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The Upside of Letting Go
Haley Martin decides the only way to let go of her lingering nightmares is to literally move on. Taking a leap of faith she finds herself enrolling at a campus hundreds of miles away from home.
She leaves any thoughts of dating again in Jersey, that is until fate crosses her path with a blue-eyed stud named Kyler King. He is notoriously known for being emotionally unattainable, but his façade is only to hide the burdens he bares every day.
As Kyler and Haley’s physical attraction becomes deeper, the secrets of the past threaten to surface. When Haley’s past collides with the present, will her secrets prove too big of an obstacle hindering their happily ever after, or will letting go be the key that locks their bond forever?
Warning: This book is intended for readers 17+ due to explicit language and sexual encounters.
She leaves any thoughts of dating again in Jersey, that is until fate crosses her path with a blue-eyed stud named Kyler King. He is notoriously known for being emotionally unattainable, but his façade is only to hide the burdens he bares every day.
As Kyler and Haley’s physical attraction becomes deeper, the secrets of the past threaten to surface. When Haley’s past collides with the present, will her secrets prove too big of an obstacle hindering their happily ever after, or will letting go be the key that locks their bond forever?
Warning: This book is intended for readers 17+ due to explicit language and sexual encounters.
306 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 2013
24 people are currently reading
2256 people want to read
About the author
Nacole Stayton
18 books475 followersNacole Stayton is thirty-something years young and resides in the Bourbon Capital of the World with her husband and son. Her debut novel, The Upside of Letting Go is an Amazon top 100 bestseller. She spends her days working in healthcare as a practice administrator and her evenings pinning away on her next novel. She can usually be found playing with monster trucks and dodging Nerf gun darts or enjoying an iced coffee poolside.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
July 8, 2020
3.5 Let Go Stars
Life appeared perfect, but doesn’t everything on the outside?
Haley boards a Greyhound bus from Jersey to Alabama and leaves everything she knows behind, not that she’s leaving much. She wants a fresh start, a new slate. She is starting her sophomore year of college somewhere where no one knows her, or her tragic past.
Haley meets Kyler King her first day at school. He is a beautiful blue eyed man whom she is instantly attracted to. As fate would have it, she runs into Kyler a lot. They have some major attraction/chemistry. Both Kyler and Haley have things in their past they can’t talk about. Neither can handle a relationship at the moment, so they try the ‘friends with benefits’ thing. We all know how that usually turns out... Kyler and Haley are much more alike than they think. They have a common past, something that connects them.
I get why these two clicked so easily, at the same time- I was hoping for a little more build up. I felt they went from ‘just friends’ to ‘lets be in a relationship’ pretty quickly. They both were broken, but they were good for one another. Things are going well with the couple, each one is opening up more and more to one another.... then on Haley’s 21st birthday, an interesting twist will develop. From there, its a good bit of drama, tears, but don't worry... the ending was happy and there is no cliffhanger ;D
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good debut novel. It was sweet, emotional, and heartbreaking. I love broken people that can come together and heal, and it was a beautiful story of just that.
Life appeared perfect, but doesn’t everything on the outside?
Haley boards a Greyhound bus from Jersey to Alabama and leaves everything she knows behind, not that she’s leaving much. She wants a fresh start, a new slate. She is starting her sophomore year of college somewhere where no one knows her, or her tragic past.
Haley meets Kyler King her first day at school. He is a beautiful blue eyed man whom she is instantly attracted to. As fate would have it, she runs into Kyler a lot. They have some major attraction/chemistry. Both Kyler and Haley have things in their past they can’t talk about. Neither can handle a relationship at the moment, so they try the ‘friends with benefits’ thing. We all know how that usually turns out... Kyler and Haley are much more alike than they think. They have a common past, something that connects them.
I get why these two clicked so easily, at the same time- I was hoping for a little more build up. I felt they went from ‘just friends’ to ‘lets be in a relationship’ pretty quickly. They both were broken, but they were good for one another. Things are going well with the couple, each one is opening up more and more to one another.... then on Haley’s 21st birthday, an interesting twist will develop. From there, its a good bit of drama, tears, but don't worry... the ending was happy and there is no cliffhanger ;D
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good debut novel. It was sweet, emotional, and heartbreaking. I love broken people that can come together and heal, and it was a beautiful story of just that.
'You are the only person who understands me.'
January 29, 2013
I had the privilege of beta reading for Nacole Stayton's debut novel - The Upside of Letting Go. Nacole is a new and welcome author to the Indie World and her book is amazing. As if the title was enough to pull you in, I was hooked after the first chapter. TULG brings a refreshing look at love between 3 young adults; it's not the typical love triangle. Jude, Hale, and Kyler are all wonderful and interesting characters and the storyline is intriguing and face paced. It made me laugh and it made me cry. This is a read you won't want to miss. I promise.
April 26, 2013
The Upside of Letting Go - 2 Stars for creating Kyler King
As of more than a hundred pages, I had to stop reading this book due to the following reasons:
- Confusing. several things in their conversations confuses me. I can't really explain how this confused me.
- Had my eyebrows up almost the whole first hundred pages or so because I just can't get it.
- Lack of emotions. They were lacking big time. I'm not quite sure for the others, but I find myself often going back to the previous pages to see if I have read correctly because somehow, their emotions just burst out of nowhere and confuses the heck out of me.
- A bit fast paced. At first, Haley doesn't want to do anything with Kyler then she wants to jump to his bed the next.
- Missing bits and pieces of information that may crucial in understanding what is happening.
I saw a review here that if we liked the 'Thoughtless' series and 'The Edge of Never', we would love this book. Maybe I had high expectations after reading that and expected something as good as the two books mentioned. I was kinda disappointed, to be honest. Maybe it's just not my type of book at all.
P.S.: Please respect my review. I mean no disrespect to the author or the readers who liked the book. Just made my honest review.
-dropping this book. reading my next tbr-
As of more than a hundred pages, I had to stop reading this book due to the following reasons:
- Confusing. several things in their conversations confuses me. I can't really explain how this confused me.
- Had my eyebrows up almost the whole first hundred pages or so because I just can't get it.
- Lack of emotions. They were lacking big time. I'm not quite sure for the others, but I find myself often going back to the previous pages to see if I have read correctly because somehow, their emotions just burst out of nowhere and confuses the heck out of me.
- A bit fast paced. At first, Haley doesn't want to do anything with Kyler then she wants to jump to his bed the next.
- Missing bits and pieces of information that may crucial in understanding what is happening.
I saw a review here that if we liked the 'Thoughtless' series and 'The Edge of Never', we would love this book. Maybe I had high expectations after reading that and expected something as good as the two books mentioned. I was kinda disappointed, to be honest. Maybe it's just not my type of book at all.
P.S.: Please respect my review. I mean no disrespect to the author or the readers who liked the book. Just made my honest review.
-dropping this book. reading my next tbr-
March 9, 2013
First off, I have to say that I feel so honored to have beta read The Upside of Letting Go.
I LOVED this book. It broke my heart, ripped it to shreds, stepped on it with the ball of its foot squashing it into the ground and then picked it up, rocked it back and forth then finally kissed all the boo boos and made me whole again. I can't wait for it to be "out there" for everyone else to read. I highly recommend this book!!
I can't wait to watch Nacole Stayton read all of the amazing reviews this book will bring to her.
5 whole heart stars from me <3
I LOVED this book. It broke my heart, ripped it to shreds, stepped on it with the ball of its foot squashing it into the ground and then picked it up, rocked it back and forth then finally kissed all the boo boos and made me whole again. I can't wait for it to be "out there" for everyone else to read. I highly recommend this book!!
I can't wait to watch Nacole Stayton read all of the amazing reviews this book will bring to her.
5 whole heart stars from me <3
April 16, 2013
If you liked Thoughtless and The Edge of Never (two of my favorite reads), I have no doubt that you will like this book too!
The Upside of Letting Go is one of those books which truly exceeded my expectations more than I could have ever imagined. The book, originally deemed to be YA, had a cover photo of a young man pushing young woman on a swing, and it just didn’t draw me in or “intrigue” me. However, since the time this book originally showed up on Goodreads, the cover photo was updated and the genre changed to NA.
After reading the book, I still don’t feel that the cover does the book justice, but I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to read this book. Otherwise, I think, NO, I KNOW, I would have easily overlooked it and would have missed a well-written storyline with relatable and developed characters who took me on one heck of a ride filled with a mix of emotions.
