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The Right Side of My Pillow

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Cricket Anderson and Cole Thornton were throwaways. The outside world didn’t have room for them. Yet, from the tender age of nine, all they had was each other…until they didn’t. Not only were promises broken but so was Cricket’s heart.Focused and driven to create a life made of dreams, Cole Thornton succeeded only to be left feeling empty and alone. Ten years later, a chance encounter brings him together with the one person he’s ever felt connected to – an angry, disconnected and broken woman.They say time heals all wounds. But, can two damaged souls discover love and mend their hollowed hearts? Find out in The Right Side of My Pillow.For mature audiences only.

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2016

16 people are currently reading
70 people want to read

About the author

LaShawn Vasser

46 books239 followers
LaShawn Vasser has penned over twenty best-selling contemporary romance novels and novellas.

From a very young age, LaShawn developed a deep love of books and a passion for writing that she couldn't wait to share with the world!

LaShawn is also a dedicated wife and mother of three. She enjoys trying new recipes and cooking big family meals with her sisters. These dinners tend to be loud and filled with lots of good crazy – oftentimes the perfect setting for inspiring juicy, new plot ideas.

Find Author LaShawn Vasser at www.LaShawnVasser.com for exclusive news, updates, and more.

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5 stars
68 (43%)
4 stars
47 (29%)
3 stars
28 (17%)
2 stars
12 (7%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Musings of A Romance Junkie.
311 reviews92 followers
February 27, 2016
***RATING: 4.5 STARS***

When author LaShawn Vasser writes a new story, you read it. Don’t ask questions, just read it. Because you NEVER know what to expect. Let’s talk about the title: The Right Side Of The Pillow. If that’s not clickworthy alone, something is wrong witcha!

Cole and Cricket (Jade) are two “throw-aways” placed in the often broken foster care system. They grew up surrounded by abuse and neglect; but managed to find comfort in each other. They are now each others’ family, except somebody isn’t feeling too familial. Cole ages out of the system and is determined to make something out of his life by attending college; which he does. Cricket, two years younger, is left behind at the home they grew up, and Cole vows to return for her upon her eighteenth birthday. All Cricket has to do is hold on…

Flash forward ten years. Cole is wealthy, successful, and self-made. Cricket, now known as Jade, is not. Through a series of misunderstandings and misfortunes, Cole and Jade find themselves back in each others’ lives when they need one another the most, but can time heal old wounds? Throw in an abusive ex-husband and a clingy, insecure girlfriend, and the drama is heightened tenfold. This is where the story goes from zero to a hundred…real quick!

I love how this story is not only sweet and entertaining, but how it also shines the spotlight on the often-forgotten children who grew up in the foster care system. No, it’s not preachy or condescending, but instead, shows it’s not where ya come from, but where ya at! You will also want to shake these two at times, but they get it together. Very good story. Click it up!
Profile Image for Sophia.
285 reviews7 followers
February 26, 2016
This was such a cute story!! It had my blood pressure going up and me wanting to beat a b**ch down! Cole and Jade grew up together in the same group home. They were each other solace in a period that was dark and lonely. Then Cole left and promised Jade he would be back for her. 10 years later they run into each other and Cole is fighting for a chance for them to reconnect as Jade is fighting her feeling of abandonment. These two journey of redefining a friendship leads to jealousy and revenge.
Profile Image for Tracey.
198 reviews
March 30, 2016
Not what I expected, it was an ok read. I guess I'm looking to read something on the same caliber as "Cree", a book that I really enjoyed by this author.
Author 6 books210 followers
March 20, 2016
Great Read! I loved this book from beginning to end. Cole and Jade (Cricket's) story kept me entertained from beginning to end and kept me reading. I started and finished this book the day I downloaded it. When I read what the right side of my pillow meant to the characters, it was touching and added a spark to the book that gave it more meaning and depth. This book was well written and very thoughtful. I have read other works and Ms. Vasser and she never disappoints.
Profile Image for ILoveToRead.
688 reviews27 followers
December 15, 2018
An okay read

The title and the author is why I purchased this book. I really hate to say it, but I wasn't that impressed with this one. It did not have the same flow as her other books. I can't put my finger on it, but it was somewhat lacking.
348 reviews
March 4, 2016
No character development, sweet and shallow romance without much sexual heat or suspense. Not on par with this author'so other work.
Profile Image for Tanja.
741 reviews16 followers
March 2, 2016
promises are meant to broken, that's what jade "cricket" anderson learns the hard way. growing up with cole in the same housing-group was hard but when he didn't show when she turned 18 she made choices that she thought were for the best.
skip forward ten years. jade is bearly making due juggling two jobs to pay for her rent. she isn't feeling all to well and the feeling doesn't go away, even gets worse when cole and entourage enter the restaurant she's working at. cole is surprised to see her and acts like nothing bad happened. that is the drop for jade and she quickly changes tables with another waitress, she doesn't want to get involved with him.
but when she takes a turn for the worse and ends up being taken to hospital Cole shows up as the knight in shining armor. he offers even more help as he overheard her conversation with her landlord. seems her former roommate skipped town with more then just her personal things, she kindly forgot to pay the rent and now she's being evicted with 2 days left to get her things out.
cole offers her to stay with him until she's back on her feet. his girlfriend isn't all too happy with this arrangement and puts on a brafe front for the most part but when she gets jade alone she shows her true colors;
jade couldn't care less because there aren't any romantic feelings between them. right? sure she had a crush on him when they were younger and today he looked even hotter but his interest has always been that of a big brother.
then how does she explain the feelings that keep popping up? how can she explain how easy it is to be around him even when she's angry or upset?
his girlfriend showing her true nature isn't making things easier and things have to be sorted because how they are now isn't working for anyone.

a wonderful story about two people finding each other again, finding out how they've changed and what has stayed the same. growing up together made all the difference for them but they end up in whole different situations. neither is happy but will they find a way to come together and make a future? loved this story enormously! felt a bit sad when it was done. can hope for a visit later on.

free copy given in exchange for an honest review
507 reviews8 followers
July 24, 2017
Happy reading

I believe that I've stayed on many occasions that I love this author's ability to write a good story. If you haven't read any of her books, I suggest that you get started. Happy reading!
Profile Image for Connie.
591 reviews48 followers
April 11, 2016
The Right Side of My Pillow is about two friends who grew up in a group home comforting one another when there wasn't anyone else for them to lean on. At the time when children phase out of the system, the friends were separated to be reunited 10 years later.

Cole grew up to be successful and have all the things he dreamed of. He was had a life that many dream of, but he wasn't living. Jade "Cricket" Lockwood hasn't had any luck in her life and continued to struggle long after she left the group home. These two meet again at a restaurant that Jade works at, but she is angry at Cole for abandoning her. Cole wants to make up for lost time and doesn't want to spend another moment away from Jade. Situations bring them together and he gives her the space and time she needs to trust him again. One thing leads to another and they find their way back to one another.

This story is almost told in snippets of scenes, but it wasn't abrupt which allowed it to work. They still gave me the feeling that I needed to appreciate both of their characters and enjoy the story. The length of the story was good and it had a satisfying ending except for the part with the ex-girlfriend, but other than that. I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Ivory.
94 reviews
February 26, 2016
Cricket(Jade) has loved Cole since she was 9 years old and 11 year old Cole has always looked at Jade as his little sister that he had to protect. They grew up and looked out for each other in a group home where they only had each other to look to for even the smallest comforts; And at the age of 18 Cole had to leave but promised Jade he'd come back for her as soon as she aged out of the system so they could start their life together. Jump ahead 10 years later and we see Jade struggling to make it day to day, broken and bitter; and Cole who is now a super successful and very rich man with a equally beautiful girlfriend and a side to him that is empty. Add in jealousy and resentment for promises made and broken plus the territorial girlfriend and vengeful ex and you have yourself a good read. This was a really nice story and I so enjoyed reading it. There were some parts that, while reading I felt like they could have been left out and didnt really add much to the story. I think if this was longer it would have made a difference but for the length I really enjoyed reading this story.
86 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2016
This story is about Jade Cricket Lockwood (Anderson) and Cole Thornton. They met in a group home when he was 11 and she was 9 and bonded for life. Life is not always fair and their friendship was torn apart for 10 years but as fate would have it they re-connected. Cole has become successful while Cricket is struggling and they meet again (not under ideal circumstances for Cricket), but Cole has not forgotten his connection to Cricket. Of course in life things aren't easy and trying to build their friendship over is wrought with conspiracy, tragedy, and love. But through it all Cricket and Cole overcame the bumps in the road and showed the world that just because they were raised in a group home does not mean that they aren't supposed to love. I was very disappointed when the book ended I wanted to read more of this couple but like all good things it must come to an end! If you want a lot of love, a little conspiracy and a small tragedy (richly deserved) then 1-click to read this story of an amazing couple who overcame being abandoned as children and finding the one thing we may never find in our life, true love!
Profile Image for Noreen Joseph.
65 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2016

I appreciate Mrs.Vasser, taking a subject matter of kids that are abused and neglected in a system that is suppose to care for them. I felt for Jade and her feeling of loss and abandonment in a world where she craved love and acceptance from the wrong person due to a lie. I couldn't fathom settling because I had nowhere to go and putting up with abuse repeatedly. I guess she got her release in the end. Cole was going through his own issue in which he surrounded himself with materialistic stuff and no emotional attachment. As a reader we sometimes think a story should go into another direction not that this story wasn't told in the care and compassion of the lead characters but as a counselor I was looking for a bit more. I always enjoy LaShawn efforts when she put pen to paper and will continue to ride with her on the journey of her different characters. I give this story a 4.5
Profile Image for TinaNoir.
1,896 reviews339 followers
April 30, 2016
I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did CREE.

PROS:
- Writing was good
- Story was interesting and engaging
- Main characters were flawed and relatable

CONS:
- Pacing was uneven. Hero was involved with a GF for a good 60% of the book and he & heroine held each other at arm's length. Last 30% felt sped up to create the actual romance.
- Too much the of the connection b/t H&H relied on backstory, not really allowed to develop in present time. A by-product of the pacing issue.
- Hero's GF ridiculous subplot.

