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Five
Jenna Rockwell has a secret. One left far behind in a deadly past she escaped six years ago.
She finally has everything she ever the career of her dreams as a nurse, great friends, and a chance encounter with the handsome and charming Landon Scott that might lead to the romance of a lifetime. Things couldn’t get any better.
But they could certainly get worse.
The past Jenna thought safely buried tracks her down, and now it’s either enter a life of crime or run again, which means dropping off the face of the earth, leaving everything she’s worked for—including the man she loves.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Run or stand her ground—either choice risks it all.
But in the end, it all comes down to Five…
She finally has everything she ever the career of her dreams as a nurse, great friends, and a chance encounter with the handsome and charming Landon Scott that might lead to the romance of a lifetime. Things couldn’t get any better.
But they could certainly get worse.
The past Jenna thought safely buried tracks her down, and now it’s either enter a life of crime or run again, which means dropping off the face of the earth, leaving everything she’s worked for—including the man she loves.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Run or stand her ground—either choice risks it all.
But in the end, it all comes down to Five…
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2013
53 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
AnnaLisa Grant
18 books238 followersAnnaLisa is the youngest of four children and the only daughter, born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After graduating high school, she moved to Charlotte, NC with her parents. This turned out to be a blessing since it was just a few short years later that she met her husband in the Film Actor's Studio of Charlotte. As she studied acting at the Studio, AnnaLisa was in several films and made-for-TV movies, as well as performed in local theater in both dramatic and musical roles. At one time, it was AnnaLisa's dream to be a professional singer.
AnnaLisa completed her undergraduate degree in Human Services at Wingate University and her Master's degree in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. During her thirteen years in the Human Services field, AnnaLisa worked with children in group homes and foster care, and spent two years in private practice counseling individuals, families, and couples.
When her father was in a near fatal car accident in 2010, AnnaLisa's best coping skill turned out to be writing. Five months after the accident, when all the what ifs would not go away, AnnaLisa started writing Layla Weston's story in The Lake. She had no idea what she was going to do with the story. In fact, she wrote sixty-four pages before she told her husband what she was doing. By then it was clear that Layla had a long story to tell and there were multiple books on the horizon.
In 2013, after all three YA novels in The Lake Trilogy were written and she had let them sit long enough, AnnaLisa took matters into her own hands and self-published the titles within just a few months of each other. Received well by readers young and not-so-young alike, The Lake Trilogy has enjoyed breakout success, selling close to half-million copies the first year.
AnnaLisa's publicist is Rick Miles of Red Coat PR, and she is represented by Italia Gandolfo of GH Literary. AnnaLisa has been married to her super awesome husband Donavan since 2001 and lives in Matthews, NC with their two ridiculously beautiful children.
AnnaLisa completed her undergraduate degree in Human Services at Wingate University and her Master's degree in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. During her thirteen years in the Human Services field, AnnaLisa worked with children in group homes and foster care, and spent two years in private practice counseling individuals, families, and couples.
When her father was in a near fatal car accident in 2010, AnnaLisa's best coping skill turned out to be writing. Five months after the accident, when all the what ifs would not go away, AnnaLisa started writing Layla Weston's story in The Lake. She had no idea what she was going to do with the story. In fact, she wrote sixty-four pages before she told her husband what she was doing. By then it was clear that Layla had a long story to tell and there were multiple books on the horizon.
In 2013, after all three YA novels in The Lake Trilogy were written and she had let them sit long enough, AnnaLisa took matters into her own hands and self-published the titles within just a few months of each other. Received well by readers young and not-so-young alike, The Lake Trilogy has enjoyed breakout success, selling close to half-million copies the first year.
AnnaLisa's publicist is Rick Miles of Red Coat PR, and she is represented by Italia Gandolfo of GH Literary. AnnaLisa has been married to her super awesome husband Donavan since 2001 and lives in Matthews, NC with their two ridiculously beautiful children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 17, 2013
AnnaLisa Grant is an amazing Author..I just loved this book. It is a page turner. I never wanted to stop reading. I also fell in love with the "Lake Trilogy". I am waiting to see what she comes up with next!
September 23, 2013
* I receieved an ARC of this book, from the author, in exchange for an honest review. *
Synopsis:
Jenna Rockwell had everything: the career of her dreams as a nurse, a core group of trusted friends, an outlet to pursue her love of dance, and an apartment in the heart of the great city of Chicago. Add a chance encounter with handsome and charming Landon Scott, and her life couldn’t get any better.
