Keep Me Still

Tragedy affects us all in so many different ways. Some of us can recover quickly with family and friends, while others have their faith to fall back on. But sometimes, it takes the most unexpected people to reach for us in the dark, taking a hold on whatever they can grab and pull us back. This story is that situation. For Layla, she is no stranger to tragedy as she relieves the worst day of her life over and over again. To make matters worse, she wears the scars of that tragedy and not everyone around her is as understanding of the hell she goes through. For Layla, disappearing into nothingness would be better than to be seen with these scars that have scared everyone away. Just before she could escape though, one boy in particular, saw her. Saw her and never took his eyes off of her. Landen seem to be utterly fascinated with her no matter how much she protested and refused to be seen. When Layla begins to see him, she is shocked to find that the scars he holds are deep and have crudely been wrapped, as if to hide them from the world. Will Layla and Landen be able to show their scars no matter what the world says? Will they be able to keep each other still when the world comes crashing down?Truly a great book that is done from the perspective of the two main characters. This allows the story to be told and felt from not just one point of view, but the whole picture of the story. You are guaranteed to relate to at least one character in this story as they are written so well that it is as if it was written for you. An easy read that has left me fighting time to read and turn the next page. Pulled at the heart strings and made me truly reflect on my own life. When a book does that to you, it’s truly a masterpiece.

A few months ago I was given a special edition copy of this book that had a novella attached to it about the main couple and how they got their start. I almost hate to even mention it because it is no longer available and I think that's a damn shame. Let You Leave was a very beautiful beginning for a couple I have come to love and dare i say put on the top of my list of amazing couples...ever!Layla and Landen meet in high school after Landen has to move yet again because of his father's military career. When he sees Layla for the first time he's caught off guard by her beauty and demeanor and instantly wants to know more about her. What he doesn't know is that she suffers from PTSD due to seeing her parents killed in front of her that has left her with a seizure disorder. She tries to stay to herself but Landen makes it impossible and soon a relationship develops. Landen has his own problems in the form of an abusive father who treats him like a dog. Neither one of them wants the other to know their secret but they ultimately become a source of strength for each other with Landen being the only thing that can help Layla through one of her episodes. The more Landen tries to make Layla fall in love with him the more she tries to keep her heart guarded because she knows how fast people can leave her. She's proven right when Landen and his mother move again leaving Layla's fragile heart crushed. Like I said I hate even mentioning this novella but I feel like the story of Layla and Landen isn't complete unless you know how they start. They have something so special it deserves being mentioned and I highly recommend you hound the author to release it separately.In Keep Me Still Layla has moved clear across the country to go to college in California and start over after her breakup with Landen when he left. She's doing much better now after finding a medicine that has stopped her seizures and is starting to feel almost normal again. She's almost over the heartache of losing Landen until she finds out he's come to the same school she has. Couples like Landen and Layla are a readers wet dream. They have been through so much together and no matter what you just know in your gut that nothing will keep them apart. At first Landen acts like he doesn't want her back but as soon as another guy shows her attention he snaps out o it and makes his move. These two were so much fun because they push and pull and try not to get back together but ultimately the love they share is too strong.Landen is probably the best book boyfriend hands down. He's confident, romantic, sweet, loving, caring and sexy rolled into one. probably the sexiest thing about him is his unwavering devotion to Layla and taking care of her. He's in college, he has a bright future in soccer but ends up turning down his dream to be with her. How can you not fall for a guy like that? Hes not without his problems though because he's hiding the real reason why he ended up at Layla's school and once it's out in the open it could threaten what they have rebuilt. Layla is one of my favorite female characters in a book. I usually tend to only fall for the guys or really kick ass women but Layla's soft demeanor and loving personality really hooked me in. She's been through so much and at such a young age it wasn't hard to love her character. Not only did she see her parents killed in front of her eyes but the repercussions from that event have left her with a brain injury that threatens her life. The chemistry between these two was magnetic and very sexy. I loved that Layla was so innocent and how gentle Landen was with her. Even though this was a New Adult story and the love scenes weren't super erotic, the intensity between these characters that has been building up was extremely hot. It was very passionate and drawn out and had me wanting to smoke a cigarette after and I don't even smoke!The second best part was seeing Layla develop friendships and put herself out there. Her feisty roommate Corin was hilarious and very protective and made me so happy Layla had someone watching out for her besides Landen. Layla was always one to keep to herself because she felt like a freak with her condition but seeing her open up throughout was priceless. I also really enjoyed seeing Landen's friend and soccer teammate Skylar try to move in on Corin especially because he was a braggart about hooking up with tons of girls. Watching Corin shoot him down and keep him at a distance was hilarious and the relationship brewing between them seemed like it was budding behind the scenes. I would love to get a book about them because they just seemed like a fun and flirtatious couple.By the time I was finished with Keep Me Still I was an absolute hot mess. This book took me through the ringer and had me biting my nails hoping that Landan and Layla would get it together and realize they were meant to be together. I never had a doubt they wouldn't make it because Quinn knows how to write a couple that will make you love them and root for them to have a happy ending. She may take your ass on a wild and very emotional ride but dammit you will love every minute of it just like I did. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours and highly recommend you read it too because a story/couple this epic is like lightning in a bottle, it doesn't happen very often. To say I was happy with the ending would be a gross understatement because when I got to the last page I was so incredibly overjoyed I felt like I could float away. I know that sounds totally gay but that's the best way I can describe the amazing feeling this book left me with. It's definitely one I can't wait to read again and again.

This book have mercy it has me tied up in knots. It is just so wonderful I don't even know where to begin. I believe I got this book n sale for 99 pennies and it has sat in my library for a bit then I saw the novella and bought it because of course I needed it even though I hadn't even read the first but after buying the novella finishing another book I decided that I was going to go ahead and read keep me still, give it a go and see what it's all about because once again I didn't even read anything about the book it was in sale so I bought it. I have an addiction for those books on sale for 99 cents. So anyways about the book...holy awesomeness it was exceptional. Layla has endured some tragic events in her life and has become a mere shadow she is almost invisible, she doesn't interact with people except her aunt. Well that's until Landen shows up at school and she is the first thing he notices. Oh yes you should get excited because from their first meet things get interesting, these two are broken I mean seriously they have some deep things going on. they both hold onto their secrets, well almost everyone knows Layla's but not because she told. Although Layla is trying to hide from the world Landen Pursues her and they quickly become friends but so much more is going on.OMG... Landen...I want to jump you. He is just a complete package. He is oh so yummy, sweet, protective, a gentleman, athlete and broken. Everyone likes the broken ones for some reason.Layla well I like her she has endured a lot from the age of 13 and yes at times she made me mad. She was just always running. She would get so close and freeze up and run away from the feelings she held for Landen. Sometimes it was frustrating but it made the story so worth the frustrations.My heart was doing bunch of crazy things. It would sink, come back up, flutter, constrict and of course break. These two broke me more than once. Not that it was always their faults because some things they had no control over but it was mostly the decisions of Layla that broke me, I was broken for Landen he loved her even of he never voiced it you would be crazy not to see it.I could go on and on and on about this book. It has me so worked up right now and I finished a bit ago but I just keep Landen in my head, his words, his actions, his face and heck just anything about him I love it! Oh and must I say Wow!!!! Those steamy moments, yes you will get some and they are shew, they are smoldering.If you just want to know the emotions I felt well there are many. I was happy, sad, scared, nervous, exhilarated, hurt, angry, giddy, and flabbergasted. There were probably more but I'm jaunt so friggin giddy right now I don't even care about the others. I just know that I need to finish this so I can see what's going on on the novella.I think, no i know you should buy this book and read it. I knew I needed sleep since I have really early mornings but even when I closed my eyes I couldn't stop thinking, so I grabbed the iPad opened it and read I would give myself a pep talk about finishing tomorrow but it was not going to work, I kept on until 4 am and then had to make myself stop so I could at least sleep an hour. And of course at the first opportunity is started again. Who cares about the sleep deprivation head ache, or food. Not I. Now that it is finished I am so happy and I just want to do a dance, with my hips bouncing and my hands flying through the air.The author is a freaking genius!!!! Kudos on an amazing, I mean amazing book!!!!

I absolutely loved this book, it was such a beautiful read that I know ill be re-reading it in the future. The copy I had included the prequel and the sequel alongside the main book which was just perfect.The prequel takes us on the journey of how Layla and Landen meet, where Landen felt the instant attraction between them and decided to pursue Layla. Layla keeps herself separate from others due to her embarrassment of seizures that happen whenever she hears loud sounds that remind her of the tragedy she experienced as a child. A beautiful start to a relationship that ends in misunderstandings.The main story takes us on their journey when they meet again in college and Landen can not give Layla up this time.Finally the sequel features there life in Spain where they both have to overcome life changing obstacles, that puts their beautiful love to the test.An amazing overall book, I really can't decide which section is my favourite part as it is all fabulous. Highly recommended for a beautiful read that will stay with you long after the last page.