With a duffel bag hung over her shoulder, Haley Martin boarded a Greyhound bus in New Jersey, leaving behind a past filled with heartbreak and misery, in hopes of starting a new life in a new college town over 500 miles away. It is in Alabama where she meets Kyler King, a beautiful young man with a tragic past as well, who has no interest in settling down with anyone.
“I’m standing face to face with the blue-eyed God from the admin office I saw earlier today. Once again I’m speechless. Our eyes lock, and I feel something I haven’t felt in a very long time: lust.”
Haley and Kyler start spending more and more time together since their respective roommates are dating. But they reach a mutual agreement that they are just going to be friends with some occasional benefits. Neither one of them is ready for the honesty and commitment of a relationship nor are they ready to talk about the defining moments in their lives…the moments which are responsible for building the retaining walls that have protected their hearts...the moments which led to Kyler permanently sleeping with the light on. (Oh, and let me tell you, when you read those “benefit” scenes, you won’t be disappointed!)
“I feel his eyes gaze over my towel-covered body in a hungry way that should make me feel violated but only turns me on. In this moment I don’t care about anything else except filling this void in my heart, and with Kyler looking at me like he wants to accomplish the same goal, I know what’s about to happen.”
With an understanding and strong connection due to those defining moments, their friendship blossoms into true love. Sometimes we can’t understand what another person has been through unless we have lived it ourselves. Haley and Kyler have that understanding.
“Two can play this game, and I don’t think he knows he is playing with fire. I’ve gotten pretty good at loving and leaving, so if this is what his cold shoulder is about, then tonight I’d be more than happy to give him a whirl and send him on his merry way. I know I’m supposed to steer clear of him, and Lord knows I do not need a relationship of any kind, but sex is just sex, right? He is gorgeous, and it’s hard not to appreciate beauty when you keep running into it head on.”
Unfortunately, an integral piece of Haley’s past shows up in her present and threatens to change her new life, the new Haley, and the relationship which she and Kyler have fought so hard to hang onto.
And it was at the end of this book that I truly felt that cover did not do the book justice. In my mind (and before I knew who the inspirations were behind the characters), I knew Haley was absolutely beautiful. Although the cover of the book shows a broken girl, a motorcycle, and darkness, there is also so much light in this book.
Yes, drama and some angst take place, which would explain why I literally went through an entire bag of Hershey Kisses with Almonds. At one point, I wanted to stop reading. I didn’t want my bubble to burst. I smiled, I gasped, I cried, and I screamed “what the hell?” on more than one occasion. Yes, I literally had emotional whiplash from the characters as well as the storyline that completely sucked me in and made me feel like these people were my personal friends.
Without a doubt, The Upside of Letting Go was a 5 star read for me, and I am so thankful that this book literally landed in my lap! Great job Nacole Stayton, and I eagerly await your next book with anticipation! You should be very proud of your debut novel.
As we are hosting The Upside of Letting Go blog tour, I was given an ARC of this book in return for a fair and completely honest review.
http://literatiliteraturelovers.com/b...
May 18, 2013
Just finished this book last night and all I can say is: whoa! Great job, Ms. Stayton!
I think we've all seen/heard stories on the news, or in books where someone has very literally lost everything. We watch in horror, feeling bad for the person, and at the same time hugging our loved ones and giving thanks for their health and safety.
The Upside Of Letting Go takes you on an intimate journey into the heart and mind of a young woman—Haley—who struggles to survive after her entire world collapses around her. Having lost everything that is important to her, she spirals into behaviors that ultimately send her running to a new state, a new town, and a new school, with the hope of starting over.
What she didn't count on was running into Kyler King.
Okay… Gotta have a little swoon moment here. This guy is just… Yum! He's gorgeous, and sexy, and sweet, and every bit as tormented as Haley, which made me love him all the more.
Neither Haley, nor Kyler are ready for a relationship, and they dance around one another for quite some time, avoiding their feelings and pushing each other away. Eventually, their friendship blossoms into something more, and the two are able to open up and share the horrors of their past.
It's during this brief interlude of happiness that I was smacked upside the head with an "Oh my God" moment that I did NOT see coming. No joke, I started gasping and shouting at my kindle, and my oldest daughter looked at me like I'd lost my mind. I actually had to set my kindle down for a few minutes, I was so surprised. Of course, my reading break lasted all of five minutes before I dove back in and finished the story in one sitting.
If you enjoy angsty contemporary romance, then this book should be right up your alley. Lots of sexual tension, lots of romance, and plenty of tear your heart out moments. Really good read! Looking forward to reading more by this author.
I think we've all seen/heard stories on the news, or in books where someone has very literally lost everything. We watch in horror, feeling bad for the person, and at the same time hugging our loved ones and giving thanks for their health and safety.
The Upside Of Letting Go takes you on an intimate journey into the heart and mind of a young woman—Haley—who struggles to survive after her entire world collapses around her. Having lost everything that is important to her, she spirals into behaviors that ultimately send her running to a new state, a new town, and a new school, with the hope of starting over.
What she didn't count on was running into Kyler King.
Okay… Gotta have a little swoon moment here. This guy is just… Yum! He's gorgeous, and sexy, and sweet, and every bit as tormented as Haley, which made me love him all the more.
Neither Haley, nor Kyler are ready for a relationship, and they dance around one another for quite some time, avoiding their feelings and pushing each other away. Eventually, their friendship blossoms into something more, and the two are able to open up and share the horrors of their past.
It's during this brief interlude of happiness that I was smacked upside the head with an "Oh my God" moment that I did NOT see coming. No joke, I started gasping and shouting at my kindle, and my oldest daughter looked at me like I'd lost my mind. I actually had to set my kindle down for a few minutes, I was so surprised. Of course, my reading break lasted all of five minutes before I dove back in and finished the story in one sitting.
If you enjoy angsty contemporary romance, then this book should be right up your alley. Lots of sexual tension, lots of romance, and plenty of tear your heart out moments. Really good read! Looking forward to reading more by this author.
April 14, 2013
I had the pleasure of reading this book from the get go. I fell in love with Haley as soon as she stepped off the greyhound with her old nike duffle bag. Kyler is amazingly hot and you are instantly drawn into falling in lust with him from the very start. We learn so much about these characters as they journey to let go of their pasts. It's not an easy thing to do, and sometimes it requires the right person coming into your life to tug ya along. Haley and Kyler are each others saving grace. I'm so excited that everyone will soon be able to meet them and fall in love with this book just as I have.
April 14, 2013
Mommy guess what Prince Charming really does exist and his name is Kyler King. He's so handsome and really smart and very broken but he does and says the sweetest things and I'm pretty sure that I'm in love with him.
Do Fairytale's exist? If they did this would be one of them... The only thing truly missing was the wicked stepmother, queen or evil person that all fairytale's seem to have. I could say that role was filled by "fear". A very real fear for Haley Martin and Kyler King.
Haley's young life has been torn apart in more ways then one. She's a college student now but her past haunts her and her fears make her run to find a new life and move on. But Haley finds that moving on and shutting people out isn't truly the best way to handle things. When she runs into Kyler King on the very first day at her new school she's struck by how handsome he is. Fate has more in store for Haley then she realizes after this chance meeting.
Kyler King is a campus playbook and everyone knows it. Kyler's has quite the reputation on campus. Kyler too is running desperately from his past, forcing himself to detach from any real relationships out of "fear". Meeting Haley had changed him in some way and no matter how hard he tries to fight the undeniable connection to her, he can't quite shake his feeling about her.
I was instantly sucked in by this book from the minute that it started... I couldn't put the thing down it was hard to go to sleep knowing that there was more to read. Kyler truly is a prince. Despite his past and his faults I was smitten with him from the very beginning of this book. The connection between Kyler and Haley was a beautiful thing to watch. Their tragic pasts draw them together in a way that they don't know or understand. Once you see what their secrets are you will want to hug them both and squeeze them.
There are times I was super frustrated with both of them and felt like I wanted to smack them in the back of the head and say "WAKE UP"! There were times when I wanted to hug and comfort them both and tell them it was ok that things happen for a reason and you will get through this. Their love is so speical and their pasts so similar that you just know deep down that it has to work out for these two, they deserve nothing less then the fairytale.