But it certainly could get worse.
The past Jenna ran from six years ago is finally coming for her and she must make decisions that will drastically alter the new life she’s been living. Does she compromise who she is and run the risk of becoming trapped in a life she abhors, or does she run again, dropping off the face of the earth to keep her loved ones safe?
Ultimately, a trail of lies and deceit will force Jenna to choose between a life with or without love. A life with Landon or a life without him.
My Review:
After reading her 1st series (The Lake), AnnaLisa Grant has quickly become one of my favourite authors. So much so, that I actually took on the review of Next To Me, without even reading the synopsis, and I can tell you now, I was definitely NOT disappointed!
Next to Me is an amazing, sweet romance packed with some serious punches! Not only do we get to follow the ups and downs of Jenna and Landon's love story, the book is filled with mystery, suspense, and twists and turns that will keep you thinking and make you second guess everything you read – right up to the last page!
I loved Jenna's character from the very first page, she's young (19), but faced with a horrible situation that turns her life upside down, she is strong and independent, and not at all whiny, even though she is leaving behind everything and everyone she knows!
Fast forward six years in her new life, Jenna meets the gorgeous Landon at a dance class, and from that moment on, her life is literally turned upside down again, for a bunch of different reasons!
I was constantly suspicious of Landon... you'll see for yourself why when you read! Sweet or creepy? I could never be 100% sure! And then just as I was starting to love him...* BOOM * something happened that made my stomach literally drop, and I had to put the book down and walk away! *Cue ranting/WTH email to AnnaLisa!*
After half an hour, when I finally felt calm enough to read again, I was instantly sucked back in to amazing whirlwind that is Jenna's life!
I loved reading Next To Me, it was a serious roller-coaster ride! I was in tears before the end of page five, but I also laughed, smiled, shouted and swooned – multiple times – before the end of the book!
If you like a bit of action, mystery and suspense wrapped around a gorgeous, loveable romance, Next To Me is the book for you!
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng***
Synopsis:
Jenna Rockwell had everything: the career of her dreams as a nurse, a core group of trusted friends, an outlet to pursue her love of dance, and an apartment in the heart of the great city of Chicago. Add a chance encounter with handsome and charming Landon Scott, and her life couldn’t get any better.
But it certainly could get worse.
The past Jenna ran from six years ago is finally coming for her and she must make decisions that will drastically alter the new life she’s been living. Does she compromise who she is and run the risk of becoming trapped in a life she abhors, or does she run again, dropping off the face of the earth to keep her loved ones safe?
Ultimately, a trail of lies and deceit will force Jenna to choose between a life with or without love. A life with Landon or a life without him.
My Review:
After reading her 1st series (The Lake), AnnaLisa Grant has quickly become one of my favourite authors. So much so, that I actually took on the review of Next To Me, without even reading the synopsis, and I can tell you now, I was definitely NOT disappointed!
Next to Me is an amazing, sweet romance packed with some serious punches! Not only do we get to follow the ups and downs of Jenna and Landon's love story, the book is filled with mystery, suspense, and twists and turns that will keep you thinking and make you second guess everything you read – right up to the last page!
I loved Jenna's character from the very first page, she's young (19), but faced with a horrible situation that turns her life upside down, she is strong and independent, and not at all whiny, even though she is leaving behind everything and everyone she knows!
Fast forward six years in her new life, Jenna meets the gorgeous Landon at a dance class, and from that moment on, her life is literally turned upside down again, for a bunch of different reasons!
I was constantly suspicious of Landon... you'll see for yourself why when you read! Sweet or creepy? I could never be 100% sure! And then just as I was starting to love him...* BOOM * something happened that made my stomach literally drop, and I had to put the book down and walk away! *Cue ranting/WTH email to AnnaLisa!*
After half an hour, when I finally felt calm enough to read again, I was instantly sucked back in to amazing whirlwind that is Jenna's life!
I loved reading Next To Me, it was a serious roller-coaster ride! I was in tears before the end of page five, but I also laughed, smiled, shouted and swooned – multiple times – before the end of the book!
If you like a bit of action, mystery and suspense wrapped around a gorgeous, loveable romance, Next To Me is the book for you!
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng***
November 3, 2013
I received Next to Me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I think I might be one of the only people to have picked up a book by AnnaLisa Grant that wasn’t introduced to her writing through her Lake Trilogy. That’s okay though, I don’t mind playing catch up. Besides that, Next to Me turned out to be a great introduction to this author’s writing.
