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Love Sick #1
Anxious Love
Trama, isolation, courage, love. . . Anxious Love
Hopeful about his future after overcoming loss, Ryan Ware is living his dream life as a first round draft pick. He’s enjoying every crazy minute of fame, fortune, and gorgeous women.
Despite being the most sought-after writer in romance, severe anxiety keeps Leah Jones isolated. Having a regimented life keeps the triggers at bay that could put her back in the hospital, perhaps permanently.
A chance meeting in New Orleans, Leah’s brown eyes capture Ryan’s heart, and he vows to learn more about this reclusive beauty.
Can Leah’s anxieties withstand Ryan’s crazy life? Can Ryan learn enough about real love to be the right man for Leah?
Anxious Love contains explicit scenes of a sexual nature and is not suitable for readers under 18 years of age.
Hopeful about his future after overcoming loss, Ryan Ware is living his dream life as a first round draft pick. He’s enjoying every crazy minute of fame, fortune, and gorgeous women.
Despite being the most sought-after writer in romance, severe anxiety keeps Leah Jones isolated. Having a regimented life keeps the triggers at bay that could put her back in the hospital, perhaps permanently.
A chance meeting in New Orleans, Leah’s brown eyes capture Ryan’s heart, and he vows to learn more about this reclusive beauty.
Can Leah’s anxieties withstand Ryan’s crazy life? Can Ryan learn enough about real love to be the right man for Leah?
Anxious Love contains explicit scenes of a sexual nature and is not suitable for readers under 18 years of age.
ebook
First published June 14, 2016
237 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
41 books809 followersSydney Aaliyah Michelle is a Contemporary Romance writer, a voracious reader, tattoo lover, and movie fanatic who hails from Texas.
After surviving 5 1/2 years living in China, she had the courage to finally pursue her passion and become a writer.
She identifies the sci-fi action flick "The Matrix" as the best representation of her life in the past. She is now blessed to be awake and doing what she loves.
She can recite the entire script from the 80's teen comedy/drama "The Breakfast Club" and loves any and everything associated with the Avengers Movie, especially Tony Stark.
When it come to books, Sydney reads different genres, but some of her favorite writers are Stephen King, Alex J. Cavanaugh, J.A Huss, M. Never & Emily Bronte. Under the Dome, The Great Gatsby & Wuthering Heights are her favorite books.
Email Sydney at sydney@sydneyamichelle.com
After surviving 5 1/2 years living in China, she had the courage to finally pursue her passion and become a writer.
She identifies the sci-fi action flick "The Matrix" as the best representation of her life in the past. She is now blessed to be awake and doing what she loves.
She can recite the entire script from the 80's teen comedy/drama "The Breakfast Club" and loves any and everything associated with the Avengers Movie, especially Tony Stark.
When it come to books, Sydney reads different genres, but some of her favorite writers are Stephen King, Alex J. Cavanaugh, J.A Huss, M. Never & Emily Bronte. Under the Dome, The Great Gatsby & Wuthering Heights are her favorite books.
Email Sydney at sydney@sydneyamichelle.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
June 30, 2016
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I own several of Sydney Aaliyah Michelle’s books, but this is the first one I’ve actually read, and I am mucho impressed. Anxious Love is a new adult romance set in the land of Mardi Gras, but this story is hardly about throwing beads and flashing boobs. Some deep shit goes down in this tender romance about learning to accept and love someone for whom they are-flaws and all.
Leah suffers from crippling mental and social anxiety due to a traumatic event that happened to her in college. She can’t function in “normal” society without the aids of medication and her therapist on standby. That is, until she meets Ryan Ware. Ryan is a rookie defensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints, and he takes one look at Leah, and it’s a wrap. He’s gotta have her. But will he want to keep her when he finds out that there’s more to Leah than meets the eye?
I think what I loved about this story is that while this is a romance (and a steamy one at that), there was no romanticizing of anxiety disorder. It’s ugly. I speak from experience. Leah goes through it, and this is all foreign to Ryan, and he doesn’t know how to deal. Besides, he has his own issues. I expected that, but it was how they learned to deal with each others dysfunction that made this such a sweet story.
Such a good read, and I wanted more. The reason for the 4.5 stars is the ending fell kinda flat for me. There was no indication if this was the end of their story or the calm before the storm. It definitely felt like a happy for now but definitely worth the ninety-nine pennies.
I own several of Sydney Aaliyah Michelle’s books, but this is the first one I’ve actually read, and I am mucho impressed. Anxious Love is a new adult romance set in the land of Mardi Gras, but this story is hardly about throwing beads and flashing boobs. Some deep shit goes down in this tender romance about learning to accept and love someone for whom they are-flaws and all.
Leah suffers from crippling mental and social anxiety due to a traumatic event that happened to her in college. She can’t function in “normal” society without the aids of medication and her therapist on standby. That is, until she meets Ryan Ware. Ryan is a rookie defensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints, and he takes one look at Leah, and it’s a wrap. He’s gotta have her. But will he want to keep her when he finds out that there’s more to Leah than meets the eye?
I think what I loved about this story is that while this is a romance (and a steamy one at that), there was no romanticizing of anxiety disorder. It’s ugly. I speak from experience. Leah goes through it, and this is all foreign to Ryan, and he doesn’t know how to deal. Besides, he has his own issues. I expected that, but it was how they learned to deal with each others dysfunction that made this such a sweet story.
Such a good read, and I wanted more. The reason for the 4.5 stars is the ending fell kinda flat for me. There was no indication if this was the end of their story or the calm before the storm. It definitely felt like a happy for now but definitely worth the ninety-nine pennies.
June 10, 2017
This was a really good book. This is newish-to-me author and with this book I am definitely going to look up some other stuff.
Leah, the heroine, suffers from an acute anxiety disorder that was triggered by a traumatic event while she was in college. I liked how the author showed how the anxiety affected Leah -- the mental ways she navigated it as well as the physical ones. And while Leah's anxiety was a major part of the story, it really didn't overpower it. Or make the story feel too angsty. In fact the romance was really well done between Leah and Ryan, the hero. It was even with all the baggage the connection between Leah and Ryan was very evident and the way the relationship developed was also really well done. I enjoyed watching them fall in love and work through each of their issues.
Ryan is a rookie football player with the Saints and the pieces of football stuff that gets scattered throughout the book also adds to the enjoyment of the story.
So yeah well written story, emotional without being angsty, great supporting characters. Really enjoyed this.
Leah, the heroine, suffers from an acute anxiety disorder that was triggered by a traumatic event while she was in college. I liked how the author showed how the anxiety affected Leah -- the mental ways she navigated it as well as the physical ones. And while Leah's anxiety was a major part of the story, it really didn't overpower it. Or make the story feel too angsty. In fact the romance was really well done between Leah and Ryan, the hero. It was even with all the baggage the connection between Leah and Ryan was very evident and the way the relationship developed was also really well done. I enjoyed watching them fall in love and work through each of their issues.
Ryan is a rookie football player with the Saints and the pieces of football stuff that gets scattered throughout the book also adds to the enjoyment of the story.
So yeah well written story, emotional without being angsty, great supporting characters. Really enjoyed this.
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Blurb:
Trauma, isolation, courage, love. . . Anxious Love
Hopeful about his future after overcoming loss, Ryan Ware is living his dream life as a first round draft pick. He’s enjoying every crazy minute of fame, fortune, and gorgeous women.
Despite being the most sought-after writer in romance, severe anxiety keeps Leah Jones isolated. Having a regimented life keeps the triggers at bay that could put her back in the hospital, perhaps permanently.
A chance meeting in New Orleans, Leah’s brown eyes capture Ryan’s heart, and he vows to learn more about this reclusive beauty.
Can Leah’s anxieties withstand Ryan’s crazy life? Can Ryan learn enough about real love to be the right man for Leah?
Blurb:
Trauma, isolation, courage, love. . . Anxious Love
Hopeful about his future after overcoming loss, Ryan Ware is living his dream life as a first round draft pick. He’s enjoying every crazy minute of fame, fortune, and gorgeous women.
Despite being the most sought-after writer in romance, severe anxiety keeps Leah Jones isolated. Having a regimented life keeps the triggers at bay that could put her back in the hospital, perhaps permanently.
A chance meeting in New Orleans, Leah’s brown eyes capture Ryan’s heart, and he vows to learn more about this reclusive beauty.
Can Leah’s anxieties withstand Ryan’s crazy life? Can Ryan learn enough about real love to be the right man for Leah?
June 26, 2016
This is my first book by this author, although I have nearly all her other stories.
This was Ryan and Leah's story. Both have their issues but Leah's stops her from living life to the full until she meets Ryan. I have to say I was disappointed with Ryan's response when he found out the full story behind Leah's issues. His immediate reaction to her story is why lots of women do not share with the men in their lives experiences like the one Leah went through.
It was good romantic read and I would recommend it.
This was Ryan and Leah's story. Both have their issues but Leah's stops her from living life to the full until she meets Ryan. I have to say I was disappointed with Ryan's response when he found out the full story behind Leah's issues. His immediate reaction to her story is why lots of women do not share with the men in their lives experiences like the one Leah went through.
It was good romantic read and I would recommend it.
June 5, 2016
This is a story of overcoming life's trauma, rape, death and tragedy with two people struggling to find happiness in life this is a very touching read of hope, and learning to let go and love again. Leah has to overcome rape and her best friend’s death. Ryan has overcoming the death of his parents as he starts is career wanting nothing more than them with him as his career takes off. Both are hurting badly and need to overcome their past meet it head on before they can find the love they both need so bad.
Being a victim of a horrible crime isn’t easy it is one step forward and two back as you come to deal with it. You fear everyone and anyone around you not knowing where to turn. It is so much easier to just close yourself off from the world by hiding out where you feel the safest. Death is never easy to deal with wishing you could do over making sure they know how much you love them, wishing you could give them more one on one time. The author really gives us a remarkable story of this and so much more.
This is a wonderful story of finding your enter strength, starting over, overcoming your fears and finding love. I thought this had a great plot with wonderful characters. My heart broke for each of them as they try to overcome their issues. This was a very well written story that has a powerful message. It was a book I could not put down. It truly is a touching read with so much hope and love.
******************
Being a victim of a horrible crime isn’t easy it is one step forward and two back as you come to deal with it. You fear everyone and anyone around you not knowing where to turn. It is so much easier to just close yourself off from the world by hiding out where you feel the safest. Death is never easy to deal with wishing you could do over making sure they know how much you love them, wishing you could give them more one on one time. The author really gives us a remarkable story of this and so much more.
This is a wonderful story of finding your enter strength, starting over, overcoming your fears and finding love. I thought this had a great plot with wonderful characters. My heart broke for each of them as they try to overcome their issues. This was a very well written story that has a powerful message. It was a book I could not put down. It truly is a touching read with so much hope and love.
******************
June 24, 2016
Another solid Kindle Unlimited read. I always go into KU books wondering what I'll get, but the characters and the storyline line were solid and kept me interested right to the very end.
Ryan was a great hero who was sexy with a soft gooey center, especially when it came to anxiety ridden Leah.
Ryan was a great hero who was sexy with a soft gooey center, especially when it came to anxiety ridden Leah.
June 11, 2016
I was honored to receive an advanced copy of Anxious Love from Sydney to review!! Grab Anxious Love June 14th!!! This was my first read from this Author. It was an amazing read, I seriously LOVED this story it was incredible!!!
What a beautiful story of overcoming life's trauma and tragedy, and finding love in the end. In Leah's case overcoming Rape and the tragic suicide of her best friend who was also raped the same time; ***May Contain Trigger's for Some*** and Ryan overcoming the death of his parents, starting his first game in the NFL knowing he'd have no family cheering for him.
Trauma, isolation, courage, love. . . Anxious Love
Hopeful about his future after overcoming loss, Ryan Ware is living his dream life as a first round draft pick. He’s enjoying every crazy minute of fame, fortune, and gorgeous women.
Despite being the most sought-after writer in romance, severe anxiety keeps Leah Jones isolated. Having a regimented life keeps the triggers at bay that could put her back in the hospital, perhaps permanently.
A chance meeting in New Orleans, Leah’s brown eyes capture Ryan’s heart, and he vows to learn more about this reclusive beauty.
Can Leah’s anxieties withstand Ryan’s crazy life? Can Ryan learn enough about real love to be the right man for Leah?
Anxious Love contains explicit scenes of a sexual nature and is not suitable for readers under 18 years of age.
****ARC Received From Author for Honest Review****
What a beautiful story of overcoming life's trauma and tragedy, and finding love in the end. In Leah's case overcoming Rape and the tragic suicide of her best friend who was also raped the same time; ***May Contain Trigger's for Some*** and Ryan overcoming the death of his parents, starting his first game in the NFL knowing he'd have no family cheering for him.
Trauma, isolation, courage, love. . . Anxious Love
Hopeful about his future after overcoming loss, Ryan Ware is living his dream life as a first round draft pick. He’s enjoying every crazy minute of fame, fortune, and gorgeous women.
Despite being the most sought-after writer in romance, severe anxiety keeps Leah Jones isolated. Having a regimented life keeps the triggers at bay that could put her back in the hospital, perhaps permanently.
A chance meeting in New Orleans, Leah’s brown eyes capture Ryan’s heart, and he vows to learn more about this reclusive beauty.
Can Leah’s anxieties withstand Ryan’s crazy life? Can Ryan learn enough about real love to be the right man for Leah?
Anxious Love contains explicit scenes of a sexual nature and is not suitable for readers under 18 years of age.
****ARC Received From Author for Honest Review****
July 9, 2016
Ryan and Leah......
This was intense, but awesome.
Ryan is a first draft pick, defensive linebacker for the St. Louis Saints and Leah is a successful romance author.
So in the first pages I'm thinking hot NFL player meets successful hot author. This is going to be good...
What I got was an intense read about two people dealing with their own personal issues. We see them struggle and overcome. It was beautiful to read. The supporting characters rounded out this story and not only helped Leah thru rough patches but also Ryan.
I will say there was a moment when Ryan had me holding my breath. I analyzed his thought process as I read, and I can understand where his head was.
Ryan and Leahs' story deals with a difficult topics; that will be a trigger to some readers, but it was also a beautiful and sexy steamy read. There isn't the usual I'm a famous NFL star with a cocky attitude, and no cheating.
I would have loved an epilogue. It was a quick end, and I so badly want to see how great Ryan and Leah are doing. Hopefully we get a next book and we can catch up with them.
This was intense, but awesome.
Ryan is a first draft pick, defensive linebacker for the St. Louis Saints and Leah is a successful romance author.
So in the first pages I'm thinking hot NFL player meets successful hot author. This is going to be good...
What I got was an intense read about two people dealing with their own personal issues. We see them struggle and overcome. It was beautiful to read. The supporting characters rounded out this story and not only helped Leah thru rough patches but also Ryan.
I will say there was a moment when Ryan had me holding my breath. I analyzed his thought process as I read, and I can understand where his head was.
Ryan and Leahs' story deals with a difficult topics; that will be a trigger to some readers, but it was also a beautiful and sexy steamy read. There isn't the usual I'm a famous NFL star with a cocky attitude, and no cheating.
I would have loved an epilogue. It was a quick end, and I so badly want to see how great Ryan and Leah are doing. Hopefully we get a next book and we can catch up with them.
June 11, 2016
This is the first book I've read by this author but it definitely won't be the last! This isn't just a cute little romance, this is a BOOK! There is a difference and Ms. Michelle knows how to write a BOOK. Yes, there's romance and hot sex but there is also a great story with all kinds of themes running through it (fame, rejection, rape, anxiety, suicide, friendship, family, love, guilt...you name it it's in here). The main characters are real with all of their issues and flaws and you can't help but root for them. The supporting characters are wonderful too. They have so much depth to them and hopefully we'll get to read more about them in later books. Can't wait to see what comes next in this series.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
June 16, 2016
Fantastic!!
I would first like to say thank you to the writer for providing me with such a wonderful story.This was a well written story dealing with such and intense subject and the writer nails it out the gate.In this story you will feel the emotions of the characters and you are going to cheer because you know on the horizon the sun is going to shine.Leah and Ryan are two characters you can like and cheer for,also they are believable.This was such a really good story,with much romance and drama to.keep on edge and coming back for more.I would love to get a sneak peak at Leah and Ryan later on in there relationship.This was my first time reading this writer's work and I have to say I will be back furore.
I would first like to say thank you to the writer for providing me with such a wonderful story.This was a well written story dealing with such and intense subject and the writer nails it out the gate.In this story you will feel the emotions of the characters and you are going to cheer because you know on the horizon the sun is going to shine.Leah and Ryan are two characters you can like and cheer for,also they are believable.This was such a really good story,with much romance and drama to.keep on edge and coming back for more.I would love to get a sneak peak at Leah and Ryan later on in there relationship.This was my first time reading this writer's work and I have to say I will be back furore.
consider-later
June 20, 2016
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May 10, 2017
I love when a main character has a mental hardship because they immediately become so much more real and relatable to me. I started reading this story as the news of the outside world was covering a parallel story about a girl who was raped while on the Stanford campus. While the outside world was furious with how the situation was handled, I was getting the girl perspective in the book of the aftermath to how the situation has affected her now years later.
I liked that a writer is the main character...
The one thing I didn’t mind was ....
Full review posted on 06/14/16:
http://bookfix.weebly.com/blog/anxiou...
I liked that a writer is the main character...
The one thing I didn’t mind was ....
Full review posted on 06/14/16:
http://bookfix.weebly.com/blog/anxiou...
June 13, 2016
Phobias
I kinda get where this author was going....a angst filled romance mixed with passion, agoraphobia, mental and physical trauma...it left me wanting something...it felt a little under done...the 2 main characters had a passionate coupling..but it was missing a deep connection other than sex...I just can't explain...he was in pain from losing his parents years before...she was traumatized from watching her friend assaulted at a frat part and blacked out...not to sound unsympathetic but for all the therapy and meds...she should have been put together after all the years went by...not to mention she was hospitalized...jus saying
I kinda get where this author was going....a angst filled romance mixed with passion, agoraphobia, mental and physical trauma...it left me wanting something...it felt a little under done...the 2 main characters had a passionate coupling..but it was missing a deep connection other than sex...I just can't explain...he was in pain from losing his parents years before...she was traumatized from watching her friend assaulted at a frat part and blacked out...not to sound unsympathetic but for all the therapy and meds...she should have been put together after all the years went by...not to mention she was hospitalized...jus saying
June 21, 2016
Ryan's growing fame as a new draft NFL player in New Orleans is tempered by the fact that he is lonely. When he spots Leah again, he can't wait to find out who she is, but he may have to overcome more than he is willing to give.
A novel about a writer is always a great read, but when Leah is followed by a stalker her imagination carries her into a dark place. Unable to believe that Ryan is the real deal, she works through her anxieties as they grow closer hoping for a happy ending. Can she take the last step to claim his love forever? A fabulous read!!! I can't wait for the next one.
A novel about a writer is always a great read, but when Leah is followed by a stalker her imagination carries her into a dark place. Unable to believe that Ryan is the real deal, she works through her anxieties as they grow closer hoping for a happy ending. Can she take the last step to claim his love forever? A fabulous read!!! I can't wait for the next one.
June 20, 2016
Intense!!!
The first book I read by this author was Hope for her and immediately fell in love with her work. This book takes me back to the strong emotions I felt reading that series.
This book deals with serious issues that have become so much more prevalent on college campuses lately. However, her characters shows resilience and power to get over those circumstances.
I love how this couple overcame and dealt with the issues that were holding them down and I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the series. I highly recommend this book.
The first book I read by this author was Hope for her and immediately fell in love with her work. This book takes me back to the strong emotions I felt reading that series.
This book deals with serious issues that have become so much more prevalent on college campuses lately. However, her characters shows resilience and power to get over those circumstances.
I love how this couple overcame and dealt with the issues that were holding them down and I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the series. I highly recommend this book.
December 4, 2017
This novel was unlike anything else I’ve read. I usually shy away from stories that involve rape but, in this novel, the scene was mentioned just enough for you to know what happened and then it moved on. I could deal with that.
Didn’t like Ryan’s back and forth so much, but I guess that’s how some people really do respond to these situations.
Loved Leah’s character and how she pushed her boundaries.
First book I’ve read by this author and I loved it! Will def visit some of her other works.
Didn’t like Ryan’s back and forth so much, but I guess that’s how some people really do respond to these situations.
Loved Leah’s character and how she pushed her boundaries.
First book I’ve read by this author and I loved it! Will def visit some of her other works.
June 10, 2016
SAM never disappoints! I received an ARC for an honest review of "Anxious Love" and it is one of best!
Having been the victim of a horrible crime with tragic results, Leah literally shut down. Although she
tried to structure her life so that she could feel "normal", she lived in fear daily. Ryan came along and through his love, he became her strength. Of course, it didn't hurt that he was a hot NFL player! Five well deserved stars!!!
Having been the victim of a horrible crime with tragic results, Leah literally shut down. Although she
tried to structure her life so that she could feel "normal", she lived in fear daily. Ryan came along and through his love, he became her strength. Of course, it didn't hurt that he was a hot NFL player! Five well deserved stars!!!
June 14, 2016
I am a huge fan of this book. Two people struggling to find happiness in life, can they find it in each other? Ryan is a rookie pro football player, nervous about his first year in the pros and dealing with a painful past. Leah, a successful author but haunted by her past. I thought this was a great story of inner strength, friendship, love and steamy connections.
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
June 6, 2016
A very sweet story between an up and coming athlete and a romance writer. Say what? The greatest twist is that she writes it, but can't live it. I got a kick out of that considering what she does for a living. That is, until you read about her tragic past and understand completely why she's closed herself off, really tugging at my heart. Swift moving, emotional, and entertaining, I enjoyed the book.
*ARC received in exchange for honest review.
*ARC received in exchange for honest review.
June 16, 2016
I received a copy from the Author in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the love story between Leah and Ryan, but it was difficult to read the parts of what happened to Leah. I was happy that she found Ryan and learned to deal with her problems to live a better life with him.
I also liked the other characters, I just missed a penalty for the guys who attacked Leah and her friend.
A very well and excitin story.
I really enjoyed the love story between Leah and Ryan, but it was difficult to read the parts of what happened to Leah. I was happy that she found Ryan and learned to deal with her problems to live a better life with him.
I also liked the other characters, I just missed a penalty for the guys who attacked Leah and her friend.
A very well and excitin story.
July 10, 2017
Such a perfectly imperfect love story! As the story unfolds and our characters are stumbling along towards love and all the complicated host of issues that accompany it, on top of their own. It was such a great read, you find yourself rooting for Ryan and Leah.
November 22, 2016
It's my book. I loved it!!
December 17, 2016
Absolutely beautiful and truly deserving of 5 stars and more.
September 15, 2019
Solid 4.
I really enjoyed the take on anxiety and the side issues that this brings up. How does a guy deal with learning about a girl's past? It's not always the fairy tale perfect answer. He had some growing up to do to, especially if he wanted to stay together and keep supporting her as she progressed in her healing. Yes, I wish we could have seen more of their progress during the story (Ryan still had some progress to make, and Leah needed to start listening to her therapist a bit more in some respects, IMHO) but overall, they were there together, trying to move forward together, which feels like the more important point.
What I really liked about this book was that despite the title and the obviously heavy subject matter, it didn't overwhelm the story. This could have easily descended into one of the angsty, overly emotional type romances (almost like how Leah describes her own romance novels!). But it didn't. There was still banter and teasing between the leads and their friends, there was plenty of steam between the leads, and there was personal growth for several of the characters. So, just the right amount of angst and heavy emotion?
I don't know if this is a good or a bad, but here goes. I want to hear so many of the other character's stories!! Kori and Sophie seem like they could have a really sweet romance starting (really want to read their story). And Daniel obviously cares about people, has a girl that he's stayed with for four years, misses when she's away, but has been cheating on her for ages - what's his story? How will he find happiness? As much as I hate cheating in stories, I'm curious. And Mark and Allie have a rough past - they're part of Leah's circle of friends, right? So what brought them to New Orleans and the 21st? So, I guess I'd put it that Sydney Aaliyah Michelle has does a great job of world-building and creating characters that interest you, to the point that you want to know more (except the books aren't out!).
There were some editing issues - word choices (attributed vs contributed, for example), missing words occasionally, incorrect pronouns (once used 3rd person instead of 1st - a pet peeve). And an occasional continuity error - Ryan's number 99, but there's a reference at one point to her 89 necklace. Biggest question for me was the timeline - she kept talking about "3 years" but the incident was her junior year, average age 21. Wouldn't that make her 24 too, not 26? Just had a hard time getting the timeline math to add up. Anyway, yes, there are plenty of noticeable errors, but not so bad that it pulls you totally out of the story. Still, enough that I couldn't give it a full 5 stars.
Alternating 1st person POV. Lots of painful past history on each side, but especially on hers, so can tend towards the heavy emotional. No cheating (at least from the leads), no OW/OM/love triangle messiness. Fairly mature responses to some pretty heavy issues - no childish or TSTL sort of reactions. HEA for the leads. No clifhangers, but would love to see what happens with some of the side characters.
Would I read more by this author? Yes.
I really enjoyed the take on anxiety and the side issues that this brings up. How does a guy deal with learning about a girl's past? It's not always the fairy tale perfect answer. He had some growing up to do to, especially if he wanted to stay together and keep supporting her as she progressed in her healing. Yes, I wish we could have seen more of their progress during the story (Ryan still had some progress to make, and Leah needed to start listening to her therapist a bit more in some respects, IMHO) but overall, they were there together, trying to move forward together, which feels like the more important point.
What I really liked about this book was that despite the title and the obviously heavy subject matter, it didn't overwhelm the story. This could have easily descended into one of the angsty, overly emotional type romances (almost like how Leah describes her own romance novels!). But it didn't. There was still banter and teasing between the leads and their friends, there was plenty of steam between the leads, and there was personal growth for several of the characters. So, just the right amount of angst and heavy emotion?
I don't know if this is a good or a bad, but here goes. I want to hear so many of the other character's stories!! Kori and Sophie seem like they could have a really sweet romance starting (really want to read their story). And Daniel obviously cares about people, has a girl that he's stayed with for four years, misses when she's away, but has been cheating on her for ages - what's his story? How will he find happiness? As much as I hate cheating in stories, I'm curious. And Mark and Allie have a rough past - they're part of Leah's circle of friends, right? So what brought them to New Orleans and the 21st? So, I guess I'd put it that Sydney Aaliyah Michelle has does a great job of world-building and creating characters that interest you, to the point that you want to know more (except the books aren't out!).
There were some editing issues - word choices (attributed vs contributed, for example), missing words occasionally, incorrect pronouns (once used 3rd person instead of 1st - a pet peeve). And an occasional continuity error - Ryan's number 99, but there's a reference at one point to her 89 necklace. Biggest question for me was the timeline - she kept talking about "3 years" but the incident was her junior year, average age 21. Wouldn't that make her 24 too, not 26? Just had a hard time getting the timeline math to add up. Anyway, yes, there are plenty of noticeable errors, but not so bad that it pulls you totally out of the story. Still, enough that I couldn't give it a full 5 stars.
Alternating 1st person POV. Lots of painful past history on each side, but especially on hers, so can tend towards the heavy emotional. No cheating (at least from the leads), no OW/OM/love triangle messiness. Fairly mature responses to some pretty heavy issues - no childish or TSTL sort of reactions. HEA for the leads. No clifhangers, but would love to see what happens with some of the side characters.
Would I read more by this author? Yes.
April 24, 2021
Excellent book which tried to tastefully deal with a painful reality of gang/ fraternity rape
The book delved into rape in university and the devastation it has on the victims and can lead to anxiety and suicide. I felt for Dana and for Leah. I was incensed by how the perpetrator got away with it. I wondered if they ever felt any guilt at their actions, at the pain they caused and the knowledge that their actions caused someone to take their live. Though the author handled the storyline well, it made me wonder at how often these events happen I n university and how men, most especially the rich and entitled, the jocks, the popular boys get get away with treating women like trash. How many famous people, celebrities, politicians have these skeletons in their buried deep in their background. The more I read about the system in the US with its fraternity rec and i n th e UK with its class system the more I wonder how prevalent it is. Those with power think they can do what they want and get away with it and the Dad truth is that they often seem to.
The book delved into rape in university and the devastation it has on the victims and can lead to anxiety and suicide. I felt for Dana and for Leah. I was incensed by how the perpetrator got away with it. I wondered if they ever felt any guilt at their actions, at the pain they caused and the knowledge that their actions caused someone to take their live. Though the author handled the storyline well, it made me wonder at how often these events happen I n university and how men, most especially the rich and entitled, the jocks, the popular boys get get away with treating women like trash. How many famous people, celebrities, politicians have these skeletons in their buried deep in their background. The more I read about the system in the US with its fraternity rec and i n th e UK with its class system the more I wonder how prevalent it is. Those with power think they can do what they want and get away with it and the Dad truth is that they often seem to.
July 2, 2021
Emotional story dealing with trauma, tragedy and finding acceptance and love. Leah and Ryan both have issues in their past. Leah suffers from anxiety from her past trauma. She is a successful romance author and her anxiety hinders her in certain situations. She is conscious of her limitations and tries to avoid settings that will trigger her anxiety. She meets the sexy Ryan on by chance. Ryan is a rookie NFL player. He is dealing with the loss of his parents and getting his start in the NFL. The life of a NFL is not an idea setting that Leah can easily slip into. Ryan is a little wary of her issues and that is one of the things that makes this story good. The realness. It would be easy to find people like Ryan and Leah in all walks of life. They dealt with real life situations. Everything was not a sun and smiles. There was progress and setbacks. We get both POVs and it makes it easy for pull for the character.
entertaining, engaging , emotional with plenty of drama and heat.
entertaining, engaging , emotional with plenty of drama and heat.
March 21, 2022
have never been so disgusted in my life. he continuously acted like he didn’t want anything serious her pursued her relentlessly. continued to have thoughts that he couldn’t “handle” anything difficult and when she told him her assault story he stopped wanting her because she was so sexually free with him and “didn’t react like a person with trauma” wtf. and then she acts like it’s ok? which is sad because she didn’t actual know what he was thinking when he rejected her trying to sleep with him. wtf. ryan is honestly just a piece of shit. and then he tells her and she validates his feelings of shame but then he tells her he can’t “push her to do what they’ve done” even though she was fully participating and desiring what they’d done together. and then they don’t ever address it and just have sex in a way that pushed her fears (something she chose) and he has no issue with it even though previously he was saying it wasn’t ok to do that. the man only thought with his cock and had a fixer complex a mile long. wtf.
July 28, 2018
What a sweet love story! Ryan the rookie NFL player and Leah, the romance novel writer set were just an amazing couple and this story was just so diferent from others I've read. Mostly because the author delves deep into Leah's anxiety and panic disorders brought on by severe trauma as a result of sexual assault in her college days. How she copes and deals with all of this while falling for Ryan is written so realistically and flowed so well. I was really impressed. Of course, Leah is extremely lucky to be surrounded with lots of people who love her but Ryan is so patient and loving, of course, he's not 100% perfect but he's perfect enough. I mean, he sticks with her as she goes through it when most men would really run. I just love how he loves her and it was really nice to read this story. Highly recommended.
August 30, 2021
This book, wow, I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did.
Usually sports romances really aren't my thing but given it also included anxiety (something I struggle with massively) I wanted to give it a go. Honestly I expected it to be another "anxious mc meets big attractive love interest and is cured." It wasn't that at all, the main character (leah) wasn't cured, she still struggled and it still disrupted her life. I appreciate that the author didn't make the romance something that fixed her, yes there was an element of him coming into her life and her taking more chances but it still felt realistic.
I loved the relationship between leah and ryan, the beginning was weird but it progressed nicely. I also appreciated that Sophie, leah's friend wasn't totally replaced by ryan she was still needed and appreciated.
Usually sports romances really aren't my thing but given it also included anxiety (something I struggle with massively) I wanted to give it a go. Honestly I expected it to be another "anxious mc meets big attractive love interest and is cured." It wasn't that at all, the main character (leah) wasn't cured, she still struggled and it still disrupted her life. I appreciate that the author didn't make the romance something that fixed her, yes there was an element of him coming into her life and her taking more chances but it still felt realistic.
I loved the relationship between leah and ryan, the beginning was weird but it progressed nicely. I also appreciated that Sophie, leah's friend wasn't totally replaced by ryan she was still needed and appreciated.
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