Calling Me Back- 5 Stars
I always love Louise Bay’s novella series, and this one lives up to the rest. I was so excited to get Luke and Ashleigh’s story! I loved them as secondary characters in Jake & Haven’s books.
I was surprised that Calling Me Back actually started with Luke and Emma still together. Luke really is oblivious to the world around him. Having his world rocked by the loss of his parents so young, has made him wary of change. He wants things to simply stay as they are.
He’s completely blindsided by Emma’s announcement that she wants to get married. Now, let’s just hash that out for a second, it’s clear in The Lightening series that Luke and Emma practically live separate lives. Then in Calling Me Back, Luke even points out that they give each other freedom, and don’t really have a life together outside of the home they share. So, I have to say, I’m with Luke on this one. I would have been somewhat shocked too. But more than anything, I’m sitting here and thinking, how in the world could Emma possibly get the idea of marrying and having children with Luke? What kind of marriage would they have when they barely spend any time together, barely speak, don’t know each other’s friends and family, etc etc etc.
I was actually pretty annoyed with Luke too. The fact that he even considers marrying Emma is ludicrous. But then, he’s lost to his aversion to change. Anyway, when he finally makes the right decision, it’s not long before he is clobbered over the head with the fact that Ashleigh has always been the one for him. And the hot scene that ensues….oh my, oh my.
In the light of day, and the influence of others, Ashleigh is faced with doubts. How could Luke go from 0 to 60 in a split second? Her fear at this point is somewhat justified, but I still wasn’t happy about it. As always, I want to strangle Louise for leaving me on a cliffhanger! However, it was expected…. So, I’ll get over it.
Loved the start of Luke and Ashleigh’s story, and I can’t wait for the rest!
Calling Me Away- 4 Stars
Louise Bay left me hanging after Calling Me Back, but that’s pretty typical of her, so I’ve learned to expect it! It doesn’t stop me from reading the first book and torturing myself though. So, when I could read Calling Me Away, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. And, the cliffy on this one isn’t bad, it just left me wanting more of Luck and Ashleigh.
I was pretty captivated through the first novella in this series, but the author almost lost me on this one. I grew to love Luke more with the turn of every page, to admire him, and drool over him. Panty-melting hot, that one.
I can’t say the same for Ashleigh. Her reasons for taking a step back and away from each other for a while are valid in the beginning. But she takes it way too far in my opinion. For a while there, I despaired of her every getting over her own roadblocks. She kept saying Luke had to choose her, but every time he tried, she wouldn’t let him. I was afraid she would create a self-fulfilling prophecy, pushing Luke away until he had had enough and moved on.
It eventually becomes clear that after the beginning of their time apart, it became about Asheligh’s fears and insecurities, instead of Luke’s need to grow a little before stepping into a permanent relationship with her.
I had to have faith that the author wouldn’t let me down, so I kept reading, holding back my need to slap Ashleigh across the face so she would wake up and realize she was ruining the one thing she’d always wanted.
Calling Me Home – 4.5 Stars
So finally Luke and Ashleigh are together. Hallelujah. These two as a couple are really adorable and I like their witty and sexy dynamic. However, once again, I was frequently peeved at Ashleigh for being so stubborn and obtuse. She’s playing the “I know what’s best for you” card and it’s frustrating. The thing is, she’s doing it to her own detriment.
You know what they say about assuming…well, Ahsleigh makes that cliché a reality. She doesn’t want Luke to replace Emma with her, and yet, she holds on to beliefs and ideals that Luke expressed while with Emma. She wanted him to change, and yet she is the only who can’t let go of who he was.
Just as with the last book, Luke becomes more and more a dream, making me fall so completely for him that I was ready to challenge Ashleigh to a duel! He certainly helps to make up for my irritation with her. The way he loves her is like a fairytale. I understand his reluctance to talk to her about his plans for the future, but I can’t help sitting back and saying, couples problems always stem from communication. Rather than being wary and trying to predict the other’s reactions, try talking about it and working through it.
It’s no surprise that this novella is HOT! This author always brings the steam between the characters.
None the less, I loved series, I will definitely re-read it in the future. I loved catching up with Jake and Haven again and I can’t wait for Beth’s story! Excellent job as always Louise!