I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lead Me Not by A. Meredith Walter Published by Gallery Books on August 5, 2014
Pages: 288
Format: eBook
Source: Netgalley
Add to your Goodreads TBR shelf.
Purchase Links: Amazon
In this dangerously sexy novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Find You in the Dark, a straight-laced college student meets a handsome but enigmatic stranger who lures her into an underground club scene, where she finds it difficult to resist temptation
Aubrey Duncan understands loss. She knows what rock bottom looks like, and she is determined to crawl back up to the top after the sudden death of her younger sister. She blames herself for her part in the tragedy, convinced that she could have done something, anything, to help her.
In her effort to gain redemption, Aubrey starts fresh at Longwood University and facilitates an addiction support group, hoping she can support someone else in the way she failed her sister. But what she doesn' t count on is an all-consuming fascination with group member Maxx Demelo, a gorgeous, blond, blue-eyed enigma who hides dark secrets behind a carefully constructed mask. He only reveals what he wants others to see. But Aubrey glimpses another Maxx hidden below the surface—a Maxx who is drowning in his own personal hell.
As Aubrey and Maxx develop an attraction too intense to ignore, he pulls her into the dark underbelly of the city club scene, where she is torn by her desire to save him and an inexplicable urge to join him in his downward spiral. Worst of all, she is beginning to love everything she should run away from—a man who threatens to ignite in her a fire that could burn her alive…
My thoughts…
Wow! I really liked this book. I’ve only ever read one other book by this author and I DNF’d it because I couldn’t connect with the characters. That wasn’t the case with this book. I took a liking to Aubrey right away. She’s harboring a lot of guilt because she thinks she could have done more where her sister was concerned. She lost her sister to a drug overdose three years ago and she still carries this guilt around. I think this is one of the reasons she connects with Maxx so strongly.
Maxx is sort of an odd guy to me. He has some major issues. One of which is drugs. He doesn’t think he has a problem. It’s apparent from the beginning that he does though. He just can’t see it.
I think Ms Walters did a good job of showing both sides of substance abuse and how it effects those involved. At times I found my heart breaking for Maxx. At other times I would get so mad at him for doing the things he did. I guess I had a love/hate relationship with him.
Lead Me Not was a really quick read for me. Once I got started I had problems putting it down. The story truly captivated me and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen between Aubrey & Maxx. I was a little disappointed once I reached the end and realized that there was going to be another book AND that said book wouldn’t be released until 2015 leaving things open-ended. I would have liked the story to be wrapped up in one book, but I can see why it wasn’t and I think I’m ok with this. I will be eagerly waiting for the next book to come out.
The sexual scenes are comparable to adult mainstream. They aren’t explicit in nature, but are well written. They don’t play a very big part in this story and I’m fine with that. This book has a strong storyline that stands on it’s own.
Overall, I’m really happy I gave this book a shot. I’m very excited to read the next book next year. I’ll be patiently or not so patiently waiting.
Leave a Reply