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Becoming More
At first it was all freedom, fun, and games for Lilly Fairfield. Being a freshman in college was supposed to create some of the best memories of her life, especially with her best friend, Lauren, and longtime boyfriend, Sander, by her side.
But the excitement begins to slip away when the people closest to her start to change. They begin moving in a direction Lilly doesn’t want to go, forcing Lilly to be faced with a decision. Should she fight for her relationships with both Sander and Lauren or move on to something different? Something unknown. Someone like…
Colton Davenport. Colton isn’t Lilly’s typical type. He's shockingly sexy with his colorful tattoos, shiny silver lip ring, and ear gauges. His smile alone leaves her breathless. Then again, she hasn’t had a specific type other than Sander. When she meets Colton she feels an automatic attraction that stuns her into utter stillness. She can’t look away, doesn’t want to look away.
Lilly must decide between a life with Sander, a life she always thought she wanted, and an unknown path with Colton.
Will Lilly make the right choices for her future, Becoming More?
**This book is a New Adult Romance - intended for a mature audience.**
But the excitement begins to slip away when the people closest to her start to change. They begin moving in a direction Lilly doesn’t want to go, forcing Lilly to be faced with a decision. Should she fight for her relationships with both Sander and Lauren or move on to something different? Something unknown. Someone like…
Colton Davenport. Colton isn’t Lilly’s typical type. He's shockingly sexy with his colorful tattoos, shiny silver lip ring, and ear gauges. His smile alone leaves her breathless. Then again, she hasn’t had a specific type other than Sander. When she meets Colton she feels an automatic attraction that stuns her into utter stillness. She can’t look away, doesn’t want to look away.
Lilly must decide between a life with Sander, a life she always thought she wanted, and an unknown path with Colton.
Will Lilly make the right choices for her future, Becoming More?
**This book is a New Adult Romance - intended for a mature audience.**
337 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2013
16 people are currently reading
1829 people want to read
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March 19, 2014
I'm taking over Stories and Swag tonight, March 19th 2014 7-9pm, on facebook! COME ON OVER!!!! There's going to be lots of FUN, CONTESTS, GIVEAWAYS, ETC!!!!
link: https://www.facebook.com/StoriesAndSwag
link: https://www.facebook.com/StoriesAndSwag
August 14, 2013
3.75 Stars
Bayli Lane's debut novel was well written, well paced and delivers a nice hea.
Lilly Fairfield is a sweet main character although she has a lot of spunk she is loyal to a fault when it comes to her boyfriend of four years, Sander and her slutty best friend, Lauren. The trio embarks on their college experience while they each change in someway or another.
Lilly finds from the get go that her treasured relationships from high school are taking big hits here at college. Lilly branches out and makes new friends on her own while her boyfriend and best friend do the same.
*A reader should be warned that physical abuse is contained in this novel. *
Lilly falls for the gorgeous tattooed singer Colton but her plans with Sander leave her teetering on the edge of her past and future.
"But still, there is piece of me that wants an easy way out. Not because I don't love Sander - I do, but because I want to know Colton."
Enduring Lilly's boy friend and best friend's changing and harsh treatment of Lilly is pretty hard to take. Lauren has to be the world's worst best friend and really Lilly's choice was a no Brainer to any reader.
"You see we've been friends for so long, I can't just erase those memories."
I found the story predictable and waiting for Lilly to let go of her past frustrating but the story as a whole was very entertaining. Colton is very sweet and the overall message that people change and grow either in a positive way or a negative way was very realistic.
Bayli Lane's debut novel was well written, well paced and delivers a nice hea.
Lilly Fairfield is a sweet main character although she has a lot of spunk she is loyal to a fault when it comes to her boyfriend of four years, Sander and her slutty best friend, Lauren. The trio embarks on their college experience while they each change in someway or another.
Lilly finds from the get go that her treasured relationships from high school are taking big hits here at college. Lilly branches out and makes new friends on her own while her boyfriend and best friend do the same.
*A reader should be warned that physical abuse is contained in this novel. *
Lilly falls for the gorgeous tattooed singer Colton but her plans with Sander leave her teetering on the edge of her past and future.
"But still, there is piece of me that wants an easy way out. Not because I don't love Sander - I do, but because I want to know Colton."
Enduring Lilly's boy friend and best friend's changing and harsh treatment of Lilly is pretty hard to take. Lauren has to be the world's worst best friend and really Lilly's choice was a no Brainer to any reader.
"You see we've been friends for so long, I can't just erase those memories."
I found the story predictable and waiting for Lilly to let go of her past frustrating but the story as a whole was very entertaining. Colton is very sweet and the overall message that people change and grow either in a positive way or a negative way was very realistic.
August 23, 2013
DNF
WARNING!! this review will be a total rant!
Why oh why did I read this book??
Lets start with the few things I actually liked about this book. The storyline was good,but it dragged on for too long and that just annoyed me even more. Colton was the best thing about this book as well as his friends (especially Clarissa), I loved them all from the very beginning. I only wish that Lilly dumped dickwad Sander (what kind of name is that anyway???) and got with Colton from the start. Those were the only good things about this book, it would have been a good book if it wasn't for Lilly.
Lilly. WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH HER???
She RUINED the book for me, yes she was nice and caring but really? I really hope that there's no one actually like her in the real world and if there is I would gladly stay away. It wasn't that she was naive, no I would understand that but she was just plain STUPID. She honestly annoyed me to know end, I hate when writers make the heroine sooo annoying and dumb. How the people around her didn't just scream at her all the time is beyond me, you need to be super patient or something around her seriously.
I just could not take anymore of her, her boyfriend is a dick and shes still with him because they have "been together for 4 years" omg seriously?? I can't stand girls like her I just can't. I'm sorry I wasted my time on the stupid book, I would glady rewind time and not subject myself to dumb bitches like Lillian.
Would I recommend this book? HELL TO THE NOOOO!!! well unless you are looking for a reason to stab yourselves in the eye then go right ahead.
RANT OVER
WARNING!! this review will be a total rant!
Why oh why did I read this book??
Lets start with the few things I actually liked about this book. The storyline was good,but it dragged on for too long and that just annoyed me even more. Colton was the best thing about this book as well as his friends (especially Clarissa), I loved them all from the very beginning. I only wish that Lilly dumped dickwad Sander (what kind of name is that anyway???) and got with Colton from the start. Those were the only good things about this book, it would have been a good book if it wasn't for Lilly.
Lilly. WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH HER???
She RUINED the book for me, yes she was nice and caring but really? I really hope that there's no one actually like her in the real world and if there is I would gladly stay away. It wasn't that she was naive, no I would understand that but she was just plain STUPID. She honestly annoyed me to know end, I hate when writers make the heroine sooo annoying and dumb. How the people around her didn't just scream at her all the time is beyond me, you need to be super patient or something around her seriously.
I just could not take anymore of her, her boyfriend is a dick and shes still with him because they have "been together for 4 years" omg seriously?? I can't stand girls like her I just can't. I'm sorry I wasted my time on the stupid book, I would glady rewind time and not subject myself to dumb bitches like Lillian.
Would I recommend this book? HELL TO THE NOOOO!!! well unless you are looking for a reason to stab yourselves in the eye then go right ahead.
RANT OVER
August 15, 2013
(review can be also be found here : https://www.facebook.com/SLiTsReaD and here : http://slitsread.wordpress.com/2013/0...)
Meet my Colton Davenport...... hot!!!! sweet!!! perfect!!!! And his the lead singer on his band Deceitful Maze.
Lilly Fairfield with her for boyfriend for 4 years Sander and her best friend Lauren are off to college. Lilly was happy, she gets to spend more time with her bf away from home. But Sander and Lauren changed once there.... which by the way I find interesting, the change was instantaneous I should say. Lilly then met new friends and hot Colton! Instant attraction and all... Though Lilly is loyal to her bf, she did kiss Colton on that night they met. Then she caught Sander doing drugs and almost choke her to death, so she run to Colton. Despite the drugs, and manhandling her, she still goes back to Sander, gah!!!! The story goes round and round on Lilly going back to Sander and to the point of dating both men. Seriously, I am pulling my hair out at this point.... this is at 80% on my reader.
I get it that it's good the book made me mad as hell? lol. But almost to the point of not wanting to finish but thinking I'm at 80%, continue! Love the cover, love the blurb, love Colton and his friends. If you have lots of patience (guess I don't) this book is for you! :)
Meet my Colton Davenport...... hot!!!! sweet!!! perfect!!!! And his the lead singer on his band Deceitful Maze.
Lilly Fairfield with her for boyfriend for 4 years Sander and her best friend Lauren are off to college. Lilly was happy, she gets to spend more time with her bf away from home. But Sander and Lauren changed once there.... which by the way I find interesting, the change was instantaneous I should say. Lilly then met new friends and hot Colton! Instant attraction and all... Though Lilly is loyal to her bf, she did kiss Colton on that night they met. Then she caught Sander doing drugs and almost choke her to death, so she run to Colton. Despite the drugs, and manhandling her, she still goes back to Sander, gah!!!! The story goes round and round on Lilly going back to Sander and to the point of dating both men. Seriously, I am pulling my hair out at this point.... this is at 80% on my reader.
I get it that it's good the book made me mad as hell? lol. But almost to the point of not wanting to finish but thinking I'm at 80%, continue! Love the cover, love the blurb, love Colton and his friends. If you have lots of patience (guess I don't) this book is for you! :)
September 12, 2013
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 4 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heat Rating ~ 3 Stars
End Rating ~ 5+ Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4 Stars
Becoming More is Bayli Lane's debut novel and I have to say that I enjoyed this book immensely.
This story starts off about three friends, Lilly, Sander and Lauren. Lilly and Sander have been boyfriend and girlfriend for 4 years and have plans to spend the rest of their lives together. Lauren is both of their best friends. They are all going to the same college and are very excited to be out on their own with some much wanted freedom plus to be able to be together more often.
Once they arrive, things are not quite going the way Lilly had thought they would. It seems that Lauren and Sander are drifting away leaving Lilly behind. Sander has made friends with the wrong type of people, and he has started doing things that are so unlike him. He's also saying mean things and acting all wrong towards Lilly. Lauren is off doing who knows what, and not really there for Lilly at all. Lilly finally makes some new friends and ends up meeting Colton. Right from the start these two are drawn together. Lilly can't seem to get her mind off of Colton. He's one of the sexiest guy's she has ever come across with his messy hair, tattoos and silver ring through his lip. They soon become best friends and as Lilly, Sander and Lauren grow further apart, Lilly and Colton get closer. This messes with Lilly's mind. She loves Sander, he's her everything but she can't stop thinking about Colton.
There were quite a few characters in this book. Lilly did get on my nerves a bit, but I had to really take into consideration that she was only 18, and had been in the relationship with Sander and Lauren a very long time. Sander, GRRRR what an ASS!! He started out good, but as the story moved along he became a jerk and did some UNFORGIVEABLE things to Lilly. Lauren also became a nightmare of a friend. Then there was COLTON, SIGHHHHHHHHH, I totally
L-O-V-E-D H-I-M!!!! He was there to help Lilly through some very bad times. Clarissa, she was Colton's best friend and was really sweet. We also got to meet some of Colton's friends, Oliver was my favorite of the group, and he had this habit of giving big bear hugs.
There were a few things that kept me from rating this book 5 Stars. The fact that Lilly had such a hard time letting Sander and Lauren go. OK, in the beginning I could understand why, but the bad things they each did to her kept piling up to the point where it annoyed me that Lilly could not let them go. I felt she really should have kicked them to the curb much earlier than she did. The other thing was, I felt that the readers got had WAY too much of Lily’s thought process, and that some of it was repetitive.
There were some heated love scenes, nothing over the top, but I must say that the chemistry that Lilly and Colton had going on, that just looking at each other, practically took my breath away. These scenes alone deserved 5 stars!
The ending and epilogue was FANTASTIC and left me grinning from ear to ear, and overall I was very pleased with the way things turned out.
I'm very glad I read this book and I definitely plan to read more of Bayli Lane's romances in the future.
*A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 4 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heat Rating ~ 3 Stars
End Rating ~ 5+ Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4 Stars
Becoming More is Bayli Lane's debut novel and I have to say that I enjoyed this book immensely.
This story starts off about three friends, Lilly, Sander and Lauren. Lilly and Sander have been boyfriend and girlfriend for 4 years and have plans to spend the rest of their lives together. Lauren is both of their best friends. They are all going to the same college and are very excited to be out on their own with some much wanted freedom plus to be able to be together more often.
Once they arrive, things are not quite going the way Lilly had thought they would. It seems that Lauren and Sander are drifting away leaving Lilly behind. Sander has made friends with the wrong type of people, and he has started doing things that are so unlike him. He's also saying mean things and acting all wrong towards Lilly. Lauren is off doing who knows what, and not really there for Lilly at all. Lilly finally makes some new friends and ends up meeting Colton. Right from the start these two are drawn together. Lilly can't seem to get her mind off of Colton. He's one of the sexiest guy's she has ever come across with his messy hair, tattoos and silver ring through his lip. They soon become best friends and as Lilly, Sander and Lauren grow further apart, Lilly and Colton get closer. This messes with Lilly's mind. She loves Sander, he's her everything but she can't stop thinking about Colton.
There were quite a few characters in this book. Lilly did get on my nerves a bit, but I had to really take into consideration that she was only 18, and had been in the relationship with Sander and Lauren a very long time. Sander, GRRRR what an ASS!! He started out good, but as the story moved along he became a jerk and did some UNFORGIVEABLE things to Lilly. Lauren also became a nightmare of a friend. Then there was COLTON, SIGHHHHHHHHH, I totally
L-O-V-E-D H-I-M!!!! He was there to help Lilly through some very bad times. Clarissa, she was Colton's best friend and was really sweet. We also got to meet some of Colton's friends, Oliver was my favorite of the group, and he had this habit of giving big bear hugs.
There were a few things that kept me from rating this book 5 Stars. The fact that Lilly had such a hard time letting Sander and Lauren go. OK, in the beginning I could understand why, but the bad things they each did to her kept piling up to the point where it annoyed me that Lilly could not let them go. I felt she really should have kicked them to the curb much earlier than she did. The other thing was, I felt that the readers got had WAY too much of Lily’s thought process, and that some of it was repetitive.
There were some heated love scenes, nothing over the top, but I must say that the chemistry that Lilly and Colton had going on, that just looking at each other, practically took my breath away. These scenes alone deserved 5 stars!
The ending and epilogue was FANTASTIC and left me grinning from ear to ear, and overall I was very pleased with the way things turned out.
I'm very glad I read this book and I definitely plan to read more of Bayli Lane's romances in the future.
*A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
October 9, 2013
Well Hells Bellz!!!! Becoming More by Bayli Lane. Hmmm ... What can I say about this book? How about WOW ... how about AMAZING!!!!
When you’re young and in love you think that nothing will every break up that perfect little bubble that has surrounded your high school clique. You think that when you go to college everything is going to be the same… well for some … yes it is … But for Lilly … yeah not so much! Lilly seriously got screwed the minute she showed up to college… Her longtime love Sander is a douchebag prick.. Her BFF and Roomie Lauren is a skank hoe … and well enter Mr. Sexy Beast Colton … tattoo’s… lip ring … lead singer in a band … romantic … intense … yeah Lilly was screwed the minute she saw him. I LOVED this book so much! I laughed … I got happy … I got angry … I got seriously annoyed and best of all … my mouth dropped open and I frantically was texting my buddy read with “Oh Shit’s” and “WTF’s”. I finished in one sitting … I couldn’t it down! I want more I am not going to lie. I would love to see Oliver get a little action … I would love to see Clarissa find some love!!! The epilogue was amazing … I can’t stop smiling about this book! I am so excited for everyone to read because wow … it is just that damn good!!!
When you’re young and in love you think that nothing will every break up that perfect little bubble that has surrounded your high school clique. You think that when you go to college everything is going to be the same… well for some … yes it is … But for Lilly … yeah not so much! Lilly seriously got screwed the minute she showed up to college… Her longtime love Sander is a douchebag prick.. Her BFF and Roomie Lauren is a skank hoe … and well enter Mr. Sexy Beast Colton … tattoo’s… lip ring … lead singer in a band … romantic … intense … yeah Lilly was screwed the minute she saw him. I LOVED this book so much! I laughed … I got happy … I got angry … I got seriously annoyed and best of all … my mouth dropped open and I frantically was texting my buddy read with “Oh Shit’s” and “WTF’s”. I finished in one sitting … I couldn’t it down! I want more I am not going to lie. I would love to see Oliver get a little action … I would love to see Clarissa find some love!!! The epilogue was amazing … I can’t stop smiling about this book! I am so excited for everyone to read because wow … it is just that damn good!!!
August 25, 2013
Here is my complete review:
http://sexandthebooks.wordpress.com/2...
Well, there were things I loved and small things I didn’t like (and that didn’t prevent me to be hooked) in this book…First thing I loved, for sure, is Colton. He is FREAKING AWESOME!!! A perfect blend of sweet and badass. Bayli should create a man for me in real life, seriously! I also loved how the book started with Lilly and Sander’s promises to each other, showing us how our young, high school dreams can have an influence in our lives.
Lilly…well, I feel conflicted about her, because even though she is our heroine, she is not my favorite character in the book…She was a little be naïve and I understand, because it is really difficult to believe that our old loves and friendships might not be right as we thought they were…
I hate Sander’s guts with all my heart and I was almost yelling at my Ipad and throwing it at the wall, because Lilly was being so stubborn and trying to fix someone who, first, didn’t deserve and second, didn’t want to be fixed! And I couldn’t forgive her for making MY Colton suffer in the process of discovering herself (Bayli, you managed to get me really passionate about Colton).
Some scenes and parts were a little bit too fast-paced, but maybe I just wanted the book to be bigger so I could read more of Bayli’s writting :P
Another character I freaking loved was Clarissa! She was sweet and so badass! Her connection with Lilly was instant, and it just shows us that sometimes the friends you thought you knew forever might not be the right ones for you and meeting new people, actually is not only good, but it is GREAT for us! I also got the sense that there was more to Clarissa’s story and advices to Lilly, than we are seeing…I wouldn’t mind reading her story!!! :)
Lilly and Colton are perfect for each other, but both of them need to see it…Only one of them is not enough to make them last as a couple. I understand Lilly and why she feels so torn about leaving Sander, but after all that he puts her through, for me, she shouldn’t have any doubts about this character. But people sometimes need to experience things on their own, it’s not enough to be told things are not ok…
Even though I loved Clarissa more than Lilly, it didn’t prevent me of enjoying the story! Even if I didn’t like any of it (which is SO NOT the case!!), Colton alone would make me fall in love with it!
Bayli found the perfect way to tell us her story, I just wish this book was longer, so we could savor more of the story and some parts wouldn’t be a little bit rushed. Bayli’s writing style is really good! Her story and characters a mix of funny, snark and love, and I can’t wait to see more of her writing!
Becoming More is a tale of love, but not only romantic love…your friend’s love is just as important! In high school we are yet too young to understand that life is full of choices and that, even if we can’t get back in time and change some of our choices, we can certainly make new ones. In Becoming More is clear to see that high school you and college you are very different and finding the balance between the two parts of yourself is the real challenge. You can’t abandon who you are, but you can learn how to become more of yourself!
http://sexandthebooks.wordpress.com/2...
Well, there were things I loved and small things I didn’t like (and that didn’t prevent me to be hooked) in this book…First thing I loved, for sure, is Colton. He is FREAKING AWESOME!!! A perfect blend of sweet and badass. Bayli should create a man for me in real life, seriously! I also loved how the book started with Lilly and Sander’s promises to each other, showing us how our young, high school dreams can have an influence in our lives.
Lilly…well, I feel conflicted about her, because even though she is our heroine, she is not my favorite character in the book…She was a little be naïve and I understand, because it is really difficult to believe that our old loves and friendships might not be right as we thought they were…
I hate Sander’s guts with all my heart and I was almost yelling at my Ipad and throwing it at the wall, because Lilly was being so stubborn and trying to fix someone who, first, didn’t deserve and second, didn’t want to be fixed! And I couldn’t forgive her for making MY Colton suffer in the process of discovering herself (Bayli, you managed to get me really passionate about Colton).
Some scenes and parts were a little bit too fast-paced, but maybe I just wanted the book to be bigger so I could read more of Bayli’s writting :P
Another character I freaking loved was Clarissa! She was sweet and so badass! Her connection with Lilly was instant, and it just shows us that sometimes the friends you thought you knew forever might not be the right ones for you and meeting new people, actually is not only good, but it is GREAT for us! I also got the sense that there was more to Clarissa’s story and advices to Lilly, than we are seeing…I wouldn’t mind reading her story!!! :)
Lilly and Colton are perfect for each other, but both of them need to see it…Only one of them is not enough to make them last as a couple. I understand Lilly and why she feels so torn about leaving Sander, but after all that he puts her through, for me, she shouldn’t have any doubts about this character. But people sometimes need to experience things on their own, it’s not enough to be told things are not ok…
Even though I loved Clarissa more than Lilly, it didn’t prevent me of enjoying the story! Even if I didn’t like any of it (which is SO NOT the case!!), Colton alone would make me fall in love with it!
Bayli found the perfect way to tell us her story, I just wish this book was longer, so we could savor more of the story and some parts wouldn’t be a little bit rushed. Bayli’s writing style is really good! Her story and characters a mix of funny, snark and love, and I can’t wait to see more of her writing!
Becoming More is a tale of love, but not only romantic love…your friend’s love is just as important! In high school we are yet too young to understand that life is full of choices and that, even if we can’t get back in time and change some of our choices, we can certainly make new ones. In Becoming More is clear to see that high school you and college you are very different and finding the balance between the two parts of yourself is the real challenge. You can’t abandon who you are, but you can learn how to become more of yourself!
September 13, 2013
4.5 stars
I have typed this 4 times now and thanks to GR some is lost I can not type this all again so your getting a now condensed review sorry.
Lilly Fairfield, freshman in college was supposed to create some of the best memories of her life, especially with her best friend, Lauren, and longtime boyfriend, Sander, by her side.
That did not happen at all, on their first night out at college Lilly gets left by herself at a party while Sander and Lauren disappear on her. She decides to head back to her dorm when she runs into Carissa and She convinces her to go to another party with her.
there she meets Colton, Oliver and some other of their friends.She decides since Lauren and Sander seems to be to busy for her she starts to hang out with her new friends more and more.
Although Lilly is hanging out with new friends she is hesitant in some areas because she is not use to change and she is afraid of not doing what she planned to do with her life. She starts to go through some pretty crappy stuff with Lauren and Sander and she starts to re-think things.
As her and Colton spend more time together she starts to develop feelings for him, but does not want to move forward with them because she is suppose to be with Sander and they have their life and future all mapped out.
Without going much more into this, I will say this Lilly comes to some major realizations about her Boyfriend and Best friend. She learns that it is ok to make new friends and sometimes Change is the best thing in the world.
As the story moved along I picked up on some of the things I knew where going to happen, but overall I totally enjoyed the story.
Bayli did a great job with her debut novel in my opinion. Sometimes you have to take chances and sometimes change is for the better.
I LOVED Colton, he was amazing through this entire story. Lauren we learn real quick she is not the best BFF in the world. Sander well I'll let you form your own opinion about him.....
I have typed this 4 times now and thanks to GR some is lost I can not type this all again so your getting a now condensed review sorry.
Lilly Fairfield, freshman in college was supposed to create some of the best memories of her life, especially with her best friend, Lauren, and longtime boyfriend, Sander, by her side.
That did not happen at all, on their first night out at college Lilly gets left by herself at a party while Sander and Lauren disappear on her. She decides to head back to her dorm when she runs into Carissa and She convinces her to go to another party with her.
there she meets Colton, Oliver and some other of their friends.She decides since Lauren and Sander seems to be to busy for her she starts to hang out with her new friends more and more.
Although Lilly is hanging out with new friends she is hesitant in some areas because she is not use to change and she is afraid of not doing what she planned to do with her life. She starts to go through some pretty crappy stuff with Lauren and Sander and she starts to re-think things.
As her and Colton spend more time together she starts to develop feelings for him, but does not want to move forward with them because she is suppose to be with Sander and they have their life and future all mapped out.
Without going much more into this, I will say this Lilly comes to some major realizations about her Boyfriend and Best friend. She learns that it is ok to make new friends and sometimes Change is the best thing in the world.
As the story moved along I picked up on some of the things I knew where going to happen, but overall I totally enjoyed the story.
Bayli did a great job with her debut novel in my opinion. Sometimes you have to take chances and sometimes change is for the better.
I LOVED Colton, he was amazing through this entire story. Lauren we learn real quick she is not the best BFF in the world. Sander well I'll let you form your own opinion about him.....
August 20, 2013
WOW, I'm really gonna try and say more in this review but....WOW!!! I started reading this book and realized it was another book about a college couple...there are soooo many out there and they are pretty much all the same. Everyone is trying to recreate that one book! Well this is not like any of those others, this book stands all by itself!! I loved every happy, sad, pissed off moment of this book! Bayli Lane truly delivered with this one!! I love and hate that this is a stand alone book!! I love how Bayli ended this book, it was truly perfect!! I hate it cause I want more of Colton and Lilly!! 5 Stars from me, I'd give it more if I could!! Read this book, you'll be glad you did!!!!
September 12, 2013
I received an ARC from the blog tour for an honest review.
When I saw this blog tour sign up I was soooo excited to read and review it. I have been watching Ms Layne’s page and have been so excited about this book! I was not disappointed! This was a great debut coming of age novel. The cover also grabbed my attention! That cover model is gorgeous! Just made me want to read it more! The author takes us on a journey of being excited for leaving for college with your boyfriend and best friend and the little bumps that happen along the way called life.
We start with Lilly, her best friend Lauren, and Lilly’s boyfriend Sander all leaving for college. They all have been best friends for as long as Lilly can remember. Her boyfriend Sander and her have been together for since high school and she is looking for having this time away from their parents and experiencing college together. They are the perfect couple, they have dreamed and talked about how life will work out for them. They are in for the long haul and college is just the first stop in their life together. Until Lilly meets Sander’s roommate Bryan. As soon as Lilly meets him she sees a change in Sander that is not for the good. She just chalks it up to meeting new friends and being a guy thing. On their first night out they decide to venture to a Frat party that Bryan’s friends are hosting. Lilly, Lauren and Sander all get separated and feeling defeated that she cannot find anyone she decides to leave and go back to the dorm.
On the way back, she stumbles across a group of friends that invite her to another party. Being that it is her first night away at college, she decides to hell with it and goes with them. Little does she know this new group of friends will change everything. At the new party, she is instantly drawn to the uber sexy full of tattoos bad boy Colton. She has a boyfriend but she cannot stop her attraction to him. He is so different than Sander who is the clean cut pretty boy. They become friends but she feels this deep down connection to him that is so different than what she knows with Sander.
“There’s something absolutely terrifying about that realization… the realization that someone can take over my thoughts so completely, that someone can snatch up a place in my heart before I even know his name.”
Lilly soon discovers college has a way of changing people. It seems like everyone she thought she knew is now someone different. Lauren her best friend and roommate is never around, she has become a heavy drinker and partier and becomes distant from Lilly. Sander and Lilly seem to have opposite class schedules and hardly have time for each other. He also seems like he is changing and is not the same Sander she knows and loves.
Since meeting her new group of friends, she has been spending more time with them. Being around and spending time with Colton awakens a fire inside Lilly she never knew was there. She knows she loves Sander and plans to spend the rest of her life with him but there is something about Colton that make her feel alive that she never got with Sander.
“Any man lucky enough to kiss you should treasure it. He should take that gift and lock it way so tightly that no other man can get anywhere near you. He should do everything in his power to make sure no one else gets to take the sweetness of you”
“If you ever let me kiss you, I’d make sure you’d never want to kiss another man again. I’d make sure you’d never even think of another man again.”
It seems like she’s living a double life with two sets of friends. When they come together, secrets are exposed that will force Lilly to take sides. It causes Lilly to struggle with what she feels in her heart and what she thinks is right for her to do. When she thinks she’s made the right decisions, more secrets come out the crumble her existence. It had me shaking my head!! I had a feeling that this secret was brewing but wasn’t quite sure. When the dust clears Lilly is left to examine herself and who thought she could trust.
It’s a wonderful story about love, heartbreak, lies, secrets, and betrayal that had me turning the pages and wanting more! My heart broke from Lilly and I wanted her to have the HEA she so deserves! I myself never went away for college so I love these types of stories of growth and figuring out life as you go along the way. I so cannot wait to see what else the author has in store for us as this was a great debut novel!
When I saw this blog tour sign up I was soooo excited to read and review it. I have been watching Ms Layne’s page and have been so excited about this book! I was not disappointed! This was a great debut coming of age novel. The cover also grabbed my attention! That cover model is gorgeous! Just made me want to read it more! The author takes us on a journey of being excited for leaving for college with your boyfriend and best friend and the little bumps that happen along the way called life.
We start with Lilly, her best friend Lauren, and Lilly’s boyfriend Sander all leaving for college. They all have been best friends for as long as Lilly can remember. Her boyfriend Sander and her have been together for since high school and she is looking for having this time away from their parents and experiencing college together. They are the perfect couple, they have dreamed and talked about how life will work out for them. They are in for the long haul and college is just the first stop in their life together. Until Lilly meets Sander’s roommate Bryan. As soon as Lilly meets him she sees a change in Sander that is not for the good. She just chalks it up to meeting new friends and being a guy thing. On their first night out they decide to venture to a Frat party that Bryan’s friends are hosting. Lilly, Lauren and Sander all get separated and feeling defeated that she cannot find anyone she decides to leave and go back to the dorm.
On the way back, she stumbles across a group of friends that invite her to another party. Being that it is her first night away at college, she decides to hell with it and goes with them. Little does she know this new group of friends will change everything. At the new party, she is instantly drawn to the uber sexy full of tattoos bad boy Colton. She has a boyfriend but she cannot stop her attraction to him. He is so different than Sander who is the clean cut pretty boy. They become friends but she feels this deep down connection to him that is so different than what she knows with Sander.
“There’s something absolutely terrifying about that realization… the realization that someone can take over my thoughts so completely, that someone can snatch up a place in my heart before I even know his name.”
Lilly soon discovers college has a way of changing people. It seems like everyone she thought she knew is now someone different. Lauren her best friend and roommate is never around, she has become a heavy drinker and partier and becomes distant from Lilly. Sander and Lilly seem to have opposite class schedules and hardly have time for each other. He also seems like he is changing and is not the same Sander she knows and loves.
Since meeting her new group of friends, she has been spending more time with them. Being around and spending time with Colton awakens a fire inside Lilly she never knew was there. She knows she loves Sander and plans to spend the rest of her life with him but there is something about Colton that make her feel alive that she never got with Sander.
“Any man lucky enough to kiss you should treasure it. He should take that gift and lock it way so tightly that no other man can get anywhere near you. He should do everything in his power to make sure no one else gets to take the sweetness of you”
“If you ever let me kiss you, I’d make sure you’d never want to kiss another man again. I’d make sure you’d never even think of another man again.”
It seems like she’s living a double life with two sets of friends. When they come together, secrets are exposed that will force Lilly to take sides. It causes Lilly to struggle with what she feels in her heart and what she thinks is right for her to do. When she thinks she’s made the right decisions, more secrets come out the crumble her existence. It had me shaking my head!! I had a feeling that this secret was brewing but wasn’t quite sure. When the dust clears Lilly is left to examine herself and who thought she could trust.
It’s a wonderful story about love, heartbreak, lies, secrets, and betrayal that had me turning the pages and wanting more! My heart broke from Lilly and I wanted her to have the HEA she so deserves! I myself never went away for college so I love these types of stories of growth and figuring out life as you go along the way. I so cannot wait to see what else the author has in store for us as this was a great debut novel!
April 3, 2014
"Most of the time we find that one person who shows us what true love really feels like. The kind of love that heals, strengthens, and pushes you to be a better person. It's the kind of love that's passionate and enduring. It's always forgiving. It's what I have with......."
I absolutely loved this book! From page one I was hooked. This book is so much more then just an everyday story. It leaves you asking what if. It shows you that real love does exist, you just have to open your eyes and look in front of you, instead of behind you. It's make you see that living in the past will get you nowhere, you must live In the here and now and make the decisions you believe are the best for you!
This story was Beautiful! It's starts with the main character Lilly going to college with her long time boyfriend Sander and best friend Lauren. She is ready to start her new life as a grown up with making her own decisions and living the college life. But as soon as she gets to college everything starts taking a downward spiral. Her boyfriend Sander starts becoming someone she doesn't know and her best friend and roommate starts distancing herself from Lilly. She is then left to find a new group of friends and that is where we meet the sexy and charming Colton. She feels an automatic attraction to him but doesn't know how to react to it. The story goes on and we follow her throughout her struggles with having to mend her broken relationship with Sander while also trying to stay in the friend zone with Colton, which ends up not working out so well for her. She is tested to her limits when Sander not once but twice does the unthinkable and she is left feeling more alone then ever. She finally has to grow up and stand on her own two feet and make decisions that she believes are the best for her. But those decisions end up backfiring on her and send her on a tail spin of emotions that leave her lonely, heartbroken and not having the strength to let go. She finally realizes that life goes on and there comes a time in your life you put your foot down and say enough is enough. By the end it will leave you on the edge of your seat, anxious to see what will happen and who she is meant to be with. The ending just broke my heart even though I suspected it. I felt everything Lilly felt and what she was going through. She learns things about her self that she never knew existed and changes for the better. Lilly's character was a beautiful, smart, loving and caring! She was always there for her friends and her boyfriend no matter what they had done to her and continues to be there for them up until the end. Colton is hands down one of my favorite male characters from a book. He is perfect. He is sexy, charming, sweet, funny and all around one the best people Lilly could ever meet. He treats Lilly with the respect she deserves and is always there for her. He was her best friend and her shoulder to cry on. He is an absolute amazing guy. I adored his and Lilly's relationship. They are on the top of my list for favorite book couples. Now Sander. I wanted to like him so much, but how he treats Lilly is beyond wrong and hurtful. He deserved a major butt kicking. But at the same time I felt bad for him for not realizing what he had when he had it. And Lauren is on the same boat as Sander. I literally wanted to smack her and tell her to grow up. She is a horrible friend to Lilly. At the beginning I liked her but what she does to Lilly throughout the book and at the end, OMG seriously?! Arrgghh! The ending will leave you shocked and very very Happy! I know I was.
The only reason I rated it a 4 star instead of a 5 was because it needs some editing. I found quite a few mistakes that left me re-reading a paragraph or so. Other than that it definitely deserves 5 stars. The story was perfectly paced with just the right amount of every emotion you could think of. I will definitely be recommending this book to others. So get it on it and get your copy today! You will not be disappointed. Thank you Bayli Lane for giving us such an amazing story and Colton! Oh yeah! You will love him! I sure did! I need to find me a Colton!
I absolutely loved this book! From page one I was hooked. This book is so much more then just an everyday story. It leaves you asking what if. It shows you that real love does exist, you just have to open your eyes and look in front of you, instead of behind you. It's make you see that living in the past will get you nowhere, you must live In the here and now and make the decisions you believe are the best for you!
This story was Beautiful! It's starts with the main character Lilly going to college with her long time boyfriend Sander and best friend Lauren. She is ready to start her new life as a grown up with making her own decisions and living the college life. But as soon as she gets to college everything starts taking a downward spiral. Her boyfriend Sander starts becoming someone she doesn't know and her best friend and roommate starts distancing herself from Lilly. She is then left to find a new group of friends and that is where we meet the sexy and charming Colton. She feels an automatic attraction to him but doesn't know how to react to it. The story goes on and we follow her throughout her struggles with having to mend her broken relationship with Sander while also trying to stay in the friend zone with Colton, which ends up not working out so well for her. She is tested to her limits when Sander not once but twice does the unthinkable and she is left feeling more alone then ever. She finally has to grow up and stand on her own two feet and make decisions that she believes are the best for her. But those decisions end up backfiring on her and send her on a tail spin of emotions that leave her lonely, heartbroken and not having the strength to let go. She finally realizes that life goes on and there comes a time in your life you put your foot down and say enough is enough. By the end it will leave you on the edge of your seat, anxious to see what will happen and who she is meant to be with. The ending just broke my heart even though I suspected it. I felt everything Lilly felt and what she was going through. She learns things about her self that she never knew existed and changes for the better. Lilly's character was a beautiful, smart, loving and caring! She was always there for her friends and her boyfriend no matter what they had done to her and continues to be there for them up until the end. Colton is hands down one of my favorite male characters from a book. He is perfect. He is sexy, charming, sweet, funny and all around one the best people Lilly could ever meet. He treats Lilly with the respect she deserves and is always there for her. He was her best friend and her shoulder to cry on. He is an absolute amazing guy. I adored his and Lilly's relationship. They are on the top of my list for favorite book couples. Now Sander. I wanted to like him so much, but how he treats Lilly is beyond wrong and hurtful. He deserved a major butt kicking. But at the same time I felt bad for him for not realizing what he had when he had it. And Lauren is on the same boat as Sander. I literally wanted to smack her and tell her to grow up. She is a horrible friend to Lilly. At the beginning I liked her but what she does to Lilly throughout the book and at the end, OMG seriously?! Arrgghh! The ending will leave you shocked and very very Happy! I know I was.
The only reason I rated it a 4 star instead of a 5 was because it needs some editing. I found quite a few mistakes that left me re-reading a paragraph or so. Other than that it definitely deserves 5 stars. The story was perfectly paced with just the right amount of every emotion you could think of. I will definitely be recommending this book to others. So get it on it and get your copy today! You will not be disappointed. Thank you Bayli Lane for giving us such an amazing story and Colton! Oh yeah! You will love him! I sure did! I need to find me a Colton!
September 15, 2013
Becoming More is a very nice debut from new author Bayli Lane, and it should easily appeal to many fans of the New Adult genre.
Lilly, her high school boyfriend Sander, and her best friend Lauren all go away to college together. Lilly is ready to let loose and have fun—FINALLY. Things seem to be going perfectly for her and everyone in her life. In fact, it’s almost too good to be true. Yeah, well. You know what they say. So, when the people in Lilly’s life, the people closest to her, begin to change for the worse, Lilly grows close to a new group of friends. A group that includes Colton Davenport. Attraction grows as things continue to get worse between Lilly and her longtime friends. When the trouble there reaches a boiling point, Lilly knows she has to make some decisions.
There were several things that didn’t quite work for me in Becoming More, and I want to discuss those so I can move on to what did work. First, my biggest aggravation, without a doubt, was Lilly’s indecisiveness and lack of backbone. To a point, I understand that girls and women who experience certain situations in their lives oftentimes have a tendency to feel responsible and to keep trying with their significant others. Girls Lilly’s age are even more susceptible to those feelings because it’s such a precarious age anyway. But, WOW. She hit that point I mentioned and moved so far beyond it that I seriously wanted to shake that girl until her teeth rattled. Once I hit the wall with her, I just could summon the sympathy and emotion that I needed in order to connect with her like I should have. Second, Colton became sort of a like and dislike for me in this story. He was supposed to be this terribly sexy bad boy, but…I never really felt it, and that was disappointing. Third, the story felt just a little bit like I’d read some version of it a few times before.
So, what did work in Becoming More? Remember how I said that Colton became a like and dislike? Yup. Colton really didn’t come off like I thought he should have, but the way he did come off was maybe equally as attractive. Colton was a dear, sweet, supportive, loving young man. He stuck by Lilly when, as I said above, I would have dumped her indecisive butt. That truly was an attractive quality. I could feel the conflict in him, and he didn’t come off as weak in any way. He was confident and, as I said, so, SO supportive. There were also spots in this story where I felt it really did try to be something, um, more;) I appreciated that, and I think there is a lot of potential and room for growth in Bayli Lane’s writing.
I would encourage readers to give this book and author a try. I look forward to Bayli Lane’s future. I think there are good things coming!
3.5 to 4 Stars
For more reviews, please visit Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews or visit us on Facebook.
Lilly, her high school boyfriend Sander, and her best friend Lauren all go away to college together. Lilly is ready to let loose and have fun—FINALLY. Things seem to be going perfectly for her and everyone in her life. In fact, it’s almost too good to be true. Yeah, well. You know what they say. So, when the people in Lilly’s life, the people closest to her, begin to change for the worse, Lilly grows close to a new group of friends. A group that includes Colton Davenport. Attraction grows as things continue to get worse between Lilly and her longtime friends. When the trouble there reaches a boiling point, Lilly knows she has to make some decisions.
There were several things that didn’t quite work for me in Becoming More, and I want to discuss those so I can move on to what did work. First, my biggest aggravation, without a doubt, was Lilly’s indecisiveness and lack of backbone. To a point, I understand that girls and women who experience certain situations in their lives oftentimes have a tendency to feel responsible and to keep trying with their significant others. Girls Lilly’s age are even more susceptible to those feelings because it’s such a precarious age anyway. But, WOW. She hit that point I mentioned and moved so far beyond it that I seriously wanted to shake that girl until her teeth rattled. Once I hit the wall with her, I just could summon the sympathy and emotion that I needed in order to connect with her like I should have. Second, Colton became sort of a like and dislike for me in this story. He was supposed to be this terribly sexy bad boy, but…I never really felt it, and that was disappointing. Third, the story felt just a little bit like I’d read some version of it a few times before.
So, what did work in Becoming More? Remember how I said that Colton became a like and dislike? Yup. Colton really didn’t come off like I thought he should have, but the way he did come off was maybe equally as attractive. Colton was a dear, sweet, supportive, loving young man. He stuck by Lilly when, as I said above, I would have dumped her indecisive butt. That truly was an attractive quality. I could feel the conflict in him, and he didn’t come off as weak in any way. He was confident and, as I said, so, SO supportive. There were also spots in this story where I felt it really did try to be something, um, more;) I appreciated that, and I think there is a lot of potential and room for growth in Bayli Lane’s writing.
I would encourage readers to give this book and author a try. I look forward to Bayli Lane’s future. I think there are good things coming!
3.5 to 4 Stars
For more reviews, please visit Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews or visit us on Facebook.
November 21, 2013
I am going to admit, I started reading this a little skeptical it was going to follow so many other storylines that are out there right now. During the book while I was reading, I had flashbacks of Beautiful Disaster and Taking Chances, due to the college setting. So I was worried it was going to use that same idea. Though it kind of reminded me of those other books at times, there really was no comparison. So don't worry. Besides the college setting and drama, that was really all they had in common. Oh wait.. did I mention there is a tatted, muscled up hottie! Oh yeah, that may be a common thread between the stories. But that's it. College and hotties. Okay.. So Lillie, Lauren and Sander have been best friends forever. Lillie and Sander have been in love and together for four years. So it is supposed to be rainbows and lollipops that they are going off to college together, right?? MMMMEEEEHHHH. That's where we're all wrong. Within the first couple chapters your know something is up. You can feel the fishy vibe coming off the book, well more Lauren than anyone else. You're just waiting for it to go down. Lillie goes to a party with Sander and Lauren, only to get ditched. So she decides to go back to her dorm. On the way she meets Candace... BOOM INSTANT FRIENDS. And actually a good friend, who knew those existed! Through Candice Lillie meets Oliver, Colton and some other new friends. When she describes Colton, I literally did a little dance in my head. Tatted, muscled up, singer. Yes please! dance..dance..dance.. yes...yes..yes.. So I am thinking instantly she's going to go for him and break up with douchecanoe...I mean Sander. MMMMEEEEEHHHH.
wrong again. So then Sander starts to get into some bad stuff. He starts treating her badly. So she's going to leave, right? She's not going be allow him to treat her like that... MMMEEEEEHHHHH.