Jenna was a great character, but I don’t want to get into all of the reasons why I felt that way. Sorry, but it’s all part of my no-spoiler policy. I’m afraid if I tell you all the reasons why I loved her character, I’ll give too much away. Basically, she was strong, smart, witty and fun – which is amazing given all she went through to get to that point.
As for Logan, well… I thought he was adorable, but questionable. He asked Jenna the same question more than once. (Nope, I’m not going to tell you what the question was because it falls back to that ‘no spoiler’ thing.) Let’s just say, I’m not sure, given her circumstances, I would have felt the same way that Jenna did about Logan and his actions.
If I had to pick one thing that I liked about this book the most, it would be Jenna’s friends. I loved the supporting cast in this book. They were fun, supportive, protective and well developed. I didn’t really have a favorite, because they were pretty much a package deal. They made up a make-shift family that I really liked getting to know.
Next to Me was intense, heart breaking, action packed and full of mystery. There were times when I thought it seemed to be going in a predictable direction and then it totally took me by surprise. I love it when that happens! The bad guys were scary (for a lot of reasons) and it all got balanced out with a sweet romance. There were a couple of editing issues, but nothing that distracted from the story for me. I’m a patient reader, but regardless, the story, characters, writing style and flowing dialogue in this one kept me distracted from any of the minor flaws. I will definitely be checking out more of AnnaLisa Grant’s books.
I think I might be one of the only people to have picked up a book by AnnaLisa Grant that wasn’t introduced to her writing through her Lake Trilogy. That’s okay though, I don’t mind playing catch up. Besides that, Next to Me turned out to be a great introduction to this author’s writing.
Jenna was a great character, but I don’t want to get into all of the reasons why I felt that way. Sorry, but it’s all part of my no-spoiler policy. I’m afraid if I tell you all the reasons why I loved her character, I’ll give too much away. Basically, she was strong, smart, witty and fun – which is amazing given all she went through to get to that point.
As for Logan, well… I thought he was adorable, but questionable. He asked Jenna the same question more than once. (Nope, I’m not going to tell you what the question was because it falls back to that ‘no spoiler’ thing.) Let’s just say, I’m not sure, given her circumstances, I would have felt the same way that Jenna did about Logan and his actions.
If I had to pick one thing that I liked about this book the most, it would be Jenna’s friends. I loved the supporting cast in this book. They were fun, supportive, protective and well developed. I didn’t really have a favorite, because they were pretty much a package deal. They made up a make-shift family that I really liked getting to know.
Next to Me was intense, heart breaking, action packed and full of mystery. There were times when I thought it seemed to be going in a predictable direction and then it totally took me by surprise. I love it when that happens! The bad guys were scary (for a lot of reasons) and it all got balanced out with a sweet romance. There were a couple of editing issues, but nothing that distracted from the story for me. I’m a patient reader, but regardless, the story, characters, writing style and flowing dialogue in this one kept me distracted from any of the minor flaws. I will definitely be checking out more of AnnaLisa Grant’s books.
November 13, 2015
Editing was much better in this book. Toward the end I did catch a few things, but not enough to distract from the story.
I really liked these characters and can totally see a spin-off happening. (I haven't read descriptions of any of this author's other books. So please forgive me if this has already been done.) At one point I was yelling in my head at Jenna to ask more questions. I just knew what was going to happen. Then several pages later I was taken completely by surprise.
I would have loved to read about Ronnie's transition into Jenna. But I get that that wasn't what this story was about. It was a just a prelude to what was to come.
I love a good romantic mystery/thriller and this fit that description. Before I started reading this book I was at a point where no book really grabbed my attention and couldn't settle on a book to read. I chose this book at random and started reading. Thankfully it grabbed my attention and broke me out of my funk.
I really liked these characters and can totally see a spin-off happening. (I haven't read descriptions of any of this author's other books. So please forgive me if this has already been done.) At one point I was yelling in my head at Jenna to ask more questions. I just knew what was going to happen. Then several pages later I was taken completely by surprise.
I would have loved to read about Ronnie's transition into Jenna. But I get that that wasn't what this story was about. It was a just a prelude to what was to come.
I love a good romantic mystery/thriller and this fit that description. Before I started reading this book I was at a point where no book really grabbed my attention and couldn't settle on a book to read. I chose this book at random and started reading. Thankfully it grabbed my attention and broke me out of my funk.
