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Landon & Shay
Two hearts. One reckless bet. The love story that changed everything.
It started with a make Shay all in love with him. For Landon, a boy who didn’t believe in love, it seemed like an easy win. But Shay wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. When she overheard the bet, she flipped the script, wagering that she could make Landon fall for her instead.
What began as a reckless game quickly turned into something neither of them expected. Shay’s fire and heart broke through Landon’s darkness, and he made her crave a love she didn’t think she needed. But when the game spiraled out of control, it left them both shattered.
Years later, Landon is a Hollywood star, haunted by the girl who once captured his heart, and Shay has rebuilt her life. When their paths cross again and old wounds resurface, will they rewrite their story, or were they always destined to fall apart?
Landon & Shay is a raw, emotional journey of first love, second chances, and the scars that never truly fade.
It started with a make Shay all in love with him. For Landon, a boy who didn’t believe in love, it seemed like an easy win. But Shay wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. When she overheard the bet, she flipped the script, wagering that she could make Landon fall for her instead.
What began as a reckless game quickly turned into something neither of them expected. Shay’s fire and heart broke through Landon’s darkness, and he made her crave a love she didn’t think she needed. But when the game spiraled out of control, it left them both shattered.
Years later, Landon is a Hollywood star, haunted by the girl who once captured his heart, and Shay has rebuilt her life. When their paths cross again and old wounds resurface, will they rewrite their story, or were they always destined to fall apart?
Landon & Shay is a raw, emotional journey of first love, second chances, and the scars that never truly fade.
416 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2026
32 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 3, 2026
[arc review]
that was the best representation of depression i’ve ever read.
my sweet landon 🥺 he's a sad human being but he also recognizes that and he wants so desperately to be better and to do better so that he can feel like he is deserving of shay's love. he wants so badly to be the man he knows shay deserves. i'm tearing up thinking about this (and i'm writing this review a week after i finished this book so that says a lot about how much this book has stuck with me) because i saw how much landon struggled with his depression and i think he deserves the absolute world. he left shay as a teenager and promised to return when he was better. he showed the world (and shay) a mask that hid everything he was going through but i forgive him for what he did to shay because he didn't give up on himself. he kept showing up for himself and i think that's something that shouldn't be overlooked.
shay is a girl that loves unconditionally. she was and still is landon's light at the end of a very dark tunnel. she's also so determined to carve her own way into the film industry, despite landon wanting to help her break into it through his connections. if i had to describe her in one word, it would be cheerleader because she truly is everyone's cheerleader. she saw potential in landon's acting and karla's writing, and told them to continue doing those things when they didn't believe in themselves.
i think landon was so well written, i can't get over how raw his struggle with depression was and the representation of men's mental health. it was just so well done.
that was the best representation of depression i’ve ever read.
my sweet landon 🥺 he's a sad human being but he also recognizes that and he wants so desperately to be better and to do better so that he can feel like he is deserving of shay's love. he wants so badly to be the man he knows shay deserves. i'm tearing up thinking about this (and i'm writing this review a week after i finished this book so that says a lot about how much this book has stuck with me) because i saw how much landon struggled with his depression and i think he deserves the absolute world. he left shay as a teenager and promised to return when he was better. he showed the world (and shay) a mask that hid everything he was going through but i forgive him for what he did to shay because he didn't give up on himself. he kept showing up for himself and i think that's something that shouldn't be overlooked.
shay is a girl that loves unconditionally. she was and still is landon's light at the end of a very dark tunnel. she's also so determined to carve her own way into the film industry, despite landon wanting to help her break into it through his connections. if i had to describe her in one word, it would be cheerleader because she truly is everyone's cheerleader. she saw potential in landon's acting and karla's writing, and told them to continue doing those things when they didn't believe in themselves.
i think landon was so well written, i can't get over how raw his struggle with depression was and the representation of men's mental health. it was just so well done.
May 5, 2026
Landon and Shay’s story was so fun and emotional all at the same time! ! Definitely check your trigger warnings as there are some tough subjects that are discussed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Read Landon & Shay in one sitting and it had me in my feels 😭 I briefly skimmed over the blurb before requesting it through NetGalley from LYX Books and boy was I not ready for it. If I could list a book that was similar to this it would be Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann.
For those who have triggers there is a lot of discussion about depression, anxiety, and overdosing so if interested in reading, just be aware that some of the things the main characters go through or feel are reflective of real emotions and experiences. Despite the hard topics, this was a lovely story about two high school kids, Landon and Shay, who fell for each other during their darkest days only to go their separate ways after graduating. After 10+ years, they reconnect at one of their friends whiskey release parties and old feelings rise again. While Landon has become a big time actor…Shay is still trying to figure out her life as a screenwriter.
What I loved about this book was the fact that it talked about real emotions that men have but tend to hide. Both Landon and Shay came from broken homes and were both experiencing various degrees of depression from those situations.
The main plot of the book was that one night at a high school party hosted by Landon, Landon and his friends bet that he could get Shay to fall in love with him. Shay overhears this bet and adds on that she could make him fall in love with her first.
While some of the book was predictable, Landon and Shay’s story kept me hooked for two reasons. One being that most MMC’s I’ve read about don’t express their emotions as deeply as Landon does. Two the feelings that Shay has towards men and love are extremely valid after witnessing her own father be a horrible partner to her mother and horrible father to her. Reading about how she overcomes this through seeing her friends and mothers own happiness later in the story, was refreshing.
Despite the hard topics, the book does end on a high note. Overall, I would rate this a 4.5/5 with a 1.5/5 for spice. Highly recommend to readers who like contemporary romance, second chance romance, enemies to lovers, and romance that isn’t necessarily dark but deep. I also recommend this book to readers who like seeing mental health representation in their books and how it is resolved. I also recommend this book to readers who like reading about people from broken homes become successful in life.
Thank you NetGalley, LYX Books and Brittainy for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
For those who have triggers there is a lot of discussion about depression, anxiety, and overdosing so if interested in reading, just be aware that some of the things the main characters go through or feel are reflective of real emotions and experiences. Despite the hard topics, this was a lovely story about two high school kids, Landon and Shay, who fell for each other during their darkest days only to go their separate ways after graduating. After 10+ years, they reconnect at one of their friends whiskey release parties and old feelings rise again. While Landon has become a big time actor…Shay is still trying to figure out her life as a screenwriter.
What I loved about this book was the fact that it talked about real emotions that men have but tend to hide. Both Landon and Shay came from broken homes and were both experiencing various degrees of depression from those situations.
The main plot of the book was that one night at a high school party hosted by Landon, Landon and his friends bet that he could get Shay to fall in love with him. Shay overhears this bet and adds on that she could make him fall in love with her first.
While some of the book was predictable, Landon and Shay’s story kept me hooked for two reasons. One being that most MMC’s I’ve read about don’t express their emotions as deeply as Landon does. Two the feelings that Shay has towards men and love are extremely valid after witnessing her own father be a horrible partner to her mother and horrible father to her. Reading about how she overcomes this through seeing her friends and mothers own happiness later in the story, was refreshing.
