Lose Me.

Lose Me #2

by M.C. Frank

Jane Austen meets K-drama in this compulsively readable New Adult novel of movie stars, golden beaches and intense romance.

"Today is not the day I die."

Ari Demos, a half Greek stunt girl, starts her every day with this thought. It's not that her job isn't dangerous, but she's been surfing, training and doing sick water stunts for years. Now, just months after graduating from high school, she's ready for her first job on a real movie set. But on the day before shooting starts, she has an accident.One that almost claims her life. And that's when she realizes that she can't hide from the truth any longer: something big and dark is coming, and she's not sure she will survive it.
Then Wes Spencer arrives on the scene with his expensive yacht, glamorous friends and bored attitude. He's a British superstar, the famous pirate of a hit TV show that made girls all over the planet swoon at a glimpse of his dirty blonde hair and green eyes, and he's in Greece to film a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. When he meets Ari, he dismisses her as too unimportant. But as it turns out, she isn't unimportant. In fact, quite the opposite.

Will Wes and Ari fall in love Hollywood style, or will they end up fighting for their lives?

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Young Adult, Retellings

387 pages, ebook

First published February 27, 2017

About the author

Welcome to the world of M.C. FRANK's books, where characters aren't going to have an easy time of it: They will find themselves in icy-cold dystopian worlds where kissing is forbidden (among other things), or in green forests ruled by evil Sheriffs. If they're in Jane Austen's England, they have to be running away from a traumatic childhood, or if they are in our contemporary world, they're scared they'll die before they have finished high school. That sort of thing.
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com

Website: mcfrankauthor.com

Twitter: @mcfrank_author

Instagram: @mcfrank_author

Tumblr: @litlereddoll

Facebook Page: M.C. Frank

Goodreads: M.C. Frank

Youtube: M.C. Frank

Reviews

[Liv ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✱4.5 STARS! ✱

ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

☾WOW! I didn't really know what to expect when I started reading this book because I've never read a book by this author before. Wes and Ari meet on set doing stunts together, this is after he save her from near death experiences time after time...yeah, it's sort of complicated.

☾My emotions were played with so much in this book between the two main characters, you can really feel the care the two have for each other in just a short amount of time. In the beginning of the book, Ari constantly refers to herself as dying. The audience is not clued in as to why, but it's pretty easy to guess.

☾She begins a "relationship" (I choose my words carefully there) with Wes and withholds this information from him for a very long time. This leads to a really bad confrontation and a whole lot of crying. I don't want to say much more as I want you all to read it for yourself and live the emotions this book has to offer, just like I did. Enjoy!

[Mg ♥ The Bookishmedialite · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's LIVE AMAZON

4.5 Stars!

Lose Me was my first journey into M.C. Frank words. I didn't know what to expect from it. I have watched the movie but I've never read Pride and Prejudice (Oh don't kill me), but I'm glad I got the chance to experience this story.

The New Adult genre has become very popular these days and while I enjoy reading it, it's true that a lot of them sounds almost the same. So reading Lose Me was refreshing.

Ari Demos– a young stunt actor, about to start her first job on a movie set. The movie is a modern adaption of Pride and Prejudice, set on Corfu, Ari's homeland.

Wes Spencer– Hollywood phenomenon adored by millions is our Mr. Darcy. His first few meetings with Ari didn't end well, but as they continue working together, they got lost in their own little universe.

"...two people hating each other and all the while they're falling in love?"

But Ari has a secret. One that if she allows it, has the power to destroy them.
Will she let her pride keep them apart or will she let Wes in?

I need to start off this review by saying that Ari Demos wasn't my favorite person. I felt for her, it was impossible not to but while she struggled to make peace with her condition and the consequences of her actions, I struggled with her selfishness.



Gawd! I hated it and loved it at the same time. Crazy, right? Hate it because her selfish actions hurt people I loved and didn't deserve it. And loved it because well, it made me feel. An I-Want-To-Vag-Punch-You-Right-Here-Right-Now kind of feeling, but a feeling after all. And isn't that the point of reading? To feel?

Well, after I got that out of my heart, let's talk about the things I LOVE about this book! Starting with my love for Pan, Theo, Ollie and of course my Wes ♥. Their friendship was definitely something else. How the author points out the meaning of friendship using a group of boys instead of girls is something I found exciting. These boys were something else. They intrigued me, made me laughed and had my heart racing every time I read about them. I wish I could meet them in real life. Here's hoping M.C. Frank decides to make books for them.

So you already know why I didn't like Ari. But about Wes? What made me love him? First off, I loved that he was the one who liked to read and not her. He was my bookworm. Second, I loved how he switched from asshole to sweetheart, LOL. Never a dull moment with him. And his character growth made me fall for him even more.

Ari and Wes's relationship was an emotional roller-coaster. It was toxic, angsty, addictive and unforgettable. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Another thing I love about this book was the setting. Corfu was magical. The descriptions of the island made me feel like I was there, kissing Wes under the sea. Swoon.

Oh, wait! I can't finish this review without mentioning the chapters written as Tumblr posts, twitter, interviews, etc. It allowed me to get to know more about Wes and some of the other characters. And I think the idea was pretty original. Loved it.

Welcome to Corfu, where you will get trapped in an addictive tale of love, friendship, forgiveness and second chances. Courtesy of M.C. Frank and her wonderful writing.



You can find me here: FB PAGE | INSTAGRAM

[M.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lose Me has a new cover!


And the HARDCOVER will be up for preorder soon here! It will include 2 special features: a 2k short story from Wes's perspective, and Ari♡Wes art.


Buy link

Read the first three chapters of the book for free at: Stunt Girl (a sample of Lose Me.)!

[☆Stephanie☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Lose Me
Author: M.C. Frank
Publisher: M.C. Frank, 2017 (April 11)
Genre: New Adult Contemporary

**I received a copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review**

This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA’s Tumblr, or my Goodreads page

My Review:


So, I was emailed awhile back by M.C. Frank, as I am a dedicated subscriber and Twitter follower, if I wanted to review her new book, Lose Me. Now, to be honest, I have only read ONE other contemporary book before, so I’m not a good judge here. I have realized now that this genre is so not my forté. This has nothing to do with Frank’s book…I just cannot handle the feels, the characters, the drama.

Does that mean this book was bad? No. Quite the opposite.

This book was very very good.

And I was in agony the whole time.

I think from now on, because of my gigantic heart and my emotional nature, I’m going to stick to fantasy romance. I just can’t do the feels: I was crying, I couldn’t stop reading, I wanted to smack the MC with the book but it was a PDF and she’s imaginary. Those are all probably normal “contemporary read” emotions, and I don’t think I can do that. I’m too much of a wreck inside.

So let me give you a run-down as to why if you’re a fan of contemporary books, this is a must-read.

Ari has a secret.

As a stunt girl for a new movie (a retelling of Pride and Prejudice), she must do extreme stunts. She’s trained for this and it’s her big break, doing stunts for a movie starring Wes Spencer, a big-time actor everyone watched grow up on “The Water Wars.” As a TV star and playboy, Ari doesn’t have a desire to be near him. But when an accident causes her almost to drown, it’s Spencer that saves her.