March 22, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were really developed well, and I found the story very interesting with its twists and turns... my only complaint with all of AnnaLisa's books is the poor editing. I'm kind of a grammar freak, so it's hard to constantly overlook all the little errors on nearly every page. I think I missed my calling as a copy editor. (Haha!) That is honestly my ONLY complaint, though, which is why I still gave this book 5 stars. I truly love her style of writing, and will continue to buy every single book she writes. Keep them coming, AnnaLisa! (And feel free to contact me to help edit - lol!)
May 22, 2014
AnnaLisa Grant does it again! First the lake trilogy and now this! Jenna's story is remarkable and even if it took some time I'm glad that she finally came to her Senses about Landon! I love that AnnaLisa didn't just write a romance novel like every other story in the genre, next to me is a mystery, thrill and romance all smashed together in one! My only compliant was there were alot of spelling and grammatical errors but hey no one is perfect and it deff didn't ruin the book for me! So yet again, beautifully written AnnaLisa!
March 19, 2014
I won this book a while back and never read it. After reading I'm sad I waited so long. It was a really good story with a lot of twists & turns. I did sometimes want to holler at both Jeanna & Landon for stupid stuff I adored what a good couple they were
March 31, 2014
3.5 stars (rounded up) i love this author and loved the Lake Trilogy (gave it 5 stars). Although I liked this story, it fell a little short from the author's previous works. I'm still looking forward to reading more from Annalisa Grant!
June 12, 2015
I really loved this book. Mrs Grant'
I really loved this book. Mrs Grant'
is a writer who holds my interest in all her books I've read. thank you Anna Lisa.: I hope to read more of your books.
I really loved this book. Mrs Grant'
is a writer who holds my interest in all her books I've read. thank you Anna Lisa.: I hope to read more of your books.
November 13, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
March 14, 2014
Great story by a very good author. I really wish she had a better editor. This is the 4th book I read from her and they all had editing issues. But the stories and the characters are top notch
March 8, 2014
Couldn't put the book down until I finished it!! Great read.....
Read
March 13, 2014Love...Love...Love
Loved the book and the story behind Jenna and Landun. Two young people truly in love who would do anything to protect then other!
Loved the book and the story behind Jenna and Landun. Two young people truly in love who would do anything to protect then other!
February 26, 2014
Loved every moment of it!!!
November 18, 2021
I loved this roller coaster ride of a story about a young woman who flees Washington to take on an new identity after leaving her father dying of a gun-shot wound in a Washington park. She manages to stay hidden and live her new life for several years, but then, when she least expects it, the past comes to find her.
This story is full of intrigue an betrayal, but also of love and loyalty, all from the people she least expects.
I love the romance and the suspense - two things that authors often struggle to deal well with in the same story.
A great story, well narrated and edge-of-your-seat attention grabbing.
This story is full of intrigue an betrayal, but also of love and loyalty, all from the people she least expects.
I love the romance and the suspense - two things that authors often struggle to deal well with in the same story.
A great story, well narrated and edge-of-your-seat attention grabbing.
February 10, 2019
Proofreader needed
Different concept from what I normally read. Concept wasn’t bad, but I highly dislike running into typos. 1-2 can be overlooked but they can’t be ignored when they interfere with your flow of reading and you have to stop and reread the sentence a couple of times to decipher wants being inferred.
Update:This review was for Five. I don’t why Amazon/Goodreads linked it to this book.
Different concept from what I normally read. Concept wasn’t bad, but I highly dislike running into typos. 1-2 can be overlooked but they can’t be ignored when they interfere with your flow of reading and you have to stop and reread the sentence a couple of times to decipher wants being inferred.
Update:This review was for Five. I don’t why Amazon/Goodreads linked it to this book.
May 5, 2017
Predictable and boring. It read like an adolescent book, but it wasn't. was meant for the adult reader. the main character seemed immature and the "love story" in the book was juvenile. I would recommend skipping it. Plot was really good, but it didn't seem developed enough. lacking in maturity.
April 25, 2019
Great read
Good from start to finish kept me guessing which way the story would go. I wondered if any of the key players would be killed by the villain or what would happen to him.
I would recommend this to readers who like a good mystery.
Good from start to finish kept me guessing which way the story would go. I wondered if any of the key players would be killed by the villain or what would happen to him.
I would recommend this to readers who like a good mystery.
