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The one. The only. Leo Maddox.

Leo’s cocky. He’s mean. He’s gorgeous. He’s never learned the meaning of the word no. He’s the twenty-one-year-old, billionaire grandson of a hotel mogul. He has vacation homes he’s never been to and cars he doesn’t drive. Women. Fashion. Alcohol. There’s nothing he can’t get. Well…almost nothing.

He can’t have her. The girl he loves. The girl he’s loved his entire life. She hates him. Until one morning when Leo wakes up and decides enough is enough. He’s going to get the only girl he’s ever wanted. So what if she has a new boyfriend. So what if she loathes his very existence. Clara belongs with him and he’s going to prove it to her by winning her heart.

This New Adult Romance is told entirely from Leo Maddox’s POV. It can be read before, after, or in place of He Belongs With Me. Recommended for readers 18+ due to strong language and sexy scenes.

186 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2014

55 people are currently reading
529 people want to read

About the author

Sarah Darlington

23 books591 followers
Hi! I'm Sarah Darlington. I write contemporary romance books that are steamy, sexy, and sweet. I love creating book boyfriends you won’t soon forget, and the heroines who give them hell.

Subscribe to my newsletter for new release alerts: sarahdarlingtonauthor.com/cv

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for Katy Loves Romance ❤️.
434 reviews756 followers
November 25, 2014
4 Sexy Stars****


A sweet sexy read between two ex-friends to lovers, I have read one of Sarah's books previously and this one is know different, a joy and gives you a happy smile at the end.


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So what's it about?
Leo Maddox has money, and lots of it he's polished works hard and smiles when he needs to and answers to his father but he isn't happy, when he was a younger man than he I now his mother disappeared not handling the loss of her best friend and Clara and Maggie's mum so she ran and left Leo and her husband behind with no thought to Leo and his feelings whereas Leos dad may be cold and goal/money oriented therefore alone but Leo is no way like that inside.

Leo's best friend is Maggie-Cara's twin sister and they may be identical in looks but no-way are the same inside whereas Maggie is calm nurturing and caring, watching out for the people around her and not making fights with people namely Leo Clara does and Clara is the feisty one and the one that clash's with Leo maybe in the best ways but maybe not also.


Clara is hurting and is always fighting with Leo there is banter but there is also hurt and pain underneath those layers and walls that she has put up so the likes of Leo and maybe even her sister can't get inside until now.


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The thing is once those layers start to come down there's a sweet lady underneath who loves Leo the way he loves her, this is there story of coming together. I will say don't expect lots of plot twists but this is definitely a happy go lucky read, sweet tender moments, friendship, past and present moments.

Leo Maddox
I would explain Leo as polished, a millionaire who takes care of his loved ones, takes pride in his appearance but at the same is willing to change to become his true self with the people he needs to impress. Caring, loving and goes after Clara once he knows what he wants. Dark hair, gorgeous eyes and a true friend and family man to the family he has known his whole life.

Clara
Feisty, rebellious, hidden but soft and sweet underneath. Blonde hair naturally but likes to change from time to time. A twin and the other half to Leos soul but at the same time the twin to Maggie.

My Thoughts
Its always a joy to read Sarah's books and that is exactly how I would explain my experience in reading Leo cause he has the qualities I love to read when reading sweet reads like this one. The writing flowed well and I grabbed hold of the story from page 1.

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Profile Image for Sarah Darlington.
Author 23 books591 followers
February 6, 2015
Profile Image for Michelle.
2,103 reviews1,416 followers
November 15, 2014
ARC provided by author in exchange of honest review

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#Leo

Childhood friends that had a hate/love relationship growing up and then suddenly turned into lovers. How could you not want to read a sweet love story like that? In Leo Maddox by Sarah Darlington, this book chronicles the tale of Leo and his quest of getting the girl he loved. For so long, Leo secretly loved his best friend’s twin sister, Clara Ryder. She was the only one that was on his mind and heart. He was hers and Leo finally makes it his mission to get the girl. And in this book, it follows Leo in his POV how far and deep in love he was with Clara. I loved reading Leo’s POV because you could see how much he was affected with Clara. She was the only one consuming his mind.

