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 have yet to pick up a book by Brittainy C. Cherry and not devour it. I absolutely love her writing and her characters. Her stories consume me, and Eleanor & Grey was no different. This story was a beautiful story of loss, hope and second chances. It was emotional and heartwarming and I loved every minute of it.
Eleanor and Greyson were friends as teenagers and always there for each other. Their connection was strong, but as it happens, time passed, and life sent them through separate paths. But Eleanor never forgot the boy that once touched her so deeply. So, imagine how shocked they were when she is hired to be the nanny for his children. All of them suffering the loss of the woman they loved (their mom/wife). Grey almost seems like a completely different person.
This story touched my heart. Eleanor wanted to help heal Grey and his children and all Grey wanted was to be left alone and grieve. Eleanor was so caring and kind. Grey on the other hand was distant and full of sorrow. Eleanor & Grey is a must-read story. The journey was not easy for the main characters, but it will touch you in so many ways!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Eleanor & Grey was such a sweet read. I loved getting to know these characters and watching them figure everything out. I loved watching everything that happened and how they helped each other through it. How even if they tried to push each other away they other didn’t let it happen. They were there no matter what. Because sometimes you just need someone to show up and show up they did. Through all the ups and downs it was so sweet and touching and I loved every minute of it.
Eleanor and Grey first met when they were younger. When Eleanor had some things going on in her life that were difficult to deal with. When she was a loner, the weird girl who sits in the corner at a party and reads. When she didn’t know she needed someone like Grey and how much he would come to mean to her. They were so sweet together and Grey was wonderful with Eleanor. He was always there for her trying to give her a few moments when she could take her mind off of what was happening and get through the day. Right from the first moments when they meet you could see that they were perfect for each other. Grey is so sweet and I really loved him. And Eleanor is adorable and just as wonderful. She is the kind of person anyone would be lucky to know.
“Eleanor was doing that thing she was so good at doing. Slowly sliding into one’s life and making it better without them even knowing it was happening.”
That to me is Eleanor in a nutshell. She makes your life better just for knowing her. And after life happens and Eleanor and Grey are separated she never imagined how they would meet again. How she would be taking care of his kids and how he is nothing like the boy she used to know. Though she sees glimpses and moments of that boy so she knows he is still in there. And like he did when they were younger she is not going to give up on him. She is not going to let him wither away and do nothing to help. She will be there even if it is just sitting quietly in the corner so he knows someone is there. These two were wonderful to read. They made me tear up time and time again, but the sad times make the happy that much happier. And that is the only thing they ever wanted, to be happy.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland blog
” You stand for peace in the chaos.”
Eleanor is a shy and reserved girl who enjoys staying with her parents. When meeting Grey one of the popular boys of the school the one who is able to illuminate the room, Eleanor was charmed. Their friendship is beautiful and touching and soon conquers the reader, but life is not as simple as we think and they end up in separate ways.
As usual after having idea of the story I ran to read the ending and wonder if I would really fall in love with everything as the book promised …. The ending is interesting, Eleanor stands as a solid foundation for the reconstruction of Gray’s family and she slowly can get closer to her father who in the past pushed her away at the worst moment of their lives.
I came back to read as a normal person returning to the second part of the book and this is where the book made me a little crazy. Eleanor is a full time nanny and when hired by Grey she was surprised that the sweet boy of the past has nothing with the serious and rude man of the present. But she is a persistent person and fights for him. The hopeful girl has kept a beautiful memory of her moments with Grey and ends up deifying this image in her mind and can not accept this new version that presents itself right in front of you.
Grey is deeply immersed in mourning, he can do nothing but blame himself and get away from everyone thinking only of his late wife and everyhting he lost. Thus he can not perceive the abyss he is creating between himself and his daughters, especially the older one. Now it’s Eleanor’s time to be the light spot for him, the question is if he’s going to accept the hand that stretches out in his direction.
The story has many beautiful and exciting moments, Eleanor is an extraordinary person and special in every way and I cried for her pain at every single moment.
The friendship is the point that guides the plot but I could not perceive Grey’s love towards Eleanor, she is obsessed with him and he is obsessed with Nicole and for the second time in my literary life I hoped that the girl would end alone, because she did not deserve to be his last choice and he did not deserve the love she gave him. And that sensation has been further strengthened by the cover that focuses the image on him and leaves her almost hidden in the corner.
Anyway, the book is cool but it does not look like the old poetic plots of Brittainy, the style is very different from what I am accustomed and I honestly think the plot had everything to conquer and snatch if Brittainy focused on Eleanor and less in the late wife. For me, the whole book could be based on the final 30% with the intrigues all over developed throughout the book and putting the first part as flashbacks within this final part that I spoke, creating a greater connection with the reader.
3,5/5 stars
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.
That’s what happened to me after I finished Eleanor & Grey.
Brittainy C. Cherry has the ability to shatter our hearts and heal them in the same story. Book after book, character after character. Eleanor & Grey is such an emotional and heartbreaking story.
Life brought together Eleanor and Greyson. For awhile they were happy, but then life separated them. What happens next is a turmoil of situations that will break your heart.
I felt in my heart every single scar from the characters in this story. All of them!
But I also loved them all and cheered for them! It was beautiful to see the light entering in that house and turn off the darkness.
This story is all about second chances, healing, true love and smiles. All I can ask is “More Of That…”
“We were still broken, and cracked, and growing and learning. We were mistakes and perfection, flowing streams and hurricanes.” – Eleanor and Grey
I received this book in exchange for an honest review, and oh my god! I was obsessed with reading it. So many emotions flowed through me, one minute I was laughing, the next crying at the beauty of Brittainy C Cherry’s words.
I am not new to Cherry’s work, ‘Behind The Bars’ already being one of my favourites, so I knew this book was going to be good, but I didn’t envisage just how good! This book gave me all the feels and more.
The book is about Eleanor Gable, an introverted bookworm who learns that her world is no longer going to be the same. Her mother, who is her world, has been diagnosed with cancer, and with it a ticking timer. Eleanor does not know what to do, part in denial, part pessimistic. But she knows that her heart and soul is drowning.
At a party she is forced to attend she meets Greyson, a boy who is popular and confident and not devoid of his own hang ups and pain. Beneath his devilishly good looks and boyish charm, he is grieving the loss of his Grandfather.
The pair bond over their grief and misfortune, determined to be the distractions the other person needs. Greyson is adorable, ensuring he is always there to be beside Eleanor through her darkest days.
The pair lose touch, only to be reunited when Eleanor accepts a job unknowingly to be his children’s nanny. But this time, it is her turn to rescue Greyson from drowning. She is the rock that is there for Grey’s whole family and embeds herself nicely into their lives and encourages them to grieve for a woman she knows is irreplaceable. She is patient, loving and tenacious and she is determined to pull Greyson out of the darkness of grief and enable him to see the light of the miracles that are his children.
There are so many words for this book, it was incredibly emotional and thought provoking and I was taken on a believable journey of one family and their grief. There were so many intricate little moments that broke my heart and healed them and I just adored reading something that made me feel genuine feelings.
It’s never easy to put pain into words, or read a book that is inspiring that sends a message that it is ‘ok to not be ok’, but Cherry did it perfectly. I loved everything from Lorelai still talking to her mother, to the painful isolation Karla feels. It’s a book that I could relate to from losing my own loved ones, and a book that equally makes you have hope.
I would encourage anyone to read this book as it’s just pure perfection and I was obsessed. It’s definitely going to be one that stays with me for time to come. Just beautiful, and the cover was equally as captivating.
warning have a box of tissues when you read this book!
I rated this book 5 and here is why!
This is a heartfelt love story second chance romance. Eleanor meets Grey at a party, she’s reading a book and trying to avoid everyone. Grey isn’t fond of talking to her at first and only does so because his best friend says he owes him! But In just those moments of talking to Eleanor he wanted more. A friendship/romance is kindled and they both help each other thru turbulent times.
Flash forward to the future they meet again as adults. She interviews for a Nanny position. Grey is a widower and has two children and a business to run, but what she remembered from Grey from her youth is a man who is sad and cold. Can she bring the old Grey back? Can they heal each other’s wounds?
You will have to read! I loved this book for so many reasons. Family was backbone of this book. Death is also a big theme, getting over the death of loved ones is very hard. People grieve in different ways. What helps someone over come it is being there always. “I’m still here”. Read this book! You will love it!
This book has me shook!!!!! I’ve got a HUGE book hangover after this!!!! Ms. Cherry, you rocked my literary world!!!!!!
4.5 stars
Eleanor Gable and Greyson East came from two different worlds. A shared experience brought them together and formed an unlikely friendship. But as the friendship blossomed, they were forced to find their own path. Years later, they were brought back together but nothing was like what they knew and remembered.
It’s been a long time since a book made my eyes puffy, but this one did it and I loved everything seconds of the heart wounding moments. The first part of the book was so cute that my cheeks hurt from smiling but at the same time was so sad that I’ve probably added wrinkles on my forehead from frowning.
It was impossible not to fall for both Grey and Ellie. They carried tremendous hurt individually and inadvertently hurting the people around them. I liked how the author presented the issues faced by the characters realistically and resolved it organically. And the supporting characters added depth and heart into the story. One thing though, I wish there was more information on his life in between the periods.
Eleanor & Grey is a story of love, loss, and healing. It would appeal to readers who love to be immersed in an emotionally charged story of second chance romance.
Omg this book is all that and more!
This book was exactly what I enjoy in romances…full length…standalone…flawlessly written…relatable characters…
More importantly slow burn passion and so emotional!
Eleanor and Grey’s story begins as teens, sweet young love, everything is sweet and lovely. Then reality and growing up comes into play!
This is where the story turns into a powerful and poignant story of love, acceptance and second chances.
Theirs, is an emotional, heart wrenching and passionate journey as they struggle with themselves and their emotions for each other.
The intensity, the ups and downs of entangled emotions. I couldn’t put this book down despite the fact that I actually had to stop because I felt the pain and emotions encountered in this read.
Go in blindly…you won’t be disappointed!
This was an addicting read for me. A story well written it was unputdownable.
Fabulous story. It truly is but I don’t think I’d call this a romance. Of course this is “MY” opinion. While it definitely has the element of romantic love I felt this story to be more about Eleanor’s journey, Grey’s journey, and then the special role they play in each other’s journey.
This story had its beautiful, sad and happy moments. It’s a road of heartbreak and the need to keep going when you’ve lost all your strength.
I saw the struggles of trying to heal for yourself and the even stronger struggle to heal for others and failing at every turn.
Eleanor and Grey built this strong friendship when they met in high school. The build up of their relationship was simply heartwarming to see. A friendship that would last through the test of time.
This is most definitely a 2nd chance but not only at love… but a 2nd chance at life and happiness.
Because that’s all any one of us wants to be when we grow up… HAPPY
The ending was so sweet, something special, creative and really really cute!
It made my heart smile.
Quote ~ “He was him, and I was me, and we were us”
4.5 Still Here Stars!
Eleanor Gable is a sixteen year old living in Raine, Illinois when Greyson East enters her life. She’s the awkward introvert who often felt invisible and could usually be found somewhere quiet reading, and he’s the popular gorgeous boy at her high school who could have any girl he wanted. She can’t figure it out, but for some reason he’s decided he wants to be her friend. There’s more to him than what’s on the outside. He’s unbelievably kind and thoughtful, and soon she lives for his smiles and the way he makes her feel. They share a special bond and as they grow closer life happens and they are forced to part ways as their futures take them in different directions. Eleanor never forgets the boy who came into her life and left too soon, and through the years she treasures her memories of Grey.
