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Lost in You #1
Lost in You
Ryan Stone is a less than average teenager. He doesn’t have fancy clothes. He doesn’t carry around the latest smartphone and he definitely doesn’t have an MP3 player. Instead, he goes to school, does his chores and dreams of a new life away from Brookfield where he’s expected to follow in his blue collar family’s footsteps.
Hadley Carter is America’s Pop Princess. A successful recording artist living her dream with a sold-out tour and a handful of Grammy’s there isn’t much that she wants for, except love. But finding love on the road is near impossible when all she longs for are romantic dinners, a nighttime stroll on the beach and holding hands with someone who isn’t going to exploit her.
When a chance encounter introduces Ryan to Hadley, will he be like her adoring fans looking for a way in, or will it be Hadley who pursues Ryan even though it might cost her the only career she's known.
Lost in You is a story about following your dreams, taking risks and getting lost in love.
Hadley Carter is America’s Pop Princess. A successful recording artist living her dream with a sold-out tour and a handful of Grammy’s there isn’t much that she wants for, except love. But finding love on the road is near impossible when all she longs for are romantic dinners, a nighttime stroll on the beach and holding hands with someone who isn’t going to exploit her.
When a chance encounter introduces Ryan to Hadley, will he be like her adoring fans looking for a way in, or will it be Hadley who pursues Ryan even though it might cost her the only career she's known.
Lost in You is a story about following your dreams, taking risks and getting lost in love.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2013
217 people are currently reading
7333 people want to read
About the author
Heidi McLaughlin
128 books7,452 followersHeidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
July 8, 2020
3.5 Stars... I think???
This was not an easy book for me to rate. Its difficult when you loved a part of a book, and another part frustrated you to no end. Thats how I felt about this one.
Ryan Stone is not your average teenager. He is seventeen, getting ready to start his senior year of highschool. His parents are uber strict. He doesn’t have a car, doesn’t get to watch tv, listen to music... you could say he is pretty sheltered. The only real friend he has is Dylan. She has been his best friend since the 6th grade. Ryan is very sweet, but very shy. He has never had a girlfriend, and he doesn’t talk to many people. Ryan doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life. The only thing he know is he can’t stay in this town. The life his parents have and want for him is not what he wants. He is saving money, going to take a bus to the city when he turns eighteen and start a new life.
Hadley Carter is a twenty-two year old pop star. Her life couldn’t be more different than Ryan’s. She has been performing since she was twelve years old. She’s lived a large part of her life in the lime-light. She has her best friend, Alex, and her parents there to ground her. She isn’t some spoiled rich girl. She performs because she loves the fans, loves the music. What she doesn’t love is her controlling Uncle/Manager Ian always trying to make decisions for her.
One night, fate brings these two together. Dylan has won tickets on the radio to see Hadley perform, along with backstage passes. She wants Ryan to come with her, and somehow they talk Ryan’s mom into letting him go. Ryan has never heard of Hadley Carter- but he knows it means a lot to Dylan, so he goes. Ryan can’t take his eyes off Hadley when she preforms. And when they meet, they have a spark, a connection. I am not always the biggest fan of ‘love at first sight’, but Ryan and Hadley were too adorable together. After spending an eventing talking and getting to know one another, Hadley can’t get enough of Ryan. When she finds out he is only seventeen, she is a little shocked, but she can’t let him go. She devises a plan to keep in contact with him and stay friends until he is eighteen and they can pursue a real relationship.
Hadley see’s Ryan as much as she can the next few days, and gets him an iphone so they can keep in touch. She is getting ready to go back on tour. Life on tour isn’t as easy as Hadley thought. It is hard for both she and Ryan, and keeping their relationship a secret is even more difficult, even though it needs to be done. I felt like their relationship moved slow in some ways, but then too fast in others. I mean, she was willing to buy a house to be near him after talking to him for just a few months? Regardless, I was rooting for these two. Time passes, and things start to get more complicated. Ryan’s parents and Dylan make things difficult, but not more that Hadley’s manager Ian, who sets her up for a tour with her ex boyfriend Cole... you can imagine how that goes over!
So... the first half of the book I really enjoyed. As I said before, Ryan was just too adorable. Not my normal type of alpha male/bad boy, but for some reason, the inexperienced sweetheart won me over. I liked Hadley for the most part. I understood a lot of what happened at the end that was frustrating. I get what she did. I did, really... what I couldn’t look past was
I thought the writing was great, I enjoyed the characters... I had a big smile on my face for most of the first half of the book. The 55%-90% section was pretty frustrating and upsetting to me, but I did like the ending a lot. Over all, I give it 3.5 stars!
May 7, 2013
I have deleted and restarted this review at least 3 times now because I'm just not sure how to put in to words how I felt. What I do know though is that I was disappointed. Really, really disappointed.
As we can see from the blurb, we know that the two main characters are worlds apart from each other. For me, in the beginning, it was a really nice change to have the roles reversed. I liked that the female lead was the one who was the celebrity instead of the guy, I also liked that Ryan was so unlike our usual guy characters. He was so shy that I really wasn't sure how his character could end up with a famous musician.
I wish I could say I believed at least in the relationship these two had but I just didn't. I also had real issues with the age thing for once. Being almost the same age as Hadley (22 YO) I can't for the life of me understand what she sees in a 17 year old guy. I do not care how hot they are or how much of a spark hits you when you touch him, it just didn't sit right with me. I am all for insta-love in my reads if it is written well but in this case it just wasn't. I didn't believe it.
I think it is important for readers to know that Hadley and Ryan did get involved with each other whilst he was still under-age but they never had sex. Once their relationship was established I thought perhaps I could grow to love it as the book wore on but I found myself cringing. Ryan's whole world became about Hadley, so much so that when things got in the way and past people came back, his heart was absolutely broken in two. His world quite literally crashed around him until he was left with nothing but his best friend, Dylan.
And this was where the book just took a huge turn for the worse for me.. Already I was hating the secondary character that was Dylan. For the reader it was so painfully obvious how she felt about Ryan that I just wanted to shake him for not seeing how in love she was. So naturally, things are going to get complicated when Ryan soon finds himself single.
The writing was good, I can't fault Heidi there but it was just that I had issues with the plot and the characters. Also, towards the end we suddenly fast forward 4 years without any warning whatsoever. It wasn't a smooth transition at all and I found myself having to re-read it more than once to finally be able to make sense of what was going on.
If you follow my reviews, you will know that I love an epilogue. They are my weakness when it comes to a book being good or being great. Unfortunately this one doesn't even make it to good thanks to all my other issues. Where was my damn epilogue? All of a sudden I was turning the page looking for it when I realised that the last chapter was all I was getting - so disappointing, again. I hate to say it, but I really wouldn't recommend this read. I was just too let down with it. I will continue with Heidi's Beaumont Series because I have enjoyed that, but maybe I will be more wary with her next standalone she writes.
As we can see from the blurb, we know that the two main characters are worlds apart from each other. For me, in the beginning, it was a really nice change to have the roles reversed. I liked that the female lead was the one who was the celebrity instead of the guy, I also liked that Ryan was so unlike our usual guy characters. He was so shy that I really wasn't sure how his character could end up with a famous musician.
I wish I could say I believed at least in the relationship these two had but I just didn't. I also had real issues with the age thing for once. Being almost the same age as Hadley (22 YO) I can't for the life of me understand what she sees in a 17 year old guy. I do not care how hot they are or how much of a spark hits you when you touch him, it just didn't sit right with me. I am all for insta-love in my reads if it is written well but in this case it just wasn't. I didn't believe it.
I think it is important for readers to know that Hadley and Ryan did get involved with each other whilst he was still under-age but they never had sex. Once their relationship was established I thought perhaps I could grow to love it as the book wore on but I found myself cringing. Ryan's whole world became about Hadley, so much so that when things got in the way and past people came back, his heart was absolutely broken in two. His world quite literally crashed around him until he was left with nothing but his best friend, Dylan.
And this was where the book just took a huge turn for the worse for me.. Already I was hating the secondary character that was Dylan. For the reader it was so painfully obvious how she felt about Ryan that I just wanted to shake him for not seeing how in love she was. So naturally, things are going to get complicated when Ryan soon finds himself single.
The writing was good, I can't fault Heidi there but it was just that I had issues with the plot and the characters. Also, towards the end we suddenly fast forward 4 years without any warning whatsoever. It wasn't a smooth transition at all and I found myself having to re-read it more than once to finally be able to make sense of what was going on.
If you follow my reviews, you will know that I love an epilogue. They are my weakness when it comes to a book being good or being great. Unfortunately this one doesn't even make it to good thanks to all my other issues. Where was my damn epilogue? All of a sudden I was turning the page looking for it when I realised that the last chapter was all I was getting - so disappointing, again. I hate to say it, but I really wouldn't recommend this read. I was just too let down with it. I will continue with Heidi's Beaumont Series because I have enjoyed that, but maybe I will be more wary with her next standalone she writes.
May 7, 2013
Where to start? I had to sleep on this book just to decide which way my rating would go. (I’m still trying to decide as I write this) It’s tough when you love the beginning 60% of a book but then have some problems with the last 40%. It makes it difficult to decide where your rating should fall.
This is not your typical star-crossed lovers romance. It is about much more than a love story. This book is about growing up, falling in love, making wrong choices, dealing with consequences and finding the one person who makes it all worth it.
Let me start with the positive…
~ I absolutely loved Ryan!! This was very shocking to me because he could not be anymore opposite from what I normally like. In fact, he had many of the qualities I usually can’t stand in a guy- sensitive, inexperienced, shy, quiet. Normally these aspects are a huge turn-off. However, there was just something so endearing about Ryan that I could not help but fall for, root for and side with him throughout the entire book. He sucked me in and had me going against everything I usually stand for!
~ I loved Hadley (even though she really pissed me off a few times). She was so persistent, cute, sweet and loving. I absolutely adored them together. Normally, I’d have rolled my eyes and called their relationship corny. But there was just something about these two that I could not help but smile and root for them! I mean they were so different yet so alike in some ways- both of them needed to grow up! Ryan needed to get some life experiences and grow into himself-mentally, physically and emotionally. Hadley needed to assert herself in her own life and take control. She needed to learn to stick up for herself and run her life in a mature and adult like manner. In some ways, she was just as immature as Ryan. They both had so much to learn!
~The BFFS: Dylan (Ryan’s) and Alex (Hadley’s): I completely adored these two!! They each complimented their best friend perfectly. Where Hadley didn’t stick up for herself, Alex was strong, vocal and willful. Where Ryan was inexperienced and shy, Dylan was a social butterfly who taught Ryan how to come out of his comfort zone and exposed him to a world of possibilities. These two could not have been more perfect, supportive, loving and strong best friends. They each played an active role in bringing about the changes that both Ryan and Hadley needed to go through.
Now for the negative…
Of course just when I am feeling completely happy about these two, Hadley had to go and do something that had me wanting to throttle her!! Then she goes and makes another stupid decision that made me want to punch and shake her all over again. There were some major violent thoughts being sent her way!
In hindsight, I can see her reasoning (behind one of her decisions) and when all was said and done I could even agree that it needed to happen to set other events in motion. However, her decision caused a long domino effect that spanned over some time. I came to understand and even agree with . However, what I did not agree with and the aspect I disliked the most about the book was that
My biggest issue with the book was that the ending was extremely rushed! This is what made deciding on my rating so hard. As significant as the beginning and middle is in a book, the most important part to me is the ending. Although I received the outcome I was hoping for, I wish it would have been more satisfying. After everything these two went through, they deserved a stronger, longer and more final ending. Oh, and there was no epilogue! So not a fan of that.