No one knows Ari’s secret: she has a ticking time-bomb in her head. Every day Ari reminds herself that she won’t die, and that she can’t bring anyone close to her into her illness. But Wes Spencer, the man she originally wanted nothing to do with, suddenly wants something to do with her. Ari does not understand: she’s nothing special, she’s not a movie star. She’s a stunt girl with a tendency to get hurt around one of the sexiest men alive. She’s not immune to his charm, and soon, she realizes that despite her desire to keep people from getting too close, Wes is already closer than he should be.

Before she knows it, everything comes crashing down. Wes knows there’s something wrong…but she can’t tell him. After the movie wraps, he’ll go home, and Ari will be in Corfu, alone with her illness, if even alive. She can’t put Wes through it.

But how can she push him away when he won’t go anywhere?

Apparently Wes needs saving as much as Ari does.


Is It Classroom-Appropriate?

Normally with YA reads I include this section. As this book is NA, I’m going to skip this. There’s no reason to even think of considering it for use in a school setting. So moving on.

Age Range:

I would say, with this being an NA novel, that 16 and up is best. There’s not a ton of inappropriate language, but there are some steamy scenes. Honestly, the scenes never get that bad, or else I would even go older. But I think it’s implied enough to where it’s best to err on the side of caution. Just know though that nothing naughty really happens like in some NA books, and this book does border on YA. I think the author was trying to be cautious and I respect that A LOT.

End Result:

This book gutted me. Ari goes through so much; Wes goes through so much. If you like character-driven books, this book is so for you. Yes, Ari drove me crazy with keeping Wes away, but I’m thinking that’s maybe what happens when you go through what she went through. Many of you know my feelings towards Kestrel from The Winner’s Curse series. I have the same feelings towards Ari. Kestrel always thought she was doing what was best for Arin, even though she was torturing him. Well, Ari does the same thing.

I get where she is coming from, I really do. But I can’t STAND characters like that…the ones that keep secrets for “the good of the person” when it’s obviously making things worse. So I’m thinking I’m not a contemporary girl. I’m glad I read this because I couldn’t put it down and it was so good…but it was an emotional roller-coaster. Straight-up feels City.

You think you’ve been there? NO, YOU HAVE NOT!

Not until you read Lose Me.

And you know what?


IT. CAN’T. I’m too easily broken for feels like this.

Little story to tell you: when I was younger, I was addicted to these books by Lurleen McDaniel. They were all about someone who was dying and I couldn’t stop buying them. One of my favorites was Too Young To Die (I think it’s been rereleased recently). Now I’m not saying that this book is like those, but when I was younger I just couldn’t get enough. Now, I’m a little more fragile. I’m a little more sensitive. If this book had broke my heart, I would be shattered on the floor. It didn’t, thank goodness, but I would.

So because of the quality of the story and not how I feel towards contemporary, I give Lose Me ★★★★☆. Mainly because it deserves every one.


If you like to feel…if you like quality literature…this I recommend to you.

If you are faint of heart like me, just be warned, “You will feel.”

You can’t avoid it, my friend.
So that’s all from me on Lose Me. I’m currently jumping back into my comfort zone with Long May She Reign before Overdrive snatches it from me. Whatcha reading? Are you excited for my upcoming giveaway? (It’s coming….dun, dun dun!!)

Same Bat Time, same Bat channel, my blogger bunnies!! (Old TV Batman reference to all the young’uns out there, lol!)

[Kaley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't really know where to start with this review; there's so much I want to say and it's not all positive. I was very, very disappointed by this book. It had so much potential--when I read the blurb, I thought it sounded different and interesting. I really wanted to read it. But it was all over the place, and not in a good way. It had a good plot, but wasn't well developed. There were too many plot lines that were unfinished, too many characters that were brought into the story that were kind of just left hanging. I wasn't able to create a connection with any of them. What happened with First Sentences? What about Elle? And Anna? What happened with Wes's Hamlet project? What about Jamie? And Rosie?And Pan? And why was Theo a part of this story at all? The whole religion/Bible plotline was uncessary too. I also didn't see the connection between this story and Pride & Prejudice/Jane Austen (besides the film Wes and Ari were in) and believe me I am a huge Pride & Prejudice fan. There was just too much going on that I wasn't able to make an emotional connection with Ari and Wes.

The writing...There were times that the writing was decent, and other times I wondered if this was written by a fifteen year old or by someone where English isn't there first language. No offense to the author; I think it just needed to be edited a lot better than it was. There were run on sentences, grammar errors, unbelievable/confusing situations and dialogue...The dialogue...There were WAY too many interrepted dialogues and elipses used...way too many...to the point where I was getting frustrated and yelling at the characters to just say what they were thinking and speak in full sentences instead of dropping their words/sentences and leaving it hanging.

There were quite a few contradictions made throughout as well; where something would be said in one scene and in the next line/page/chapter something completely different would be said. Some situations and dialogue were unclear and confusing about what was really happening in the scene. And other things were just poorly researched and again not believable because of that. Again it all comes down to the need for better editing! There were many times as I was reading that I thought did the author even read through her work before she published it? Did someone else read through it too?

Again I don't want to be mean, I really do just want to try to give my opinion and constructive criticism in my reviews. I loved Ari, Wes, and Ollie; I just wish the writing, the plot, the whole story came together to better represent the emotions of this book. Because it had a great story to tell, it just got overrun by too much going on.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

...............I enjoyed this book a lot, and I think I will buy the paperbook version one of these days and reread it sometime down the road. I think anyone who is a pride and prejudice lover, and who enjoys contemporary would like this one

To see my full review on this book, go check out my blog.
https://ashreadssite.wordpress.com/20...

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

New adult literature gets more and more popular these days. While I enjoy this genre in general, there are some things I don’t like about it, and a lot of NA books’ plots sounds basically the same. I was looking for a good, fresh NA story, so when I’ve heard M.C. Frank’s next book will be NA, I had a feeling it will be what I was looking for. I was not disappointed!



“Today is not the day I die” - here’s what our main character, Ariadne Demos - a young stunt actor, about to start her first job on a movie set, repeats to herself every day. What movie, you’re asking? Here’s where the deliciousness for Jane Austen fans starts - it’s a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, set on Ari’s home island - Corfu. The role of Mr. Darcy - young, rich, proud man, loved by many generations of women, is played by young, successful, very popular British actor Wes Spencer. His first few meetings with Ari don’t end well, but as they continue working together, they slowly start to overcome their own prides and prejudices, and notice that what they feel for each other is not an antipathy anymore - in fact, it’s quite the opposite. But Ari knows something Wes doesn’t. Will her secret keep them apart? And how long is her daily mantra going to be true?



M.C. Frank has done it again - created an unforgettable story that breaks your heart and then heals it, and makes you turn page after page to see what happens next.



Lose Me features great, three-dimensional characters. Ari - brave and tough on the outside, but scared and vulnerable on the inside. Wes - arrogant and stuck-up, but dealing with problems people dreaming of getting into showbiz have no idea of. Ollie - Wes’ best friend, whose role in the story is much bigger than it initially seems. Elle - beautiful but mean actress playing Lizzy Bennet, making you wish you could reach inside the book and slap her. And many, many more characters you wish you could meet in real life.



I loved the setting on a Greek island - I’ve always wanted to visit Greece, and M.C. Frank’s beautiful, vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there, diving into blue sea, wandering the narrow streets, breathing salty air. And while those are the things the author could experience herself, it’s striking how well-researched this book is. When you read about all those amazing stunts Ari is doing, it seems like M.C. Frank herself spends her days surfing, jumping from high rocks, or doing some fast driving acrobatics.



Another great thing about this book is that some chapters are written as tumblr posts, twitter conversations, interviews or articles, which allows the reader to get to know the characters from other perspectives.

The romance between Wes and Ari isn’t light and easy - it’s a rocky road, full of obstacles, fear and hurt. It will rip your heart out, it will make you cry, but it will also make you laugh and swoon. It’s really hard not to ship these two!



Lose Me is a wonderful story about overcoming fear, finding hope and opening up for love. It will teach you that sometimes being brave doesn’t mean jumping off a cliff, but letting someone in.

I highly recommend this book, please do yourself a favour and read it! Can you trust me with this?
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Today is not the day I die.”

Ari Demos, a young stunt actress with a promising start. Weston Spencer, Hollywood’s golden boy (literally, have you seen his hair?). When the two are thrown together for a modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice anything can happen, and it does.



Lose Me by M.C. Frank is a story about overcoming fears, being true to one’s self, and -maybe- finding love along the way.

I gave this book a five star review because it met and exceeded all my expectations. Brilliant main heroine who's not just a Mary Sue? Check. Heart-throb main guy who's not just a love interest? Check. Plot that that you think you know what's going on but then the author pulls something out of left field leaving you grasping at the pages to find out what's going on? Check times a million. Once I started Lose Me I did not want to put the book down and I read it three main sittings.



Let's begin this review with our characters, Ari and Wes, our Elizabeth and Darcy. I don't know how Frank makes such well-rounded characters that I can't help but fall in love with but she does.

Ari is a stunt double in a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which is actually pretty dang cool. Ladies, you don't have to be the leading actress. You can kick-ass by jumping off cliffs and driving cars around sick bends. Ari is an eginma the moment you meet her repeating “today is not the day I die” over and over again. Something’s amiss, obvious by the gentle cues from the writings, but you don't know what it is.



Wes is the leading man in the movie, literally the Darcy. And he’s just as you would picture as described by Ari before she meets him. But Wes isn't just a two-dimensional characters, smiling at the camera. He has feelings and demons that will haunt him throughout the novel.




When beginning this story I thought it was going to be a cut and dry Pride and Prejudice retelling: Elizabeth and Darcy meet, they hate each other. Darcy starts to pine after her and actually ends up doing things that make her hate him more. They apologize, realize their own faults and fall in love. But when I realized there were more than 200 pages left in the book it was obvious this novel would be so much more.



This book dragged my feels through the dirt, especially starting with Part II.



It was around this time I was thinking “what more could there be to this story?” And Frank oh so delivered. At the time I was screaming at certain character’s decisions but looking back on the novel as a whole, those decisions were critical to the plot.

Part III was too short for my liking. I wanted to read more and more. But even I understand that a book can't go on forever and it has to end somewhere and I was not disappointed when I did.



“It's a story about misunderstand, of overcoming one’s worst faults and social comedy.” Wes couldn't have described Lose Me in a better way (he was actually explaining P&P but you get the point).



**Disclaimer: I was given an ebook of this novel in exchange for my honest review**

[Yesha- Books Teacup and Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** Note: I received review copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. I am glad I got a chance to read this book. ***

‘Lose Me.’ just left me lost in the book. If you are thinking it is reimagining of Pride and Prejudice which I thought it would be initially, let me tell you it is not. You find little characteristics in characters but this is totally different story. It is fabulous contemporary set in Corfu, Greece, narrated by Ari. The book was about growing up, fighting, surviving, and living. And most importantly about forgiveness, letting go of guilt and fear, and of course, love.

Characters
Both Ari and Wes were little complicated characters.

Ari (Ariadne), Stunt girl, main character of the book was smart, down to earth and bold athlete in the book. I adored her in first part of the book. Her will of living was tremendous and the way she was fighting was speechless. But in the second part she little disappointed me (I will talk about it below in ‘what I didn’t like part’) and all my adoration switched to Wes. I was glad in third part of the she was not that hopeless. Her character development in third part raised to height of Mt. Everest. I liked one thing about her that she was true to herself throughout the book. She questioned her actions and her thoughts. She knew what she was doing was wrong or right. So overall, I liked her.

(I wonder why her father called her ‘Ars’!! All the time I pronounced it wrong. Ugh! You can guess what it was. I liked Ari better.)

Wes (Weston Spencer), second main character, hero of the book. Hero as in handsome, heart- throbbing actor in the book playing Mr. Darcy role. I so loved him that he is going to be on my book-boyfriend list. He was not all perfect guy. He was reckless, careless, and full of himself but behind this demeanor he was such an amazing friend and lovely person. The way he changed, his growth and his love for Ari was remarkable.

Ari’s father was the best dad in book-world. I loved him and father-daughter relationship. Ollie was such sweet and nicest character. In second part I got to know him even more. Other secondary character didn’t go unnoticed. Even though they had short role in the book, I felt like I know them as much as protagonist and would like to see them more.

What I liked
The starting of the book was perfectly written. It gave idea of Ari’s life, how she grew up, her ambition and her work as stunt girl in the film on modern reimagining of Pride and Prejudice featuring famous TV actors. In first part, introduction of whole cast, all stunt Ari performed and the location, everything was so amazing. I also liked the talk about Greek people and their food. It was very well researched and effectively written that I fell in love with this place. So basically first part of the book was my favorite.

I so loved Wes’ interest in the books and the role he played as hero of Pride & Prejudice and Hamlet was so perfect. Through his knowledge I got to know few things about this book, it felt like I was discussing book with him. Characters making a video based on their favorite classical comedians Laurel and Hardy and showing their love in the book was great idea.

As the story was narrated by Ari, I could know her fast and easily but not Wes. Through supplementary chapters in between story about gossips in magazines and blogs, Wes’ interview, his email chats with his friends, I learned about Wes’ life in very different way. It also showed how this movie industry breaths gossips and publicity.

Best thing I liked was letter by Wes. I was swooning over his words and was amazed by learning that in so less time he knew Ari so closely. At that point I started admiring him. He became officially my book boyfriend. 😉 And second best was Ari’s diary. I was wondering what went wrong and why such a drastic change, my feelings were exactly same as Ollie and Wes for Ari’s action. Her thoughts in that diary made it crystal clear.

The movies in the book brought biggest change in characters and their life. It showed them what true love and family is. The book gave pretty good discussion points like- how life threatening conditions can affect a person’s life and of the one who are closer to that person. it gave message of ‘surviving and living and not to push away loved ones. They suffer with you and they live with you. As much you need support, they also need yours. No one can survive alone. Not to let fear of dying grow over bliss of living’.

One more thing, I don’t know if this was meant to be as a something to learn but I just figure it and I liked it- Mean characters in the book were shrugged off. I thought they will create some drama later specifically after first part of the book. But nothing like that. It was like if you give lesser attention to such people the lesser they mess with your life.

The writing was so captivating that at one point it felt like author might have put a charm on book. Seriously, it was super fast paced and unputdownable. There were lot of changes turns in the book. I expected the end much earlier in the book but lot of things happened before it came. But I was right about whether it will be happy ending or tragic ending.

Why not 5 Stars
I was struggling I should give 4 or 4.5 star. And finally settled on 4 because of Ari- She confused me a lot with her. I wanted her to be like she was in the first part. The change in her in second part and the reasons were looked so silly and irritating. She broke my heart and no doubt that is why I could feel Wes much better. But her transformation in the third part was mind-blowing and that is why I’m not cutting more stars.