So if you are a big fan of childhood friends becoming lovers, then this book is for you. I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet, cute, and had an ending that is fitting for Clara and Leo. My only wish was that we got to know more of Maggie and Dean. Other than that, Leo Maddox was a quick sweet read,.

#Leo1

Sarah Darlington

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Profile Image for Superfly Gibson.
28 reviews17 followers
November 17, 2014
Oh Leo...

Leo is that guy. He's angsty, broading, slightly full of himself, and certainly swoon worthy. And he's got the attention of every female except one...the one he really wants.

"I knew then that nothing in my life would ever be worth anything until I figured out a way to win her heart..."

This book is told entirely from Leo's POV. It's an alternative version to Sarah Darlington's first novel--> He Belongs with Me. Although, since it covers the same span of time, it isn't necessary to read HBWM first. So if you haven't read HMWM yet...I say go for this one first!


Leo doesn't disappoint! 5 stars.
Profile Image for Dirty Dayna.
2,155 reviews109 followers
November 25, 2014
5 He belongs with me Stars
LEO IS LIVEE!!!

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I received an ARC from Sarah’s very first debut which could be considered a prequel/standalone concept to the LEO book. Every reader out there is either Team Clara or Team Maggie. I have been Team Clara since day one and I loved getting a true feel of Clara and Leo in his version of what went down. I think the writing in Leo is improved compared to HBWM. I believe I am more satisfied with Leo but I love this little series.
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I was lucky to read Leo as if came together and I feel the same gushing emotions
My review when it was being written : SERIOUSLYYYY.. If you are not reading the Leo Maddox series as it gets written you are wrong and I hate you! ... I loveeeee LEO and with every chapter I feel like I am reading He belongs with me all over again.. in the most amazing way... Loveee love loveee this...
Prepare you heart for the heart crushingly handsome Leo who will win you over with his ways <3
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“Have you ever wanted something so much that nothing else seems to matter?”

At the end of the day Clara…Well she belongs to Leo.

The perfect love story and the amazing Leo <3
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Moving to Arizona is something I’ve wanted for years—because I thought it would fill some missing piece inside me. But I got to Arizona and instead of enjoying it, I only thought of you. You’re my Arizona

I got the girl I’d always wanted
Profile Image for ✿kawehi.reviews.
1,453 reviews429 followers
November 18, 2014
#COVER REVEAL LOVE!!♡♥

Leo Maddox Front Cover Web

☆ I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ☆

description

Leo Maddox follows rich billionaire hotel mogul, Leo Maddox, and his quest to catching the eye of his affection, Clara Ryder-- twin sister to his BFF Maggie, and the arch nemesis who hates his guts.

Leo has always been in love with Clara, but due to facades and misunderstandings, their relationship never furthers farther than disgruntled spats and bickering.

Deciding to finally claim what’s his, Leo finally decides to make his move, and for those of you who have read He Belongs With Me, you already know how Leo and Clara’s road to love takes flight. ONLY… in Leo Maddox, you see everything from Leo’s POV and what’s really going on in that head of his.

*fangirls*

#So over all, a cute and enlightening tale that precedes that saying that, “there is a fine line between love and hate.” This is the quota that entails Clara and Leo, only in this particular case, Leo has always secretly held a buried torch for Clara.

Their tale to finally succumb and admit to their feelings was tedious, yet, very sweet and adorable!

was always you 18

HOWEVER! I do wish though, that aside from their romance, that we as readers could have seen an update on Maggie and her beau’s status and what’s next up or new for them. While I do get that this story is focused on Leo's "operation get the girl," I hoped the story would expand somewhere along the sidlelines about Maggie as well.

Otherwise, cute story that left me a happy gal!

*P.S- Those wondering about the parentage of Valerie? Read HBWM and you'll get your answers!*

I'm out!