It was because of the ending that I could not give this book 5 stars.
However, despite my unhappiness with the rushed ending, I really enjoyed this book! It hooked me from the beginning and kept me entranced the entire time. With each turning page, I just had to know what would happen next! I read it in one sitting and stayed up till past 1am because I just had to know how it ended! This book took me through a roller coaster of emotions. I felt the sorrow, pain and heartbreak. I also felt happiness and love. This is not your typical couple. This is not your typical love story. It is a beautiful story that touches on a lot of aspects and centers around soul mates, fate and destiny.
4.5 Stars and I would recommend this book!
This is not your typical star-crossed lovers romance. It is about much more than a love story. This book is about growing up, falling in love, making wrong choices, dealing with consequences and finding the one person who makes it all worth it.
Let me start with the positive…
~ I absolutely loved Ryan!! This was very shocking to me because he could not be anymore opposite from what I normally like. In fact, he had many of the qualities I usually can’t stand in a guy- sensitive, inexperienced, shy, quiet. Normally these aspects are a huge turn-off. However, there was just something so endearing about Ryan that I could not help but fall for, root for and side with him throughout the entire book. He sucked me in and had me going against everything I usually stand for!
~ I loved Hadley (even though she really pissed me off a few times). She was so persistent, cute, sweet and loving. I absolutely adored them together. Normally, I’d have rolled my eyes and called their relationship corny. But there was just something about these two that I could not help but smile and root for them! I mean they were so different yet so alike in some ways- both of them needed to grow up! Ryan needed to get some life experiences and grow into himself-mentally, physically and emotionally. Hadley needed to assert herself in her own life and take control. She needed to learn to stick up for herself and run her life in a mature and adult like manner. In some ways, she was just as immature as Ryan. They both had so much to learn!
~The BFFS: Dylan (Ryan’s) and Alex (Hadley’s): I completely adored these two!! They each complimented their best friend perfectly. Where Hadley didn’t stick up for herself, Alex was strong, vocal and willful. Where Ryan was inexperienced and shy, Dylan was a social butterfly who taught Ryan how to come out of his comfort zone and exposed him to a world of possibilities. These two could not have been more perfect, supportive, loving and strong best friends. They each played an active role in bringing about the changes that both Ryan and Hadley needed to go through.
Now for the negative…
Of course just when I am feeling completely happy about these two, Hadley had to go and do something that had me wanting to throttle her!! Then she goes and makes another stupid decision that made me want to punch and shake her all over again. There were some major violent thoughts being sent her way!
In hindsight, I can see her reasoning (behind one of her decisions) and when all was said and done I could even agree that it needed to happen to set other events in motion. However, her decision caused a long domino effect that spanned over some time. I came to understand and even agree with . However, what I did not agree with and the aspect I disliked the most about the book was that
My biggest issue with the book was that the ending was extremely rushed! This is what made deciding on my rating so hard. As significant as the beginning and middle is in a book, the most important part to me is the ending. Although I received the outcome I was hoping for, I wish it would have been more satisfying. After everything these two went through, they deserved a stronger, longer and more final ending. Oh, and there was no epilogue! So not a fan of that.
It was because of the ending that I could not give this book 5 stars.
However, despite my unhappiness with the rushed ending, I really enjoyed this book! It hooked me from the beginning and kept me entranced the entire time. With each turning page, I just had to know what would happen next! I read it in one sitting and stayed up till past 1am because I just had to know how it ended! This book took me through a roller coaster of emotions. I felt the sorrow, pain and heartbreak. I also felt happiness and love. This is not your typical couple. This is not your typical love story. It is a beautiful story that touches on a lot of aspects and centers around soul mates, fate and destiny.
4.5 Stars and I would recommend this book!
May 1, 2013
"When he looked at me, my heart began racing so fast I thought I was going to pass out. The rush I'm feeling right now is like no other. I've never been one to believe in love at first sight. Can it exist after one simple look?"
Hadley Carter is America's Pop Princess.
Ryan Stone is Brookefield's nobody.
As cliché as it may sound - when they met sparks fly and they begin to get lost in each other.
---
How fun do you think it would be if meeting rock stars or famous artists and getting them to fall in love with you is as easy as it is like on stories? Wouldn’t it be convenient and satisfying to see Adam Levine or that guy from The Script groveling at your feet begging for your attention and love and singing love songs to you? Mind blowing and very surreal isn’t it? Well, stories make it quite easy but dreaming about it isn’t really bad either. ;)
I used that opening thought because once again I’m faced with a story where 'famous-person-fall-in-love-with-normal-person'. I know, I know. It’s another cliché love story that follows that path but surprisingly I find Lost In You as fascinating as engrossing as it is as refreshing to read. It's the reverse of that typical flow of the story, because for once the girl on the story is the one who holds the spotlight while the guy is the one behind it. This is an entirely new set -up for me since I'm really used to guys being the stars.
From the very first chapter my heart saddens for Ryan. It hurts for him. At such a young age his dad has taken away the freedom that he deserved. He endured a lot of things for his own sake and his mother’s. I wanted to give him the freedom that he deserved and simply want him to be happy.
From my very first encounter with Hadley I know she’s not a diva. She's a woman living up to her dreams and doing what she really loved despite the hard circumstances or consequences that it offered.
These two characters leave a great impression to me. My heart loved, ached, cried and celebrated with them. In times that they were apart they didn’t succumb to their own miseries but they both come out of their shelves explore the world in front of them, learn new things and continue their life.
I could’ve given this a five star rating if not for..
The story has an underlying serious issue that I would not elaborate for the sake of spoiling it to you guys, but one thing is for sure - It would make you hold more to your seats and continue reading this.
I enjoyed reading the world created by Ms. McLaughlin - this romantic, unpredictable, exciting yet a bit unrealistic world of Hadley and Ryan. Way to go!
*Advanced copy kindly provided for review*
*Blog Tour deets posted at Reads and Thoughts.
Want to read
March 8, 2013
COVER REVEAL for LOST IN YOU by Heidi McLaughlin ♥
http://aestasbookblog.com/lost-in-you...
Ryan Stone is a less than average teenager. He doesn’t have fancy clothes. He doesn’t carry around the latest smartphone and he definitely doesn’t have an MP3 player. Instead, he goes to school, does his chores and dreams of a new life away from Brookfield where he’s expected to follow in his blue collar family’s footsteps.
Hadley Carter is America’s Pop Princess. A successful recording artist living her dream with a sold-out tour and a handful of Grammy’s there isn’t much that she wants for, except love. But finding love on the road is near impossible when all she longs for are romantic dinners, a nighttime stroll on the beach and holding hands with someone who isn’t going to exploit her.
When a chance encounter introduces Ryan to Hadley, will he be like her adoring fans looking for a way in, or will it be Hadley who pursues Ryan even though it might cost her the only career she’s known.
Lost in You is a story about following your dreams, taking risks and getting lost in love.
To be released May 2013.
May 30, 2014
“I’m sorry,” he whispers.
I’m not. I’m so not sorry that he just kissed me and hate that he is.
“I just had to know.”
“Know what?”
“If you’re the one.”
The first 50% of the book needed to be cut down to 25% and the latter 50% was perfect!! :D
The first half of the book had a fucked up pace, tooooo slow but the second half made up for it.
It was a nice changing reading about a poor guy and not a tortured billionaire. :P
I enjoyed their story, the not expected twisted and turns we see in the second half were really entertaining.
I was a nice read but the question about his parents and their relationship was left unsolved which was highly pissing off.
Btw, I liked the ending and how stuff fell into place for everyone! ;))
“Because I rose from the ashes and made myself better.”
May 16, 2013
I should not have read this book. Actually, I want to erase it from my mind. The beginning was completely unbelievable. I can understand instant attraction, but these two declared their devotion to each other so quickly that it was uncomfortable. On top of that, the inequality in their life differences made everything very awkward. I think I could have gotten into their relationship more if I had believed strongly in their connection. But when Ryan asks Hadley to tell him why she likes she likes him, everything she says is either a physical attribute or about the way he makes her feel. Neither of those reasons are anything deep or lasting.
The second half was much more believable but I did NOT enjoy any of it. The stressful parts dragged on too long. I personally do not like endless angst. In fact I skimmed pretty much the last 30%. .
This book just covered too much time, and I felt like I was stressed or on edge for too much of it. I wish this had been split into two books, One featuring the characters as they were the first half of the story, and the second with them as they were at the end, cutting down on most of the material in the second half. I wanted to get to know the characters at the end of the book better, instead of seeing a tiny glimpse and being told about how they'd changed. I had barely warmed up to them again, and was still struggling to get back into their relationship after so much angst, when the book ended.
I would not call this story a true triangle, but these characters spend a lot of time at odds and acted as if it was one. At one point I truly wished that the end was about them getting over each other and moving on with their lives with other people. It was honestly too much for me personally to enjoy this book. I wish I'd DNF'd this early on and saved myself the agony.
However, I think this is an interesting concept, and if you can forgive the very fast insta-love beginning, and believe that they had a strong and lasting connection, you may really enjoy the second half if you don't have the same quirky issues with relationships that I do.
The second half was much more believable but I did NOT enjoy any of it. The stressful parts dragged on too long. I personally do not like endless angst. In fact I skimmed pretty much the last 30%. .
This book just covered too much time, and I felt like I was stressed or on edge for too much of it. I wish this had been split into two books, One featuring the characters as they were the first half of the story, and the second with them as they were at the end, cutting down on most of the material in the second half. I wanted to get to know the characters at the end of the book better, instead of seeing a tiny glimpse and being told about how they'd changed. I had barely warmed up to them again, and was still struggling to get back into their relationship after so much angst, when the book ended.
I would not call this story a true triangle, but these characters spend a lot of time at odds and acted as if it was one. At one point I truly wished that the end was about them getting over each other and moving on with their lives with other people. It was honestly too much for me personally to enjoy this book. I wish I'd DNF'd this early on and saved myself the agony.
However, I think this is an interesting concept, and if you can forgive the very fast insta-love beginning, and believe that they had a strong and lasting connection, you may really enjoy the second half if you don't have the same quirky issues with relationships that I do.
April 17, 2013
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book and I'm officially IN LOVE!! I'm not normally a fan of New Adult books because I'm past the age where I feel like I can relate to the characters.
From the very first page, my heart literally HURT for Ryan. You could feel the pain of his youth and wanted him to be happy.
Hadley isn't a pop princess, diva. She's a real woman, desperate to live a normal life. It was refreshing to see!
I can't wait for this book to come out so I can tell EVERYONE to get it!
From the very first page, my heart literally HURT for Ryan. You could feel the pain of his youth and wanted him to be happy.
Hadley isn't a pop princess, diva. She's a real woman, desperate to live a normal life. It was refreshing to see!
I can't wait for this book to come out so I can tell EVERYONE to get it!
September 6, 2013
DNF @ 63%
I'm sorry but I could not relate to this storyline at all. The guy is weeks off from being 18, what's the big deal? So what, who cares?
I loved Heidi's other books but this was way too juvenile for me.
I'm sorry but I could not relate to this storyline at all. The guy is weeks off from being 18, what's the big deal? So what, who cares?
I loved Heidi's other books but this was way too juvenile for me.
August 29, 2015
Rating: 3.75/5
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
May 7, 2013
What happens when the boy from the wrong side of town falls for America's sweetheart?
Oh, WOW. Lost in You is going to be so hard for me to review! I went into this thinking I was going to get a simple, sweet love story about a star falling in love with a regular guy. And yes, that does happen, but this book was soooo much more. What really moved this story from sweet and simple to "Holy crap, my heart hurts and how in the heck will this ever work out?" is what I would maybe consider a spoiler, so how do I deal with that? I guess I'll dance around it, because guys, this is what made this book really shine for me. [Side note: Any book that shares a title with one of my favorite songs ever (Lost in You by Three Days Grace) gets a huge thumbs up.]
Lost in You started off a bit iffy for me. Hadley and Ryan meet at the very beginning of the story, and the attraction between them is instantaneous. That's actually fine for me, I don't mind insta-love or attraction at all, as long as the author makes me feel it. McLaughlin definitely made me feel the attraction between Ryan and Hadley, but I just wasn't sure about their actions and I did feel kind of thrown by how quickly things progressed. I was sort of on edge, wondering what was going to happen. And I know this seems extremely vague and unhelpful, but the reason I was on edge is also the issue I consider spoiler and possibly a bit controversial (it wasn't to me). I will say though, that McLaughlin dealt with this issue very, very well and with extreme care and responsibility.
Ryan and Hadley were both really great characters that I found extremely endearing. Hadley is America's Sweetheart, but acts like the girl next door. She has the life most would envy, but she wants love, someone to love her for who she is instead of what she does. When she meets Ryan, she sees beyond the boy with the shabby clothes and low self-esteem. Because of their circumstances, she's hesitant to be with Ryan, but can't help but fall in love with him. Hadley wants to love and care for Ryan in a way he's never known, but is also afraid that she will be the one to ruin him in the end.
"I need you to love me for me and not who I am on the stage or in the papers. That person that you saw yesterday, that's not the me you know....
....This me is dying inside thinking that her boyfriend doesn't want her anymore. This me is so in love with Ryan Stone that nothing else matters. Now tell me, Ryan, why not you?"
Oh Ryan Stone, that sweet, sweet boy. He's a boy that has never in his life been truly cared for and appreciated for the wonderful person he is. His home life revolves around church, no television, no music, nothing other than work school and hanging out with his best friend Dylan (a girl). From his upbringing, Ryan believes he's not worthy of dreams, or a good life, so it's a true shock to him when Hadley declares her interest. Not only is a girl finally falling for him, but she's also one of the most famous people in entertainment. But I loved how Ryan blossomed when he was with Hadley.
"The logic behind us doesn't make sense. I come from nothing. Destined to be nothing and yet she pursues me and tells me I can be anything I want."
The kind of love Ryan and Hadley experience, how quickly it develops and the intensity, the circumstances was so much. I was scared for them, because I just knew that something really bad was going to happen. And of course it did happen, but what really shocked me was what happened in the fallout. McLaughlin did not take the easy way out with the story, and she definitely put the characters through hell and back. I was pleasantly surprised by how much bigger the story was than I originally thought, and how much time it encompasses. And I will say, I absolutely loved the last portion of the story and especially how it ended. I think the way things worked out proved the depth of the characters and their emotions.
Lost in You is not the story I expected. It was bigger, bolder and I enjoyed it so much.
Oh, WOW. Lost in You is going to be so hard for me to review! I went into this thinking I was going to get a simple, sweet love story about a star falling in love with a regular guy. And yes, that does happen, but this book was soooo much more. What really moved this story from sweet and simple to "Holy crap, my heart hurts and how in the heck will this ever work out?" is what I would maybe consider a spoiler, so how do I deal with that? I guess I'll dance around it, because guys, this is what made this book really shine for me. [Side note: Any book that shares a title with one of my favorite songs ever (Lost in You by Three Days Grace) gets a huge thumbs up.]
Lost in You started off a bit iffy for me. Hadley and Ryan meet at the very beginning of the story, and the attraction between them is instantaneous. That's actually fine for me, I don't mind insta-love or attraction at all, as long as the author makes me feel it. McLaughlin definitely made me feel the attraction between Ryan and Hadley, but I just wasn't sure about their actions and I did feel kind of thrown by how quickly things progressed. I was sort of on edge, wondering what was going to happen. And I know this seems extremely vague and unhelpful, but the reason I was on edge is also the issue I consider spoiler and possibly a bit controversial (it wasn't to me). I will say though, that McLaughlin dealt with this issue very, very well and with extreme care and responsibility.
Ryan and Hadley were both really great characters that I found extremely endearing. Hadley is America's Sweetheart, but acts like the girl next door. She has the life most would envy, but she wants love, someone to love her for who she is instead of what she does. When she meets Ryan, she sees beyond the boy with the shabby clothes and low self-esteem. Because of their circumstances, she's hesitant to be with Ryan, but can't help but fall in love with him. Hadley wants to love and care for Ryan in a way he's never known, but is also afraid that she will be the one to ruin him in the end.
"I need you to love me for me and not who I am on the stage or in the papers. That person that you saw yesterday, that's not the me you know....
....This me is dying inside thinking that her boyfriend doesn't want her anymore. This me is so in love with Ryan Stone that nothing else matters. Now tell me, Ryan, why not you?"
Oh Ryan Stone, that sweet, sweet boy. He's a boy that has never in his life been truly cared for and appreciated for the wonderful person he is. His home life revolves around church, no television, no music, nothing other than work school and hanging out with his best friend Dylan (a girl). From his upbringing, Ryan believes he's not worthy of dreams, or a good life, so it's a true shock to him when Hadley declares her interest. Not only is a girl finally falling for him, but she's also one of the most famous people in entertainment. But I loved how Ryan blossomed when he was with Hadley.
"The logic behind us doesn't make sense. I come from nothing. Destined to be nothing and yet she pursues me and tells me I can be anything I want."
The kind of love Ryan and Hadley experience, how quickly it develops and the intensity, the circumstances was so much. I was scared for them, because I just knew that something really bad was going to happen. And of course it did happen, but what really shocked me was what happened in the fallout. McLaughlin did not take the easy way out with the story, and she definitely put the characters through hell and back. I was pleasantly surprised by how much bigger the story was than I originally thought, and how much time it encompasses. And I will say, I absolutely loved the last portion of the story and especially how it ended. I think the way things worked out proved the depth of the characters and their emotions.
Lost in You is not the story I expected. It was bigger, bolder and I enjoyed it so much.
May 8, 2013
So this book is quite the Taboo right? A 21 year old woman, falling for a 17 year old boy… Some would say that’s not right. Why though? Guys that are older fall for girls that are younger all the time? Why can’t it be the other way around? So to get personal for just a moment I was dating my now husband when I was a freshman in high school and he was a senior. Nobody seemed to care about this stuff back then… It wasn’t front page news like you see today, what I say is who cares… Love is Love and Heidi has done a wonderful job in this book handling the entire relationship perfectly! Don’t go into the book thinking it’s dirty because it isn’t…
What Ryan and Hadley share is really special. From the moment that they met they knew they both felt the connection to each other. Yes he is only 17 and yes she is 21 but honestly she’s grown up in a life that hasn’t afforded her time to act her age even when she was younger. She is a pop princess and always in the spotlight. Having been very young and getting involved with another pop star of the time was the perfect arrangement for her, but as all entertainment industry people learn that it isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Hadley hasn’t had it easy, in her young life. She has an asshat manager, Uncle Ian that calculates her every move and relationship or lack of… Her best friend that travels with her is her only solace from the crazy life style…
Ryan lives in a boring small town where his biggest aspiration is escaping the life that has been laid before him. He doesn't have a lot of money and he doesn't have the warmest family. Ryan wants nothing more then to escape his life and become something different, something more. He likes to shy off into the background and not be noticed. This is exactly what he does when he goes to a concert he has no desire to be at with his best friend… What Ryan doesn’t know is that going to this concert would change his life for the good and the bad…
I have to say that I couldn’t have asked for anything more out of this book… It was sweet and touching and also heartbreaking… I wanted to hug Ryan more times than I can count at this point. Even at the end of the book I still wanted to give him a big hug. I was so PROUD of him after seeing how his life was that he didn’t crack under it all. He showed real emotion and he simply stole my heart… I enjoyed Hadley’s character too in this book she did what she thought was the right thing to do even if it made her miserable. She had to grow up too quickly in a world that doesn’t forgive indiscretions easily, so her selfless decisions, though tough to take, were admirable.
All the situations were handled in an appropriate manner and never once did I feel that it was anything really dirty or outlandish or even wrong. I stayed up practically all night cause I couldn’t stop reading it. At 2:24 am I have to say I was pretty darn happy with the outcome and the ending of the book and I commend Heidi for taking on this challenging, and unique storyline. KUDOS TO YOU GIRL!!!!
I give Lost In You a 4 stars not just for the great writing but for being out of the box which is rare to find these days…
What Ryan and Hadley share is really special. From the moment that they met they knew they both felt the connection to each other. Yes he is only 17 and yes she is 21 but honestly she’s grown up in a life that hasn’t afforded her time to act her age even when she was younger. She is a pop princess and always in the spotlight. Having been very young and getting involved with another pop star of the time was the perfect arrangement for her, but as all entertainment industry people learn that it isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Hadley hasn’t had it easy, in her young life. She has an asshat manager, Uncle Ian that calculates her every move and relationship or lack of… Her best friend that travels with her is her only solace from the crazy life style…
Ryan lives in a boring small town where his biggest aspiration is escaping the life that has been laid before him. He doesn't have a lot of money and he doesn't have the warmest family. Ryan wants nothing more then to escape his life and become something different, something more. He likes to shy off into the background and not be noticed. This is exactly what he does when he goes to a concert he has no desire to be at with his best friend… What Ryan doesn’t know is that going to this concert would change his life for the good and the bad…
I have to say that I couldn’t have asked for anything more out of this book… It was sweet and touching and also heartbreaking… I wanted to hug Ryan more times than I can count at this point. Even at the end of the book I still wanted to give him a big hug. I was so PROUD of him after seeing how his life was that he didn’t crack under it all. He showed real emotion and he simply stole my heart… I enjoyed Hadley’s character too in this book she did what she thought was the right thing to do even if it made her miserable. She had to grow up too quickly in a world that doesn’t forgive indiscretions easily, so her selfless decisions, though tough to take, were admirable.
All the situations were handled in an appropriate manner and never once did I feel that it was anything really dirty or outlandish or even wrong. I stayed up practically all night cause I couldn’t stop reading it. At 2:24 am I have to say I was pretty darn happy with the outcome and the ending of the book and I commend Heidi for taking on this challenging, and unique storyline. KUDOS TO YOU GIRL!!!!
I give Lost In You a 4 stars not just for the great writing but for being out of the box which is rare to find these days…
May 19, 2013
4-4.5
Oh god, I really loved this story.. I seriously could not put this book down. So many emotions ran through me I had to go and vent with some book friends about it. This sweet innocent story of two people who find true love when all the odds are stacked against them truly was breathtaking. There is so much angst I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. All the characters are well developed and the storyline is just brilliant. I am having a hard time getting this one out of my head.
Ryan is a 17 year old who comes from a family that doesn't have a lot of money. His father is set in his harden ways and his mother acts like she is oblivious to everything that happens around her. The only thing that helps him through it is his best friend Dylan until one day everything changes. Dylan wins concert tickets to go see Hadley Carter in concert and takes Ryan with her. Sparks start flying when Hadley and Ryan see each other which starts the most beautiful, innocent, heartbreaking love story.
