bookbae96's review
5.0
Ashleigh Franklin has been in love with Luke Daniels for as long as she can remember. She even knows the exact moment when her heart became his. But Luke has always seen Ash as another little sister, a member of his family. Lately things seem to have changed, though, and now Ash doesn't know quite what to make of it.
I met and loved Ash in WHAT THE LIGHTNING SEES, Haven and Jake's story. As the crazy best friend and third member of the trio made up of Haven and her brother, Luke, Ash constantly had me laughing with her snark and sass. In this book, we see another side of Ash. We see her vulnerability, her utter and absolute love for Luke, and how torn she is between wishing him well in his current relationship and wishing that he could be hers.
Luke has always seen Ash as an extension of his family, always just there and much loved. He can't imagine a life without Ash in it, even as he comes to the realization that he may not feel the same way about Emma, his girlfriend of three years. When life changes occur, it's Ash that's uppermost in Luke's thoughts, and life as they knew it changes drastically.
I love the characters that Louise Bay writes. I've always said that they are just the type of people that I would want to be friends with, and I feel exactly the same about this book. CALLING ME BACK is a book that captured me from the first page, and I could not put it down until I'd reached the end, all too soon, I might add. Delighted about the way that things played out in this book, I was left just...waiting. As this is the first book in a trilogy, I fully expected the cliffhanger, and Louise delivered in a fashion that has me waiting impatiently to get my hands on CALLING ME AWAY (Book 2). 5 lovely, sexy, romantic, oh, finally! stars for CALLING ME BACK.
nbiblioholic's review
4.0
Louise Bay has the remarkable and talented ability to get me wrapped up in her books with very few words. This is a novella, the first in the Calling Me series, and I'm completely invested in Ashleigh and Luke's relationship. They have a friendship and kinship that is to be envied and taking their relationship to the next level can only be a bonus to what they share.
This author has convinced me of this couple's rootability. Yeah, I know it's not a real word, but it's what best describes what has happened in this story. I'm sure there will be some bumps in the road and I can see Ash getting in her own way, but knowing what I know of this author, the HEA will definitely be worth it.
I can't wait to see what's in store for book 2! Enjoy! xo
This author has convinced me of this couple's rootability. Yeah, I know it's not a real word, but it's what best describes what has happened in this story. I'm sure there will be some bumps in the road and I can see Ash getting in her own way, but knowing what I know of this author, the HEA will definitely be worth it.
I can't wait to see what's in store for book 2! Enjoy! xo
bookbriefs's review
4.0
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
Calling Me Back is the first in a three part novella series. Part three, and the complete series set, just released yesterday, so if you are like me and like to have the option of reading all parts of a series or serial back to back (to back) this is the time to grab the complete set. I love Louise Bay's serial romances. She somehow manages to fit what feels like a whole story in just over 100 pages. These stories and series, are great romantic pick me ups. I read, and totally LOVED her New York series, which was set up in the same format- a three part serial. The Calling me Series is a spin off of Louise's What the Lightning See's series, which focuses on Jake and Haven. I haven't read What the Lightning Sees yet, but it is on my To Be Read List. And now that I know they are secondary characters in the Calling Me series, I am even more excited to read their story. Haven is Ashleigh's friend and Luke's sister (the main couple)
Ashleigh and Luke have been friends for forever, and you know what that means... a friends lovers book. How I love this trope. Calling Me Back jumps right into the action. There is a little bit of background laid for the friendship dynamics of the group, but Ashleigh and Luke are already starting a budding relationship by the end of this installment. I tell you that for two reasons. First, so you know that there is romance in this installment, which is a key in an instant gratification "happy" read, and also two because I am really interested to see what bumps Louise has in store for us in parts 2 and 3. I know it will not be all sunshine and roses for our couple.
I liked that Ashleigh and Luke both started the series out dating other people. I am not going to lie, I could really relate to the start of the book. Luke and his girlfriend are at a wedding, and he is griping because it seems like all of his friends are getting engaged, and his girlfriend is starting to get ideas. I have seen this time and time again in my friends. It is like a domino effect. One "falls" (aka gets engaged) and then all of her close friends start falling around her. So I get where Luke was coming from, but I also got where his girlfriend was coming from. The other thing I could relate to was the sunday night dinner group that Haven Ashleigh and Luke had. I love this idea, and I used to have the same thing in college. A group of friends meets up for dinner and games and the person who cooks dinner rotates. So I instantly had a connection to this group.
Bottom line: If you like quick, completely engaging stories with a sizzling romance, Louise Bay's serials are perfect for you. Whether you start with the Calling Me series or the What Lightning Sees series, it doesn't matter. Each one can stand on their own, and I am sure both of them are equally well done. Now please excuse me, while I dive right back into part two of Calling Me.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Calling Me Back is the first in a three part novella series. Part three, and the complete series set, just released yesterday, so if you are like me and like to have the option of reading all parts of a series or serial back to back (to back) this is the time to grab the complete set. I love Louise Bay's serial romances. She somehow manages to fit what feels like a whole story in just over 100 pages. These stories and series, are great romantic pick me ups. I read, and totally LOVED her New York series, which was set up in the same format- a three part serial. The Calling me Series is a spin off of Louise's What the Lightning See's series, which focuses on Jake and Haven. I haven't read What the Lightning Sees yet, but it is on my To Be Read List. And now that I know they are secondary characters in the Calling Me series, I am even more excited to read their story. Haven is Ashleigh's friend and Luke's sister (the main couple)
Ashleigh and Luke have been friends for forever, and you know what that means... a friends lovers book. How I love this trope. Calling Me Back jumps right into the action. There is a little bit of background laid for the friendship dynamics of the group, but Ashleigh and Luke are already starting a budding relationship by the end of this installment. I tell you that for two reasons. First, so you know that there is romance in this installment, which is a key in an instant gratification "happy" read, and also two because I am really interested to see what bumps Louise has in store for us in parts 2 and 3. I know it will not be all sunshine and roses for our couple.
I liked that Ashleigh and Luke both started the series out dating other people. I am not going to lie, I could really relate to the start of the book. Luke and his girlfriend are at a wedding, and he is griping because it seems like all of his friends are getting engaged, and his girlfriend is starting to get ideas. I have seen this time and time again in my friends. It is like a domino effect. One "falls" (aka gets engaged) and then all of her close friends start falling around her. So I get where Luke was coming from, but I also got where his girlfriend was coming from. The other thing I could relate to was the sunday night dinner group that Haven Ashleigh and Luke had. I love this idea, and I used to have the same thing in college. A group of friends meets up for dinner and games and the person who cooks dinner rotates. So I instantly had a connection to this group.
Bottom line: If you like quick, completely engaging stories with a sizzling romance, Louise Bay's serials are perfect for you. Whether you start with the Calling Me series or the What Lightning Sees series, it doesn't matter. Each one can stand on their own, and I am sure both of them are equally well done. Now please excuse me, while I dive right back into part two of Calling Me.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
More...