Overall, just loved it. Both P&P lover and even those who don’t like it (it will make you read that book), would love the story. I highly recommend it to all contemporary lovers.

[E.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like NA, romance, and serious character tension, then chances are you are going to love Lose Me.

Set mainly in Greece and featuring a half-Greek stunt girl and a handsome heartthrob actor as the main characters, this is the perfect summer-escape read! You'll be lost in the beautiful scenery and cultural experience of the story as much as you'll find yourself wrapped up in the character dynamics.

This book gave me SO many feelings...not all of them good, but not all of them bad either. I was actually mad at the main character for a good portion of the book, but I do think that's what makes a good book. Something that will pull emotions and feelings from its reader. There was something in the way that M.C. wrote that would NOT let me go. I had to keep reading to see what happened.

Ari and Wes. Major *sigh* From the moment you meet Ari you realize she's a different type of character. The best way I can describe it is that she's "distant". For reasons I won't get into, you do come to see more of why she is this way, but that was one of the tough parts of the book for me. I wanted to know more about why she was doing what she was or thinking what she was. Most of it is revealed near the end, but as a reader, I personally don't like being kept in the dark that much. And, along those lines, I'm not a fan of how some of the timeline played out. It was disconcerting for me as a reader to have flashbacks to a supposed "experience" the characters had together (like a date, for instance) only to find out it had already happened and the character was then thinking back on it. It's hard to explain, but in my mind when I was reading, I wanted to experience things as they were happening. I wanted to ask why we were brought "back" to that time period when we should have been "there" during it.

I was seriously rooting for them though. Man, they had some issues--both personally and interpersonally--but I liked how it all worked out in the end. I'll emphasize here that there is a lot--a lot--of drama in this book. Not in a bad way, just in a very turmoil-inducing type of way. You will definitely feel a lot of things while reading this. (Feel all the feelings!)

I also loved how she incorporated snapshots from Tumblr, text messages, and interviews in between the chapters. It made the experience of reading Lose Me. kind of like I was just hearing a story from a good friend or going through life with someone I cared about. It pulled me in and created great interest.

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes NA and doesn't mind a lot of drama in their reading. If you like your heart to be wrung out (in the best way) and put back whole again, I think you'll really enjoy this book!

**I'll mention here for my Clean Readers that this is NA (New Adult) so there is a lot more kissing/passion/feelings detailed in the book though nothing explicitly depicted. There is also the use of cuss words here and there. I would recommend it for 17+.

My rating: 3.8*
_______________
I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

[Isa (Pages Full of Stars) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Except for you pain," he says slowly, "I wouldn't change a thing."

Lose Me. is a new, fresh NA story that won me over with amazing characters, gripping story and swoon worthy romance.

Ari Demos is a young stunt actor, who's about to start her first serious job after finishing high school. She landed a stunt double role in a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which is about to be set in beautiful Corfu and starring an extremely popular British actor Wes Spencer, who is almost a real life depiction of our beloved Mr. Darcy. Ari is excited to start working on set but she also can't stop thinking about the big secret that she tries to hide from her family, and herself...

You all probably know that I don't read NA books that often, but as soon as I saw the words "Pride and Prejudice" in the description and noticed that it's written by M.C. Frank, I knew that I have to pick it up! And I'm happy to say that I absolutely adored the story :)

First off, the plot idea is really fresh and interesting. The book focuses on Ari, who is a stunt actor and about to work on her first ever movie, so we see a lot of backstage work and the descriptions of amazing stunts. There's so many details that as a reader I really felt as if I actually were on set with the characters. Most of the story is set in Greece, on a beautiful Corfu island that we're discovering together with Ari and Wes. Also, we're getting some glimpses into Greek culture through Ari's family and I absolutely loved that!

Apart from our main characters Ariadne and Wes, there's a lot of secondary characters and all of them are well written and fun to read about. I adore all the relationships in the book - both romantic and family bonds. Ari and Wes' love story was lovely but Ari's relations with her father, grandparents and other characters were just as wonderful. As a protagonist, Ari and Wes aren't perfect but that's what makes them feel very real. I got attached to them while reading and their stories were absolutely heartbreaking for me.

Another thing that's worth mentioning is that M.C. Frank knows how to mix lighthearted moments with drama and sad ones, crashing readers' hearts into million pieces. Lose Me. not only tells a story of love but also touches upon some very important issues such as illness, forgiveness, growing up and finding your own path. It's much more than your usual NA romance and it will keep you at the edge of your seat all the way through!

Lose Me. is set to be published on April 11, 2017 so be sure to put in on your reading lists and pre-order on Amazon, if you’re interested! :)

I have kindly received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The review also appeared on my blog.




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That cover is so gorgeous *__*

And the summary sounds interesting!

[Darque Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lose Me is emotional, addictive, and beautiful. It will have your soul singing and your heart beating! For fans of powerful contemporary novels with dynamic characters, prepare to lose yourself in Lose Me!

I had to wait an entire 24 hours before writing this review. Why? Because I could not put in to words how much I adored this book! I still don’t believe I’ll be able to do it justice, but let’s give it a go!

Lose Me was profoundly emotional. It spoke to my soul lyrically and metaphorically about love, life, and serendipity. It was captivating, heart pounding, and intensely moving.

A book blogger named Claire described this book as “candy for Jane Austen fans,” and I couldn’t agree more. It had the allure, the sweet enjoyment, and the bittersweet end. It also spoke on a powerful level about, not only the author’s love for Pride and Prejudice but, the aspects of the classic that fans have been truly passionate about.

M.C. Frank captured the essence of a classic tale that millions have grown to love, while adding her own unique charm and magnificence to the story. As this was not a retelling of the tale, but a story that flourished from its inspiration. It was also a story within a story.

The main characters were fated to meet while working on a modern day movie retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It was serendipity at its finest, but also destiny hard at work. The result was a story that mirrored the classic tale in emotion, life lessons, and humor. It was as if Wes and Ari were modern day Darcy and Elizabeth themselves.

Ari was an incredibly powerful character. She was strong, fierce, kind, and full of life. She was a symbol of pride, power, inner struggle, and never giving up. She has forced her way in to my heart and has become one of my favorite main characters.

Wes was the insanely handsome, arrogant, bad boy I could not get out of my head. He spoke to me on so many levels, and had such depth and character. He represented pride, prejudice, change, and falling hard.

I also felt that I had to mention Ollie, Wes’s best friend, and Ari’s dad. Ollie was sweet and caring. He was strikingly different from Wes and Ari, but fiercely loyal and lovable. And, Ari’s dad was one of my favorite characters. His relationship with Ari was beautiful and powerful. He was the supportive, cool parent everyone wished they had in high school!

This book was stunningly multi-faceted. It had vivid imagery, vivaciously dynamic characters, and a page turning plot. It not only made me add visiting Greece to my bucket list, but had me yearning to watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1 and 2 because of the amazing family dynamics that were woven in. It held love, heartache, friendship, family, drama, and emotional life lessons. It also spoke on the importance of finding yourself before fully losing yourself to another.

[Krysten Buch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD!

I read the first half of Lose Me in a day, I was swept up in the tension and drama between Wes and Ari, I was waiting just waiting for them to get together, for them to finally admit that they had feelings for the other and was at first frustrated when I was not given that instant gratification. I was frustrated at the prideful way Ari was acting, the way Wes could easily be the same.

I read the book and was prepared to review it, but before I did, I decided I should reread the novel, I must have missed something in speeding through this lovely summer read. And I did.

This is a modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice, a slow burn tale of love, and life, of finding that person who does not just make you feel loved but makes you feel alive, makes you want to be the absolute best version of yourself. Lizzy and Mr. Darcy really were present in this novel, not just in the movie they were shooting, but in the characters themselves. They were both prideful, both had their own prejudices and both had their own flaws. But found that those flaws were less garish when reflected upon the other. With each others help, they both could truly live, could truly move on from the horrors of their pasts that haunt them.

I found that I really did find this book delightful. At times the loneliness the characters felt made me ache for them, and at times I laughed in the strangest of places. I never stopped loving Wes, and Ari was far more than the spunky stunt girl I had imagined her to be (just like Lizzy was more than what Darcy had first seen.) She was deep and feeling, the same as Wes. He was so much more than the alcohol dipped, bad boy, with a bangin' bod, the media had played him up to be (just like Darcy was more than the rich snob Lizzy had thought him to be.)

This book was so clever and feeling, a true story of love and what it truly does mean to be alive.

Do not miss out. You will regret it.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I wouldn't change anything.Not even the pain."
My emotions are all over the place.
Thanks to M.C Frank who provided me an ARC of Lose Me in exchange for an honest review.
Because I most ardently adored it and loved it

okay okay coming to the story now:
meet our protagonist Ariadne Demos aka Ari ( God I love the names Ms. Frank comes up with in her books!) She is stunt girl how badass is that?!
And she has landed a job as a stunt double in a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice *swoons*
That is when our yummy-hotty Wes Spencer comes in. Dirty Blonde hair, body of a greek god and of course he's richie rich. should I tell you a secret about him?! Wes Spencer READS Man I was goner when I learnt that fact about him!

Ari doesn't want anything to do with the spoilt rich kid but as they shoot their sequences together they didn't know they are falling hard way harder than they could've imagined.

That's not all folks The story takes places in freaking GREECE!!!!!
I was transported to the well-lit beaches and oceans the minute I started reading and man I did NOT want to come back!

I admire the style of Ms.Frank's writing,it doesn't fail to amaze me every time I read her books.
Her words are powerful and can move to tears and pure joy (what else would an author want?)
At one point in the story I felt its going down hill and I was really scared because I had high expectations but like I said Ms.Frank did not disappoint me. Not in the least.
The struggle portrayed and the pain felt was Real and I wouldn't change it. None of it.
Its highly recommended to all readers who are looking for a quality YA/NA romance because trust me when you pick this up you won't regret it.
I loved it and I hope this book finds many more lovers like me

Thank You for this baby you shared with me. I am grateful. Now I am going to go cry in peace because I love "Ari-Es"

[Jessica Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing twist on a contemporary Pride and Prejudice story. I connected with the main character, Ari, right away. Her voice is so real and she feels so much. Wes portrays the broken, stuck up, popular guy perfectly and the glimpses the reader gets, along with Ari, beyond his walls are so delicious.
Then, once I had fallen in love with the characters, my heart was shredded - to pieces!! Lose Me. ran the whole crazy roller coaster of feelings and left me breathless and even more in love!!
I don't even like contemporary stories usually, but this one broke through my boundaries right from the start and wrapped its fingers around my heart and it still won't let go. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I wouldn't change anything. Not even the pain".

M.C. Frank has done it again, with her unique and intense take on first love and personal hardship. Ari and Wes are well met from their very first meeting; the latter being the hot British actor who makes his fans swoon, and the former an unconventional, Grecian stunt girl trying to make a career for herself. But conflict seems to follow the two of them wherever they go, and they must learn to find strength within themselves in order to appreciate the love they have for one another.

M.C. has a talent for describing the adventure of falling in love. I enjoyed the growing affection between Wes and Ari in the initial part of the book; the side-ways glances, and flirtatious banter would seem almost cliché, if not for the unconventional character flaws that M.C. is also known for. These details are what stay with me after reading her work as they make her stories truly unique. I do think that the turmoil in the latter half seemed more believable than the initial part of the story, as I relate better to characters who are experiencing truly miserable times, and I believe love wouldn't be as wonderful as it is without the low points. And Wes angry is an incredibly attractive force to be reckoned with!

I also loved the subtle salutes to Austen's Pride & Prejudice; not only the quotes, but also the character flaws associated with Elizabeth and Darcy which are mirrored in Ari and Wes. Their initial prejudices regarding one another, and stubborn pride that is so difficult to relinquish, are very clear, but still assimilate well into Frank's own, original story.

There were some scenes where the pace felt a little off - either too fast or too drawn out. But overall, I thought the chronology of the story was well done. And thank you M.C. for writing something that little bit longer than your other, wonderful works. I always finish your stories desperate for more, and that bit extra made such a difference! I still want more though, please. Hint.

Overall, I really enjoyed this tale of first love, and overcoming fear in order to appreciate life. I am very grateful to M.C. for allowing me the opportunity to read this advanced copy. You are fast becoming a favourite contemporary writer of mine, and I am really enjoying being part of your journey as a writer.

[Alycia Bouëdron · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to M.C. Frank for sending me an ecopy of her novel in exchange of an honest review. It was a pleasure to discover your writing and your world!

This novel has been recommended to me when the author was looking for beta readers. It was introduced as a 'Pride and Prejudice' contemporary and if you know me well you already know that I love Jane Austen's works so I couldn't leave this opportunity behind. Indeed, I really appreciated this reading. I love how the writing is easy to follow and understand (especially since English is not my mother-tongue) and how the characters are cute and how we can identify ourselves to them. From the very beginning, I wanted to know what would happen to Ari and Wes because I knew there was something special going on. I had imagined lots of things -the worst things, if I am totally honest- and I'm glad with what happened to them in the end. I don't want to spoil you but this is a lovely end and I wish I could follow them even more to know how their story would be developed in the future. When I finish a book that way, that means that is really well written because I need more and I don't want it to be finished. This is why I highly recommend this novel to you!

[Anupama C K(b0rn_2_read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Ari, a stunt girl and Wes, the Hollywood actor. They meet at the sets of First Sentences, a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Wes, the arrogant superstar who can have any girl he wants. Ari, the new stunt girl, who is pissed by Wes's arrogance. Ari has lived all her life in Greece, with her father and grandparents.This is her first stunt film, she enjoys doing water stunts. As the female lead in the movie Elle "doesn't do water", Ari and Wes get more time in each other's company.Eventhough they are biting each other's head off most of the time ,there are times  they find that it is difficult to fight the attraction brewing.

Are Wes and Ari falling in love ?
Will Ari be able to forget all the gossip surrounding Wes ?
Read to find out.

I love Ari and Wes, they are my new favorite OTP. I love how the book has mails, tumbler posts and tweets. My favorite character is Ollie, Wes's best friend. He has always stood by Wes and sees the real Wes. The characters do remind you of Pride and Prejudice.It was easy to connect with the main characters.Once you start the book, it is difficult to put it down.There were times when i didn't agree with Ari's choices,but  it was easy to understand why  she chose that. They were quite a few surprises along the way,at times the book made me teary eyed.