Firstly, I would like to point out that I read the version of Keep Me Still which came with the novella Let You Leave, which is a prequel to the time in which Keep Me Still takes place. From what I can gather, this special edition version with the novella is only going to be available for a limited time. Then, the novella will be removed and no longer available for separate purchase. Why is this important information? Because, I can honestly not see how somebody would be able to read Keep Me Still... without reading this novella first. There is so much backstory that is given in Let You Leave. You get some of the more important moments highlighted in the main novel, but it just wouldn't seem enough."We both have secrets. I wonder if they'll bind us together or tear us apart?"It is my opinion that the author should actually combine the novella and novel, making it one larger book. Rather than removing the novella all together. It simply follows a natural progression as the story. I really do not believe that if I had never read Let You Leave, that I would have connected to the characters, or enjoyed Keep Me Still as much as I did."This isn't just my chance to start over like I thought- It's our chance."The build-up of Layla and Landen's relationship fully takes place in that prequel novella. By the time we get to the timeline of events in Keep Me Still, they have already met, fallen in love, and built their previous relationship. Without being able to be a part of them meeting, that gradual build-up of trust and being able to watch their relationship grow... I would be afraid that a reader just would not connect to them as a couple.Which would be a travesty, because I adored Layla and Landen as a couple. There are a lot of walls and barriers that they must crash through, but the issues they were facing were real and believable. Landen is an absolute sweetheart. You will undoubtably fall in love with him.And even though this is a New Adult book, there are in fact some pretty steamy scenes. You will never be able to look at a cherry in the same way after reading this book. The chemistry between Layla and Landen is intense... a very good kind of intense."Not a minute has passed since the first time I laid eyes on you that I haven't wanted you. Needed you. I will always want you."I am of course a huge fan of dual point of view books, and this is no exception. I think this story needs the ability to have you in both Layla's and Landen's head. There are a lot of secrets kept between the two, there would really be no way of following what was happening to each of them if this wasn't dual POV.You are probably wondering if this is a standalone? My answer to that would be no. Even though it is not listed as a series, there is an epilogue that leaves you are a rather large cliffhanger. It appears as though there will be a novella, Hold Us Close, which is at the time of this review set to be published in November 2013. So if you stop reading at the end of Keep Me Still, then it could be classed as a standalone. But if you keep reading through the epilogue, be ready for a bit of a cliffhanger until you can get your hands on the upcoming novella."Suddenly, I have no idea why we've been doing this to each other. It's love. Plain and simple. You love someone, you show it. Every day, up until your last."ChristineRainy Day Reads

I enjoyed the first part of this book when the 2 MC's were still in high school. After that however I just felt the story over stepped the borders of realistic by some considerable distance. I mean - *spoiler warning* - an american college soccer coach calls the manager of Barcelona (whos Scottish!) and gets a trial for a student who he's just kicked off the team. Had the author chosen some random American soccer team I could possibly have understood but Barcelona? Not happening. Ever. This wasn't an isolated incident as there were many other parts to the story that had me rolling my eyes because it just wouldn't happen. I don't mind if an author uses a bit of artistic license for the sake of the story but this one just went way too far.

This is a very good story,. The first I have read from this author, you did good...It kept me turning the pages as I wanted to know what the issue was about Layla and also Landen and good you could cry. There are medical and domestic issues within the story, concerning both characters, which have been written really well and dealt with sensitively.Their story isn't finished though, there is another book, Hold us Close, which is due out soon, and I kind of wish there wasn't, and that their story had been tied off here.I would recommend Keep Me Still as good, enjoyable read, has good humour, sad bits, angst, and sexy but be prepared to wait for the overall conclusion. Can I ask please that the outcome is a HEA, please......:)

My version of this book included the prequel which gave the backstory to Layla and Landon's relationship, I would say this is actually essential to the story. The book is well written and easy to read but too short. I recommend that you wait until the sequel comes out before buying because this first book is so incomplete ........ but very promising. The chemistry between Layla and Landon is intense but I think the next book may be very sad due to the nature of Layla's health issues.