Nope. This instantly stopped my internal head dancing and got me pissed. Why. Why do they have to stick around? It's like a scary movie. . why do people run upstairs? Well.. why do they stick around? You know this stuff is gonna kill you!!! Anyway... She pretty much has the a fallen angel turned devil on one side, and a saint and amazing man on the other. Easy choice right?!! MEEEEEHHHHH. Nope, not for Lillie. See why I was getting pissed yet!??? I'm like Lill, come ON! Goodness gracious woman, make up your mind. Let's go. Get on with it. I'm not telling you who she picks or what happens. I am also not going to tell you what happens with her back stabbing bitch of a best friend. This story is a irritating, maddening, beautiful story of not only friends and love, but kharma too. It really is a beautiful love story that will have your emotions all over the place, and leave you with a smile on your face. I really liked it.
wrong again. So then Sander starts to get into some bad stuff. He starts treating her badly. So she's going to leave, right? She's not going be allow him to treat her like that... MMMEEEEEHHHHH.
Nope. This instantly stopped my internal head dancing and got me pissed. Why. Why do they have to stick around? It's like a scary movie. . why do people run upstairs? Well.. why do they stick around? You know this stuff is gonna kill you!!! Anyway... She pretty much has the a fallen angel turned devil on one side, and a saint and amazing man on the other. Easy choice right?!! MEEEEEHHHHH. Nope, not for Lillie. See why I was getting pissed yet!??? I'm like Lill, come ON! Goodness gracious woman, make up your mind. Let's go. Get on with it. I'm not telling you who she picks or what happens. I am also not going to tell you what happens with her back stabbing bitch of a best friend. This story is a irritating, maddening, beautiful story of not only friends and love, but kharma too. It really is a beautiful love story that will have your emotions all over the place, and leave you with a smile on your face. I really liked it.
August 23, 2013
Absolutely Breathtaking , just beautiful. This book takes you on a amazing journey of fate,faith, growth and most of all COURAGE.
Lilly is a beautiful soul inside and out. She believes in people when they can't believe in themselves. She is the queen of second,third,fourth chances. She grows stronger throughout this book. She never loses who she is she just becomes a stronger version of herself.
Colton is just to amazing for his own good. He's seen Happily Ever After fall apart. He's seen soul mates destroy each other. He doesn't believe in it anymore . He lives his live one day at a time. Never attaching never committing. That is until he meets Lilly.
During this story you will follow a journey of lies, deceit and just pure evilness. Followed by Love, lust, desire,passion and just pure happiness. How can someone you've known for so long be a complete stranger. Lilly learns this the hard way. She heads off to college with her forever and best friend (or so she thought) things change right away. Sander her boyfriend is not who she thought he was. But she tries to help him back to him. He is so undeserving of her loyalty and faith in him. What he does is unimaginable and unforgivable. Lauren is no better. I don't know if I hate her or if i just feel sorry for her. She's never known what loyalty meant she's never known how to be happy. Her mothers indiscretions turn her into a sad lonely girl. Looking for love in all the wrong places.
When Lilly meets Clarissa her whole world changes. She takes a chance and makes a new friend. When she meets Colton for the first time I had to laugh . Her inner dialogue was hilarious . They have a instant connection an instant draw. She quickly falls for this guy on a "friend-zone" level. As her past life changes for the worst she's drawn closer and closer to a brighter future. She just has to find the courage to embrace it and not look back. Lilly needs to realize before its to late that sometimes you have to head toward a brighter future rather that holding on to a broken past.
Bayli this book was truly amazing. I loved watching the characters grow. Yes even the bad ones. It shows that what people think is forever is simply a step towards destiny. It shows that sometimes when people fall you can't always save them. You have to save yourself and look towards your happily ever after.
Lilly is a beautiful soul inside and out. She believes in people when they can't believe in themselves. She is the queen of second,third,fourth chances. She grows stronger throughout this book. She never loses who she is she just becomes a stronger version of herself.
Colton is just to amazing for his own good. He's seen Happily Ever After fall apart. He's seen soul mates destroy each other. He doesn't believe in it anymore . He lives his live one day at a time. Never attaching never committing. That is until he meets Lilly.
During this story you will follow a journey of lies, deceit and just pure evilness. Followed by Love, lust, desire,passion and just pure happiness. How can someone you've known for so long be a complete stranger. Lilly learns this the hard way. She heads off to college with her forever and best friend (or so she thought) things change right away. Sander her boyfriend is not who she thought he was. But she tries to help him back to him. He is so undeserving of her loyalty and faith in him. What he does is unimaginable and unforgivable. Lauren is no better. I don't know if I hate her or if i just feel sorry for her. She's never known what loyalty meant she's never known how to be happy. Her mothers indiscretions turn her into a sad lonely girl. Looking for love in all the wrong places.
When Lilly meets Clarissa her whole world changes. She takes a chance and makes a new friend. When she meets Colton for the first time I had to laugh . Her inner dialogue was hilarious . They have a instant connection an instant draw. She quickly falls for this guy on a "friend-zone" level. As her past life changes for the worst she's drawn closer and closer to a brighter future. She just has to find the courage to embrace it and not look back. Lilly needs to realize before its to late that sometimes you have to head toward a brighter future rather that holding on to a broken past.
Bayli this book was truly amazing. I loved watching the characters grow. Yes even the bad ones. It shows that what people think is forever is simply a step towards destiny. It shows that sometimes when people fall you can't always save them. You have to save yourself and look towards your happily ever after.
August 22, 2013
It's late. I should be sleeping. I own a small business that I'm madly trying to grow right now and I have to make cupcakes at 4am, but I couldn't stop swiping pages on my kindle...and I can't rest until I leave a review.
This book is, in one simple word, unbelievable.
There are many reasons why I find this book to be wonderful, but the most important is this: I can relate to the main character, Lilly, so much that it isn't even funny. My circumstances hit in my adult life, though. Lilly's hit in her first year of college. For two years to the day (no joke), I've searched for the right words to express what I was going through at that time, the feelings of being torn, lost, indecisive, and scared to death of saying those three HUGE words (I think they were said at roughly 93% on my kindle) to the one person who deserved to hear them and to whom they should be said. I found tonight that Bayli Lane had those perfect words in this novel. This novel, legit, has had me crying, laughing, smiling, nodding and saying "Uh-huh...yup...omg," and back around to crying...but good tears the last time. This is going to sound crazy, but...Bayli, thank you for helping me find just a bit more peace with my not-so-distant past.
I can't close this review without saying a few words about Colton. Holy Moly. Move over Edward Cullen...your long-standing place as my book boyfriend is now occupied by another. Colton Davenport has replaced you. And this isn't a bad thing. :) Truth is, I was lucky enough to marry my Colton after the time mentioned above, and he was every bit as scarred and scared as the book Colton.
I have no magic words to use that will encourage and entice readers to buy this book, but maybe these will help a little: Give it a chance...it's unbelievably wonderful...and if you've at all been confused in life, bring tissues for you will need them.
This book is, in one simple word, unbelievable.
There are many reasons why I find this book to be wonderful, but the most important is this: I can relate to the main character, Lilly, so much that it isn't even funny. My circumstances hit in my adult life, though. Lilly's hit in her first year of college. For two years to the day (no joke), I've searched for the right words to express what I was going through at that time, the feelings of being torn, lost, indecisive, and scared to death of saying those three HUGE words (I think they were said at roughly 93% on my kindle) to the one person who deserved to hear them and to whom they should be said. I found tonight that Bayli Lane had those perfect words in this novel. This novel, legit, has had me crying, laughing, smiling, nodding and saying "Uh-huh...yup...omg," and back around to crying...but good tears the last time. This is going to sound crazy, but...Bayli, thank you for helping me find just a bit more peace with my not-so-distant past.
I can't close this review without saying a few words about Colton. Holy Moly. Move over Edward Cullen...your long-standing place as my book boyfriend is now occupied by another. Colton Davenport has replaced you. And this isn't a bad thing. :) Truth is, I was lucky enough to marry my Colton after the time mentioned above, and he was every bit as scarred and scared as the book Colton.
I have no magic words to use that will encourage and entice readers to buy this book, but maybe these will help a little: Give it a chance...it's unbelievably wonderful...and if you've at all been confused in life, bring tissues for you will need them.
November 10, 2013
An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. To veiw the full review, visit http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com
I rated Becoming More with FIVE LEAVES. I want to start off by saying that this is a wonderful book and I recommend it to ALL of our FALLowers! Lilly is headed off to college to experience everything she has every dreamed about. She gets to be truly on her own and she doesn't have to answer to her over protective parents anymore. She also gets to spend unlimited time with her current boyfriend of 4 years and the guy she is destined to marry, Sander. Lilly starts her college career off finding that things don't always stay the same. Sometimes, people change and it is not always for the better. Lilly goes to her very first college party to find out it is not everything she wanted it to be. When her best friend and boyfriend ditch her, she starts the walk back to her dorm alone. Little did she know, this is when her world would change. She meets a group of people on the way back to the dorms. Clarissa is one of these people. Lilly ends up at another party with Clarissa and the crew. This is when she meets Colton. Lilly knows from the moment she meets him that he is different. Lilly and Colton form a friendship and she is closer to him than she is any other person. Can Lilly and Colton be just friends? Isn't Lilly meant to be with Sander? He is all she has ever known. Throw drugs and infidelity into the mix and everything in this book gets turned upside down. I was sucked into this book from the beginning and I'm sure you will be as well!
XO, LO
I rated Becoming More with FIVE LEAVES. I want to start off by saying that this is a wonderful book and I recommend it to ALL of our FALLowers! Lilly is headed off to college to experience everything she has every dreamed about. She gets to be truly on her own and she doesn't have to answer to her over protective parents anymore. She also gets to spend unlimited time with her current boyfriend of 4 years and the guy she is destined to marry, Sander. Lilly starts her college career off finding that things don't always stay the same. Sometimes, people change and it is not always for the better. Lilly goes to her very first college party to find out it is not everything she wanted it to be. When her best friend and boyfriend ditch her, she starts the walk back to her dorm alone. Little did she know, this is when her world would change. She meets a group of people on the way back to the dorms. Clarissa is one of these people. Lilly ends up at another party with Clarissa and the crew. This is when she meets Colton. Lilly knows from the moment she meets him that he is different. Lilly and Colton form a friendship and she is closer to him than she is any other person. Can Lilly and Colton be just friends? Isn't Lilly meant to be with Sander? He is all she has ever known. Throw drugs and infidelity into the mix and everything in this book gets turned upside down. I was sucked into this book from the beginning and I'm sure you will be as well!
XO, LO
December 25, 2013
I rated "Becoming More" with five (5) stars. I want to start off by saying that this is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to ALL of our FALLowers!! Lilly is headed off to college to experience everything she has ever dreamed about. She gets to be truly on her own and she does not have to answer to her over protective parents anymore. She also gets to spend unlimited time with her current boyfriend of four (4) years and the guy she is destined to marry, Sander. Lilly starts her college career off finding out that things do not always stay the same. Sometimes, people change and it is not always for the better. Lilly goes to her very first college party to find out it is not everything she wanted it to be. When her best friend and boyfriend ditch her, she starts the walk back to her dorm alone. Little did she know, this is when her world changes. She meets a group of people on the way back to the dorms. Clarissa is one of these people. Lilly ends up at another party with Clarissa and the crew. This is where she meets Colton. Lilly knows from the moment she meets him that he is different. Lilly and Colton form a friendship and she is closer to him than she is any other person. Can Lilly and Colton be just friends? Isn't Lilly meant to be with Sander? He is all she has ever known. Throw drugs and infidelity into the mix and EVERYthing in this book gets turned upside down!! I was sucked into this book from the beginning and I am sure you will be as well!!
August 25, 2013
I have to say that I'm not a fan of triangle love and it tends to irritated the hell out of me. And well, this book did that too.
I love how the book start with the prologue, their sweet promises. It's such a reflection of young and how innocent and naive we used to be. We believe in love that last forever never expecting that people would change. Circumstances change and life doesn't always go according to plan and how we hope it to be.
Bayli Lane did a good job in covering emotional struggles and denial. And apart from all the frustration, what I like about this book is the positive outlook that Lily had in her belief of the goodness in people and how Colton get to understand his mom through Lily and how life sometimes play out the way we try to avoid becoming the person we try not to be.
Few of my fave quotes:
"...sometimes what we think is right, isn't.."
".. Sometimes forgiveness just isn't easy, and sometimes it's impossible to let go.."
I guess sometimes in becoming more you got to let go off the past and take a chance at the future. Trying to hold on and saving the past and embracing your future just going to ended up nowhere.
I love how the book start with the prologue, their sweet promises. It's such a reflection of young and how innocent and naive we used to be. We believe in love that last forever never expecting that people would change. Circumstances change and life doesn't always go according to plan and how we hope it to be.
Bayli Lane did a good job in covering emotional struggles and denial. And apart from all the frustration, what I like about this book is the positive outlook that Lily had in her belief of the goodness in people and how Colton get to understand his mom through Lily and how life sometimes play out the way we try to avoid becoming the person we try not to be.
Few of my fave quotes:
"...sometimes what we think is right, isn't.."
".. Sometimes forgiveness just isn't easy, and sometimes it's impossible to let go.."
I guess sometimes in becoming more you got to let go off the past and take a chance at the future. Trying to hold on and saving the past and embracing your future just going to ended up nowhere.
August 15, 2013
So I really liked this story idea... I liked Colton a lot and I liked the friend carissa n the band members a lot. Lilly was a good character I guess but we was extremely annoying. I did not like how she handled things at all...allowing herself to 're enter an abusive relationship. the entire book was her not being able to make up her mind. I felt the entire book kept repeating itself over and over again. It was Lilly being confused the entire time
She couldn't male up her mind. I understood part of her problem but I most definitely did not agree how she handled things. I felt terrible go Colton.... overall I thought the story was pretty predictable....nothing major happened...no real surprises not even with Lilly's friend Lauren...that was all 100percent predictable...other than the fact that she knew Colton. I don't think I would read this again because...like I said...it pretty Mich repeated itself over and over again. If I were to recommend it to anyone it would be high school/late teens.
She couldn't male up her mind. I understood part of her problem but I most definitely did not agree how she handled things. I felt terrible go Colton.... overall I thought the story was pretty predictable....nothing major happened...no real surprises not even with Lilly's friend Lauren...that was all 100percent predictable...other than the fact that she knew Colton. I don't think I would read this again because...like I said...it pretty Mich repeated itself over and over again. If I were to recommend it to anyone it would be high school/late teens.
October 29, 2013
This story was so interesting and so true in so many ways. I loved the Characters and the way Bayli tied them together. Being her debut novel, she knocked it out of the park...
The story was not rushed so you actually can relate to the characters and fall in love with them. The way Lilly felt about Colton the minute she saw him, the way the author describes the moment in details makes you feel like you were there!
The way Lilly fell in love with Colton and at the same time she tried to hold onto who she used to be before she got to college, it seemed so real.
Definitely didnt approve of some of Lilly's choices or how she got around to making her decisions, but thats what made the book seem so realistic.
Amazing story and brilliant HEA.
The story was not rushed so you actually can relate to the characters and fall in love with them. The way Lilly felt about Colton the minute she saw him, the way the author describes the moment in details makes you feel like you were there!
The way Lilly fell in love with Colton and at the same time she tried to hold onto who she used to be before she got to college, it seemed so real.
Definitely didnt approve of some of Lilly's choices or how she got around to making her decisions, but thats what made the book seem so realistic.
Amazing story and brilliant HEA.
January 25, 2014
This book was a good book where Lilly has to choice between the clean cut guy that has been hoyfriend for four years or bad boy colton that she has an insiant liking to the moment she see him . The only thing i didnt like about this book is we go in lilly head a little to much . I would recomond this book to someone that likes love tringles . I would read this again
March 13, 2014
The story between Colton, Lily and Sander was challenging at times but worth the turmoil this book has to offer. Lauren is a major basket case and Sander is right there with her. Lily is a confused, young and naive girl who is just trying to find herself. Colton is a breath of fresh air in this story. It is a nice story and was beautifully written. Oh yea, love the HEA!!
August 27, 2013
OH MY GOD.
I loved this book. It was super amazing.
I think I hated Sander from the moment they went to the first party!!!
Bayli did just a great job with this storyline. I'm only sad that Colton is over with hehe.
I loved this book so much I skim through my favorite parts
I loved this book. It was super amazing.
I think I hated Sander from the moment they went to the first party!!!
Bayli did just a great job with this storyline. I'm only sad that Colton is over with hehe.
I loved this book so much I skim through my favorite parts
August 13, 2013
MONDAY! Yay!
October 13, 2014
What girl doesn’t dream of her happily ever after? Having it all mapped out for you before you even go to college…this sounded perfect to Lilly. She and Sander were high school sweethearts and they were headed off to college to start their new lives, their best friend Lauren was going with them. Seems like it should be wonderful! Well within the first 2 chapters I already disliked Sander and Lauren. I could tell that they were not as good as Lilly perceived them to be, I mean come on, they ditched her at their first ever college party…no call or text, just disappeared.
Well, I am glad that this happened because it allowed Lilly to leave that party and end up meeting a new group of people. She has an immediate connection with them and they bring her to another party…this is where she meets Colton. Standing in the kitchen all sexy with his tattoos, lip ring, and ear gauges. I loved him from the start! He was just such a nice guy, a gentleman if you will.
Colton and Lilly begin to spend time with each other, seeing as Sander is too busy and is a complete twatwaffle. I don’t really know what he was like in high school but this version that Sander seems to be turning into pisses me off. You can see that Lilly is torn and that she really wants things to work out. However, she cannot deny her attraction to Colton, she is nervous around him but they have this ease when they are together.
When Sander hurts Lilly, first by being on drugs and then by physically harming her, she turns to Colton to come get her. He of course complies and is amazing.
“ ‘What do you mean I had no reason to come and get you? You said you needed me so I came,’ he says it with honest confusion in his voice.”
I was ecstatic that he rescued her, knight in shining armor and all that. I was really pulling for Lilly to come to her senses and move on with her life, away from Sander. I mean, all she could really think about anyway was Colton.
“He hasn’t left my mind since the moment I met him at that first party at his house, and I think he might always stay there.”
I kept thinking “This is it! They are going to be together!” Well boy was I wrong, then I was right, then I was wrong….talk about whiplash! Lilly could not seem to break the bond that she had with Sander but she wanted to be with Colton. Lilly talks to her mom about what is going on and she got some good advice,
“Sometimes the hardest choices in life end up being the best ones we ever made. It might not be easy Lillian, but it might be worth it.”
This was one of those stories where I was yelling at my Kindle, trying to tell the characters what to do (because you know…it could work ;) ) Colton just keeps on being sweet and being there for Lilly. He wants to do right by her and take things slow **swoon**
“ ‘I’m going to find every single place that makes your knees do that. I’ll find every naked piece of your skin that gives you the chills when I stroke it,’ he pledges. ‘And then I’m going to drive you crazy with my touch. Do you understand? Every last inch of you will know the graze of my tongue and lips.’ ”
….then he tells her…
“Not today, babe.”
All I wanted to know was what would it take for Lilly to let go of Sander and be with Colton…I needed her to have her HEA. I didn’t like the decisions she made along the way but I liked that she was trying. She made new friends and lost some old ones. Will it all work out for her? Read Becoming More to find out!
Well, I am glad that this happened because it allowed Lilly to leave that party and end up meeting a new group of people. She has an immediate connection with them and they bring her to another party…this is where she meets Colton. Standing in the kitchen all sexy with his tattoos, lip ring, and ear gauges. I loved him from the start! He was just such a nice guy, a gentleman if you will.
Colton and Lilly begin to spend time with each other, seeing as Sander is too busy and is a complete twatwaffle. I don’t really know what he was like in high school but this version that Sander seems to be turning into pisses me off. You can see that Lilly is torn and that she really wants things to work out. However, she cannot deny her attraction to Colton, she is nervous around him but they have this ease when they are together.
When Sander hurts Lilly, first by being on drugs and then by physically harming her, she turns to Colton to come get her. He of course complies and is amazing.
“ ‘What do you mean I had no reason to come and get you? You said you needed me so I came,’ he says it with honest confusion in his voice.”
I was ecstatic that he rescued her, knight in shining armor and all that. I was really pulling for Lilly to come to her senses and move on with her life, away from Sander. I mean, all she could really think about anyway was Colton.
“He hasn’t left my mind since the moment I met him at that first party at his house, and I think he might always stay there.”
I kept thinking “This is it! They are going to be together!” Well boy was I wrong, then I was right, then I was wrong….talk about whiplash! Lilly could not seem to break the bond that she had with Sander but she wanted to be with Colton. Lilly talks to her mom about what is going on and she got some good advice,
“Sometimes the hardest choices in life end up being the best ones we ever made. It might not be easy Lillian, but it might be worth it.”
This was one of those stories where I was yelling at my Kindle, trying to tell the characters what to do (because you know…it could work ;) ) Colton just keeps on being sweet and being there for Lilly. He wants to do right by her and take things slow **swoon**
“ ‘I’m going to find every single place that makes your knees do that. I’ll find every naked piece of your skin that gives you the chills when I stroke it,’ he pledges. ‘And then I’m going to drive you crazy with my touch. Do you understand? Every last inch of you will know the graze of my tongue and lips.’ ”
….then he tells her…
“Not today, babe.”
All I wanted to know was what would it take for Lilly to let go of Sander and be with Colton…I needed her to have her HEA. I didn’t like the decisions she made along the way but I liked that she was trying. She made new friends and lost some old ones. Will it all work out for her? Read Becoming More to find out!
September 5, 2013
So I rarely give 5 stars, especially to a debut novel. But I think this book deserves it. I'm still trying to gather my thoughts so bare me if I ramble off and don't make sense lol. Anyway I've had the pleasure of getting to know Bayli through Facebook and since I started reading her teasers and saw the cover of her book I couldn't wait to see what she had in stores! This book came out a little bit ago and I've been so busy that I haven't had a lot of time to be reading so my list of catching up is pretty long. But I felt like I needed to bump this book up and let me just say I am so HAPPY I did.
Let me start by saying that I started this book at work and I couldn't put it down, I got home changed to go to the gym and had to take my iPad with me because I needed to know what was going to happen, I read while on the treadmill. Stayed up till 2am reading, then got to work today and finished it. As I read I was sending Bayli messages like OMG. NO. I want to slap Lilly and then finally Wow I just finished and I loved it.
So here goes my review. As soon as I finished the prologue I wanted more. This book is more then just a book it makes you think and it can relate to real life. Lilly and Lauren have been best friends since they were about 10 and Lilly has been dating Sander for 4 years. They are best friends getting ready to head off to college and make some new memories and enjoy the freedom. But will going away with all this freedom make them each realize that they are all different and the same friends from high school.
Lilly is excited to room with her best friend Lauren and only live 10 mins away from her boyfriend! To then graduate college and be with her first true love for the rest of her life. Well sometimes the people you think you know better then anyone else might not be who you think. After their first night out as college students everything changes for these best friends.
We then meet Clarissa, Colton, Oliver and some other of their friends. Lilly starts hanging out with this group since her best friends seem to not be there for her anymore. But at the sametime Lilly is scared of change and doesn't want to let go of her past because it's all she knows. She goes through some pretth shitty moments with Sander and Lauren and she realizes they aren't the best people to be with so she starts falling for the complete opposite of the guy she's dated for the past 4 years! Colton catches her attention from the first second she sees those hazel eyes, lip ring, and tattoos.
Since I don't want to give away so much. Lilly is faced with some serious decision does she stick to what she already knows and once thought was her forever or does she take a risk and accept that some times you just have to realize that not everyone is supposed to be in your life forver.
This book taught me a lot and made me realize a lot of things. People change and you just have to learn to let good times become memories. Bayli did an amazing job with this book and for it being her first book it's perfection. I feel like she's going to make it really far and can't wait to see what else she has in stores for the future! !!!
Remember you have to take a chance because change is necessary sometimes!!!!!!
Let me start by saying that I started this book at work and I couldn't put it down, I got home changed to go to the gym and had to take my iPad with me because I needed to know what was going to happen, I read while on the treadmill. Stayed up till 2am reading, then got to work today and finished it. As I read I was sending Bayli messages like OMG. NO. I want to slap Lilly and then finally Wow I just finished and I loved it.
So here goes my review. As soon as I finished the prologue I wanted more. This book is more then just a book it makes you think and it can relate to real life. Lilly and Lauren have been best friends since they were about 10 and Lilly has been dating Sander for 4 years. They are best friends getting ready to head off to college and make some new memories and enjoy the freedom. But will going away with all this freedom make them each realize that they are all different and the same friends from high school.
Lilly is excited to room with her best friend Lauren and only live 10 mins away from her boyfriend! To then graduate college and be with her first true love for the rest of her life. Well sometimes the people you think you know better then anyone else might not be who you think. After their first night out as college students everything changes for these best friends.
We then meet Clarissa, Colton, Oliver and some other of their friends. Lilly starts hanging out with this group since her best friends seem to not be there for her anymore. But at the sametime Lilly is scared of change and doesn't want to let go of her past because it's all she knows. She goes through some pretth shitty moments with Sander and Lauren and she realizes they aren't the best people to be with so she starts falling for the complete opposite of the guy she's dated for the past 4 years! Colton catches her attention from the first second she sees those hazel eyes, lip ring, and tattoos.
Since I don't want to give away so much. Lilly is faced with some serious decision does she stick to what she already knows and once thought was her forever or does she take a risk and accept that some times you just have to realize that not everyone is supposed to be in your life forver.
This book taught me a lot and made me realize a lot of things. People change and you just have to learn to let good times become memories. Bayli did an amazing job with this book and for it being her first book it's perfection. I feel like she's going to make it really far and can't wait to see what else she has in stores for the future! !!!
Remember you have to take a chance because change is necessary sometimes!!!!!!
September 6, 2013
3.5 out of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book for an honest review for Amber's Reading Room.
Lillian ‘Lilly’ Fairfield is a good girl through and through. When she starts Stone Oak University with her high school sweetheart Sander and her best friend Lauren, she believes the next four years will only make the ties between the three of them stronger. After graduation she and Sander will get married and Lauren will always be by their side. That’s the dream and Lilly holds fast to it.
Little does Lilly know that new environments tend to reveal what people are really made of and the Sander and Lauren of Stone Oak are made up of some pretty ugly stuff. As reality tarnishes her dream, Lilly struggles to hold on to the two people she thought would be with her forever.
Enter Colton, Stone Oak’s notorious ladies’ man.
“Every little movement he makes has a sensual look to it. The spark that lights his eyes whenever I say something that surprises him, the warm sound of his voice and laugh, especially when he lowers his voice – it’s all too surreal. I need to know more.”
Colton and Lilly quickly form a deep connection. He challenges her naivety while still appreciating her innocence. As their relationship grows, Colton forces Lilly to look at her life and make a decision about what her real future should hold.
“But now, every decision I make is exactly that – my decision to make, my consequence to endure.”
To say this book frustrated me would be an understatement. At one point I slammed my Kindle case closed and tossed it to the opposite side of the couch I was on just to get away from the story (I’ve since apologized to my Kindle and believe I’ve been forgiven).
Sander is perhaps one of the most reprehensible characters I’ve ever read, PERIOD. He starts flying his slime ball flag in the early chapters and then the hits start coming literally and figuratively. After ditching Lilly at a party he calls her a slut for going off without him, he forces her to have sex without a condom while she begs him not to, chokes her then denies doing it, cheats on her and passes it off as rumors. Through all of this craziness Lilly goes back to him, over and over and over again. She clings to her childhood relationship instead of taking a chance on an adult, real romance with Colton.
“Sometimes what we think is right, isn’t.”
When Lilly finally takes charge of her life, Bayli Lane does something a little different that somewhat makes up for the immense amount of frustration created earlier in the book. Lane gives the reader scenes of Lilly’s life one month, six months, and a few years out. Each snapshot of the future gives the feeling that Lilly really learned from the mistakes she made at 18 and makes her truly value the life she creates as an adult.
Overall, “Becoming More” is worth a read. You will scream and you will pull your hair, but the ending has a pretty solid message that bad decisions you make when you’re young don’t have to define you. You can grow beyond it and become something more.
Happy reading.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review for Amber's Reading Room.
Lillian ‘Lilly’ Fairfield is a good girl through and through. When she starts Stone Oak University with her high school sweetheart Sander and her best friend Lauren, she believes the next four years will only make the ties between the three of them stronger. After graduation she and Sander will get married and Lauren will always be by their side. That’s the dream and Lilly holds fast to it.
Little does Lilly know that new environments tend to reveal what people are really made of and the Sander and Lauren of Stone Oak are made up of some pretty ugly stuff. As reality tarnishes her dream, Lilly struggles to hold on to the two people she thought would be with her forever.
Enter Colton, Stone Oak’s notorious ladies’ man.
“Every little movement he makes has a sensual look to it. The spark that lights his eyes whenever I say something that surprises him, the warm sound of his voice and laugh, especially when he lowers his voice – it’s all too surreal. I need to know more.”
Colton and Lilly quickly form a deep connection. He challenges her naivety while still appreciating her innocence. As their relationship grows, Colton forces Lilly to look at her life and make a decision about what her real future should hold.
“But now, every decision I make is exactly that – my decision to make, my consequence to endure.”
To say this book frustrated me would be an understatement. At one point I slammed my Kindle case closed and tossed it to the opposite side of the couch I was on just to get away from the story (I’ve since apologized to my Kindle and believe I’ve been forgiven).
Sander is perhaps one of the most reprehensible characters I’ve ever read, PERIOD. He starts flying his slime ball flag in the early chapters and then the hits start coming literally and figuratively. After ditching Lilly at a party he calls her a slut for going off without him, he forces her to have sex without a condom while she begs him not to, chokes her then denies doing it, cheats on her and passes it off as rumors. Through all of this craziness Lilly goes back to him, over and over and over again. She clings to her childhood relationship instead of taking a chance on an adult, real romance with Colton.
“Sometimes what we think is right, isn’t.”
When Lilly finally takes charge of her life, Bayli Lane does something a little different that somewhat makes up for the immense amount of frustration created earlier in the book. Lane gives the reader scenes of Lilly’s life one month, six months, and a few years out. Each snapshot of the future gives the feeling that Lilly really learned from the mistakes she made at 18 and makes her truly value the life she creates as an adult.
Overall, “Becoming More” is worth a read. You will scream and you will pull your hair, but the ending has a pretty solid message that bad decisions you make when you’re young don’t have to define you. You can grow beyond it and become something more.
Happy reading.
September 1, 2013
“Becoming More” is a beautiful story of the journey from adolescence into adulthood. Bayli Lane has created an ensemble of characters that tell a realistic and compelling coming-of-age story of a young woman, her best friend, her high school sweetheart, and the people they meet along the way, as they leave the safety and security of their families and go off to college as independent young adults.
Lilly is an intelligent, caring young woman. It’s obvious from her very first inner-musings that she’s perceptive and insightful when it comes to people and situations. She’s also a sensitive soul who has clearly been brought up in a loving and nurturing family. It’s probably why she tries so hard to believe the best of everyone, including her friends, even when their behaviors toward her begin to change, and they become lured by the drinking, drugs and partying that often accompany college life.
It is also Lilly’s willingness to explain and justify their hurtful behavior that makes her character a bit frustrating; however, her fear of letting go of the people she’s depended on for so many years is completely understandable. Some of her new college friends accuse Lilly of being naïve. That label really annoys her, and to some extent it annoyed me too. I don’t think she was naïve as much as she was just ingrained in her upbringing to look for the best in everyone, and to forgive mistakes. That tendency sometimes came across as naïve, but I think it also can be attributed to just youth and inexperience, and to a greater extent, also to Lilly’s great ability to love and forgive.
Lilly’s high school sweetheart, Sander, and her long-time best friend Lauren, become distracted by the darker side of the college life, and that greatly frustrates Lilly. However, she struggles with a sense of loyalty to them, despite the fact that she quite observantly acknowledges that her relationship with them is beginning to jeopardize her happiness as well as her new, healthy relationships, including the irresistibly attractive, charismatically sexy, temptingly badass, and engagingly charming Colton Davenport.
“Becoming More” is not a high-energy, heart-pounding, read. It is, however, thoughtful and thought-provoking. I was completely absorbed in the characters, especially Lilly and Colton, and the way they dealt with very real, adult issues in an incredibly mature and responsible way despite their ages. I was utterly impressed with the way Bayli Lane created a story that quite responsibly addresses many of the realistic concerns facing young adults as they go from relying on the guidance and direction of their parents to being wholly responsible for themselves and their decisions. And she did it in such a way that I was able to feel – as did Lilly – compassion (and even some sadness) for the friends Lilly faced possibly having to choose to walking away from. This book is will be my go-to gift for soon-to-be high school graduates preparing to go away to college.
Four thought-provoking stars!
Lilly is an intelligent, caring young woman. It’s obvious from her very first inner-musings that she’s perceptive and insightful when it comes to people and situations. She’s also a sensitive soul who has clearly been brought up in a loving and nurturing family. It’s probably why she tries so hard to believe the best of everyone, including her friends, even when their behaviors toward her begin to change, and they become lured by the drinking, drugs and partying that often accompany college life.
It is also Lilly’s willingness to explain and justify their hurtful behavior that makes her character a bit frustrating; however, her fear of letting go of the people she’s depended on for so many years is completely understandable. Some of her new college friends accuse Lilly of being naïve. That label really annoys her, and to some extent it annoyed me too. I don’t think she was naïve as much as she was just ingrained in her upbringing to look for the best in everyone, and to forgive mistakes. That tendency sometimes came across as naïve, but I think it also can be attributed to just youth and inexperience, and to a greater extent, also to Lilly’s great ability to love and forgive.
Lilly’s high school sweetheart, Sander, and her long-time best friend Lauren, become distracted by the darker side of the college life, and that greatly frustrates Lilly. However, she struggles with a sense of loyalty to them, despite the fact that she quite observantly acknowledges that her relationship with them is beginning to jeopardize her happiness as well as her new, healthy relationships, including the irresistibly attractive, charismatically sexy, temptingly badass, and engagingly charming Colton Davenport.
“Becoming More” is not a high-energy, heart-pounding, read. It is, however, thoughtful and thought-provoking. I was completely absorbed in the characters, especially Lilly and Colton, and the way they dealt with very real, adult issues in an incredibly mature and responsible way despite their ages. I was utterly impressed with the way Bayli Lane created a story that quite responsibly addresses many of the realistic concerns facing young adults as they go from relying on the guidance and direction of their parents to being wholly responsible for themselves and their decisions. And she did it in such a way that I was able to feel – as did Lilly – compassion (and even some sadness) for the friends Lilly faced possibly having to choose to walking away from. This book is will be my go-to gift for soon-to-be high school graduates preparing to go away to college.
Four thought-provoking stars!
September 19, 2013
Lilly Fairfield is about to start college with her boyfriend of four years Sander and her best friend Lauren. Lilly is excited to be out on her own, she is looking forward to having some freedom, fun, going to parties, making memories, and having the whole college experience.
However within the first few days Lilly soon realizes that things are not going to go the way she expected, friendships, loyalties and trust are all tested when Sander and Lauren start to change, and when Lilly meets Colton Davenport the attraction they share means that Lilly has some decisions to make as she starts to question her relationship and feelings towards Sander.
I liked Lilly she was sweet, but a little naive, I will say I did find her annoying at times, due to the fact that she let Lauren and Sander treat her the way they did for such a long time. Colton was charming, sexy and had an air of mystery about him, I liked him and the way he always helps Lilly when she needed it most. I liked the sexual chemistry between Lilly and Colton.
When it came to the secondary characters, I loved all of Colton's friends especially Clarissa she was really sweet, and a much better friend than Lauren, and speaking of Lauren what a cow! I didn't like her she is meant to be Lilly ’s best friend, but I found her annoying and selfish. As for Sander he started out so promising but quickly turned into an ass, and was added to my list of characters that I want to punch.
I did find the storyline predictable at times, but that being said I did liked, it does have a love triangle, it made me laugh, smile, had some sexy moments. It’s about love, trust betrayal, heartache and finding true happiness. I was surprised how quickly that both Sander and Lauren changed. There are a few twists like Colton connect with Lauren.
Told from Lilly’s Point of View, which I like as she was very funny at times, but she tended to over think things. I was frustrated at her when she started keeping secrets and could make up her mind. It was great to see some of the characters mature by the end of the book.
Overall I liked this debut novel from Bayli Lane. I have to say I loved the ending and epilogue, it was one that left me with a big smile on my face as I was very happy with the way things turned out for Lilly.
Becoming More gets 3 stars from me
“My breath catches in my throat. Every time he touches me, my body reacts’~ Lilly
“If you ever let me kiss you, I’d make sure you’d never want to kiss another man again. I’d make sure you’d never even think of another man again.” ~ Colton
"But still, there is a piece of me that wants an easy way out. Not because I don't love Sander - I do, but because I want to know Colton." ~ Lilly
Sometimes the hardest choices in life end up being the best ones we ever made” ~ Lilly’s mum
“Sometimes what we think is right, isn’t.” ~ Clarissa
However within the first few days Lilly soon realizes that things are not going to go the way she expected, friendships, loyalties and trust are all tested when Sander and Lauren start to change, and when Lilly meets Colton Davenport the attraction they share means that Lilly has some decisions to make as she starts to question her relationship and feelings towards Sander.
I liked Lilly she was sweet, but a little naive, I will say I did find her annoying at times, due to the fact that she let Lauren and Sander treat her the way they did for such a long time. Colton was charming, sexy and had an air of mystery about him, I liked him and the way he always helps Lilly when she needed it most. I liked the sexual chemistry between Lilly and Colton.
When it came to the secondary characters, I loved all of Colton's friends especially Clarissa she was really sweet, and a much better friend than Lauren, and speaking of Lauren what a cow! I didn't like her she is meant to be Lilly ’s best friend, but I found her annoying and selfish. As for Sander he started out so promising but quickly turned into an ass, and was added to my list of characters that I want to punch.
I did find the storyline predictable at times, but that being said I did liked, it does have a love triangle, it made me laugh, smile, had some sexy moments. It’s about love, trust betrayal, heartache and finding true happiness. I was surprised how quickly that both Sander and Lauren changed. There are a few twists like Colton connect with Lauren.
Told from Lilly’s Point of View, which I like as she was very funny at times, but she tended to over think things. I was frustrated at her when she started keeping secrets and could make up her mind. It was great to see some of the characters mature by the end of the book.
Overall I liked this debut novel from Bayli Lane. I have to say I loved the ending and epilogue, it was one that left me with a big smile on my face as I was very happy with the way things turned out for Lilly.
Becoming More gets 3 stars from me
“My breath catches in my throat. Every time he touches me, my body reacts’~ Lilly
“If you ever let me kiss you, I’d make sure you’d never want to kiss another man again. I’d make sure you’d never even think of another man again.” ~ Colton
"But still, there is a piece of me that wants an easy way out. Not because I don't love Sander - I do, but because I want to know Colton." ~ Lilly
Sometimes the hardest choices in life end up being the best ones we ever made” ~ Lilly’s mum
“Sometimes what we think is right, isn’t.” ~ Clarissa
September 20, 2013
“Becoming More” made me want more! I could not put this book down. I found myself yelling at the characters and sitting on the edge of my seat excited for what I was sure was going to happen next. As soon as I was sure I had everything figured out, Lillian proved me wrong. On more than one occasion I could be overheard begging Lillian to open her eyes to what was in front of her. I was feeling all of her pain when things in her life suddenly shattered, and I was cheering for her when she made the decisions I hoped she would! I fell in love with some of these characters and absolutely hated others. It has been a long time since I have read a book that made me want to jump into the pages to kick some ass!!
Lillian Fairfield is your typical eighteen year old girl from Edinburg, Indiana. She has her childhood best friend whom she trusts with everything, she has her super smart and sexy boyfriend, Sander, of four years by her side. Lillian cannot wait to attend college and get a future started with Sander.
Sander has his whole life mapped out. He has college planned and he knows his girlfriend is going with him. Sander plans to graduate college and marrying Lillian in the not so distant future. He truly believes nothing can shatter a love like theirs. The love that Sander knows was in high school but he is quickly heading to college. With new adventures in college it is inevitable that he will face new temptations, drugs, alcohol and choices he never had before. Is the love between Lillian and Sander strong enough to survive anything?
Colton is the sexy bad boy, covered in tattoos and sporting a piercing that makes him all the more desirable. He is the lead singer in a band, but there is way more to him than meets the eye. The moment Colton locks eyes on Lillian at a house party there is an instant attraction. Colton does not believe in love and refuses to ever get married; he has no desire for anything more serious than a fling. However, when it comes to Lillian he may just break all of those rules.
I absolutely loved this book and give it 4.75 stars. I wish there would have been more details about Sander. What caused him to make the decisions he made or what was going through his head. I also would have liked a little more of a taste of what Sander and Lillian’s relationship was like in high school when they had no doubt they would be forever. Who knows maybe the author will write another book about the history of these characters (hint hint)
The emotions that flow through this book will definitely take you on a ride! There is deceit, betrayal, lust, and some serious sexual tension. Everything that in my opinion makes an incredible book! I loved the roller coaster ride my emotions went on throughout this story and I know that you will as well.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Lillian Fairfield is your typical eighteen year old girl from Edinburg, Indiana. She has her childhood best friend whom she trusts with everything, she has her super smart and sexy boyfriend, Sander, of four years by her side. Lillian cannot wait to attend college and get a future started with Sander.
Sander has his whole life mapped out. He has college planned and he knows his girlfriend is going with him. Sander plans to graduate college and marrying Lillian in the not so distant future. He truly believes nothing can shatter a love like theirs. The love that Sander knows was in high school but he is quickly heading to college. With new adventures in college it is inevitable that he will face new temptations, drugs, alcohol and choices he never had before. Is the love between Lillian and Sander strong enough to survive anything?
Colton is the sexy bad boy, covered in tattoos and sporting a piercing that makes him all the more desirable. He is the lead singer in a band, but there is way more to him than meets the eye. The moment Colton locks eyes on Lillian at a house party there is an instant attraction. Colton does not believe in love and refuses to ever get married; he has no desire for anything more serious than a fling. However, when it comes to Lillian he may just break all of those rules.
I absolutely loved this book and give it 4.75 stars. I wish there would have been more details about Sander. What caused him to make the decisions he made or what was going through his head. I also would have liked a little more of a taste of what Sander and Lillian’s relationship was like in high school when they had no doubt they would be forever. Who knows maybe the author will write another book about the history of these characters (hint hint)
The emotions that flow through this book will definitely take you on a ride! There is deceit, betrayal, lust, and some serious sexual tension. Everything that in my opinion makes an incredible book! I loved the roller coaster ride my emotions went on throughout this story and I know that you will as well.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
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