Greyson East left his mark on me.As the young girl who first fell for him, I didn’t know much about life. I did know about his smiles, though, and his laughs, and the strange way my stomach flipped when he was near.Life was perfect…until it wasn’t, and when we were forced to go our separate ways, I held on to our memories, let go of my first crush, and wished for the day I’d find him again.When … find him again.
When my wish came true, it was nothing like I imagined.
I couldn’t have known when I took the nanny position that it would be his children I looked after, that my new boss would be that boy I used to know, that boy who was now a man—a cold, lonely, detached man.
The smile and laugh I had loved so much were gone, now distant memories. Every part of him was covered in a fresh pain.
When he realized who I was, he made me promise to do my job and my job only.
He made me promise not to try to get to know him, not to recall the memories I’d treasured all this time.
But, sometimes, I saw the boy I’d once known in his stormy eyes. I saw the Greyson who smiled and laughed, who had stolen a young girl’s heart, and there was no doubt in my mind that this boy was worth fighting for.
I was given a second chance with the one who’d left his mark on me. All I hoped was that somehow I’d leave a mark on his soul, too.
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I can’t say enough about how I love this book, Eleanor & Gray. This is the first book I read from the author and I am going to look for more of her books. The book is narrated by Erin Mallon and Angelo Di Loret.
I smiled, I laugh, I cried, then I swooned! WoW! All the feelings!
Eleanor & Gray is about friendship, family, and looking out for those who look out for you. It is a second chance romance novel that is quite different from other books that I read, and it is now one of my top faves! Not to mention that one of the narrators is Erin Mallon. One of my top three favorite female narrators. That made listening to the audio even more enjoyable! This is the first time I heard Angelo Di Loret narrates and I think he did a fantastic job here, too.
The story itself was good, an achingly sweet slow burn between two high school friends who always felt like more to each other.
“He was just him, I was me, and we were us.”
I really enjoyed the first half of this book and the author’s writing. Easy and enjoyable, but I wish the author had given us more time with the couple after they worked through their own grief and emotional roadblocks. The last half/30% of the book lowered my interest. I appreciate how real the author kept the characters and the struggles they faced dealing with grief. She included how the death of a loved one affects each family member and the healing that is needed individually and as a family. There was just so much buildup and time spent apart, the couple didn’t come together until 81% into the book and even then, things were cut off again by 85%. I just didn’t get enough of the couple as a couple, or the romantic love between them.
I’m interested in Landon & Shay’s story and plan to read it! It’s a duet so I wonder if we’ll get more of the actual couple together than we did in this one.
“More of that…”
That’s what this story is, it is more.
Eleanor and Grey is going to take your heart and your soul. This story going to take your heart and soul and shatter them. This story is going to then take the scattered pieces of your heart and soul and heal them, change them and make them fly. This story is going to follow you for a long, long time.
You are going to need a box of tissues when you read this story, it made me cry, it made me ugly cry in all of the best ways. It also made me feel hope, that when the people you love most leave this world, they stay with you, they “stay in your heartbeats…” (more beautiful quotes are abound in this story…you will see…)
I loved that the relationship between Eleanor and Grey changed as needed. I loved the fierceness in which Grey loved Nicole (yes, you read this right….) and the fierceness that Grey loved Eleanor. I loved the understanding and unconditional love that Eleanor had for Grey and his family.
This story is about so much more than Eleanor and Grey, it’s about love and loss and putting the shattered pieces of your heart back together, it won’t be the same, it will be cracked and scarred. But it can love again, in new and glorious ways. This story is going to give you hope, I know it did for me.
Ms. Cherry, your writing amazes me, your stories are beautiful to behold and an honor to read. You create magic in your words. And if I can wish for one thing it would be “More of that, Ms. Cherry”.
Loved!!!
Greyson and Eleanor will remain with me for a long time! Grey was an incredible best friend, loyal and strong. Always there to encourage Eleanor, help her deal with the sadness in her life. A sweet first love until they were separated. Now his soul has been darkened, his life shattered and maybe Eleanor is the only one that can save him. The love and intensity of all the characters in this book makes this book both addictive and a complete pleasure to read!! Ms Cherry has this amazing talent for creating characters so real, so broken, yet so perfect! I have loved all of her books and Eleanor and Grey is definitely another 5 star masterpiece!! I loved every angsty, beautiful page
Brittainy C. Cherry knows how to write a love story. I’ve read several of her books and this is my favorite by far.