Despite the hard topics, the book does end on a high note. Overall, I would rate this a 4.5/5 with a 1.5/5 for spice. Highly recommend to readers who like contemporary romance, second chance romance, enemies to lovers, and romance that isn’t necessarily dark but deep. I also recommend this book to readers who like seeing mental health representation in their books and how it is resolved. I also recommend this book to readers who like reading about people from broken homes become successful in life.
Thank you NetGalley, LYX Books and Brittainy for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
April 25, 2026
wow. this book….this entire book sent me on a spiral of an emotional breakdown.
this book HITS you HEVAY with the lives of these characters. both landon and shay have two different struggles but find solace and sunshine within each other.
from hate to love, we see these two experience what love is and what it can be. we have these sweet cute, hidden moments between the two of them. it warmed my heart but broke me at the same time. because with each of their pov’s, yes we get these beautiful, sweet moments, but we also see their inner thoughts and it’s deep and raw and unfiltered.
landon…sweet, soft landon. how i wish i could hug him and tell him he’s loved and important. i have never seen myself more in a character than i have landon. his raw unfiltered battle with depression, it hit close. he’s a character i want to protect. but seeing this battle play out, seeing his journey, seeing his support system, hearing words i’ve heard before or needed to hear made me sob like the biggest baby. his journey isn’t linear and depression never is. it’s a constant battle but you find those people and hobbies that bring light to your life.
shay…growing up with a father that causes that many issues it’s no wonder she grew up to believe all men are liars. we see her battle with those thoughts throughout part 1 & 2. we see her slowly stop believing in love. we see this raging battle with her mom. she doesn’t have it easy no matter how she makes it look. landon becomes her safe space. her one place to breathe. but that…that breaks too. when part 2 came around and we saw where shay was as an adult my heart felt heavy. she wanted so much but had this hurt that couldn’t allow her to begin to live.
seeing landon and shay come back together gosh..seeing them fall in love again was easy and simple. but also when shay learned why landon never came back..to see he was still working on himself. to become the best version of himself for her. but shay loves him broken or whole.
their love isn’t perfect but it shows how you never give up on anymore and you stick with them through thick and thin. landon and shay have shown that those with mental health issues, while a struggle, they are easy to love and deserve it.
this book HITS you HEVAY with the lives of these characters. both landon and shay have two different struggles but find solace and sunshine within each other.
from hate to love, we see these two experience what love is and what it can be. we have these sweet cute, hidden moments between the two of them. it warmed my heart but broke me at the same time. because with each of their pov’s, yes we get these beautiful, sweet moments, but we also see their inner thoughts and it’s deep and raw and unfiltered.
landon…sweet, soft landon. how i wish i could hug him and tell him he’s loved and important. i have never seen myself more in a character than i have landon. his raw unfiltered battle with depression, it hit close. he’s a character i want to protect. but seeing this battle play out, seeing his journey, seeing his support system, hearing words i’ve heard before or needed to hear made me sob like the biggest baby. his journey isn’t linear and depression never is. it’s a constant battle but you find those people and hobbies that bring light to your life.
shay…growing up with a father that causes that many issues it’s no wonder she grew up to believe all men are liars. we see her battle with those thoughts throughout part 1 & 2. we see her slowly stop believing in love. we see this raging battle with her mom. she doesn’t have it easy no matter how she makes it look. landon becomes her safe space. her one place to breathe. but that…that breaks too. when part 2 came around and we saw where shay was as an adult my heart felt heavy. she wanted so much but had this hurt that couldn’t allow her to begin to live.
seeing landon and shay come back together gosh..seeing them fall in love again was easy and simple. but also when shay learned why landon never came back..to see he was still working on himself. to become the best version of himself for her. but shay loves him broken or whole.
their love isn’t perfect but it shows how you never give up on anymore and you stick with them through thick and thin. landon and shay have shown that those with mental health issues, while a struggle, they are easy to love and deserve it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This one hurt in that quiet, nostalgic, first love kind of way.
📚 Landon and Shay by Brittainy C. Cherry
Genre: New Adult romance
Vibes: reckless bet, broken homes, first love, second chance, emotional healing
If you loved Dream On energy with messy emotions and years of longing, this will hit.
It starts with a stupid high school bet. Landon thinks he can make Shay fall in love with him. Shay overhears and flips it, betting she can make him fall first.
What begins as a game turns into something real. And then it breaks them.
Years later, he is a Hollywood star still haunted by her. She is rebuilding her life and chasing her dreams as a screenwriter. When they reconnect at a whiskey release party, the past is not as buried as they thought.
What worked for me:
💔 Honest conversations about depression and anxiety
🖤 A male main character who actually expresses his emotions
🔥 Chemistry that feels young, reckless, and intense
🌧️ Two characters shaped by broken homes and generational pain
✨ A second chance romance that feels earned
This story does not shy away from hard topics. There are discussions of depression, anxiety, and overdosing, so definitely check content warnings. But the emotional depth is what makes this shine.
Landon stood out to me because he feels. Deeply. He is not emotionally closed off in the typical brooding way. He is raw and struggling and trying. And Shay’s guarded view of love makes complete sense after what she witnessed growing up. Watching her slowly soften and redefine what love can look like was refreshing.
Yes, parts are predictable. But sometimes predictability does not matter when the emotional execution lands.
If you love first love that scars you, second chances that test you, and romance that explores real mental health struggles, this will be for you.
💬 Do you believe first love is once in a lifetime, or can timing really change everything?
#BrittainyCCherry #LandonAndShay #LYX #NewAdultRomance #SecondChanceRomance
📚 Landon and Shay by Brittainy C. Cherry
Genre: New Adult romance
Vibes: reckless bet, broken homes, first love, second chance, emotional healing
If you loved Dream On energy with messy emotions and years of longing, this will hit.
It starts with a stupid high school bet. Landon thinks he can make Shay fall in love with him. Shay overhears and flips it, betting she can make him fall first.
What begins as a game turns into something real. And then it breaks them.
Years later, he is a Hollywood star still haunted by her. She is rebuilding her life and chasing her dreams as a screenwriter. When they reconnect at a whiskey release party, the past is not as buried as they thought.
What worked for me:
💔 Honest conversations about depression and anxiety
🖤 A male main character who actually expresses his emotions
🔥 Chemistry that feels young, reckless, and intense
🌧️ Two characters shaped by broken homes and generational pain
✨ A second chance romance that feels earned
This story does not shy away from hard topics. There are discussions of depression, anxiety, and overdosing, so definitely check content warnings. But the emotional depth is what makes this shine.
Landon stood out to me because he feels. Deeply. He is not emotionally closed off in the typical brooding way. He is raw and struggling and trying. And Shay’s guarded view of love makes complete sense after what she witnessed growing up. Watching her slowly soften and redefine what love can look like was refreshing.
Yes, parts are predictable. But sometimes predictability does not matter when the emotional execution lands.
If you love first love that scars you, second chances that test you, and romance that explores real mental health struggles, this will be for you.
💬 Do you believe first love is once in a lifetime, or can timing really change everything?
