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Stand By Me
When lonely, 10-year-old Cory convinced his pregnant mother to play with him on the lawn, he was delighted until she collapsed dead at his feet. Devastated, he knew no one could ever love him after his role in her death. Father sent him to a private school in London, where he grew hard and bitter.
When Cory's father married Leah's mother, Leah was a chunky 14-year-old tomboy from Colorado. Cory hated her on sight. Leah was a tough girl, but he managed to make her cry. He knew he was the worst.
Cory and Leah meet again when he is a sour 30-year-old elite, and Leah is a vivacious 27-year-old ski champion. The ugly duckling blossomed into a tall, voluptuous woman who looked at him like she would love to kick his ass.
Challenge accepted.
If you enjoyed the passionate romance of Bridgerton and the sass and grit of Yellowstone, then you are sure to love this fiery, modern blend of the two tales.
When Cory's father married Leah's mother, Leah was a chunky 14-year-old tomboy from Colorado. Cory hated her on sight. Leah was a tough girl, but he managed to make her cry. He knew he was the worst.
Cory and Leah meet again when he is a sour 30-year-old elite, and Leah is a vivacious 27-year-old ski champion. The ugly duckling blossomed into a tall, voluptuous woman who looked at him like she would love to kick his ass.
Challenge accepted.
If you enjoyed the passionate romance of Bridgerton and the sass and grit of Yellowstone, then you are sure to love this fiery, modern blend of the two tales.
437 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2025
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 24, 2025
ARC Review- Stand by Me by Deborah Hillier
Romance/ Enemies to Lovers/ Ugly Duckling/ Opposites attract / Step siblings
⭐️ x 10
You know when find a book and you love it instantly… and you want everyone you know to read it? This was it.
This book had me right from page one! And yes I finished it in the early morning hours reading throughout the night as I couldn’t put it down.
I was laughing and crying so much! It was an emotional roller coaster but so well written. Twists in the story had me engaged the whole time and balling at the last couple of chapters.
Leah is the FMC. What a woman! She so strong (if you know you know) and her personality is something to dream of. I loved her in every phase of the story and how she handled life, family and love.
Cory is our very hot and nasty MMC. I wanted to ring his neck a bit but I loved how he grew into the man he was always supposed to be.
If you enjoy a good love story where you can laugh as much as you cry… where you can connect with the characters and just live yourself into their lives, then this one is for you.
Thank you Deborah for this beautiful story. I can’t wait to read the second book!
Romance/ Enemies to Lovers/ Ugly Duckling/ Opposites attract / Step siblings
⭐️ x 10
You know when find a book and you love it instantly… and you want everyone you know to read it? This was it.
This book had me right from page one! And yes I finished it in the early morning hours reading throughout the night as I couldn’t put it down.
I was laughing and crying so much! It was an emotional roller coaster but so well written. Twists in the story had me engaged the whole time and balling at the last couple of chapters.
Leah is the FMC. What a woman! She so strong (if you know you know) and her personality is something to dream of. I loved her in every phase of the story and how she handled life, family and love.
Cory is our very hot and nasty MMC. I wanted to ring his neck a bit but I loved how he grew into the man he was always supposed to be.
If you enjoy a good love story where you can laugh as much as you cry… where you can connect with the characters and just live yourself into their lives, then this one is for you.
Thank you Deborah for this beautiful story. I can’t wait to read the second book!
September 19, 2023
Cory is such a stuck-up English bastard in the beginning, but as time passes, you just root for him. And God, is he sexy.
Leah is Cory's nemesis, and over the years, this "American Cowgirl" gets under his skin, and the way she shakes him up is glorious. She is so damned sweet and funny. I love the way they play off each other, ramping up emotional intimacy with sexual tension that is fire.
Leah is Cory's nemesis, and over the years, this "American Cowgirl" gets under his skin, and the way she shakes him up is glorious. She is so damned sweet and funny. I love the way they play off each other, ramping up emotional intimacy with sexual tension that is fire.
November 15, 2025
omg what a read a couldn't put it down the romance and suspense was fabulous so fantastic and the characters amazing the sacred love made me tear up on many parts if you love a super fantastic read then u will adore Deborah Hillierscould not reccomend more xx
December 11, 2024
Stand By Me pulled me in right away and didn’t let go. The mix of enemies-to-lovers tension, step-sibling drama, and opposites-attract romance kept me turning the pages all night. Leah is such a strong, grounded character—her resilience and independence made me root for her from the start. And Cory? Sure, he starts as an infuriating jerk, but seeing him soften and become the man Leah deserves made my heart melt. Their chemistry is undeniable, full of sparks, banter, and raw emotion. If you love a romance that makes you laugh, cry, and swoon, this one’s for you.
October 30, 2024
- I love how it is enemies to lovers , ugly duckling , opposites attract and step sibling
-I love this book immediately as I was hooked from the beginning
-this book gave me an emotional roll coaster of different emotions and it is well written
- I devoured this in few hours as it was good
- it had so many twists in the story
- last couple of chapters made my heart broke
- the FMC Leah , she is strong and fierce .. Can't forget her personality it is something to dream of
-in the story I love her even more on how she handle her life, family and especially love
-You meet MMC Corey who is very hot and very nasty . He made me feel like I had to strangled him but he grow up into the man he is supposed to be
-I love this book immediately as I was hooked from the beginning
-this book gave me an emotional roll coaster of different emotions and it is well written
- I devoured this in few hours as it was good
- it had so many twists in the story
- last couple of chapters made my heart broke
- the FMC Leah , she is strong and fierce .. Can't forget her personality it is something to dream of
-in the story I love her even more on how she handle her life, family and especially love
-You meet MMC Corey who is very hot and very nasty . He made me feel like I had to strangled him but he grow up into the man he is supposed to be
February 18, 2024
The storyline I could tell from the outset was going to be a slow burn with the priggish high-bred Cory and friends and salt of the earth Leah, and I wondered at first if it was going to be a volatile mix or oil and water. There is depth to the angst and backstories of the characters in Stand By Me that is gradually unveiled, and there is a lot to be discovered. Each of the characters, love them or hate them, are multi-dimensional people and just like meeting people in real life, the reader cannot rely on first impressions.
Leah is a relatable young woman and eventually strong FMC with tumultuous emotions and a sad history of bad relationships she feels define her, but the story certainly doesn't simply revolve around her. Equal if not more weight is on alpha male Cory's storyline. There is a riotous mix of support characters to offset the main characters, and his friends are definitely entitled 'lads' ' who are oblivious to boundaries despite their upbringing and just who one might imagine such men to be.
Deborah writes intimate scenes that are lustful, lingering, intense, passionate and sensual, and are uniquely written - often from the male perspective - which feel real but not uncomfortably voyeuristic. There are welcome scatterings of humour and also scenes of violence which are handled deftly that also feel 'real' not gratuitous, implausible or questionable in the context of the story moving forward.
The story is well-written, has pace and action, with believable characters and conflicts. The dialogues are interesting, at times amusing and give added dimension to the characters. But this is not a soppy lovestory even as it concludes as there is enough volatility and pure physical attraction right at the end to understand that past the last word the story continues for all the characters that have been woven into life.
Leah is a relatable young woman and eventually strong FMC with tumultuous emotions and a sad history of bad relationships she feels define her, but the story certainly doesn't simply revolve around her. Equal if not more weight is on alpha male Cory's storyline. There is a riotous mix of support characters to offset the main characters, and his friends are definitely entitled 'lads' ' who are oblivious to boundaries despite their upbringing and just who one might imagine such men to be.
Deborah writes intimate scenes that are lustful, lingering, intense, passionate and sensual, and are uniquely written - often from the male perspective - which feel real but not uncomfortably voyeuristic. There are welcome scatterings of humour and also scenes of violence which are handled deftly that also feel 'real' not gratuitous, implausible or questionable in the context of the story moving forward.
The story is well-written, has pace and action, with believable characters and conflicts. The dialogues are interesting, at times amusing and give added dimension to the characters. But this is not a soppy lovestory even as it concludes as there is enough volatility and pure physical attraction right at the end to understand that past the last word the story continues for all the characters that have been woven into life.
June 9, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
This story really stayed with me.
Penny’s journey, balancing the challenges of single motherhood and guarding her heart felt incredibly real and deeply moving. And Dusty, with his rugged charm, humor and emotional strength beneath it, was the perfect match to bring warmth and tension to the story.
The way the author weaved family bonds, love, and suspense into the beautiful Colorado ranch setting made it impossible to put down. The danger Penny and Dusty faced added such a thrilling edge to the romance, making their connection feel earned and urgent.
The author created a delicate balance between the emotional depth of her characters with the suspense elements in this third installment that was a powerful mix that worked beautifully. I don’t think I’ve seen it done better and I happily give this novel five stars.
While, the love story between Penny and Dusty can be read as a stand-alone novel, Book 1, STAND BY ME, and Book 2, THE LIGHT OF MY SOUL are equally riveting reads. I highly recommend this series.
This story really stayed with me.
Penny’s journey, balancing the challenges of single motherhood and guarding her heart felt incredibly real and deeply moving. And Dusty, with his rugged charm, humor and emotional strength beneath it, was the perfect match to bring warmth and tension to the story.
The way the author weaved family bonds, love, and suspense into the beautiful Colorado ranch setting made it impossible to put down. The danger Penny and Dusty faced added such a thrilling edge to the romance, making their connection feel earned and urgent.
The author created a delicate balance between the emotional depth of her characters with the suspense elements in this third installment that was a powerful mix that worked beautifully. I don’t think I’ve seen it done better and I happily give this novel five stars.
While, the love story between Penny and Dusty can be read as a stand-alone novel, Book 1, STAND BY ME, and Book 2, THE LIGHT OF MY SOUL are equally riveting reads. I highly recommend this series.
November 6, 2025
Emotional start and solid slow burn payoff
I went into this book blind and gave it an honest chance, and it pulled me in more than I expected. It opens with a heavy emotional hit, following Cory the day his mother dies. There is instant bully tension and raw emotion right out of the gate.
The introduction of Leah was the one point where things felt shaky at first, and the third-person POV took me a minute to adjust to. There was some head hopping early on, and if you are not used to that style, it might feel confusing in the beginning. But once the writing settles, it becomes smooth and enjoyable.
This is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers story between step-siblings, with years of growth, grief, and complicated family dynamics driving the characters. If you like fast-paced romance or insta-love, this will feel slow. But if you enjoy emotional foundation, real character development, and a relationship that is earned over time, it hits.
By the time everything clicked, I was invested, and I am continuing with book two. Worth the read if you give it room to build.
I went into this book blind and gave it an honest chance, and it pulled me in more than I expected. It opens with a heavy emotional hit, following Cory the day his mother dies. There is instant bully tension and raw emotion right out of the gate.
The introduction of Leah was the one point where things felt shaky at first, and the third-person POV took me a minute to adjust to. There was some head hopping early on, and if you are not used to that style, it might feel confusing in the beginning. But once the writing settles, it becomes smooth and enjoyable.
This is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers story between step-siblings, with years of growth, grief, and complicated family dynamics driving the characters. If you like fast-paced romance or insta-love, this will feel slow. But if you enjoy emotional foundation, real character development, and a relationship that is earned over time, it hits.
By the time everything clicked, I was invested, and I am continuing with book two. Worth the read if you give it room to build.
November 21, 2024
This book had me hooked from the very first page—I laughed, cried, and stayed up all night just to finish it. It’s a perfect mix of enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, and step-sibling drama, with twists that kept me guessing until the very end.
Leah, the FMC, is such a strong, relatable character. Her growth, her resilience, and how she handles love and family made me admire her more with every chapter. And Cory? He starts as an infuriating, arrogant jerk, but watching him evolve into the man Leah deserves was so satisfying. Their chemistry was electric, full of tension, humor, and raw emotion.
If you love romance that makes you feel everything—joy, heartbreak, and hope—this book is a must-read. Deborah Hillier, thank you for such a beautifully written story. I can’t wait for the next book!
Leah, the FMC, is such a strong, relatable character. Her growth, her resilience, and how she handles love and family made me admire her more with every chapter. And Cory? He starts as an infuriating, arrogant jerk, but watching him evolve into the man Leah deserves was so satisfying. Their chemistry was electric, full of tension, humor, and raw emotion.
If you love romance that makes you feel everything—joy, heartbreak, and hope—this book is a must-read. Deborah Hillier, thank you for such a beautifully written story. I can’t wait for the next book!
November 29, 2024
Wow! I read the entire book in one sitting (about 3 hours)! Only stopped to eat dinner. Enter the world of the Stoddards and the Larsons. Twelve year-old Leah travels to England to visit her mother and meets her uptight step brother Cory. Eleven years later, she returns again and the tension still exists between them. Unresolved childhood trauma and current family turmoil bring Leah and Cory together, but their headstrong ways lead to a new level of tension-HOT and STEAMY! An engaging storyline jam- packed with twists and turns makes this a page turner. Themes tackled include rape, divorce, bullying, abortion, child abuse, and bigotry. Stand by Me with have you crying, laughing, hating, and loving as you weave your way through the novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 18, 2024
Not My Genre
I'll readily admit that I don't read romance novels. It's not the genres I enjoy. I think I may have read three when in high school so that was 30 years ago. I say this since I read this to review for an author on a Bsky feed without checking the genre. I believe as far as romance novels go it was good. I felt like the characters were all cliches of a type which may also be expected. The precocious nine year old was a bit much. The "mother" just deteriorated in split second but helped move the story along. In all it was ok. Like I said, just not my thing.
I'll readily admit that I don't read romance novels. It's not the genres I enjoy. I think I may have read three when in high school so that was 30 years ago. I say this since I read this to review for an author on a Bsky feed without checking the genre. I believe as far as romance novels go it was good. I felt like the characters were all cliches of a type which may also be expected. The precocious nine year old was a bit much. The "mother" just deteriorated in split second but helped move the story along. In all it was ok. Like I said, just not my thing.
August 8, 2025
I started this book adamantly putting my foot down that I did not want Cory and Leah together. I'm not a fan of the whole "male love interest is a bully," thing. But, and this is a testament to Deborah's fantastic writing, I ended up completely falling for him. He had some of the best character development I've ever seen, and in the end, he won me over. He proved himself worthy of being with Leah, who I absolutely adored from the start. I also loved Tommie and Leslie; that sweet little girl brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. Can't recommend this book highly enough!
November 17, 2025
I absolutely loved this story. Cory and Leah’s journey grabbed me from the first page and never let go. Watching them go from painful childhood memories to this intense, fiery adult connection was so satisfying. Their chemistry feels real, their pain feels real, and their banter had me smiling more than once. The mix of raw emotion, family tension, and slow burn romance makes this book impossible to put down. If you like heartfelt stories with grit, passion, and characters who actually grow, you’ll love this one.
October 6, 2024
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. To slowly watch Cory open up and fall for Leah was beautiful. The last 100 pages of this book had me with tears in my eyes, and I can't wait to see what happens next with their story.
My favorite lines from the book
"I warned you before Leah, don't make it hard for me to be good. I don't have your dedication"
"While his mind fought it, to his soul they were one"
My favorite lines from the book
"I warned you before Leah, don't make it hard for me to be good. I don't have your dedication"
"While his mind fought it, to his soul they were one"
December 15, 2024
I felt so bad for Cory at first. Then angry he was so cold but he had a rough upbringing. I loved it when he met Leah as an adult and not the "ugly duckling" anymore. Interesting story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews