Let it be Me

Let It Be #1

by Barbara Speak

Arianna Dubray is nothing like the girl she left in Baltimore. Once a Prada shoe wearing, Michael Kors bag carrying, on top of the world seventeen-year-old girl, Arianna knew that her life would never be the same when she got out of the car in middle-of-nowhere Montana. Canyon Michaels is the keeper of his own dark secrets. Plagued by his family name, he's forced to prove the town wrong and make it on his own. The last thing Arianna needs is a reason to stay, but with every passing day the decision to leave becomes harder. Once their paths cross nothing can tear them apart, other than the secrets that start to surface and the nightmares that soon become their reality.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Westerns, Abuse, Contemporary Romance, Amazon

Audiobook

First published June 16, 2015

About the author

I have a mad passion for books. It could be considered an addiction by some. After the responsibilities of work and being a mother are fulfilled each day, I escape in a book. I hope you all will enjoy what I can bring you. I have plenty more ideas to go from here.

Reviews

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 5 out of 5]

***4,5 "Cowboy Up" stars for Canyon and Arianna***



If you want a story with modern sexy cowboys, many horses, life in a beautiful farm, rodeo races and much love... this is your book!!!
But if you will read it, you will have much more than that...
You will have an emotional story with many unexpected twists, full of angst and it's probably you will have your killing insticts in alert because of some "bad" people in there!!!!
Yep, you already know from my reading updates that one of the bad guy is step-dick, but they are more of them... and you will definetely want to kill them in the end, like i wanted to do so badly!!!!
How it sounds to you, ugh??? Pretty awesome, right????



Well, the only thing that i will tell you is that book was an unexpected surprise for me and that i enjoyed this ride very much... My emotions were overloaded while i was reading it...

I felt every kind of feeling, bad and good...
I laughed, i smiled, i cried, i got so much angry that my fists were ready to pound someone's face (mostly step-dick's), i felt calmness in this wonderfull nature of Montana and i also felt so sad... Sad for many things that had to do with Arianna and Kanyon...

But enough with that, i have to tell you more about the plot...

Arianna and her family were forced to move somewhere in Montana... Nobody of them was happy with that fact and her step-father was accusing her for all the things that he lost...
But Arianna wasn't in better condition... She hated that she was forced to leave behind her friends, her school and everything that she loved and to move in this small town away from the civilization....

Her life seemed like a torture and the only thing that she was longing for was the next two months to pass quickly and to leave everything behind her...
The only thing that was worthying to be there in this shitty family was only her younger sister, Shelby!!!


Since Arianna is only two months away from the day that she will be free, she is determined to not get close to anyone...

It doesn't worth her time... and she is trying to stick to that plan when her truck is breaking down and an unexpected meeting with Canyon Michaels is happening...
With Canyon's presence around everything is about to change...
Canyon is caughting the thin air that surrounds Arianna and her step father and he is giving her an outlet by helping him in his farm...


"I looked into his eyes and realized he was telling me something that ran deeper than the surface of his words. In that moment I realized I was helping him somehow just as much as he was helping me."

As you can understand, Canyon and Arianna are becoming really quickly friends and even though that Arianna is trying to keep a distance from him, it's impossible.

A boy brought her in this situation and she doesn't want to get involved in a similar situation again.
But Canyon is different and he is carrying his own scares inside of him... and when they are together the darkness of their lives is blurring and some light is passing through the dark...

But Arianna has some secrets that she can't reveal to anyone and Canyon has his own serious problems...
And don't you forget that Arianna has the step-dick in her every step to make her life miserable!!!!

"A boy got me in that mess to begin with and nothing about that man out there was going to bring any good to my life. Even if he was pretty to look at."

Is there a chance for those two in happiness or everything are bound to lead in destruction???
Will Arianna stick to her plan even though her feelings for Kanyon are growing???
Or will she take the risk to stay with him and to give in to her feelings???

And when the secrets will be reveal, what will happen???
Will they problems minimize or will it become more and difficult to find a solution???

Well, Arianna was an unlucky girl!!! She made the mistake to trust the wrong person in her past and that costed her everything and that was unfair...

Except from that, she was having a family only by name...
Her mother was presently absent all the fuckin' time and her step-father had tons of hatred for her... and he was showing it to her in every possible way and that was making my heart bleed for her... The poor girl!!!

The only person that was meaning something to her was Shelby and she could do anything for her...
And then Canyon came and made her see the things differently... He made her let him in and he stole her heart and mind... With him by her side, she could be more strong!!!!


"I waited for him to say something, anything, just to let me know he understood why this was a horrible idea. Why I needed to keep distance between us. Why I needed to get as far away from John as humanly possible. Only I couldn't imagine any longer not having him. He had snuck in under my radar and become the only thing I trusted. My life was more messed up than I ever felt before."

As for Canyon??? Canyon had been through hell by himself...

He was alone in the world and he was struggling to make his farm a big name...
He was so lonely and his heart was hurting about what he lost in the past...
Arianna was like a breath of life for him and he was determined to keep her there with him, no matter what she was claiming...