This was my first book by Ms. Cherry and it did not disappoint. She has a way of making you feel exactly what the characters are feeling. I could not put this book down. I can’t wait to read more by her.
This book was a tear jerker. I cried so much throughout the book but it was realistic in what people ‘s emotions are when faced with sickness and death. There is a happily ever after but I would have loved it more if there was a bit more of the happy. would I recommend it? Yes! Would I read it again? Definitely.
You know those first few minutes after finishing an amazing book?
Those moments when you aren’t quite sure what to do with yourself?
You simply sat there, staring at the last words, unsure how to move on with your life.
How could it be over?
How could those characters just fade to black?
No, for you the characters were still soaked in your soul. Their actions, their dialogue, were still alive and strong in your mind. Your tears hadn’t even dried, and you craved another fix. I loved that feeling. The bittersweet love story between a person and a novel coming to an end.
ALL the sentiments that Eleanor Gable experiences while reading a book and EXACTLY what I FELT reading this book
Soaked, plenished, bursting at the seams with emotions so powerful and potent, they just will choke you speechless.
“More of THAT”
You will be stunned and amazed at the simplistic beauty of the tender love story.
You will cuss the unfairness of this thing called fate.
You will definitely learn how to live your life.
You CANNOT walk away UNMOVED & UNTOUCHED nevertheless. There’s heaviness surrounding all these characters. There’s suffocation in the weather that cloaks them, yet instead of turning out to be morose, this book has shiny shafts of hope breaking through the dark clouds all throughout !!
“Love wasn’t only real because people said it out loud. No, love just kind of sat there quietly, in the shadows of the night, healing the cracks that lived on our heart.”
This is a marvellous ability of an accomplished writer like Brittainy. Realism is expertly interspersed with expectation, failure with assumption and hopelessness with Inspiration
The plot reminded of the tree – Weeping Willow. The limbs weighed down heavily but the trunk staying solid
Such are the sad lives of Greyson East and Eleanor Gable. They’re high school friends and poles apart in demeanour
Her Harry Potter nerdiness is in sharp contrats to his Kung-Fu loving, popularity.
Yet their hearts meet on common ground of abject loneliness and crumbling family dynamics.
They find solace in each other’s company and hold each other up when it gets too overwhelming
“Maybe all people needed sometimes was for someone to keep showing up for them during the hard days. Even when they tried their best to push everyone away.”
Their lives are so connected, then pulled apart and then a fateful disaster happens in BOTH their lives.
“Just because two people are meant to be together, doesn’t mean it has to happen right this second. Sometimes the best love stories are about those who waited.”
Of the characters I was instantly in love with Ellie and her strength. I wanted to hug Grey in my arms and save him from the world. Karla & Lorelei I just wanted to cuddle and adopt!!!
My heart !! Oh my poor crying, howling heart, was overflowing with hurting aches and pains, my eyes just welled up and overflowed non-stop…i seriously couldn’t breathe!!
When you pick up this book to read…which YOU MUST , find a quite reading nook, a huge bottle of wine and a big box of Kleenex and cleanse your soul with this AMAZING, HEART-WRENCHING story.
As always Cherry aims straight for our hearts and hits a bullseye!
Now I want the next book soon!
“I can’t wait for season one, episode one of the Landon and Shay show,”
“I love a good enemies to lovers storyline.”
Standing Ovation for Brittainy and we bow to your words!
5 stars for Dragonflies & Butterfly Wings
* A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review *
Eleanor & Grey is such an emotional heartbreaking and heartwarming story about love, loss and healing. This book will sweep you up into its world and not let go until the very end.
I absolutely LOVED this book!! No one writes like Brittainy C. Cherry. Her stories are full of heart, emotion and thought provoking storylines. I find her writing to be effortless and truly one of a kind.
Eleanor & Grey is Brittainy’s newest standalone novel. It is told in Dual POV!! I loved every word of this story. It’s a story that spans a 16 year time frame. I loved how this story was told. I also loved the messages that Brittainy was trying to get across throughout this story. Each character in this story had some sort of healing and obstacle to overcome, but I love how Brittainy handled each situation. I will warn you that some parts of this story are kind of a touchy subject, and might be triggers for some readers. The topic of Bullying is discussed in this story, but how Brittainy writes that into the story and how she handles it, is truly how I wished things were handled!!! You’ll understand this more once you read the book.
