ARC Stay with Me by Elyssa Patrick {Review}

ebook, 270 pages

Expected publication: August 30th 2013 by Elyssa Patrick

ISBN: 098958303

Source: Author Gifted in exchange for honest review

***Make sure you check back SEPTEMBER 18 for an interview with Elyssa and a giveaway for an ecopy of STAY WITH ME (INT)***

 

Summary

 

With one look, I’m his . . .

With one touch, he’s mine . . .

With one kiss, it changes everything between us . . .

I’ve been famous since I can remember. Singing, acting, dancing—I’ve done it all. The tabloids cover my every move, but I don’t want that anymore. I want to be normal, whatever that is.

When I leave Hollywood for college in Vermont, I’m on my own for the first time in my life. This is my chance to figure out who I am and what I want in life.

But it’s a lot harder than I expected. I can’t escape my image. Classes are difficult, and I’m struggling. And then there’s Caleb Fox.

Sexy, intriguing Caleb Fox.

Caleb is the one man who doesn’t want to use me. He breaks down my walls. He challenges me. He wants me. And I just don’t know if I can give him the same—or if he’ll stick around when he finds out my shameful secret that the tabloids haven’t managed to uncover.

Dating him is risky enough, but loving him could break me.

 

 

 

 

Hailey has escaped her hectic, sleep deprived, media filled life along with her money seeking mother. Since she was a child her mom has used her to get back at her absentee father and at earn money. When Hailey's mother takes it a giant leap too far, she leaves. She does something she's always dreamed of: going to an actual school filled with actual people and not people paid to get a story out of her. 

 

At Hailey's first 'normal' college party, she runs into Caleb. Much to her surprise, he doesn't immediately go fan girl on her. He offers her his coat (they're outside) and even makes her introduce herself (like he doesn't already know who she is) For him, it's an ista love. For them both, it's instant attraction. Hailey's been betrayed and hurt too many times to count and trusting doesn't come easy. 

 

She is automatically friends with his sister, Daphne. Daphne brings some spice to the book. She's an awesome best friend. 

 

So here's what I think: The first few chapters of the book were painful for me to read. The writing was super stiff and on edge. It was almost as if Elyssa couldn't make a conclusive decision for the characters.Hailey's thoughts for the first few chapters are consumed with Caleb and how sweet he is and how she can't let herself get hurt. It was a little tiring to read. After that was over, it was very enjoyable to read. 

What I really liked was how much Elyssa's writing developed. By the end, the words flowed off the page and I began to like Hailey. She's been through a lot. The big secret. Huh. I was a little let down and I thought it would be a little more than that I guess.

The whole relationship with Caleb and Hailey was conducted really nicely. I mean Caleb is amazing. He doesn't judge or assume and he listens. *sigh* He is totally sweet and genuinely nice and love blackberries and remembers that she likes tea not coffee and makes her chocolate chip pancakes and and and *double sigh*

This book was an amazing combination of good and bad. It was filled with cute twists and likeable characters. Especially Caleb's band of best friends (Daphne, give the guy a break!) They all had their totally unique and cool personalities. Although they were all completely different, they complimented each other perfectly.

"With you, there's always music."

 

. 75

Jackie