When my hand touches her, I feel a jolt, like when you rub your socks on carpet and touch someone to shock them.
When he looked at me, my heart began racing so fast I thought I was going to pass out. The rush I'm feeling right now is like no other. I've never been one to believe in love at first sight. Can it exist after one simple look?"
Hadley Carter is a 22 year old rockstar who truly only wants thing, the one thing she desperately tries to hold onto but knows she can't have. She falls so in love with Ryan that she tries to do the right thing. She knows she can't be involved with someone underage and you really see her struggle throughout the book. Her heart tells her one thing but her head tells her another and you really see the pain that she goes through while she waits for the day that he turns 18 so they can finally be a real couple.
"You make me want to try things I've never thought about before." His lips ghost my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
"Have no doubt that I want this between us," "Have no doubt that I want to feel you pressed against me, to let you explore and learn what your touch does to me."
There were times in this book that I was so angry, I wanted to throw my reader across the room. I hated what happened to them, I hated that they were put through the ringer like they were.. It really broke my heart.. I was upset for the innocence in the their story and the love they shared. I was upset for all that was good but because of the age difference it could not happen for them. I love that we got to watch their struggles as time went on and that we got to experience many of Ryan's first. We got to see him grow from a boy to man and we got to see how two people are destined to be together find their happily ever after. My only complaint in this book was I wanted so much more near the end. I didn't want their story to end. I wanted to experience more. I'm really hoping Heidi considers writing another book maybe on a few of the supporting characters where we can see glimpse's of Ryan and Hadley's life. Really looking forward to reading more from this author. A must read!
Oh god, I really loved this story.. I seriously could not put this book down. So many emotions ran through me I had to go and vent with some book friends about it. This sweet innocent story of two people who find true love when all the odds are stacked against them truly was breathtaking. There is so much angst I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. All the characters are well developed and the storyline is just brilliant. I am having a hard time getting this one out of my head.
Ryan is a 17 year old who comes from a family that doesn't have a lot of money. His father is set in his harden ways and his mother acts like she is oblivious to everything that happens around her. The only thing that helps him through it is his best friend Dylan until one day everything changes. Dylan wins concert tickets to go see Hadley Carter in concert and takes Ryan with her. Sparks start flying when Hadley and Ryan see each other which starts the most beautiful, innocent, heartbreaking love story.
When my hand touches her, I feel a jolt, like when you rub your socks on carpet and touch someone to shock them.
When he looked at me, my heart began racing so fast I thought I was going to pass out. The rush I'm feeling right now is like no other. I've never been one to believe in love at first sight. Can it exist after one simple look?"
Hadley Carter is a 22 year old rockstar who truly only wants thing, the one thing she desperately tries to hold onto but knows she can't have. She falls so in love with Ryan that she tries to do the right thing. She knows she can't be involved with someone underage and you really see her struggle throughout the book. Her heart tells her one thing but her head tells her another and you really see the pain that she goes through while she waits for the day that he turns 18 so they can finally be a real couple.
"You make me want to try things I've never thought about before." His lips ghost my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
"Have no doubt that I want this between us," "Have no doubt that I want to feel you pressed against me, to let you explore and learn what your touch does to me."
There were times in this book that I was so angry, I wanted to throw my reader across the room. I hated what happened to them, I hated that they were put through the ringer like they were.. It really broke my heart.. I was upset for the innocence in the their story and the love they shared. I was upset for all that was good but because of the age difference it could not happen for them. I love that we got to watch their struggles as time went on and that we got to experience many of Ryan's first. We got to see him grow from a boy to man and we got to see how two people are destined to be together find their happily ever after. My only complaint in this book was I wanted so much more near the end. I didn't want their story to end. I wanted to experience more. I'm really hoping Heidi considers writing another book maybe on a few of the supporting characters where we can see glimpse's of Ryan and Hadley's life. Really looking forward to reading more from this author. A must read!
May 28, 2015
Cuando comencé con Lost in you buscaba un epic love, esas cosas que necesitas leer cuando estoy en estos días. Y empezó con todo lo que yo esperaba: la química que habia entre Ryan y Hadley es palpable desde el primer momento y va volviendo cada vez mas fuerte. Yo no podía estar mas feliz, no podía dejar de leer y no cabia en mi misma por la emoción, no veía la hora de que terminara solo para darle una calificación de 5 estrellas y decir lo epico que fue. Pero después del 60% del libro, cuando las cosas se rompen del todo, comienzan un serie de cosas que ni siquiera se como calificar. Nose, siento que desde ese punto me cambiaron la historia.
[SPOILERS!!]
Por empezar siento que estafaron enormemente a Ryan, Ryan era bueno, inocente pero no era un idiota. Al final sentí que si lo fue, que la autora lo convitió en eso, y no cuadra con la imagen que tenia de él en la parte anterior del libro. Si,es menor e inexperto, pero no entiendo como es todo eso que pasa con Dylan, En serio?? Hace 5 oraciones estabas llorando porque estabas enamorado de Hadley y ahora esto?? Increible... Y Dylan no puede ser un personaje mas nefasto porque no tienía mas espacios en los que aparecer. Nunca se termina de entender cuál es el tipo de relación que quiere con Ryan: Estaba realmente enamorada de él? O era una simple calentura? O tal vez lo que no quería es que fuera feliz, porque es lo que da a entender su actitud durante todo el libro. Para mí, ella es la que abusa de él, porque lo manipula todo el tiempo, desde que lo lleva al concierto hasta cuando se va a vivir a NY. Y él sigue pensando que ella es su amiga... Terrible...
Hadley es un aso a parte. Le doy algo de espacio porque es una artista adolescente: ellos no viven en un mundo normal, con las reglas de los simples mortales, están acostumbrados tener todo lo que quieren. El primer problema que se les presenta, el de la edad, es importante. Como dije antes con respecto a Dylan, Hadley hizo todo lo posible por no tener relaciones con un menor. Si bien es un tema sensible, hay abusos que van mas allá. Ella no fue tan psicopata como la otra, creo que hicieron lo que pudieron. Pero cuando le proponen hacer una gira con el ex, las fotos y blablabla, eso me resulta inaceptable. Encima que se termine acostando con él, cuando se la pasa diciendo que lo odia Y AL FINAL dice que lo ama y que siempre va a ser una parte de ella, hace que quiera golpearme la cabeza contra una pared. Nada tiene sentido, nada...
Llegando al final, hay un salto de 4 años (!!) que no es introducido de ninguna manera, y como por arte de magia, las cosas se solucionan.
Por ahí soy un poco dramatica, pero necesito que entiendan mi punto: Imaginense encontrar ese libro que tanto querías leer, que esta avanzando mas que bien y de pronto plaf, todo se desmorona, convirtiendose en nada. Qué harian? Yo quería llorar con un happy endding y lloré porque no pude superar que en un momento se volviera tan malo. Le doy 3 estrellas, porque de verdad, la primera parte vale muchisimo la pena, pero sentí la necesidad de hacer la review mas larga de mi vida porque no puedo creer que algo tan bueno termine tan mal, aunque ellos terminen bien.
[SPOILERS!!]
Por empezar siento que estafaron enormemente a Ryan, Ryan era bueno, inocente pero no era un idiota. Al final sentí que si lo fue, que la autora lo convitió en eso, y no cuadra con la imagen que tenia de él en la parte anterior del libro. Si,es menor e inexperto, pero no entiendo como es todo eso que pasa con Dylan, En serio?? Hace 5 oraciones estabas llorando porque estabas enamorado de Hadley y ahora esto?? Increible... Y Dylan no puede ser un personaje mas nefasto porque no tienía mas espacios en los que aparecer. Nunca se termina de entender cuál es el tipo de relación que quiere con Ryan: Estaba realmente enamorada de él? O era una simple calentura? O tal vez lo que no quería es que fuera feliz, porque es lo que da a entender su actitud durante todo el libro. Para mí, ella es la que abusa de él, porque lo manipula todo el tiempo, desde que lo lleva al concierto hasta cuando se va a vivir a NY. Y él sigue pensando que ella es su amiga... Terrible...
Hadley es un aso a parte. Le doy algo de espacio porque es una artista adolescente: ellos no viven en un mundo normal, con las reglas de los simples mortales, están acostumbrados tener todo lo que quieren. El primer problema que se les presenta, el de la edad, es importante. Como dije antes con respecto a Dylan, Hadley hizo todo lo posible por no tener relaciones con un menor. Si bien es un tema sensible, hay abusos que van mas allá. Ella no fue tan psicopata como la otra, creo que hicieron lo que pudieron. Pero cuando le proponen hacer una gira con el ex, las fotos y blablabla, eso me resulta inaceptable. Encima que se termine acostando con él, cuando se la pasa diciendo que lo odia Y AL FINAL dice que lo ama y que siempre va a ser una parte de ella, hace que quiera golpearme la cabeza contra una pared. Nada tiene sentido, nada...
Llegando al final, hay un salto de 4 años (!!) que no es introducido de ninguna manera, y como por arte de magia, las cosas se solucionan.
Por ahí soy un poco dramatica, pero necesito que entiendan mi punto: Imaginense encontrar ese libro que tanto querías leer, que esta avanzando mas que bien y de pronto plaf, todo se desmorona, convirtiendose en nada. Qué harian? Yo quería llorar con un happy endding y lloré porque no pude superar que en un momento se volviera tan malo. Le doy 3 estrellas, porque de verdad, la primera parte vale muchisimo la pena, pero sentí la necesidad de hacer la review mas larga de mi vida porque no puedo creer que algo tan bueno termine tan mal, aunque ellos terminen bien.
May 8, 2013
Oh what a great story this was. It tugs at the heart strings and drives you crazy with anticipation and is everything you would want in a blossoming love story.
First, we have Ryan. An unremarkable boy living in a working class town with no real hopes or aspirations other than to get out of that place as soon as he graduates. He doesn't have a lot of self-esteem because his parents, and in particular his father, are some ultra conservative bigots and don't allow Ryan to take part in all the regular activities that high school boys typically participate in. He is depressed and frustrated and lonely in love, but he doesn't realize it yet.
Then we have Hadley. The pop princess with the right look and the right style to be America's sweetheart. She has everything money and success can buy, but she is lonely in love too. When her tour stops in the next town over from where Ryan lives, and he just happens to be attending the concert thanks to tickets his bestie, Dylan, won from a radio contest, the stage is set for an encounter that changes both of their lives forever.
Ryan and Hadley are compelling because the work as a couple but not as the people they are at that moment. The main issue being that Ryan is 17 and Hadley is 22. While, they want to be together there is that line that can't be crossed that divides them from completely being together. And as much as it separates them, it also draws them closer together with the need and desire to be the heartbeat for each other.
There are parts that will make you sigh, parts that will make you mad, parts that will make you want to cry, and even parts that will make you want to stand and cheer. This is a great story, and very well conceived and charming read. Well done, Heidi. Very well, done.
First, we have Ryan. An unremarkable boy living in a working class town with no real hopes or aspirations other than to get out of that place as soon as he graduates. He doesn't have a lot of self-esteem because his parents, and in particular his father, are some ultra conservative bigots and don't allow Ryan to take part in all the regular activities that high school boys typically participate in. He is depressed and frustrated and lonely in love, but he doesn't realize it yet.
Then we have Hadley. The pop princess with the right look and the right style to be America's sweetheart. She has everything money and success can buy, but she is lonely in love too. When her tour stops in the next town over from where Ryan lives, and he just happens to be attending the concert thanks to tickets his bestie, Dylan, won from a radio contest, the stage is set for an encounter that changes both of their lives forever.
Ryan and Hadley are compelling because the work as a couple but not as the people they are at that moment. The main issue being that Ryan is 17 and Hadley is 22. While, they want to be together there is that line that can't be crossed that divides them from completely being together. And as much as it separates them, it also draws them closer together with the need and desire to be the heartbeat for each other.
There are parts that will make you sigh, parts that will make you mad, parts that will make you want to cry, and even parts that will make you want to stand and cheer. This is a great story, and very well conceived and charming read. Well done, Heidi. Very well, done.
May 7, 2013
I picked up this book 'cause I wanted to give this author another shot. I didn't like her debut novel (I didn't even bother with the sequel) and unfortunately neither this one did anything for me.
The romance is mostly individually lived. They had a few scenes together that most of the time ended quickly. A couple? Mostly in their dreamy minds! The writing style is dull and exasperating. The author doesn't seem to know how to develop relationships -- she just describes the feelings but without actions. A lot of loose ends. Or, there are some scenes depicting angst that deflate as rapidly as a balloon and everything fades in silence on both parts! When I think back at Hadley's and Ryan's romance there is barely anything to say: misunderstandings, inability to discuss and to resolve some (important) issues....
Hadley was a singer and I really thought that she'd write a meaningful love song for Ryan...again -- nothing!But that's okay - it was just a thought. She did a lot of touring, though! Fast forward 4 years -- a fluke encounter and hocus pocus they clarified their misunderstandings, they declared their unyielding love for each other in words and actions and THE END! For something that easy they sure struggled senselessly! It gives the story an entirely awkward perspective.
From other reviews I gather that are readers who really liked this story so I guess it's a matter of preferences.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2013
This was definitely a different kind of romance! There are so many things that I want to say about the story, but I feel as if I will be giving too much away. Let's just say this is a First Love/Reunion story all wrapped into one, and I really enjoyed the roller coaster ride!
As far as heroes go, well...Ryan Stone is MIGHTY fine, if I do say so myself. I have a big place in my heart for the loner heroes, the outcasts, and that is Ryan, not that he isn't SOOO crush worthy, (See Dylan), but he is from the wrong side of town and has parents who are strict and well...a little kooky!
Then to be thrown into a crazy, secret, long-distance relationship with Hadley Carter, pop star sensation, probably not the best choice for a first love! And it was sad, and heartbreaking and REAL! Heidi writes such an honest portrayal of a time when your heart is so broken, you try and replace that person, but in the words of Monica from LOVE AND BASKETBALL, "I've loved you since I was eleven and the shit just won't go away."
I don't want to give anymore away, I will just say that if you are a fan of the New Adult Genre, then LOST IN YOU will be a sure favorite, and I highly recommend it to all my readers. Take a chance on Ryan and Hadley, you won't be sorry you did!
As far as heroes go, well...Ryan Stone is MIGHTY fine, if I do say so myself. I have a big place in my heart for the loner heroes, the outcasts, and that is Ryan, not that he isn't SOOO crush worthy, (See Dylan), but he is from the wrong side of town and has parents who are strict and well...a little kooky!
Then to be thrown into a crazy, secret, long-distance relationship with Hadley Carter, pop star sensation, probably not the best choice for a first love! And it was sad, and heartbreaking and REAL! Heidi writes such an honest portrayal of a time when your heart is so broken, you try and replace that person, but in the words of Monica from LOVE AND BASKETBALL, "I've loved you since I was eleven and the shit just won't go away."
I don't want to give anymore away, I will just say that if you are a fan of the New Adult Genre, then LOST IN YOU will be a sure favorite, and I highly recommend it to all my readers. Take a chance on Ryan and Hadley, you won't be sorry you did!
May 10, 2013
Ugh so I almost really loved this book, however a few things messed everything up for me. Without giving too much away, one was the best friend Dylan. I couldn't stand her! Such an annoying shit! The second thing was what he gave to Dylan and not to Hadley wjen he turned 18. That about ruined it all. Then the time lapse was insane. I mean out of the blue it's 4 years later?!?!?! 4 YEARS? I mean one would have been plenty! That just made the ending, although happy, really suck! That pretty much took 2 stars away, especially the big thing between Dylan and Ryan.
August 3, 2013
I hate and love what heidi did to her characters. as much as I hated what happened, it was very necessary for ryan and Hadley. they needed to be apart to grow as individuals in order to become the people they were meant to be. that being said...I still hated that bit. once again heidi knocked it out of the ball park.
March 11, 2015
I loved Heidi's other book but I just couldn't relate to this at all. The characters were too immature and the story just didn't feel real.
May 10, 2013
it looks like another winner from Heidi McLaughlin!
Can't wait 'till is out.
Can't wait 'till is out.
May 9, 2013
Really liked Forever My Girl, really didn't like this one. Didn't feel the romance in the relationship and thought it dragged on and on. Glad for the HEA but couldn't really care by the end.
May 13, 2013
”Love doesn’t know age.”
“I was asked one time to close my eyes and imagine I’m dancing. Play the song in your head and feel the person pressed against your body. Look at the person you’re holding and you’ll know who your soulmate is.”
Oh Heidi McLaughlin what are you doing to me, I literally couldn’t close this book until I seen the words The End. Heidi took the normal Rockstar story and changed it into something innocent, passionate and different. I’m pretty sure she let me experience every emotion. I was happy, I was angry, I got my heart broke and I had those moments of love, first love, stop the world AMAZING LOVE. Hadley and Ryan had me from their first encounter and as much as I wanted to counsel them, I also wanted to thank them for letting me read their story.
”This PG Relationship was not what I had in mind when I thought about having a boyfriend but I’ll take it. I’ll take whatever I can get with him.”
Ryan. Ryan is the boy I want my daughter to find, that sweet, innocent, shy boy next door, that do anything to make you happy boy. We meet Ryan the moment the book starts and we automatically know he is from a lower middle class working family. Let me just stop here and say Ryan has a father that I wanted to kill, I hated this man from the first chapter and my hate just grew as the story progressed but we will save that. Ok back to beautiful Ryan!! Ryan has the less than perfect teenage life but what he does have is the perfect Best Friend, Dylan. And I guess you could say that’s where the real story starts. Dylan wins Front Row tickets to see Hadley Carter in Concert and she invites Ryan to come with her, a fun night out, a night that changes everything.
“When I met Ryan….My soul knew he was the one I was destined to be with, but everything was against us.”
Hadley is a Rockstar, who you would assume has everything, she is 22, she has a amazing support system, she has fans that love her, but she doesn’t have one thing and that one thing is Ryan. Ryan the boy she didn’t know she was missing, the boy who also happens to be 17. Hadley knows that she should stay away but there is this pull between the two of them that can’t be ignored.
”I know it’s not conventional.”
“I have a feeling we won’t be conventional.” I mumbled against her.
“Why be normal? Normal is so over rated and boring. I don’t want to be boring. I want to be adventurous and daring.”
As things progress throughout the story, we watch as Hadley draws lines that can’t be crossed. We watch as Ryan learns to deal with growing into a man, we watch as a relationship is tested, and we watch as hearts grow, fall and shatter. Lessons are taught, lessons are learned and some things are ignored. But isn’t that real life? Don’t we choose to ignore things, to just feel sometimes? Have you ever just wanted to live in the moment? Have you ever made a decision that made you cry? Have you had regret? Have you ever wanted something that you knew was wrong but you didn’t care? Hadley and Ryan make these decisions and I found myself questioning Hadley but then I reminded myself if this was a man I would think it was HOT that he was chasing what he wanted not giving up because of barrier. But because its a female we question, we think about it different.
”I’d be stupid to tell you no because I want to see you, but I’m just me and you’re you. You can have anyone you want.”
Heidi does a great job showing Hadley’s emotions over this, she lets us see this weight that Hadley carries regarding the situation. We watch her struggle between her heart and head. We watch her make decisions, decisions that break your heart as well as theirs.
”You know your mom always said if you love something set it free. If they come back they’re yours. And if they don’t they were never meant to be.”
As always with Heidi’s writing the supporting characters are great. I wanted to shake Dylan, I cried for her, and I completely understood her. Alex was brilliant and the best friend every girl needs. And then there’s Coleman, the ex that you love to hate but you can’t because he is perfect. FYI Heidi can I get his story! Yeah he is that HOT!!
”I wish I could say that I’m immune to Cole, but the truth is, I’m not.”
I loved this story, I loved that it was different, I loved that it took the normal Rockstar book and flipped it around and changed the script. This is that sweet, innocent, butterflies in your stomach love story. It pushes boundaries and it makes you think, makes you rethink. It touches a subject many say not going to happen but then when you step back you realize it totally happens and you understand.
”The rush I’m feeling now is like no other. I’ve never been one to believe in love at first sight. Can it exist after one simple look?”
I don’t know but I guarantee this book will make you question it, go ahead read it and then you can let me know!!
“I was asked one time to close my eyes and imagine I’m dancing. Play the song in your head and feel the person pressed against your body. Look at the person you’re holding and you’ll know who your soulmate is.”
Oh Heidi McLaughlin what are you doing to me, I literally couldn’t close this book until I seen the words The End. Heidi took the normal Rockstar story and changed it into something innocent, passionate and different. I’m pretty sure she let me experience every emotion. I was happy, I was angry, I got my heart broke and I had those moments of love, first love, stop the world AMAZING LOVE. Hadley and Ryan had me from their first encounter and as much as I wanted to counsel them, I also wanted to thank them for letting me read their story.
”This PG Relationship was not what I had in mind when I thought about having a boyfriend but I’ll take it. I’ll take whatever I can get with him.”
Ryan. Ryan is the boy I want my daughter to find, that sweet, innocent, shy boy next door, that do anything to make you happy boy. We meet Ryan the moment the book starts and we automatically know he is from a lower middle class working family. Let me just stop here and say Ryan has a father that I wanted to kill, I hated this man from the first chapter and my hate just grew as the story progressed but we will save that. Ok back to beautiful Ryan!! Ryan has the less than perfect teenage life but what he does have is the perfect Best Friend, Dylan. And I guess you could say that’s where the real story starts. Dylan wins Front Row tickets to see Hadley Carter in Concert and she invites Ryan to come with her, a fun night out, a night that changes everything.
“When I met Ryan….My soul knew he was the one I was destined to be with, but everything was against us.”
Hadley is a Rockstar, who you would assume has everything, she is 22, she has a amazing support system, she has fans that love her, but she doesn’t have one thing and that one thing is Ryan. Ryan the boy she didn’t know she was missing, the boy who also happens to be 17. Hadley knows that she should stay away but there is this pull between the two of them that can’t be ignored.
”I know it’s not conventional.”
“I have a feeling we won’t be conventional.” I mumbled against her.
“Why be normal? Normal is so over rated and boring. I don’t want to be boring. I want to be adventurous and daring.”