Kawehi
Profile Image for Lindsay.
2,234 reviews512 followers
January 30, 2015
4.5

As the author states in the description of this book, this is the same story as He Belongs With Me…only from Leo’s POV. I was glad to get his POV because I loved him but I can’t help wishing the previous book was purely his and Clara’s.

The great thing about this book (well, one of them) was that there wasn’t as much Maggie. I couldn’t stand her in the other book. I’m one to hold grudges against fictional characters so my loathing of her didn’t go away. She was also the downside to this book. But there was far less of her so I was immensely glad of that.

I still loved Clara. She wasn’t the bad girl everyone thought she was and Leo knew that. He saw through her shell and “rebelliousness” and saw the real her. What I loved about this book over the other one is that it wasn’t a love triangle. Maggie made things all about her in the other one so that when Leo and Clara started to find happiness, she threw a tantrum and caused problems, even deciding she was in love with him too. But this book…it was all about Leo’s love for Clara and the lengths he was willing to go to show her that. For that alone, this book is awesome.
Profile Image for Haidoulina.
777 reviews110 followers
December 29, 2015
I really loved to be in Leo's head... He plays is tough and uncaring when the only thing he wants is for the girl he's in love with in his whole life to see him for who he really is and love him for that and not for the money,the status and the looks that everyone else seems to see in him... It was funny and nice to read his part... It was really enlightening to see the reasons he was mean to her all those years... And loved him even more that I loved him in He Belongs with Me
Even though the books are stand alone to me it's worth it to read both,with this one as a second...
Profile Image for Candiefloss.
112 reviews5 followers
December 7, 2014
*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review*

I enjoyed this. I started reading it at about 11pm, thinking I would get in a few chapters before bed. I didn't put it down until the last page at about 2.30am.

I love, absolutely love reading books strictly from a males POV. There's something raw, honest and random about the way they think. They tell it how it is and if it's done right, in my opinion, the male POV always trumps the female.

I was at a little bit of a disadvantage here as I hadn't read the previous book, He belongs with me,the story of Maggie and Clara. Because of this I felt like I was missing out on some of the story and the importance of the background characters. I'll be reading it soon as I can.

Leo Maddox. He was a great Hero. His thoughts and dialogue were at times humorous. He was perfectly flawed and sometimes clueless but it made him all the more adorable. A Hotelier and son of a business tycoon, he grew up with the daughters of his father's friend, the Ryder twins Maggie and Clara. Leo and Maggie are best friends but Clara, well there's a love/hate relationship there. They are both head over heels for each other, but both believe it's unrequited so they spend their time being nasty to each other...throwing hurtful comments back and forth.

Until one night when a 'fake drunk' Leo throws himself in front of her golf cart to get her attention. He invites her back to New York and their true feelings start becoming obvious.

It was a quick read; fun and entertaining. Leo was the star of the story, as he should have been. When they were good together they were great. There were some really intimate, feel good moments between them but I felt like when they were clashing it was a little dramatic - probably due to the fact that I didn't know where Clara was at because I haven't read the first book.

I loved the clover story line, the conversation when they were six years old... It all cemented their destiny to be together.

Overall I really enjoyed it. It was a refreshing read. I love the author's writing style, it's not the first book of hers I've read and the writing is always smooth and easy.

4 'four leaf clover' stars.
Profile Image for Tracey Nelson.
171 reviews9 followers
December 4, 2014
This book was a solid three stars for me. However, before I go into my review I would just like to point out that I have not read the book previous to this one. (I will be doing that, however.)

Leo Maddox, seriously. That guy had me from the first page. I loved his character. Leo was funny, charismatic and a real romantic. One of my favorite things in literature, especially the romance genre, is male POV. I find it refreshing and exciting. This book did not disappoint in that aspect. I was hooked right from the beginning based solely on his character alone.

In this novel, we undergo a journey with Leo trying to win the love of his life, who unfortunately...hates him. Or so he thinks. Clara and Maggie are Leo's life long friends, and twins. While Maggie become his best friend, the girl who he tells everything too, the one thing he never told her was his undying love for her free spirited and attitude ridden sister, Clara. Leo is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that he wins his girl, the same one he knew he would marry since he was a young child.

