I felt absolutely nothing. It wasn't a shock, it wasn't a surprise - it wasn't handled well for the reveal. I've seen many narrative deal with the emotional ties of that measure, and by far and large, the disconnect in the style of the narrative ruined it, if it had any point of suspension at all. I could also note that for the presentation of celebrity and music (including some very threadbare turns of lyricism), it was underwhelming.
I can't say that I would recommend "Stay With Me" because of its formulaic measures and stylistics. Granted, I know this is supposed to be a coming of age and branching out story in the root of celebrity life, but I think there are far better narratives to be had in the scheme of contemporary romance, New Adult, and tough subject stories than this. I will concede that there were surface moments that I thought were promising, but those were far and too few between for me to rate the narrative higher.
Overall score: 1/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
August 16, 2013
2.5 stars
*I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley for review. Thank you!*
Well... I'm sad to say this but I'm so happy I finished this book because I didn't think I'd make it through it. I didn't like it that much. There were some good elements, but for the most part I was frustrated, annoyed and bored. And I'll eplain why.
This book is about Hailey. Hailey has been famous and in the spotlight for as long as she can remember. But she's getting tired off all that. So she's going to college. Start over. But that's easier said than done. Classes are harder than she thought they'd be and her mother is determined to ruin her life because of her choice to leave Hollywood. And there's Caleb Fox, the guy she never expected. He doesn't want her for her fame, he just wants her. And Hailey isn't sure if she can give him what he wants. And what if he finds out the one secret the tabloids don't know yet? Will he still be there?
First the bad things. Get it over with.
1) I didn't like the writing that much. It was pretty simple and there were a lot of cliche things in the story. And some of the things the characters said were just... No. Just no. I can compare it to the writing in Fifty Shades. Not exactly the best I've ever seen.
2) Hailey was SO annoying! Most of the time I was thinking: 'Why do you have to be that way? Seriously! Why???' Whenever someone wants to be friends with her, she immediately thinks they want that because they're famous. Yeesh. And when she walks into a room at school she's like: 'Oh hey nobody stops and stares. That's weird.' Again... No. Just no. On top of that, in the blurb they mention some secret and I thought it would be something big that would make the story a whole lot better but when I read what it was... I was banging my head against the table. Such a stupid stupid thing. Why would anybody hate you for that? It's not like you're the only one in the world to have done that. Seriously. NO. That's all I'm going to say about her for now.
3) The insta-love. Well not really love but they do have an instant attraction to each other and even before talking to each other, they NEED to have the other person. They just NEED to kiss and all that. Yeah... Also a no for me.
Now the good.
1) I actually liked Caleb. He was a sweet guy and cares for Hailey (even though I wouldn't understand why...) And I liked most of the other characters too. Griff may be my soulmate.
2) The story itself wasn't that bad. If the writing had been better, I probably would have liked the book a lot more. And Hailey too.
Okay that's it for this review. I'm sorry I didn't like it, but hey that's the way it is sometimes.
August 18, 2013
4.5 Wonderful Stars.
I just finished this book, and I almost wanted to jump up fist-pump, and wave my arms around in excitement.
Stay With Me is the beginning of a series focussing around a group of college students, and I love a good series. If this book is any indication of things to come, I predict major book hangovers in my future while I anxiously wait for each subsequent part to be released. Whilst reading I was reminded of the awesomely talented Samantha Young and Kristen Proby with their Dublin Street and With Me series. Like them, Elyssa Patrick’s book is well written, the story down to earth and not over exaggerated, I love the familial feel to it, and WOW can she write a HOT sex scene.
We are introduced to Hailey Bloom and Caleb Fox in this book and this is their story, but as with a series a great cast of secondary characters are introduced to us as the story progresses. Daphne Fox (Calebs sister), Nick, Griff and Jamie are featured as well as a few others.
Hailey had it all, musical and acting stardom, but fed up of being used for what she is, she gives it up and starts the process of looking to find out who she is. She moves to Vermont to study, and try life as a student. Having been let-down in the past and having a secret that leaves her feeling vulnerable, trust and self-belief are in short supply for Hailey as she struggles just to pull through her college courses. That is until she meets Caleb Fox…..
Ahhhh and what a Fox he is. Cool, confident, with a middle name that will make you laugh out loud and boy did I love his dirty mouth. He sees Hailey for who she is and not what has been printed about her, and over time manages to help her deal with her self-doubt and insecurities, by showing that she can trust and rely on him when the outside world threatens to upset her newly found freedom and stability. She is welcomed into his family, and it shows her just how much she has been missing in the past.
There are ups and downs, a lot of laughs and some really sweet moments in Stay With me, and I cannot wait to read more of this series and more from Elyssa Patrick in general.
Look out for future books –
Christmas With Me (Dec 13) for Jamie’s story
Go With Me (Spring 14) for Nick’s story (I cannot wait for this one)!
And we get Griff’s story in Dream With Me later on in 2014………..
ARC Provided by the author, and it was my pleasure to read and provide the above review.
I just finished this book, and I almost wanted to jump up fist-pump, and wave my arms around in excitement.
Stay With Me is the beginning of a series focussing around a group of college students, and I love a good series. If this book is any indication of things to come, I predict major book hangovers in my future while I anxiously wait for each subsequent part to be released. Whilst reading I was reminded of the awesomely talented Samantha Young and Kristen Proby with their Dublin Street and With Me series. Like them, Elyssa Patrick’s book is well written, the story down to earth and not over exaggerated, I love the familial feel to it, and WOW can she write a HOT sex scene.
We are introduced to Hailey Bloom and Caleb Fox in this book and this is their story, but as with a series a great cast of secondary characters are introduced to us as the story progresses. Daphne Fox (Calebs sister), Nick, Griff and Jamie are featured as well as a few others.
Hailey had it all, musical and acting stardom, but fed up of being used for what she is, she gives it up and starts the process of looking to find out who she is. She moves to Vermont to study, and try life as a student. Having been let-down in the past and having a secret that leaves her feeling vulnerable, trust and self-belief are in short supply for Hailey as she struggles just to pull through her college courses. That is until she meets Caleb Fox…..
Ahhhh and what a Fox he is. Cool, confident, with a middle name that will make you laugh out loud and boy did I love his dirty mouth. He sees Hailey for who she is and not what has been printed about her, and over time manages to help her deal with her self-doubt and insecurities, by showing that she can trust and rely on him when the outside world threatens to upset her newly found freedom and stability. She is welcomed into his family, and it shows her just how much she has been missing in the past.
There are ups and downs, a lot of laughs and some really sweet moments in Stay With me, and I cannot wait to read more of this series and more from Elyssa Patrick in general.
Look out for future books –
Christmas With Me (Dec 13) for Jamie’s story
Go With Me (Spring 14) for Nick’s story (I cannot wait for this one)!
And we get Griff’s story in Dream With Me later on in 2014………..
ARC Provided by the author, and it was my pleasure to read and provide the above review.
September 1, 2013
ARC provided by author for honest review
Stay with Me (With Me #1) is the first installment of the "With Me" series by Elyssa Patrick. This book follows the life of a famous young adult singer/actress Hailey Bloom as she transitions from former childhood/teen/young adult celebrity to an ordinary normal college student. Hailey leaves behind her former Hollywood life and showbiz stage mother and goes to college in Vermont.
Hailey is in a period in her life where she wants to find herself away from the limelight and showbiz. At college, she begins her journey of self discovery of finding herself and true happiness. At a party, she meets Caleb Fox. There is an instant attraction and connection between the two. Caleb is a sweet, loving, romantic guy who sweeps Hailey off her feet. Through Caleb, she makes new friends with his sister, Daphne and his group of guy friends. Finally, Hailey is surrounded by genuine people who care for her and wants the best for her. Caleb and Hailey's relationship was not only sweet and loving but was also steamy. With the support and love from Caleb, Hailey was able to face her darkest secret and get her HEA.
I really enjoyed this book because it was just sweet and romantic. There was no angst and focus on two people opening up and loving each other and about self discovery. I would rate this book 4 stars. I look forward to reading the following books of the "With Me" series since we were introduced to a great supporting characters:Daphne, Nick, Jaime, Griff, Kai and Dylan.
Stay with Me (With Me #1) is the first installment of the "With Me" series by Elyssa Patrick. This book follows the life of a famous young adult singer/actress Hailey Bloom as she transitions from former childhood/teen/young adult celebrity to an ordinary normal college student. Hailey leaves behind her former Hollywood life and showbiz stage mother and goes to college in Vermont.
Hailey is in a period in her life where she wants to find herself away from the limelight and showbiz. At college, she begins her journey of self discovery of finding herself and true happiness. At a party, she meets Caleb Fox. There is an instant attraction and connection between the two. Caleb is a sweet, loving, romantic guy who sweeps Hailey off her feet. Through Caleb, she makes new friends with his sister, Daphne and his group of guy friends. Finally, Hailey is surrounded by genuine people who care for her and wants the best for her. Caleb and Hailey's relationship was not only sweet and loving but was also steamy. With the support and love from Caleb, Hailey was able to face her darkest secret and get her HEA.
I really enjoyed this book because it was just sweet and romantic. There was no angst and focus on two people opening up and loving each other and about self discovery. I would rate this book 4 stars. I look forward to reading the following books of the "With Me" series since we were introduced to a great supporting characters:Daphne, Nick, Jaime, Griff, Kai and Dylan.
August 24, 2013
**Arc provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I recently read and really enjoyed Elyssa Patrick's novella, One Hit Wonder, so I thought I'd give her new novel a try. Unfortunately, I had a number of problems with this book.
The main character, 18-yr-old Hailey, is a former child performer who has dropped out of the Hollywood scene and the toxicity of that lifestyle to go to college and live a life outside of the public eye really for the first time in her life. While trying to find her bearings in college and to figure out what course she wants to set her life on, she meets a totally cute boy.
First, I thought that Hailey’s love interest, Caleb, was a seriously underdeveloped character. He had no character flaws or vulnerabilities to speak of and pretty much seemed to exist just to fill the role of “perfect love interest.”
Second, the sex scenes in this book made me very uncomfortable. At first, I thought that I was having a reaction to the protagonists’ ages because the actual sexual content was racy but certainly not racier than my average reading material. Then I realized that my real problem was that I couldn’t reconcile the heroine’s general immaturity in the rest of her life (as a normal 18 yr-old, really) with the perfect, explicit, effortless romance novel sex that the two main characters engaged in. I just couldn’t buy it.
My deal-breaker, however, was Hailey’s “big ole secrety secret that will reveal that she is the most horriblest horrible person that ever lived.” First, the constant secret baiting drove me up a wall. And then, once the secret was finally revealed, it was all resolved in two seconds flat and was completely unsatisfying.
This book just didn't work for me. I may read more of Patrick's adult contemporaries on the future but I won't be following this series.
I recently read and really enjoyed Elyssa Patrick's novella, One Hit Wonder, so I thought I'd give her new novel a try. Unfortunately, I had a number of problems with this book.
The main character, 18-yr-old Hailey, is a former child performer who has dropped out of the Hollywood scene and the toxicity of that lifestyle to go to college and live a life outside of the public eye really for the first time in her life. While trying to find her bearings in college and to figure out what course she wants to set her life on, she meets a totally cute boy.
First, I thought that Hailey’s love interest, Caleb, was a seriously underdeveloped character. He had no character flaws or vulnerabilities to speak of and pretty much seemed to exist just to fill the role of “perfect love interest.”
Second, the sex scenes in this book made me very uncomfortable. At first, I thought that I was having a reaction to the protagonists’ ages because the actual sexual content was racy but certainly not racier than my average reading material. Then I realized that my real problem was that I couldn’t reconcile the heroine’s general immaturity in the rest of her life (as a normal 18 yr-old, really) with the perfect, explicit, effortless romance novel sex that the two main characters engaged in. I just couldn’t buy it.
My deal-breaker, however, was Hailey’s “big ole secrety secret that will reveal that she is the most horriblest horrible person that ever lived.” First, the constant secret baiting drove me up a wall. And then, once the secret was finally revealed, it was all resolved in two seconds flat and was completely unsatisfying.
This book just didn't work for me. I may read more of Patrick's adult contemporaries on the future but I won't be following this series.
August 7, 2013
(arc copy thanks to netgalley)
Meet Hailey Bloom....
Hailey has been famous since she was 1 yr old... she was a gerber baby, then to soap opera's to broadway.. from acting to singing. It's what her mom wants and her mom only sees her as money maker, till her mom went too far. Hailey decided to find herself and know what she wants and enrolled in College. On one of the universities party, she met Caleb...
With one look, I’m his . . .
With one touch, he’s mine . . .
With one kiss, it changes everything between us . .
And their story begins.... Hailey not only will find what she really wants but she will find real friends and family and her heart. This book is hot, it was sweet and funny... I love all the characters here.... There are no evil villain except the wicked witch mom. Would have like if there was a little bit angst in the story...
Meet Hailey Bloom....
Hailey has been famous since she was 1 yr old... she was a gerber baby, then to soap opera's to broadway.. from acting to singing. It's what her mom wants and her mom only sees her as money maker, till her mom went too far. Hailey decided to find herself and know what she wants and enrolled in College. On one of the universities party, she met Caleb...
With one look, I’m his . . .
With one touch, he’s mine . . .
With one kiss, it changes everything between us . .
And their story begins.... Hailey not only will find what she really wants but she will find real friends and family and her heart. This book is hot, it was sweet and funny... I love all the characters here.... There are no evil villain except the wicked witch mom. Would have like if there was a little bit angst in the story...
August 16, 2013
**** ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*****
**** 4 MUSICAL NOTE STARS ****
I can't talk much because I don't want to spoil anything, but I enjoyed this book and looking forward to book 2
My cast:
Hailey Bloom~ Such a HOT name
Caleb Fox~ OMG THAT NAME IS SOOO FOXY ~
There is a good amount of:
And it leaves you KINDA, SORT OF, MAYBE, NOT REALLY
**** 4 MUSICAL NOTE STARS ****
I can't talk much because I don't want to spoil anything, but I enjoyed this book and looking forward to book 2
My cast:
Hailey Bloom~ Such a HOT name
Caleb Fox~ OMG THAT NAME IS SOOO FOXY ~
There is a good amount of:
And it leaves you KINDA, SORT OF, MAYBE, NOT REALLY
August 16, 2013
Blown away, really completely surprised how much I enjoyed this book! Caleb, oh my Caleb, what a sweet, sexy, romantic man. I fell head over heel for him and for the rest of the guys! Specially need to know more about quiet and sexy librarian Griff!!! Love a man who reads.
This book was exactly what I needed. No angst, no drama, no major cliffhangers, just a sweet happy story. I smiled, laughed, and was glued to my iPad! Can NOT wait till the next book in the series!!!
ARC provided by NetGalley
This book was exactly what I needed. No angst, no drama, no major cliffhangers, just a sweet happy story. I smiled, laughed, and was glued to my iPad! Can NOT wait till the next book in the series!!!
ARC provided by NetGalley
August 8, 2013
I had a hard time with the heroine in this one. Her personality fell flat for me. I had a hard time reconciling Hailey who is in college to the one that is so famous and every teenage girl loves. She must have had more charm in the public eye to garner such interest and love - and I never saw that side of her.
Lack of angst too - Hailey has a secret that I thought would be more angstier but it wasn't
I liked the supporting cast and I'm glad they will be getting books.
Lack of angst too - Hailey has a secret that I thought would be more angstier but it wasn't
I liked the supporting cast and I'm glad they will be getting books.
July 14, 2013
I just read it and it's FRICKIN' AWESOME!
August 22, 2013
There are so many young woman of today that have hit the big road to stardom and fame before they were even old enough to wear so much as a lick of lipstick and it is never a surprise when they disappear from the public eye.
But it is never as easy done as said and when you have a lack of confidence, yes you read that right, a celebrity with a lack of confidence would you be able to let anyone in on your world or lack there of?
In the new New Adult read from the super brilliant Elyssa Patrick she tells the story of Hailey.
Famous but no longer wanting to be and rather wanting a much simpler life she packs her bags and takes off for college. Once there she meets the guy of her dreams I-can-turn-you-into-a-puddle-with-one-look Caleb.
He is different from the other people in her life and makes her feel special, challenged and breaks through her every defence. Only she is hiding a secret, one that the press never managed to uncover and it can destroy their new found happiness faster than the overnight rise to fame of any superstar.
The characters of both Caleb and Hailey were brilliantly written in vivid detail by the author. I loved that Hailey is so determined to find her own way away from the life she once knew but also that she is insecure in holding on to a piece of her former life. Her not being able to fully escape her fame made her a 'feel so sorry for' character, my heart was breaking for her as I think when famous and just wanting a few minutes of being normal must me the worst feeling if you know you simply cannot ever be normal.
I loved how the author let me into Hailey's mind, taking me behind the scenes of a celebrity showing and reminding me that even they are human and crave something that no amount of fame or money can buy.
I adored how the author let Caleb break down each one of Hailey's barriers around her heart, it truly showed that when you want someone nothing can scare you away. Love, passion and understanding is a far greater force than anything else.
Not to mention that Caleb was deliciously hot and so the kind of hero you want in any read. Always doing the right thing and saying the right words, made him yes not very realistic as we know most guys would never, but this made him the dream hero material and the reason many read romance books! I could not stop reading and rooting for him with every push he gives Hailey, his determination was simply stunning!
I am taking away a message of we all have dreams even if it seems to the world outside that we have achieved them all, and when hitting the point of wanting to leave it behind in order to have a different life go for it ! You might not make it to where you want to be or need to be in a heartbeat but along the way you are bound to discover so much more about yourself and others than you ever thought possible, you might even discover a level of confidence you never knew you had.
I highly recommend this read for any romance lover! With the author's brilliant approach to writing vivid characters and touching base with the true emotions of the characters, getting right in there and laying out the facts you will find you need more. A sweet, sensual sexy read with a awesome little twist.
5/5 star review
" To get her to stay he will need to get her to let go"
eARC provided by the author in exchange for a honest review
August 22, 2013
Originally Posted on Confessions of an Opinionated Book Geek
STAY WITH ME should have been amazing. Should have been filled with drama, angst, heartbreak and magic. The recipe for a New Adult novel to rival EASY or SEA OF TRANQUILITY was there, it’s all there. Shoulda, woulda, coulda doesn’t matter, because this book falls short of the prize.
There is no drama in this book. That’s the best way to describe it. Hailey and Caleb meet and fall in love. She becomes friends with his friends and they have a lot of fun, but there are no curve balls. None. Hailey spends a lot of the book afraid that Caleb is going to learn her deep dark secret…then he does and nothing happens. There are no fights, no misunderstandings and no separations.
A great love story grabs you, because the heroine and hero have to work at it. They have to be up against some kind of odds. They have to misunderstand and exes have to come out of the wood work or parents have to step in and mess it all up. There has to be drama. The characters cannot be perfect every moment of the day, because nobody is perfect.
Hailey is a celebrity to rival Taylor Swift, Brittany Spears and Miley Cyrus…do you honestly believe that the paparazzi wouldn’t find her? That they wouldn’t be parked outside her apartment posting pictures of her and her new boyfriend? Do you think students in her classes wouldn’t sell lies as “exclusives” to the tabloids? I honestly don’t know why Hailey’s character was famous, because it wasn’t utilized in the story.
We never meet Hailey’s mom face to face which is a showdown that I could not wait to experience. At one point Hailey shuts down her mother’s bank account…her crazy selfish stage mom doesn’t so much as leave a hate filled voicemail threatening to reveal all her daughters secrets?
See? The elements are all there, the author just did not take the extra steps. Hailey is bland and Caleb perfect. No faults, no ticks and definitely no complexities. Just flat characters that read flatly on the page. Which is sad, because the author definitely has the capacity for more. The side characters of Nick and Daphne intrigued me and I cannot wait to get my hands on their book.
I just hope that with the next story the author doesn’t hold her punches. I want my couples to fight. I want there to be horrible parents, scandals and implosions. STAY WITH ME poses a problem and then solves it in less than a page or two. No, it needs to be longer and drawn out in order to truly have impact.
This is an easy read and a good first effort on the part of the author. The set up is great and I will definitely give the next book in the series a chance.
Recommended for fans of Easy and Slammed.
August 26, 2013
*See more of my reviews at www.girlbooklove.com!
Hailey Bloom is super famous and she has been practically her whole life. She is so fed up with her life that she decides to leave it all to live “normally” and attend college in Vermont. In her attempt to be normal she attends a house party where she is bombarded by fans who want autographs and to talk to her. *this is so not normal*
At the party she meets this guy…a super intriguing, sexy guy who seems a little different…
Instead I take a step to the side and away from him. I decide to state the obvious anyway. “You know who I am.”
He shakes his head slowly. “I don’t think I do.”
“Huh?”
“I know of you, but I don’t know you.”
“You know my name,” I point out. And probably a lot of other details, too- stuff that people don’t willingly talk about. Stuff that I wish people didn’t know.
“But you didn’t tell me.”
Hailey is so swept away by Caleb that she knows she needs to run. She’s not in Vermont to kiss guys or have stories sold about her “getting around” to the tabloids. She needs to focus on school, which is something that doesn’t come natural to her, and make something of herself. The next day she bumps into Caleb (literally!) while out touring her new city. After some pretty sexy flirting involving a blackberry (think on that for a minute!)…one thing leads to another and he kisses her. And whew! What a kiss! She was completely hooked until he muttered an ill-timed “I’m sorry about that.” Welllllll, that snapped Hailey back into reality and she high tails it out of his townhome.
Now that Hailey’s mind is back on track, she’s not going to let Caleb get to her. (we all roll our eyes and say “right….”)
I thought this book was a fun read. Hailey is cool and pretty down to earth, Caleb is hot and sweet (dangerous combo!), Daphne and the gang are good supporting characters (with a story of their own coming?). The secret issue Hailey is scared will get out isn’t too dramatic. I mean, it sucks, but it’s definitely not a legitimate reason for Caleb to leave her or not like her. Also, I loved how Caleb encouraged her to do what she loves.
And maybe…I can be a little braver after all. Maybe it’s time I do things even when I’m scared and don’t back away…I don’t need to hold myself back because I’m unsure of what tomorrow will bring…what the future holds in store.
The ending is a semi cliff-hanger. Hailey and Caleb are in a good place, but there’s no limit to the trouble that could possibly come their way! (cough cough her mother!) So I’m looking forward to book 2 of this series!
My Caleb and Hailey-
**I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Hailey Bloom is super famous and she has been practically her whole life. She is so fed up with her life that she decides to leave it all to live “normally” and attend college in Vermont. In her attempt to be normal she attends a house party where she is bombarded by fans who want autographs and to talk to her. *this is so not normal*
At the party she meets this guy…a super intriguing, sexy guy who seems a little different…
Instead I take a step to the side and away from him. I decide to state the obvious anyway. “You know who I am.”
He shakes his head slowly. “I don’t think I do.”
“Huh?”
“I know of you, but I don’t know you.”
“You know my name,” I point out. And probably a lot of other details, too- stuff that people don’t willingly talk about. Stuff that I wish people didn’t know.
“But you didn’t tell me.”
Hailey is so swept away by Caleb that she knows she needs to run. She’s not in Vermont to kiss guys or have stories sold about her “getting around” to the tabloids. She needs to focus on school, which is something that doesn’t come natural to her, and make something of herself. The next day she bumps into Caleb (literally!) while out touring her new city. After some pretty sexy flirting involving a blackberry (think on that for a minute!)…one thing leads to another and he kisses her. And whew! What a kiss! She was completely hooked until he muttered an ill-timed “I’m sorry about that.” Welllllll, that snapped Hailey back into reality and she high tails it out of his townhome.
Now that Hailey’s mind is back on track, she’s not going to let Caleb get to her. (we all roll our eyes and say “right….”)
I thought this book was a fun read. Hailey is cool and pretty down to earth, Caleb is hot and sweet (dangerous combo!), Daphne and the gang are good supporting characters (with a story of their own coming?). The secret issue Hailey is scared will get out isn’t too dramatic. I mean, it sucks, but it’s definitely not a legitimate reason for Caleb to leave her or not like her. Also, I loved how Caleb encouraged her to do what she loves.
And maybe…I can be a little braver after all. Maybe it’s time I do things even when I’m scared and don’t back away…I don’t need to hold myself back because I’m unsure of what tomorrow will bring…what the future holds in store.
The ending is a semi cliff-hanger. Hailey and Caleb are in a good place, but there’s no limit to the trouble that could possibly come their way! (cough cough her mother!) So I’m looking forward to book 2 of this series!
My Caleb and Hailey-
**I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2013
There seems to be an influx of contemporary reads of late that center around the music industry in one way or another. I won't say I'm hating it, because I am not. I kind of have a 'thing' for a sexy rockstar. That said, I was interested in Stay With Me for that reason.
However, Stay With Me is not really about the music industry. It is about learning to live outside of the industry when it is the only life you know. I didn't miss the rock and roll lifestyle one bit. The story was much sweeter than I ever imagined it could be. So much so, that what I did miss, just a little, was some heartbreak.
Let me explain that. Most contemporary novels follow a similar path. Fall in love, have some major turmoil, get over it, fall back in love. Right? Stay With Me is not that book. It does not follow the cookie cutter image of the majority of contemporary romances. Not that I wanted it to, I was just surprised it didn't.
Surprises are good.
Hailey leaves her music and acting career behind her when she leaves for college. She also leaves behind an overbearing mother and a drug addled best friend. She is fairly alone in the world but is all right with that. Trust does not come easy to this girl. She is not sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life or how she will manage to fit in with 'normal' people but she's willing to muddle through.
Caleb knows exactly what he wants and when he runs into Hailey he decides, she is it. Caleb is adorably sweet. He is not the typical alpha male or bad boy. He's a genuinely nice guy and just wants to help and love Hailey.
Which leads me to what I loved most about this book. There is no instant love. Instant lust, yeah - sure. But it isn't super hot and heavy from jump. It is a love story. It has some bumps but nothing earth shattering or heartbreaking. Yet, it is not a snooze fest. Stay With Me is a balanced tale of love and growth. I recommend it for those looking for a not overly light but not overly volatile love story.
*copy provided for honest review*
However, Stay With Me is not really about the music industry. It is about learning to live outside of the industry when it is the only life you know. I didn't miss the rock and roll lifestyle one bit. The story was much sweeter than I ever imagined it could be. So much so, that what I did miss, just a little, was some heartbreak.
Let me explain that. Most contemporary novels follow a similar path. Fall in love, have some major turmoil, get over it, fall back in love. Right? Stay With Me is not that book. It does not follow the cookie cutter image of the majority of contemporary romances. Not that I wanted it to, I was just surprised it didn't.
Surprises are good.
Hailey leaves her music and acting career behind her when she leaves for college. She also leaves behind an overbearing mother and a drug addled best friend. She is fairly alone in the world but is all right with that. Trust does not come easy to this girl. She is not sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life or how she will manage to fit in with 'normal' people but she's willing to muddle through.
Caleb knows exactly what he wants and when he runs into Hailey he decides, she is it. Caleb is adorably sweet. He is not the typical alpha male or bad boy. He's a genuinely nice guy and just wants to help and love Hailey.
Which leads me to what I loved most about this book. There is no instant love. Instant lust, yeah - sure. But it isn't super hot and heavy from jump. It is a love story. It has some bumps but nothing earth shattering or heartbreaking. Yet, it is not a snooze fest. Stay With Me is a balanced tale of love and growth. I recommend it for those looking for a not overly light but not overly volatile love story.
*copy provided for honest review*
August 21, 2013
ARC received from Elyssa Patrick via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Hailey Bloom was an international superstar. She could sing, she could dance, she could act, but that life had lost its appeal. Hailey had been cajoled into every aspect of that life; an appealing manner, a strict carb free diet, a relentless schedule and no dress down days.
She made a life changing decision to give all that up and go back to school. So at eighteen she finds herself in a new town, back at college and in a new campus apartment. We follow her as she meets new friends, and adopts a new lifestyle. She initially attempts to dodge the adoration her previous life had given her, until she becomes friends with Daphne, who has her own protection force. One of those possessive guys happens to be Daphne's brother, Caleb Fox, and he just so happens to be the sweet hunk Hailey had met at a recent party.
This was a sweet story about believing in yourself, taking a chance and trusting others, but that is just how I found it; sweet and a tad immature from my usual read. It also didn't sit comfortably alongside the steamy sex scenes that occurred, which I cannot find fault in at all.
In summary, if you want a sweet, teen story wrapped up in a semi erotic comforter, then this is the book for you.
Hailey Bloom was an international superstar. She could sing, she could dance, she could act, but that life had lost its appeal. Hailey had been cajoled into every aspect of that life; an appealing manner, a strict carb free diet, a relentless schedule and no dress down days.
She made a life changing decision to give all that up and go back to school. So at eighteen she finds herself in a new town, back at college and in a new campus apartment. We follow her as she meets new friends, and adopts a new lifestyle. She initially attempts to dodge the adoration her previous life had given her, until she becomes friends with Daphne, who has her own protection force. One of those possessive guys happens to be Daphne's brother, Caleb Fox, and he just so happens to be the sweet hunk Hailey had met at a recent party.
This was a sweet story about believing in yourself, taking a chance and trusting others, but that is just how I found it; sweet and a tad immature from my usual read. It also didn't sit comfortably alongside the steamy sex scenes that occurred, which I cannot find fault in at all.
In summary, if you want a sweet, teen story wrapped up in a semi erotic comforter, then this is the book for you.
August 9, 2013
Received an ARC copy for an honest review.
2.5/5 stars
I wanted to like this book, and I tried very hard to fall in love with it. The characters were well thought out, captivating; the author did a great job at making you like the characters.
However, I felt this story suffered a bit of an identity crisis. According to the author this book was meant to be a YA, the characters being 18 and 21, in their freshman and junior year of college fit the YA genre. At times though, the characters seemed young and immature, at others a little too mature and experienced. I know few 18 year old girls as brazen as Hailey seemed to be.
Hailey, the main character, was a rich and famous actress/singer, that held a "big" secret. This secret was mentioned so much throughout the story that I stopped actually caring about it; once the secret was revealed it was a big let down.
The dialogue was a little awkward and unnatural, but as I said before I loved each of the characters so I was able to look past most of the flaws in their conversations.
The author is extremely descriptive, almost to a fault. There were times were the scenes were a little confusing because they were so descriptive you almost forgot what was happening.
I believe this author has potential but still has some work to do.
2.5/5 stars
I wanted to like this book, and I tried very hard to fall in love with it. The characters were well thought out, captivating; the author did a great job at making you like the characters.
However, I felt this story suffered a bit of an identity crisis. According to the author this book was meant to be a YA, the characters being 18 and 21, in their freshman and junior year of college fit the YA genre. At times though, the characters seemed young and immature, at others a little too mature and experienced. I know few 18 year old girls as brazen as Hailey seemed to be.
Hailey, the main character, was a rich and famous actress/singer, that held a "big" secret. This secret was mentioned so much throughout the story that I stopped actually caring about it; once the secret was revealed it was a big let down.
The dialogue was a little awkward and unnatural, but as I said before I loved each of the characters so I was able to look past most of the flaws in their conversations.
The author is extremely descriptive, almost to a fault. There were times were the scenes were a little confusing because they were so descriptive you almost forgot what was happening.
I believe this author has potential but still has some work to do.
August 2, 2015
Low angst, smart and adorable college romance about an ex-teen rock star h with baggage and hot H. The book was such a pleasant surprise and well written too. Brought a smile to my face. Safe romance.
4.5 stars!!
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4.5 stars!!
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August 6, 2013**ARC courtesy of the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
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