He was a true gentleman, very kind and good. He could do anything for those who loved...
This guy crept inside my heart for good!!!

"I have no intention of letting you go."
"You know you're going to have to, right? This can’t be anything."
"Will you just stop with that? I'm tired of hearing about what we can't or shouldn't do. Just shush woman and let's have some fun while we can."

Those two together were amazing.

They were having the perfect chemistry... And i enjoyed to see them do things together...
But in many points, my heart was suffering for them with all those ugly shits that happened to them... But their love was strong and together they could do anything!!!


"Hmmmm, kiss me again so I don't forget."
"Forget what?"
"That you admitted you like being here."
I kissed him with enough conviction he would never question what I wanted again. Even if what I wanted and what I could have were two different things.'

The only time that Arianna made me furious was when she got confused by her feelings and hurt unintentionally Kanyon...
And why i got mad???
Because she was sticking in something that wasn't worth at all!!!

Oh, and i also hated that she alouded to her step-father to treat her like that and she wasn't fighting back...

Finally, I would like to reffer to the bad gus of this book.
Step-dick was a monster... Literally!!!
I couldn't believe the things that he did... I honestly don't think that i have hated a person more than him in my entire life...

I honestly don't understand why some man are deciding to marry women with children from previous marriages if they can't understand that they are a package deal and that they have to respect those little souls... The poor kids don't have the blame of their parents choices, so what in the hell is the matter with those people??? Why they are taking out their hate to the innocents???
No, they are not all the step-fathers like that, but there are plenty out there and those kind of situation are making me mad all the damn time!!!

I also would like to say that Michael and Kale were awful persons... I won't say more, i just wanted to get it out of my system!!!

I know that i already told you too much, but i have to talk to you about Shelby...
This kid was so wonderfull and she crawled in my heart from the first moment...

Even so little, she was fighting back for her sister and she was giving comfort to Arianna...
I also liked very much the way that Canyon was with her... He was so freakin' cute!!!

For once again, i would like to thank Barbara Speak for trusting me with her book and i feel really lucky that i got to know her characters...


***ARC kindly provided from the author for the exchange of an honest review***

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/17/2018)! 💝

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like people should be aware that what happens in this part of the story is irrelevant because in the next part the hero gets angry when the heroine takes a little time to figure out some Major life issues that are not her fault. So of course since he is a faithless loser, he cheats, and the girl ends up pregnant. He moves the girl in and basically expects the heroine to drop everything and help him raise the product of his infidelity. Completely unrealistic reaction from the weak heroine as she does this. If that is your idea of a great love story this duet is for you. Everyone else you have been warned.

[Anas Attic Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let it Be Me by Barbara Speak 3.75-4 stars
New Adult. Can stand alone, but a follow up is coming.
Though I don't usually read NA or cowboy books, I was asked to review Let it Be Me by Barbara Speak book and accepted before realizing what it was. Since I rarely read either of these type of books, it was actually a nice change for me.

Let it Be Me began with a sullen teenager, Arianna, and her younger half sister moving to to "Nowheresville" Montana with her mentally absent mother and abusive stepfather because of something she did. We don't know what Arianna has done to force the family move, but we know it's bad enough that she is not allowed to talk about it. Arianna's mom is practically a vegetable and lets her stepdad spew hate at her and beat her daughter. The only light in her life is her little sister Shelby. Arianna is biding her time until she turns 18 and can get away.

We see her first day in a new small-town high school with people who have grown up together, and there is of course, the obligatory mean girls and male flirts. And then there is Canyon, her neighbor. Yum. Canyon is in his early 20s and gorgeous. He seems to be running the farm next door by himself, and harboring lots of secrets himself. "Ari" begins helping Canyon work his horse ranch, and in turn changes from a city girl to a country girl pretty quickly.

In that moment I realized I was helping him somehow just as much as he was helping me."

I enjoyed how Ari and Canyon's relationship wasn't rushed, and how Canyon's secrets gradually unfolded. But Arianna's were bigger, and it took almost the whole book for her full story to come out. And when you get the whole thing, boy, it's a doozy.

I really grew to care for Canyon, and my heart broke for him, and all I wanted was his happiness, whether it included Ari or not...I just hoped she was smart enough to realize what a prize he was and stick around beyond her 18th birthday.

No amount of time will ever be enough with you, Ari"

Likes:

•Slow build-up to love.
•Canyon was a perfect book boyfriend.
•So many twists and turns, I was kept on my toes the whole time.
•Shelby was a great character. I love little kids in my books.
•How much Ari grew throughout the book.
•If you grew up on farms, or around animals, you will really appreciate the accuracy of the book.

Dislikes:

•The first half was a little slow, and the end was way too rushed. I know there is now a follow-up book planned, but I think a nice long epilogue could have wrapped up the story well in one book without need for a follow up.
•I like a little more adult books and I found this to be more of a YA than a NA.
•These poor kids! What more can happen to them? Please, no more crap in the next book, they need an HEA!

Rating: 3.75-4 stars, 2 heat





The Down and Dirty:

Let It Be Me by Barbara Speak is great for the YA/NA cowboy lovers. Canyon is the perfect book boyfriend. I mean he's flawless. He is popular, independent, loving, romantic, hot-as-hell, talented, smart, protective, great to her little sister, amazing to his animals...seriously perfect. Can I have a Canyon? Let it be Me was certainly a unique story, filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing the entire time without ever figuring it out. For me, I found the pacing a little off, with the beginning a little dragged out and the end a bit too rushed, but not enough left unsaid for me to be desperate for the next book to find out what happens. If you like cowboy books, especially young hot bull riders, you won't want to miss Let it Be Me, but don't expect a totally hot cowboy book, Let it Be Me leans more to the YA end to the NA scale. I still loved the mystery, and was eager to find out the truth, so be prepared for a suspenseful book with lots of surprises! 

Purchase Let it Be Me by Barbara Speak

Amazon | BN.com | Smashwords

 

 

[Vintage · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am on the verge of DNF.

The h's stepfather has just punched and kicked her, possibly breaking ribs, and she talks the H out of calling the police. His father beat his mother to death so I'm thinking he knows what he's talking about. There is stupid then there is STUPID!

That storyline issue gets better, but overall I was just not engaged in the plot or the characters.

Skimmed and DNF.

[Anne OK · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new-to-me author with a freebie that includes a nice cover – well, who could say no! This is categorized as New Adult, but it seemed a bit more of YA in my opinion. The female lead character is in high school.

Arianna is living a troubled life when she is forced to move to Montana, along with a mother who offers no help, a stepfather who rules with an iron hand, and her younger sister that provides the only light in her life. You’ll have to read the story for yourself to find our wherein lies all the problems in her life – and they are whoppers – but I’m a spoiler-free reviewer.

I will tell you that she meets a very interesting character named Canyon, whose story is emotional as well. He’s handsome and a bit older, the horse rancher living “next door” who seems to hold some secrets of his own. And we’re off to the races! Although these two don’t really rush the romance and the slow build in their relationship is an added plus to their story.

Well done plot and writing. A little slow on the upstart, but the story will definitely tug at your heart and keep you interested. It’s a standalone, but I understand there is more to come in the next book for Canyon and Ari.

[Barbara]

Hell, I never like to rate my own work but this book will make you feel everything there is to feel and I have no doubt you will fall in love with Canyon Michaels

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

* A review copy was provided by the author for the Blog Tour *

~ 5 Darlin' Stars ~

What can I say….I absolutely love a story about a cowboy/rancher. They have to be my favorite, so I was excited to read this book by Barbara Speak.

What I loved most about this book was that it had some many great aspects to the story. We had drama, romance, Bull Riding, sweet little girl, mystery, tragedy, and even some sexy times. This book hit me on so many different emotional levels. I laughed, I cried, I yelled and I definitely swooned ;) I will warn you though, Barbara did touch on a serious subject of child abuse, so if that is a trigger for you, please keep that in mind when reading this book.

This is the fourth book I have read by Barbara and I have to say it by far my favorite. I thought the storyline was interesting and kept me engaged throughout the whole book. The characters felt real to me and well developed. I think Barbara's writing just gets better with each book she writes.

In this book we meet Arianna (Ari) and Canyon. Ari is a 17 year old senior in high school who had her life turned upside down because of one horrible night. Her and her family are sent to live in the middle of nowhere Montana. To say things were tough for her when she moved is an understatement. After a particularly rough day at school she goes to her truck to find it won't start and is forced to walk home, which is where she runs into Canyon. They also had a rocky start, but things soon smooth over and then things start to heat up. Both Ari and Canyon had tough childhoods and were by all intense and purposes alone. The only person Ari had other than Canyon was her 8 year old half sister. I have to admit Shelby stole this story for me….I loved her to pieces and the way Canyon was with her melted my heart. Now I don't want to spoil the story, but I will just leave you with this….Ari and Canyon's road to their HEA is a very rough one…they had a lot of ups and downs. But I was extremely happy with the way this story turned out!!!

What I loved about these characters was their determination to make their lives good. Ari started out young and slightly immature, but by the end of this story she was a strong, independent girl, who is willing to fight for what she loves!!! I have to say that I was glad to see at the end that their story isn't over. I was hoping their would be more to Ari and Canyon's story. I can't wait for the second book. Now don't fret….this book doesn't end on a cliffhanger and all the questions Barbara created with this storyline are answered….I just felt I wanted more of Ari, Canyon and Shelby.

So if you are looking for a great cowboy story that has a little bit of everything and will keep you guessing until the very end, then this is a book you should not hesitate to pick up. This is a book that is hard to put down!!!!

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[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just way to mushy for me. Loved the idea of the book. Some of his dialogue was weird. Just didn't flow for me

[Page Turning Book Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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This book kept handing out little bits of hidden surprises left and right. Not only was there a hot, sexy, bull riding stud to keep me glued to my Kindle, but the storyline was attention grabbing as well. Barbara Speak really knows how to layer in the emotion to make the biggest impact. I like to think of myself of a bit of a hard arse when it comes to the need to grab for my tissues, but there were parts of this story that really put my street cred into question for sure. I love it when a rough and tough guy uses his inner gooeyness to break down those strong walls the girl puts up. Arianna tried her hardest to avoid falling for the sex in jeans and boots neighbor, but how can you possible resist Canyon's resilient charm? I know I couldn't...I was a goner from the get go.

"I was leaving and nothing good could come from getting closer to Canyon. He served as a good distraction, but that was all I ever could let him be." -Ari

To say that Arianna and her little sister Shelby deserved to escape the shitty life they were forced to endure, would be the understatement of the year. I was a boiling mass of angry energy with the unfairness of their situation. This is where Barbara Speak really shines as an author. The emotional impact she is able to deliver from the tragic, harsh, and raw parts of her stories is done flawlessly. She doesn't always go with the obvious route that the reader would typically expect.

"There isn't anything I want more than for you to get out of that house but selfishly I don't think life will be the same." -Canyon

So we go on the journey with Ari trying to protect all the people she cares about by keeping secrets and sacrificing all the things she wants. She is a stubborn character with a selfless heart of gold. All you want is for her to get all those inner subdued wishes she refuses to let believe will ever come true. Canyon tries his damnedest to make her believe she can let him in and still be able to protect her. But like all good stories go, it is never that easy. *Cue horrible nasty characters bursting every hope-bubble insight* Will Canyon be able to protect Ari or will outside forces be victorious in the end? Can Ari ever feel safe enough to let her guard down for good? Will all the secrets be too much?

"I never needed your protection, Ari. I have only needed you." -Canyon

I thoroughly enjoyed all these characters, despite the occasional fist pounding frustration. It all made it worthwhile in the end of course. Canyon was just so damn panty melting in every way possible. He could put me to work any day, horse poop shoveling and all. If I had that hot bod to look at all day, I would be knocking on his door to wake him up every morning! *giddy up* The emotion layered in the story, along with the amazing connection to the characters all made for a truly great read. Be sure to check out Barbara Speak's other books as well.

4 out of 5 Emotionally Gripping, Bull Riding Stud, Let it be Me Stars!

"Those are the sweetest words a cowboy could ever hear."
"A cowboy? What about a bull rider?"

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[Ellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

.5 star

This book 🙄.
I'm not sure why I didn't DNF it, but I've been giving up on too many books lately. Not really my fault though, what with all the unfiltered crap out there and the unreliability of star ratings and the bootlickers posting them.

But I digress.

I made it through with minimal skimming, but in the end the problems with it cancelled any potential it may have had.

The writing was terrible. The writer must have skipped out on ELA courses in school because the number of grammar errors was a bit astonishing. Astonishing in the way that I simply can't believe the number of books out there published by writers who don't give a toss how illiterate or uneducated their writing makes them seem. It's like they believe they are so talented that nobody will care that they can't spell, use proper tense, remember what punctuation to use where.
I can count on one hand the books I've read that showed enough raw talent that I could forgive the errors.

And I wish more writers knew how to properly tag dialogue. I mean, everyone screamed in this book. In capitals. Damn ridiculous, that.

And the reactions were sooo OTT! People don't typically slam their way into hospital rooms like angry bulls, screaming questions and disturbing the peace without being hauled off by security. Such scenes thus make it clear to me
the writer wasn't in the habit of reading over her own work, nevermind utilising an editor. Obviously no one bothered to visualise whether the scenes or behaviour of the characters involved were at all realistic.

The characters were immature, most notably the hero. He behaved like he was 12 most of the time. I'm supposed to believe that this 21 yo kid was a champion rider in the PBR association, in addition to single-handedly running a farm and massive horse-breeding operation ALONE, yet couldn't behave like an adult to save his life? Yeah, no.
Speaking of stretching the boundaries of belief, the heroine was routinely subject to abuse at the hands of her stepfather, yet came and went from home with no supervision and no curfew. Very unlikely that would be the case. To me, this entire story was a badly executed mishmash of plot bunnies, drama and YA clichés played out by inconsistent and poorly drawn characters.

But discounting all of the above for a moment, I want to mention a line of internal dialogue I found offensive.
I'm no bleeding heart and don't see signs of racism, bigotry or intolerance everywhere - and indeed those things might not be the issue here at all. Not likely anyone would admit it if they were. But what IS the issue is ignorance and stereotyping, of the kind that is inexcusable in this day and age unless you've lived under a rock most of your life. And saying that a pair of trousers are so small "an Ethiopian would find them too tight" is IGNORANT. Why the fresh hell did the writer think that line was appropriate? Was it a joke? If so, it was a bad one.
This may not seem like all that much to most, but for me - not being hyper-aware of intolerant behaviour - to notice it, it's a glaring example of stupidity and carelessness. Such remarks don't cast a positive light on the person making them and if they aren't woke enough to know throwing in an unkind stereotype in a misguided attempt at sarcasm is inappropriate, perhaps they shouldn't publish until they are better educated.

I don't know whether this book was a debut or how many stories this writer has published, and I don't care to find out. I do know that in the sequel the hero cheats with his ex and apparently knocks her up when the heroine's abusive situation forces her to leave for several months.
So, no.
This isn't a writer I want to waste any more time on. I already spent more time on this review than the book deserved.

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Cranky Stars!


Life has a way of happening to Arianna "Ari" Dubray. The once Baltimore living, Prada shoe wearing, and Michael Kors' accessorised Princess, is a long way away from the girl who nows lives in the middle of Nowhere Ville Montana.



A difficult home life, conflicted relationship with her parents, Ari's only light is her younger sister, Shelby. Ari turns eighteen in a few months and freedom beckons.



Enter: Canyon Michaels, who has his own dark secrets, carrying the weight of his family name, and forced to prove his worth in a dead end town.



The last thing they want is each other. Ari doesn't want a reason to stay. Canyon doesn't want a distraction. Once their paths cross, however, fate changes both of their outlooks.



Let me just say: their chemistry is off the charts and you will them to get their happy ever after, even though an abyss of secrets, problems, and challenges lies in the way.



Barbara speak's writing is heartfelt and unforgiving. She rips the emotions out of you and exposes some you didn't know you had.



There are plenty of twists and turns in this book to keep you intrigued and on your toes.



I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I’m being honest, I bought this book simply for the cover. (I mean, have you seen it? Yowza!) Also, because I fell in love with Barbara Speak in St. Louis and may or may not have stalked her for a few days. But let’s talk about the book, shall we?

The book starts with poor Ari basically getting the shaft in life and she continues to live in Hell throughout the story. She had one reprieve from this hell… Canyon Michaels. As someone who has spent her fair share of time around cowboys, I can honestly say that Barbara Speak truly captured the essence of the cowboy. He is perfect. From his laid back ways to his work ethic, he is a cowboy through and through.

” In that moment I realized I was helping him somehow just as much as he was helping me."

The evolution of their relationship was one of my favorite things. It was a slow and natural progression. Though the timeline may have seemed quick for love, these two experienced enough to test their feelings for each. Plus, they are young. Love always works a little faster when you are young, doesn’t it?

There were a few layers to this story. Ari had her issues and they were a plenty. She had ongoing family issues, but she had one major issue that isn’t entirely revealed until the end. She was a sweet girl who deserved none of the problems weighing her down. Her relationship with her sister was just as precious as the one she had with Canyon and at times I was heartbroken for them both. Canyon has issues of his own, but he tries to handle them the only way he knows how: hard work. He shows extraordinary kindness and patience while helping Ari. He really is a dream.

I had a lot of fun reading this book. The characters were well-developed and the story kept my attention until the end. The sequel is coming out soon and I cannot wait to get my hands on it!!!

4 stars

[Smut Hut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooks you from the beginning and you don't want to put it down cause you'll be begging to know what happens next or wondering how much more can go wrong with Canyon and Ari?? Book contains abuse, political corruption, drugs and much more. You will laugh, cry, and wish their bad luck would stop already.

Ari has a secret she needs to hide to protect herself and her sister. They are forced to move to Montana, two months before she graduates high school and came from the lavish life to country life with her mom and step dad (insert nice version of what he is called in book). Does Ari have what it takes to be a country girl? Her step dad abuses her and is quite sad, that her mom does nothing to protect Ari. Ari is bullied in her new school and is trying to make it to the end of graduation to finally escape her horrible life, while protecting her sister from seeing what happens to her. See meets Canyon (hilarious the way they meet) and he finds a way to protect her by working on his farm.

Canyon had no better life. His dad is in jail for killing his mom and Canyon works to restore the family name (for the better) and builds the farm back up. The attraction between these two are real and I love that the man falls for the girl, not the girl falling for the man first. He will do anything to protect her or her sister, Shelby. I especially love the instant feelings he has for Shelby and will do anything to make her safe.

There are many heartbreaks in this book that I don't want to ruin for you, you just need to read this for yourself. Canyon and Ari (including Shelby) are meant to be together! No one should have to go through what they went through especially so young, but they are both strong and their love is real. The twist and turns will keep you on wanting to read more. Patiently waiting for book 2!!!

[JL Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review**

Two months until she turns 18. Two months until she graduates and can leave this little town in nowhere Montana that she never wanted to be dragged to. She doesn't want any distractions any reasons to stay. Her step-dad hates her and reminds her of this every second of everyday that he can. Her mom is a robot who never defends her; never does anything. The only bright spot in her life is her little sister Shelby.

One day after a shitty day having to walk ten miles home she gets passed by one to many cars not stopping for her and out of anger and frustration she throws rocks at a passing truck. The owner of that truck happens to be Canyon Michaels the man that lives in the house down the road from her. He also becomes another reason for her not to leave.

Arianna (Ari) and Canyon both have dark pasts that would be tough for anyone to overcome. Canyon is trying to overcome his but when Arianna comes crashing into his life it just gets a little bit brighter of a road to travel. He pulls her into his world and hers becomes a little brighter also. But forces from both of their pasts come back to haunt them and try to rip them apart.

Pick up this amazing read by an amazing author to find out if Ari and Canyon can overcome their pasts to become each others futures.

[Three Chicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Lisa Kane

This one caught my eye and the reviews were so good I had to check it out. Ari is a senior in high school and for some reason relocates to Montana with her mother, sister Shelby and her step father John. (more like step monster)There is a mystery there and John seems to blame her for everything. He also controls some money she will come into when she turns 18 in 2 months and it is obvious he hates her. Her mother is a sorry excuse for a parent. Ari adores her little sister Shelby.

On her first day at school she meets Canyon, her neighbor who is a few years older and lives on the ranch next to her new home. He's a rancher and a professional bull rider. Sparks fly, there is a small confrontation, some damage is done to Canyon's truck and Ari will be working on his ranch to pay off that debt.

There is more than one mystery going on in this story and when it all comes to light, I couldn't believe how big it was and how life changing. This isn't a classic cliffhanger, but there is another story about them coming. This one is worth investing your time in-so saddle up, grab this one by the horns and settle in for a wild ride!

[Blythe Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently just finished Let it be Me. I had to sit for a few days just so I could fully soak in how amazing this book is before I wrote this review. So here I am ready to write away. Let it be Me starts off very mysteriously. You wonder why Ari is having to pick up and leave her life behind to go into the middle of nowhere. Thats what got my attention from the very first page. I had to know what happened that was so bad that her and her family had to leave. Clearly later on in the book you find out what happened. My thoughts were "what the heck?!?!" Okay thats the PG version of my thoughts. But I am getting ahead of myself. Once Ari arrives at her new house she finds that she has a smoking hot neighbor named Canyon. Now there is an age gap between Canyon and Ari but its only by 5 years. I want to point this out because Ari is 17 at the beginning of the book and Canyon is 22. Don't worry though nothing happens between the two until she is 18. I know there might be some that think that don't like age gaps. Anyways its quite comical how Canyon and Ari meet. I couldn't stop laughing at that point in the book. Ive noticed in all of Barbara's books that she makes you feel practically very dang emotion possible in her books. Thats the exact reason I will always read her books without even reading the blurb. In Let it be Me I wanted to cry for Canyon, for Ari, for Shelby (Ari's little sister). I wanted to laugh and be happy for them. I also wanted to tear characters limb from limb (See what I'm saying about feeling lots of emotions?) The relationship Canyon and Ari have is very sweet. What makes them work is that they have so much in common yet are still different at the same time. Ari was the city girl who had everything and Canyon is a hard working country boy. Canyon shows Ari everything there is to know about life on the ranch. They develop such a bond that you can tell is just amazing. I really wish I could give this book more than 5 starts. Barbara's books may be long but let me tell you, they are worth it. She writes stories that will stay with you forever.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from Abibliophobia Anonymous Book Reviews

Wow, I have loved everything of Barbara Speaks that I have read. This one I FREAKING love though. This is her best work yet! It kept me on my toes and worried for the entire book. There were times that brought tears to my eyes, and that doesn’t happen often. I love both of the main characters and wanted something good to last for both of them. I loved how we weren’t told Arianna’s full story at the beginning, we had to wait for it. It was perfect. There are some scenes of domestic violence, just for a warning.

Arianna is seventeen, only a couple weeks away from turning eighteen, when she is forced to move away with her family. They end up in a small country town, in the middle of nowhere Montana. She though she lost everything, and she really did, until she was so mad she picked up a handful of rocks.

Everything changed when she threw those rocks.

Who would have thought that throwing rocks at a truck would change everything and give her so much in return? Love, someone to protect her, and give her the strength that she needs.

Canyon Michaels, boy I don’t even know where to start with him. He has lost everything, but he has rebuilt. Things change for him when his truck gets hit with those rocks. He gains everything that Ari gains from him. She gives it all back. Things aren’t easy, and he loses even more than he originally lost.

I honestly didn’t know how this story would go. I didn’t know if it would end with a happily ever after, or not. There are some twists and road bumps thrown in. You’ll just have to read it because this is all I am going to say about it. I would hate to give anything away. This is such a great read. You won’t be disappointed at all!

[Pam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Brilliant Star’s

I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this audio. When I see 17 year old, I always get a little apprehensive thinking the books going to be a little on the immature side and so I brace myself. NO need with this one if anything this girl/women Arianna is more mature then a lot of adults I know including me! :D

Ok so we meet Arianna and her family, I love her sister! Arianna is so so so good with her I loved that relationship throughout the whole book, these girls melt you heart I swear it.
Anyways they are new the town and right away you don’t like the stepdad he is a grade A douche you want to push in to the lake. Her mother isn’t any better. So already you have all these feels and then the girl has to start her last 2 months of her senior year of high school in a place she doesn’t want to be and who doesn’t want drama just to get through so she can get out.

Oh can’t forget hunky dunky Canyon, yah with a name like that you so know he owns it. He is everything Arianna isn’t looking for. He complicates everything in good and bad ways. She doesn’t want to get attached to this place only she can’t help it. Canyon helps her and becomes her friend and so so much more.

This is an emotional roller-coaster of a book I cried and even now thinking about it brings tears to my eyes I said to my husband who was giving me a hard time about being a softy, I told him ‘look when an author can make me have to find the tissue it’s one hell of a book… go back to our sports news and leave me be.’ Lol

There are a lot of story lines going on in this book but they all just fit so well. I want more! Here is my favorite line.
“That one of you smiles beats down all of the bad in my day.” - Arianna

[Kerri’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. My. Word. I loved this book!!! I adore Barb and her Flawlessly Broken Trilogy is one of my favorites to date, so when then Let It Be Me showed up on my kindle, I dropped what I was doing to read it . And I'm so glad that I did. I devoured this book.

Canyon Michaels, you sir had me at darlin'. No, really. By the first chapter I had already fallen for him and he just got sexier and sweeter as the pages went on. Then there's Ari. The sweet girl who was just dealt a shitty hand in life and trying to get by the best she can.

The chemistry between the two of them is palpable. But Ari has secrets she's hiding. She has just a few weeks until she turns 18 and be on her own. Canyon has his own secrets of a dark past as well. But Ari lights up his life like it hasn't been in a long time. Will these two be able to be honest with each other and face the secrets of their past, or will they let the past drown their opportunity for a future.

I can't recommend this book enough. The plot was fantastic, with just enough suspense and twists to keep you glued until the very last page. The characters were well developed and easily relatable to. And let me not leave out Shelby. I can guarantee that she will be one of the cutest secondary characters that you have ever read about. That little girl is too funny and adorable for her own good.

My only complaint is that when I turned the last page, I wasn't ready to say good bye. I NEED more of Ari and Canyon. And rumor has it that a second book is in the works. (YES!!!!) Pick up your copy today and fall in love with Canyon and Ari. You wont be disappointed!

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by Barbara and let me say this, it will not be my last.

I felt like I was a detective while reading Let it be Me. You have no clue what is going on until the words are spoken. You are truly left in the dark guessing.

I connected with Arianna on some levels. Like having a step dad who can be evil at times. Arianna and her family were uprooted over night. She has no idea where they are going until they get there. Like any teenage girl she didn't want to leave her friends, her life that she knew. That saying "out with the old, in with the new" yeah that doesn't go over so well for Arianna.

What does go well is Canyon. Oh my Canyon, bless his heart. He is a true gentlemen through and through. Even though he too has a past that he doesn't like to speak about, him and Arianna get along like two peas in a pod.

I said this was mystery because there is a mystery. You have no idea what in the world happened to Arianna and her family. It is so hush hush that Arianna doesn't even mention it until the very end. Why they had to move? Why her step dad hated her so much? You don't really know what Canyon suffered as well. The suspense of their story has you on the edge of your seat, swiping to turn to the next page. You have to find out what was going on. There are no bathroom breaks, no dinner time while reading Let it be Me. Once you start you will not want to put this book down.

[Kelly with Sugar Shack Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy for an honest review.

I honestly do not even know where to begin with my review. I knew as soon as I seen the cover and read for this book that I was hooked, had to read. So when this one showed up on my kindle I dived right in and was 100% blown away!!! This is my firat read of Barbara's, but I am hooked! Her writing is absolutley amazing, she has a way to make you relate and feel the emotions of the characters. I was drawn into their world and felt everything!!

I loved the characters, Ari was amazing, after everything she has been through to still have the attitude, I loved her! Canyon, well wow, how to describe him, he is wonderful. Sweet, cowboy full of charm and character. Of course sweet little Shelby just melts your heart.

The entire story, from page one until the end kept me interested, the twists and turns left me guessing and on my toes the entire time. It was a beautiful story about moving on from the past and standing up for yourself and for the ones you love!! This is a type of book that actaully will stay with me, one of my new top favorites!!

I would definitley recommend this book to everyone! The writing, the plot, the characters, everything is done perfectly. Barbara is now one of my new favorite go to authors and to be honest I am dying for more of these amazing characters!!! Please, please check this book out!!!

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let it be Me is the story of 17 year old Arianna and how her life is turned upside down when her family is forced to move to a middle of nowhere town in Montana. I really got into the story and was dying to know what it was that caused the family to move so suddenly which the author only hints at and gives bits and pieces to try to keep you guessing. Arianna is just trying to get through her last 2 months of high school so that she can get away as soon as she turns 18. However, things don’t go quite as planned when she meets Canyon, her handsome neighbor. One of the things I struggled with while reading was the age difference between Arianna and Canyon as their relationship progressed. After all, when they meet Arianna is only 17 while Canyon is 22 and this is really never brought up at any time between them.

The author really does keep you on your toes throughout the book between the drama that Arianna faces at home and her budding relationship with Canyon. Every time I thought I had something figured out or thought that the drama was over for Arianna and Canyon something else would happen.

This really is a must read book! While it does not end in a cliff hanger I cannot wait to read the next book when it comes out!

[RCA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin to profess my love for this book Let It Be Me by Barbara Speak? The author had me at PBR (professional bull rider) and the word “darlin”.

Arianna a high school senior who has had some trouble which has forced her family to be relocated to Montana. Ari doesn’t want to be there and is biding her time till she graduates and turns 18 and can say adios to her parents. She must plan as much as she can to make provisions for her much younger half-sister Shelby that she adores and loves more than anything on earth. After a rough first day of school, a truck that will not start, she starts to walk a long journey home. Enter one Canyon Michaels, PBR champion and horse rancher.

Ari and Canyon are NOT instantly head over heels but rather oil and water in the beginning. Canyon works hard to gain Ari’s trust because he recognizes there may be a few skeletons in her closet. He would know because he has more than his fair share of them in his own house.

If you enjoy romance with twists, turns and angst you will like this book. If you grew up on a farm riding horses like I did, you will LOVE this young adult book.

[LeeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book, one of the best I’ve read this summer. Ari Dubray is 17 and her and her family have been forced to uproot their lives and move across the country to Montana. With an abusive step-father, a mother who has checked out from the world, and a little sister who looks up to her Ari has a lot to deal with in life. Ari’s step-father trades in her nice car for a crappy truck upon arriving in Montana and when Ari drives it to school she’s unable to get it started to leave. Ari knows her family won’t come save her so she begins walking home and has a run in with her neighbor Canyon. Trying to save Ari from her step-father Canyon gets Ari to work on his farm and their relationship begins to bloom. Ari is counting down the days until she turns 18 so that she can leave but after a few says with Ari Canyon realizes he can’t let her go and sets out to change her mind.

I really enjoyed the mystery during the whole story about Ari’s past, and when it finally comes out it’s a shocker for everyone. This book has a little bit of everything, it’s hot, romantic, funny, and real. I quite enjoyed it and can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Digital copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars!!

Let It Be Me was a really sweet read. I will admit that I liked the second half more than the first. The beginning was more about tearing down walls, which was absolutely necessary. However, I learned a little bit more about caring for horses than I wanted. That being said, those moments were what built up the relationship between Canyon and Ari. And I adored the connection between the two of them. They were so cute together!

The second half was better for me because the relationship really got going, we finally learned what happened in Ari's past, and there was a more going on (can't really say what particularly because it would spoil it, but it was quite engrossing). I was really happy with the way this story turned out, even more so with the fact that there was no cliffhanger even though there are plans for a sequel.

I'm looking forward to the continuation of Canyon and Ari's story in Let It Be Us!

[Andrea Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penned Con was right, this was the best Book Hangover! I was so caught up in Arianna and Canyon's story from the very first page! Seriously, this former "book hater" got so caught up in the story, I didnt notice when 1 am hit and I was still reading. When I bought the paperback copy at Penned Con, I told my sister that it was daunting for me to look at because it looked so long and I thought I'd never be able to finish it (I am a slow reader and get frustrated easily when I struggle with reading). Well Barb, ya made me eat my words because every twist in the story made me keep turning pages and I finished in 2 days. I was a blubbering mess at one point crying and I am not sure I have done that for a book before! There was only one "intimate" scene (yes I am a child and even just reading them make me blush) but she wrote it very tastefully. I absolutely LOVE this book. 100% recommend everyone go to amazon and get it right now!

[Le Ann Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆☆Reviewed for Hooked On Books and CherryOBlossoms Promotions ☆ ☆

I gave this book 4.5 stars!

Well I just found a another one click author. I haven't read any books by Barbara and I'm glad that I did. From the start I fell in love with Ari and Canyon. I new that these two would have struggles and that they could get through them. I love how the author put in little surprise and some twist to it, to make it have a unique storyline. Not only do we get to meet Ari and Canyon we get to see glimpse of the secondary characters story to.

I'm a country girl that grew up on rodeos and breading and I can same that Barbara nailed the country life. I was hooked from the start and was craving the second book to see the conclusion of this wonderful love story.

I highly recommend reading this series. I can't wait to see what next from Barbara.

[The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book wasn't what I expected at all. There were times when I thought "oh here we go" and that the book would slip into the usual plot lines, it never happened! The characters are great and deep. You get parts of their story as the book goes on and its very natural. They don't suddenly just tell each other everything. And I liked that, while there was Insta-lust, this wasn't an insta-love story. Canyon and Ari bond on an emotional level and its sweet. Honestly, this book is heartbreaking at times, loving, sweet, and in the end, it just works out to be a beautiful story of fixing your mistakes. I will post a full review on my blog: http://www.thebookdisciple.com

[Samantha Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author but It will not be my last. This book is brilliant the story line is fantastic. The only downfall is that the characters seem so much older than they are so you forget she is only 17. But other than that it's fantastic.

Ari & Canyon story takes you on a roller coaster of a ride alot of Ups and downs. Emotional but and lovely. I would and already have recommended this Author and Book. Can't wait to read more from Barbara Speak.