This one had many strong points for me, I like how each character had their own voice. I never got confused by the two sisters, I never questioned why he liked one and not the other. I liked how Leo was who he was, he wasn't wish washy or overly sexual or macho despite the fact that he was young, attractive and a millionaire. I enjoyed the journey between him and Clara, I liked watching their relationship grow as well as them figure out their past and present feelings.

The only reason this one didn't receive a four star from me, was the pacing. I found it a little rushed, I was hoping for a little more interaction and relationship building and less action to action. However, that being said, I know I have not previously read the other book, which could be a factor in this. However, despite this personal issue, the writing was solid. I've read previous work from this author and loved it, I will continue to read her work. I would definitely recommend this one if you enjoy the male POV and cute, sweet quick reads.

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
May 14, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/14/2019)! 🎁
Profile Image for Tamara.
279 reviews41 followers
November 19, 2014
​***I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. ***

Instead of listing the synopsis/blurb all over again or leave spoilers, I'll just write what I thought about the book and the characters!

Leo started off with a f*ck you attitude (that seemed to be his favorite word), but in the end, all that mattered was that HE GOT THE GIRL!

This was my first book by the author and my first YA novel in quite some time, but overall I enjoyed reading/watching Clara and Leo take their relationship from best friends to lovers.

It​ was a solid book, with a solid storyline and the best thing..... true love always wins! It can be read as a stand alone and we're not left with any cliffhangers or waiting for part two of a series! We get all the details we need in the Leo/Clara love story!
Profile Image for MzLane.
425 reviews2 followers
November 19, 2014
Leo, Leo, Leo!!!

This book can be read as a standalone but I think you would like it and understand it more if you also read He Belongs With Me. This book is told all in Leo's POV (WOOHOO) I loved getting inside Leo's head and seeing his side on everything and just how true his feelings really were for Clara. You will love him in HBWM but once you finish this book he will have stolen your heart all over again.

"I just want you, I want you more than my next breath."

Amazing job Sarah!! I absolutely love every book of yours that I have read!! Consider me now your own little sneaky book stalker!! If you haven't read HBWM...go one click now!! You won't regret it!!
Profile Image for Jenna.
39 reviews
December 12, 2014
Arc received in exchange for an honest review

I didn't mind this, I didn't love it but it definitely wasn't awful. I just couldn't get behind their relationship. He's spent years being secretly in love with her whilst acting like an ass, she's spent years despising him but the minute she finds out he's into her she changes her tune. I just found the characters lacked substance and I didn't completely love anyone. It was just an okay read for me, still worth reading if you're into new adult though!!
Profile Image for Christine Alibutud.
520 reviews85 followers
December 31, 2014
I honestly enjoyed reading through Leo's POV than Maggie's and Clara's. Full review to come!
description
Profile Image for Vfc.
1,543 reviews
December 25, 2019
This is Leo’s perspective. Years before, his father helped his best friend Reed, start a little resort/country club in the middle-of-no-where, southern Virginia. Beautiful country. After his gold-digging mother abandoned them, they spent less and less time in Virginia and more and more time everywhere else.

Reed has two daughters, Maggie and Clara Ryder. Identical twins. Maggie was the safe twin. She was polite and kind. He and Maggie were best friends and confided in each other since he was extremely difficult to be friends with anyone. Maggie could handle his moods, tolerate his behaviour and still make him laugh. Clara was described with a radar

“How easy life would be if I could simply love Maggie instead of Clara?
But I couldn’t. And I would never. Because I only saw Clara.

“I knew…without doubt, then and now…that I had a certain effect on women. Clara had always been immune to my charms. So what the hell was happening now? I had to be imagining this. Clara’s face turned sheet white. No, I wasn’t imagining anything. Clara felt this too and I could tell it was scaring her.”