Then the moment comes... When the "past" collides with the present let me just tell you it is a jaw dropping, complete OMG did that just happen moment. I couldn't believe what I was reading but just moments before it I had a sinking feeling what was coming and it still smacked me in the face. At this point in the book you will be left feeling confused and concerned for all parties involved...
And after you recover in a few paragraphs and start to except what just happened then your smacked in the face with yet another OMG did that just happen moment... Ok there are a few more after this but this second one rips at your heart strings... Dear Lord one moment I was in shock the next moment I'm crying... The events that happen after that aren't any less emotional or crazy...
I can't tell you how it ended or even tell you my feelings about the ending, because you'd scream at me that I ruined the story... NO SPOLIERS here from me... Will Haley and Kyler over come their tragic past and realize that their is an Upside to Letting Go???
You'll have to see for yourself on the 20th!
Nacole weaves a crazy but beautiful journey about love, loss, self acceptance and forgiveness. This is one of those books that when you start reading it you just know that it is going to be a good one. I have no doubt that readers will be rushing to get this read when it comes out. For a first book by this author I have to say I cannot wait to see what she writes next. BRAVO Nacole!!!!!! I gladly give this book 5 star stamp of approval...
Do Fairytale's exist? If they did this would be one of them... The only thing truly missing was the wicked stepmother, queen or evil person that all fairytale's seem to have. I could say that role was filled by "fear". A very real fear for Haley Martin and Kyler King.
Haley's young life has been torn apart in more ways then one. She's a college student now but her past haunts her and her fears make her run to find a new life and move on. But Haley finds that moving on and shutting people out isn't truly the best way to handle things. When she runs into Kyler King on the very first day at her new school she's struck by how handsome he is. Fate has more in store for Haley then she realizes after this chance meeting.
Kyler King is a campus playbook and everyone knows it. Kyler's has quite the reputation on campus. Kyler too is running desperately from his past, forcing himself to detach from any real relationships out of "fear". Meeting Haley had changed him in some way and no matter how hard he tries to fight the undeniable connection to her, he can't quite shake his feeling about her.
I was instantly sucked in by this book from the minute that it started... I couldn't put the thing down it was hard to go to sleep knowing that there was more to read. Kyler truly is a prince. Despite his past and his faults I was smitten with him from the very beginning of this book. The connection between Kyler and Haley was a beautiful thing to watch. Their tragic pasts draw them together in a way that they don't know or understand. Once you see what their secrets are you will want to hug them both and squeeze them.
There are times I was super frustrated with both of them and felt like I wanted to smack them in the back of the head and say "WAKE UP"! There were times when I wanted to hug and comfort them both and tell them it was ok that things happen for a reason and you will get through this. Their love is so speical and their pasts so similar that you just know deep down that it has to work out for these two, they deserve nothing less then the fairytale.
Then the moment comes... When the "past" collides with the present let me just tell you it is a jaw dropping, complete OMG did that just happen moment. I couldn't believe what I was reading but just moments before it I had a sinking feeling what was coming and it still smacked me in the face. At this point in the book you will be left feeling confused and concerned for all parties involved...
And after you recover in a few paragraphs and start to except what just happened then your smacked in the face with yet another OMG did that just happen moment... Ok there are a few more after this but this second one rips at your heart strings... Dear Lord one moment I was in shock the next moment I'm crying... The events that happen after that aren't any less emotional or crazy...
I can't tell you how it ended or even tell you my feelings about the ending, because you'd scream at me that I ruined the story... NO SPOLIERS here from me... Will Haley and Kyler over come their tragic past and realize that their is an Upside to Letting Go???
You'll have to see for yourself on the 20th!
Nacole weaves a crazy but beautiful journey about love, loss, self acceptance and forgiveness. This is one of those books that when you start reading it you just know that it is going to be a good one. I have no doubt that readers will be rushing to get this read when it comes out. For a first book by this author I have to say I cannot wait to see what she writes next. BRAVO Nacole!!!!!! I gladly give this book 5 star stamp of approval...
May 3, 2013
Slow down! That's a very fitting advise for the author. I felt like Haley was ranting throughout the entire book and as such I didn't get much depth or emotions from anyone. It was all so rushed.
I know I read a book sometimes and I really want to get to the meat of the matter but the anticipation is what blows it out of the water. I admire the authors projection of being straight forward and to the point but i gotta be like put the brakes on that just one minute! Like allow me to process A before moving on to B.
It was like being in a sprint. You got no time to process much and very frequently I move from the middle of a serious situation into 3 weeks or months later with a summary of all that took place.
The book span over maybe a 4 or 5 years period and it still felt like she just stepped off the bus to me. I don't know where anything started or where it ended. The potential to be a wonderful story was there but it was smashed by the urgency of everything!
There was so much going on with no depth and no structure. I don't know when they decide they like each other, when they decide they wanted more. I just know one minute she runs in him, the next he is carrying her and couple hours later he has his tongue down her throat. It's like listening to a record playing in slow fast forward.
I honestly can't pinpoint a character to say "Hey I loved this one!" but that's only due to the urgency placed on each scene. However, I believe major potential was present if the opportunity was given. I can say Lucy's character was a good one and I would have loved to see much more development on her part as she had a little fire that just needed a little fanning to blaze!
The connection Haley and Kyler (hated his name btw) shared was a little extreme if you ask me but I get where it help and it grew on me a little.
The humour and steamy sex level in this one was a steamy 0 and boy did the opportunities arrive. (14 year old sister in law can definitely read this). I hardly believed most of the emotions the characters professed and I was utterly shocked as to Haley's career path. I swear based on her past she would have one up to try and find a cure or something.
School was pretty non existent in this one and due to the rush I have no clue what happened where, just a big blop dropped on us in the end sort of like a summary ... really idk ....
I actually loved Jude's character and believe he brought so much to this one, much more than the main characters. I was actually pissed with his outcome as for an author who believed in happy endings, Jude seems to get an ass kicking from life often!
It's safe to say that this was a very good story with a lot of every day occurrences and very good messages, wrapped up with a good plot and a lot of potential. If only it was rewritten with a lot more passion and some one pressed pause to slow it down a little and cut out the unnecessary segments (fry chicken scene), it could have been a good one!
I know I read a book sometimes and I really want to get to the meat of the matter but the anticipation is what blows it out of the water. I admire the authors projection of being straight forward and to the point but i gotta be like put the brakes on that just one minute! Like allow me to process A before moving on to B.
It was like being in a sprint. You got no time to process much and very frequently I move from the middle of a serious situation into 3 weeks or months later with a summary of all that took place.
The book span over maybe a 4 or 5 years period and it still felt like she just stepped off the bus to me. I don't know where anything started or where it ended. The potential to be a wonderful story was there but it was smashed by the urgency of everything!
There was so much going on with no depth and no structure. I don't know when they decide they like each other, when they decide they wanted more. I just know one minute she runs in him, the next he is carrying her and couple hours later he has his tongue down her throat. It's like listening to a record playing in slow fast forward.
I honestly can't pinpoint a character to say "Hey I loved this one!" but that's only due to the urgency placed on each scene. However, I believe major potential was present if the opportunity was given. I can say Lucy's character was a good one and I would have loved to see much more development on her part as she had a little fire that just needed a little fanning to blaze!
The connection Haley and Kyler (hated his name btw) shared was a little extreme if you ask me but I get where it help and it grew on me a little.
The humour and steamy sex level in this one was a steamy 0 and boy did the opportunities arrive. (14 year old sister in law can definitely read this). I hardly believed most of the emotions the characters professed and I was utterly shocked as to Haley's career path. I swear based on her past she would have one up to try and find a cure or something.
School was pretty non existent in this one and due to the rush I have no clue what happened where, just a big blop dropped on us in the end sort of like a summary ... really idk ....
I actually loved Jude's character and believe he brought so much to this one, much more than the main characters. I was actually pissed with his outcome as for an author who believed in happy endings, Jude seems to get an ass kicking from life often!
It's safe to say that this was a very good story with a lot of every day occurrences and very good messages, wrapped up with a good plot and a lot of potential. If only it was rewritten with a lot more passion and some one pressed pause to slow it down a little and cut out the unnecessary segments (fry chicken scene), it could have been a good one!
