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Wait for You #3
Stay with Me
At 21, Calla hasn’t done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.
But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she'd left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.
Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom.
But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she'd left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.
Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom.
448 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2014
About the author
Jennifer L. Armentrout
124 books113k followersHey Guys! Please note: I don't send out ARCs for review. If you're interested in reviewing a book of mine before release date, please contact the appropriate publisher. I also do NOT check my Goodreads email.
To email me, please use the below addy.
jenniferlarmentrout@live.com
# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.
To email me, please use the below addy.
jenniferlarmentrout@live.com
# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become of passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was a Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that features over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more.
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September 27, 2014
4.5 Stars!!
JLA is a master at writing New Adult. She does it so well. Stay with Me is the fourth book in her series and it’s actually one of my favorites. No one can top Cam and his cookies, but Jax was pretty damn close. Holy hot alpha male! This was not only sweet, steamy and funny, but it had some drama, grit and angst, too.
Calla is friends with Teresa who is Cam’s little sister. She’s the quiet one. She has a past that she doesn’t like to talk about. It’s not been an easy life for her and she’s got the scars to prove it. Calla is on the right track with her life. She’s put her past behind her and is looking forward to her future. She’s determined to achieve her goals.
Calla has to focus on the future. Her past is ugly. She doesn't’ want to be anything like the woman who raised her.
Things are going right along until Calla’s past comes back to bite her in a big way. After her mom royally screws her by stealing all her college money then doing a disappearing act, she’s stuck going back to the one place she thought she’d never go. Home.
When she gets to her family’s bar, the last thing she expects to see is a handsome bartender. She hasn’t been here in a while, but still. Guys like that do not work at places like this. Jax and Calla are drawn to each other immediately. Jax knows all the bad things Calla’s mother is into, and is determined to get her out of that town, or at the very least keep her safe while she’s here.
What can I even say about Jax? Jax felt like a mini-new adult KA alpha. Which is a compliment in the highest regards. As much as I did like Calla, Jax completely made this book!
Jax is sexy, he is sweet and the way he treats Calla made me melt. When he looks at her, he doesn’t see the scarred girl that she sees. He sees beauty.
I found Calla to be a very likable character. She’s had an extremely hard life, and she’s chosen a better path. I love the way Jax was able to get her to open up, to try new things. It was also fantastic to catch up with the rest of the crew. There were quite a few Cam, Avery, Jase and Teresa scenes!
Stay with Me is not only a beautiful romance between two scarred people, it’s a tale of accepting yourself. There was steam, emotional parts, sweet parts, drama, and lots of action! It was one heck of a ride. So why not 5? There really is just one main reason it didn’t hit the 5 star mark for me. It was a little on the longish side, and although most of the story was fast paced, there were a few parts that lagged. Overall- I found this to be an endearing story and it’s one I would recommend to new adult fans!
JLA is a master at writing New Adult. She does it so well. Stay with Me is the fourth book in her series and it’s actually one of my favorites. No one can top Cam and his cookies, but Jax was pretty damn close. Holy hot alpha male! This was not only sweet, steamy and funny, but it had some drama, grit and angst, too.
Calla is friends with Teresa who is Cam’s little sister. She’s the quiet one. She has a past that she doesn’t like to talk about. It’s not been an easy life for her and she’s got the scars to prove it. Calla is on the right track with her life. She’s put her past behind her and is looking forward to her future. She’s determined to achieve her goals.
my goals- the three F’s
Finish college.
Find a career in the nursing field.
Finally reap the benefits of following through on something.
Calla has to focus on the future. Her past is ugly. She doesn't’ want to be anything like the woman who raised her.
Things are going right along until Calla’s past comes back to bite her in a big way. After her mom royally screws her by stealing all her college money then doing a disappearing act, she’s stuck going back to the one place she thought she’d never go. Home.
When she gets to her family’s bar, the last thing she expects to see is a handsome bartender. She hasn’t been here in a while, but still. Guys like that do not work at places like this. Jax and Calla are drawn to each other immediately. Jax knows all the bad things Calla’s mother is into, and is determined to get her out of that town, or at the very least keep her safe while she’s here.
“I want to make sure you’re safe since you’re staying for... however long. And being here by yourself isn’t safe, so I’m going to make it safe for you.”
What can I even say about Jax? Jax felt like a mini-new adult KA alpha. Which is a compliment in the highest regards. As much as I did like Calla, Jax completely made this book!
“I like you, Calla. Yeah, I’ve only known you a couple of days. But you’ve made me laugh. I can also tell you’re nice and sweet when you wanna be. I think you’re cute as hell and you make me hard. You’ve made me hard a couple of times in the last seventy-some-odd hours and I gotta say that’s not a bad thing. I want to fuck you, and all I need to want to do that with you is to like you. It’s really not that hard to get from point A to point C on that, honey.”
Jax is sexy, he is sweet and the way he treats Calla made me melt. When he looks at her, he doesn’t see the scarred girl that she sees. He sees beauty.
“I used to be really pretty. See? I used-”
“There is no ‘used’ to be. You’re really fucking pretty now.”
I found Calla to be a very likable character. She’s had an extremely hard life, and she’s chosen a better path. I love the way Jax was able to get her to open up, to try new things. It was also fantastic to catch up with the rest of the crew. There were quite a few Cam, Avery, Jase and Teresa scenes!
Stay with Me is not only a beautiful romance between two scarred people, it’s a tale of accepting yourself. There was steam, emotional parts, sweet parts, drama, and lots of action! It was one heck of a ride. So why not 5? There really is just one main reason it didn’t hit the 5 star mark for me. It was a little on the longish side, and although most of the story was fast paced, there were a few parts that lagged. Overall- I found this to be an endearing story and it’s one I would recommend to new adult fans!
Want to read
May 3, 2013Brittany's story!!!!
March 29, 2017
Once I start a series I love, I am like a dog with a bone. I can't let it go until I've read them all. Calla was introduced in book two, "Be With Me." She is Teresa's college roommate and friend. 'Friend' being the operative word, as in high school she was never referred to as anyone's 'girlfriend,' because no guy would ever ask her out. She is twenty-one years old, and has yet to experience her first kiss.
Right out of the gate, Calla had my heart. She was the girl in high school whom classmates enjoyed teasing. You see, there is a very noticeable scar that runs the length of her left cheek. It has been there since age ten after a horrific event which changes her and her families life forever. Needing to get away from it all, she enters a college nursing program hours away from home.
Only one year left until graduating from college, Calla learns her savings account has been drained, and she knows just who the culprit is. Mona. Her drugged out, drunken excuse of a mother. Calla packs up and heads back home hoping she can at least recover some of the money stolen from her. She walks into the bar her mother owns only to learn she left two weeks ago, crazed out of her mind, and hasn't been seen or heard from since. Standing behind the bar to greet her is the hottest, sexiest man she has ever met. The way he grins and laughs totally does her in. Surprisingly, shocking her actually, he asks her out. She can hardly believe this eye-candy hunk genuinely seems attracted to her.
Jax is one smooth, p.u.r.e. to the core male. Confidence runs through his veins and he has the art of flirting down pat. 'Bossy' could also be his middle name. He has been working behind the bar of Mona's for two years, when one night, in walks a very pretty woman and sits down at as his bar. Yeah, he sees the scar running down her cheek, but all he really sees is how hot she is. Only problem is her mother is Mona. Mona is trouble, and since trouble follows trouble, he knows Calla is in danger if word gets out she is back home.
Jax warns Calla to leave town! She doesn't listen to him! Unfortunately, she should have!
If anyone ever needed a knight in shining armor, it is Calla, and Jax makes it his mission in life to be that knight and a whole lot more.
While this book is much longer in length than the others so far in this series, I was never bored. I was frustrated at times, but was also invested in both Calla and Jax's relationship to keep me turning the pages.
September 30, 2014
+5 JAX STARS
"I like you."
"What?"
"I like you,"
"You don't know me."
"What I know of you I like."
Wow what an amazing book!!!I can't even express how much I loved it!!!It was definitely one of the best book I have read for this year!! This series just gets better and better!!I didn't want this book to end!! I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite books from this series!!! In the beginning I thought Avery and Cam were my favorite couple, but I was wrong!!This book was so emotional and powerful...and the plot was much better!!!I think Jax's and Calla's story touched me more!!Also what made me love it more is that Jax reminds me a little heroes from Kristen Ashley's books!!He was so alpha male and the way he cares and want to protect Calla....*sigh*
Please guys don't shoot me....So far I had in my top book boyfriends Cam!But after reading this book....my heart melted for Jax!!So now he is on top :))) He is irresistable!!!I fell in love with him from the begining!!
"When I want something,I go for it.Life is way too damn short to live any other way.And I want to get to know you better."
Calla has been through a lot in her past life and she is scarred emotionally and physically.She chose to be close to herself!She is in college now and her goals are to finish nursing school and find a decent job!When something bad happened(her mother took from her account the money she has for the college) she must go back in her town to find her mother but instead of finding her mother she will find Jax a hot barman who works in her mother's bar!
OMG I need to say more about Jax????????He is amazing!!!!He is so alpha male!!He is hot,protective and so sweet!! I like the way he treats Calla!!!He tries to show her that her scars is nothing and she mustn't feel ashamed of her scars!
."It's my problem, because it's your problem."
And Calla is sweet,funny.The chemistry between them was so good!!!I wanted them together from the beginning!!They were so adorable and sweet!
I loved the meaning of this story!!!I liked see Calla finally accept herself how she is with her scars!And this happened with Jax help!Of course there were many hot moments to keep more my interest!!
I love so much J.Lynn's writing!!!She is amazing!!!Each book is so beautiful written!!! I'm sure all J Lynn's fans will enjoy this book as much as I did !!!It was emotional,sexy,sweet,fun, and simply beautiful!I'm so in love with this series!!I can't wait for the next book!! <3
"I like you."
"What?"
"I like you,"
"You don't know me."
"What I know of you I like."
Wow what an amazing book!!!I can't even express how much I loved it!!!It was definitely one of the best book I have read for this year!! This series just gets better and better!!I didn't want this book to end!! I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite books from this series!!! In the beginning I thought Avery and Cam were my favorite couple, but I was wrong!!This book was so emotional and powerful...and the plot was much better!!!I think Jax's and Calla's story touched me more!!Also what made me love it more is that Jax reminds me a little heroes from Kristen Ashley's books!!He was so alpha male and the way he cares and want to protect Calla....*sigh*
Please guys don't shoot me....So far I had in my top book boyfriends Cam!But after reading this book....my heart melted for Jax!!So now he is on top :))) He is irresistable!!!I fell in love with him from the begining!!
"When I want something,I go for it.Life is way too damn short to live any other way.And I want to get to know you better."
Calla has been through a lot in her past life and she is scarred emotionally and physically.She chose to be close to herself!She is in college now and her goals are to finish nursing school and find a decent job!When something bad happened(her mother took from her account the money she has for the college) she must go back in her town to find her mother but instead of finding her mother she will find Jax a hot barman who works in her mother's bar!
OMG I need to say more about Jax????????He is amazing!!!!He is so alpha male!!He is hot,protective and so sweet!! I like the way he treats Calla!!!He tries to show her that her scars is nothing and she mustn't feel ashamed of her scars!
."It's my problem, because it's your problem."
And Calla is sweet,funny.The chemistry between them was so good!!!I wanted them together from the beginning!!They were so adorable and sweet!
I loved the meaning of this story!!!I liked see Calla finally accept herself how she is with her scars!And this happened with Jax help!Of course there were many hot moments to keep more my interest!!
I love so much J.Lynn's writing!!!She is amazing!!!Each book is so beautiful written!!! I'm sure all J Lynn's fans will enjoy this book as much as I did !!!It was emotional,sexy,sweet,fun, and simply beautiful!I'm so in love with this series!!I can't wait for the next book!! <3
June 10, 2016
5 Staying Stars!
I love J. Lynn. I love Jennifer L. Armentrout. Doesn't matter what name she's writing under, I almost always love her books. Stay With Me is no exception.
Calla has a problem. She needs to finish her final year of college to obtain her nursing degree, and everything was going along fine. Until her mom cleaned out her college fund. And then took out over $100,000 worth of credit card debt in her name. Yikes!
Calla returns home to the town and bar she thought she'd never see again, and there she meets Jax. Jax is the sexy bartender working at her mother's bar, Mona's, and he's interested in Calla. Way interested. Together, the two of them search for Calla's mom who has gone missing, and along the way, find a connection in each other.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I did a giant happy dance when I got home from work and the Amazon package was sitting there with this puppy inside.
I started reading immediately and didn't put this one down for the next 24 hours or so. Why 24 hours? Well I have to work some time people! That and this book was surprisingly long. Almost 450 pages of awesomeness!
Calla is a heroine that I adore. Everything she's been through has caused her to cut herself off from life and people, in an effort to protect herself. I found her to be so brave with all of the trials and tribulations she went up against in this book, and holy shit did she have more than a plateful in this book. It was almost disturbing how much the author liked to kick Calla when she was down. Enough already! We get it, shitty things happen to Calla. Back off JLA!
Jax.... oh Jax. ***giant sigh***.
This was a man to bring home to mom. (Well not Calla's mom, but you know). He reminded me a bit of Kristen Ashley's alpha males. He didn't let anyone push him around, and more importantly he didn't let anyone push Calla around and stood up for her time and time again. Yes, he messed up a little along the way, but those were understandable misunderstandings (does that even make sense?).
The first book will probably always be my favorite, so that's still the best one in the series. But Stay With Me runs a close 2nd place, because I'm still recovering from the whiplash that was Be With Me.
My only complaint was sometimes JLA got a little too hip with her descriptions, if that's possible. It no longer became cute to read things that didn't even make sense. Like "Holy granola bar". Um, what? Where the F*** did that come from? It's cute a couple of times, but it happened quite a bit. Too much, but that's just my opinion.
Can we have a Reece and Roxy story please?
I love J. Lynn. I love Jennifer L. Armentrout. Doesn't matter what name she's writing under, I almost always love her books. Stay With Me is no exception.
Calla has a problem. She needs to finish her final year of college to obtain her nursing degree, and everything was going along fine. Until her mom cleaned out her college fund. And then took out over $100,000 worth of credit card debt in her name. Yikes!
Calla returns home to the town and bar she thought she'd never see again, and there she meets Jax. Jax is the sexy bartender working at her mother's bar, Mona's, and he's interested in Calla. Way interested. Together, the two of them search for Calla's mom who has gone missing, and along the way, find a connection in each other.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I did a giant happy dance when I got home from work and the Amazon package was sitting there with this puppy inside.
I started reading immediately and didn't put this one down for the next 24 hours or so. Why 24 hours? Well I have to work some time people! That and this book was surprisingly long. Almost 450 pages of awesomeness!
Calla is a heroine that I adore. Everything she's been through has caused her to cut herself off from life and people, in an effort to protect herself. I found her to be so brave with all of the trials and tribulations she went up against in this book, and holy shit did she have more than a plateful in this book. It was almost disturbing how much the author liked to kick Calla when she was down. Enough already! We get it, shitty things happen to Calla. Back off JLA!
Jax.... oh Jax. ***giant sigh***.
This was a man to bring home to mom. (Well not Calla's mom, but you know). He reminded me a bit of Kristen Ashley's alpha males. He didn't let anyone push him around, and more importantly he didn't let anyone push Calla around and stood up for her time and time again. Yes, he messed up a little along the way, but those were understandable misunderstandings (does that even make sense?).
The first book will probably always be my favorite, so that's still the best one in the series. But Stay With Me runs a close 2nd place, because I'm still recovering from the whiplash that was Be With Me.
My only complaint was sometimes JLA got a little too hip with her descriptions, if that's possible. It no longer became cute to read things that didn't even make sense. Like "Holy granola bar". Um, what? Where the F*** did that come from? It's cute a couple of times, but it happened quite a bit. Too much, but that's just my opinion.
Can we have a Reece and Roxy story please?
September 27, 2014
Full review to come when— or rather *if*— I ever recover from the atrocious writing.... Not since the 3rd grade have I read a novel which utilized such a limited vocabulary & word set. The word "holy" appears in this novel 43 times— possibly more times than it appears in a standard Presbyterian hymnal. The words "baby" and "ass" are each used 74 times. (I actually began highlighting these overly used & abused words & expressions after coming across the word "ass" 7 times on a single page & 3 times within the same short 4-sentence-long paragraph).... However, the real doozy is the following: The word "stomach" appears in this novel a WHOPPING 90 times!!! WHY? I'm really not quite sure, since the parts of the story that should repeatedly mention the word "stomach" occur only towards the novel's end. I do have my theories, however, & I'll expound on these theories *if* I can ever muster the will-power to write a full review.
In short: This novel is written on a 3rd-grade reading level. For a novel that is supposed to cover some very serious themes, the writing is just way too immature. I was under the impression that I was picking up a novel about a 21-year old woman. Instead, the heroine's inner monologue resembled that of a prepubescent girl, & I found much of the hero's behavior towards the heroine troubling, cruel & unhealthy.
*0.5/5 stars*
Status Update from 9/23/14: Only 10% of the way through, & I'm already considering waving the white flag. Surrendering. DNF'ing. The opening chapters make me want to slam my head against the bedside table— let's call it "self-induced amnesia"— whatever it takes to black out everything that I've read up until this point.... I sympathize with the character Calla; I truly do. I admire her tenacity & her resolve. She's led a very difficult life, & in that sense, I honestly CAN empathize..... The entire novel is told solely from Calla's POV, & although I do respect this character, I'm doubtful that I can spend 450 pages inside her head, all the while keeping my own sanity intact in the process.
The writing in the opening paragraphs leaves a lot to be desired. IMO, it's the weakest writing that I've seen thus far from JLA. There’s something that happens very early in the novel— something that the author uses as a vehicle to move the plot forward. I don't find these turn of events the least bit believable. It's over-the-top drama at best, & it just doesn’t make sense for this sort of thing to happen to Calla— a 21-year old woman who is estranged from her entire family & who is therefore self-sufficient, independent, intelligent, driven & highly responsible. Would you do it? NO?!? I didn't think so... and herein lies my problem with this story. The plot device moving the storyline forward is illogical, nonsensical & asinine. A person has to be extremely daft to allow such a thing happen, & I certainly don't believe that Calla is daft. It's the unbelievability factor that's turning me off more than anything. SORRY, JLA, BUT I'M JUST NOT DRINKING THE KOOL AID. :(
Clarification of the spoiler above:
In short: This novel is written on a 3rd-grade reading level. For a novel that is supposed to cover some very serious themes, the writing is just way too immature. I was under the impression that I was picking up a novel about a 21-year old woman. Instead, the heroine's inner monologue resembled that of a prepubescent girl, & I found much of the hero's behavior towards the heroine troubling, cruel & unhealthy.
*0.5/5 stars*
Status Update from 9/23/14: Only 10% of the way through, & I'm already considering waving the white flag. Surrendering. DNF'ing. The opening chapters make me want to slam my head against the bedside table— let's call it "self-induced amnesia"— whatever it takes to black out everything that I've read up until this point.... I sympathize with the character Calla; I truly do. I admire her tenacity & her resolve. She's led a very difficult life, & in that sense, I honestly CAN empathize..... The entire novel is told solely from Calla's POV, & although I do respect this character, I'm doubtful that I can spend 450 pages inside her head, all the while keeping my own sanity intact in the process.
The writing in the opening paragraphs leaves a lot to be desired. IMO, it's the weakest writing that I've seen thus far from JLA. There’s something that happens very early in the novel— something that the author uses as a vehicle to move the plot forward. I don't find these turn of events the least bit believable. It's over-the-top drama at best, & it just doesn’t make sense for this sort of thing to happen to Calla— a 21-year old woman who is estranged from her entire family & who is therefore self-sufficient, independent, intelligent, driven & highly responsible. Would you do it? NO?!? I didn't think so... and herein lies my problem with this story. The plot device moving the storyline forward is illogical, nonsensical & asinine. A person has to be extremely daft to allow such a thing happen, & I certainly don't believe that Calla is daft. It's the unbelievability factor that's turning me off more than anything. SORRY, JLA, BUT I'M JUST NOT DRINKING THE KOOL AID. :(
Clarification of the spoiler above:
September 26, 2014
Here is the link to a Sneak Preview of Stay with Me (the first 7 chapters:
https://www.facebook.com/NewAdultBook...
Here is a link to chapter 1 and 2 of Stay with Me U.K. version
http://romancefestival.wordpress.com/...
New Teaser with Jax/Calla!
Jax caught my arm. “You’re forgetting something.”
“What?”
The half grin appeared as he turned his hand around my arm, tugging me toward him. I bit down on my lip as I stumbled forward, having no idea what he was about. I got close to him, close enough that when he reached down to a cubbyhole, his arm brushed my thigh.
“Got to wear an apron when you’re out there.”
My brows rose as I stared at the half apron. “Seriously?”
He jerked his chin at Pearl. I sighed when I saw she had one tied around her waist, and then snatched it from him.“Whatever.”
“It goes great with your shirt.”
I rolled my eyes.
Jax laughed. “Let me help.”
“The last time I checked, I can tie an apron without—” I gaped at him. Somehow theapron was back in his hand and his other hand landed on my hip, startling me. “What are you doing?”
“Helping you out.” He bent his head toward my left ear, and I immediately turned my cheek. “Jumpy?” he asked.
I shook my head, finding that I had no idea how to form syllables, and that was embarrassing.
Without saying a word, he turned me around so my back was to his front, and then he slipped an arm between his waist and mine. I didn’t dare move.
“You can breathe, you know.” His arm trailed across my lower stomach, setting off a chain of flutters, as he spread the apron.
“I’m breathing,” I forced out.
Amusement colored his tone. “You sure about that, honey?”
“Yeah.”
Pearl entered the bar just then, carrying a tray of clean glasses. She arched her brows inour direction. “Getting hands-on, Jackie boy?”
“Jackie boy?” I mumbled.
Jax chuckled not too far from my ear. “Tying knots is hard.”
Here is a Teaser I saw for Stay with Me:
“Already explained that, honey, but I’ll explain something else to you. When I want something, I go for it. Life is way too damn short to live any other way. And I want to get to know you better,” Those lashes lowered one more time, his gaze tracking to my lips like they were some kind of mecca. “Yeah, I want to definitely get to know you better.”~Jennifer Armentrout, Stay with Me
TEASER 2
Here is the Link to another teaser when Jax and Calla first meet and it is quite the introduction:
http://avonromance.com/post/excerpt-r...
This is the same excerpt at another site:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...
Teaser
https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArm...
I thought Brandon and Calla were going to get a story but this Jax guy sounds interesting and the teasers have all been good.
In case anyone doesn't know. Britt/Ollie have a short story called Believe in Me that is feature in the Anthology Fifty First Times. It came out on February 25th. Ollie and Britts story was really good and not filled with drama. There were some other good stories in the Anthology. I really liked Under the Seryn Moon and Daylight as well.
Here is the link on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Here is the Link on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-First-Tim...
May 23, 2015
4 Stars
Calla had the perfect life until a fire destroyed her and her family. While the physical scars are obvious, no one knows about the mental scars she keeps hidden. While she has met some great people she calls friends she has never opened up about her past, in fact she has been lying about it. Although, she feels guilty lying to her friends the most important thing is her three F’s:
"Finish college.
Find a career in the nursing field.
Finally reap the benefits of following through on something.”
No she hasn’t a boyfriend, a first kiss, or been drunk, but she is on track to complete the F’s. At the end of the Spring semester her world is blown apart again when she is asked to meet with Financial Aid, and learns all of her money is gone and her check bounced. Deciding she must go home to find what is going on with her strung out mother, she returns home after three years and meets Jax.
Jax is working at Mona’s, the bar owned by Calla’s mother, when she meets him. He is the definition of hot, and doesn’t seem to be put off by the scars on her face. Not knowing how to treat a guy when is so blatantly pursing her, she ignores it.
Calla is on a mission, she needs to find her mom and find out what to do for her senior year.
I have loved this series and I was so excited for this installment.
I loved Calla and her inner thoughts, I loved that she was real, and I really loved that she calmed herself down and thought things out rationally. Typically the female character will drive me crazy obsessing about things or running away, but Calla actually had moments she wanted to run but stayed because she knew it was the smart thing to do. I really liked Jax. I loved the way he made Calla feel, and I loved the sexy times they had - J. Lynn writes some pretty hot scenes.
So why not 5 stars? Well, this one felt pretty long to me, it dragged in some places and some things didn’t feel necessary. I can’t go into too much detail on the scenes that didn’t feel necessary, without giving away spoilers, but I think after reading it most can guess. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it and the series for others.
And just because: "Oh my God, guys that read were like unicorns. They only existed in fairy tales”
Calla had the perfect life until a fire destroyed her and her family. While the physical scars are obvious, no one knows about the mental scars she keeps hidden. While she has met some great people she calls friends she has never opened up about her past, in fact she has been lying about it. Although, she feels guilty lying to her friends the most important thing is her three F’s:
"Finish college.
Find a career in the nursing field.
Finally reap the benefits of following through on something.”
No she hasn’t a boyfriend, a first kiss, or been drunk, but she is on track to complete the F’s. At the end of the Spring semester her world is blown apart again when she is asked to meet with Financial Aid, and learns all of her money is gone and her check bounced. Deciding she must go home to find what is going on with her strung out mother, she returns home after three years and meets Jax.
Jax is working at Mona’s, the bar owned by Calla’s mother, when she meets him. He is the definition of hot, and doesn’t seem to be put off by the scars on her face. Not knowing how to treat a guy when is so blatantly pursing her, she ignores it.
Calla is on a mission, she needs to find her mom and find out what to do for her senior year.
I have loved this series and I was so excited for this installment.
I loved Calla and her inner thoughts, I loved that she was real, and I really loved that she calmed herself down and thought things out rationally. Typically the female character will drive me crazy obsessing about things or running away, but Calla actually had moments she wanted to run but stayed because she knew it was the smart thing to do. I really liked Jax. I loved the way he made Calla feel, and I loved the sexy times they had - J. Lynn writes some pretty hot scenes.
So why not 5 stars? Well, this one felt pretty long to me, it dragged in some places and some things didn’t feel necessary. I can’t go into too much detail on the scenes that didn’t feel necessary, without giving away spoilers, but I think after reading it most can guess. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it and the series for others.
And just because: "Oh my God, guys that read were like unicorns. They only existed in fairy tales”
August 13, 2020
This book is just outstanding. I laughed many times because Calla is such an adorable character. She is really sweet, cute, and responsible. Even though she has terrible parents, she choose good path for herself. Now Jax is also an interesting character. He is confident, bossy but also very caring. The way he loved and protected Calla is extraordinary.
I needed more scene with Uncle Clyde and Calla, cause that man is just a pure soul. His conversation with Calla was always sweet and when he called her babygirl, it was freaking cute. He is the father figure she needed.
This book is a bit longer but I never was bored. The suspenseful plot was really good.
I needed more scene with Uncle Clyde and Calla, cause that man is just a pure soul. His conversation with Calla was always sweet and when he called her babygirl, it was freaking cute. He is the father figure she needed.
This book is a bit longer but I never was bored. The suspenseful plot was really good.
February 2, 2017
I so want to rant because i so need too... but first things first. I LOVE THIS SERIES. And I loved Calla & Jax's story. I couldn't wait to get Calla's story. And dang did I get one. Calla hasn't had many first times. Never had a kiss, never fell in love, and never went to an amusement park. Never saw a beach. Never had anyone 'touch' her. I could keep on going....
To say she's had a rough past would actually be kind. She's had a tragic past, nothing pretty about it at all. She's ready to face the past when her mom does the ultimate unthinkable to her. When she gets back home to where she grew up, she realizes that things are worse than she anticipated. This is when she meets Jax, the guy running her moms bar. This guy instantly catches her attention, the man that makes her feel things for the very first time in her life. As things starts to grow between them, and when Jax makes it clear that he doesn’t only want her as a friend, things will get even more confusing for her. This story, gosh my heart broke for Calla. Like seriously the things that happened to her, good lord... how much can the poor girl take. And seriously that bi*ch Miss Poconos Aimee Grant, with an i and two e's. Seriously
I can't begin to list the things that happen to Calla & Jax. But at the end of this roller coaster ride, I definitely can not wait to get more to this couple in the future books of this series. I enjoyed this book even though I shook my head and cringed for poor Calla and all the thrown stones and all the constant things she had to face. Love that this book gave us yet another amazing couple.
looking forward to Roxy's book next!!!
To say she's had a rough past would actually be kind. She's had a tragic past, nothing pretty about it at all. She's ready to face the past when her mom does the ultimate unthinkable to her. When she gets back home to where she grew up, she realizes that things are worse than she anticipated. This is when she meets Jax, the guy running her moms bar. This guy instantly catches her attention, the man that makes her feel things for the very first time in her life. As things starts to grow between them, and when Jax makes it clear that he doesn’t only want her as a friend, things will get even more confusing for her. This story, gosh my heart broke for Calla. Like seriously the things that happened to her, good lord... how much can the poor girl take. And seriously that bi*ch Miss Poconos Aimee Grant, with an i and two e's. Seriously
I can't begin to list the things that happen to Calla & Jax. But at the end of this roller coaster ride, I definitely can not wait to get more to this couple in the future books of this series. I enjoyed this book even though I shook my head and cringed for poor Calla and all the thrown stones and all the constant things she had to face. Love that this book gave us yet another amazing couple.
looking forward to Roxy's book next!!!
September 7, 2017
4,5 Sterne!
Die Reihe wird mit jedem Buch besser. Ich hab Calla und Jax geliebt <3 ( das stellenweise intensive Rumgejammer hat dann doch einen halben Stern gekostet, aber wer kann sich über 4,5 beschweren?) Ich hätte nie erwartet, wie rau und düster die Atmosphäre in dem Buch ist. Ehrlich gesagt habe ich eine ganz gewöhnliche College-New Adult Geschichte erwartet aber HOLLA - das war es ganz und gar nicht!! Endlich mal etwas Anderes! Und unheimlich spannend und wunderschön.
Riesige Empfehlung!
Die Reihe wird mit jedem Buch besser. Ich hab Calla und Jax geliebt <3 ( das stellenweise intensive Rumgejammer hat dann doch einen halben Stern gekostet, aber wer kann sich über 4,5 beschweren?) Ich hätte nie erwartet, wie rau und düster die Atmosphäre in dem Buch ist. Ehrlich gesagt habe ich eine ganz gewöhnliche College-New Adult Geschichte erwartet aber HOLLA - das war es ganz und gar nicht!! Endlich mal etwas Anderes! Und unheimlich spannend und wunderschön.
Riesige Empfehlung!
February 10, 2017
Review on January 28th, 2017
Stay with Me is the love story of Jax and Calla; oddly, they haven't shown up in the previous instalments in the series. Calla is actually Avery and Cam's college friend while Jax is a total stranger in the beginning of the book. What makes this story different from other sequels in the saga is that Jax has the most unbelievable secret in his mind and when it's revealed, everything has changed.
In order not to spoil you guys, I won't say much about their relationship because the entire plot is all about revealing the truth.
The only thing I must remind you is that when you're at about CHAPTER 33, () PLEASE DO REMEMBER LISTENING TO Say Something by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera!!!!!! That's the first song coming to mind and the specific scene fits the lyrics flawlessly. It's probably the best portrait of the song I've ever seen.
Last but not least, just because I skip many delicious details on Jalla's story doesn't mean it's not worth reading. So please, whether you like Cam&Avery, Jase&Tess, or other couples in this series, you don't want to miss this one!!! Jax and Calla's story touches my heart deeply and I'll never forget them.
What are you waiting for? Go pick it up right now!
Instant review on December 9th, 2016
Okay. This is official. IT'S THE BEST BOOK IN THE SERIES SO FAR AND I CAN'T EVEN.
"There's something about that...it drew me in, Calla. Fuck. I fell for you before you even knew my name."
Stay with Me is the love story of Jax and Calla; oddly, they haven't shown up in the previous instalments in the series. Calla is actually Avery and Cam's college friend while Jax is a total stranger in the beginning of the book. What makes this story different from other sequels in the saga is that Jax has the most unbelievable secret in his mind and when it's revealed, everything has changed.
"Like I said, you're safe with me. Whenever. Seriously. Whatever you want to explore, you'll always be safe with me."
In order not to spoil you guys, I won't say much about their relationship because the entire plot is all about revealing the truth.
The only thing I must remind you is that when you're at about CHAPTER 33, () PLEASE DO REMEMBER LISTENING TO Say Something by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera!!!!!! That's the first song coming to mind and the specific scene fits the lyrics flawlessly. It's probably the best portrait of the song I've ever seen.
Last but not least, just because I skip many delicious details on Jalla's story doesn't mean it's not worth reading. So please, whether you like Cam&Avery, Jase&Tess, or other couples in this series, you don't want to miss this one!!! Jax and Calla's story touches my heart deeply and I'll never forget them.
The circumstances sucked and were crazy, but I did have my mom to thank for this--for Jax. Our relationship turned out to be a very bright silver lining in a sad, dark cloud.
What are you waiting for? Go pick it up right now!
Instant review on December 9th, 2016
Okay. This is official. IT'S THE BEST BOOK IN THE SERIES SO FAR AND I CAN'T EVEN.
January 30, 2018
Das Buch war wie immer typisch J. Lynn! Super unterhaltsam, sowohl zum Lachen als auch zum weinen. Ich mochte unsere Charaktere, auch wenn ich kurz verwirrt war, wo der Zusammenhang zu unseren beiden vorherigen Pärchen ist, die übrigens auch beide in diesem Buch mehrmals auftreten 👍🏻 man merkt hier auch endgültig, dass J. Lynn auch schon bevor sie als Jennifer L. Armentrout "Deadly ever after" geschrieben hat, gerne in die Richtung "sexy Crime" ging. Das fand ich auch echt gut und spannend umgesetzt. Auch wenn es wirklich seeeeehr dramatisch war, so alles in allem. Hat mich aber trotzdem gut unterhalten. Das einzige was mich dann gestört hat war das Ende... irgendwie blieben bei mir noch ein zwei Fragen offen, was mich ja immer etwas nervt 🤷🏼♀️ aber dann kamen ja noch hintendrein die zwei Bonuskapitel von Cam und Avery aus Band 1 und ich sag nur "haaaach" so herrlich schön kitschig 😍 freu mich auch schon arg auf Band 4, weil wir unsere dortige Protagonistin auch schon in diesem Band kennengelernt haben und den Loveinterest ebenso und die zwei waren hier schon so niedlich im Umgang miteinander, das wird interessant 🙈
November 15, 2022
Today marks a day that I thought would never come... Thought would never happen... Today is the day I read a Jla book and didn't love it.
This book had me saying "What the F am I reading" at least once every chapter.
We have my first issue and that's Calla,the tormented girl with the dark past. Then there's my second problem, Jax, the slore turned nice guy. And then there's my final issue, the whole plot line. Calla is boring, cliche, and uninteresting in every since of the word. She often describes herself as dumb, and I have to agree. I thought she was. Jax looks-wise is all you'll ever want in a man. He even comes with a sexy back story. But that's pretty much all I liked about him. That and he said "Honey" a lot, which I found oddly sexy. Besides that I didn't connect with either characters. Jennifer writes characters that time and time again I've fallen in love with, and if this was any other writer I would have given this book a lower ranting and thrown into my DNF file. Everything from the way they met, to the secrets that "build" their relationship was a big turn off for me. Found it all rather tacky.
Jax from the start, though hot, is gross. He basically just short of pulls out his P on the girl and verbally assault her to get her into him. Yes he turns out to be more likeable by the end but not a whole like more. I think the whole "my face has a scar" thing with Calla was taken WAY to far! It was brought up, one too many times aka every two seconds. I also think I saw someone say that it was too highlighted that Calla must look like this blushing virgin, and I think that description hits the nail on the head. She is this super good girl whose never done anything with her life. Ya girls never even eaten pie... Like come on B they sell that at publix and I know you work near a Walmart and there's not a single one of those that isn't a super store now... Go to the Deli section and get yourself a pie and stop crying!
Then there's the intro of these random characters that are even more pointless than this plot line.
Aimee, Jax sorta Ex, only exists to make Calla jealous, me angry, and as a failed attempt at a plot twist. There are with that plot twist other failed plot twist, THAT YOU WILL SEE COMING FROM A MILE AWAY!!!! The whole story is a bunch of thrown together small stories, that try to build this bigger crazy story, but then falls flat on it's face. Also sidenote: there was no real point in her mom, you really could have completely erased any and everything about her and the story would have held up the same. Everything about this story to me just didn't play out well. Jla has finally let me down, and it freaking sucks!
This is the book I'm just going to straight pretend Jla didn't write. If someone mentions it I'm going to play Calla and be super clueless and naive. I'm all up for girls relying somewhat on a man (IN STORIES!!!) but when all is said and done I like my leading ladies standing on their own two feet with no one holding them up. Calla could have been this character, but instead needed the semi stalker Jax to do her work for her. Sigh just Sigh.
We have my first issue and that's Calla,the tormented girl with the dark past. Then there's my second problem, Jax, the slore turned nice guy. And then there's my final issue, the whole plot line. Calla is boring, cliche, and uninteresting in every since of the word. She often describes herself as dumb, and I have to agree. I thought she was. Jax looks-wise is all you'll ever want in a man. He even comes with a sexy back story. But that's pretty much all I liked about him. That and he said "Honey" a lot, which I found oddly sexy. Besides that I didn't connect with either characters. Jennifer writes characters that time and time again I've fallen in love with, and if this was any other writer I would have given this book a lower ranting and thrown into my DNF file. Everything from the way they met, to the secrets that "build" their relationship was a big turn off for me. Found it all rather tacky.
Jax from the start, though hot, is gross. He basically just short of pulls out his P on the girl and verbally assault her to get her into him. Yes he turns out to be more likeable by the end but not a whole like more. I think the whole "my face has a scar" thing with Calla was taken WAY to far! It was brought up, one too many times aka every two seconds. I also think I saw someone say that it was too highlighted that Calla must look like this blushing virgin, and I think that description hits the nail on the head. She is this super good girl whose never done anything with her life. Ya girls never even eaten pie... Like come on B they sell that at publix and I know you work near a Walmart and there's not a single one of those that isn't a super store now... Go to the Deli section and get yourself a pie and stop crying!
Then there's the intro of these random characters that are even more pointless than this plot line.
Aimee, Jax sorta Ex, only exists to make Calla jealous, me angry, and as a failed attempt at a plot twist. There are with that plot twist other failed plot twist, THAT YOU WILL SEE COMING FROM A MILE AWAY!!!! The whole story is a bunch of thrown together small stories, that try to build this bigger crazy story, but then falls flat on it's face. Also sidenote: there was no real point in her mom, you really could have completely erased any and everything about her and the story would have held up the same. Everything about this story to me just didn't play out well. Jla has finally let me down, and it freaking sucks!
This is the book I'm just going to straight pretend Jla didn't write. If someone mentions it I'm going to play Calla and be super clueless and naive. I'm all up for girls relying somewhat on a man (IN STORIES!!!) but when all is said and done I like my leading ladies standing on their own two feet with no one holding them up. Calla could have been this character, but instead needed the semi stalker Jax to do her work for her. Sigh just Sigh.
September 30, 2014
2 DISAPPOINTING STARS
I'm the odd one out on this book.
This is the least favorite of the series for me, it felt too long--I skimmed several times--too laced with slang and the heroine was annoying. The best thing about this book? Jackson James. He was a great hero and almost seemed too perfect but he made the book for me--aside from the fact he was a very KA hero, not a bad thing but not JLA.
Calla was ok, if I looked past her tendency to say, "holy"**insert slang**. Holy shit on a cracker was a popular one for her and that's alright if it's sporadic but she said things like that too often making her look immature and silly. I completely empathized with her issues and her past, she wasn't always annoying. But she was a bit too much with her gasping over anything Jax said.
Heroines that do stupid things when it's obvious to everyone and their dog it's stupid, really bother me. Coming home to deal with the huge debt her mom had left her was the beginning of her life changing. But refusing to see that she needed help at first considering her childhood home was essentially a drug house, was downright childish. She did improve mind you, so that's good. But the book was too long and the ending was resolved a little conveniently. After all the stuff that happened and all the drama, things tied up too perfectly. And it wasn't realistic at all.
And although I really liked Jax, the way he dealt . He definitely made up for it, but give me a break, he could have handled that better.
Anyways, I liked seeing Cam and Avery, Jace and Teresa...they're great friends. The ending was a little open and didn't answer some questions, like . I'm sure we'll find out in the next book, but this was on a whole quite disappointing for me, So 2 stars.
I'm the odd one out on this book.
This is the least favorite of the series for me, it felt too long--I skimmed several times--too laced with slang and the heroine was annoying. The best thing about this book? Jackson James. He was a great hero and almost seemed too perfect but he made the book for me--aside from the fact he was a very KA hero, not a bad thing but not JLA.
Calla was ok, if I looked past her tendency to say, "holy"**insert slang**. Holy shit on a cracker was a popular one for her and that's alright if it's sporadic but she said things like that too often making her look immature and silly. I completely empathized with her issues and her past, she wasn't always annoying. But she was a bit too much with her gasping over anything Jax said.
Heroines that do stupid things when it's obvious to everyone and their dog it's stupid, really bother me. Coming home to deal with the huge debt her mom had left her was the beginning of her life changing. But refusing to see that she needed help at first considering her childhood home was essentially a drug house, was downright childish. She did improve mind you, so that's good. But the book was too long and the ending was resolved a little conveniently. After all the stuff that happened and all the drama, things tied up too perfectly. And it wasn't realistic at all.
And although I really liked Jax, the way he dealt . He definitely made up for it, but give me a break, he could have handled that better.
Anyways, I liked seeing Cam and Avery, Jace and Teresa...they're great friends. The ending was a little open and didn't answer some questions, like . I'm sure we'll find out in the next book, but this was on a whole quite disappointing for me, So 2 stars.
April 13, 2020
4.5 en realidad.
Sí, mi favorito sigue siendo el primero por el momento :)
Esta es la historia de Calla, ella es la mejor amiga de Teresa (prota del segundo libro) y está a punto de terminar este año de universidad. Ella se alejó de su hogar por muchas cosas que habían pasado, pero parece que no ha escapado lo suficiente. Resulta que su cuenta bancario ha quedado en números rojos por culpa de su madre y debe volver a casa en verano e intentar solucionar esto, pero no será fácil, ya que su madre está metida en movidas muy turbias con la droga. Allí empezará a trabajar en Mona´s, un bar que es propiedad de su madre para intentar reunir dinero para todas las deudas que ahora debe enfrentar y allí conoce a Jax, un chico que queda fascinado de Calla nada más verla, pero esta no le cree, ya que sobre su rostro hay una gran cicatriz que la marca y le hace creer que nadie se fijaría en ella por ello, pero Jax hará todo para demostrarle lo que significa para ella y más, ya que estará a su lado a pesar de todos los problemas que empiezan a rodear a Calla por culpa de su madre.
De verdad, me ha encantado esta historia. No tiene el 5 por un par de detalles que me han molestado y que no os puedo contar porque sería spoiler, pero por lo demás me ha parecido perfecto. Me mantuvo muy enganchada (aunque esto no me sorprende) y amé a Jax por completo. La historia de esta par ha sido muy apasionada y paciente. Suspiraba cada vez que estaban juntos.
También me flipa como se ha tocado los problemas del consumo de drogas y todo lo que llega a afectar a la vida de las personas.
Y por supuesto, ver a las anteriores parejas merodeando por aquí, viendo que siguen siendo una gran parte de la historia es maravilloso.
No me cansaré nunca de recomendar estos libros, una pena que no siguieran publicando esta saga en español.
Sí, mi favorito sigue siendo el primero por el momento :)
Esta es la historia de Calla, ella es la mejor amiga de Teresa (prota del segundo libro) y está a punto de terminar este año de universidad. Ella se alejó de su hogar por muchas cosas que habían pasado, pero parece que no ha escapado lo suficiente. Resulta que su cuenta bancario ha quedado en números rojos por culpa de su madre y debe volver a casa en verano e intentar solucionar esto, pero no será fácil, ya que su madre está metida en movidas muy turbias con la droga. Allí empezará a trabajar en Mona´s, un bar que es propiedad de su madre para intentar reunir dinero para todas las deudas que ahora debe enfrentar y allí conoce a Jax, un chico que queda fascinado de Calla nada más verla, pero esta no le cree, ya que sobre su rostro hay una gran cicatriz que la marca y le hace creer que nadie se fijaría en ella por ello, pero Jax hará todo para demostrarle lo que significa para ella y más, ya que estará a su lado a pesar de todos los problemas que empiezan a rodear a Calla por culpa de su madre.
De verdad, me ha encantado esta historia. No tiene el 5 por un par de detalles que me han molestado y que no os puedo contar porque sería spoiler, pero por lo demás me ha parecido perfecto. Me mantuvo muy enganchada (aunque esto no me sorprende) y amé a Jax por completo. La historia de esta par ha sido muy apasionada y paciente. Suspiraba cada vez que estaban juntos.
También me flipa como se ha tocado los problemas del consumo de drogas y todo lo que llega a afectar a la vida de las personas.
Y por supuesto, ver a las anteriores parejas merodeando por aquí, viendo que siguen siendo una gran parte de la historia es maravilloso.
No me cansaré nunca de recomendar estos libros, una pena que no siguieran publicando esta saga en español.
September 30, 2014
2.5-3 No Totes Ma Goats Stars
Well I think the moral of the story here chitlens is
Because the dead-beat mama story line just completely overwhelmed, consumed, and I felt took away from this book. Was this a drug story or a love story? But once again, I will digress lol. So this story focuses on Calla, who is Teresa Hamilton’s BFF. Calla has had one heck of a messed up past, and the devastating impact of these circumstances has not only affected her emotionally but physically. Calla’s craptastic mama drained her bank account forcing her to come home over the summer. When she is trying to sort shit out, she meets Jax at her mom’s bar. Jax is your hot, bad boy, alpha that is immediately taken with Calla.
So that’s cool, I am thinking, broken heroine and broken alpha hero find each other, fix one another, HEA, bada boom bada bing. Umm..
If that’s where the story stayed, I probably would have been ok, but shit just got like crazy weird. The over the top theatrics, in my opinion, took away from the core of a good story, ie, bad boy/good girl find love. All of this external shit that is introduced is like on steroids or something. So you got a crazy mama, sure ok? If you care for a preview of the drama, enter here I found myself skimming through those parts over and over.
Then you have friends right? Side characters. Even they were too much. Katie, her crazy ass stripper friend?? That’s where totes ma goats came from. Who says that? Don’t ever say that, like ever. That’s right up there with “moist” on shit you don’t say unless you want to get smacked or something.