Leo was insecure at times, other times charming, confident yet vulnerable. “Sure, my appearance was important to me and I knew I took longer than the average male to get ready. Okay, maybe even longer than the average female too. But I wasn’t as much of a diva as he was insinuating.”

No one trusted Regina, Leo’s assistant. Not Clara and certainly not Maggie as we learnt in the previous book ‘He belongs to me’. She had an eye on the prize (Leo). That storyline seemed incomplete.


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Book-Bosomed  blog.
516 reviews259 followers
November 25, 2014
4.5 Stars
Leo Maddox is the companion book to He Belongs With Me, which is the story of Leo and twin sisters Clara and Maggie Ryder. He Belongs With Me is told from Clara and Maggie’s point of view. This one is told from Leo’s.

21 year old Leo Maddox is the privileged son of a hotel mogul and eventual heir to a fortune. But Leo has lived a lonely life. His mother abandoned him and his father pays him little attention outside of the business world. Leo can be cocky. Leo can be snarky. And Leo has a few vices, although most of them are more in the past than other people realize. But Leo’s biggest problem for most of his life is that the girl he’s in love with barely notices him, and when she does it’s generally to argue with.

Call it a sixth sense that sends Leo back to Blue Creek, Virginia (where the twins reside over summer vacation) on a fateful night that results in a little golf cart fiasco, an incident that finally puts Leo on Clara’s radar. Leo and Clara have had a love/hate relationship all their life growing up together. Maggie is Leo’s best friend and while their family and peers might assume that they will end up together, it’s Clara’s affection that Leo craves. But even once Clara begins to realize her true feelings for Leo, Leo must turn around their rocky relationship.

“Prove to me you aren't an ass and I’m all yours.” –Clara

Can Leo step up to the plate and woo Clara or will he put his foot in his mouth again and lose his possibly one and only chance with her?

The story follows the same plot as He Belongs With Me along with some extra scenes specific to Leo. Stories told entirely from the male point of view aren’t plentiful so if you enjoy the male perspective, this is one to pick up! If you’ve already read He Belongs With Me you can think of this as “rewatching” it with Leo’s commentary turned on ;-) You get extra insight into what Leo was thinking and feeling as well as some behind the scenes information, unbeknownst to the girls.

I enjoyed getting Leo’s voice this time around as well as hearing some key scenes from his point of view. I laughed at how Leo realized Clara’s “skills” lacked experience. It definitely captured the guy perceptive. I did miss the “mystery” aspect that He Belongs With Me offered as Dean’s exact identity and life unfolded as well as the little chapter cliffy’s that came with the shifting point of view of the girls. But it was still fun to get inside Leo’s head.

Whether you read Leo’s version of the story or the twins or both, the characters are cute and likeable, and the plot is a lot of fun. Want to learn more about Leo, Clara, and Maggie? Check out an exclusive interview with the characters…http://book-bosomed.blogspot.com/2014...
Profile Image for Angie.
1,405 reviews234 followers
December 2, 2014
The One. The Only.



Leo Maddox.

Reading this novel was like visiting an old friend that I had somewhat forgotten about, but really love, and was pleasantly surprised to reconnect with again. Because I absolutely adored Leo's companion novel He Belongs With Me, I was happy to dive back into the world that Sarah created and rereading about the misadventures and love stories of the "bad twin" Clara, the "good twin" Maggie, the "playboy" Leo, and the "newcomer" Dean.

If you've read He Belongs With Me, then you pretty much know how the story goes. Leo has loved Clara since he was six years old--and has had a verbally toxic relationship with her for almost as long. He's finally decided that enough is enough, and it's time to finally make vulnerable his heart and wholeheartedly pursue Clara. Clara however isn't about to make this easy for him, but Leo is determined to prove his feelings are genuine and prove to Clara once and for all that she belongs with him.

However, even though I had read He Belongs With Me, reading this novel still felt as if I was reading a new and standalone novel. The characters felt like old friends and new acquaintances, the storyline familiar yet fresh, and the drama reminiscent but still engaging. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to established fans of Sarah's work and newcomers alike, especially if you like heroes who fight for what they want and heroines who make them work for it.

On a side note: the 4 star rating is because (as was the case with the previous novel) I wanted more Dean!! He is my absolute favorite character in this series, and while we did get to see a little more of him, I wanted MORE. Selfish, I know.

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Twinsie Talk Angie J.
1,809 reviews
November 23, 2014
Check out this review and others at
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I rated this book a 3.5 but rounded up.

I received this book from the author for an honest opinion.

I will start this review by saying that I DID NOT read He Belongs with Me. When I signed up I thought it was for her OTHER series. I will say that I dont feel like I missed anything or was confused by scenes that I could tell were being retold from the other book. I think if anything it made me want to go back and read the other book to see the girls POV abut Leo.

So Leo is a cocky, jerk who is in total love with Clara. She is the twin of his best friend Maggie. He has been a total jerk to her ...uhm....I dunno..her entire LIFE!! He wakes up and realizes he doesnt hate her but is so crazy in love with her he cant stand it anymore. He must go and declare his love to Clara. So what does a rich, cocky bagillionaire do? He goes to win the girl!! He does it by making her hit him with a golf cart and then it all goes from there.

The story was really fast and the author didnt spend much time going back over scenes that were prolly in the other book. I was ok with that because, if I read the first book, I dont think I would want to relive the same scenes again. However, with that said I dont feel like I missed out on anything. We got to the heart of the story...Leo and Clara and their insane Love Story. And friends it is insane!!!!

I felt that because this story was so focused on just the two of them, it was a great, quick read. The couple have great chemistry and alot of sacrasm which is a great thing when you are masking your feelings for the one you love.
Profile Image for Zoe and the Edge.
674 reviews68 followers
December 1, 2014
I have a love-hate relationship with these novels from the guy's perspective. I always tell myself that I won't read them. I tell myself I won't buy into reading the exact same book twice. But then I do it anyway.
It's so tricky because sometimes just one line of thought that the guy thinks in that one particular scene can tick me off so much or spoil a particularly favourite moment.
And often the story just feels like one big frustrating repeat no matter how much I liked the original.
But I love Leo and I could not miss the chance to read more of him.

I fell in love with her, not long after losing our mothers, and that was the first nail in Clara-Leo-friendship-coffin.

I had to smile when I read Leo's grand plans and bright ideas to change Clara's mind about him. Remembering what ended up happening had me chuckling over his awry seduction.

There was only one option left. I could spend the rest of my life waiting, wishing, and hoping something would change between us. Or I could do something.

Bahahahaha! Just seeing his thinking process...oh my gosh.

I liked reading this story without Maggie's view point interrupting. I was never a big fan of Maggie and this novel makes Maggie seem even more stupid than she did in He Belongs with Me all the while re-emphasising the greatness of Clara all over again.

And yes, I desperately wanted to end this lifelong battle of meanness with Clara and opt for only the nice stuff instead.

Towards the end I didn't like the same rehashing of the Dean thing. I think that could've been skipped over.

Sexual Content: A couple of graphic scenes. 3 I think? I was bored out of my mind by that stage so I wouldn't know.
Profile Image for Lady.
638 reviews
January 9, 2016
Leo Maddox has only loved one female for his whole life, his best friend, Maggie, twin's sister, Clara. The three of them grew up together. Their mothers were best friends. But everything changed when the twin's mother died and Leo's mother runs away. After that Leo only has his dad, the twins' and the twin's dad to help him. But his dad is no help, he is bitter and cold since his wife left and he takes that out on Leo. But his other family he has that he really didn't realize was his has always been there for him. Now Leo is ready to claim the girl that he has loved his whole life. But is she ready?

Clara Ryder is the twin that Leo has loved his entire life. But the thing is she has too, but she really didn't know until now. Now that he has told her his intentions, Clara is scared of what she feels for Leo, so she runs away from him. But he always chases her until there last fight. Will she have the courage to return to him without him chasing her or will she loose out on the love of her life?

When I first started reading this book I was kinda bored with it. But I know I had to finish the book and write the review. So I keep on reading the book little by little and the low and behold the book surprised me and got better and I didn't want to put it down. If you are into a slow pace and then it picks up kinda book, I recommend this book to others.
Profile Image for Jessica.
Author 2 books161 followers
December 20, 2014
See more of my reviews on my blog Thoughts At One In The Morning.

Upon finishing, my initial reaction:

I kinda LOVED reading Leo's POV. <3

My Thoughts (full review):

After thoroughly enjoying He Belongs With Me, I was super stoked to read the story from Leo's point-of-view. He's one of those guys where appearances are very deceiving, and you want to just cuddle with him. So, yeah, definitely loved hearing his side to the story!

The story is told parallel to He Belongs With Me, so everything is relatively familiar, we just get to see some of the things only Leo saw, and thought. I loved seeing his feelings for Clara bloom further as she starts to discover the new side to Leo. His adoration for her is beyond what you could even imagine, and watching it all unfold was so sweet.

Leo Maddox was a great retelling of the original story. He's hard not to love, and so it the story! If you want to know which one you should read first, I'd like to say He Belongs With Me so you can get everything from Clara and Maggies POV, but I think I liked hearing Leo's a little more. Either way, Sarah Darlington has penned another great story!

My Rating: Exceptional
Profile Image for Melissa.
606 reviews19 followers
November 12, 2014
I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved He Belongs With Me, which is Clara's POV of this story. Leo Maddox is his POV of the events that began when Clara returned home for the summer. Leo's POV is unique and gives the reader a peek into what he was thinking and what led him to his actions.

Leo has lived Clara all of his life but he's always been mean to her since he didn't know how to act around her. His best friend, Maggie, is also Clara's twin sister. Maggie and Clara's relationship has always been strained and this summers events don't seem to be helping at all.

The chain of events that lead Clara and Leo to admit that they have feelings for each other is a combination of romantic and funny and completely filled with drama. The story even comes complete with people from their childhood and her sisters admission of her feelings.

This is the 3rd book by Sarah Darlington that I've read and each book I read makes me enjoy her writing more and more. She has such a way with her words, plot development and character development that once you pick up her books you don't want to put them down until you're completely finished with it.
Profile Image for J.
82 reviews7 followers
January 23, 2015
*****5-Star LEO-LUSCIOUS GOODNESS!!!*****

AMAZING!!!!!! I am blown away by Leo Maddox!! Why, you might ask? Well, let’s start by talking about the book itself & what it is. Leo Maddox is the original story of “He Belongs With Me,” written in Leo’s POV. So, let’s talk about that for a minute. I’m not a big fan of re-writes in a different POV. And I figured this book would probably only be “so-so” for me… but BOY was I wrong!!!! This book was FAR from being a “re-write” of the same story! As I was reading it, it really felt like a completely different book, told through Leo’s point of view. In the end, I was so happy I gave it a chance!!! I felt that it also gave a more in-depth look at both Leo and Clara’s characters in this book as well, which I immensely enjoyed.

Outstanding as usual Sarah Darlington!!! Loved it , loved it, loved it!!!

If you’re reading this review and you haven’t read Leo Maddox or He Belongs with Me (or anything by Sarah Darlington for that matter), then you need to one-click ASAP! Once you discover Ms. Darlington’s writing, you’ll be addicted, just like I am!
Profile Image for Brianna at Renee Entress's Blog.
3,918 reviews118 followers
November 25, 2014
4.5 Stars!

I really liked this book. This is the second book I have read by this author and she is quickly making her way up top to my go-to author list. This author have the ability to tell a story that is both beautiful and emotional, pulling all emotions out of you while reading and making you fall in love with the characters. This is a companion novel to, He Belongs With Me, told from Leo's POV but it can be read as a standalone.

I love a male POV and getting inside of Leo's head was amazing. I feel a connection to characters more when I can get inside their thoughts to fully understand them and this book did just that. We see how much Leo adores, cherishes, and loves Clara. We see how much Clara consumes him. We see his true feelings for Clara. We watch him fall for her... it was beautiful. And the banter between these two.. they really had that love/hate relationship going on.

From childhood friends to lovers, get ready for a ride with Leo as he gets the girl that he has loved most of his life!

I highly recommend this book!

Review Post---> http://reneeentress.blogspot.com/2014...
Profile Image for Carra.
1,733 reviews31 followers
November 25, 2014
Yes, Leo Maddox has stolen my heart. If you were to look at his character in passing, you would think he's a spoiled rich boy who gets to prep to one day take over his daddy's company. But when you actually sit down and read his story-told wonderfully here in his point of view (which I absolutely LOVE)-you'll find out he is so much more, and you'll fall for him too.

Even though I knew the whole story after reading He Belongs With Me and knew exactly how everything was going to turn out, being able to see everything through Leo's eyes, know his thoughts, and get to read scenes I didn't get to see in He Belongs With Me...it just brought so much more to the overall story. And it makes you feel SO MUCH for Leo.

While this can be read as a standalone, I personally would recommend reading He Belongs With Me first, then read Leo's POV-for me, reading it like this made the overall story told between the two books a much fuller, more emotional experience. Like when I got to read Leo's email to Clara again. And again... *sigh*

5 falling-for-Leo stars :-)
Profile Image for Sanne Heremans.
369 reviews54 followers
November 18, 2014
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review - Sanne / Scandalous Book Blog***

Sigh... I would kill to get a Leo of my own! He is TDH, passionate and loves fiercely.

Clara, Clara, Clara, did I have a whole lot of WTF moments with you..

These two were in love with one another before either of them even realized but something happened that made them act like hateful strangers at some point. Who knew that behind all this hatred was actually reall love and that a single moment defied them from being togheter years ago...

But then Leo decides enough is enough and he going to get his girl no mather what.

Will it be easy? No!
Will they be all lovey dovey?! Hell no!
Will they end up togheter and finally have their HEA? ... Only the future can tell ;)

Read, curse and weep people.. I know I did!

PS: That letter was beautiful Sarah, had me in tears..
Profile Image for Marie Vasquez.
1,598 reviews78 followers
November 25, 2014
4.5 stars

This was such a sweet read! Very swoon worthy. Rich boy wakes up one day determined to go after the girl he's loved his whole life.

Leo Maddox was will to put it all out there for Clara to show her his feelings hoping that she'll find him worthy. I was pulled in from the beginning and curious to learn more about Leo.

Being tired of putting on the facade of how he should be, he finally decides he's willing to show his vulnerability so Clara will finally "see" him.

The plot was not over the top. It was a simple story with enough going on to keep it interesting but the story maintained its focus on Leo and his internal battle with the insecurities he's hidden from the world.

This was a great romance. Not too intense a few chuckle moments and great for getting over a book hangover. I would describe this as sweet and simple and well worth the read.
Profile Image for Kris.
64 reviews6 followers
September 3, 2016

This was given to me by the Author in exchange for an honest review. I read this as a stand alone as I have not read "He Belongs With Me".

Within 2 pages I really disliked Leo Maddox, that didn't change at any point throughout the book. I wanted to like him, but that didn't happen.

That being said, overall the storyline was good. I did enjoy the fact that it was from the Male point of view. It was kind of refreshing, gave a little insight to the possible scenarios running through a guy's mind.

I really liked Maggie, the best friend. Their relationship was solid, and caring. No judgements, she always had his back. It was nice to see a long standing friendship (with no benefits) between a man and a woman.

This was well written and had a nice pace. A short, quick read.
Profile Image for Shannon.
2,752 reviews224 followers
May 15, 2017
Oh Leo. He.Got.The.Girl.
I won an ARC through a FB contest Sarah Darlington held, I'm so glad I got to see Leo again! I loved his character in He Belongs with Me and it was awesome seeing everything from his point of view.
Clara was my favorite of the twins, from the get-go. She's a strong, snarky, tough little cookie with a vulnerable heart. I loved them together, they just fit.
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