April 14, 2013
Guest Reviewer for The Book List Reviews:
http://thebooklistreviews.blogspot.co...
Nacole Stayton has hit the mark with her debut novel. Kyler and Haley’s story is sweet, funny and heartbreaking all in one breath. Their journey is not an easy one but Nacole really lets you feel that without it being overly heavy. The story is fast paced, but does not leave feeling as if you missed something. I really enjoyed the way she balanced internal dialogue, the dialogue between characters and Haley's flashbacks. The story is told from Haley’s POV but it did not take away from my understanding of Kyler’s struggle.
Haley Martin is a spunky, smart ass Jersey girl that knows how to stand up for herself. After suffering a tragic loss, she decides to leave New Jersey to transfer to Alabama for her second year of college. Without a word, she leaves behind her high school sweetheart/best friend and all the things she has been using to numb her pain.
“I have to keep hope that maybe one day, in the not so distant future that I’ll be able to simply think about my awful past and it won’t make my stomach churn. Hope is all I have creating my pathway for this new journey.”
Haley is a character I really enjoyed and loved. It doesn't hurt that I am a Jersey girl too! :) You understand her pain early on and get why she wants to be anybody else, other than the girl she was in Jersey. Her roommate, Lucy, was one of my favorite secondary characters. She really added a much needed fun factor to the story and helped Haley heal.
Kyler King is your sexy, southern bad boy with his own set of demons he is trying to avoid.
“Excuse me miss,” the gorgeous sandy blonde haired, blue-eyed gift from God says as he brushes by me without a second glance. If all of the men in this town look like him, I am going to love it here.”
Haley and Kyler don't want to like each other, but the bond and attraction they feel is undeniable. They finally let their emotional walls down and learn they have more in common than they ever thought. Nothing about their relationship is easy and just when things seem to be looking up, Haley’s 21st birthday throws them a new set of issues and twists. I really wanted them to find their happiness.
The Upside of Letting Go is a nice summer read you should definitely pick up. It truly is a story of two lost, young souls that find much deserved happiness after they learn that sometimes the best thing to do is “just let go." Haley and Kyler are easy to fall in love with and you will be rooting for them the whole way.
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Nacole Stayton has hit the mark with her debut novel. Kyler and Haley’s story is sweet, funny and heartbreaking all in one breath. Their journey is not an easy one but Nacole really lets you feel that without it being overly heavy. The story is fast paced, but does not leave feeling as if you missed something. I really enjoyed the way she balanced internal dialogue, the dialogue between characters and Haley's flashbacks. The story is told from Haley’s POV but it did not take away from my understanding of Kyler’s struggle.
Haley Martin is a spunky, smart ass Jersey girl that knows how to stand up for herself. After suffering a tragic loss, she decides to leave New Jersey to transfer to Alabama for her second year of college. Without a word, she leaves behind her high school sweetheart/best friend and all the things she has been using to numb her pain.
“I have to keep hope that maybe one day, in the not so distant future that I’ll be able to simply think about my awful past and it won’t make my stomach churn. Hope is all I have creating my pathway for this new journey.”
Haley is a character I really enjoyed and loved. It doesn't hurt that I am a Jersey girl too! :) You understand her pain early on and get why she wants to be anybody else, other than the girl she was in Jersey. Her roommate, Lucy, was one of my favorite secondary characters. She really added a much needed fun factor to the story and helped Haley heal.
Kyler King is your sexy, southern bad boy with his own set of demons he is trying to avoid.
“Excuse me miss,” the gorgeous sandy blonde haired, blue-eyed gift from God says as he brushes by me without a second glance. If all of the men in this town look like him, I am going to love it here.”
Haley and Kyler don't want to like each other, but the bond and attraction they feel is undeniable. They finally let their emotional walls down and learn they have more in common than they ever thought. Nothing about their relationship is easy and just when things seem to be looking up, Haley’s 21st birthday throws them a new set of issues and twists. I really wanted them to find their happiness.
The Upside of Letting Go is a nice summer read you should definitely pick up. It truly is a story of two lost, young souls that find much deserved happiness after they learn that sometimes the best thing to do is “just let go." Haley and Kyler are easy to fall in love with and you will be rooting for them the whole way.
July 26, 2013
WARNING:
CONTAINS SPOILERS AND CUSSING.
I wanted to like this book, i really did. But I couldn't. I hated Haley.I thought she'd grow on me, but nope. she didn't.i hated the way she thought of Lucy. she was suck a judgmental bitch. I hated Kyler. Lucy was okay. One thing that bothered me the most was when Kyler called Haley, Hale and SHE blew up like a volcano waiting to erupt. Chill. The. Fuck. Out. And when she first runs into Kyler, a blue eyed God? dude, you jut met him and you didn't even give us a damn description of how he looks like except he has blue eyes. It was all just too fast, it was really fast paced.
“Listen, while I appreciate your warning, I’m a big girl. I’ve been taking care of myself for some time, and trust me I’m not the least bit interested in Kyler King,” I say, knowing full well that something inside of me is definitely interested. When he is around, a part of me that I have hidden feels free of the past that burdens my happiness.
You just met him.. Unbelievable. They haven't even actually "connected"! And why the fuck are they always touching and standing chest to chest in every encounter. i would punch a guy in the throat if he stood that close to me, lust or no lust. Or maybe that's just me. oh well.
Haley said she's self destructing.. can someone please tell me how she was self destructing? Was i supposed to empathize with her? feel sympathy for her? because honestly, i felt nothing for her. i think this story had potential but it just went down the drain.
How is lucy charming? i did not find her charming. maybe i'm wrong? someone tell me i'm wrong, please?
"I’m sure that’s the pouty lip she gives to her daddy when she wants anew horse or something shiny from Tiffany & Co."
WTF..?
I know i sound like a cold bitch, okay well maybe i am, but i know what Haley went through and the hurt she had to endure was beyond imaginable but i could not just connect to her.
what's with the name calling? darling? sweety? baby?
i have another question. why does Kyler work everywhere? The bar, the book shop thingy, the administration office?
i couldn't even finish the book, we see no connection whatsoever. just a couple of romantic lines and shit,we do know anything about characters either, their personalities and such.
i just hated this book.
CONTAINS SPOILERS AND CUSSING.
I wanted to like this book, i really did. But I couldn't. I hated Haley.I thought she'd grow on me, but nope. she didn't.i hated the way she thought of Lucy. she was suck a judgmental bitch. I hated Kyler. Lucy was okay. One thing that bothered me the most was when Kyler called Haley, Hale and SHE blew up like a volcano waiting to erupt. Chill. The. Fuck. Out. And when she first runs into Kyler, a blue eyed God? dude, you jut met him and you didn't even give us a damn description of how he looks like except he has blue eyes. It was all just too fast, it was really fast paced.
“Listen, while I appreciate your warning, I’m a big girl. I’ve been taking care of myself for some time, and trust me I’m not the least bit interested in Kyler King,” I say, knowing full well that something inside of me is definitely interested. When he is around, a part of me that I have hidden feels free of the past that burdens my happiness.
You just met him.. Unbelievable. They haven't even actually "connected"! And why the fuck are they always touching and standing chest to chest in every encounter. i would punch a guy in the throat if he stood that close to me, lust or no lust. Or maybe that's just me. oh well.
Haley said she's self destructing.. can someone please tell me how she was self destructing? Was i supposed to empathize with her? feel sympathy for her? because honestly, i felt nothing for her. i think this story had potential but it just went down the drain.
How is lucy charming? i did not find her charming. maybe i'm wrong? someone tell me i'm wrong, please?
"I’m sure that’s the pouty lip she gives to her daddy when she wants anew horse or something shiny from Tiffany & Co."
WTF..?
I know i sound like a cold bitch, okay well maybe i am, but i know what Haley went through and the hurt she had to endure was beyond imaginable but i could not just connect to her.
what's with the name calling? darling? sweety? baby?
i have another question. why does Kyler work everywhere? The bar, the book shop thingy, the administration office?
i couldn't even finish the book, we see no connection whatsoever. just a couple of romantic lines and shit,we do know anything about characters either, their personalities and such.
i just hated this book.