Entering ex-gf drama..ok the ex-gf or ex-hookup still wants your man?
I felt, overall, this book had too much going on. And somehow, with an overload of crap, it felt very slow and long, dunno. No one will ever top Cam for me, ever, thus why if there is more to this series, maybe a book about Raphael and Michelangelo, I will not continue on. Unfortunately, this was not for me. I, ultimately, could not connect with either of the MC’s. The book did have some hot scenes but not enough to bring up the rating. I just thought it was meh, ok.
Well I think the moral of the story here chitlens is
Because the dead-beat mama story line just completely overwhelmed, consumed, and I felt took away from this book. Was this a drug story or a love story? But once again, I will digress lol. So this story focuses on Calla, who is Teresa Hamilton’s BFF. Calla has had one heck of a messed up past, and the devastating impact of these circumstances has not only affected her emotionally but physically. Calla’s craptastic mama drained her bank account forcing her to come home over the summer. When she is trying to sort shit out, she meets Jax at her mom’s bar. Jax is your hot, bad boy, alpha that is immediately taken with Calla.
So that’s cool, I am thinking, broken heroine and broken alpha hero find each other, fix one another, HEA, bada boom bada bing. Umm..
If that’s where the story stayed, I probably would have been ok, but shit just got like crazy weird. The over the top theatrics, in my opinion, took away from the core of a good story, ie, bad boy/good girl find love. All of this external shit that is introduced is like on steroids or something. So you got a crazy mama, sure ok? If you care for a preview of the drama, enter here I found myself skimming through those parts over and over.
Then you have friends right? Side characters. Even they were too much. Katie, her crazy ass stripper friend?? That’s where totes ma goats came from. Who says that? Don’t ever say that, like ever. That’s right up there with “moist” on shit you don’t say unless you want to get smacked or something.
Entering ex-gf drama..ok the ex-gf or ex-hookup still wants your man?
I felt, overall, this book had too much going on. And somehow, with an overload of crap, it felt very slow and long, dunno. No one will ever top Cam for me, ever, thus why if there is more to this series, maybe a book about Raphael and Michelangelo, I will not continue on. Unfortunately, this was not for me. I, ultimately, could not connect with either of the MC’s. The book did have some hot scenes but not enough to bring up the rating. I just thought it was meh, ok.
December 23, 2014
4.5 "I'm With You" Stars!
(BR with Sharon)
Calla Fritz is a 21 yr. old college student living in Shepherdstown, West Virginia attending Shepherd University. She is working on getting her degree in nursing & is close to graduating. Calla has lived a sheltered life, and has no experience with guys. As a result she is a bit boy crazy. She's never had a boyfriend, been on dates, or been in a relationship. She's never even been kissed. She has a scar on her face, and doesn't think she's beautiful anymore. Guys are always her friend and nothing more.
Calla is all about her goals. She wants to finish college & get a great job, & have the life she's always dreamed of. She's lived a hard life and has tried to get as far away from her past as possible. Unfortunately her past catches up with her when her tuition check bounces & all her money is gone. Her mom steals her money and she has to return to the small town she grew up in to try to fix the mess she's in. Her life severely veers off course when she arrives at her mom's bar Mona's, and her mom is MIA. She isn't sure what to do. She has no money, and all the sudden her perfectly planned future is up in the air.
When Calla arrives at Mona's she meets a hot bartender named Jackson James aka Jax. He is stunningly beautiful, and is one of the sexiest guys she's ever seen, even if he is a little bossy. Calla is practically drooling all over this yummy man, & is shocked when he openly is checking her out & flirting with her. He makes it very clear how attracted he is to her, and Calla can't believe this gorgeous man wants her. Calla shares her first kiss with Jax, and he makes her feel beautiful!
We get some drama when bad guys that are after her mom set their sights on Calla. Jax will do anything to protect her & falls hard for her. I really enjoyed this one & thought Jax was absolutely delicious!!! :D
-"When I want something, I go for it. Life is way too damn short to live any other way. And I want to get to know you better."
-"I think you like me, Jackson James."
-"Wow. Are you finally getting it?"
-"No. I think you really like me."
-"Yeah, babe, I really like you."
-The kiss...it was wet and deep and it wasn't good or nice. It was great and everything the romance books claimed kisses were. Jax tasted me. There were no other words to describe that kind of kiss.
-The kiss was sweet, it was careful and gentle. The tender sweep of his lips reached right down into my chest and squeezed my heart.
-I felt something else- something I hadn't felt in years. I felt cared for...cherished.
-God, I was so gone for him.
(BR with Sharon)
Calla Fritz is a 21 yr. old college student living in Shepherdstown, West Virginia attending Shepherd University. She is working on getting her degree in nursing & is close to graduating. Calla has lived a sheltered life, and has no experience with guys. As a result she is a bit boy crazy. She's never had a boyfriend, been on dates, or been in a relationship. She's never even been kissed. She has a scar on her face, and doesn't think she's beautiful anymore. Guys are always her friend and nothing more.
Calla is all about her goals. She wants to finish college & get a great job, & have the life she's always dreamed of. She's lived a hard life and has tried to get as far away from her past as possible. Unfortunately her past catches up with her when her tuition check bounces & all her money is gone. Her mom steals her money and she has to return to the small town she grew up in to try to fix the mess she's in. Her life severely veers off course when she arrives at her mom's bar Mona's, and her mom is MIA. She isn't sure what to do. She has no money, and all the sudden her perfectly planned future is up in the air.
When Calla arrives at Mona's she meets a hot bartender named Jackson James aka Jax. He is stunningly beautiful, and is one of the sexiest guys she's ever seen, even if he is a little bossy. Calla is practically drooling all over this yummy man, & is shocked when he openly is checking her out & flirting with her. He makes it very clear how attracted he is to her, and Calla can't believe this gorgeous man wants her. Calla shares her first kiss with Jax, and he makes her feel beautiful!
We get some drama when bad guys that are after her mom set their sights on Calla. Jax will do anything to protect her & falls hard for her. I really enjoyed this one & thought Jax was absolutely delicious!!! :D
-"When I want something, I go for it. Life is way too damn short to live any other way. And I want to get to know you better."
-"I think you like me, Jackson James."
-"Wow. Are you finally getting it?"
-"No. I think you really like me."
-"Yeah, babe, I really like you."
-The kiss...it was wet and deep and it wasn't good or nice. It was great and everything the romance books claimed kisses were. Jax tasted me. There were no other words to describe that kind of kiss.
-The kiss was sweet, it was careful and gentle. The tender sweep of his lips reached right down into my chest and squeezed my heart.
-I felt something else- something I hadn't felt in years. I felt cared for...cherished.
-God, I was so gone for him.
October 19, 2014
I am a huge fan of J. Lynn. She does NA and she does it well. I initially had to ponder this as I sometimes base a whole book on my issue with one character...I just could not do this here because she created young adult characters with angsty drama and gave them romantic tales with the perfect blend of heat and sweet. Exactly what I wanted.
So Cameron Hamilton started this series and held the bar so high. Well move over because Jackson James has arrived!
HEY BARTENDER! Just once I would love to jump into a book and become fictional!
Calla...you lucky gal, while I cant say you were "it" for me...or him, but I understood you!
In case you forget, she is the quite, shy friend. The awkward roomie who was always on the outside looking in. She has a mysterious past...and has the physical scars to prove the harsh affects of it. She covers her scars and she blends into college life as easily as the lies she tells.
When the ghosts of her past invade her present and halt her future she turns toward that past begrudgingly...she returns HOME. In the hunt to get her life back she is unprepared for the sexy, sweet talking Jax James to make her business his own! IF only she could let down her walls...
So what we have here is a bit of a tragic tale...Calla's life is basically in the hole! From financial hardships, familial loss, potential death threats, and a whole lotta WTF is going on in my life. We also have an amazing man who is sexy on the outside and truly beautiful on the inside. Jax and Calla have a fun, flirty attraction that develops sweetly and quite emotionally. OH THOSE KISSES...
I cannot say that Calla is the best heroine. I admit many will get irritated with her early and often...she is very naïve and she is a vortex of insecurity. I often lost my cool with her actions, but then Jax...oh Jax...melt the panties right off of ya! Dear lord...so sweet, so damn sexy...he made her feel safe, loved and beautiful with every word and touch! He alone is worth the time invested here!
So I enjoyed this...a lot! Cam and Avery still hold my heart for fave couple, but this story of Jax and Calla is probably my favorite! Perhaps the tone was a bit harsher, the conflict more dire, and the overall relationship more realistic than the previous tales. The NA tone was set well and the intimacy was done very well!
So Cameron Hamilton started this series and held the bar so high. Well move over because Jackson James has arrived!
HEY BARTENDER! Just once I would love to jump into a book and become fictional!
Calla...you lucky gal, while I cant say you were "it" for me...or him, but I understood you!
In case you forget, she is the quite, shy friend. The awkward roomie who was always on the outside looking in. She has a mysterious past...and has the physical scars to prove the harsh affects of it. She covers her scars and she blends into college life as easily as the lies she tells.
When the ghosts of her past invade her present and halt her future she turns toward that past begrudgingly...she returns HOME. In the hunt to get her life back she is unprepared for the sexy, sweet talking Jax James to make her business his own! IF only she could let down her walls...
So what we have here is a bit of a tragic tale...Calla's life is basically in the hole! From financial hardships, familial loss, potential death threats, and a whole lotta WTF is going on in my life. We also have an amazing man who is sexy on the outside and truly beautiful on the inside. Jax and Calla have a fun, flirty attraction that develops sweetly and quite emotionally. OH THOSE KISSES...
I cannot say that Calla is the best heroine. I admit many will get irritated with her early and often...she is very naïve and she is a vortex of insecurity. I often lost my cool with her actions, but then Jax...oh Jax...melt the panties right off of ya! Dear lord...so sweet, so damn sexy...he made her feel safe, loved and beautiful with every word and touch! He alone is worth the time invested here!
So I enjoyed this...a lot! Cam and Avery still hold my heart for fave couple, but this story of Jax and Calla is probably my favorite! Perhaps the tone was a bit harsher, the conflict more dire, and the overall relationship more realistic than the previous tales. The NA tone was set well and the intimacy was done very well!
September 29, 2014
Stay With Me is Calla's story. She goes to college with the rest of the gang from the prior books, that is, until she finds out her tuition check bounced and all her funds are gone. Determined to find out what happened, she takes off to the place she thought she'd never return.
Well, here I was thinking this was going to be another book like the rest but oh no, this book took a left turn down dark and dirty street. And get your mind out of the gutter, I'm not talking about sex (although that was quite yummy-licous), I'm talking drugs, violence and thugs. That's right, it was quite a wild ride.
Calla returns to her hometown to find her mom only it turns out, her mom's on the run from some very bad people. Since she's low on funds, she heads to her mom's bar to see if she can find anything out. To her surprised, the bar is in good shape, physically and financially, and it appears to be due to a very handsome bartender named Jax.
We find out that Jax is an ex marine who came to town at the advice of one of his friends, Reece, who just happens to be a police officer. Jax doesn't hesitate to let Calla know he's into her and into her in a big way. And that's really sexy!
Poor Calla, because of a horrible event in her childhood, she's left with some physical scars that have done quite a job on her mentally as well. So she's never really had a boyfriend or been kissed and she's twenty-one. Jax makes no bones about it that he's all set to remedy that. Calla can't imagine why he would be the least bit interested so she pushes him away. It always made me laugh when she just blurted out thing.
Intent on making her own way as much as possible, she goes to stay at her mom's house which unfortunately used to be the neighborhood drug house. Here's where I had the majority of my problems, not only is the house not safe but it's dirtier than hell and SHE NEVER CLEANS IT!! I digress, she does wash the sheets at least. I realize she doesn't have much money but she does have people willing to help her and that she can stay with. It just really creeped me out!
Anyway, so not only does Calla have to deal with her mom being on the run but now that the thugs know she's in town, they want her to find her mom...and they're not too nice about it. Luckily, Jax is all too willing to help her out. And when she doesn't want to think about those things, he knows exactly what to do to get her mind off of it. ;)
I really liked Jax...for the most part, however, there is one teeny, tiny bit that I didn't understand at. all. and it ends with a double E. Come on...how could he not know it wasn't okay? That was a real let down.
I did love that Cam, Avery, Teresa and Jase were included in the story quite a bit. I loved when the girls all opened up to each other and I loved how the guys were so protective!
Two shout-outs go to Calla's "Uncle" Clyde - who seemed like a big ol' teddy bear and I loved that he called her "Baby Girl" (I wanna go to taco night!) - and to Katie - OMG, she is sooo hilarious...the things that came out of her mouth! Gotta love it even if it did start to lose its charm towards the end. (BTW, what was going on with Nick? I'd like more of his story.)
The story focuses A LOT on Calla's scars and while I know it's something terrible to deal with, in the beginning, it was just too much. It really began to turn me off until things started to get steamy and then it became quite sweet and helped to understand where Jax was coming from.
Yes, this book is quite steamy. Calla can definitely check quite a few things off her list.
Overall, I really like the story and this series is one I really enjoy. I do hate that there wasn't an epilogue. I really needed some more happy at the end.
As far as who's story is next, I don't have a clue. All the friends at college are now paired up but we did get to meet a few new possible pairings in Calla's hometown...so who knows? I do know it will be good and I will definitely be reading it.
Favorite quotes
♥ “Well, my fantasies involving nurses in little white skirts just got a whole lot richer.”
♥ "He read? Oh my God, guys that read were like unicorns. They only existed in fairy tales."
♥ "great googley moogley"
♥ “So you like me? You really do?"
I groaned, cheeks heating. “Shut up.”
♥ “You are one of those women just born with a nice ass. No amount of workouts can create this ass.”
“That’s correct,” I said after a few seconds. “I think it was Big Macs and tacos that created that ass.”
♥ “You know what else I see? A physical reminder of how fucking strong you are, Calla, how fucking brave you are. That’s what I see when I look at your back. A map of how brave you are, your strength and your courage.”
♥ "I’m pretty sure your Long Island iced teas could kill people, but that’s okay.” His lips curved up on one side as his gaze held mine steadily. “I love your sense of humor and the fact you never ate grits before. There’s so much I love about you that I know I’m in love with you. So, honey, you can have all my shirts you want.”
♥ "Jase turned his head to me, brows raised. “If I liked guys—you know, swung that way, I’d get naked after that.”
♥ “You remembered my list of stupid things.” I sat up fully and he followed. I leaned in, pressing my forehead against him. “That makes you amazing.”
♦ BR w/Melissa!
(Prior to Review)
Ollie and Brittany's story ...or Calla's and...Brandon??
both please!!
Well, here I was thinking this was going to be another book like the rest but oh no, this book took a left turn down dark and dirty street. And get your mind out of the gutter, I'm not talking about sex (although that was quite yummy-licous), I'm talking drugs, violence and thugs. That's right, it was quite a wild ride.
Calla returns to her hometown to find her mom only it turns out, her mom's on the run from some very bad people. Since she's low on funds, she heads to her mom's bar to see if she can find anything out. To her surprised, the bar is in good shape, physically and financially, and it appears to be due to a very handsome bartender named Jax.
We find out that Jax is an ex marine who came to town at the advice of one of his friends, Reece, who just happens to be a police officer. Jax doesn't hesitate to let Calla know he's into her and into her in a big way. And that's really sexy!
Poor Calla, because of a horrible event in her childhood, she's left with some physical scars that have done quite a job on her mentally as well. So she's never really had a boyfriend or been kissed and she's twenty-one. Jax makes no bones about it that he's all set to remedy that. Calla can't imagine why he would be the least bit interested so she pushes him away. It always made me laugh when she just blurted out thing.
Intent on making her own way as much as possible, she goes to stay at her mom's house which unfortunately used to be the neighborhood drug house. Here's where I had the majority of my problems, not only is the house not safe but it's dirtier than hell and SHE NEVER CLEANS IT!! I digress, she does wash the sheets at least. I realize she doesn't have much money but she does have people willing to help her and that she can stay with. It just really creeped me out!
Anyway, so not only does Calla have to deal with her mom being on the run but now that the thugs know she's in town, they want her to find her mom...and they're not too nice about it. Luckily, Jax is all too willing to help her out. And when she doesn't want to think about those things, he knows exactly what to do to get her mind off of it. ;)
I really liked Jax...for the most part, however, there is one teeny, tiny bit that I didn't understand at. all. and it ends with a double E. Come on...how could he not know it wasn't okay? That was a real let down.
I did love that Cam, Avery, Teresa and Jase were included in the story quite a bit. I loved when the girls all opened up to each other and I loved how the guys were so protective!
Two shout-outs go to Calla's "Uncle" Clyde - who seemed like a big ol' teddy bear and I loved that he called her "Baby Girl" (I wanna go to taco night!) - and to Katie - OMG, she is sooo hilarious...the things that came out of her mouth! Gotta love it even if it did start to lose its charm towards the end. (BTW, what was going on with Nick? I'd like more of his story.)
The story focuses A LOT on Calla's scars and while I know it's something terrible to deal with, in the beginning, it was just too much. It really began to turn me off until things started to get steamy and then it became quite sweet and helped to understand where Jax was coming from.
Yes, this book is quite steamy. Calla can definitely check quite a few things off her list.
Overall, I really like the story and this series is one I really enjoy. I do hate that there wasn't an epilogue. I really needed some more happy at the end.
As far as who's story is next, I don't have a clue. All the friends at college are now paired up but we did get to meet a few new possible pairings in Calla's hometown...so who knows? I do know it will be good and I will definitely be reading it.
Favorite quotes
♥ “Well, my fantasies involving nurses in little white skirts just got a whole lot richer.”
♥ "He read? Oh my God, guys that read were like unicorns. They only existed in fairy tales."
♥ "great googley moogley"
♥ “So you like me? You really do?"
I groaned, cheeks heating. “Shut up.”
♥ “You are one of those women just born with a nice ass. No amount of workouts can create this ass.”
“That’s correct,” I said after a few seconds. “I think it was Big Macs and tacos that created that ass.”
♥ “You know what else I see? A physical reminder of how fucking strong you are, Calla, how fucking brave you are. That’s what I see when I look at your back. A map of how brave you are, your strength and your courage.”
♥ "I’m pretty sure your Long Island iced teas could kill people, but that’s okay.” His lips curved up on one side as his gaze held mine steadily. “I love your sense of humor and the fact you never ate grits before. There’s so much I love about you that I know I’m in love with you. So, honey, you can have all my shirts you want.”
♥ "Jase turned his head to me, brows raised. “If I liked guys—you know, swung that way, I’d get naked after that.”
♥ “You remembered my list of stupid things.” I sat up fully and he followed. I leaned in, pressing my forehead against him. “That makes you amazing.”
♦ BR w/Melissa!
(Prior to Review)
Ollie and Brittany's story ...or Calla's and...Brandon??
both please!!
April 6, 2016
I have LOVED this series, every book and guy in it. These books feature the "HOT GUY BRIGADE" (Calla's words not mine). Cam is the President (again according to Calla) because of his yummy looks and warm personality in Wait For Me. Jase is the lieutenant because of his "model good looks" and ability to make people feel "comfy" in Be With Me. Ollie gets a second to the lieutenant position for all his "antics", including leashing those adorable turtles, and his sexy ways! But just wait, because Jax has arrived and he has stolen the top position - at least he has for Calla and for me. Bet you'll agree.
Why? Oh Jax, I so love you.
A former Marine, Jax has a protective streak. And when Calla ends up in some serious trouble, he's all about keeping her safe. The boy can handle a gun and roll with the best of them. Speaking of safe, he's willing to be Call's safe place for all those things she's never tried. It takes her some time to trust him but he is so trustworthy. A nice guy with some bada$$ abilities, he's not perfect but he tries.
Something that he is perfect with is the kissing. He loves doing it and has perfected the art. Oh and cuddling, the boy's a cuddler, a snuggler. He's not so much a morning person, that's sleepy time but once he's awake it must be lovin' time. Did I mention how deeply he cares for Calla. Yeah, he likes her...like a lot. She likes him too but is afraid.
Calla has some things that she hasn't shared with her friends. There is more to the scar on her face than everyone knows. So getting naked with a guy is so not going to happen. But enter very patient Jax and things begin to be crossed off that never done before list, like her first kiss.
Something that makes Jax so different is his sincere ability to help Calla feel comfortable with who she is. He loves her humor and he thinks she's cute, often. He tells her. I was very impressed with this part of him.
Something usual book was the amount of snuggles and cuddles that went on BEFORE anything else happened. Jax has a connection with Calla that I knew meant more than we knew though I wasn't sure what it was till the end. It's sweet.
I loved how Jax was trustworthy. Calla doubted him a few times, but I never did. That boy is real and part of that realness was communication. So many books have some silly misunderstanding that keeps the couple apart. Jax wants Calla to be on the same page with him all the time. He wants her right there with him. He wants her coming to HIM when something between them upsets her. I loved that.
The characters from the previous books are part of this story but we meet some new characters that I love. I want to know what's up with Reese and Roxy. I love the brooding Nick.
By far, the most amusing character was Katie. She bounced in every once in a while and certainly livened things up. I can hope that some of these characters will move on to other books in the series. Especially Reese and Roxy. WANTS!
This is a long book, over 400 pages, but I was so into it that it never felt long. The story is full of so much more than a romance. There's a very present danger that Calla finds herself in. There's mystery as to what is really going on with her mom and the bar. There's people threatening her and a dead body showing up on her doorstep and even worry from loved ones. So much for poor Calla to have to deal with all the while falling for the sexy Jax. Loved it.
My favorite of the series, Stay With Me brings the sexy and the emotional. It had me falling in love and worried about some very real feeling characters. It had me laughing out loud for reals. It had me wanting to trust Jax and wanting to slap Calla for doubting him. It had me questioning how things could ever work out but hoping with all my fingers and toes crossed that it would.
Just as Jennifer got better and better with every paranormal book she has written, her NA books have done the same thing. Stay With Me rocks the sexy, humor, and drama into a satisfying read that just has you smiling as you close the book. Don't miss this one!
September 28, 2014
4.5 "FIRSTS" STARS
To quote Katie, this was "AWESOME SAUCE"
I really love this series and while Cameron Hamilton is my all time favourite, Jackson "Jax" James just gave him a run for this money!
I truly enjoyed this and while I had initially hoped that this would be about Calla and Brandon (I love going in blind on a book), I was not disappointed.
Calla and Jax were just so perfect and I loved, loved, loved how mature they were even when shit got in their way. Yes, Calla is inexperienced and naive but her reactions were so real and so believable and when she knew she was out of her element, she just played it straight. I loved that!!
Calla has A LOT of self-image/self esteem issues (understandably so) and I was just so swept up in how she fell for Jax and worked her way through all of it. Despite all of the real SHIT going on around her. I can hardly imagine what that would be like but she was fantastic! Gawd, I fell for Jax, he was the right mix of sweet, loving, all alpha and control. HOT!!
"I don't kiss girls that I don't find hot as hell or beautiful. So, you get my point?"
"By the way...those shorts and those legs? Fucking perfection."
I so can't wait for the next in this series! I was so intrigued by Nick and also by Reece and Roxy and Detective Anders...I have no clue who the next book is about but, I am hanging....
To quote Katie, this was "AWESOME SAUCE"
I really love this series and while Cameron Hamilton is my all time favourite, Jackson "Jax" James just gave him a run for this money!
I truly enjoyed this and while I had initially hoped that this would be about Calla and Brandon (I love going in blind on a book), I was not disappointed.
Calla and Jax were just so perfect and I loved, loved, loved how mature they were even when shit got in their way. Yes, Calla is inexperienced and naive but her reactions were so real and so believable and when she knew she was out of her element, she just played it straight. I loved that!!
Calla has A LOT of self-image/self esteem issues (understandably so) and I was just so swept up in how she fell for Jax and worked her way through all of it. Despite all of the real SHIT going on around her. I can hardly imagine what that would be like but she was fantastic! Gawd, I fell for Jax, he was the right mix of sweet, loving, all alpha and control. HOT!!
"I don't kiss girls that I don't find hot as hell or beautiful. So, you get my point?"
"By the way...those shorts and those legs? Fucking perfection."
I so can't wait for the next in this series! I was so intrigued by Nick and also by Reece and Roxy and Detective Anders...I have no clue who the next book is about but, I am hanging....
December 14, 2015
9/23/14
Calla's book
I read somewhere that it was with a guy we haven't read about yet, but I was hoping it was that hot mystery guy from Be With Me who seemed kinda into her.
Calla's book
I read somewhere that it was with a guy we haven't read about yet, but I was hoping it was that hot mystery guy from Be With Me who seemed kinda into her.
October 1, 2014
4,5 First Time Stars.
Calla haven’t had many first times. Never had a kiss, never fell in love, and never went to an amusement park.
She had a rough past and now she’s in college trying to find a future that doesn’t include any aspect of it. But as things doesn’t always go was we want them to go, her drug-addict mother steals her money and she has to go back to her hometown to solve that problem.
When she gets there she realizes that things are bad and she finds a friend and a job with Jax, the manager of the bar who belongs to her mother. And Jax is making her feel very strange things for the first time.
As things starts to grow between them, and when Jax makes clear that he doesn’t only want her as a friend, things will get even more confusing.
Because Calla is outing herself on the position to understand that with first love… can always come the first heartbreak.
Book Stats Codes
Rating: 4,5 Stars.
Storyline: An amazing NA story, with heartwarming moments and some tears. These books started amazing and just keeping on getting better. The first one will always be my favorite but this was a pretty close shot.
Writing Style: First person. Female POV. Jennifer always deliver a well written and amazing story.
Character Development: Calla was a sweet and strong girl. I really liked her. Jax… what an sweet and sexy alpha-male in creation. He had some “I-just-want-to-beat-you” moments but overall he was great. I loved him. And it was great to see more of the previous couples. I will never get tired of reading about Cam ;)
Steam: Meh. Some heated scenes.
HEA:
Calla haven’t had many first times. Never had a kiss, never fell in love, and never went to an amusement park.
She had a rough past and now she’s in college trying to find a future that doesn’t include any aspect of it. But as things doesn’t always go was we want them to go, her drug-addict mother steals her money and she has to go back to her hometown to solve that problem.
When she gets there she realizes that things are bad and she finds a friend and a job with Jax, the manager of the bar who belongs to her mother. And Jax is making her feel very strange things for the first time.
As things starts to grow between them, and when Jax makes clear that he doesn’t only want her as a friend, things will get even more confusing.
Because Calla is outing herself on the position to understand that with first love… can always come the first heartbreak.
Book Stats Codes
Rating: 4,5 Stars.
Storyline: An amazing NA story, with heartwarming moments and some tears. These books started amazing and just keeping on getting better. The first one will always be my favorite but this was a pretty close shot.
Writing Style: First person. Female POV. Jennifer always deliver a well written and amazing story.
Character Development: Calla was a sweet and strong girl. I really liked her. Jax… what an sweet and sexy alpha-male in creation. He had some “I-just-want-to-beat-you” moments but overall he was great. I loved him. And it was great to see more of the previous couples. I will never get tired of reading about Cam ;)
Steam: Meh. Some heated scenes.
HEA:
March 21, 2015
Just by reading Stay With Me's summary. I knew I wouldn't like it but I still gave it a chance because I'm a badass bitch? Maybe.
I tried for Avery and Cam (my two guilty pleasure) and why not throw Jase and Teresa there as well, the more the merrier.
My ratings for the first three installment of Wait for You series are ranging from 4 to 5 stars despite it's handful misgiving. I really enjoyed reading it but this, this book is not
good
like
no
please
I
truly
gave
up.
I guess writing about drugs and bartending didn't worked out for J. Lynn.
Stay With Me doesn't have any redeeming points besides the few selective moments the whole gang was there and aside from that? TA-DA. This book is a trainwreck.
December 22, 2018
SPOILERS
I read this book last night and went to sleep thinking about it wondering why it left me disgusted and in deep thoughts. Woke up this morning still thinking about it but with a clearer head. Oh, let me list the reasons why this book should had stayed in the drafts:
Jax is an utter and complete asshole. I did kinda liked him at the beginning somewhat however as the story progressed the uglier he became. There were a few instances when it made me uncomfortable reading.
Firstly, he was constantly telling Calla how much he just wanted to fuck her and wanted to be inside her while knowing full well she was a virgin. Look, I'm not a prude but as someone who also has limited experiences this personally to me was creepy. But did our heroine cared? No because her vaginal controled her head.
Secondly, Calla has scars on her body and face from a childhood fire. She's self-conscious about them and that's understandable. Did it mattered to Jax? Nope. The bastard pushed her pass her comfort level without caring what she was feeling. It should had been her choice when she wanted to stop using her heavy make-up and definitely not his. Calla should had stood up for herself and said something along the lines of, "Hey guy I only known for less than a few weeks, this is my body and my choice to use make-up. Back off." But what did our heroine do? Go along with him because he says her scars are beautiful. Okay.
And the most disgusting part revolving around her scars was when they were getting hot and heavy and Jax did something completely disturbing. Knowing full well how she was uncomfortable with her back scars he flipped her onto her stomach and proceeded to have sex with her without even asking her if it was okay (spoilers! it was not at first) but because she was you know, dickmatized, it was forgiven despite the weirdness of it all. Fuck her comfort and wishes am I right.
Fourthly, I understand Jax has had sex with a bunch of women before Calla and suffers from some PTSD. That doesn't make what he did towards the last half of the book right. His ex-fling Aimee (two e's and one i) comes into the scene and instead of telling her it's over and she needs to leave, this jackass leads her on into thinking they might still have a chance. Doesn't matter that he's fucking Calla or anything. Like I just couldn't understand why he was letting his ex-fling touch his body in front of his current hook-up whose friends (who were meeting him for the first time) are looking on and he wouldn't push her away.
This was the point when I kinda squinted into my ebook and wondered if my suspicion was true. Throughout the book there was a mysterious outlook to Jax and it was hinted multiple times that he was keeping a secret and I had kept wondering if he was an undercover cop. Then I gasped and thought, Aimee is involved with the drug lord who's after Calla and he's an undercover cop who is trying to keep his secret identity intact because he needs information from her and that's why he can't break it off with her. Proudly I patted my shoulders for and continued reading.
Yeah, so turns out, Jax is not an undercover cop. Not only is he an asshole but he is also a fucking manipulative douchebag.
Strike 1: He allowed Aimee into his apartment while Calla was sleeping upstairs in the middle of the night (after a fuck session and telling her he wanted to be with her).
Strike 2: He told Aimee he cared for her because he wanted to be a good guy and because she was a nice girl and he didn't want to hurt her.
Strike 3: Aimee is obviously mad because he's been leading her on and takes her anger out on Calla and Calla in turns (who is also hurt and confused ) lashes back. What do our hero douchebag do? Proceeds to say, "It's so fucking hot that two women are getting into a fight over me."
FUCKING SERIOUSLY??!
Strike 4: (run Calla, run!) Understandably this leads to Calla wanting to talk about why he was leading Aimee on, leading her on, why he refused to take her feelings into consideration, and if he had been sleeping with other women behind her back. But instead of apologizing and admitting his faults, Jax fucking turned the situation around and blamed HER for breaking the trust in their "relationship." How dare she not trust him enough to know he would NEVER lead two women on. Dear readers who are still with me, are you just as confused as I am? He lets his ex-fling grope him, he lets his ex-fling into his apartment in the middle night, he lets his ex-fling believes he still cares for her and yet, he blames Calla for the lack of trust between them. What the actual fuck. Grudgingly, I read on thinking it couldn't get worst than this right? Wrong.
At this point I am just as flabbergasted as Calla when he walks away like a little prick and leaves her alone in his apartment.
Which leads us to the pick a number reason why this book is horrible.
Knowing full well she's being hunted by a drug lord and a psychotic rapist/torturer/murderer to-be (two different people by the way) Jax ups and leaves Calla in his apartment alone while he...waits for it...goes to a bachelor party. He doesn't go outside for just a bit to clear his mind but HE FUCKING LEAVES HER ALONE TO GO TO AN ACTUAL STRIP CLUB WHILE HER LIFE IS IN DANGER WITHOUT TELLING HER OR PICKING UP HER PHONE CALLS. I literally can not emphasize on this point enough. He leaves her alone while a man who threatened to kill her is out looking for her. Because his feelings were hurt and he needed to lick his broken pride. Wow. Fucking woooooow. I literally had my mouth open and was staring off to the ceiling like I was in The Office looking for a prank camera. I couldn't believe my eyes. His promise to protect her was a load of bullshit. Hero of the fucking year.
Not even caring anymore I skimmed the book. Calla gets shot. Whatever. I don't even like either of them at this point. Jax sobs over her saying his past still haunts him but he loves and he wants her. Okay. Blah blah, Calla forgives him because she's a doormat and spineless. Drifting in and out we finally see Mona (Calla's estranged mother) who drops a big bomb. The bar Calla been working at actually belongs to Jax and he didn't tell because of some dense reason. No big deal. I mean I'm as slow as Calla in realizing this (because I had been so into my secret undercover cop storyline) but this shouldn't be as earth shattering right? Nope. Calla has a big freakout and leaves Jax who then confesses to her that he's been in love with her for a year now because apparently he and Mona used to stalk her together. Not creepy at all. Very anticlimactic ending where Calla and Jax turns their friends with benefits relationship around and becomes lovers with benefits.
So yeah. My head was throbbing while trying to (and still trying to) understand it all. Calla, in my honest opinion, should had hightailed it out of there after selling her mom's house, go experiment with a bunch a guys in college, find better friends, and live her Three Fs dream. Oh, which by the way, Jax made fun of. Nothing like a sexy asshole with nothing going for himself saying your future plans at graduating, finding a good job, and having a stable home is wack. Calla was passive and dickmatized so I guess that's all I need to remind myself on why she put up with douchebag.
I rambled enough. My first romance novel in years and boy, did I picked a solid one.
I read this book last night and went to sleep thinking about it wondering why it left me disgusted and in deep thoughts. Woke up this morning still thinking about it but with a clearer head. Oh, let me list the reasons why this book should had stayed in the drafts:
Jax is an utter and complete asshole. I did kinda liked him at the beginning somewhat however as the story progressed the uglier he became. There were a few instances when it made me uncomfortable reading.
Firstly, he was constantly telling Calla how much he just wanted to fuck her and wanted to be inside her while knowing full well she was a virgin. Look, I'm not a prude but as someone who also has limited experiences this personally to me was creepy. But did our heroine cared? No because her vaginal controled her head.
Secondly, Calla has scars on her body and face from a childhood fire. She's self-conscious about them and that's understandable. Did it mattered to Jax? Nope. The bastard pushed her pass her comfort level without caring what she was feeling. It should had been her choice when she wanted to stop using her heavy make-up and definitely not his. Calla should had stood up for herself and said something along the lines of, "Hey guy I only known for less than a few weeks, this is my body and my choice to use make-up. Back off." But what did our heroine do? Go along with him because he says her scars are beautiful. Okay.
And the most disgusting part revolving around her scars was when they were getting hot and heavy and Jax did something completely disturbing. Knowing full well how she was uncomfortable with her back scars he flipped her onto her stomach and proceeded to have sex with her without even asking her if it was okay (spoilers! it was not at first) but because she was you know, dickmatized, it was forgiven despite the weirdness of it all. Fuck her comfort and wishes am I right.
Fourthly, I understand Jax has had sex with a bunch of women before Calla and suffers from some PTSD. That doesn't make what he did towards the last half of the book right. His ex-fling Aimee (two e's and one i) comes into the scene and instead of telling her it's over and she needs to leave, this jackass leads her on into thinking they might still have a chance. Doesn't matter that he's fucking Calla or anything. Like I just couldn't understand why he was letting his ex-fling touch his body in front of his current hook-up whose friends (who were meeting him for the first time) are looking on and he wouldn't push her away.
This was the point when I kinda squinted into my ebook and wondered if my suspicion was true. Throughout the book there was a mysterious outlook to Jax and it was hinted multiple times that he was keeping a secret and I had kept wondering if he was an undercover cop. Then I gasped and thought, Aimee is involved with the drug lord who's after Calla and he's an undercover cop who is trying to keep his secret identity intact because he needs information from her and that's why he can't break it off with her. Proudly I patted my shoulders for and continued reading.
Yeah, so turns out, Jax is not an undercover cop. Not only is he an asshole but he is also a fucking manipulative douchebag.
Strike 1: He allowed Aimee into his apartment while Calla was sleeping upstairs in the middle of the night (after a fuck session and telling her he wanted to be with her).
Strike 2: He told Aimee he cared for her because he wanted to be a good guy and because she was a nice girl and he didn't want to hurt her.
Strike 3: Aimee is obviously mad because he's been leading her on and takes her anger out on Calla and Calla in turns (who is also hurt and confused ) lashes back. What do our hero douchebag do? Proceeds to say, "It's so fucking hot that two women are getting into a fight over me."
FUCKING SERIOUSLY??!
Strike 4: (run Calla, run!) Understandably this leads to Calla wanting to talk about why he was leading Aimee on, leading her on, why he refused to take her feelings into consideration, and if he had been sleeping with other women behind her back. But instead of apologizing and admitting his faults, Jax fucking turned the situation around and blamed HER for breaking the trust in their "relationship." How dare she not trust him enough to know he would NEVER lead two women on. Dear readers who are still with me, are you just as confused as I am? He lets his ex-fling grope him, he lets his ex-fling into his apartment in the middle night, he lets his ex-fling believes he still cares for her and yet, he blames Calla for the lack of trust between them. What the actual fuck. Grudgingly, I read on thinking it couldn't get worst than this right? Wrong.
At this point I am just as flabbergasted as Calla when he walks away like a little prick and leaves her alone in his apartment.
Which leads us to the pick a number reason why this book is horrible.
Knowing full well she's being hunted by a drug lord and a psychotic rapist/torturer/murderer to-be (two different people by the way) Jax ups and leaves Calla in his apartment alone while he...waits for it...goes to a bachelor party. He doesn't go outside for just a bit to clear his mind but HE FUCKING LEAVES HER ALONE TO GO TO AN ACTUAL STRIP CLUB WHILE HER LIFE IS IN DANGER WITHOUT TELLING HER OR PICKING UP HER PHONE CALLS. I literally can not emphasize on this point enough. He leaves her alone while a man who threatened to kill her is out looking for her. Because his feelings were hurt and he needed to lick his broken pride. Wow. Fucking woooooow. I literally had my mouth open and was staring off to the ceiling like I was in The Office looking for a prank camera. I couldn't believe my eyes. His promise to protect her was a load of bullshit. Hero of the fucking year.
Not even caring anymore I skimmed the book. Calla gets shot. Whatever. I don't even like either of them at this point. Jax sobs over her saying his past still haunts him but he loves and he wants her. Okay. Blah blah, Calla forgives him because she's a doormat and spineless. Drifting in and out we finally see Mona (Calla's estranged mother) who drops a big bomb. The bar Calla been working at actually belongs to Jax and he didn't tell because of some dense reason. No big deal. I mean I'm as slow as Calla in realizing this (because I had been so into my secret undercover cop storyline) but this shouldn't be as earth shattering right? Nope. Calla has a big freakout and leaves Jax who then confesses to her that he's been in love with her for a year now because apparently he and Mona used to stalk her together. Not creepy at all. Very anticlimactic ending where Calla and Jax turns their friends with benefits relationship around and becomes lovers with benefits.
So yeah. My head was throbbing while trying to (and still trying to) understand it all. Calla, in my honest opinion, should had hightailed it out of there after selling her mom's house, go experiment with a bunch a guys in college, find better friends, and live her Three Fs dream. Oh, which by the way, Jax made fun of. Nothing like a sexy asshole with nothing going for himself saying your future plans at graduating, finding a good job, and having a stable home is wack. Calla was passive and dickmatized so I guess that's all I need to remind myself on why she put up with douchebag.
I rambled enough. My first romance novel in years and boy, did I picked a solid one.
September 22, 2017
Once you get a bite of the forbidden fruit, you develop this addiction that makes you read Jennifer’s series in a flash!! This happened to me and I loved every minute of every story because they are nothing alike, except the awesomeness that binds them.
“Stay with me” is the third installment and follows Calla, Teresa and Avery’s friend. Calla is very different from her friends and the situations she will be put in are different, making her a very fierce heroine, but also vulnerable and sweet.
Calla always lived wearing a mask and she didn’t revel her true colors to anyone, not even to Teresa and Avery. She had an accident as a child that left her with a scar on her cheek and because of this, she is ashamed of her physical appearance. She wears make- up a lot, but she also hides her true self. She is very shy, never shared a kiss with a boy, never enjoyed herself in the true way of the word. Everything changes when she hears about her mom and she is forced to return to her home town, a place she wants to forget more than anything. Here she will meet Jax, who is running her mom’s local business, a diner. They hit it off immediately, but as I’ve mentioned before, Calla is very shy and Jax can be extremely intimidating when he want to. And guess what? He wants Calla 🙂
Jax and Calla have an amazing chemistry and development in their relationship. Calla has been through a lot in her life and I felt extremely sorry for her about what happened to her. Jax was there for her and really made a mission in life to change her perspective upon life and priorities. He shows her how to accept herself and just let go everything clouding her future, and believe me, she faced some serious traumas. He made her believe in her beauty as well, embrace her physical imperfections and live proud with them, a mark of how brave she was and the amazing development she had. Fantastic right? Calla will bloom in Jax arms, but the road is very hard and with a lot of obstacles and secrets when places never thought about before.
I have to admit that the plot was more alert and had a slightly dangerous vibe to it. There were particular moments when I was really scared and feared the worst for our characters. But after drawing the line, the story was very complex and had everything I needed to mark it with 5 stars.
For more reviews please check https://readwithloveblog.wordpress.com
“Stay with me” is the third installment and follows Calla, Teresa and Avery’s friend. Calla is very different from her friends and the situations she will be put in are different, making her a very fierce heroine, but also vulnerable and sweet.
Calla always lived wearing a mask and she didn’t revel her true colors to anyone, not even to Teresa and Avery. She had an accident as a child that left her with a scar on her cheek and because of this, she is ashamed of her physical appearance. She wears make- up a lot, but she also hides her true self. She is very shy, never shared a kiss with a boy, never enjoyed herself in the true way of the word. Everything changes when she hears about her mom and she is forced to return to her home town, a place she wants to forget more than anything. Here she will meet Jax, who is running her mom’s local business, a diner. They hit it off immediately, but as I’ve mentioned before, Calla is very shy and Jax can be extremely intimidating when he want to. And guess what? He wants Calla 🙂
Jax and Calla have an amazing chemistry and development in their relationship. Calla has been through a lot in her life and I felt extremely sorry for her about what happened to her. Jax was there for her and really made a mission in life to change her perspective upon life and priorities. He shows her how to accept herself and just let go everything clouding her future, and believe me, she faced some serious traumas. He made her believe in her beauty as well, embrace her physical imperfections and live proud with them, a mark of how brave she was and the amazing development she had. Fantastic right? Calla will bloom in Jax arms, but the road is very hard and with a lot of obstacles and secrets when places never thought about before.
I have to admit that the plot was more alert and had a slightly dangerous vibe to it. There were particular moments when I was really scared and feared the worst for our characters. But after drawing the line, the story was very complex and had everything I needed to mark it with 5 stars.
For more reviews please check https://readwithloveblog.wordpress.com
November 25, 2017
Soy una adicta a la saga Wait For You de Jennifer L. Armentrout desde que lei el primer libro Wait For You ( y conoci a mi amado Cam )y nunca pense que otro libro de la serie me gustara tanto, puesto que la historia de Teresa y Jase me gusto mucho pero no alcanzo a ser amor como lo habia echo el libro de Cam y Avery.
Personalmente pienso que la historia de Calla y Jax es la mas hermosa de la serie hasta el momento o al menos a mi me transmitio muchisimo mas que los libros anteriores.
Calla fue una protagonista que ame desde el primer capitulo, me parecio tan fuerte y valiente para seguir luchando a pesar del pasado tan tragico que tenia, senti muchisima afinidad con ella, ademas se me hizo muy graciosa en muchas ocasiones.
Que puedo decir de mi amado Jax?? desde ya esta en mi lista de novios literarios, es dulce, guapo, gracioso y me encanto su lado mas persistente a la hora de conquistar a Calla.
Me encanta la forma de escribir de Jennifer pero en este libro fue donde realmente senti lo maravilloso de su escritura. Me encanta como en cada libro la autora nos presenta a los personajes secundarios para que cuando leamos sus historias conocerlos al menos un poco.
Recomiendo totalmente este libro, si la historia de Avery y Cam te gusto, no puedes dejar de leer Stay With Me.
5 Estellas!!!
November 17, 2020
Update November 2020:
Manchmal muss es einfach ein Wohlfühlbuch sein. „Stay with me“ habe ich nun mittlerweile zum vierten Mal gelesen und ich liebe es einfach!
Es gehört zu den perfekten New Adult Romanen!
Jeder braucht einen Jax in seinem Leben.
Ich liebe seine Art, seinen Charakter und auch seine Ecken und Kanten.
Er ist so sympathisch, selbstbewusst, von sich selbst überzeugt (vielleicht auch ein kleines bisschen arrogant - aber nicht im negativen Sinne) und einfach ein toller Kerl!
Calla ist zu 100% echt. Sie verstellt sich absolut nicht.
Ihre Gedanken und Sorgen kann ich total nachvollziehen genauso wie ihre Zweifel (insbesondere bei den Männern).
Alles in allem kann ich sagen: Ich habe das Buch nicht das letzte Mal gelesen. ❤️
2019:
Ich hab das Buch jetzt schon zum dritten Mal gelesen und ... Es ist einfach perfekt 😍📚!
Manchmal muss es einfach ein Wohlfühlbuch sein. „Stay with me“ habe ich nun mittlerweile zum vierten Mal gelesen und ich liebe es einfach!
Es gehört zu den perfekten New Adult Romanen!
Jeder braucht einen Jax in seinem Leben.
Ich liebe seine Art, seinen Charakter und auch seine Ecken und Kanten.
Er ist so sympathisch, selbstbewusst, von sich selbst überzeugt (vielleicht auch ein kleines bisschen arrogant - aber nicht im negativen Sinne) und einfach ein toller Kerl!
Calla ist zu 100% echt. Sie verstellt sich absolut nicht.
Ihre Gedanken und Sorgen kann ich total nachvollziehen genauso wie ihre Zweifel (insbesondere bei den Männern).
Alles in allem kann ich sagen: Ich habe das Buch nicht das letzte Mal gelesen. ❤️
2019:
Ich hab das Buch jetzt schon zum dritten Mal gelesen und ... Es ist einfach perfekt 😍📚!
Want to read
April 17, 2013Brittney's story! Hmmm with Ollie?! I hope so!
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