This story truly is a heartbreaking story, but what I loved so much about it, was that Brittainy balances out the heartbreak with just the right amount of humor, love and friendship. She knew exactly when to add the element of humor to lighten up the story so it didn’t feel like a downer the whole way through. I loved the friendships she forged in this story. These types of friendships are what I think every person strives for in life.
In this story we follow the journey of Eleanor & Grey. We start with them as high school students just trying to get through high school. Eleanor is what most would say an introvert and likes to read books instead of interacting with other kids her age. So when she is talked into going to a party with her cousin and is befriended by Grey, she is a little leary of him. As Grey & Eleanor spend time together they find they have stuff in common and are each other support through some really tough times. But when some heartbreaking happens in Eleanor’s family, their friendship is put to the test. Eleanor tries to push Grey away and then she has to move away, where they eventually lose touch with each other. Fast forward 16 years and Eleanor is brought back into Grey’s life at a time when he needs her the most. Although it is not a happy reunion or even an easy one. Can Eleanor and Grey find their HEA after all?? Read this book to find out.
I LOVED both Eleanor and Grey so much. These characters will live on in my head for a long time to come. Eleanor was my favorite. I loved her spirit and everlasting love and loyalty to people she held close. Grey was a different story for me. I loved his character as we first met him, but then some tragic happens to him and he turned cold. I had a hard time warming up to him again, but in the end I saw the hurt and pain he was going through and couldn’t help opening my heart to him once again. Eleanor and Grey are two characters you will want to meet and take into your life. They will hold a special place in my heart.
I have to say I think this is my all time favorite book by Brittain C Cherry. This is definitely one for my Best of 2019 list!!! This is a MUST READ for all romance readers. The characters were captivating and the storyline was intriguing, emotional, heartbreaking and heartwarming all in one. I know this review doesn’t do this story the justice is deserves, but truly take my word for it….READ THIS BOOK!!!!
You don’t want to miss this AMAZING book!!!!
“Fear’s okay, as long as you don’t let it drown you.”
Oh wow! Brittainy Cherry sure knows how to reach into your soul. My heart! It was put through the ringer with this story.
The beauty with which Brittainy Cherry writes resonates deep within. This story overwhelms you with emotions and seers your heart. It involves so many different things. You could feel the pain, the grief, the loss, the sheer heartache. I enjoyed the humor mixed with the tears.
I loved the way Eleanor and Grey meet. I loved watching their bond grow and their friendship develop. You can feel the intense connection between them throughout every moment in this story. Their journey is full of pain, healing, and so much love. The way they help each other heal is breathtaking.
I can’t begin to describe how incredible the story truly is. It is a beautiful, touching story that will stay with you long after you’ve read it.
“People didn’t have to talk about love to know it existed. Love wasn’t only real because someone said it out loud. No, love just kind of sat there quietly, in the shadows of the night, healing the cracks that lived in our hearts.”
This book was pure magic! Eleanor and Grey had all the angst, emotion, and swoon worthy moments that I love in a book. I laughed and I cried and I loved every second of this book! Brittainy C. Cherry knocked it out of the park with this highly emotional tale of true love!
A rating…such an amazing book. LOVED IT…and yes, I cried.
5 More of THAT Stars! Definitely a top 10
read of 2019! An emotional roller coaster. An epic journey that will put you through a gamut of emotions! A must read!
I have no bad words to say about this book. It pulls you in from the start. It’s so easy to relate to Eleanor and fall in love with Grayson. Their story felt so realistic and there was no fake/over the top drama. It’s an overall great story about love, loss and family.
It’s beautiful and heartbreaking. But also so full of love and hope and happiness and second chances.
It is so hard reading about their childhood the bad parts, but they had each other to lean on. then we jump ahead15 years … and life did happen. And now we need to fight for that second chance!
Beautifully written second chance love story.
I’m giving this books 4 Stars: (If you like this review – please follow @anikabreathesbooks on instagram)
So I’ve been reading Brittainy’s books for a while now. Before I start reading one of her books, I feel as though I’m prepared to experience the emotions I’m about to experience. Because they’re gut-wrenching each time.
