Lovin' los libros

A book blog dedicated to young adult and new adult novels

ARC Review: Stay With Me by Elyssa Patrick

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Stay With Me (With Me #1)
   by: Elyssa Patrick

Publication Date: Aug. 30, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received from NetGalley and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 270 pages
My Rating:  4/5 stars


With one look, I’m his . . .

With one touch, he’s mine . . .

With one kiss, it changes everything between us . .


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

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

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

Sexy, intriguing Caleb Fox.

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

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

 
 
 
I was so excited when I got approved for this off NetGalley! I think I first saw it over on The Bookish Babes blog and knew I had to read it! I am so glad I did! I really enjoyed this one! I loved Hailey and Caleb's relationship and Elyssa wrote in some amazing side characters! I love when authors write really strong friends in novels because I think they play such an important role! They add so much more depth to a story in my opinion. It especially works here, as Stay With Me is the first book in the With Me series, where we will be seeing some of the side characters get their own books.
 
Hailey was such a likeable character for me. I loved the whole idea of her wanting to escape her former Hollywood existence in order to start fresh- attending school, doing well in her classes, etc. However, we learn soon enough that Hailey is not only escaping the pressures of Hollywood and her attention seeking mother who would do anything for fame- she carries a secret that really weighs on her and she is terrified her mother will expose it to the world. I felt really bad for Hailey at times. Having lived that life- she is very slow to trust others, always wondering if their intentions are true or for their own personal gain.
 
Starting a relationship right off the bat her freshman year is not something Hailey ever planned on. Then again, she never did plan on meeting someone quite like Caleb Fox. Oh, Caleb. How I love you, let me count the ways! We meet Caleb first thing in the story. Hailey meets him outside at a party where both of them had stepped out to get some fresh air. He has clearly been raised to be chivalrous as he lends her his coat upon seeing her shiver. Of course she can't help but notice how attractive he is. After saving her from a rather drunk moron inquiring where she was in the hopes of getting some, she can't help but feel disappointed that he knows who she is. However, he doesn't treat her like a celebrity- he genuinely wants to get to know the real her, not the Hollywood version. However, Hailey has been burned one too many times by things leaking out to the media, so she rejects his offer to take her home rather bluntly. After running into her again, Caleb definitely steps up his game. I was afraid we were going to get some insta-love, but I think Elyssa really handled their relationship quite well. Caleb is one of the good guys and I loved that the most about him. He is close to his family and watches out for his younger sister, Daphne, who also attends school with them.
 
I also really enjoyed Daphne and Hailey's friendship. You could tell Hailey needed a good girlfriend to spend time with also and Daphne really fit the bill. All of Caleb's friends are rather protective of Daphne, as she was in a car accident her senior year of high school and it was a very close call. However, Daphne's relationship with Nick is an interesting one. Nick is a little more protective than the others of her and Hailey thinks he doesn't like being cast in the 'older brother' light. I can't wait to read more about him in a future book!
 
As I said, I really enjoyed Caleb and Hailey's relationship. He is so encouraging and genuinely wants her to do what makes her happy. He isn't afraid to question her and really make her stop and think about her decisions. Have I mentioned how incredibly sexy he is? Whew. Elyssa doesn't hold back on the delicious steamy scenes!
 
However, Hailey is terrified what her secret will mean for the two of them. She is insistent that he will end up hating her if he ever finds out the truth. She prays it will never come out, but with a mother like hers, all bets are off.
 
Will Hailey's secret be revealed to the one person she finds herself falling for? Will she be able to find her way and discover where her true passion lies? But most of all, will she be able to give Caleb every bit of her heart or will she keep holding back, too afraid to let go? You need to read and find out! This is such a captivating story about learning to believe in yourself and discovering what makes you truly happy.

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16 comments

  1. I'm so excited you found this on my blog! I wished I'd had time to review, b/c Stay With Me does sound good. Caleb and Hailey sound like great characters and a great couple.
    Awesome review!

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    1. :D They are such a great couple! Hopefully you'll get to pick it up at some point!

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  2. I also love when an author spends time working on secondary relationships with friends! I think it really adds to the story and makes the characters feel more well rounded.

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    1. Yes! I completely agree girl. It's so important- it makes it even more realistic.

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  3. I'm reading this for the blog tour on Sept 5th so I am so glad to see you liked it. I can't wait to read it. Great review!

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    1. Thanks Chelsea! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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  4. I JUST finished this! Great review(:
    Happy reading
    Jackie

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    1. Thanks Jackie! I hope you enjoyed it too! :D

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  5. I read this book, and didn't like it as much as you did, but I do agree that Hailey was a pretty cool character :D I ADORED her relationship with Caleb! I'm a young adult, so I usually feel uncomfortable with reading New Adult books, but the scenes between Hailey and Caleb didn't make me cringe or anything. I found them so sweet together! So basically, they worked for me :) I just wished there was a little more excitement in the book, other than the sexual tension, if that counts XD I think I liked Daphne and Nick a whole lot better though, HAHA. So yeah, since Nick is starring in Go With Me, and Griff in Dream With Me, I am totally going to wait for those :) Great review!

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    1. Thanks Jasmine! I can definitely see where you're coming from for the plot not being very exciting. I did feel her big secret was a bit anti-climactic. I am so excited about Nick's book. I noticed she's not saying who the girl is- it better be Daphne! LOL.

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  6. Quickly scanning just to get the gist as I plan to read soon. Yes! Sounds promising :-)

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    1. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it Trish!

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  7. Yay, this makes me happy! I’ll be reading this one soon so I’m glad to know you liked it.

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    1. Yay! Definitely let me know how you like it girl!

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  8. Hehehehe....."Oh How I love you, let me count the ways!" I love that! I seriously can't wait to meet Caleb and if that swoon didn't convince of his awesome, sexiness...your review your has! lol ;p I also can't wait to meet Hailey, she sounds like a great, well-developed character. I love strong heroines. And I am sooo glad the relationship is actually fun, sweet and hot at the same time. I seriously can't wait to read this. I am really curious to know what happens with her secret and what Caleb's reaction will be! I'm glad you liked this emotion-provoking read, Jessica! Fantastic review, as always! :D

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 

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    1. :D Oh their relationship is so precious. I loved it. I want my own Caleb!!!

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