April 16, 2013
I had the privilege of beta reading for Nacole Stayton and her debut novel. Getting to watch the story unfold made me feel like I was sitting in a cozy dark theater witnessing a well written screenplay. You can feel the freedom Hailey experiences stepping into a new place away from everything and everyone she knows. Your heart beats a little faster the first time she bumps into the "blue eyed god" on campus. Your stomach drops as she begins to slowly reveal the tale of why she is where she is and how it all came to be.
I love that she does not pity herself. She acknowledges that self destruction is never a healthy path, which is good, because she needs that strength for what life is about to throw at her!
Despite his cassanova reputation, the handsome Kyler King steals Hale's breath away. Playing guardian with her heart, he finds a way through the cracks allowing her inner light to shine.
One bright morning, a familiar face sitting on the couch sends her whole world into a tailspin causing her to grab onto the only things she knows how to. When faced with the decision to stay and fall apart, or set herself free. She discovers the upside to letting go...
I love that she does not pity herself. She acknowledges that self destruction is never a healthy path, which is good, because she needs that strength for what life is about to throw at her!
Despite his cassanova reputation, the handsome Kyler King steals Hale's breath away. Playing guardian with her heart, he finds a way through the cracks allowing her inner light to shine.
One bright morning, a familiar face sitting on the couch sends her whole world into a tailspin causing her to grab onto the only things she knows how to. When faced with the decision to stay and fall apart, or set herself free. She discovers the upside to letting go...
May 20, 2013
So I hate giving a 2 rating so let me explain. This started off good. Haley has moved way from where's she from, to go to college. . She's running really, from her hometown. Its very interesting how she chose this particular city, and I knew that would come into play later. She lost her family, very tragically. She meets resident bad boy Kyler King. Love em and leave em reputation. They meet and obviously are attracted to each other. Haley's roomie warns her, Kyler doesn't settle down. So Haley and Kyler give in and strike a deal. Sex when they want, no attachment, no stings, no relationship and no talking about their pasts or families. Deal made. So as I'm reading along, they hook up and then next thing I know they are professing love, wanting to be exclusive, and talking about their pasts that they so desperately didn't want to talk about. WTF.... I felt like someone flipped the switch on me. What happened to the book I was reading at the beginning? Then I could guess the storyline from there. Totally predictable. Not that that's what was totally wrong. Sometimes we can guess what's happening next, but good lord I could see all the punches before they were thrown. Things got kind of awkward in the story when she fainted. I knew what was the cause of that. I just didn't really enjoy it. Wasn't any fun knowing what was going to happen. At one one point I decided to start skimming otherwise I was going to DNF it. It wasn't my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean someone else won't enjoy it.
April 28, 2013
This story blew me away. It is hard to believe that this is actually Nacole Stayton's debut novel, it is that amazing. The story of a girl going to college and falling for a the unattainable guy has been done, BUT...it has not been done like this.
Haley Martin runs away from a past she would sooner forget, to start over. Starting over didn't didn't include someone like Kyler King. (Let me just rant about him for a moment...he is definitely up their on my list of book boyfriends, he wants to be hard, but that eventually changes and honestly, who hasn't dreamed of taming that bad boy). This story deals with some very emotional issues that were handled so realistically that it made my heart break right along with them. I became so engrossed in their lives that I didn't want the story to end.
The supporting characters are wonderful as well. Haley's roommate Lucy is that girl that we all want to be friends with, she lets Haley have room, without smothering her, but she is there for her when she needs her, again, who doesn't want a best friend like that?
There really aren't enough good things I can say about this novel, except that everyone should experience it for themselves, and I am looking forward to more from Nacole Stayton.
Haley Martin runs away from a past she would sooner forget, to start over. Starting over didn't didn't include someone like Kyler King. (Let me just rant about him for a moment...he is definitely up their on my list of book boyfriends, he wants to be hard, but that eventually changes and honestly, who hasn't dreamed of taming that bad boy). This story deals with some very emotional issues that were handled so realistically that it made my heart break right along with them. I became so engrossed in their lives that I didn't want the story to end.
The supporting characters are wonderful as well. Haley's roommate Lucy is that girl that we all want to be friends with, she lets Haley have room, without smothering her, but she is there for her when she needs her, again, who doesn't want a best friend like that?
There really aren't enough good things I can say about this novel, except that everyone should experience it for themselves, and I am looking forward to more from Nacole Stayton.
May 16, 2013
Really tried to like this book, but just couldn't. The characters are ok, the plot was fine but predictable. The biggest problem was how rushed everything felt. Like Haley and Kyler spending the day at the park swinging and playing tag. Thats all it says about there whole day. Then theres a few lines exchanged where Haley is swooning and Kyler admitting he likes her blah blah blah. Awesome that Haley likes him so much but I don't like him because I'm unable to connect with him through a handfull of romantic lines. What happened at the park, they had to have talked, what do they talk about, what are these traits that Haley finds so irresistible? We get nothing. It's the same when they go to the lake. A handfull of lines are delivered when they get there and then they have sex after the day is over. But the whole day at the lake is absent. We skip through any chances to have meaningful, flirtatious, funny, bickering, any kind of conversation. I have no idea what kind of relationship they have. Alright I'm done, thats my take on this book.
April 15, 2013
I was fortunate to have an ARC from Nacole Stayton for The Upside of Letting Go. I have to say I love her philosophy of "everyone has a story".
Sometimes it takes finding the right person to help break down the walls and the emotional shell built around you. Haley & Kyler (awwww...Kyler) are young adults who both have suffered horrible life changing events, and are both scared to let others in. The amount of loss, sorrow and heartache they've gone through at such a young age is heartbreaking and Nacole did such an amazing job writing her story allowing you to feel every emotion possible.
Their journey of learning to trust and love again is moving. This book will have you laughing, totally ugly-crying, gasping & cheering throughout. I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR list. I will say this, grab some tissues!!! Oh, and did I mention Kyler?? Ahhhh....
Sometimes it takes finding the right person to help break down the walls and the emotional shell built around you. Haley & Kyler (awwww...Kyler) are young adults who both have suffered horrible life changing events, and are both scared to let others in. The amount of loss, sorrow and heartache they've gone through at such a young age is heartbreaking and Nacole did such an amazing job writing her story allowing you to feel every emotion possible.
Their journey of learning to trust and love again is moving. This book will have you laughing, totally ugly-crying, gasping & cheering throughout. I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR list. I will say this, grab some tissues!!! Oh, and did I mention Kyler?? Ahhhh....
April 14, 2013
I was fortunate to get to read this as a beta reader. For a debut novel I was so impressed with this book. A little warning/tissue alert: Do NOT read this book on an airplane ;) Lots of tears were shed, as this book toyed with all of my emotions. What can I say other than I was rooting for Haley and Kyler throughout this book. The ups and downs and the rollercoaster are worth it in this read. The ending left me speechless. A must read!
April 19, 2015
What can I say? I love my book : )
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2013
This is the same review I wrote on Amazon
Where do I begin.....So I started this book a day after it was released. And from the min I started, I could not put it done, I was hooked. Every word I read from the beginning, not only did I feel what was being said, but I also imagined the story being played in my mind like a movie. It simply could be made into a movie, a Lifetime television kind of movie. I laughed, I cried (a lot), I related to some parts, especially a part that hit really close to home for me. I love how the character Haley was girly but also had that tomyboyish style to her which I can so relate to and she loved her Converse shoes!! I so love Converse. I even loved Kyler and for the man he became in this book. I was hesitant at first at the type of guy he was, but I eventually fell in love with him. In all seriousness, this book blew me away, made me think. There really is a true meaning in this book and it says it all in the title...The Upside of Letting Go. The story matches the title perfectly. Nacole Stayton did an amazing job, has a true talent for writing and I truly look forward to reading more of her work. Her book is indeed on my top list of favorite books for 2013. Bravo Nacole...Bravo
Where do I begin.....So I started this book a day after it was released. And from the min I started, I could not put it done, I was hooked. Every word I read from the beginning, not only did I feel what was being said, but I also imagined the story being played in my mind like a movie. It simply could be made into a movie, a Lifetime television kind of movie. I laughed, I cried (a lot), I related to some parts, especially a part that hit really close to home for me. I love how the character Haley was girly but also had that tomyboyish style to her which I can so relate to and she loved her Converse shoes!! I so love Converse. I even loved Kyler and for the man he became in this book. I was hesitant at first at the type of guy he was, but I eventually fell in love with him. In all seriousness, this book blew me away, made me think. There really is a true meaning in this book and it says it all in the title...The Upside of Letting Go. The story matches the title perfectly. Nacole Stayton did an amazing job, has a true talent for writing and I truly look forward to reading more of her work. Her book is indeed on my top list of favorite books for 2013. Bravo Nacole...Bravo
April 17, 2013
This is one of those stories where I was instantly sucked in and felt that characters anguish and emotions as if I was living them....TULG is a heart wrenching, emotional, beautiful story about letting go of your past, starting over, and moving forward. 3.5 stars
Haley is running from her past, she heads off to a new college to start over and meets Kyler on her first day on campus. Of course, Kyler is the player on campus. Kyler has demons he's running from also and Haley tries to avoid him at all costs, but unfortunately its the one we try to avoid the we always seem drawn too. These two have more in common than they can ever know. Haley and Kyler start a fast and furious relationship, two broken souls that complete each other but when the past and present collide the question is can their love survive it all?