But let me tell you the honest truth — I’m not! No one is! She somehow has a way to make you feel the pain, the sadness and the pure delight all at once. How does she do it.
Okay now, on to the specifics of the book:
This book is about a broken girl who is healed by a young boy, only to find herself at his doorstep again, but 15 years later. This time, she’s the one who heals him and his family and it’s absolutely beautiful.
What I loved:
1. I loved that each character had a flaw. No one was perfect, the awkwardness of each conversation helped us relate to the family.
2. I loved the way Ellie had a way to love Grey without explicitly showing it. This author had a way to express those emotions without necessarily typing the words.
3. I absolutely loved LORELAI! She was my favorite. She made me smile with every word she said.
4. The beauty of the words — I cried buckets. This is a real tear jerker. Thank you for making me feel so many emotions all at once.
What I didn’t love too much: (Spoiler Alert!)
1. I felt as though the pain in the book was described about 80% of the time. Usually, at 50% the story starts it’s healing journey, but this happened a little bit towards the end. I needed it to be faster.
2. The connection between Elie & Grey towards the end didn’t feel strong enough. I feel like he kept saying he needed time and yet his daughter called Ellie two days after, not giving him enough time.
3. It feels weird to say this, but I feel as though Ellie loved Grey more than he loved her. I don’t usually love that in stories because I want both characters to love each other equally.
4. I wanted more in the epilogue from this book. I feel like the ending was a little rushed – I wanted to learn a little bit about how they spend more time together and become a family.
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So I leave you to decide whether you love this book or not, but my advice it to read it at least once. If not for the love story, then for the fact that you learn how to appreciate the little things in life with this book. I certainly learned how to not take too many things for granted.
Thanks Brittainy!
My First book by Brittainy Cherry and I fell in love so much with her writing.
“She was she, I was me, and we were us. This was our story. This was our always and forever. And it was going to be beautiful.”
Eleanor and grey is a very romantic angsty story that will keep you wanting more with each page.. we first met Eleanor and Grey when they were just kids, they became inseparable and so close almost like a second skin to their soul.. Grey didn’t had a very easy life his parents were always fighting and immerse on drinking and business.. he felt so alone and wanted to make friends someone who will appreciate him and value him from whom he was..
“You were my safety net that kept me from drowning.”
Eleanor had a good family that loves her and embraces her, she had other tastes and interests in life, she wasn’t popular in fact she was the weird kid in school but life and circumstances brought them together making a friendship that will last forever.
“Not only are you beautiful on the outside, Eleanor Rose, you’re stunning on the inside. You are creative. You have the best laugh I’ve ever heard. You are kind, giving, and brave. Don’t ever think you aren’t good enough based on what the magazines define as beauty. You. Are. Beautiful.”
Tragedy hits close to home, life happens, and after such a long time their paths cross again.. now its matter of Grey to open up his heart again and see Elie from the beautiful women she has become .. someone with love and soul..
“Our love story was so much more than a romantic tale. Our story was about friendship. About family. About looking out for those who always looked out for you. His soul was born to be loved by mine.”
in love with this book, and the characters.. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Brittainny
My words are not going to do this book justice, at all, it’s agony and heartbreak in the best possible way. Eleanor and Grey first meet when they’re in high school. He’s a popular, outgoing kid and Eleanor is completely opposite, preferring to spend her time reading in the corner, away from everyone else. He comes in to her life when she needs him most, helping her deal with her mom’s illness, and just being a friend. Time and life, of course, cause them to drift apart. Years later they meet again, but this time it’s when Grey needs Eleanor most.
I knew this book was going to rip out my heart, and it did not disappoint. Eleanor’s love, kindness, and patience for Grey and his girls was so sweet and heartbreaking. Watching her bring him back to them and be a part of their lives again was simply amazing. This book honestly gave me all the feels, there’s just no other way to put it, a huge roller coaster of emotions. I highly highly recommend this book, you’ll need some kleenex to go with it.
I don’t think I could write a good enough review to give this book the praise it deserves. I was captivated from the beginning. I could not put this book down. The emotions that runs through this book, runs right through your heart and soul. This is my first Brittainy Cherry book and I can guarantee you, it won’t be my last!