Be With Me by J Lynn (4 stars)

About Be With Me

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (February 4, 2014)

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wait for You

Do Teresa and Jase have a real shot at getting together or will life get in the way?

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, life-changing kiss. Then she got out of a terrible relationship. Now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for plan B: college. And maybe she’ll have a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone—especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about is kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Teresa can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not. . . .

Amazon buy link

Review

Teresa Hamilton has always wanted to be a dancer, but a serious injury is threatening her dreams. She heads to college to consider an alternate future. Her brother and his girlfriend, Avery, will be close by to help with Teresa's transition. But Jase will be there, too--Cam's best friend and therefore a forbidden fruit for Teresa. They've shared one unforgettable kiss... will it lead to more?

Jase Winstead remembers the kiss, too. Unfortunately, his past has cast dark shadows on future love. He tries to convince himself to resist the temptation. Can he?

I enjoyed Wait for You, the prequel to this novel, but I have to admit I was so caught up in Avery and Cam's story that I didn't remember Teresa or Jase. I'm surprised, because both characters are memorable. Teresa is an old soul thanks some tough lessons, and Jase is much the same. Both are recovering from wounds of the heart, and I wanted them to end up together as much because of their obvious connection as the potential for them to heal.

Even when I was annoyed with Jase for his indecision, it was easy to understand considering all he'd been through with his first love. Still, I hated to see Teresa go through anymore heartbreak because of his pain. Beyond their romance and emotional conflicts, Teresa is greatly affected by her roommate's spiralling relationship--a bad situation that threatens not only the roommate, but also Teresa.

If it seems I'm being vague, it's with good reason. There are a lot of secrets and surprises in this book, and I don't want to give anything away.

I highly recommend Be With Me for readers who want the heat of a compelling romance along with a meaty plot with interesting twists and turns.

Rating: 4 stars

About J. Lynn

#1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J. Lynn lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell terrier, Loki.

Find out more about Jennifer at her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.


Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

Please visit other stops on the Be With Me blog tour page.

Wait for You by J. Lynn (4 stars)

About Wait for You

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (September 3, 2013)

Wait for You is a New Adult novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn, the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Currently available in ebook, Wait for You will be available in paperback for the first time on September 3. For more information on this new category, read this recent article in USA TodayThe #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling phenomenon.

Some things are worth waiting for . . .

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at that fateful Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. What she never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing . . .

Cameron Hamilton is six feet, three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, com-plete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make Avery want things she believed had been irrevocably stolen from her. Getting involved with him is dangerous. Yet ignoring the simmering tension that sparks between them—and brings out a side of her she never knew existed—is impossible.

Some things shouldn’t be kept quiet . . .

But when Avery starts receiving threatening e-mails and phone calls, she’s forced to face a past she wants to keep buried and acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. If the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface with one less scar? And will Cam be there to help her?

And some things are worth fighting for . . .

Review

Avery is ready to start a new life, far away from her parents and her memories. She literally runs into Cameron one fateful day and sparks start to fly. She's broken and holding back, and he's not giving up easily.

Both have their reasons for moving slowly. But just as things heat up, the truth starts to get in the way. Not just the details, but the need for trust. Can they build on the heat and open up their hearts?

What makes a romance novel stand out to me... the characters. I have to care about them individually before I can care about them as a couple. Avery grabbed my heart early on--she's a sparrow with a hurt wing, delicate and afraid to try and fly again. Cameron, although clearly a hunk overflowing with charm, had to grow on me a bit. At first, he just seemed cocky, and I didn't want Avery hurt. But his true character starts to shine as Avery reveals the truth to him and he starts to reveal his own secrets.

And it's always a plus to have interesting peripheral characters. Avery's friends, Brit and Jacob, are not only entertaining but they are an amazing support. Cameron has similarly important buddies in the wings.

But what I will remember the most about this story was Avery. Not only did I want to see her happy, I wanted her to heal. And I wanted to strangle her parents.

Oh, and when Avery and Cameron do get together... hot. hot. hot. My only complaint is that the beginning was a little slow. But once it got moving, I couldn't wait to turn the pages!

If you are looking for a story that tugs at your heart but also quickens your pulse, pick up Wait for You.

Rating: 4 stars

About the Author

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, 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, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russel Loki.

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 Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes Adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Find out more about Jennifer at her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

Please visit other stops on the Wait for You blog tour page.