Recommended for romance readers

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

When I first heard about this book I was intrigued, I've always had a fascination with stunt performers. I did like certain aspects of this book but overall I didn't love it. There were parts that were a bit slow and a little difficult to get through. Although, I did like how much the characters clearly cared for each other and their desire to be together. And I liked the strong family dynamic that Ari had with her family. And Ollie, who was definitely my favorite character! There was a fun transition between each chapter that was interesting to read such as a Tumblr post,  text, email, interview, etc. I did think those were a unique addition to the story and gave us insight into Wes and his thoughts despite the story being told from Ari's point of view. 

[Rebecca Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This is an excellent fun read

This story took me to a Greek Island called Corfu. A tale about two young female and male who literally fall for one another. This love story takes us on a journey about life, love, loss and forgiveness. A hot hunky actor who didn't want to fall for the stunt girl but ends up saving her life more then once. And she has to fight and figure how to handle the what ifs? I enjoyed this read.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so so good and once I picked it up I could not put it down. It’s emotional and powerful and so addictive that once finished I just sat there. It’s a wonderful story of two people from two different worlds with a love hate relationship that has its ups and downs. It made me gasp, made me laugh and it made me cry and I absolutely loved it!

[Andreea Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had the privilege of receiving an ARC of this book before it being released. You cannot understand how much I’ve waited for this book. I am a huge fan and supporter of M C Frank, she is an incredibly talented author and it can only make me so sad that her books are not that popular.

I am not a huge fan of contemporary novels, but this book is a miracle, it touched a sensitive chord in my heart. Loved the entire idea plotted behind the story: you have to save yourself. No matter how much somebody else tries to fix you, you won’t be mended until you’re ready to be. And no one can be your saviour, but yourself. You are the only one who can pull yourself above the shallow waters.

“Lose Me.” tells the story of a girl that has to constantly reminds herself that “Today is not the day I die” . “Lose Me.” is a book about being broken and healing, about fear and saving yourself, it’s about being a champion. Illnesses are such an interesting topic, and that not because of the illness per se, but all the emotions it puts the person through. The illness is not that much of a deal compared to the reaction you have to it, twisting your mind, making you have this mindset that you’re not normal, that you’re not worth. And the worst of all, the fear to admit that there is something wrong with you, out of fear of being abandoned or having to put the people you love through pain.

The world is so beautifully described, the action takes place on the island Corfu, in Greece. The whole island life is captured perfectly, the calmness and serenity, the feeling of being away from the loud city in a corner of the Earth where you can stop and enjoy yourself. You can almost picture the narrow streets, the wind blowing your hair and the salt in you nostrils, the beautiful beaches, the flip flops and clothes hung on a string across the streets.

It’s realistic, I can picture the entire story happening. The characters are flawed and they evolve during the book, they grow under your eyes. The action is bumpy, the relationship complicated and the struggles are real. It’s beautifully devastating. I might have cried several times while reading, it’s so intense, I could feel every emotion of the characters, every heartbeat and skipped breath. I felt heartbreak and anger, I felt the vulnerability of an exposed human soul, I felt the bliss of having to get a happy ending even when everything is against it. It tells the story of love and overcoming your issues: addiction, feeling unworthy, denying help. It’s about this incredible ugliness of real life, about the beauty that’s in the details, and finding love in unexpected places, people and situations.

Ari is an incredible character. She struggles with the idea of being unworthy because of her illness in the eyes of a person who sees her as perfect. But her own fears are the ones that drag her down and blind her vision, pushing her to actions she ends up regretting. Her sharp tongue are attitude are what capture Wes’s attention, the boy who’s used to always getting what he wants. Her emotions are incredibly real, until the point it’s almost scary. This book is written by heart, it feels too real.

Wes is such a “twit” in the beginning, but that’s understandable. Both of them are growing, both of them are broken and trying to heal.

Seeing both characters in difficult situations made me appreciate the book even more, the roles are not strictly divided, as in who is the saviour and who is the one who needs saving. The roles always switch.

I have no words. It’s incredible. A work of art. If you haven’t read it already, what are you waiting for?

[Amanda [darjeeling_and_jade] · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reviews are first published on [a cup of tea and an armful of books].

When a book starts with Today is not the day I die, you know you’re in for a roller coaster of emotions. Lose Me. is a lovingly written story about the complications life throws at you, first loves, and moving forward with your dreams. Ari is a stuntwoman with her first job coming up: a movie loosely based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. She’ll be doing most of the stunts for the female lead, a prospect she’s equally nervous and excited about. She knows that she’ll be able to do her job, despite a problem she recently discovered; a problem she keeps pushing to the back of her mind.Frank quickly sets the tone of the novel, with tight and twisting streets and clear blue waters. Both the setting and the characters are richly described, making it difficult for the reader to not enjoy the book. Ari is spunky and takes no slack from anyone, particularly Wes, the rude lead that believes he’s better than most everything on her island. I loved that her job was performing stunts. I’ve never read a character with a job quite like hers. These two characters are the primary focus of Lose Me., though there’s plenty of secondary characters that are just as vivid. I loved all of the characters in this novel. The characters that Frank created are very real. I had a clear picture of their personalities and desires, even their fears. I loved following their story.

The romance in this story closely mirrored the romance of Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. There were moments of beauty and moments of misunderstanding. I really enjoyed that they were filming a Pride and Prejudice movie and that their romance always paralleled it. I love when books are homages to other books that I enjoy, and Austen is an author that I love seeing referenced. I think that Frank did a wonderful job of connecting both modern day and classical novel.

I really like the dislike-to-love trope when it comes to romance. Ari and Wes are two people who definitely don’t get alone when they first meet. Wes is rude and full of thoughts of his own importance, and Ari doesn’t have time for people like him. I liked seeing how they each gradually gravitated toward each other. Frank did a wonderful job of showing how their relationship grew from very little. I think that a lot of people have the daydream that they’ll meet someone famous one day and fall in love, so reading Lose Me. was like having that little fantasy come true. Sometimes you just need to get away from the real world with a romance that is like this.The setting of Lose Me. was gorgeous. Greece is one of the countries that I’ve wanted to visit ever since I first read about Greek gods and goddesses, and it was great that Lose Me. took me to this location. I thought the town was vividly described in a way that gave me a clear picture of the streets, the buildings, and the atmosphere. Frank even described the food in a way that had me craving some Greek cuisine. Much like I could visualize the characters’ personalities, the island of Corfu was like a character itself. It was so richly described that it was like I was traveling the narrow lanes with Ari and Wes. I absolutely love when the setting is as detailed as it was in Lose Me. And as a bonus, there were even parts set in London, one of my favorite towns in the world.

The only thing I was kind of so-so on was around the middle of the novel. It was necessary, as those who have read the novel will understand, but I personally was a little bored by it. It was a little too much introspection for my tastes––I wanted to get back to the romance and adventure! The rest of the pacing in the novel was great; I just felt like this part of the story was slowed down a little too much for me. I did like how it made Ari realize how she needed to change, but it didn’t get there fast enough for me. Other than this small part, Lose Me. was a novel that kept me engaged the whole time. I loved the characters, the setting, and the close connections to one of my favorite Austen novels. It actually made me want to reread Pride and Prejudice, because it’s been a while.

Between the characters, the setting, and the story, Lose Me. is an addicting read for readers who want to live the romance of falling in love when the odds are stacked up against you. I really recommend this novel to readers who enjoy both new adult and young adult. It’s chock full of romance and is a perfect summer read (or anytime read!). I think readers who like Jane Austen, the thrill of romance, and the adventure of books set in foreign countries will really enjoy this one!