January 15, 2021
Great mix of romance and excitement.
Great mix of romance and excitement. I'm not sure if it's just the e-book version, but there are several minor typos. I've never encountered that before. It's nothing that changes my view of the story. I highly recommend this book!
Great mix of romance and excitement. I'm not sure if it's just the e-book version, but there are several minor typos. I've never encountered that before. It's nothing that changes my view of the story. I highly recommend this book!
July 26, 2019
Interesting story and kept my interest throughout. This is the first book that I have read by this author and will be looking for more.
July 15, 2021
Unexpected twists
This is one of those books you think you have figured out, and then you realize you don't at all
This is one of those books you think you have figured out, and then you realize you don't at all
October 26, 2015
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This is the first book I have read by AnnaLisa Grant but I will most certainly check other books written by her as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I loved the writing style. It was an easy read that had me turning the pages and surprising me at how fast I read the book. It is a thriller that has a few twists but also adds a little romance, but again this isn't so straight forward as I kept changing my mind about Landon, was he really in love with Jenna or was he just pretending? A lot of guessing went on. Initially I was suspicious but then changed my mind before something else happened and once again I was suspicious of him. It was also a story about strong friendships and how they are to be cherished as they are hard to find.
A book I would definitely recommend and an author I will definitely read again.
This is the first book I have read by AnnaLisa Grant but I will most certainly check other books written by her as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I loved the writing style. It was an easy read that had me turning the pages and surprising me at how fast I read the book. It is a thriller that has a few twists but also adds a little romance, but again this isn't so straight forward as I kept changing my mind about Landon, was he really in love with Jenna or was he just pretending? A lot of guessing went on. Initially I was suspicious but then changed my mind before something else happened and once again I was suspicious of him. It was also a story about strong friendships and how they are to be cherished as they are hard to find.
A book I would definitely recommend and an author I will definitely read again.
November 7, 2015
I liked this. I went in kind of blind, so I was expecting YA like Annalisa Grant's other books; however this is New Adult so that was a nice change. It took me a while to get into the story, but I finally became more engrossed and it was an interesting plot. I also understand why the cover and name were changed, as they fit the story better (I like the first cover, too, but the title didn't have much meaning).
September 23, 2013
I'm so excited to bring you my latest novel, NEXT TO ME. A bit of a departure from THE LAKE TRILOGY, NEXT TO ME leans more into the New Adult genre. A love story full of suspense, twists, and turns, you'll be sucked into Jenna's story and asking yourself what lengths YOU would go to to keep the ones you loved safe.
Add it today and get it on October 1st!
Happy Reading!
Add it today and get it on October 1st!
Happy Reading!
October 7, 2014
Awesome characters in this book, that is just as much a mystery as a romance. This book had me from the beginning, and it had my attention right til the end. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, you're thrown off.
Glad I took a chance on this author. I will be reading more of her work, and recommend it for anyone who is bored with the same old romances.
Glad I took a chance on this author. I will be reading more of her work, and recommend it for anyone who is bored with the same old romances.
October 17, 2014
This book was definitely a page-turner! Very interesting story. The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 was because, like her others, this book had TONS of typos in it. The author really needs to either get a new editor or work on her time management skills so she's not writing until the last second of her deadline.
October 12, 2015
This is such a good read...you don't want to stop reading. The work up to and no sex is her usual...and gets
frustrating as a reader!! Realistically...people don't hold out these days!!! Great love story with bends in the road. Loved the book!!!
frustrating as a reader!! Realistically...people don't hold out these days!!! Great love story with bends in the road. Loved the book!!!
October 4, 2016
A short novel but good.
I would classify the novel as more of a romance novel, it is the second one I have read from this author and both are good reads, they keep you interested from start to finish.
I would classify the novel as more of a romance novel, it is the second one I have read from this author and both are good reads, they keep you interested from start to finish.
October 19, 2016
I ran out of AnnaLisa Grant books to read!
The only negative thing I have to say is that its over. This was an easy read with lots of fun twists and turns. I have managed to read all of her books in one weekend! Now I just have to wait for a new favorite to write another book!
The only negative thing I have to say is that its over. This was an easy read with lots of fun twists and turns. I have managed to read all of her books in one weekend! Now I just have to wait for a new favorite to write another book!
August 11, 2014
I really enjoyed reading, but The Lake Trilogy was even better. The story is not really credible and Landon isn't really a hero, of an Ex Navy SEAL you would expect to be more active.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews