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A Willoughby Inn Love Story #2
Grounded By You
Lights, camera, and passions flare when a small town boy gets the break of his career. As the lines of life and art blur together, can he also find a way to win the love of the girl who got away?
Carter Samuel Groveson.
His name is on the lips of every woman in the country who has a pulse. An actor plucked from obscurity to star in the most anticipated movie of the century, he’s an enigma to all. Everyone wants a piece of him.
Except her.
Amelia St. John isn’t about to follow the life plan that her father set out for her. She refuses to be tied down or commit to anyone. A year ago, she ran as far and as fast from Sam Groveson as she could. But when he reappears in her life and asks her to be the friend he needs to keep him tethered to reality in the midst of the chaos, she can’t say no.
Unfortunately for Sam, his big break comes with expectations that threaten his career if he doesn’t toe the line. In this high stakes game of love, everyone is watching.
Carter Samuel Groveson.
His name is on the lips of every woman in the country who has a pulse. An actor plucked from obscurity to star in the most anticipated movie of the century, he’s an enigma to all. Everyone wants a piece of him.
Except her.
Amelia St. John isn’t about to follow the life plan that her father set out for her. She refuses to be tied down or commit to anyone. A year ago, she ran as far and as fast from Sam Groveson as she could. But when he reappears in her life and asks her to be the friend he needs to keep him tethered to reality in the midst of the chaos, she can’t say no.
Unfortunately for Sam, his big break comes with expectations that threaten his career if he doesn’t toe the line. In this high stakes game of love, everyone is watching.
330 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2013
11 people are currently reading
471 people want to read
About the author
Ivy Sinclair
71 books133 followersIvy Sinclair cut her romance teeth on classics like Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, and Sabrina. She is a firm believer in true love, a happily ever after ending, and the medicinal use of chocolate to cure any ailment of the heart. Ivy's guilty pleasures include sushi, endless Starbucks lattes, and wine. Readers of Ivy's stories can expect smoldering sweet stories of romance that tug at the heartstrings.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 30, 2013
Quick review for a quick read. Ivy Sinclair's "Grounded by You" is a decent story in the scheme of new adult, probably one I'd give 2.5 stars to overall for how it held my attention. The story toggles between two perspectives. Millie (Amelia St. Clair) is a young woman brought up with a silver spoon, but wants to break away from her wealthy and well-to-do family to pursue an art career. Yet, things don't quite go as planned as her family pressures her into the business. Sam (or Carter Samuel Groveson) is a budding actor who just landed a major role in one of the most anticipated movies in the entertainment realm: "Where My Heart Breaks." Millie and Sam have had chemistry in the past for where they met at an inn before, but with Sam's aspirations diverging with Millie's life, it creates complications where their relationship is just starting to really take root.
The story starts off really well and I liked the construction of the characters and the premise. It starts off with a lot less dramatics and fanfare than most New Adult novels I've picked up. In my mind, that's a GOOD thing, because strays away from the formula and makes the scenario feel more real. I could see where Millie was pressured by her family to fall under their expectations, while I saw where Sam started to see the pros and cons of the acting life, even as he goes for filming in North Carolina. But it does start to take more dramatic turns as the story moves forward, with jealousy streaks on both Millie and Sam's parts as their professional lives start crossing with personal. Millie even forgos her dream as an artist at one point because of how Sam chooses to establish his career, even as it puts pressure on their relationship. It's frustrating in turns, but in the end, it turns out for the greater good.
The pacing in this struggles just a touch in places, but I was able to follow the story for what it provided. I'd read more of Ivy Sinclair's works in the future because I do like the way she develops her characters, and while I saw many of the turns this story would take ahead of time, I thought it ended up being a decent read for what it provided.
Overall score: 2.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
The story starts off really well and I liked the construction of the characters and the premise. It starts off with a lot less dramatics and fanfare than most New Adult novels I've picked up. In my mind, that's a GOOD thing, because strays away from the formula and makes the scenario feel more real. I could see where Millie was pressured by her family to fall under their expectations, while I saw where Sam started to see the pros and cons of the acting life, even as he goes for filming in North Carolina. But it does start to take more dramatic turns as the story moves forward, with jealousy streaks on both Millie and Sam's parts as their professional lives start crossing with personal. Millie even forgos her dream as an artist at one point because of how Sam chooses to establish his career, even as it puts pressure on their relationship. It's frustrating in turns, but in the end, it turns out for the greater good.
The pacing in this struggles just a touch in places, but I was able to follow the story for what it provided. I'd read more of Ivy Sinclair's works in the future because I do like the way she develops her characters, and while I saw many of the turns this story would take ahead of time, I thought it ended up being a decent read for what it provided.
Overall score: 2.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
November 17, 2015
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This book wasn't all that believable to me. Granted, I don't understand "Hollywood" life, but what Sam did to Millie, to further his career, is unforgivable. And how he did it... was just cruel to me. Sam just rubbed me the wrong way. He was a pushover to his agent and a coward with his feelings. Actually the more I write this review, the more and more I dislike Sam.
Also, I didn't think felt completed to me. Millie just seems to forgive Sam without any explanation of why he did what he did... idk
This just didn't work for me.
Rating: 2 out of 5
**I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
This book wasn't all that believable to me. Granted, I don't understand "Hollywood" life, but what Sam did to Millie, to further his career, is unforgivable. And how he did it... was just cruel to me. Sam just rubbed me the wrong way. He was a pushover to his agent and a coward with his feelings. Actually the more I write this review, the more and more I dislike Sam.
Also, I didn't think felt completed to me. Millie just seems to forgive Sam without any explanation of why he did what he did... idk
This just didn't work for me.
Rating: 2 out of 5
**I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
March 17, 2016
3.5
This review is based on an ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
Sam was unnecessarily rough in the dumping of Millie. Then she just forgave him? If he wanted to leave a logical window open to get back together after the film was finished, then realistically it wouldn't have happened that way. My heroine has to have more backbone than poor Millie. She let her brother get away with pushing her around about working for the family like that? Nuh uh.
This review is based on an ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
Sam was unnecessarily rough in the dumping of Millie. Then she just forgave him? If he wanted to leave a logical window open to get back together after the film was finished, then realistically it wouldn't have happened that way. My heroine has to have more backbone than poor Millie. She let her brother get away with pushing her around about working for the family like that? Nuh uh.
February 1, 2016
A cute and romantic read. Sam was gorgeous and I loved seeing Millie's character grow throughout the story. There were a lot of cliches and it was pretty predictable but it was also a really fun and lovely read. I ended up enjoying this a lot more than I expected too.
November 26, 2013
**ARC generously provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Grounded By You is the sweet story of Sam and Millie. The story and the writing is simplistic making the story sweet and enjoyable. It was not an axis shifting read for me. While we did get a sense of who the characters actually are, it was only surface deep. The story flowed naturally though and moves at a fluid pace; never laboring over a particular scene or event.
Sam and Millie are friends from a summer spent by the shore. Millie is jaded and independent. Sam is small town, kind guy looking for his big break. They connected in North Carolina and formed a friendship over a book that was based on the Inn they both worked. Millie leaves unexpectedly and unknowing to Sam. A year later he shows back up at her door and their story moves on from there. Sam is a bit naive especially for man who's about to make a huge name for himself. He's demure and looking for lasting love. He's not an alpha or player; just a good guy. Millie is fierce and confused by a strange relationship with her parents. She's fighting for control. Their relationship heightens in the midst of big changes for both of them. Whether or not they'll withstand the changes is questioned.
As stated, I enjoyed it. I found Millie and Sam endearing. I also like Millie's brother Josh and Sam's co-star Delaney as secondary characters. I thought their story could be a little deeper however I feel satisfied now that I've finished it. Overall, a good read.
Grounded By You is the sweet story of Sam and Millie. The story and the writing is simplistic making the story sweet and enjoyable. It was not an axis shifting read for me. While we did get a sense of who the characters actually are, it was only surface deep. The story flowed naturally though and moves at a fluid pace; never laboring over a particular scene or event.
Sam and Millie are friends from a summer spent by the shore. Millie is jaded and independent. Sam is small town, kind guy looking for his big break. They connected in North Carolina and formed a friendship over a book that was based on the Inn they both worked. Millie leaves unexpectedly and unknowing to Sam. A year later he shows back up at her door and their story moves on from there. Sam is a bit naive especially for man who's about to make a huge name for himself. He's demure and looking for lasting love. He's not an alpha or player; just a good guy. Millie is fierce and confused by a strange relationship with her parents. She's fighting for control. Their relationship heightens in the midst of big changes for both of them. Whether or not they'll withstand the changes is questioned.
As stated, I enjoyed it. I found Millie and Sam endearing. I also like Millie's brother Josh and Sam's co-star Delaney as secondary characters. I thought their story could be a little deeper however I feel satisfied now that I've finished it. Overall, a good read.
January 10, 2016
Copy kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great read. Quick and easy. Sam and Millie's characters were intense in some parts but they worked well together. Considering the circumstances some things went better than others but it all came to a head eventually. A fun quick read and I'd be interested to read more about the other characters as well. Kate and Reeds story which came before this, and Delaney's story which is apparently next.
Would recommend.
Great read. Quick and easy. Sam and Millie's characters were intense in some parts but they worked well together. Considering the circumstances some things went better than others but it all came to a head eventually. A fun quick read and I'd be interested to read more about the other characters as well. Kate and Reeds story which came before this, and Delaney's story which is apparently next.
Would recommend.
November 25, 2015
Read full review HERE
As you probably guessed by my rating of this book, it won’t make my favorites list, not by a long shot. Where to even start?! I guess by the positives, right?
I will try to keep this SPOILER free, although there are a couple of points of the plot that I’ll mention because I really need to, ok?
I liked the writing, it flows easily and fast, and it also conveys perfectly well the emotions, sceneries, situations, etc. Unfortunately, these are the things I had a huge problem with.
Let me tell you a bit about the main characters, ok? So, first of all we have Millie, typical high-society girl, with parents that controlled her whole life to the second, and that now, at the age of 23, she decides that she wants to follow her (very recent) dream of being an artist. The problem with Millie, well, one of them at least, is that she’s super super weak. This is a girl who’s afraid of commitment like no other, and that at the first sign of something not going her way, she takes 100 steps back – she does this with Sam (more than once) and she does it with her “dream”, and this really bothered me. Not because she chose safety, but by the way it happened.
Then we have Sam, who by all accounts is a really great guy, until he decided to put his career in front of his integrity and then I wanted to smash his head against the wall. *I’m sorry, I swear I’m not a violent person*
Ok, let’s play a game, yes? Think of all the clichés that can play out involving a Hollywood star and a “normal” girl. Got it?! Yeah, it’s probably in this novel. I swear I was rolling my eyes for most of the time from a certain point on…
Ok, I’ll drop SPOILERS now, if you don’t want to know, don’t look!
I’m not doubting that Hollywood involves a lot of politics, and that new stars find themselves under an immense pressure, ok? But Sam agreeing to break up with Millie and not tell her everything, and then the way he did it was horrible. The things she then decided to say to him, even worst.
Right after their breakup, Millie gives up on her art. Yes, her “dream”, a thing that she had decided for almost a year before Sam came into her life again. She just GIVES UP!!!! – I told you she’s weak, right?
By the way, before the breakup, they “decide” (not actually thinking much) to have sex during her parent’s party, and they do it without a condom. When that happened I was like “OMFG, she’s gonna get pregnant *eye roll*“. Do you want to guess what happens next?! Yep, she gets pregnant!!!!
Sam, being the confused little boy that apparently he is, actually thinks that he’s catching feelings for his co-star, so when he decides that they need to practice the kiss for the movie, he decides that said practice should be done in public… *facepalm*
Then, obviously, she decides not to tell him about the baby. First because she’s mad. Then he says he loves her, she goes to his hotel, they spend the night together and she leaves him, again, and still she doesn’t tell him that she’s pregnant, because it’s not “the right moment for him”. WTF????!!! Oh, by the way, by then she had decided to keep it.
Sam obviously runs after Millie to NYC, and as soon as he gets there, she decides it’s finally time to tell him… really? The guy is super happy, obviously, he has loved her for more than a year, and he always wanted a family and so on. Then within a day they manage to turn the publicity in their favor, even though the press believed him to be in a relationship with his co-star. And then they are in full-on family style.
It really bothered me that the only reason that their relationship comes out is because there’s a baby involved. That’s the only reason the baby happens, I tell you. It’s sad and frustrating. The relationship on itself should be more than enough.
Also, it irked me to no end that these two people who had been best friends for a whole summer, that were together 24/7, that knew each other so well, doubted each other’s motivations at each step.
Last, but not least, their reactions and attitudes seemed more fitting of younger characters. I swear that the angst was at YA level, with something serious lacking in both their personalities.
As you probably guessed by my rating of this book, it won’t make my favorites list, not by a long shot. Where to even start?! I guess by the positives, right?
I will try to keep this SPOILER free, although there are a couple of points of the plot that I’ll mention because I really need to, ok?
I liked the writing, it flows easily and fast, and it also conveys perfectly well the emotions, sceneries, situations, etc. Unfortunately, these are the things I had a huge problem with.
Let me tell you a bit about the main characters, ok? So, first of all we have Millie, typical high-society girl, with parents that controlled her whole life to the second, and that now, at the age of 23, she decides that she wants to follow her (very recent) dream of being an artist. The problem with Millie, well, one of them at least, is that she’s super super weak. This is a girl who’s afraid of commitment like no other, and that at the first sign of something not going her way, she takes 100 steps back – she does this with Sam (more than once) and she does it with her “dream”, and this really bothered me. Not because she chose safety, but by the way it happened.
Then we have Sam, who by all accounts is a really great guy, until he decided to put his career in front of his integrity and then I wanted to smash his head against the wall. *I’m sorry, I swear I’m not a violent person*
Ok, let’s play a game, yes? Think of all the clichés that can play out involving a Hollywood star and a “normal” girl. Got it?! Yeah, it’s probably in this novel. I swear I was rolling my eyes for most of the time from a certain point on…
Ok, I’ll drop SPOILERS now, if you don’t want to know, don’t look!
I’m not doubting that Hollywood involves a lot of politics, and that new stars find themselves under an immense pressure, ok? But Sam agreeing to break up with Millie and not tell her everything, and then the way he did it was horrible. The things she then decided to say to him, even worst.
Right after their breakup, Millie gives up on her art. Yes, her “dream”, a thing that she had decided for almost a year before Sam came into her life again. She just GIVES UP!!!! – I told you she’s weak, right?
By the way, before the breakup, they “decide” (not actually thinking much) to have sex during her parent’s party, and they do it without a condom. When that happened I was like “OMFG, she’s gonna get pregnant *eye roll*“. Do you want to guess what happens next?! Yep, she gets pregnant!!!!
Sam, being the confused little boy that apparently he is, actually thinks that he’s catching feelings for his co-star, so when he decides that they need to practice the kiss for the movie, he decides that said practice should be done in public… *facepalm*
Then, obviously, she decides not to tell him about the baby. First because she’s mad. Then he says he loves her, she goes to his hotel, they spend the night together and she leaves him, again, and still she doesn’t tell him that she’s pregnant, because it’s not “the right moment for him”. WTF????!!! Oh, by the way, by then she had decided to keep it.
Sam obviously runs after Millie to NYC, and as soon as he gets there, she decides it’s finally time to tell him… really? The guy is super happy, obviously, he has loved her for more than a year, and he always wanted a family and so on. Then within a day they manage to turn the publicity in their favor, even though the press believed him to be in a relationship with his co-star. And then they are in full-on family style.
It really bothered me that the only reason that their relationship comes out is because there’s a baby involved. That’s the only reason the baby happens, I tell you. It’s sad and frustrating. The relationship on itself should be more than enough.
Also, it irked me to no end that these two people who had been best friends for a whole summer, that were together 24/7, that knew each other so well, doubted each other’s motivations at each step.
Last, but not least, their reactions and attitudes seemed more fitting of younger characters. I swear that the angst was at YA level, with something serious lacking in both their personalities.
December 7, 2015
For more reviews click HERE
*I was provided a eARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
What can I say about this book? Most of the time I was frustrated, angry and confused with most of the things in this book. I don’t even know where to start. By the way, I’m already warning you that the word frustrated will appear a lot on this review. First let’s start with the characters. I didn’t care about them I really didn’t. I didn’t care about Millie’s dream to be an artist especially because she gave up on that dream as soon as everything started go wrong. Most of the things that she would do would get me frustrated. I actually liked Sam in the beginning but it didn’t take long until I was frustrated with him too.
Now let me talk about something that was really bugging me since the beginning of this book. Right in the beginning Sam as announced as the star of the movie of the century. That’s great and all and with this Sam goes from a normal person to a celebrity. You probably don’t know this but I love celebrity gossip. I know it’s stupid but I do love it and I know a lot of celebrity gossip and stuff like that. As soon as Sam is announced as the lead he has paparazzi following him around. Why??? It’s stupid. He didn’t even started production of the movie. You all know that the Twilight movies were huge right? No one followed Rob or Kirsten when they were announced as the stars, it all came after the release of the movie. The same thing happened with The Hunger Games stars. All the paparazzi things started after the release of the movie. It really annoyed me how Sam became an instant star when he wasn’t even shooting the movie.
Another thing, there isn’t a single studio that starts a movie production, edits and releases a movie in 7 months so it can be nominated to the Oscars. I’m pretty sure that they would take a long time to get everything right instead of rushing everything.
As someone who loves celebrity gossip I know that are a lot of PR made relationships and I understand that they included that in this book but it was too much. But what Sam told Millie to break up with her was beyond stupid. And don’t even make me talk about the timing. Of every single moment that he could have chosen to break up with her he really had to do that when he did?? Why?? Is his career really more important than his personal life and the person he loves and cares about?
Now let me talk a little bit more about Millie. As I told you before I didn’t care about her. She was just a socialite that decided that art was her dream the past year and because of that she didn’t want anything from her family. But when everything goes wrong she goes work to her father’s company without even thinking about her so-called dream. Something happens in the night that Sam breaks up with her but I don’t want to spoil anything. Let’s just say that is something that might be important to Sam but what’s does she do when she reunites with Sam? She doesn’t tell him anything about that. Once again, why??? Could two 23 years-old be more immature than these two (probably yes but they’re still too immature). Most of the times I just wanted to smash their heads against a wall because I was getting so frustrated with these characters. Let me just tell you that this book had a really bad case of miscommunication.
I had all these problems with this book however it was quite entertaining and I actually liked the last chapters. I really think that this book had a huge potential to be a good NA book but it was filled with the common tropes and the characters were really frustrating.
*I was provided a eARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
What can I say about this book? Most of the time I was frustrated, angry and confused with most of the things in this book. I don’t even know where to start. By the way, I’m already warning you that the word frustrated will appear a lot on this review. First let’s start with the characters. I didn’t care about them I really didn’t. I didn’t care about Millie’s dream to be an artist especially because she gave up on that dream as soon as everything started go wrong. Most of the things that she would do would get me frustrated. I actually liked Sam in the beginning but it didn’t take long until I was frustrated with him too.
Now let me talk about something that was really bugging me since the beginning of this book. Right in the beginning Sam as announced as the star of the movie of the century. That’s great and all and with this Sam goes from a normal person to a celebrity. You probably don’t know this but I love celebrity gossip. I know it’s stupid but I do love it and I know a lot of celebrity gossip and stuff like that. As soon as Sam is announced as the lead he has paparazzi following him around. Why??? It’s stupid. He didn’t even started production of the movie. You all know that the Twilight movies were huge right? No one followed Rob or Kirsten when they were announced as the stars, it all came after the release of the movie. The same thing happened with The Hunger Games stars. All the paparazzi things started after the release of the movie. It really annoyed me how Sam became an instant star when he wasn’t even shooting the movie.
Another thing, there isn’t a single studio that starts a movie production, edits and releases a movie in 7 months so it can be nominated to the Oscars. I’m pretty sure that they would take a long time to get everything right instead of rushing everything.
As someone who loves celebrity gossip I know that are a lot of PR made relationships and I understand that they included that in this book but it was too much. But what Sam told Millie to break up with her was beyond stupid. And don’t even make me talk about the timing. Of every single moment that he could have chosen to break up with her he really had to do that when he did?? Why?? Is his career really more important than his personal life and the person he loves and cares about?
Now let me talk a little bit more about Millie. As I told you before I didn’t care about her. She was just a socialite that decided that art was her dream the past year and because of that she didn’t want anything from her family. But when everything goes wrong she goes work to her father’s company without even thinking about her so-called dream. Something happens in the night that Sam breaks up with her but I don’t want to spoil anything. Let’s just say that is something that might be important to Sam but what’s does she do when she reunites with Sam? She doesn’t tell him anything about that. Once again, why??? Could two 23 years-old be more immature than these two (probably yes but they’re still too immature). Most of the times I just wanted to smash their heads against a wall because I was getting so frustrated with these characters. Let me just tell you that this book had a really bad case of miscommunication.
I had all these problems with this book however it was quite entertaining and I actually liked the last chapters. I really think that this book had a huge potential to be a good NA book but it was filled with the common tropes and the characters were really frustrating.
February 16, 2016
**I was gifted with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review**
BY
Millie & Sam are instant swoon. I love that they actually started out as being friends and neither knew the actual attraction that the other had so they never crossed the line for the sake of their friendship. They became really close during her summer. They convince one way or another that they needed to follow their dreams and stop doing what others wanted them to do. Thats true friendship and they believed in each other. So with that foundation they were able to blossom into something more and intense. That plot twist was like woah... i did not expect that to happen at all. Didn't see it coming. Now to wait for Delayneys story!!!!
Go to my blog www.sherleyvazquez.com for more book reviews!
BY
Millie & Sam are instant swoon. I love that they actually started out as being friends and neither knew the actual attraction that the other had so they never crossed the line for the sake of their friendship. They became really close during her summer. They convince one way or another that they needed to follow their dreams and stop doing what others wanted them to do. Thats true friendship and they believed in each other. So with that foundation they were able to blossom into something more and intense. That plot twist was like woah... i did not expect that to happen at all. Didn't see it coming. Now to wait for Delayneys story!!!!
Go to my blog www.sherleyvazquez.com for more book reviews!
Read
November 18, 2013I fondly remember Millie and Sam from Where My Heart Breaks so I was pretty excited to read this one. Unfortunately both characters rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't connect with either. I think it's partially because I'm not a fan of Hollywood romances, and very rarely do I read them. That being said, I may revisit this book sometime as Ivy is a talented author and I loved her debut book.
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review
June 22, 2017
I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 3.5
This was a nice love story. I thought the plot was great, but I did not like how Sam treated her when he was forced to break up with her. I thought that was harsh and mean. Other than that, the characters were really great and interesting. I really like Millie. She was feisty yet smart. I thought Sam was a really interesting character. He was smart yet naive at times. I hope to read more of Ivy Sinclair books. Overall, a great read.
Actual Rating: 3.5
This was a nice love story. I thought the plot was great, but I did not like how Sam treated her when he was forced to break up with her. I thought that was harsh and mean. Other than that, the characters were really great and interesting. I really like Millie. She was feisty yet smart. I thought Sam was a really interesting character. He was smart yet naive at times. I hope to read more of Ivy Sinclair books. Overall, a great read.
January 13, 2023
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimers: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.
Why did I decide to turn the pages? It looked cute and I liked this genre.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: It was an intriguing read that exceeded my expectations. I didn't think I would like this one very much, but I actually did.
Second chance love stories are something that I've always loved. I love watching characters fall in love again. This one portrayed that beautifully. The characters had changed since they last met, and the characters accounted for those differences.
The plot was cliche, but I still enjoyed it. It was great watching Sam and Millie reconcile who they were with who they were expected to be.
A fun book.
So why 3 stars? It failed to stand out in any meaningful way, but it was enjoyable.
Can I read the series out of order? I did. It definitely alludes to the first novel, but I didn't feel lost.
Warnings/Side-notes: 17+ for language and sexual content.
The Wrap-up: An intriguing love story.
Disclaimers: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.
Why did I decide to turn the pages? It looked cute and I liked this genre.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: It was an intriguing read that exceeded my expectations. I didn't think I would like this one very much, but I actually did.
Second chance love stories are something that I've always loved. I love watching characters fall in love again. This one portrayed that beautifully. The characters had changed since they last met, and the characters accounted for those differences.
The plot was cliche, but I still enjoyed it. It was great watching Sam and Millie reconcile who they were with who they were expected to be.
A fun book.
So why 3 stars? It failed to stand out in any meaningful way, but it was enjoyable.
Can I read the series out of order? I did. It definitely alludes to the first novel, but I didn't feel lost.
Warnings/Side-notes: 17+ for language and sexual content.
The Wrap-up: An intriguing love story.
December 1, 2017
I really liked the storyline on this book and the first one, but it was really hard to want to keep reading with all the grammar problems and just an all around poor editing job. There were countless mistakes that made this harder to get through than it should’ve been. Again, enjoyed the story and characters but it just goes to show how much of a difference a detail oriented editor can make.
November 18, 2013
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I was so excited when I realized that two minor characters from Sinclair’s Where My Heart Breaks were the centerpiece of this book. I really liked Sam in Where My Heart Breaks, but he was just no competition for Reed when it came to Kate. They belonged together. Millie didn’t really stand out too much for me in Where My Heart Breaks, but I was thrilled that she got her own book so I could learn more about her.
I definitely connected more with Millie in this story. I desperately needed her to grown a backbone and stand up to her family. She doesn’t want a relationship but they keep trying to set her up with men. She’s an artist, yet they are pushing her to work for the family’s company. I liked her a lot more when she finally stood up for herself. I liked her even more when she finally gave into the feelings she was having for her friend, Sam. At her best, she was strong, stubborn and driven. At her worst, she was wishy-washy and immature.
Sam overshadowed Millie, as far as I was concerned. He was interesting and completely swoon-worthy. Having grown up in the same town as, and ultimately working in, the Willoughby Inn, Sam’s always been connected to the book and the characters that made the Inn popular. An actor, he was thrilled to be chosen to play the main character, Jackson Monroe. It’s the role of a lifetime, but this casting catapults him into the spotlight and starts wreaking havoc on his life.
Sam has always had feelings for Millie, but she never returned them. She really isn’t looking for love, but somehow that’s exactly what she finds when she lets down her guard with him. Their connection was real and believable. As they begin to explore their relationship, he starts getting pressure from his agent and the studio to have a pretend relationship with his co-star. Will his and Millie’s real life relationship be able to withstand the pressure?
While I enjoyed this book, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Don’t get me wrong; I liked it. I liked the characters. But I think both the story and the characters had more potential. I think the story was rushed. I would have liked it more had it just slowed down and really explored Sam and Millie’s relationship. It just felt like their relationship and his career were on speed. Given his career choice and the things that were happening for him, that was understandable. But, with their relationship, I wanted more. Had there even been more between the last chapter and the epilogue, I would have been more satisfied. But if you're looking for a quick, sweet and sexy new adult romance, this would definitely fit the bill.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from the review copy and may differ from the final version.
I was so excited when I realized that two minor characters from Sinclair’s Where My Heart Breaks were the centerpiece of this book. I really liked Sam in Where My Heart Breaks, but he was just no competition for Reed when it came to Kate. They belonged together. Millie didn’t really stand out too much for me in Where My Heart Breaks, but I was thrilled that she got her own book so I could learn more about her.
“At twenty-three with a college degree in hand, Millie was ready to do things on her own, uncomfortable as that was for a girl who grew up being spoon-fed everything that she ever wanted.”
I definitely connected more with Millie in this story. I desperately needed her to grown a backbone and stand up to her family. She doesn’t want a relationship but they keep trying to set her up with men. She’s an artist, yet they are pushing her to work for the family’s company. I liked her a lot more when she finally stood up for herself. I liked her even more when she finally gave into the feelings she was having for her friend, Sam. At her best, she was strong, stubborn and driven. At her worst, she was wishy-washy and immature.
“The thing is that love, real, forever love, isn’t something that you find every day. Certainly not with every girl I date. I’ve been fond of several women I’ve gone out with in the past, but I don’t know. I can’t explain it. None of them were the one for me. I’m not going to say those words to a woman until I’m absolutely sure that I mean them. And that woman, she’ll know it’s real because she’ll know the truth, that I’ve never said them to anyone else."
Sam overshadowed Millie, as far as I was concerned. He was interesting and completely swoon-worthy. Having grown up in the same town as, and ultimately working in, the Willoughby Inn, Sam’s always been connected to the book and the characters that made the Inn popular. An actor, he was thrilled to be chosen to play the main character, Jackson Monroe. It’s the role of a lifetime, but this casting catapults him into the spotlight and starts wreaking havoc on his life.
“I never saw her as a work in progress. I thought she was perfect just the way she was.”
Sam has always had feelings for Millie, but she never returned them. She really isn’t looking for love, but somehow that’s exactly what she finds when she lets down her guard with him. Their connection was real and believable. As they begin to explore their relationship, he starts getting pressure from his agent and the studio to have a pretend relationship with his co-star. Will his and Millie’s real life relationship be able to withstand the pressure?
While I enjoyed this book, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Don’t get me wrong; I liked it. I liked the characters. But I think both the story and the characters had more potential. I think the story was rushed. I would have liked it more had it just slowed down and really explored Sam and Millie’s relationship. It just felt like their relationship and his career were on speed. Given his career choice and the things that were happening for him, that was understandable. But, with their relationship, I wanted more. Had there even been more between the last chapter and the epilogue, I would have been more satisfied. But if you're looking for a quick, sweet and sexy new adult romance, this would definitely fit the bill.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from the review copy and may differ from the final version.
October 11, 2022
I received an e-copy of this book from the publishers at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Okay. I will admit it. I requested this book completely on cover appeal. I didn't even real the synopsis. I saw the cover and it reminded me of the beauty of the The Truth about Me & You by Amanda Grace cover (not surprising since they're the same picture). I knew that this book was a New Adult read by an author I didn't know much about who produced a gorgeous cover. That is all it took. Sometimes I am so easy.
The story starts with Millie coming face-to-face with the boy she left many months ago without a goodbye or an explanation. Millie had always been a commitment-phobe and when she realized that Sam's affections for her may be holding him back, she did what she does best. She bolted under the guise of letting him be free of her and possibly move on in his life. With the emotions of a summer with Sam heavy on the brain, Millie starts exploring her life outside of what her family has planned. She starts dabbling in more artistic ventures than her father's multi-million dollar company that he expects her to work for after graduating college. With Sam back in her life and pleading with her to rekindle their forgotten friendship in hopes of keeping him grounded while he undergoes his dreams of being a movie star, Millie starts to question if whatever she had felt for Sam that summer has really been forgotten.
Sam has had feelings for Millie from the moment he met her. Fear of rejection kept him from revealing his emotions, but he suspected it was obvious. The fact that Millie didn't seem to treat him as anything more than a best friend and confidant was a blow to the ego. When she disappeared he decided to let her go. That was until he landed the lead in a new movie about the very place Millie and him met. He needs someone real to lean on so the stardom doesn't completely consume him. But once he comes in contact with his old friend again, the feelings roar to life with a vengeance like never before.
Sam and Millie must fight their attraction and developing feelings because in Sam's life a romance with anyone but who the media wishes is not possible. Is their love strong enough to persevere?
I finished a book the same day I started this one and figured I would get myself a few chapters in and set it aside until the following day. From the first page, I was drawn in. I physically felt the love connection between Sam and Millie. I felt my stomach fall with the fear of something driving a wedge between them. I swallowed tears when the characters were hurting. I was CONSUMED by this world Sinclair had created. The romance was structured and portrayed exquisitely. Anytime a story is so well written you can feel your heart break and mend and break again along with the characters, you know you have a masterpiece in the making. I highly recommend Grounded by You.
Grounded by You will cause it's reader to see love in a new light and appreciate it even through overwhelming obstacles.
November 19, 2013
ARC provided by author for an honest review - Review posted on The Fairest of All Book Reviews Blog
“Making a relationship work, which is a hard thing to begin with, becomes that much harder when you’re doing it in the spotlight.”
Readers met Millie and Sam as minor characters in Sinclair’s Where My Heart Breaks, and there was an attraction there but nothing that Millie wanted to pursue because they came from two different worlds, and she did not want to fall in love and commit. After running away from their summer together, Millie and Sam reconnect, right before Sam is about to be made a household name as Jackson Monroe in the highly anticipated movie based on the novel, Where My Heart Breaks. Sam asks for Millie’s help to keep him “grounded” as the media blitz begins, and as they spend time together, Sam realizes that his feelings for Millie never left, and Millie begins to acknowledge that what she feels for Sam is more than friendship.
But, in the midst of their blossoming love, directors, agents, and Sam’s co-star want to blend the line between fact and fiction for good press, and the pressures to be who they are and go after what they want become too much for Millie and Sam, and when Sam heads to North Carolina to begin filming the movie, they are driven further apart. Will their new found love be able to withstand the spotlight of Sam’s new career or will it end before it even had a chance to really begin?
While the premise of this book is an interesting concept, I didn't feel like its delivery quite achieved its aim. Millie and Sam’s relationship, Sam’s career, Millie’s brother’s matchmaking, and the staged love affair between costars seem to have occurred at warp speed. Just when I am wrapping my mind around one plot line, another one is brought in without much explanation of the first one, and I am left with a bit of whip lash trying to keep everything straight and feeling like I need more explained to truly grasp all that is occurring. I guess quite simply put, I wanted more; I wanted to understand the choices Millie and Sam make and the back story with Millie’s family that made her who she is in the text. I wanted to see Sam struggle more with his new found fame and question what he was being asked to do. I just felt the story was a bit rushed.
With that being said, I still enjoyed the text. I’m a dual POV junkie, and anytime I can read a text with it, it adds to my enjoyment. I just wanted to see Millie and Sam’s relationship explored more and not be quite so rocky – almost all the time they are together. I guess I wanted the fairy tale movie ending even when I know reality is much messier. Try this sweet, sexy read out for yourself!
3 poison apples!
“Making a relationship work, which is a hard thing to begin with, becomes that much harder when you’re doing it in the spotlight.”
Readers met Millie and Sam as minor characters in Sinclair’s Where My Heart Breaks, and there was an attraction there but nothing that Millie wanted to pursue because they came from two different worlds, and she did not want to fall in love and commit. After running away from their summer together, Millie and Sam reconnect, right before Sam is about to be made a household name as Jackson Monroe in the highly anticipated movie based on the novel, Where My Heart Breaks. Sam asks for Millie’s help to keep him “grounded” as the media blitz begins, and as they spend time together, Sam realizes that his feelings for Millie never left, and Millie begins to acknowledge that what she feels for Sam is more than friendship.
But, in the midst of their blossoming love, directors, agents, and Sam’s co-star want to blend the line between fact and fiction for good press, and the pressures to be who they are and go after what they want become too much for Millie and Sam, and when Sam heads to North Carolina to begin filming the movie, they are driven further apart. Will their new found love be able to withstand the spotlight of Sam’s new career or will it end before it even had a chance to really begin?
While the premise of this book is an interesting concept, I didn't feel like its delivery quite achieved its aim. Millie and Sam’s relationship, Sam’s career, Millie’s brother’s matchmaking, and the staged love affair between costars seem to have occurred at warp speed. Just when I am wrapping my mind around one plot line, another one is brought in without much explanation of the first one, and I am left with a bit of whip lash trying to keep everything straight and feeling like I need more explained to truly grasp all that is occurring. I guess quite simply put, I wanted more; I wanted to understand the choices Millie and Sam make and the back story with Millie’s family that made her who she is in the text. I wanted to see Sam struggle more with his new found fame and question what he was being asked to do. I just felt the story was a bit rushed.
With that being said, I still enjoyed the text. I’m a dual POV junkie, and anytime I can read a text with it, it adds to my enjoyment. I just wanted to see Millie and Sam’s relationship explored more and not be quite so rocky – almost all the time they are together. I guess I wanted the fairy tale movie ending even when I know reality is much messier. Try this sweet, sexy read out for yourself!
3 poison apples!
January 10, 2014
**BETH'S REVIEW**
*3.5 Stars*
Grounded by You is a quick sweet and heartwarming read about the friendship between two friends, Amelia “Millie” St. John and Sam Groveson and how they finally took it to the next step.
Millie comes from a life of privilege but with that comes the expectations of once she is done college she is expected to join her father and brother with the family business. But Millie has other plans, she wants to be an artist, but now must break the news to the family. Upon moving back to New York she runs into Sam, the boy she was friends with but ran away from a year ago.
Sam, an up and coming actor has moved just recently moved to New York and has just landed the most sought after role in Hollywood, a role he dreamed for years about getting. And now he had just met up with the girl that he had fell in love with last summer but never did anything about before it was too late and she took off without another word and not knowing why.
Instantly you can feel the connection these two have upon them meeting up leaving you to want the romantic happily ever after fairy tale ending. But with the pressures of her family to live up to their expectations and the expectations the movie industry has put on Sam, these two have their many struggles to face as they try to figure out their feelings and their relationship.
The characters for the most part were really great, I could connect with them, I found the storyline way too predictable, you always knew what would happen next. For me I need a book to unpredictable and not a storyline that is the same old thing, it’s what keeps me up half the night reading, not wanting to put the book down. The premise of the book itself was good but the actual storyline could really use some work and new angles.
I did not hate this book, it really was an enjoyable read with a really great romantic storyline but it just didn’t keep me on the end of my seat, it didn’t suck me in and make me feel all those intense emotions that the characters were feeling, and that what is what I love the most about reading, when you pulls you in to the point you feel like these are real people living in your real life, they are your friends and when they feel pain and heart ache so do you and when I read the synopsis and started reading, I really hope that this one would do that, sad to say it didn’t.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*3.5 Stars*
Grounded by You is a quick sweet and heartwarming read about the friendship between two friends, Amelia “Millie” St. John and Sam Groveson and how they finally took it to the next step.
Millie comes from a life of privilege but with that comes the expectations of once she is done college she is expected to join her father and brother with the family business. But Millie has other plans, she wants to be an artist, but now must break the news to the family. Upon moving back to New York she runs into Sam, the boy she was friends with but ran away from a year ago.
Sam, an up and coming actor has moved just recently moved to New York and has just landed the most sought after role in Hollywood, a role he dreamed for years about getting. And now he had just met up with the girl that he had fell in love with last summer but never did anything about before it was too late and she took off without another word and not knowing why.
Instantly you can feel the connection these two have upon them meeting up leaving you to want the romantic happily ever after fairy tale ending. But with the pressures of her family to live up to their expectations and the expectations the movie industry has put on Sam, these two have their many struggles to face as they try to figure out their feelings and their relationship.
The characters for the most part were really great, I could connect with them, I found the storyline way too predictable, you always knew what would happen next. For me I need a book to unpredictable and not a storyline that is the same old thing, it’s what keeps me up half the night reading, not wanting to put the book down. The premise of the book itself was good but the actual storyline could really use some work and new angles.
I did not hate this book, it really was an enjoyable read with a really great romantic storyline but it just didn’t keep me on the end of my seat, it didn’t suck me in and make me feel all those intense emotions that the characters were feeling, and that what is what I love the most about reading, when you pulls you in to the point you feel like these are real people living in your real life, they are your friends and when they feel pain and heart ache so do you and when I read the synopsis and started reading, I really hope that this one would do that, sad to say it didn’t.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2016
Grounded By You is book two in A Willoughby Inn Love Story series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. However, even though I already read this one, I did go back and read the first book in this series, When My Heart Breaks. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed both books, and look forward to reading more by Ivy Sinclair.
The series is centered around The Willoughby Inn, and in this book, the story is about Millie St. John and a small-town boy that made it big named Sam (Carter Samuel Groveson). Millie is helping her best friend Kate run the inn during the summer. Millie's family is rich, and with that, comes expectations. Her life has always been lived under the scrutiny of her parents. Her dream is to be an artist and she does not want to work in the family business. The problem with Millie is that she is afraid to commit to anything, which makes her weak. Her fear of commitment brings me to the next character, Sam. Sam and Millie met at the inn, and became friends with some definite chemistry between them. Sam is the small-town boy that made it big in acting...so big that he landed the lead role in a highly anticipated movie called "Where My Heart Breaks." Sam turns to Millie to help keep him grounded during this period in his life. Even though Millie has definite feelings for Sam, she is afraid that he won't ever think of her as anything but a friend, especially now that he is on the rise to stardom. Sam also happens to have a very beautiful co-star, so of course, that could change things as well. Will Millie and Sam overcome the obstacles they are both facing and finally find love?
I felt the author did a great job in writing these characters and their story. Obstacles are thrown in the story for both characters, which is true to life because nothing ever seems to go as planned. I felt the characters were believable, flaws and all, and that their struggles were realistic to the story. I was not happy with some of the things Sam did, but that just added to the story. Overall, I felt the plot was interesting, and the story read at a good pace. I would definitely recommend this book.
I was given a digital copy of this book by Shadow Creek Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The series is centered around The Willoughby Inn, and in this book, the story is about Millie St. John and a small-town boy that made it big named Sam (Carter Samuel Groveson). Millie is helping her best friend Kate run the inn during the summer. Millie's family is rich, and with that, comes expectations. Her life has always been lived under the scrutiny of her parents. Her dream is to be an artist and she does not want to work in the family business. The problem with Millie is that she is afraid to commit to anything, which makes her weak. Her fear of commitment brings me to the next character, Sam. Sam and Millie met at the inn, and became friends with some definite chemistry between them. Sam is the small-town boy that made it big in acting...so big that he landed the lead role in a highly anticipated movie called "Where My Heart Breaks." Sam turns to Millie to help keep him grounded during this period in his life. Even though Millie has definite feelings for Sam, she is afraid that he won't ever think of her as anything but a friend, especially now that he is on the rise to stardom. Sam also happens to have a very beautiful co-star, so of course, that could change things as well. Will Millie and Sam overcome the obstacles they are both facing and finally find love?
I felt the author did a great job in writing these characters and their story. Obstacles are thrown in the story for both characters, which is true to life because nothing ever seems to go as planned. I felt the characters were believable, flaws and all, and that their struggles were realistic to the story. I was not happy with some of the things Sam did, but that just added to the story. Overall, I felt the plot was interesting, and the story read at a good pace. I would definitely recommend this book.
I was given a digital copy of this book by Shadow Creek Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2013
Millie St. John has always done what her parents have told her to do. She's lived a privileged life, and has never known what it's like to live with the simplicities of life. Until now, that is.
Determined to make something of herself, Millie has decided that she'll forgo working for her parent's company. In her mind, working for herself, and achieving her dreams is the boost she needs to reassert herself. She knows that breaking the news to her parents won't be easy. They're sure to disown her, but that's a chance she's willing to take from the get-go.
When a summer acquaintance appears on her doorstep, Millie soon realizes just how much her life has changed. Not to mention that she's discovered that she has feelings for Sam. She knows she shouldn't dwell on what she feels. Sam is way out of her league know that he's to become a household name. She's determined to be there for Sam in every way possible, even as her life takes a hectic turn.
Dealing with her harried parents, the paparazzi, and Sam himself, she begins to wonder as to whether she'll ever get her life back on track again. There's so much pulling her in every direction, threatening to break what little is left of her sanity. Refusing to give in to the uncertainties that threaten to overcome her, Millie will do everything possible to take the bull by its horns, and have it bend to her will. She has to. It's her only way of coping with the craziness cropping up all around her. Not to mention the fact that slowly, but surely, Sam has started to become more to her than just the friend she knows he should remain.
A bittersweet story, we're swept along Millie St. John's tumultuous lifestyle as she struggles to overcome the adversities headed her way. Like any young adult, life has a way of throwing curves at you that you never see coming. This is a theme that Ivy has noted throughout the story itself. She's also shown us that no matter what comes toward the characters' way, they're able to overcome each and every situation. An enjoyable read, this is one book I'll dive into time and again.
Determined to make something of herself, Millie has decided that she'll forgo working for her parent's company. In her mind, working for herself, and achieving her dreams is the boost she needs to reassert herself. She knows that breaking the news to her parents won't be easy. They're sure to disown her, but that's a chance she's willing to take from the get-go.
When a summer acquaintance appears on her doorstep, Millie soon realizes just how much her life has changed. Not to mention that she's discovered that she has feelings for Sam. She knows she shouldn't dwell on what she feels. Sam is way out of her league know that he's to become a household name. She's determined to be there for Sam in every way possible, even as her life takes a hectic turn.
Dealing with her harried parents, the paparazzi, and Sam himself, she begins to wonder as to whether she'll ever get her life back on track again. There's so much pulling her in every direction, threatening to break what little is left of her sanity. Refusing to give in to the uncertainties that threaten to overcome her, Millie will do everything possible to take the bull by its horns, and have it bend to her will. She has to. It's her only way of coping with the craziness cropping up all around her. Not to mention the fact that slowly, but surely, Sam has started to become more to her than just the friend she knows he should remain.
A bittersweet story, we're swept along Millie St. John's tumultuous lifestyle as she struggles to overcome the adversities headed her way. Like any young adult, life has a way of throwing curves at you that you never see coming. This is a theme that Ivy has noted throughout the story itself. She's also shown us that no matter what comes toward the characters' way, they're able to overcome each and every situation. An enjoyable read, this is one book I'll dive into time and again.
November 26, 2013
Millie St John has come from a life of privilege. Now that she is through with college, she is expected to join her family’s business. Despite those expectations and the threat that her father will quit helping her financially, Millie wants to follow her dreams. An elective in her senior year of college led her to discover her love of painting. Now she is planning to disappoint her family by sharing with them she will not be joining her father’s firm.
Sam Groveson has finally landed his ‘big break’. Starring in the hit film that is sure to launch his career into stardom. The one person he wants to share his big break with is Millie. Yet, he doesn’t know if she wants to be in his life. A year ago, they shared a great summer….or so Sam thought. Millie walked out of his life without so much as a goodbye.
Sam wants Millie back in his life. His feelings for her have never really went away. Millie has put up a wall around her heart, never wanting to commit to anyone. Each thinking they are not ‘good enough’ for the other. The time they begin to spend together leads them both to realize they are more than just friends.
Their blossoming romance may be hampered by Sam’s newfound career. The spotlight on his personal life, the paparazzi, and the pressure from the movie executives may prove too much for the couple. Sam is faced with a decision that can break Millie’s heart. Will the two find a way to withstand the demands placed before them?
Grounded By You was a great tie in to Where My Heart Breaks. I loved that Ivy Sinclair wove the storyline between the two books so effortlessly. I did find that I wanted a longer book for Millie and Sam. There was so much more I wanted to learn about them….more of their summer together, Millie’s parents and the affect they had on her life, her time in college, etc. Overall, this was a sweet romance with a great ending.
* ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review*
Sam Groveson has finally landed his ‘big break’. Starring in the hit film that is sure to launch his career into stardom. The one person he wants to share his big break with is Millie. Yet, he doesn’t know if she wants to be in his life. A year ago, they shared a great summer….or so Sam thought. Millie walked out of his life without so much as a goodbye.
Sam wants Millie back in his life. His feelings for her have never really went away. Millie has put up a wall around her heart, never wanting to commit to anyone. Each thinking they are not ‘good enough’ for the other. The time they begin to spend together leads them both to realize they are more than just friends.
Their blossoming romance may be hampered by Sam’s newfound career. The spotlight on his personal life, the paparazzi, and the pressure from the movie executives may prove too much for the couple. Sam is faced with a decision that can break Millie’s heart. Will the two find a way to withstand the demands placed before them?
Grounded By You was a great tie in to Where My Heart Breaks. I loved that Ivy Sinclair wove the storyline between the two books so effortlessly. I did find that I wanted a longer book for Millie and Sam. There was so much more I wanted to learn about them….more of their summer together, Millie’s parents and the affect they had on her life, her time in college, etc. Overall, this was a sweet romance with a great ending.
* ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review*
November 22, 2013
“Grounded By You,” by Ivy Sinclair was a sweet romance about two friends who realize that their friendship had slid into love. But nothing is ever easy and so it goes for Millie and Sam.
I liked Millie and Sam a lot. Their characters were well written and they each had flaws and dealt with insecurities and doubts in their lives and choices, which made them feel real. They dealt with a lot of conflicting emotions, both personal and external that will resonate well with readers.
The, plot was interesting. Sam looks to Millie to help him stay grounded when he lands his first real acting gig. But things get sticky, especially when Millie and Sam figure out their friendship is more than just friends. Then Sam’s beautiful co-star enters the picture…and you can figure out the rest. It was a good story, but somewhat predictable. There were a few points that were surprising, just enough to keep me invested in the story.
My biggest issue with “Grounded By You” was the writing. It wasn’t that it was bad. Actually, it was written quite well. It was the language and word choice that bothered me throughout the book. I just kept thinking, “Young adults don’t talk like that.” The wordage was stilted and pretentious in most of the book and when the characters tried to talk like “normal” young adults it felt forced and awkward. It kept me from fully immersing myself in the story. The wording pulled me out of the mood, and I was never able to lose myself in the story like I wanted to.
Bottom line: “Grounded By You” was a nice book. It had enough umph to keep me interested in the story and I would definitely consider reading more of the author’s work in the future.
ARC supplied for a fair and honest review.
I liked Millie and Sam a lot. Their characters were well written and they each had flaws and dealt with insecurities and doubts in their lives and choices, which made them feel real. They dealt with a lot of conflicting emotions, both personal and external that will resonate well with readers.
The, plot was interesting. Sam looks to Millie to help him stay grounded when he lands his first real acting gig. But things get sticky, especially when Millie and Sam figure out their friendship is more than just friends. Then Sam’s beautiful co-star enters the picture…and you can figure out the rest. It was a good story, but somewhat predictable. There were a few points that were surprising, just enough to keep me invested in the story.
My biggest issue with “Grounded By You” was the writing. It wasn’t that it was bad. Actually, it was written quite well. It was the language and word choice that bothered me throughout the book. I just kept thinking, “Young adults don’t talk like that.” The wordage was stilted and pretentious in most of the book and when the characters tried to talk like “normal” young adults it felt forced and awkward. It kept me from fully immersing myself in the story. The wording pulled me out of the mood, and I was never able to lose myself in the story like I wanted to.
Bottom line: “Grounded By You” was a nice book. It had enough umph to keep me interested in the story and I would definitely consider reading more of the author’s work in the future.
ARC supplied for a fair and honest review.
December 15, 2013
Review copy granted in exchange for an honest review
This book follows on from Ivy Sinclair's first novel Where My Heart Breaks but focuses on secondary characters from the novel - Sam and Millie. You don't have to have read the previous novel to enjoy this one, everything you need to know about it is mentioned in Grounded by You, but it probably enhances the story a bit.
When we met Sam in the previous book he was nice, but bland. He kinda reminded me of Matt from the Vampire Diaries. Y'know the nice, dependable guy, the great friend, attractive enough but... not sexy. Not the guy who would make you drool and give you heart palpitations.
That totally changes in this book. I honestly don't know how Ivy Sinclair did it as she didn't dramatically change his character but he definitely came into this book with a certain something that made you take notice.
Millie has grown up at lot in this book. She has worked out who she is and she is far easier to relate to and like than in Where The Heart Is. She stands up for herself and goes after what she wants. She isn't as reckless and just seems centred. No longer flighty.
The romance between them grabs you and doesn't let you go from the very beginning.
There are sweet moments, sexy moments, moments that make you smile and moments that break your heart. Hard choices and misunderstandings drive them apart but - corny as it sounds - love brings them back together. It was a wonderful read that made me smile.
I really really enjoyed it.
I actually can't wait for the next book featuring the secondary characters from this one.
www.thebookloverscodex.co.uk
This book follows on from Ivy Sinclair's first novel Where My Heart Breaks but focuses on secondary characters from the novel - Sam and Millie. You don't have to have read the previous novel to enjoy this one, everything you need to know about it is mentioned in Grounded by You, but it probably enhances the story a bit.
When we met Sam in the previous book he was nice, but bland. He kinda reminded me of Matt from the Vampire Diaries. Y'know the nice, dependable guy, the great friend, attractive enough but... not sexy. Not the guy who would make you drool and give you heart palpitations.
That totally changes in this book. I honestly don't know how Ivy Sinclair did it as she didn't dramatically change his character but he definitely came into this book with a certain something that made you take notice.
Millie has grown up at lot in this book. She has worked out who she is and she is far easier to relate to and like than in Where The Heart Is. She stands up for herself and goes after what she wants. She isn't as reckless and just seems centred. No longer flighty.
The romance between them grabs you and doesn't let you go from the very beginning.
There are sweet moments, sexy moments, moments that make you smile and moments that break your heart. Hard choices and misunderstandings drive them apart but - corny as it sounds - love brings them back together. It was a wonderful read that made me smile.
I really really enjoyed it.
I actually can't wait for the next book featuring the secondary characters from this one.
www.thebookloverscodex.co.uk
July 20, 2016
This is Amelia (MIllie) and Carter's (Sam) story.
Millie is a society girl who has always had everything she wanted except possible someone who listened to her. Her summer spent at Willoughby Inn changed her. She saw her best friend find her true calling and the love of her life. She met Sam who changed her by being her friend. Millie leaves the Inn with mixed feelings. She realizes she wants to change her life. And she is trying to figure out what her feelings for Sam means.
Sam is a small town good guy. He is every girls best friend and confident but he never gets the girl her wants. He wants Millie but will she want him.
As Millie begins a career unlike anything her family would want her to do and Sam starts his rise to stardom can the two find each other?
I enjoyed the development of the characters. Millie seemed somewhat shallow in the first book and this book gave you some insight into why she was they way she was and how her family influenced her. I was surprised by the outcome with her family since she had always portrayed them as focused on what society thinks or on business.
Sam's character goes through some growth that makes him gain some confidence. As the guy who never gets the girl her needs to figure out how to get and keep the one he wants.
The reason it didn't get 5 stars is I found it hard to believe that Millie, a strong woman would have just be OK when Sam gave her the explanation of why he dumped her so publicly. Just doesn't seem to be something this female character would have just let go.
Millie is a society girl who has always had everything she wanted except possible someone who listened to her. Her summer spent at Willoughby Inn changed her. She saw her best friend find her true calling and the love of her life. She met Sam who changed her by being her friend. Millie leaves the Inn with mixed feelings. She realizes she wants to change her life. And she is trying to figure out what her feelings for Sam means.
Sam is a small town good guy. He is every girls best friend and confident but he never gets the girl her wants. He wants Millie but will she want him.
As Millie begins a career unlike anything her family would want her to do and Sam starts his rise to stardom can the two find each other?
I enjoyed the development of the characters. Millie seemed somewhat shallow in the first book and this book gave you some insight into why she was they way she was and how her family influenced her. I was surprised by the outcome with her family since she had always portrayed them as focused on what society thinks or on business.
Sam's character goes through some growth that makes him gain some confidence. As the guy who never gets the girl her needs to figure out how to get and keep the one he wants.
The reason it didn't get 5 stars is I found it hard to believe that Millie, a strong woman would have just be OK when Sam gave her the explanation of why he dumped her so publicly. Just doesn't seem to be something this female character would have just let go.
January 11, 2014
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this novel.
This book is a follow up of sorts to Ivy Sinclair's "Where My Heart Breaks", which I also received via Netgalley and reviewed a few months ago. While I was very impressed with the character development and plot of "Where My Heart Breaks", some of this seemed to be missing in "Grounded by You", and I can't help but compare the two.
"Grounded by You" was still a sweet read with good characters and a decent plot, it just wasn't nearly as good as "Where My Heart Breaks". I think the main reason for the difference is in the characters. Where Reed Black from WMHB is quite the bad boy with the reputation to match, Sam from GBY is the quintessential good guy. Sam comes from a happy family in a happy town, and he's got the morals to match. But...that makes Sam kind of boring. Whereas Kate Spivey in WMHB is quite the spitfire, Millie from GBY is...not. Actually, from what I remember of Millie from WMHB, she was quite the spitfire, too, but she changed in the year or so between the two books. Although Millie is now asserting her independence with her family, she's also become more sedate and...dull.
Despite all this, I still enjoyed "Grounded By You". Ivy Sinclair's writing is good enough that the book kept me reading straight through, and I am still interested enough to want to read the next installment in this series.
This book is a follow up of sorts to Ivy Sinclair's "Where My Heart Breaks", which I also received via Netgalley and reviewed a few months ago. While I was very impressed with the character development and plot of "Where My Heart Breaks", some of this seemed to be missing in "Grounded by You", and I can't help but compare the two.
"Grounded by You" was still a sweet read with good characters and a decent plot, it just wasn't nearly as good as "Where My Heart Breaks". I think the main reason for the difference is in the characters. Where Reed Black from WMHB is quite the bad boy with the reputation to match, Sam from GBY is the quintessential good guy. Sam comes from a happy family in a happy town, and he's got the morals to match. But...that makes Sam kind of boring. Whereas Kate Spivey in WMHB is quite the spitfire, Millie from GBY is...not. Actually, from what I remember of Millie from WMHB, she was quite the spitfire, too, but she changed in the year or so between the two books. Although Millie is now asserting her independence with her family, she's also become more sedate and...dull.
Despite all this, I still enjoyed "Grounded By You". Ivy Sinclair's writing is good enough that the book kept me reading straight through, and I am still interested enough to want to read the next installment in this series.
December 28, 2015
Kindly provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.....
3.5 Stars from me.
This is Millie and Sam's story and I very much enjoyed this read, the reason I gave it 3.5 was because I found at times I was a little frustrated with both characters and did a few shouts to my kindle. Not good for my health.......okay Donna what did you bellow ?.......
Millie.......for god sake girl grab your man !!! So what if he becomes America's most sort after.......HE IS YOURS !!. PLUS, you giving up your dreams for him.......really ?!!!! Okay, feeling calmer now.
Sam.......jeysus dude grow a pair and be your own boss and tell the powers that be that its your way not theirs. You allowed them to bend you to their will too much. YOU WERE SUPPOSEDLY AN A LISTER.......Use your power dude. And the co-star kiss crap.......don't get me going on that matter and b**ch.
Sam should have done the right thing from the start and thought of Millie and gone after his women (who he has always loved !!) Funny way of showing it. For me Sam was.........SELFISH......can I get an AMEN peeps !!. Ah, that feels better.
On a positive the story was full of twist and turns, some were predictable and others not so much. I adored the idea of true love, but these two certainly took the high road to get there.
Well done Ivy you certainly invoked emotions in me as a reader !!
Many thanks Netgalley for this opportunity xx
Later peeps x
3.5 Stars from me.
This is Millie and Sam's story and I very much enjoyed this read, the reason I gave it 3.5 was because I found at times I was a little frustrated with both characters and did a few shouts to my kindle. Not good for my health.......okay Donna what did you bellow ?.......
Millie.......for god sake girl grab your man !!! So what if he becomes America's most sort after.......HE IS YOURS !!. PLUS, you giving up your dreams for him.......really ?!!!! Okay, feeling calmer now.
Sam.......jeysus dude grow a pair and be your own boss and tell the powers that be that its your way not theirs. You allowed them to bend you to their will too much. YOU WERE SUPPOSEDLY AN A LISTER.......Use your power dude. And the co-star kiss crap.......don't get me going on that matter and b**ch.
Sam should have done the right thing from the start and thought of Millie and gone after his women (who he has always loved !!) Funny way of showing it. For me Sam was.........SELFISH......can I get an AMEN peeps !!. Ah, that feels better.
On a positive the story was full of twist and turns, some were predictable and others not so much. I adored the idea of true love, but these two certainly took the high road to get there.
Well done Ivy you certainly invoked emotions in me as a reader !!
Many thanks Netgalley for this opportunity xx
Later peeps x
November 20, 2013
¤¤¤ ARC generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ¤¤¤
First, reading the description and reading this book was somehow different and unexpected and with a greatly sweet outcome.
I wouldn't have read this book if it wasn't from NetGalley and I would have missed a book like this.
Why did "Grounded by you" got 4/5 ?
- Well written
- Quite different, somehow unexpected
- Meaningful
- A little of heartbreaking
- reality vs makers
- growing and maturity -> leading to choices
- choosing and ready for the consequences
Back to the characters, they were young, fresh. But not young adult. And Millie was reading to take her life in hands, she planned it. her life on her own accord and knowing the consequences. Terrified but she stepped foward.
So I really started to really like the character and understand through the whole book about her past and nowadays. Her changes were not about insecurities. yeah she got insecurities but her chances were based on what she felt/understood ... meaningful.
Now on Sam, a real man, oh sweet. You will get to love him and want to punch him for his stupidities.
So LOVE was about doubt, insecurities, strong, selfless, real.
It was really an enjoyment, easy to read and short story.
First, reading the description and reading this book was somehow different and unexpected and with a greatly sweet outcome.
I wouldn't have read this book if it wasn't from NetGalley and I would have missed a book like this.
Why did "Grounded by you" got 4/5 ?
- Well written
- Quite different, somehow unexpected
- Meaningful
- A little of heartbreaking
- reality vs makers
- growing and maturity -> leading to choices
- choosing and ready for the consequences
Back to the characters, they were young, fresh. But not young adult. And Millie was reading to take her life in hands, she planned it. her life on her own accord and knowing the consequences. Terrified but she stepped foward.
So I really started to really like the character and understand through the whole book about her past and nowadays. Her changes were not about insecurities. yeah she got insecurities but her chances were based on what she felt/understood ... meaningful.
Now on Sam, a real man, oh sweet. You will get to love him and want to punch him for his stupidities.
So LOVE was about doubt, insecurities, strong, selfless, real.
It was really an enjoyment, easy to read and short story.
November 3, 2015
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fast and engaging read, but as with a lot of NA novels nowadays, it wasn't groundbreaking. I foresaw the twists and the misunderstandings seemed contrived. I didn't agree with a lot of the decisions the characters made; it felt like all the things that kept them apart were very forced. I personally didn't appreciate one particular plot twist, but I know this is an issue of taste and not a problem with the writing/construction of the novel.
The pace was quick, however, and I flew through the novel. Sam and Millie were interesting characters to read about, but I cannot say that they'll leave a lasting impression. I thought the writing was generally good, but there were some typos/missing words etc occasionally which really interrupted the flow - as this novel was published in 2013, I don't feel like the excuse can be that I was given an uncorrected ARC. These sorts of silly mistakes shouldn't be in a finished novel, especially because it's not a problem with the writer but just the editing.
Overall, I'd recommend this novel to fans of NA who are looking for a quick and fun read.
This was a fast and engaging read, but as with a lot of NA novels nowadays, it wasn't groundbreaking. I foresaw the twists and the misunderstandings seemed contrived. I didn't agree with a lot of the decisions the characters made; it felt like all the things that kept them apart were very forced. I personally didn't appreciate one particular plot twist, but I know this is an issue of taste and not a problem with the writing/construction of the novel.
The pace was quick, however, and I flew through the novel. Sam and Millie were interesting characters to read about, but I cannot say that they'll leave a lasting impression. I thought the writing was generally good, but there were some typos/missing words etc occasionally which really interrupted the flow - as this novel was published in 2013, I don't feel like the excuse can be that I was given an uncorrected ARC. These sorts of silly mistakes shouldn't be in a finished novel, especially because it's not a problem with the writer but just the editing.
Overall, I'd recommend this novel to fans of NA who are looking for a quick and fun read.
January 25, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.6/5
Big thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Creek Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Amelia “Millie” St. John has been avoiding settling down. She doesn’t want to settle – not for the job her father has lined up for her, for her family, for a guy, or for anything. She just wants to be happy, and live a happy life. When she meets Sam, or Carter Samuel Groveson this is made abundantly clear. After spending the beginning of the friendship flirting her ass off, she realizes that they’re more friends than anything, and backs down. That does stop Sam from developing his own feelings for her. He wants nothing more than to be with her and she feels like she is holding him back, so it’s already a disaster. After feeling as though she’s holding him back, she leaves and cuts all ties with him, leaving a piece of her behind.
Read my full review HERE
Big thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Creek Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Amelia “Millie” St. John has been avoiding settling down. She doesn’t want to settle – not for the job her father has lined up for her, for her family, for a guy, or for anything. She just wants to be happy, and live a happy life. When she meets Sam, or Carter Samuel Groveson this is made abundantly clear. After spending the beginning of the friendship flirting her ass off, she realizes that they’re more friends than anything, and backs down. That does stop Sam from developing his own feelings for her. He wants nothing more than to be with her and she feels like she is holding him back, so it’s already a disaster. After feeling as though she’s holding him back, she leaves and cuts all ties with him, leaving a piece of her behind.
Read my full review HERE
October 28, 2015
I was given a ARC in exchange of a honest review.
Millie and Sam, Amelia and Carter. While Millie and Sam were two people discovering themselves and in love. Carter and Amelia were people with the weight of another persons´ expectations.
And for some time they let that weight drove them apart. Until their hearts spoke louder than anything.
It's an interesting reading. Fast paced, not so drama-free as I wished it was, but it wasn´t so bad that I want to rip my hair off.
Millie e Sam. Amelia e Carter. Enquanto Millie e Sam são duas pessoas se descobrindo e apaixonadas. Carter e Amelia são duas pessoas que carregam o peso da expectativa de outras pessoas. E, por um tempo, eles deixaram que esse peso os separasse.. Até que o coração deles falasse mais alto di que qualquer outra coisa.
Foi uma leitura interessante, rápida, não tão drama-free como eu queria que fosse, mas nada dramático demais que me desse vontade de arrancar meus cabelos.
Millie and Sam, Amelia and Carter. While Millie and Sam were two people discovering themselves and in love. Carter and Amelia were people with the weight of another persons´ expectations.
And for some time they let that weight drove them apart. Until their hearts spoke louder than anything.
It's an interesting reading. Fast paced, not so drama-free as I wished it was, but it wasn´t so bad that I want to rip my hair off.
Millie e Sam. Amelia e Carter. Enquanto Millie e Sam são duas pessoas se descobrindo e apaixonadas. Carter e Amelia são duas pessoas que carregam o peso da expectativa de outras pessoas. E, por um tempo, eles deixaram que esse peso os separasse.. Até que o coração deles falasse mais alto di que qualquer outra coisa.
Foi uma leitura interessante, rápida, não tão drama-free como eu queria que fosse, mas nada dramático demais que me desse vontade de arrancar meus cabelos.
December 13, 2014
This book was one from the Goodreads Giveaways, and I only just actually started reading it yesterday. I really enjoyed it, especially with the way each character thought they knew what was going on, but really had no clue. I only put it down once after I started, and I kept smiling and I loved the parts filled with confusion, it made it feel extremely real. It ventured to that point where reality and fantasy meet in acting. In one of my classes, one boy is so serious about acting that he didn't only bring up the play a level, he also became the character, and it took several weeks for him to return to who he usually is. It was relatable because of that, and pretty cool. I thought my sister would like it, so I told her not to read it and she read it. =P She really liked it, and got mad when it went missing in our house.
Enjoy, or don't, it's up to you!!!
~Trinne
Enjoy, or don't, it's up to you!!!
~Trinne
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