4 stars.

I received a copy of Lose Me. from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[victoria_tonks · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I do not like writing negative reviews, but I want to account for my rating. I know a lot of people love this book, and I suppose I would have loved it too, had I been able to suspend my disbelief well enough. I cannot really explain my opinion without spoilers, so the rest is behind the cut. There will be a lot about what I disliked, but also about some things I loved.

I will start with The Bad. There was a lot of eye-rolling, and some parts even made me so angry I had to stop reading.

Insta-love. So not my thing. Ari is 18, Wes – 22. They have known each other for, what, ten days, and by then end of it they are almost exchanging marital vows?? I mean, when it comes to teenagers, I like lust love at first sight as much as the next person, but I am all right with it as long as it is treated in a reasonable way, for what it is. Teenage love. Bound to change.

Ari’s post-surgery reaction to Wes. The more of part two I read, the angrier I became and finally had to stop for quite a while. The boy saved her life three times. Three times. I know her silence was kind of explained in part three, but sadly, I did not buy any of it. So I still think it was a poor narrative choice.

Everything was Oh. So. Dramatic. I like intense. I do intense a lot. I do not even mind melodramatic. Dickens usually makes me bawl my eyes out. But this? I thought that if I read about naked pain in someone’s eyes once more, I would scream.

Do your research. I know Europe is not minuscule, but you can hardly get jet-lagged travelling from Greece to London. It is a two-hour difference. Also, I am not sure how well researched the stunt stuff was, but I kept wondering if an 18-yr old girl could also add to her numerous skills that of a racing driver. Maybe.

There is such a thing as the Internet in the 2010s. Ari not knowing she has a half-brother? Paparazzi not appearing on the island during the filming because the location was kept secret? Puh-lease.

Theo/Teddy. What was the point of introducing this character? I did not figure it out until the very end.

Now, The Good.

I actually read the book within two days, so it was apparently good enough to hold my attention and make me want to go on. One and a half star for that.

The writing was good (except for the naked pain overload). I just felt hardly any connection to the characters.

I am adding the whole star for the part about the Bible and its influence on Wes and Ari. And for the scene when Wes feels like he needs to be forgiven by Ari for his previous sexual experience. And his willingness to wait. You should be the first. You should be the only one. I want to fix me before I am yours. This was beautiful. Also, a brave choice nowadays, and I suppose rather unpopular with a lot of readers. Very much appreciated by this reader though.

So, this is it. I do not think I will be reading more books by this author, but on the whole, I do not regret reading this one.

[Nichelle (fistpumppirate) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

First of all....oh the feels! I had so many emotions because of this book and it was because of how well the 2 main characters are developed. This book drew me in instantly and I read it in a 24-hour span because I could NOT put it down!

On this unique take on Pride and Prejudice, Ari is a Grecian stunt girl who gets her first big break on a huge movie and she gets to work alongside the British pirate hunk himself, Wes Spencer. Wes seems like a huge, stuck up jerk, but only until you get a glimpse of what's hidden behind his exterior.

Now this is not the typical love story I was expecting. I was expecting "Stunt girl meets star. They fall in love. The end." But there is so much more to the story than that. They both are fighting huge life-threatening battles on their own. Throughout the entire story, I was wondering how it was going to end and it tore me in pieces! Seriously, a roller coaster of emotion. All of the characters in this book had a purpose, which is something you don't see happen very often.

Another weird thing that I actually loved were all the social media formats, which included interviews and emails, and these were used at the start of the main chapters of the book. In a weird way it didn't take me out of the story like you think it would, but it added quite a bit of backstory and showed more character development. I think this format just worked incredibly well for this plot and the author executing it perfectly.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for something different that has humor, tears, and excitement.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the synopsis, I thought this was going to be an easy swoon-worthy romance with obstacles here and there. Now that I'm finished, I was completely wrong. Ari Demos starts her day off with "Today is not the day I die." Ari, stunt performer, is more than meets the eye. Her story is deeper than the Corfu sea and having the ability to read it was both heartbreaking and touching.

What I admired in Lose Me was the family dynamic and the international location, Greece. I love reading about strong family ties. Nothing resonates with me more than a great support system and awesome parent relationships and Lose Me definitely had that. I've always wanted to visit Greece so this was a great way to get a feel of the Greek culture.

The social media posts in between chapters added a nice touch to the characters. All in all, Lose Me captured my attention from the very first page and kept me interested for a full eight hours because who needs reality when you have Weston Spencer ;)

Thank you M.C. Frank for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Lose Me will be released 04/11/17!

[books are love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received in exchange for a honest review.

I have read a few modern retellings of different authors lately and this one is the best I have seen. That isn’t to say there aren’t flaws. All retellings and characters do but this one surpasses the modern retellings I have seen thus far. Why? It keeps to the spirit of Austin. The message and concept that Austin was portraying and wanting to reach us in Pride and Prejudice is seen here. It isn’t lost in the story or eclipsed by anything. That message is loud and clear in this retelling. Our characters are flawed and similar to those from Pride and Prejudice in many ways. Wes comes off as arrogant and snobby at first but we see like Darcy there is more than meets the eye. He seems to be lost on himself but in reality he isn’t. He has been thrust into the world of superficial at a young age and to survive was given unhealthy ways to cope. He is in toxic situations to survive but it isn’t who he is. He is a smart, loyal young man who wants to do what makes him happy. He wants to live and not be judged or judge others. He wants to find a way to just be. When he meets Ari he sees that way. He sees a girl who sees Wes the boy and not Wes the actor. This intrigues him and wants him to be better. Like Darcy does. Unfortunately his first impressions weren’t that good and for Ari many things impede on what is there.

Ari is prideful and honest. Well not always but she tries to be honest. She is also a wee bit hypocritical and that is her biggest flaw. She says she wants one thing but doesn’t do that herself. It is what drove me the most batty. She didn’t truly let Wes in even after he let her in. she didn’t give him the chance to be there because she was trying to do all on her own and than it was her own pride and preconceived notions that stopped it. Wes just loved her with all that he had. He was there when things were at her most dark. He loved her and accepted it all. he didn’t judge or push he just was there and gave unconditional love and support. It was Ari that pushed him away and almost broke Wes. that was the part I was frustrated with her for. She pushed him away due to fear and wanting to prove something when in the end she proved nothing. She did learn from it though. She learned love is steady, supportive, doesn’t judge and always there. The person who loves you love you and all that you are-loves the good and bad and doesn’t waver. Wes was this for her. He was the one who loved through it all. As was her family. It was brave of her to try to protect everyone as she tried to come to terms with things but it was also her way of protecting herself and she lost her way as well. She forgot that family is there for you and never wavers and she forgot that love is there as well. That love doesn’t judge and isn’t selfish. this is the love Wes had for Ari and it is losing it that has Ari see that that is what love is. Actually it is when she almost loses Wes completely and she reads what he was reading that she learns this. She sees that during their time apart Wes grew and was seeking peace, forgiveness and understanding. Wes was seeking a way to go on and not be judged. It is this that helps Ari and brings them together again.