This is Nacole's debut novel and I look forward to seeing her writing develop and reading more from her in the future. I loved how I felt like I was living the character's lives. The Upside of Letting Go is a wonderful story reminding you that even though tragedy strikes, you can write your own happily ever after.
Haley is running from her past, she heads off to a new college to start over and meets Kyler on her first day on campus. Of course, Kyler is the player on campus. Kyler has demons he's running from also and Haley tries to avoid him at all costs, but unfortunately its the one we try to avoid the we always seem drawn too. These two have more in common than they can ever know. Haley and Kyler start a fast and furious relationship, two broken souls that complete each other but when the past and present collide the question is can their love survive it all?
This is Nacole's debut novel and I look forward to seeing her writing develop and reading more from her in the future. I loved how I felt like I was living the character's lives. The Upside of Letting Go is a wonderful story reminding you that even though tragedy strikes, you can write your own happily ever after.
May 7, 2013
As soon as I started reading this, I could hardly can't stop myself. It captivated me the moment I met Haley. I admired her strength to move forward when everyone of her family are all gone. Her determination to finally let go and live her life. I must say I didn't like the things happens to her after the horrifc tradegy. The way she turn herself into. Cound't even see her like that totally mess not until she met blue-eyed guy Kyler.
Kyler on the other hand has a different story to tell. Kyler is very hardworking and very talented guy. What else he could d? Hhmm. Same as Haley he has past that totally changed his life. Things that I didn't know it could happen for both of them. Kyler is totally man whore but for me cound't blame that guy. If this is his way of moving on but in the wrong way.
Cound't imagine these 2 people will meet. Same horrible past brings them together. They drew strength from one another. the love they felt towards to each other is pretty intense and so true. They have a lovely friends who keep them for a life time. A loving family who support them till the end.
For me the story of Haley and Kyler is Beautiful Disaster
Kyler on the other hand has a different story to tell. Kyler is very hardworking and very talented guy. What else he could d? Hhmm. Same as Haley he has past that totally changed his life. Things that I didn't know it could happen for both of them. Kyler is totally man whore but for me cound't blame that guy. If this is his way of moving on but in the wrong way.
Cound't imagine these 2 people will meet. Same horrible past brings them together. They drew strength from one another. the love they felt towards to each other is pretty intense and so true. They have a lovely friends who keep them for a life time. A loving family who support them till the end.
For me the story of Haley and Kyler is Beautiful Disaster
April 3, 2013
This is an ARC I was provided to read and give a review. I completely loved the entire book. The writing was phenomenal. Practically no errors with grammar, typos, and spelling. Kyler and Haley make a power couple. Both of them lost so much and to be able to find that peace with each other is what made the book so good. I also loved Jude and felt bad for him but she moved on. It was hard watching him suffer as well. I know it's hard letting go to that first true love. Been there done that. Also, I would like to say that the way Kyler and Haley lost their families is very tragic. My husband lost his entire family in a car accident because of a drunk driver just like Kyler. What makes this book special is because my husband was the same way as Kyler except we were already married. To be able to read the emotions Kyler felt and relate to it so well, makes this writer very special. So definitely a MUST READ!!!
April 8, 2013
Oh Haley, you just feel for this girl, she has a traumatic past but is edgy and strong despite of it. She winds up in Alabama running from her past. She meets Kyler, and she knows that he is a bad boy that she should stay away from until she finds out that his past is all to similar to hers.
Together they fall deeply in love with each other. It is also in falling in love that they learn to let go of their grief.
This is a quick sweet read. The writing style flows nicely and the book moves at a good pace. There are plenty of surprises. Its one of those books that in the end just makes you feel good that things worked out the way they were supposed to.
Together they fall deeply in love with each other. It is also in falling in love that they learn to let go of their grief.
This is a quick sweet read. The writing style flows nicely and the book moves at a good pace. There are plenty of surprises. Its one of those books that in the end just makes you feel good that things worked out the way they were supposed to.
not-for-me
April 27, 2013Not working for me. DNF at 40%
October 22, 2013
Ahhhh looks soooo good cant wait to start this tonight!!
Oh how I love the bad boy, with the messed up past always makes for a good heart wrenching read that leaves you wanting more!!!!
Oh how I love the bad boy, with the messed up past always makes for a good heart wrenching read that leaves you wanting more!!!!
April 17, 2013
****4**** STARS
This book took me on a serious emotional roller coaster!
Synopsis:
Haley Martin decides the only way to let go of her lingering nightmares is to literally move on. Taking a leap of faith she finds herself enrolling at a campus hundreds of miles away from home.
She leaves any thoughts of dating again in Jersey, that is until fate crosses her path with a blue-eyed stud named Kyler King. He is notoriously known for being emotionally unattainable, but his façade is only to hide the burdens he bares every day.
As Kyler and Haley’s physical attraction becomes deeper, the secrets of the past threaten to surface. When Haley’s past collides with the present, will her secrets prove too big of an obstacle hindering their happily ever after, or will letting go be the key that locks their bond forever?
Warning: This book is intended for readers 17+ due to explicit language and sexual encounters.
My Review
This book touched me so deeply. The pain and suffering that Haley and Kyler had to go through before they met and then once again when they were together was so heartbreaking. Nacole Stayton did an excellent job getting across the emotional toll it took on these two people. I found myself with tears rolling down my face at more than one point in the book. Haley leaves Jersey to get away from the memories and to make a new start. After her family was gone, she lost control of herself and her life. She knew that if she was to survive she must leave Jersey, her boyfriend Jude, and all of her friends. Jude grew up in Alabama, so Haley decides that is a good place to go. She enrolls in school and moves into the dorm. She meets her roommate Lucy. I loved Lucy so much. She was probably one of the best types of roommates to have. She was not intrusive to Haley's past, even knowing something was off with her lack of family and photos. Lucy was there for Haley when she needed her, made her laugh, and helped Haley get back to her old self.
When Haley and Kyler met, you could tell there was a connection. They weren't sure why, but they knew it was there.
"Look, I don't know what your problem is, but I won't call you Hale anymore. I didn't know it was a big deal, and for the record I don't read through people's files. Your application picture was included. I don't know why, but it stood out to me. When you ran into me I knew exactly who you were."
At first, when things get hard Haley runs away. And, she runs away a lot! She thinks Kyler will think she's nuts. She tells herself to "let go", which is what they told her in therapy. Eventually, she does a better job of letting go of the things she cannot change but then a part of her past resurfaces.
Haley and Kyler decide they both want to explore their attraction to each other but in a friends with benefits sort of way. No emotional attachments. With the pull and connection they feel towards each other, and with what they have both been through, they understand each other and their friends with benefits relationship quickly develops into more. They heal each other. Haley has had more of a support system to deal with her loss, but Kyler has never talked about his. He doesn't deal with his emotional pain well until Haley is there to let him know that she understands what he is going thorough because she has been where he is.
I wanted to smack Haley around a few times for her actions. She didn't seem to know exactly what...or whom, she wanted more. Who will she pick? What will happen to the other person? She is an idiot! Ahhhhhh, what are you doing Haley!!!?!!! These were my thoughts reading through her stupidity.
The Upside of Letting Go, is a fantastic book. You will laugh, you will cry (a lot!), and you will see that no matter what we go through in life, no matter how hard it may seem at the time, that we can get through it. It takes time and it takes surrounding yourself with friends and love...and most of all it takes, letting go.
Bravo Nacole Stayton. I can't wait to read more from you.
Don't forget to enter my giveaway for an e-copy of this book on my blog!
http://angelassmexybookreviews.blogsp...
The book releases on 4/20/13.
I was provided an ARC by the author for a fair review.
May 24, 2013
You can read this and other reviews atMadison Says
Goodness gracious! I feel like I’m constantly reading books about people losing people. If that’s not bad enough, this book adds the additional drama of a love triangle! That’s not even counting all the other situations and events that occur throughout the book that I can’t share without ruining the story. I feel like I’ve been sucked up into a whirlwind of emotion and spit out on the other side slightly shaken up, but relieved I’ve made it through in one piece. That kind of makes it sound like I didn’t enjoy this read, doesn’t it? That’s not the case at all. I liked the story – a lot. It’s just intense.
I only wear a chastity belt around my heart. The rest of my body is fair game.
The Upside of Letting Go is that once you do, you can find the happiness you deserve. It’s just, the whole letting go part can be a bit rough. Haley Martin has decided that the best way to “let go” is to run. She ran all the way from New Jersey to Alabama. Escaping the past should be easy from over a thousand miles away. The death of her family, the mistakes she made while trying to cope, and the only guy she’s ever had real feeling for shouldn’t be able to reach her at this distance. They shouldn’t but they do.
When Haley meets Kyler King, she knows from the start that there is something special about him. He seems to “get her” on a level no one else does. He makes her think and feel things that only one other guy ever has – Jude. Jude was there when the “accident” happened. He worked hard to try to pull her through and all she did was hurt him. She had to leave him in the past, but maybe Kyler could be her future. Only one problem… (Okay, there is more than one problem, but I’m not sharing the rest of them with you) Kyler is a little bit of a man whore. He doesn’t do relationships; then again, neither does Haley. Sometimes you find exactly what you need when you least expect it. You have to learn to let go of the past in order to hold on to your future.
They say that time heals all wounds, but first you must make the decision to let go.
This is a tough one to review. It’s hard to really fill you in on the story without giving too much away. I have a soft spot in my heart for this book because I actually graduated from Montclair State University (the college Haley transfers to The University of Alabama from) and I grew up maybe 10 minutes from Little Falls. It’s always neat when you have a personal connection to a book. Overall, I really enjoyed the story. It was just very intense. It deals with some very serious topics – death, suicide, and infidelity to name a few. Just when I started to feel like things were going well or the story was at a lull, Nacole surprised me.
I’d definitely add this one to your TBR list. Nacole packs quite a punch with this debut novel and I’m looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next. Here’s to hoping it won’t leave me as emotionally drained as this read did. I’m still trying to recover and this was two books ago!
Goodness gracious! I feel like I’m constantly reading books about people losing people. If that’s not bad enough, this book adds the additional drama of a love triangle! That’s not even counting all the other situations and events that occur throughout the book that I can’t share without ruining the story. I feel like I’ve been sucked up into a whirlwind of emotion and spit out on the other side slightly shaken up, but relieved I’ve made it through in one piece. That kind of makes it sound like I didn’t enjoy this read, doesn’t it? That’s not the case at all. I liked the story – a lot. It’s just intense.
I only wear a chastity belt around my heart. The rest of my body is fair game.
The Upside of Letting Go is that once you do, you can find the happiness you deserve. It’s just, the whole letting go part can be a bit rough. Haley Martin has decided that the best way to “let go” is to run. She ran all the way from New Jersey to Alabama. Escaping the past should be easy from over a thousand miles away. The death of her family, the mistakes she made while trying to cope, and the only guy she’s ever had real feeling for shouldn’t be able to reach her at this distance. They shouldn’t but they do.
When Haley meets Kyler King, she knows from the start that there is something special about him. He seems to “get her” on a level no one else does. He makes her think and feel things that only one other guy ever has – Jude. Jude was there when the “accident” happened. He worked hard to try to pull her through and all she did was hurt him. She had to leave him in the past, but maybe Kyler could be her future. Only one problem… (Okay, there is more than one problem, but I’m not sharing the rest of them with you) Kyler is a little bit of a man whore. He doesn’t do relationships; then again, neither does Haley. Sometimes you find exactly what you need when you least expect it. You have to learn to let go of the past in order to hold on to your future.
They say that time heals all wounds, but first you must make the decision to let go.
This is a tough one to review. It’s hard to really fill you in on the story without giving too much away. I have a soft spot in my heart for this book because I actually graduated from Montclair State University (the college Haley transfers to The University of Alabama from) and I grew up maybe 10 minutes from Little Falls. It’s always neat when you have a personal connection to a book. Overall, I really enjoyed the story. It was just very intense. It deals with some very serious topics – death, suicide, and infidelity to name a few. Just when I started to feel like things were going well or the story was at a lull, Nacole surprised me.
I’d definitely add this one to your TBR list. Nacole packs quite a punch with this debut novel and I’m looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next. Here’s to hoping it won’t leave me as emotionally drained as this read did. I’m still trying to recover and this was two books ago!
April 20, 2013
“There was an upside to this hell on wheels, and I hoped it was coming with the dawn upon the horizon.” With this line from the first paragraph of The Upside of Letting Go by Nacole Stayton I knew I was going to fall in love with this book. Haley Martin is off to college in an attempt to put many miles between her and one of the worst nightmares imaginable.
While going through her campus orientation she meets Kyler. Let me take a little tangent, and say I completely LOVE that name!!Haley and Kyler have an immediate attraction to one another yet there is tension between them. Haley’s roommate Lucy tells her, “You should probably steer clear of Kyler King. He is nothing but a volcano waiting to erupt.” So, of course, with a warning like that Haley finds herself even more drawn to Kyler.
The two decide to be ‘friends with benefits only,’ but that does not last long. What develops between the two of them is love with the foundation that all of us hope to attain – someone that truly understands us and our journey to here. Haley and Kyler share much more in common than a physical attraction and lust for one another. In dealing with their familial issues, Haley had a support system but no one could understand her pain while on the other hand Kyler had neither so that is why Lucy along with others assume he is a ‘volcano.’
“Hale look at me dammit.” With those five words the friends with benefits arrangement is over and Kyler states he wants and needs more from Haley. At this moment their relationship deepens and they begin to share their innermost secrets. When Haley describes hers to Kyler it was one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have ever read because Nacole Stayton wrote it in such beautiful and vivid details that I could actually feel her pain.
The book has enough going on by simply dealing with Haley and Kyler’s issues but when someone from Haley’s past shows up in Alabama, the book goes to a whole new level. Haley thought she had left Jude behind as soon as she got on that bus but old feelings and because of a sense of familiarity she finds herself drawn back to him. How can she be so stupid? Why is she stringing both of them along? And, if that wasn’t enough, what about Kyler and Jude’s connection to one another? Nacole truly knew how to keep the story fresh which had me glued to the pages.
The Upside of Letting Go is a story of love, redemption, sadness, forgiveness, and mainly about finding oneself. It is a beautifully written book that flows perfectly which made it hard for me to believe that this was Stayton’s first piece of work. Haley and Kyler are both at a crossroads in which they could continue to live in the past and it would be understandable if they chose to live in a world of isolation and self-pity but instead they discover THE UPSIDE OF LETTING GO!!!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of The Upside of Letting Go in exchange for an honest review.
While going through her campus orientation she meets Kyler. Let me take a little tangent, and say I completely LOVE that name!!Haley and Kyler have an immediate attraction to one another yet there is tension between them. Haley’s roommate Lucy tells her, “You should probably steer clear of Kyler King. He is nothing but a volcano waiting to erupt.” So, of course, with a warning like that Haley finds herself even more drawn to Kyler.
The two decide to be ‘friends with benefits only,’ but that does not last long. What develops between the two of them is love with the foundation that all of us hope to attain – someone that truly understands us and our journey to here. Haley and Kyler share much more in common than a physical attraction and lust for one another. In dealing with their familial issues, Haley had a support system but no one could understand her pain while on the other hand Kyler had neither so that is why Lucy along with others assume he is a ‘volcano.’
“Hale look at me dammit.” With those five words the friends with benefits arrangement is over and Kyler states he wants and needs more from Haley. At this moment their relationship deepens and they begin to share their innermost secrets. When Haley describes hers to Kyler it was one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have ever read because Nacole Stayton wrote it in such beautiful and vivid details that I could actually feel her pain.
The book has enough going on by simply dealing with Haley and Kyler’s issues but when someone from Haley’s past shows up in Alabama, the book goes to a whole new level. Haley thought she had left Jude behind as soon as she got on that bus but old feelings and because of a sense of familiarity she finds herself drawn back to him. How can she be so stupid? Why is she stringing both of them along? And, if that wasn’t enough, what about Kyler and Jude’s connection to one another? Nacole truly knew how to keep the story fresh which had me glued to the pages.
The Upside of Letting Go is a story of love, redemption, sadness, forgiveness, and mainly about finding oneself. It is a beautifully written book that flows perfectly which made it hard for me to believe that this was Stayton’s first piece of work. Haley and Kyler are both at a crossroads in which they could continue to live in the past and it would be understandable if they chose to live in a world of isolation and self-pity but instead they discover THE UPSIDE OF LETTING GO!!!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of The Upside of Letting Go in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2013
A tragic event turns Haley Martin's world upside down and leaves her an emotional wreck. After trying to distract herself with a string of unhealthy coping mechanisms, she decides to leave her hometown in Jersey and the boy who has held her heart since she was a child behind, in search of a fresh start where no one knows anything about her or her past. Haley now finds herself in college in Alabama, has made herself a new best friend, and is looking forward to getting on with her life. The one thing she didn't count on was Kyler King. Kyler is a total hottie who has a reputation for being a player, has a mysterious past, and whose mood swings cause Haley whiplash at times. Kyler is also dealing with his own demons. A relationship is the last thing either of them want, yet they can't deny their mutual attraction. They agree on a "friends with benefits" type of relationship, but with Kyler's personality, that may just be short-lived. Then, when Haley's life finally begins to start looking normal again and she is beginning find happiness, something she thought she'd lost forever, her past pops up to haunt her. Will she run again, or will she face the things she has been so desperate to get away from?
I enjoyed The Upside of Letting Go. I found myself sucked into the story from the beginning and my attention was captured from beginning to end. The story line was emotionally intense, and my heart broke for both Haley and Kyler as they come to terms with their tragic and heartbreaking pasts. They share a special bond and help each other to heal, but when faced with another new tragic situation, their relationship is challenged in every sense of the word. When they discover they have a "friend" in common, not only does it rock their world further, it challenges everything they have worked so hard to overcome. I liked Haley's character, though there were a few times I got a little frustrated with her because of the way she handled things. I really loved Kyler to. The romance between these to is hot and there are some really steamy scenes. I loved Haley's best friend Lucy also. She was quite the character as well, as was Jude, their other "mutual friend." The characters were all well written and I was able to connect with them and feel like I was experiencing what they were. There are several twists and turns in the story that keep you guessing as well. The Upside of Letting Go is a great contemporary romance that is emotionally intense, but also has happy moments, as well as some steamy romantic ones. It also ended really well, leaving me completely satisfied with where things went. If you are a New Adult Contemporary Romance fan, then I would definitely recommend checking out The Upside of Letting Go. I really enjoyed it.
I enjoyed The Upside of Letting Go. I found myself sucked into the story from the beginning and my attention was captured from beginning to end. The story line was emotionally intense, and my heart broke for both Haley and Kyler as they come to terms with their tragic and heartbreaking pasts. They share a special bond and help each other to heal, but when faced with another new tragic situation, their relationship is challenged in every sense of the word. When they discover they have a "friend" in common, not only does it rock their world further, it challenges everything they have worked so hard to overcome. I liked Haley's character, though there were a few times I got a little frustrated with her because of the way she handled things. I really loved Kyler to. The romance between these to is hot and there are some really steamy scenes. I loved Haley's best friend Lucy also. She was quite the character as well, as was Jude, their other "mutual friend." The characters were all well written and I was able to connect with them and feel like I was experiencing what they were. There are several twists and turns in the story that keep you guessing as well. The Upside of Letting Go is a great contemporary romance that is emotionally intense, but also has happy moments, as well as some steamy romantic ones. It also ended really well, leaving me completely satisfied with where things went. If you are a New Adult Contemporary Romance fan, then I would definitely recommend checking out The Upside of Letting Go. I really enjoyed it.
April 21, 2013
Source: ARC provided by author for honest review.
Man oh man. Talk about an emotional roller coaster. This book stopped my heart a few times.
The story starts off with Haley getting off a bus in Alabama from New Jersey. She is obviously running away from something. But why would a girl from Jersey pick Alabama? Well, the sexy, Southern guys definitely are not a disadvantage.
Haley is running from her past and is hoping to leave the ghosts behind her and start a new life. She was self-destructing at home and knew that she would continue on a downward spiral if she stayed in Jersey. So she leaves everything she's ever known and tries to mend the pieces of her broken heart in a new place.
Haley meets Kyler King and is drawn to him. Even though her roommate Lucy tells her to stay away from him. He loves em and leaves em. He cheats on girls and doesn't do the relationship thing. He doesn't let anyone in. Of course, when someone tells you not to do something, you find yourself wanting it even more. And really, who can resist the campus bad boy?
Haley decides to give Kyler a chance and they agree on being friends with benefits. As she gets to know Kyler, she realizes that he has a wall put up as well, and his secrets may be just as dark as hers are.
Haley and Kyler have both been through hell and found that keeping people out was the best coping mechanism for them. It's easier when you don't get attached to someone, you don't give them the power to hurt you.
Unfortunately, the past never stays in the past. And as a reader, you know that someone's past eventually catches up with them. Either you learn to accept that your past is part of who you are or you give it the power to destroy you.
For Haley and Kyler, pain and heartache doesn't stay in the past. It crashes into them and they will never be the same.
I couldn't handle all the ups and downs in the book. Well I could handle the ups. But the downs, phew! There were times when I needed a break. And because it is a relatively short read, a lot happens in a short amount of time.
And on a side note, can I just say that I loved the fact that Haley was a nursing student? And was even an LPN?! Love love love. You don't read many books about nurses, and if you do, they are always RNs. I was so so so happy to see some LPNs get some love!
This is a good book to read of you're looking for something that isn't too long but still filled with emotion. It's a big story wrapped up in a sweet little package. Definitely check it out and I've happily added Ms. Stayton to my list of authors to follow.
Man oh man. Talk about an emotional roller coaster. This book stopped my heart a few times.
The story starts off with Haley getting off a bus in Alabama from New Jersey. She is obviously running away from something. But why would a girl from Jersey pick Alabama? Well, the sexy, Southern guys definitely are not a disadvantage.
Haley is running from her past and is hoping to leave the ghosts behind her and start a new life. She was self-destructing at home and knew that she would continue on a downward spiral if she stayed in Jersey. So she leaves everything she's ever known and tries to mend the pieces of her broken heart in a new place.
Haley meets Kyler King and is drawn to him. Even though her roommate Lucy tells her to stay away from him. He loves em and leaves em. He cheats on girls and doesn't do the relationship thing. He doesn't let anyone in. Of course, when someone tells you not to do something, you find yourself wanting it even more. And really, who can resist the campus bad boy?
Haley decides to give Kyler a chance and they agree on being friends with benefits. As she gets to know Kyler, she realizes that he has a wall put up as well, and his secrets may be just as dark as hers are.
Haley and Kyler have both been through hell and found that keeping people out was the best coping mechanism for them. It's easier when you don't get attached to someone, you don't give them the power to hurt you.
Unfortunately, the past never stays in the past. And as a reader, you know that someone's past eventually catches up with them. Either you learn to accept that your past is part of who you are or you give it the power to destroy you.
For Haley and Kyler, pain and heartache doesn't stay in the past. It crashes into them and they will never be the same.
I couldn't handle all the ups and downs in the book. Well I could handle the ups. But the downs, phew! There were times when I needed a break. And because it is a relatively short read, a lot happens in a short amount of time.
And on a side note, can I just say that I loved the fact that Haley was a nursing student? And was even an LPN?! Love love love. You don't read many books about nurses, and if you do, they are always RNs. I was so so so happy to see some LPNs get some love!
This is a good book to read of you're looking for something that isn't too long but still filled with emotion. It's a big story wrapped up in a sweet little package. Definitely check it out and I've happily added Ms. Stayton to my list of authors to follow.
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