#BrittainyCCherry #LandonAndShay #LYX #NewAdultRomance #SecondChanceRomance
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨Tropes
Enemies to lovers
Mental health rep
Second chance
Tragedy and loss
Wow.. this book!! 🥹 It had me hooked from the beginning. It's raw and deep. Definitely expect to be in your emotional feels. It literally made me cry! I love a story that can make me cry.
Landon, a broken boy, has endured a tragic loss that has brought his demons to the forefront. He’s feels alone and has trouble shutting off his brain.He only has a few close friends. Shay is not one of those friend. Shay’s seemingly perfect life gets under Landon’s skin. It’s a mutual dislike; Shay isn’t fond of Landon either. Shay is a strong and smart girl. She has grand aspirations and dreams. She works hard to achieve those goals.
During a house party, Landon makes a bet that he can get Shay to fall in love with him. Shay accidentally overhears this bet and decides to match his bet.She bets she can get Landon to fall in love with her. This event sets the stage for their story.
The push and pull between Landon and Shay. 🥺They both are experiencing personal struggles and find refuge and friendship with each other. They learn that even a strong love cannot survive life’s challenges and that it can sometimes get in the way of happiness.
This book takes place in two segments of their lives. Part One is set during high school and part 2 takes place 10 years in the future. It’s told from dual POV which I really liked. I love getting to read how each character thinks.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s had me in my feels thoughout! I couldn’t put it down. I read this story in two days. It’s angsty and emotional. I loved all the characters. Shay grandmother Mima was one of my favs. I loved her relationship with Landon. He didn’t have many in his corner but she was there for him with love and compassion. Karla was another character that I want to know more about. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!! This was my first Brittainy Cherry book and I loved it!!
Thank you to LYX and NetGalley for an ARC of this book to review!
Enemies to lovers
Mental health rep
Second chance
Tragedy and loss
Wow.. this book!! 🥹 It had me hooked from the beginning. It's raw and deep. Definitely expect to be in your emotional feels. It literally made me cry! I love a story that can make me cry.
Landon, a broken boy, has endured a tragic loss that has brought his demons to the forefront. He’s feels alone and has trouble shutting off his brain.He only has a few close friends. Shay is not one of those friend. Shay’s seemingly perfect life gets under Landon’s skin. It’s a mutual dislike; Shay isn’t fond of Landon either. Shay is a strong and smart girl. She has grand aspirations and dreams. She works hard to achieve those goals.
During a house party, Landon makes a bet that he can get Shay to fall in love with him. Shay accidentally overhears this bet and decides to match his bet.She bets she can get Landon to fall in love with her. This event sets the stage for their story.
The push and pull between Landon and Shay. 🥺They both are experiencing personal struggles and find refuge and friendship with each other. They learn that even a strong love cannot survive life’s challenges and that it can sometimes get in the way of happiness.
This book takes place in two segments of their lives. Part One is set during high school and part 2 takes place 10 years in the future. It’s told from dual POV which I really liked. I love getting to read how each character thinks.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s had me in my feels thoughout! I couldn’t put it down. I read this story in two days. It’s angsty and emotional. I loved all the characters. Shay grandmother Mima was one of my favs. I loved her relationship with Landon. He didn’t have many in his corner but she was there for him with love and compassion. Karla was another character that I want to know more about. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!! This was my first Brittainy Cherry book and I loved it!!
Thank you to LYX and NetGalley for an ARC of this book to review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC review
This was a 3.5 for me.
What started out as a bet for Landon & Shay in their teenage years developed into something more. After making a bet to see if they could get the other one to fall in love with them we see these two characters spend more time together and what once was a dislike eventually turned into an understanding and a friendship was formed that eventually turned into love. In the midst of that Landon was dealing with mental health issues and did what he thought was best to get the help he needed so he could be a better man for Shay. Time passed by and as they got into their adult years, Landon's life and career path took him on a different route and Shay lost touch with him and began to despise him because he broke her heart. She always had an unhealthy view on love seeing her parents growing up and after Landon took so long to come back, she felt that that she would never get love.
Landon never forgot about Shay but when he finally did try to get back into her life as adults, she was so jaded it took a lot for him to break through to her. I liked how we got to see Landon use his own experiences with mental health to help Karla who was a younger character in the book and how Shay seeing this helped soften her heart some and let Landon back in. That being said, I didn't think it was fair after all she saw Landon do and how much he wanted to help her in her career, she wouldn't even hear him out when a certain situation occurred. I understood her fears but I felt like it was something that could've been discussed more. Then the route in which was taken to get her back and her response to it i felt was too easy. I liked the trajectory of the book overall, watching the love grow between Landon and Shay as teenagers and working to get back to that as adults and the heavy emphasis on taking care of your mental health; however, I didn't care too much for the third act breakup which is why I took off half a star. Thank you to Lyx for this ARC.
This was a 3.5 for me.
What started out as a bet for Landon & Shay in their teenage years developed into something more. After making a bet to see if they could get the other one to fall in love with them we see these two characters spend more time together and what once was a dislike eventually turned into an understanding and a friendship was formed that eventually turned into love. In the midst of that Landon was dealing with mental health issues and did what he thought was best to get the help he needed so he could be a better man for Shay. Time passed by and as they got into their adult years, Landon's life and career path took him on a different route and Shay lost touch with him and began to despise him because he broke her heart. She always had an unhealthy view on love seeing her parents growing up and after Landon took so long to come back, she felt that that she would never get love.
Landon never forgot about Shay but when he finally did try to get back into her life as adults, she was so jaded it took a lot for him to break through to her. I liked how we got to see Landon use his own experiences with mental health to help Karla who was a younger character in the book and how Shay seeing this helped soften her heart some and let Landon back in. That being said, I didn't think it was fair after all she saw Landon do and how much he wanted to help her in her career, she wouldn't even hear him out when a certain situation occurred. I understood her fears but I felt like it was something that could've been discussed more. Then the route in which was taken to get her back and her response to it i felt was too easy. I liked the trajectory of the book overall, watching the love grow between Landon and Shay as teenagers and working to get back to that as adults and the heavy emphasis on taking care of your mental health; however, I didn't care too much for the third act breakup which is why I took off half a star. Thank you to Lyx for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
It was just a bet, a harmless bet that he knew he could win because he'd never fall for the girl. He was certain it was an easy win for him, until he got to know the girl and she got the upper hand on their little bet...and then the boy who didn't do love fell head over heels for the girl!
Between the pages of this beautifully written book you will meet a couple who found that once in a lifetime kind of love when they were young, but weren't mature enough to hold onto it. Their love was formed on a bet, trying to one up one another and win that said bet... and it ultimately cost them everything. Then life took them in different directions, down different paths, paths that are about to intersect. But they are different people now, that love died a long time ago, or has it?