The story takes on the true spirit of what Austin intended. We see two people fall in love. Who are opposites in many ways. One is arrogant to protect themselves, the other is stubborn. One is grounded by family, the other is grounded by his best friend. They come from different walks of life but learn so much from each other. They learn to love one another and forgive. They learn that things aren’t always as they seem and they grow. Together they help one another to find themselves and feel free. The story is fun and entertaining. The characters have you feel and draw you into the moment. The main characters intrigue you and can drive you batty at times but as they explore their feelings and learn and grow but also fall in love you are engrossed in what they are going through and live in their moments. A wonderful modern retake of Austin that continues the spirit of Austin’s book and it’s message. MC Frank stays true to form in the main characters flaws and personality from what Austin’s are except with a more modern twist.

[Kendall • thegeekyyogi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Today is not the day I die.”
This is the thought that Ari Demos starts with each day. Being a stunt girl is a dangerous line of work, thankfully she’s had her whole life in Greece to prepare for the job of her dreams. Surfing, training and intense water stunts are only a small portion of her work, but when a stunt job comes up shortly after graduation, a modern movie adaption of Pride and Prejudice, Ari jumps on the chance to prove her worth. Immersing herself in more training Ari suffers an accident the day before shooting, an accident she almost doesn’t come back from. Rocked to her core, Ari realizes that she may not be able to keep up with the demand, and the secret she’s been hiding from her loved ones starts to show itself more and more. On top of all this, she now has to put up with playboy actor Wes Spencer, the lead who insists on doing all of his own stunts. Wes dismisses Ari as unimportant and the two butt heads, but as they continue working together Wes and Ari both start to realize that there’s something more behind their daily facades. Continuously thrown together, the pair find themselves forming an unexpected bond and discovering that people are more than what you can see. Will Ari and Wes fall in love Elizabeth and Darcy style or will they crash and burn?
When I first received the ARC for Lose Me and read the description, I thought it was going to be a light, easy read. The stereotypical boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl live happily ever after, but oh ho ho, it’s not that at all! Lose Me is so. Much. MORE. Yes, there is still a love story, but beyond the romance you have a New Adult book that is about survival, strength, forgiveness and loving someone for in spite of their struggles and it is absolutely heart-wrenching. This book is haunting, not in the spooky ghost kind of way, but in the way that the emotions of the book run so deep that they strike your very soul. During my reading of it, I found myself laying awake at night, wondering what was going to happen to all of these characters, and once I finished it and knew, I still had a hard time sleeping for the next two nights because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The emotions in this book are so real, they are raw and intense and rip right into your heart.
One of the best things about this book is that there is no insta-love, there’s no immediate devotion. There’s a lot of back and forth as Ari and Wes get to know each other, learn to trust each other and find strength in each other. Both of them poke and prod at each others weaknesses and push each other to become better. They teach each other valuable lessons, a common theme within this book, as they are pushed by each other and other characters to work past the mistakes they’ve made. The two are often reminded that they will have forgiveness, even if they don’t believe right away that they deserve it, pulling them closer and closer to each other.
“You don’t need to keep saving me, you know,” I tell him. “I’m not that girl.”
“No, I know.” He’s shaking his head. “Sides, it’s the other way round. You are the one who saves me.”
Throughout the book Ari and Wes struggle through a myriad of difficulties, some kept secret, and some so obvious that it’s like a slap to the face, but that is the beauty of it. Ari and Wes both learn that they can’t just ignore these issues and figure out how to navigate them, even when it seems as if there’s no way to escape them and that’s what makes these characters seem so real.
The characters in Lose Me feel alive. The personalities behind these people are so strong that it feels like they’re in the room with you. All of the characters in this book are meaningful, they all have purpose and of them are extremely endearing. With a few villainous exceptions, all the characters have this light that just shines through the pages. Not gonna lie, I would love to have Ari’s family in my life, they’re all just wonderful! And I don’t think I would say no if Wes asked me out to dinner, we could talk Pride and Prejudice for hours. I would be best friends with Ollie and Jamie, and would totally want Coach to teach me how to be a stunt girl, even if I would be utterly terrified. There’s so much emanating from these characters and then you get these fun little snippets in between chapters of Wes’s point of view, which are fun and light and give you a whole other side of these characters to see.
M.C. Frank has done a fabulous job writing this novel. Her words tug at your heartstrings and then turn around to make you feel all warm and cozy inside. I’ll recommend this book to anyone that loves romance, or needs a reminder that you can be forgiven, or if I’m being honest, to anyone, because this book is just lovely.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[S.E. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love most about M.C. Frank's writing is her style. In a word, it's beautiful. It flows so elegantly, without being unnecessarily verbose.  She immediately draws you to the beautiful Greek island of Corfu, making you feel as if you're actually there, watching the waves and breathing in the salty air. There's such a love for the place that it drips from every word.

Let's get into the characters. We have Ari, a young stunt actress in her first big role. And we have Wes, a massive star, playing the role of Mr. Darcy in a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Ari knows his reputation and has no desire to be around him. But Ari has a secret [and this might be a bit of a spoiler, but it's in the first few chapters]: she has a ticking time bomb in her head. A tumor, one that could end her life.

For a girl who wakes up every morning with the mantra "today is not the day that I die," that's pretty massive. And when Wes starts falling for her, can she really help but fall back? Knowing that their time will end soon, either through the end of filming or her own demise, she sees herself breaking Wes's heart. How can she live while knowing it's all going to come crashing down?

There's just so much to love about the characters. Wes is the perfect book boyfriend (allow me to swoon a little?) once the asshole playboy facade fades away. The perfect gentleman, smart, a book lover (that's where he gets me!) and handsome to a fault. It makes you feel for him, knowing Ari has no choice but to break his heart. And Ari herself is such a complex girl, her struggles so vivid and honestly quite traumatic. 

And then there's their relationship. I was put off a little at first, with how toxic it seemed at first glance. There's quite a lot of saving, knights in shining armor, and then squabbling about life-saving (at first). I just couldn't see a healthy way for Ari and Wes to be together, with all their baggage, secrets, and basically life-debts. But then I realized that was the entire point! And the character growth from that point on? Stunning.

I'm not a romance reader, but this New Adult contemporary really struck a cord. Basically - ALL THE FEELS.  I haven't even gotten to talking about the amazing supporting characters and the subplots. And while the story isn't a direct retelling of Pride and prejudice, it's definitely something fans of Austen will adore. 

Sublime. Read at your own risk, your heart will probably break.

[Tea K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
Can I just say that even though I expected this book to be good, it still took me by surprise how much I enjoyed reading it!
Our main character is Ari, a stunt girl, how freaking cool is that? I've got to admit that she's a bit annoying at times but it's completely understandable! She has to go through so much! I love her relationships with other characters, the friends she makes along the way, the way her values develop and change. By the end of the book I just wanted to hug her real tight.
Wes, don't even get me started on him, he's such a brat at first and I absolutely adore his banter with other people, but how he changes, my God! He's a truly different human by the end of it all. And the way he loves Ari! I love that we get to see how much he loves his friends, especially Ollie (who's probably my favourite) and his passion for acting and directing is truly inspiring!
I'd love to talk about every single character and analyze them to bits but I can't make this review that long.
I loved the story. Loved how it started and how it finished, it was a journey I was much too happy to take. And though at times it was hard to get through because of how close to home it hit, I still found myself pushing for more.
The author, as always, has done a great job, starting the book I already knew that I'd find the story captivating but easy to read, it was wonderful!
Also, it featured Jane Austen AND Shakespeare...lads, that's all I could ever want from a book.
I highly recommend reading it (once it gets published, obviously) you'll instantly fall in love with the book!