As things progress throughout the story, we watch as Hadley draws lines that can’t be crossed. We watch as Ryan learns to deal with growing into a man, we watch as a relationship is tested, and we watch as hearts grow, fall and shatter. Lessons are taught, lessons are learned and some things are ignored. But isn’t that real life? Don’t we choose to ignore things, to just feel sometimes? Have you ever just wanted to live in the moment? Have you ever made a decision that made you cry? Have you had regret? Have you ever wanted something that you knew was wrong but you didn’t care? Hadley and Ryan make these decisions and I found myself questioning Hadley but then I reminded myself if this was a man I would think it was HOT that he was chasing what he wanted not giving up because of barrier. But because its a female we question, we think about it different.
”I’d be stupid to tell you no because I want to see you, but I’m just me and you’re you. You can have anyone you want.”
Heidi does a great job showing Hadley’s emotions over this, she lets us see this weight that Hadley carries regarding the situation. We watch her struggle between her heart and head. We watch her make decisions, decisions that break your heart as well as theirs.
”You know your mom always said if you love something set it free. If they come back they’re yours. And if they don’t they were never meant to be.”
As always with Heidi’s writing the supporting characters are great. I wanted to shake Dylan, I cried for her, and I completely understood her. Alex was brilliant and the best friend every girl needs. And then there’s Coleman, the ex that you love to hate but you can’t because he is perfect. FYI Heidi can I get his story! Yeah he is that HOT!!
”I wish I could say that I’m immune to Cole, but the truth is, I’m not.”
I loved this story, I loved that it was different, I loved that it took the normal Rockstar book and flipped it around and changed the script. This is that sweet, innocent, butterflies in your stomach love story. It pushes boundaries and it makes you think, makes you rethink. It touches a subject many say not going to happen but then when you step back you realize it totally happens and you understand.
”The rush I’m feeling now is like no other. I’ve never been one to believe in love at first sight. Can it exist after one simple look?”
I don’t know but I guarantee this book will make you question it, go ahead read it and then you can let me know!!
May 7, 2013
Ryan Stone is 17 years old. He doesn't come for the best side of town, his family doesn't have much money, his parents are extremely strict, extremely religious, and his dad is one of those people that expects you to say "how high" when he says jump. Ryan has always done everything he can to keep the peace at home rather than face his dad's wrath. He doesn't have many friends, with the exception of one, and that would be Dylan. Dylan and Ryan have been best friends since elementary school. She comes from the better side of town, she tells Ryan everything, and his mom really likes Dylan. Ryan would do anything for her, because she is his friend, so when she asks him to go to a concert in a nearby town that she won tickets and backstage passes to, he relents and says yes, even though he isn't looking forward to it. His parents let him go, because he will be with Dylan.
Ryan has never heard of Hadley Carter before, so he doesn't have any "expectations" going in. When they go backstage with the other contest winners, he isn't expecting much. He gets his food and pretty much finds a corner to get out of the way in. Hadley Carter is a pop star and an "idol" to many young girls. She loves singing and performing, and loves meeting her fans even more. When she sees Ryan across the room, she knows she has to meet him. She sends her friend Alex over to find out more about him. Then, against her manager's wishes, she invites everyone to her hotel room for an after-party. Ryan isn't really impressed with the after-party and attempts to sneak out, but Hadley catches him and they go onto the balcony so they can talk and get to know each other, and wind up spending the entire night out on the balcony. They click automatically and Hadley can't stay away from him. Ryan, though a little confused, feels the same way. There is only one problem, Ryan is 17 and Hadley isn't. How will they handle the age difference? What will people think? Is it worth the risk? Is this really love or just a passing infatuation? Can this kind of relationship even work? All these are questions that must be answered, but will the answers Hadley and Ryan find be the ones they want to hear, and what will they have to sacrifice in the process?
When I read the synopsis of the book I thought it sounded really good, but was a little leery when the whole instant love situation between Hadley and Ryan seemed to happen. Don't let that dissuade you, because the story is so much more than that. Yes, it seems like a whirlwind romance, the kind you only see in a movie, but the things that happen to Ryan and Hadley are anything but a fairy tale. Needless to say, with the exception of Hadley's best friend Alex, everyone else is totally against these two being together. Her manager doesn't like it, Ryan's parents don't like it, and Dylan especially doesn't like it. Then, when you throw the age thing in, it only adds fuel to a destructive flame, one that threatens to destroy any hope of a future together. I can't go into to many details about what happens and goes on in this story without spoiling it for you, and what I've told you so far is just the beginning. Heidi McLaughlin takes these characters down a road of love, heartache, difficult choices, sacrifice, separation, pain, joy, and freedom to love again, so trust me when I tell you this is not an "insta-love" fairy tale type of story, no matter what it seems in the beginning.
I really did enjoy Lost in You, despite my concerns when first starting it. I grew to really like both Ryan and Hadley, and though I liked Dylan in the beginning, I kind of grew to dislike her as the story progressed. I was very happy with with the ending, and with the bumpy rough road it took to get there. I thought Heidi McLaughlin did an excellent job in bringing everything together and closing it out. The ending is one of the main things that makes or breaks a book for me, and this ending was outstanding. If you are a contemporary romance fan, then Lost in You is something that is most definitely worth checking out.
Ryan has never heard of Hadley Carter before, so he doesn't have any "expectations" going in. When they go backstage with the other contest winners, he isn't expecting much. He gets his food and pretty much finds a corner to get out of the way in. Hadley Carter is a pop star and an "idol" to many young girls. She loves singing and performing, and loves meeting her fans even more. When she sees Ryan across the room, she knows she has to meet him. She sends her friend Alex over to find out more about him. Then, against her manager's wishes, she invites everyone to her hotel room for an after-party. Ryan isn't really impressed with the after-party and attempts to sneak out, but Hadley catches him and they go onto the balcony so they can talk and get to know each other, and wind up spending the entire night out on the balcony. They click automatically and Hadley can't stay away from him. Ryan, though a little confused, feels the same way. There is only one problem, Ryan is 17 and Hadley isn't. How will they handle the age difference? What will people think? Is it worth the risk? Is this really love or just a passing infatuation? Can this kind of relationship even work? All these are questions that must be answered, but will the answers Hadley and Ryan find be the ones they want to hear, and what will they have to sacrifice in the process?
When I read the synopsis of the book I thought it sounded really good, but was a little leery when the whole instant love situation between Hadley and Ryan seemed to happen. Don't let that dissuade you, because the story is so much more than that. Yes, it seems like a whirlwind romance, the kind you only see in a movie, but the things that happen to Ryan and Hadley are anything but a fairy tale. Needless to say, with the exception of Hadley's best friend Alex, everyone else is totally against these two being together. Her manager doesn't like it, Ryan's parents don't like it, and Dylan especially doesn't like it. Then, when you throw the age thing in, it only adds fuel to a destructive flame, one that threatens to destroy any hope of a future together. I can't go into to many details about what happens and goes on in this story without spoiling it for you, and what I've told you so far is just the beginning. Heidi McLaughlin takes these characters down a road of love, heartache, difficult choices, sacrifice, separation, pain, joy, and freedom to love again, so trust me when I tell you this is not an "insta-love" fairy tale type of story, no matter what it seems in the beginning.
I really did enjoy Lost in You, despite my concerns when first starting it. I grew to really like both Ryan and Hadley, and though I liked Dylan in the beginning, I kind of grew to dislike her as the story progressed. I was very happy with with the ending, and with the bumpy rough road it took to get there. I thought Heidi McLaughlin did an excellent job in bringing everything together and closing it out. The ending is one of the main things that makes or breaks a book for me, and this ending was outstanding. If you are a contemporary romance fan, then Lost in You is something that is most definitely worth checking out.
May 9, 2013
I went into Lost in You expecting one thing and got something COMPLETELY different. And you know what? I really liked it. I thought this would be the regular romance we see all the time. Of course, some things would vary, but overall it wouldn't be too groundbreaking. Instead, this book completely veered off my expected course and made its way into new territory that at first kind of bothered me, but in the end won me over. I REALLY liked this book.
The premise is same old, same old. Boy, girl, fall in love, deal with it, blah blah blah. But the way this story is executed is different. Also, once this story reaches a certain point, that "same old, same old" thing I said? Does not apply AT ALL, making this story fresh and... more REAL.
Character Rundown:
Hadley: Goodness, I love her name. Hadley. Anyway. In my mind, I pictured Hadley as Taylor Swift. Just saying. Did I like Hadley? Meh. Sometimes. She seemed genuinely nice, and I liked that, but she did grate on my nerves a bit sometimes. Not as bad as some female characters do, though. So I guess that's a plus.
Ryan: He is so cute. Especially in the beginning. I admit, he was kind of boring before he met Hadley. And a protion of when he knew Hadley. But then, as time goes on and by the end of the story, he grows into this interesting, wonderful character that is just so great. Awww, Ryan. My boy.
Plot. I was completely surprised by the course this story took. I was expecting it to be a straight shot through to a happy ending, but...that is NOT what this book is. This story twisted in a way that I didn't imagine before I got to it, but pulled me in at a point where I think, otherwise, I would have started to get bored. So again, that's a plus. Also, this book is in dual POV, beginning and ending with my boy Ryan. I enjoyed this. Especially when I wanted to punch one of the characters in the face. Because then the POV would switch and I could calm myself. Mhm. Yeah.
Romance. Oh, there was swooning. But there was also insta-love. So...by the end of the book, the insta-love thing doesn't have much merit, but still. It was there. Doesn't change the fact that Hadley and Ryan are a cute couple. And when they weren't a couple, I wanted to bang my head against the wall screaming "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!" Seriously. Some things in here disappointed me. But those things also kept the story interesting, so...stalemate?
The ending. *stares* It's in Ryan's POV. That is all I will tell you.
Overall, Lost in You is a tastefully written and refreshing story. If you're looking for a contemporary romance that doesn't exactly follow the beaten path, but is still fulfilling, you should totally add Lost in You to your TBR.
You can find more from me on my blog: Just a Booklover
The premise is same old, same old. Boy, girl, fall in love, deal with it, blah blah blah. But the way this story is executed is different. Also, once this story reaches a certain point, that "same old, same old" thing I said? Does not apply AT ALL, making this story fresh and... more REAL.
Character Rundown:
Hadley: Goodness, I love her name. Hadley. Anyway. In my mind, I pictured Hadley as Taylor Swift. Just saying. Did I like Hadley? Meh. Sometimes. She seemed genuinely nice, and I liked that, but she did grate on my nerves a bit sometimes. Not as bad as some female characters do, though. So I guess that's a plus.
Ryan: He is so cute. Especially in the beginning. I admit, he was kind of boring before he met Hadley. And a protion of when he knew Hadley. But then, as time goes on and by the end of the story, he grows into this interesting, wonderful character that is just so great. Awww, Ryan. My boy.
Plot. I was completely surprised by the course this story took. I was expecting it to be a straight shot through to a happy ending, but...that is NOT what this book is. This story twisted in a way that I didn't imagine before I got to it, but pulled me in at a point where I think, otherwise, I would have started to get bored. So again, that's a plus. Also, this book is in dual POV, beginning and ending with my boy Ryan. I enjoyed this. Especially when I wanted to punch one of the characters in the face. Because then the POV would switch and I could calm myself. Mhm. Yeah.
Romance. Oh, there was swooning. But there was also insta-love. So...by the end of the book, the insta-love thing doesn't have much merit, but still. It was there. Doesn't change the fact that Hadley and Ryan are a cute couple. And when they weren't a couple, I wanted to bang my head against the wall screaming "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!" Seriously. Some things in here disappointed me. But those things also kept the story interesting, so...stalemate?
The ending. *stares* It's in Ryan's POV. That is all I will tell you.
Overall, Lost in You is a tastefully written and refreshing story. If you're looking for a contemporary romance that doesn't exactly follow the beaten path, but is still fulfilling, you should totally add Lost in You to your TBR.
You can find more from me on my blog: Just a Booklover
June 16, 2020
4.5⭐️
Hadley is a famous singer,with loving parents, a best friend Alex who is loyal to death and a manager,Ian, who is also her uncle, who is a complete bastard.
Ryan is from a humble family, with very old-fashioned parents, an abusive father and a submissive mother.
Ryan goes to Hadley’s concert bc his best friend Dylan asks him to. And from the first moment Ryan and Hadley’s eyes meet, they know that their lives will change forever. The biggest obstacle for them is the age difference, which is not much, only 5 years, but the problem is that Ryan is a minor, he is 17. And although that makes Hadley want to take things slowly regarding sex, otherwise she is overturned from the first minute. She knows that Ryan is THE ONE for her. Their courtship is tender, sweet, based on holding hands, sneak encounters where they open their hearts and a few kisses. For Ryan she is his first kiss, his first girlfriend and it is touching to see him insecure when it comes to take the lead. Their relationship is almost all by distance due to Hadley’s work, but as soon s Ryan’s father and Hadley’s uncle find out about them, each of them do everything to separate them and they succeed.
My 💔for them.
Ryan comforts in Dylan, to whom I do not have much affection, since she took advantage of the situation and waste no time to seduce him, and Ryan, wanting escape for his pain, starts a relationship with her, although it only lasted a few months.
Hadley, to keep his uncle happy and with her shattered in a thousand pieces, pretend to go back with Cole, her ex(her first love until she catches him in bed with another girl),or else her uncle will leak Ryan’s name to the press and ruin his live forever. And although Cole proves to be a great support for her, she is unable to resume her relationship with him since her heart still belongs to Ryan.
There have been things that I did not like in the plot, I really hoped that the reunion and the return of these 2 would be somewhat longer, and some other detail, in general lines is a book I recommend, although notice that it can make you 😭.
Why can’t things in my life just go as I imagined? Ryan and I getting to know each other, finding out if this connection I’m feeling is real or just my imagination. No, it’s not my imagination. The pull is there. I feel it, that magnetic force that people always talk about. I felt it the moment we made eye contact from across the room.
I haven’t a clue where all these feelings are coming from, but I know it’s Hadley. She’s bringing them out of me. I just don’t know how to control them. For having just met her, I’m feeling like I’ve known her for years.
“Have no doubt that I want this between us,” I whisper so prying ears beyond this door can’t hear what I’m about to tell him. “Have no doubt that I want to feel you pressed against me, to let you explore and learn what your touch does to me. As much as it pains me to not touch you and claim you publicly–to tell the world that I’ve found someone that I want to spend every conceivable moment with, even after two days–we have to be cautious and act as if we’re friends. Trust me, it’s killing me. People always say you know when you’ve found that one person and I know, without a doubt, you’re the one. “We just have to be careful. There’s going to be a day when we can do this and not have to worry about the consequences.” “I can’t help myself, Hadley. I look at you and I imagine things that I want to do and try with you. I’ve never had these types of thoughts about anyone until I met you, until you let me kiss you.”
I’ve never seen someone so pretty, at least not like her. I’ve never thought of Dylan as pretty, I guess maybe she is. I know guys at school think she is, but to me she’s just Dylan. But when I look at Hadley, I want to get lost in her as if she’s my salvation.
“I’m in love with you, Ryan. What I feel for you, it’s different from anything I’ve ever felt before. From the moment I saw you, I knew I had to have you in my life. Whether we were just going to be friends or more, it didn’t matter because not knowing you wasn’t an option for me. That night after my show, you were sitting in the corner and all it took was one look and I felt this flood of heat and desire go through me, like I was on fire. “You ask why you, but I’m saying why not you. You have the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. I could spend hours looking at them. I love how your cheeks turn just the right shade of pink when I touch you. I love the way your hands make me feel, even when it’s something as simple as holding my hand. I don’t care that you live in a rundown house or don’t drive a fancy car. None of that matters as long as I have you. You’re the one I want to be with. I don’t care about your clothes, your money, or some fancy house. I’d gladly give all that up just for you. “This past week has been torture for me, not being able to talk to you and when we do talk things are strained. I found out a lot of things this week, things that apparently I did and didn’t do. This is why Ian is being the way he is. I’m trying to figure things out, but I need for you to be patient and help me. I need to know that at the end of my shitty day, my boyfriend is on the other end of the phone listening to me vent and cry. I need you to love me for me and not who I am on the stage or in the papers.”
“Hadley?” She turns and looks at me, before turning back and taking keys from the desk clerk. She doesn’t look at me again as she walks toward the door of the police station flanked by Jessica and a man I don’t know. She turns briefly before exiting, but gives me no sign that everything will be okay. The door slams, sealing her off from me. Guys don’t cry. Yet here I am, crying like a damn baby because my girlfriend just dumped me. She dumped me.
I’ve never seen someone so pretty, at least not like her. I’ve never thought of Dylan as pretty, I guess maybe she is. I know guys at school think she is, but to me she’s just Dylan. But when I look at Hadley, I want to get lost in her as if she’s my salvation.
For the first time I’m really looking at her and she’s pretty, beautiful. For the first time I look at her, really look at who Dylan Ross is, and I’m very thankful that she’s in my life. She’s bringing all my emotions to the surface with the way she touches me and the new me really, really likes that. This is different from the way I’ve felt before. She’s making me feel good, making me forget.
“You haven’t had a healthy relationship since her.” “Our relationship was good.” Dylan scoffs. “No it wasn’t. I took advantage of you and you know it. You just don’t want to admit it. We were always better off as friends.”
He steps forward, close enough that I can smell his cologne. His hands encase my cheeks so fast I don’t know what’s happening. Before I can react, his lips are on mine and I’m giving him all the access he wants. I’m no longer in control of my body. It’s taken over and submitted to him. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. I’m not. I’m so not sorry that he just kissed me and hate that he is. “I just had to know.” “Know what?” “If you’re the one.”“Ryan,” she whispers. “When I close my eyes, I see you. I’ve seen you since I was eighteen years old. I knew you were the one for me. If you would’ve asked me months ago if it was possible for me to find my soul mate, my answer would’ve been no. But you walked back into my life and I’m not willing to take any chances.
Hadley is a famous singer,with loving parents, a best friend Alex who is loyal to death and a manager,Ian, who is also her uncle, who is a complete bastard.
Ryan is from a humble family, with very old-fashioned parents, an abusive father and a submissive mother.
Ryan goes to Hadley’s concert bc his best friend Dylan asks him to. And from the first moment Ryan and Hadley’s eyes meet, they know that their lives will change forever. The biggest obstacle for them is the age difference, which is not much, only 5 years, but the problem is that Ryan is a minor, he is 17. And although that makes Hadley want to take things slowly regarding sex, otherwise she is overturned from the first minute. She knows that Ryan is THE ONE for her. Their courtship is tender, sweet, based on holding hands, sneak encounters where they open their hearts and a few kisses. For Ryan she is his first kiss, his first girlfriend and it is touching to see him insecure when it comes to take the lead. Their relationship is almost all by distance due to Hadley’s work, but as soon s Ryan’s father and Hadley’s uncle find out about them, each of them do everything to separate them and they succeed.
My 💔for them.
Ryan comforts in Dylan, to whom I do not have much affection, since she took advantage of the situation and waste no time to seduce him, and Ryan, wanting escape for his pain, starts a relationship with her, although it only lasted a few months.
Hadley, to keep his uncle happy and with her shattered in a thousand pieces, pretend to go back with Cole, her ex(her first love until she catches him in bed with another girl),or else her uncle will leak Ryan’s name to the press and ruin his live forever. And although Cole proves to be a great support for her, she is unable to resume her relationship with him since her heart still belongs to Ryan.
There have been things that I did not like in the plot, I really hoped that the reunion and the return of these 2 would be somewhat longer, and some other detail, in general lines is a book I recommend, although notice that it can make you 😭.
Why can’t things in my life just go as I imagined? Ryan and I getting to know each other, finding out if this connection I’m feeling is real or just my imagination. No, it’s not my imagination. The pull is there. I feel it, that magnetic force that people always talk about. I felt it the moment we made eye contact from across the room.
I haven’t a clue where all these feelings are coming from, but I know it’s Hadley. She’s bringing them out of me. I just don’t know how to control them. For having just met her, I’m feeling like I’ve known her for years.
“Have no doubt that I want this between us,” I whisper so prying ears beyond this door can’t hear what I’m about to tell him. “Have no doubt that I want to feel you pressed against me, to let you explore and learn what your touch does to me. As much as it pains me to not touch you and claim you publicly–to tell the world that I’ve found someone that I want to spend every conceivable moment with, even after two days–we have to be cautious and act as if we’re friends. Trust me, it’s killing me. People always say you know when you’ve found that one person and I know, without a doubt, you’re the one. “We just have to be careful. There’s going to be a day when we can do this and not have to worry about the consequences.” “I can’t help myself, Hadley. I look at you and I imagine things that I want to do and try with you. I’ve never had these types of thoughts about anyone until I met you, until you let me kiss you.”
I’ve never seen someone so pretty, at least not like her. I’ve never thought of Dylan as pretty, I guess maybe she is. I know guys at school think she is, but to me she’s just Dylan. But when I look at Hadley, I want to get lost in her as if she’s my salvation.
“I’m in love with you, Ryan. What I feel for you, it’s different from anything I’ve ever felt before. From the moment I saw you, I knew I had to have you in my life. Whether we were just going to be friends or more, it didn’t matter because not knowing you wasn’t an option for me. That night after my show, you were sitting in the corner and all it took was one look and I felt this flood of heat and desire go through me, like I was on fire. “You ask why you, but I’m saying why not you. You have the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. I could spend hours looking at them. I love how your cheeks turn just the right shade of pink when I touch you. I love the way your hands make me feel, even when it’s something as simple as holding my hand. I don’t care that you live in a rundown house or don’t drive a fancy car. None of that matters as long as I have you. You’re the one I want to be with. I don’t care about your clothes, your money, or some fancy house. I’d gladly give all that up just for you. “This past week has been torture for me, not being able to talk to you and when we do talk things are strained. I found out a lot of things this week, things that apparently I did and didn’t do. This is why Ian is being the way he is. I’m trying to figure things out, but I need for you to be patient and help me. I need to know that at the end of my shitty day, my boyfriend is on the other end of the phone listening to me vent and cry. I need you to love me for me and not who I am on the stage or in the papers.”
“Hadley?” She turns and looks at me, before turning back and taking keys from the desk clerk. She doesn’t look at me again as she walks toward the door of the police station flanked by Jessica and a man I don’t know. She turns briefly before exiting, but gives me no sign that everything will be okay. The door slams, sealing her off from me. Guys don’t cry. Yet here I am, crying like a damn baby because my girlfriend just dumped me. She dumped me.
I’ve never seen someone so pretty, at least not like her. I’ve never thought of Dylan as pretty, I guess maybe she is. I know guys at school think she is, but to me she’s just Dylan. But when I look at Hadley, I want to get lost in her as if she’s my salvation.
For the first time I’m really looking at her and she’s pretty, beautiful. For the first time I look at her, really look at who Dylan Ross is, and I’m very thankful that she’s in my life. She’s bringing all my emotions to the surface with the way she touches me and the new me really, really likes that. This is different from the way I’ve felt before. She’s making me feel good, making me forget.
“You haven’t had a healthy relationship since her.” “Our relationship was good.” Dylan scoffs. “No it wasn’t. I took advantage of you and you know it. You just don’t want to admit it. We were always better off as friends.”
He steps forward, close enough that I can smell his cologne. His hands encase my cheeks so fast I don’t know what’s happening. Before I can react, his lips are on mine and I’m giving him all the access he wants. I’m no longer in control of my body. It’s taken over and submitted to him. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. I’m not. I’m so not sorry that he just kissed me and hate that he is. “I just had to know.” “Know what?” “If you’re the one.”“Ryan,” she whispers. “When I close my eyes, I see you. I’ve seen you since I was eighteen years old. I knew you were the one for me. If you would’ve asked me months ago if it was possible for me to find my soul mate, my answer would’ve been no. But you walked back into my life and I’m not willing to take any chances.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2013
This was another book that was pretty YA for me, but I again ended up liking the story and most of the characters.
Ryan Stone is just a boy in a small town with his future mapped out for him, graduate, stay in the small town and work at the mill just like his dad. However, this isn't what Ryan wants, he sees his parents and wants to do something different. Ryan's parents eat, work and go to church, not much else and they don't have a heck of a lot to do with him. He is a handsome yet shy guy, with his lack of family money and hand me down clothes, he just doesn't feel he fits in.
Ryan has a best friend Dylan, who is a girl. They met in the sixth grade and have been besties ever sense. Dylan is the one to get Ryan out of his house and doing normal teenage things, like going to concerts and staying out late. Dylan and Ryan end up meeting Hadley Carter, America's pop princess, who decides she needs to know more about him.
Hadley is on tour with a stop 2 hours away from Ryan's home town. She is smitten with him and decides to make sure she meets him and they can get some alone time. Although he is very shy, Ryan spends time with Hadley and they decide they like each other. I think hers is lust and his is being starstruck because they do the one thing I hate and become an item after a few days. Of course Hadley has to get back to her tour, which leaves Ryan back to his boring home life.
Other than geography, there is another reason Hadley and Ryan can't be together and it puts a strain on any type of relationship they may actually have. He still needs to finish high school and she needs to get out from under the thumb of her Uncle/Manager that tries to thwart her every move to be with him.
While I liked the ways these two tried to stay together, I didn't like the mid-section of the story with Ryan and Dylan, because it made the ending not as believable (trying not to post spoilers). I also thought there should have been a bit more background with Ryan's father. For instance, what made him the way he was with his own son, as we were left kind of guessing that.
The book takes you through a few years to see what happens with Ryan, Dylan and Hadley which I thought helped bring everything to a close. Good book well written.
Ryan Stone is just a boy in a small town with his future mapped out for him, graduate, stay in the small town and work at the mill just like his dad. However, this isn't what Ryan wants, he sees his parents and wants to do something different. Ryan's parents eat, work and go to church, not much else and they don't have a heck of a lot to do with him. He is a handsome yet shy guy, with his lack of family money and hand me down clothes, he just doesn't feel he fits in.
Ryan has a best friend Dylan, who is a girl. They met in the sixth grade and have been besties ever sense. Dylan is the one to get Ryan out of his house and doing normal teenage things, like going to concerts and staying out late. Dylan and Ryan end up meeting Hadley Carter, America's pop princess, who decides she needs to know more about him.
Hadley is on tour with a stop 2 hours away from Ryan's home town. She is smitten with him and decides to make sure she meets him and they can get some alone time. Although he is very shy, Ryan spends time with Hadley and they decide they like each other. I think hers is lust and his is being starstruck because they do the one thing I hate and become an item after a few days. Of course Hadley has to get back to her tour, which leaves Ryan back to his boring home life.
Other than geography, there is another reason Hadley and Ryan can't be together and it puts a strain on any type of relationship they may actually have. He still needs to finish high school and she needs to get out from under the thumb of her Uncle/Manager that tries to thwart her every move to be with him.
While I liked the ways these two tried to stay together, I didn't like the mid-section of the story with Ryan and Dylan, because it made the ending not as believable (trying not to post spoilers). I also thought there should have been a bit more background with Ryan's father. For instance, what made him the way he was with his own son, as we were left kind of guessing that.
The book takes you through a few years to see what happens with Ryan, Dylan and Hadley which I thought helped bring everything to a close. Good book well written.
May 10, 2013
WELL Heidi McLaughlin has once again written something YOU all need to get your hands on!
Ryan Stone is just a normal kid, well as normal as one can be who just does what he needs to maybe one day get our of Brookfield. Until he meets famous music star, Hadley! Things will change for the both. But will they be looking for the same thing? Will there be love lost, wrong decisions made or will have fate brought two different people together?!!
Loved it! Just loved it! I don’t even l know how to express how I felt so I am going to do my best! I loved…no ADORED Ryan. I really liked is qualities, someone I think I really should have looked for in high school and hope my girls look for in a guy now! Hadley was well, super awesome to read! She was cute, loveable and all the awesome things you want to see in a girl. I loved them together it was heart gripping! Made me smile, and made for a page-turner!
You will be getting so much form this book! Watching two people grow, and struggle through love and live with each other and their friends. I loved the BFF’s in this one as well, they are for sure the type friends we all want or all need! They are the ones that are your opposites but in a good way; you are quite they are loud, you are less outgoing they are more outgoing! We all know them, or need them! You will be addicted, and want to grow and take the journey with Ryan and Hadley in this one.
Heidi really made a beautiful story and made me feel for all the characters in this one! I TRULY love when a story pulls me in and makes me FEEL everything that is happening, it makes me feel like I am ACTUALLY in the story and Heidi did that. And I loved it, so hard to explain I just love books that really make me feel connected too them kind of like put me in a new world for a while……if you know what I mean?!!
This is a REMAKEABLE read for all ages and all ages will love it!
Ryan Stone is just a normal kid, well as normal as one can be who just does what he needs to maybe one day get our of Brookfield. Until he meets famous music star, Hadley! Things will change for the both. But will they be looking for the same thing? Will there be love lost, wrong decisions made or will have fate brought two different people together?!!
Loved it! Just loved it! I don’t even l know how to express how I felt so I am going to do my best! I loved…no ADORED Ryan. I really liked is qualities, someone I think I really should have looked for in high school and hope my girls look for in a guy now! Hadley was well, super awesome to read! She was cute, loveable and all the awesome things you want to see in a girl. I loved them together it was heart gripping! Made me smile, and made for a page-turner!
You will be getting so much form this book! Watching two people grow, and struggle through love and live with each other and their friends. I loved the BFF’s in this one as well, they are for sure the type friends we all want or all need! They are the ones that are your opposites but in a good way; you are quite they are loud, you are less outgoing they are more outgoing! We all know them, or need them! You will be addicted, and want to grow and take the journey with Ryan and Hadley in this one.
Heidi really made a beautiful story and made me feel for all the characters in this one! I TRULY love when a story pulls me in and makes me FEEL everything that is happening, it makes me feel like I am ACTUALLY in the story and Heidi did that. And I loved it, so hard to explain I just love books that really make me feel connected too them kind of like put me in a new world for a while……if you know what I mean?!!
This is a REMAKEABLE read for all ages and all ages will love it!
May 18, 2013
Tiene suerte que la primera parte fue decente porque sino se hubiese llevado sus una/dos estrella/s pol' pecho.
Bueno, leí por unas reviews que la segunda parte del libro se pone mejor. Bullsht. Al principio estaba bien, romanticón, sí; un poco ridículo, sí; pero bien ¿saben? Y entonces se "separaron" (not an actual spoiler) y todo fue... meh. Era como si la autora realmente no supiera donde quería llevar la historia. No tenía idea de qué rayos estaba planeando, y no es como que "¡oh! ¡Qué sorpresa!" porque adiviné todo (TODO) lo que iba a pasar antes, sino era más como la forma de escribir todo que te dejaba como "¿para qué leo esto?". La única forma en la que lo puedo describir es que la escritora no sabía bien qué coño estaba haciendo, hacia el final se le ocurrió la idea y no pensó en cambiar nada de lo que ya había escrito.
Oh... y el final. Es ese cliché que sólo puedes quedarte como "*eyes rolling*". Y ya. No me pareció emocionante. Ni especialmente romántico. Ni nada. Sólo pensaba "oh, qué original, ajá".
Ryan era el virgen más virgen de los vírgenes y en su primera vez hizo más que Travis en todo Beautiful Disaster. No sé como me siento sobre eso.
No me gusta pensar en los libros como una pérdida de tiempo... pero definitivamente lo hice con este. No sé porqué. No es tan malo. Sólo fue decepcionante como todo empezó bien y terminó tan mal.
Bueno, leí por unas reviews que la segunda parte del libro se pone mejor. Bullsht. Al principio estaba bien, romanticón, sí; un poco ridículo, sí; pero bien ¿saben? Y entonces se "separaron" (not an actual spoiler) y todo fue... meh. Era como si la autora realmente no supiera donde quería llevar la historia. No tenía idea de qué rayos estaba planeando, y no es como que "¡oh! ¡Qué sorpresa!" porque adiviné todo (TODO) lo que iba a pasar antes, sino era más como la forma de escribir todo que te dejaba como "¿para qué leo esto?". La única forma en la que lo puedo describir es que la escritora no sabía bien qué coño estaba haciendo, hacia el final se le ocurrió la idea y no pensó en cambiar nada de lo que ya había escrito.
Oh... y el final. Es ese cliché que sólo puedes quedarte como "*eyes rolling*". Y ya. No me pareció emocionante. Ni especialmente romántico. Ni nada. Sólo pensaba "oh, qué original, ajá".
Ryan era el virgen más virgen de los vírgenes y en su primera vez hizo más que Travis en todo Beautiful Disaster. No sé como me siento sobre eso.
No me gusta pensar en los libros como una pérdida de tiempo... pero definitivamente lo hice con este. No sé porqué. No es tan malo. Sólo fue decepcionante como todo empezó bien y terminó tan mal.
May 14, 2013
This book was good. It's a different take a celebrity who falls for a "regular" kid. Hadley is America's pop princess. She loves to sing and perform, but craves normalcy when it comes to relationships. Ryan is a 17-year-old high school senior whose parents have sheltered him from everything all things normal. No sports, no TV, no music, no friends. Except for Dylan. She's his only friend. Dylan wins tickets and backstage passes to one of Hadley's concerts. When Ryan and Hadley see each other backstage, sparks literally fly. And they'll do anything they can to get to know each other better. Only problem, Ryan is 17 (a minor) and Hadley is 22. They start a secret relationship in hopes of making it to Ryan's 18th birthday before their relationship goes public. Well sh*t hits the fan and Hadley signs a no contact agreement in order to protect Ryan. Effectively shattering his heart.
Both Hadley and Ryan try their best to move on. But after time, they realize that once you've found your true soulmate, no one else can compare. Years after their relationship ended abruptly, they run into each other in NYC. Can they pick up where they left off? Or is it too late for them to have a chance at a happily ever after? You'll have to read to find out! :)
Both Hadley and Ryan try their best to move on. But after time, they realize that once you've found your true soulmate, no one else can compare. Years after their relationship ended abruptly, they run into each other in NYC. Can they pick up where they left off? Or is it too late for them to have a chance at a happily ever after? You'll have to read to find out! :)
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