Still, I like this author and even with some of the parts I wasn't thrilled with, I was engaged in the story.
659 reviews4 followers
March 2, 2016
Awesome

Cricket and Cole will make you fall in love with this story...I was holding my breath....reading slowly just so the story wouldn't end...it's a beautiful love story between 2 forgotten children left in the dreaded foster care system...they loved each other from a tender age and when they aged out of the system..they lives took different paths..one leading to success and wealth...the other to abuse and despair...but miraculously..they meet 10 years later and everything changes...
Profile Image for Genevieve Woods.
Author 12 books54 followers
February 26, 2016
Wow from the cover to the ending.

She has done it again. With such a dreamy cover I thought I was in for a sweet romance. Not! LaShawn has brought mystery and suspense in this coming of age and second chances romance. I don't know if it was her intention but I saw how vastly different a young black woman and young white male with the same backgrounds can turn out. One was left homeless the other a millionaire. Read this steamy action packed love story. GreAt job
379 reviews6 followers
February 26, 2016
"The Right Side of My Pillow" is a Beautiful and Well Written story. I truly enjoyed taking this amazing journey with Cricket and Cole. Character chemistry as with all LaShawn Vasser books us on point. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and rarely stooped during my read because I was so encased within the easy flow. Do not sleep on this book, and I guarantee that will not leave disappointed.
Profile Image for Bridgette Mabry-Whorton.
53 reviews6 followers
March 12, 2016
The best LaShawn Vasser story yet!

Jade and Cole have been apart for 10 years. By divine intervention they reunite and also find out the reason for unintentional separation. This is truly an exciting journey of two lost souls finding love again! LaShawn takes you on a rollercoaster ride that will have you laughing, crying and cussing all in a matter of minutes! This is a must read that I have already recommended to a few friends.
Profile Image for Katara Johnson.
551 reviews9 followers
February 26, 2016
LaShawn Vasser has done it again!! Cricket and Cole started out as best of childhood friends to a mature adult friendship. But love was always behind the scenes. I love how Vasser showed that no matter where Cricket went Cole unknowingly was there still wanting to keep her safe. I would love to see how their relationship grows in a book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for TJ.
558 reviews
April 24, 2016
Didn't really feel this one. Felt like I was grasping for straws with the plot. Characters were underdeveloped and closed off. No one knew the main characters the best except the main characters and they were rather closed mouth about it. As usually the rich man comes to save the day, I wish the plot were more authentic. I prefer Cree.
Profile Image for Bree202.
232 reviews3 followers
December 6, 2016
A quick and delightful read. The Story of Jade and Cole who as kids grew up in the same abusive group home. Torn apart by deceit and lies. Years later with emotional scars and trust issues, they reconnected but struggled to find the love they knew they still had for each other. A very good read.
Profile Image for Pearline.
378 reviews16 followers
February 29, 2016
This was a really good story about love and triumph. I like the fact that the author shows that while you can achieve all your dreams it doesn't mean anything if you don't have anyone truly in your corner. I hope to see more of these characters.
1,605 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2016
A must

Brilliant, brilliant brilliant. Ms Vasser has done it again, I jus could not put this book down until I had read it all. I can say she does not disappoint absolutely brilliant. E warned once you start reading you will not be able to stop.
Profile Image for Debra Crosby.
487 reviews14 followers
March 3, 2016
I liked the fact that cricket and Cole were connected since childhood while in a group home. Because Cole is older he leaves for college but promised to come back for cricket when she makes 18
The story had mystery, jealousy, and healing. I do wish something worse would have happened to Elise
89 reviews
March 11, 2016
Wonderful

This is a wonderful book. I love when books have elements of real. Things that you could see actually happening in day to day life. It was also a well written story. Jade is sometimes frustrating but she has her reasons. Give it a go. I loved it.
6 reviews
March 6, 2016
Daisy, the big inning.

Cole and Cricket are magical together. I really enjoyed the character development. I really got to know and love them. Great job Ms Vasser.
Profile Image for Rita .
1,682 reviews
April 27, 2016
I couldn't really feel the love from Cole's side until the very end. Elise was crazy. Why be with someone if you know it is going nowhere. Not a bad read.
Profile Image for Michaela.
362 reviews7 followers
October 24, 2017
There was only so much I could take with this book. And nothing made me invest in these stock characters made up of obvious clichés. The beginning was the only interesting part of this book for me. Jade "Cricket" was just an angry b***h the whole story and it was just exhausting to read (She was entirely too ungrateful). And Cole was the simple former best friend who spent the whole story trying to make up for Jade's disappointing past. That was it. There was nothing more that made up their personalities than that. And of course we can't forget the intentional misunderstanding of his presumed abandonment that could have been solved simply if they had communicated. But of course add in Cole's insecure and jealous girlfriend and it made the whole thing even less interesting. ( And Elise getting Jade's ex husband out of jail...that's not how the paroling inmates works!!!!).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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