THIS BOOK!!! The moment I started this one I became obsessed, wanting to pick it up and read a few pages every chance I got, all I could think about were these two. Would they find their way back to one another or would old hurts keep them apart? It drove me crazy, the words and characters wandered into my head every spare chance I had to think about it. Then one night in the wee hours of the night the last page found me, the obsession had finally come to an end, I had all my answers, but I didn't want to let these two go. I was fully invested in their story and just wasn't ready to say goodbye. Their beautiful love story broke me in all the best ways and left me with one heck of a book hangover that I'm still feeling several days after finishing. I highly recommend you take a chance on this one, it's a beautifully written story that'll leave a permanent indent on your heart!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Between the pages of this beautifully written book you will meet a couple who found that once in a lifetime kind of love when they were young, but weren't mature enough to hold onto it. Their love was formed on a bet, trying to one up one another and win that said bet... and it ultimately cost them everything. Then life took them in different directions, down different paths, paths that are about to intersect. But they are different people now, that love died a long time ago, or has it?
THIS BOOK!!! The moment I started this one I became obsessed, wanting to pick it up and read a few pages every chance I got, all I could think about were these two. Would they find their way back to one another or would old hurts keep them apart? It drove me crazy, the words and characters wandered into my head every spare chance I had to think about it. Then one night in the wee hours of the night the last page found me, the obsession had finally come to an end, I had all my answers, but I didn't want to let these two go. I was fully invested in their story and just wasn't ready to say goodbye. Their beautiful love story broke me in all the best ways and left me with one heck of a book hangover that I'm still feeling several days after finishing. I highly recommend you take a chance on this one, it's a beautifully written story that'll leave a permanent indent on your heart!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 4.5/5
- Part 1: new adult & hate to love
- Part 2: second chance romance with a celebrity MMC
- mental health rep (check CWs)
- 🌶️.5/5
- dual pov
Part 1 follows Landon & Shay in high school, where it all starts with a bet about who can make the other fall in love first. What begins as a game slowly turns into something much deeper and vulnerable, because the bet forces them to really see each other. To show the parts of themselves they usually hide. To finally have someone who understands.
Landon absolutely broke my heart in this section, as the representation of depression is authentic, raw, and painfully relatable. The plot twists also caught me off guard, but in the best way.
Part 2 jumps ahead over a decade later, with Landon now a famous actor. I do think it helps to read Eleanor & Grey first, since there’s some crossover, but you can still follow along.
Shay and Landon reconnect through Eleanor and Greyson, and while Shay is understandably guarded and terrified of being hurt again, she agrees to a "not" friends with benefits arrangement while Landon is in town filming. Of course, it doesn’t stay simple, especially when she gets a job on set. Little moments make it obvious that Landon has never forgotten Shay and is desperate for a second chance, even though he knows he needs to earn it (and earn it he does).
I also really love how Brittainy writes spice. Some scenes are detailed and intimate, others fade to black, but it never overshadows the story. It always feels intentional and perfectly woven into her emotional, lyrical writing.
And now that we know there’s a third book coming in this series? I am so ready!
- Part 1: new adult & hate to love
- Part 2: second chance romance with a celebrity MMC
- mental health rep (check CWs)
- 🌶️.5/5
- dual pov
Part 1 follows Landon & Shay in high school, where it all starts with a bet about who can make the other fall in love first. What begins as a game slowly turns into something much deeper and vulnerable, because the bet forces them to really see each other. To show the parts of themselves they usually hide. To finally have someone who understands.
Landon absolutely broke my heart in this section, as the representation of depression is authentic, raw, and painfully relatable. The plot twists also caught me off guard, but in the best way.
Part 2 jumps ahead over a decade later, with Landon now a famous actor. I do think it helps to read Eleanor & Grey first, since there’s some crossover, but you can still follow along.
Shay and Landon reconnect through Eleanor and Greyson, and while Shay is understandably guarded and terrified of being hurt again, she agrees to a "not" friends with benefits arrangement while Landon is in town filming. Of course, it doesn’t stay simple, especially when she gets a job on set. Little moments make it obvious that Landon has never forgotten Shay and is desperate for a second chance, even though he knows he needs to earn it (and earn it he does).
I also really love how Brittainy writes spice. Some scenes are detailed and intimate, others fade to black, but it never overshadows the story. It always feels intentional and perfectly woven into her emotional, lyrical writing.
And now that we know there’s a third book coming in this series? I am so ready!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 1/2 Stars
This was another fun read by Brittany Cherry. I really enjoyed the way that storyline evolved. It was a gentle flow of getting to know Landon and Shay and the way their individual histories impacted the way they functioned. It had elements of being a good Romeo and Juliet tale with the wealthy boy and the girl whose grandmother worked for his family.. The book had a nice enemies to friends and then gradually to lovers. Shay took an instant dislike to Landon. It wasn't like she truly didn't like him, she just couldn't fully commit to him. And she didn't trust him.
The plot gradually evolves over time. On top of the insecurities Shay has about the disparity between her and Landon because of his wealth, he also suffers from depression and anxiety. This makes him doubt his worthiness and his mental health deteriorates a great deal around his family. There is a time in the book when Shay and Landon are completely out of touch and it takes a lot of understanding for them to find their way back to even talking to one another. It is a time full of misunderstandings and heartbreaks. Theirs is a volatile and painful story but their love is strong. Is it strong enough to bring them through?
I hurt for both of these characters. Truly they were a bit toxic for one another. Their insecurities played against one another. Of course they didn't have the strongest start as it was with a bet about who could make the other fall in love. Such a fun premise that was made even more entertaining when you watch Landon realizing it's going to be harder to resist her than he realized.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
This was another fun read by Brittany Cherry. I really enjoyed the way that storyline evolved. It was a gentle flow of getting to know Landon and Shay and the way their individual histories impacted the way they functioned. It had elements of being a good Romeo and Juliet tale with the wealthy boy and the girl whose grandmother worked for his family.. The book had a nice enemies to friends and then gradually to lovers. Shay took an instant dislike to Landon. It wasn't like she truly didn't like him, she just couldn't fully commit to him. And she didn't trust him.
The plot gradually evolves over time. On top of the insecurities Shay has about the disparity between her and Landon because of his wealth, he also suffers from depression and anxiety. This makes him doubt his worthiness and his mental health deteriorates a great deal around his family. There is a time in the book when Shay and Landon are completely out of touch and it takes a lot of understanding for them to find their way back to even talking to one another. It is a time full of misunderstandings and heartbreaks. Theirs is a volatile and painful story but their love is strong. Is it strong enough to bring them through?
I hurt for both of these characters. Truly they were a bit toxic for one another. Their insecurities played against one another. Of course they didn't have the strongest start as it was with a bet about who could make the other fall in love. Such a fun premise that was made even more entertaining when you watch Landon realizing it's going to be harder to resist her than he realized.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 4, 2026
⚠️ CONTENT NOTE: This story navigates heavy and realistic themes, including depression, anxiety, and drug overdose. If these topics are difficult for you, please prioritize your well-being while reading.
Brittainy C. Cherry has a way of shattering your heart just to weld it back together. After six books, I can safely say this story (along with Eleanor & Grey) takes the cake by a long shot. It’s the kind of read that makes you believe there truly is someone for everyone, even when the world feels exceptionally dark. I smiled, I cried, and I went on the absolute best of emotional roller coasters.
This isn't just a "second chance" romance; it’s a masterclass in mental health representation. Following Landon and Shay from their high school "bet"—which feels like a beautiful, nostalgic nod to A Walk to Remember—to their emotional reunion a decade later was a treat. Seeing a male lead like Landon navigate deep-seated emotions and mental health struggles without the usual "stoic" mask was incredibly refreshing.
Shay’s journey is equally compelling. Her hesitation toward love—rooted in the trauma of witnessing her father’s failures—is handled with such validity. Watching her overcome those hurdles by seeing the happiness of her mother and friends later in the story was a breath of fresh air.
While Eleanor & Grey still holds a tiny piece of my soul that keeps this at a 4.5-star rating, Landon and Shay’s "beautifully broken" journey is an absolute must-read for fans of contemporary romance that isn't necessarily "dark," but goes incredibly deep.
Brittainy C. Cherry has a way of shattering your heart just to weld it back together. After six books, I can safely say this story (along with Eleanor & Grey) takes the cake by a long shot. It’s the kind of read that makes you believe there truly is someone for everyone, even when the world feels exceptionally dark. I smiled, I cried, and I went on the absolute best of emotional roller coasters.
This isn't just a "second chance" romance; it’s a masterclass in mental health representation. Following Landon and Shay from their high school "bet"—which feels like a beautiful, nostalgic nod to A Walk to Remember—to their emotional reunion a decade later was a treat. Seeing a male lead like Landon navigate deep-seated emotions and mental health struggles without the usual "stoic" mask was incredibly refreshing.
Shay’s journey is equally compelling. Her hesitation toward love—rooted in the trauma of witnessing her father’s failures—is handled with such validity. Watching her overcome those hurdles by seeing the happiness of her mother and friends later in the story was a breath of fresh air.
While Eleanor & Grey still holds a tiny piece of my soul that keeps this at a 4.5-star rating, Landon and Shay’s "beautifully broken" journey is an absolute must-read for fans of contemporary romance that isn't necessarily "dark," but goes incredibly deep.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
💜 ARC Review 💜
💜 Landon & Shay 💜
💜 Pub. Date - April 28, 2026 💜
Warning- Do not start this book if you plan on sleeping. It is the epitome of a 'just one more chapter' read.
There are very few books that stay with me after I've finished them. I think about them for a little bit and then move on to the next one. But this book has haunted me, respectfully. It occupied my thoughts for days after. It is so beautifully written and actually gives a realistic perspective of what depression is like. I have found myself asking "how's your heart?" and the responses have been so meaningful.
What I loved:
-Landon's growth and love. It was such an amazing transition from part 1 when he was a teenager to part 2 when he was an adult.
-Shay. Just everything about her. She was like looking into a mirror. She is so strong and caring. A powerhouse woman that never gave up.
-Mima, the best grandma in the world. This woman's heart knows no bounds. She tells you like it is and holds you when you need it.
What I didn't love:
-without going into detail: I thought the forgiveness was a little quick. Yes, I know that makes me sound terrible, but I was hoping for a little more feminine rage from Shay when Landon returned. It came out in other ways though, so I'm satisfied.
Landon & Shay is a journey through emotions, trauma, sorrow, and hope. It will remind you that love is worth fighting your demons for. 4.5 stars!
Big thank you to Brittainy Cherry, Netgalley , and lyx books for the opportunity to review this.
💜 Landon & Shay 💜
💜 Pub. Date - April 28, 2026 💜
Warning- Do not start this book if you plan on sleeping. It is the epitome of a 'just one more chapter' read.
There are very few books that stay with me after I've finished them. I think about them for a little bit and then move on to the next one. But this book has haunted me, respectfully. It occupied my thoughts for days after. It is so beautifully written and actually gives a realistic perspective of what depression is like. I have found myself asking "how's your heart?" and the responses have been so meaningful.
What I loved:
-Landon's growth and love. It was such an amazing transition from part 1 when he was a teenager to part 2 when he was an adult.
-Shay. Just everything about her. She was like looking into a mirror. She is so strong and caring. A powerhouse woman that never gave up.
-Mima, the best grandma in the world. This woman's heart knows no bounds. She tells you like it is and holds you when you need it.
What I didn't love:
-without going into detail: I thought the forgiveness was a little quick. Yes, I know that makes me sound terrible, but I was hoping for a little more feminine rage from Shay when Landon returned. It came out in other ways though, so I'm satisfied.
Landon & Shay is a journey through emotions, trauma, sorrow, and hope. It will remind you that love is worth fighting your demons for. 4.5 stars!
Big thank you to Brittainy Cherry, Netgalley , and lyx books for the opportunity to review this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
She does it again. I just know that when I read a book by Ms. Cherry I need my ice cream, a blanket and tissue on the ready.
Landon and Shay, is such Beauty and the Beast type of vibe.
Landon, "typical" rich boy whose parents are never there, loses his uncle tragically. He has to deal with his own mind betraying him and rely on the few people that love and care for him. The absence of his uncle, mom and dad kills me the lack of someone being there for him. Highy emotional. He is complexed character.
Shay, the girl down the street, everyone loves her she's "perfect" and she the "light" for a lot of people but her family at home in turmoil. While she is not perfect she finds a way to not be tainted by he parents and grandparents love story to an extent.
Adult Landon and Shay, I could wring Landon's neck but knowing the mental health struggle he had going on alleviated that. I loved that they were able to find their way back to each other and meet each other in the present instead of struggling to connect through thier past. I loved that their love was redeemable.
Brittainy writes in a way that you can see yourself going through the things the main characters go through or at least know someone that has been through it. I cried too many times reading this book
If you love meaningful stories, heart wrenching heartbreak breakups, second chances and deep conversations. This is perfect you.
Thanks to LYX via NetGalley
Landon and Shay, is such Beauty and the Beast type of vibe.
Landon, "typical" rich boy whose parents are never there, loses his uncle tragically. He has to deal with his own mind betraying him and rely on the few people that love and care for him. The absence of his uncle, mom and dad kills me the lack of someone being there for him. Highy emotional. He is complexed character.
Shay, the girl down the street, everyone loves her she's "perfect" and she the "light" for a lot of people but her family at home in turmoil. While she is not perfect she finds a way to not be tainted by he parents and grandparents love story to an extent.
Adult Landon and Shay, I could wring Landon's neck but knowing the mental health struggle he had going on alleviated that. I loved that they were able to find their way back to each other and meet each other in the present instead of struggling to connect through thier past. I loved that their love was redeemable.
Brittainy writes in a way that you can see yourself going through the things the main characters go through or at least know someone that has been through it. I cried too many times reading this book
If you love meaningful stories, heart wrenching heartbreak breakups, second chances and deep conversations. This is perfect you.
Thanks to LYX via NetGalley
May 3, 2026
I read Eleanor and Gray years ago and it’s still one I think about often. On my list of favorite books it’s towards the top. I never picked this duet up for some reason. I should have went with my gut. Brittainy Cherry re-released it so I thought now’s the time. The story is… fine. I was never fully captivated by this couple. I felt for Landon and his struggles but that man done pissed me off when he left for years and cut off ties with Shay. I get he was struggling but she was his rock and the way he could just leave her like that had me fuming. Don’t get me started with the tree. There is a tree that couples put their initials into and they stay together forever. Shay didn’t like it because she felt like couples who had a horrible relationship were doomed to stay together unhappily forever. I so badly wanted Landon to put their initials into the tree when the bet started and then take her back at the end and show her that it wasn’t always bad. I did skip a section of the book so maybe he did do that but he definitely didn’t take her there after they were married like I had hoped. I jumped from 70% to 83% and felt like I missed nothing but maybe I missed that. The book just didn’t do it for me. It’s getting 3⭐️ because of Mima. She stole the story for me and wasn’t in it nearly enough. “How’s your heart today?” “Still beating” 😭 favorite part of the whole book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2026
(⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5) The first book in the series was not my favorite & left me feeling a little disappointed, but this one more than made up for it, tenfold. Thank god I decided to continue. Brittainy Cherry has incredible talent for creating deeply complex characters and emotionally engaging stories, and this book was a true example.
Landon & Shay’s story had me in deep. Their connection felt so raw & authentic, there were so many layers to it. I loved their undeniable chemistry in their younger years and I loved the steady/consistent & meaningful rebuilding when they reconnected. This is exactly what a second-chance romance should look like: earned, intentional, and emotionally satisfying.
What stood out most was the actually the absence of forced or unnecessary drama I see a lot of the times. The tension came from real experiences, growth, and vulnerability. The relatable emotional experiences that shaped their lives & decisions made sense and didn’t leave me feeling annoyed or frustrated with the characters.
Like many of her books, there were moments that left me feeling sick, but the payoff was absolutely worth it. Everything felt authentic. I can’t wait to read more of her heartfelt & emotionally engaging stories.
Landon & Shay’s story had me in deep. Their connection felt so raw & authentic, there were so many layers to it. I loved their undeniable chemistry in their younger years and I loved the steady/consistent & meaningful rebuilding when they reconnected. This is exactly what a second-chance romance should look like: earned, intentional, and emotionally satisfying.
What stood out most was the actually the absence of forced or unnecessary drama I see a lot of the times. The tension came from real experiences, growth, and vulnerability. The relatable emotional experiences that shaped their lives & decisions made sense and didn’t leave me feeling annoyed or frustrated with the characters.
Like many of her books, there were moments that left me feeling sick, but the payoff was absolutely worth it. Everything felt authentic. I can’t wait to read more of her heartfelt & emotionally engaging stories.
April 28, 2026
this book?
yeah… it didn’t just hurt.
it lingered. 😭
it started as a BET.
just some dumb high school moment like:
“yeah I can make her fall for me.”
and Shay said:
“bet… but I’ll make you fall first.”
and that’s when everything went wrong.
because this wasn’t supposed to be real.
but it became REAL real.
Landon
that boy broke me.
like not in a “book boyfriend” way…
in a “I need to hug him and tell him he matters” way 😭
his thoughts
his struggles
the way he carries everything inside
yeah… that hit too close.
and Shay
she’s strong.
but not in the “nothing hurts me” way…
in the “I’ve seen too much and now I don’t trust love” way.
and watching them fall?
soft.
reckless.
inevitable.
and then watching it FALL APART?
yeah… I wasn’t okay.
this book is:
💔 first love that changes you forever
🔥 enemies to lovers → lovers → heartbreak
🖤 mental health rep that actually feels REAL
⏳ second chance that HURTS before it heals
and when they meet again YEARS later?
oh.
OH.
the tension
the history
the “we’re not the same people but we still feel the same things”
this isn’t a perfect love story.
it’s messy.
it’s painful.
it’s the kind of love that doesn’t leave you even when it ends.
yeah… it didn’t just hurt.
it lingered. 😭
it started as a BET.
just some dumb high school moment like:
“yeah I can make her fall for me.”
and Shay said:
“bet… but I’ll make you fall first.”
and that’s when everything went wrong.
because this wasn’t supposed to be real.
but it became REAL real.
Landon
that boy broke me.
like not in a “book boyfriend” way…
in a “I need to hug him and tell him he matters” way 😭
his thoughts
his struggles
the way he carries everything inside
yeah… that hit too close.
and Shay
she’s strong.
but not in the “nothing hurts me” way…
in the “I’ve seen too much and now I don’t trust love” way.
and watching them fall?
soft.
reckless.
inevitable.
and then watching it FALL APART?
yeah… I wasn’t okay.
this book is:
💔 first love that changes you forever
🔥 enemies to lovers → lovers → heartbreak
🖤 mental health rep that actually feels REAL
⏳ second chance that HURTS before it heals
and when they meet again YEARS later?
oh.
OH.
the tension
the history
the “we’re not the same people but we still feel the same things”
this isn’t a perfect love story.
it’s messy.
it’s painful.
it’s the kind of love that doesn’t leave you even when it ends.
May 6, 2026
Landon & Shay
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“How’s your heart today?” “Still beating.”
I’ve always loved, loved, LOVED Brittainy C. Cherrys’ books so much. She always knows how to pull you in and gut you then put you back together again. This story was no different.
It all started with a bet and the rest is history. This is a 2 part story so it definitely got a little bit long and sometimes repetitive, but I really loved their story.
Please check the content warnings because some themes might be heavy for some readers.
Things to be aware of:
•Serious Mental Health Issues
•Death
•Found Family
•Verbal Abuse
•Self Harm
•Thoughts of Suicide
•Miscommunication
But with that she also gave us:
•Enemies to Friends to Lovers
•Slow Burn
•Yearning
•Tension
•Second Chance Love
It’s messy, painful, raw and also beautiful. She writes in a way that you can completely imagine yourself in the story (for the most part.)
The only reason I don’t rate it 5 ⭐️’s was because of the miscommunication trope. I really don’t care for them. Just talk and figure it out. Also there were times when things felt a little overly childish. Other than that, I’d recommend this book.
Thank you NetGalley and LYX publishing for this E-Arc in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“How’s your heart today?” “Still beating.”
I’ve always loved, loved, LOVED Brittainy C. Cherrys’ books so much. She always knows how to pull you in and gut you then put you back together again. This story was no different.
It all started with a bet and the rest is history. This is a 2 part story so it definitely got a little bit long and sometimes repetitive, but I really loved their story.
Please check the content warnings because some themes might be heavy for some readers.
Things to be aware of:
•Serious Mental Health Issues
•Death
•Found Family
•Verbal Abuse
•Self Harm
•Thoughts of Suicide
•Miscommunication
But with that she also gave us:
•Enemies to Friends to Lovers
•Slow Burn
•Yearning
•Tension
•Second Chance Love
It’s messy, painful, raw and also beautiful. She writes in a way that you can completely imagine yourself in the story (for the most part.)
The only reason I don’t rate it 5 ⭐️’s was because of the miscommunication trope. I really don’t care for them. Just talk and figure it out. Also there were times when things felt a little overly childish. Other than that, I’d recommend this book.
Thank you NetGalley and LYX publishing for this E-Arc in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Landon & Shay was a good emotional romance story but this not a light read. This story has mental issues, depression, addiction, overdose, suicide, death, jealousy and so much more. This story wasn't light but there were also funny, sweet, heartfelt, forgiving, growing and learning moments. I have to say that I loved the first half of the book with Shay and Landon when it came to the bet, and their enemy attitude towards each other when it was anything but hate. There was no denying their gravitational pull towards one another and how they bonded dealing with their family situations. I absolutely loved Shay's grandmother in this story when it came to the love she had not only for her daughter and granddaughter but also the love she had for Landon. The second half of the story was good but there was a lot of back and forth between Shay and Landon. I understand that Shay was hurt but sometimes I felt as if her actions were a bit immature. Overall, this was a good high school to adult lover's romance story that has a deserving happy ending for the main characters. I think this is a story romance book lovers will enjoy and I'm looking forward to reading more books from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is book two in the “Chances” series, and it did not disappoint!
Brittainy Cherry delivers so much emotion and depth that you quickly find yourself completely immersed in this world. The story includes enemies to lovers, a slow burn, and meaningful mental health representation. It begins when our FMC and MMC are in high school and follows them all the way into adulthood. We get to watch them grow up and experience life, just as we did with Eleanor and Grey in book one. Both Landon and Shay grew up surrounded by drama and were forced to deal with adult issues far too young. The way they looked out for each other, even while fighting their own battles, was truly special.
The mental health representation in this book was handled carefully and thoughtfully, and it never felt overwhelming.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Landon and Shay’s story after getting a small glimpse of them in the first book. The cameos from characters in book one made me happy but emotional as well. IYKYK.
Thank you to NetGalley and LYX Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Brittainy Cherry delivers so much emotion and depth that you quickly find yourself completely immersed in this world. The story includes enemies to lovers, a slow burn, and meaningful mental health representation. It begins when our FMC and MMC are in high school and follows them all the way into adulthood. We get to watch them grow up and experience life, just as we did with Eleanor and Grey in book one. Both Landon and Shay grew up surrounded by drama and were forced to deal with adult issues far too young. The way they looked out for each other, even while fighting their own battles, was truly special.
The mental health representation in this book was handled carefully and thoughtfully, and it never felt overwhelming.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Landon and Shay’s story after getting a small glimpse of them in the first book. The cameos from characters in book one made me happy but emotional as well. IYKYK.
Thank you to NetGalley and LYX Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Landon & Shay is absolutely a book you can read as a standalone, however having read the first book, Eleanor & Grey did enhance the story. It does focus heavily on mental illness, depression, anxiety and more, so that is important to know going into this book.
What starts out as a bet that Landon can get Shay to fall in love with him while they are in high school, gets turned on its head when Shay turns the tables and ends up making Landon the one that falls first. The story follows them not only through high school, but into adulthood which allows us to experience their growth and the many things they have to deal with as they grow both as individuals and together. Both of them had to deal with more adult things than any young person should.
Cherry does an incredible job handling the mental health portions of this story and also she just has a way with words that keep you engaged as a reader. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and I am always happy to dive into a Brittainy C. Cherry book!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
What starts out as a bet that Landon can get Shay to fall in love with him while they are in high school, gets turned on its head when Shay turns the tables and ends up making Landon the one that falls first. The story follows them not only through high school, but into adulthood which allows us to experience their growth and the many things they have to deal with as they grow both as individuals and together. Both of them had to deal with more adult things than any young person should.
Cherry does an incredible job handling the mental health portions of this story and also she just has a way with words that keep you engaged as a reader. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and I am always happy to dive into a Brittainy C. Cherry book!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I don’t know what Brittainy C. Cherry puts in her books, but they always leave me in tears. First Eleanor & Gray, and now Landon & Shay. The emotional rollercoaster was intense, and the love I felt for these characters was real.
I’m a sucker for second chance romance, and I loved how this story unfolds in two parts: when they fall in love and break apart, then when they reunite years later. It makes their journey even more meaningful.
We see Shay hiding behind her seemingly perfect image and Landon masking his pain with popularity and parties. Watching them find comfort in each other during those vulnerable teenage years was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
Part one melted my heart, with the slow burn, the bet, and the quiet care between them. Part two showed so much emotional growth. Landon’s effort to heal and become the man Shay deserved made their reunion feel earned and tender. Shay healing from her family traumas and accepting her love for Landon.
A deeply emotional, beautifully written story about love, growth, and finding your way back.
Thank you Lyx Books for the ARC!!
I’m a sucker for second chance romance, and I loved how this story unfolds in two parts: when they fall in love and break apart, then when they reunite years later. It makes their journey even more meaningful.
We see Shay hiding behind her seemingly perfect image and Landon masking his pain with popularity and parties. Watching them find comfort in each other during those vulnerable teenage years was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
Part one melted my heart, with the slow burn, the bet, and the quiet care between them. Part two showed so much emotional growth. Landon’s effort to heal and become the man Shay deserved made their reunion feel earned and tender. Shay healing from her family traumas and accepting her love for Landon.
A deeply emotional, beautifully written story about love, growth, and finding your way back.
Thank you Lyx Books for the ARC!!
May 7, 2026
Landon & Shay absolutely wrecked me in the best way 🥺💔✨ 4.5⭐️
Brittainy Cherry delivered another deeply emotional story, this time exploring depression, anxiety, generational trauma, and the lasting effects of broken homes. While I can’t personally relate to everything covered in the book, the way those struggles were portrayed felt incredibly thoughtful and honest.
Landon and Shay’s connection felt so raw, messy, and authentic. Their chemistry in their younger years was intense, reckless, and emotional 😭 and I loved watching them reconnect later in life through a slower, more meaningful rebuilding of trust and love. A second chance romance that actually felt earned 🙌
I especially loved having a male main character who openly expressed his emotions 🫶 and wow… Shay’s hesitation toward love hit a little too close to home for me 🥲
The only thing keeping this from being a full 5⭐️ read for me was the third act breakup. It felt a little forced and unnecessary, but honestly? It still didn’t take away from how impactful this story was.
These two hurt each other, healed each other, and loved each other through every messy layer of themselves—and I felt every second of it 💕📖
Brittainy Cherry delivered another deeply emotional story, this time exploring depression, anxiety, generational trauma, and the lasting effects of broken homes. While I can’t personally relate to everything covered in the book, the way those struggles were portrayed felt incredibly thoughtful and honest.
Landon and Shay’s connection felt so raw, messy, and authentic. Their chemistry in their younger years was intense, reckless, and emotional 😭 and I loved watching them reconnect later in life through a slower, more meaningful rebuilding of trust and love. A second chance romance that actually felt earned 🙌
I especially loved having a male main character who openly expressed his emotions 🫶 and wow… Shay’s hesitation toward love hit a little too close to home for me 🥲
The only thing keeping this from being a full 5⭐️ read for me was the third act breakup. It felt a little forced and unnecessary, but honestly? It still didn’t take away from how impactful this story was.
These two hurt each other, healed each other, and loved each other through every messy layer of themselves—and I felt every second of it 💕📖
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THIS IS MY BEST READ SO FAR THIS YEAR!!!
Brittainy Cherry has captured everything in between the cover of this book. You will laugh and you will cry. I read this book in a day because I did not want to put it down. I felt the emotions of the characters from the moment the book started.
Landon is a high school senior who seems to have it all and Shay is the sweet, naive girl that everyone this is perfect. Nothing is as it seems. Landon is battling demons that he can't see and Shay is dealing with her family being tore apart.
These two have hated each other for as long as they have known each other, but there is a thin line between love and hate. When one overhears a bet being made by the other, the game is on. Landon thinks that he can make Shay fall in love with him until she overhears the bet and flips the script.
If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and go through every emotion from beginning to end, look no further.
I received this ARC version of this book in exchange for my review.
Brittainy Cherry has captured everything in between the cover of this book. You will laugh and you will cry. I read this book in a day because I did not want to put it down. I felt the emotions of the characters from the moment the book started.
Landon is a high school senior who seems to have it all and Shay is the sweet, naive girl that everyone this is perfect. Nothing is as it seems. Landon is battling demons that he can't see and Shay is dealing with her family being tore apart.
These two have hated each other for as long as they have known each other, but there is a thin line between love and hate. When one overhears a bet being made by the other, the game is on. Landon thinks that he can make Shay fall in love with him until she overhears the bet and flips the script.
If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and go through every emotion from beginning to end, look no further.
I received this ARC version of this book in exchange for my review.
January 24, 2026
Brittainy Cherry drops another absolute BANGER of a book with Landon & Shay. I know their relationship is teased in ‘Eleanor & Grey’ but it was so satisfying to see it play out in real time from their perspectives.
I mean can I just say, the reason Landon grows up and becomes an actor was literally because he “hated” a girl in high school and did Romeo & Juliet just to spite her. (Homie never hated her, he loved her, it just took him awhile to get there. And Shay with all of her stories & screenwriting…I was so peeved that she didn’t win that Oscar #JusticeForShay for her screenplay.
The relationship dynamic between this duo is just stunning and I hope to see more of them in the third installment of the Chances series, even though they won’t be man characters anymore. Hopefully Uncle Landon will make his reappearances for Karla and hopefully we can see a bit more from Eleanor, Grey & Lorelei. I miss those guys, Lorelei especially.
I mean can I just say, the reason Landon grows up and becomes an actor was literally because he “hated” a girl in high school and did Romeo & Juliet just to spite her. (Homie never hated her, he loved her, it just took him awhile to get there. And Shay with all of her stories & screenwriting…I was so peeved that she didn’t win that Oscar #JusticeForShay for her screenplay.
The relationship dynamic between this duo is just stunning and I hope to see more of them in the third installment of the Chances series, even though they won’t be man characters anymore. Hopefully Uncle Landon will make his reappearances for Karla and hopefully we can see a bit more from Eleanor, Grey & Lorelei. I miss those guys, Lorelei especially.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2026
Do you ever read a book that you know will stick with you for a long time? Landon and Shay is that for me. I was not expecting this book to be so emotional, yet so relatable in so many ways. I feel that Brittainy captured depression in a heartbreaking, yet realistic way.
💜Hate to love
💜First loves
💜Second chance romance
💜Traumatic childhoods
Shay and Landon both present to be happy go lucky high schoolers living their best lives, when in reality they are both breaking inside. Both have issues and realities that are hard to feel with, and they both judged the other for their exterior facing personality that they show the world.
When they dove deep and became friends instead of enemies, they cracked open their hearts in ways that they never expected.
This book was so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. I cried numerous times; and I sobbed a few. These characters and their stories truly resonated with me.
💜Hate to love
💜First loves
💜Second chance romance
💜Traumatic childhoods
Shay and Landon both present to be happy go lucky high schoolers living their best lives, when in reality they are both breaking inside. Both have issues and realities that are hard to feel with, and they both judged the other for their exterior facing personality that they show the world.
When they dove deep and became friends instead of enemies, they cracked open their hearts in ways that they never expected.
This book was so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. I cried numerous times; and I sobbed a few. These characters and their stories truly resonated with me.
January 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and LYX Books for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book, especially the way it intertwined with Eleanor & Grey. Part I was absolutely delectable—I devoured it and loved being immersed in the story and characters. Part II, however, lost me a bit. It felt much more fast-paced, and I found myself wishing there was more depth and time spent on certain events and characters, especially some things that were just brushed on. I wanted to know more about specific things that happened and felt that Part II could have benefited from being longer. The ending, while satisfying in concept, felt a little rushed. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and diving more into Landon & Shay's characters.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the way it intertwined with Eleanor & Grey. Part I was absolutely delectable—I devoured it and loved being immersed in the story and characters. Part II, however, lost me a bit. It felt much more fast-paced, and I found myself wishing there was more depth and time spent on certain events and characters, especially some things that were just brushed on. I wanted to know more about specific things that happened and felt that Part II could have benefited from being longer. The ending, while satisfying in concept, felt a little rushed. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and diving more into Landon & Shay's characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was so beautiful, it will take time to recover from these two. Landon suffers from depression, badly, and him and Shay get their shot at love in high school. Unfortunately between her family issues and his personal, they part and boy did that hurt. But talk about a man bc he leaves to better himself. He cannot fathom how he could be good for her. The two of them endure so much and later in life come back together for a beautiful, special kind of love. If you suffer from depression, just know it’s handled with so much care in this book and I felt very seen and understood. It’s a love story I’ll carry with me always:)
April 29, 2026
Landon & Shay are truly a beautiful written and unforgettable couple. Landon is a broken and depressed teenage boy who is used to faking his happiness to make sure no one sees who he really is until Shay comes into his life and he sees light within the bet they make. But sometimes it does happen to be right person wrong time. You see Shay a woman healing from the loss of the love of her life and Landon “Hollywoods golden boy”. This is a story about second chances, forgiveness, mental health, trauma and healing. I adore Brittainy Cherry’s writing and think she writes unforgettable characters with rich storylines.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was so excited for this story after reading Eleanor & Grey, and this did not disappoint! Landon and Shay's story was so sweet, but also so painful to read. Depression plays a HUGE factor in this story, and Brittainy did a great job with the topic without it bringing the mood down too much. I loved Landon's character, especially the way he cared for his inner circle.
*Enemies to lovers
*Second chance
*Dual timeline
*Depression/Suicide
*Actor/Screenwriter
*Dual POV
Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley, Brittainy Cherry, and LYX for the ARC!
*Enemies to lovers
*Second chance
*Dual timeline
*Depression/Suicide
*Actor/Screenwriter
*Dual POV
Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley, Brittainy Cherry, and LYX for the ARC!
April 19, 2026
There were some good things about this book, but also some not so good. I appreciate books that are honest about mental health struggles and how they can affect those around them. I think that that part was well executed. However, I didn’t like the writing style, it felt really juvenile for an adult book. Also, it felt like the characters never really grew out of their high school selves, even in Part 2 when they are supposed to be adults. Larger plot points felt rushed through, while smaller moments seemed to take more time than they should.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
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