Fifteen years later Ellie and Grey cross paths again, and it’s hard to see any traces of the open boy she once knew when she looks into the eyes of the cold, hard man standing in front of her. She’d wished to one day find him again, but this man is tangled up in pain and wants nothing to do with her. She’d once seen the real Grey, and hoped he’d show back up. He was worth fighting for, and she knew the boy who stole her heart all those years ago had to be in there somewhere. Is it too late or did fate bring them back together for a second chance at love?
Eleanor & Grey is a standalone second chance romance about first loves, soulmates, friendship, family and heartbreak. It’s also about healing, and beautiful unbreakable connections. As usual Brittainy wrote a stunning story that will touch your heart, and stay with you.
No one can pull every emotion out of you like Brittainy C. Cherry! I am so in love with Eleanor & Grey! This is such a beautiful story of love, loss and finding your way again. This is a must read!! FIVE HUGE STARS!!
Eleanor & Grey
Need a book with characters that you’ll fall in love with?!? You found them!
The antisocial book nerd & the jock (on a you owe me from the popular jerk)
Finding each other at a party Eleanor and Grey become each other’s person. You know they get one another through those the day valleys — both have big valleys!
Eleanor’s mom is dying from cancer and Grey’s parents fight every time they are on the same room. His dad is self absorbed and ignores his family…Grey vows that he’ll never be his father.
Eleanor struggles after losing her mom and her dad as he never recovers and can’t even face Eleanor because she reminds him of her mother. After trying and giving up she returns to her roots and starts a job as a nanny. Her job sends her to a spot where she working for a man that just lost his wife and as is feeling great about this as she’ll be able to relate as she too list her mom. Difficult times ahead…read this great story with relatable characters that are lovable and keep you drawn in and wanting more!
Second chance romances are some of my very favorite stories. This one was incredibly beautiful, and I just wanted more of everything Grey and Ellie had to give me.
Their romance starts as an unlikely friendship in high school. She’s the unapologetic anti-social nerd (but a very lovable Hufflepuff, with amazing parents and sense of self) and he’s a popular-ish athlete with a difficult home life and one of the biggest hearts I’ve come across. Then… time. Distance. Life.
Circumstances bring them back together after 15 years and it’s a rough journey back to finding that friendship they once had, especially since he’s turned into one of the people he always hated and she’s now the nanny for his kids!
So good. Everything about it, just sweet and lovely. Definitely recommend if you like second chances and can handle your heart getting ripped out of your chest for numerous reasons while reading. 😉
This is a two part story, starting when Eleanor and Grey meet in high school and then part two ten years later. I absolutely adored the relationship between the young couple. They are quirky and fun, everything is new and exciting. There are a lot of issues and emotions that they journey through, both together and individual but the youthfulness never seems to dull. Eleanor has a quick wit and her quirkiness is charming. Grey is lovable and sweet, always thinking of Eleanor and putting her first. They were two souls, seemingly so different yet they really saw the other person for who they were.
I don’t want to give too much away, because this is a book you really need to read and experience, but I am sure you can guess the love between teenage Eleanor and Grey doesn’t work out. Fast forward ten years later and the two are unexpectedly thrown back together. Of course life is harsh and the Eleanor and Grey of past are not the Eleanor and Grey of present. There are new issues the two must navigate and a lot of heartache to process.
After reading this book the first thought that came to my mind was how hard it was. It was a wonderful story, but it was hard journey for Eleanor and Grey. Sometimes I really want a story to just get wrapped up like a present, everything perfect and pretty. This story was far from pretty, but it was perfect. Make sure you get out the tissues, I was a ugly crying, sobbing mess through the majority of the book and it was totally worth it.
6 More of That stars
“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.”
Eleanor & Grey is an incredibly moving and deeply heart-rending tale of second chances; of two people finding love and peace and family; of a friendship that burned bright and spanned across ages; of a journey that brought excruciating heartache and pain, but also of immense hope and healing.
“I knew I told her that I wanted to be her friend to keep her from being lonely, but maybe I needed a friend just as much as she did. Maybe I needed her even more than she needed me.”
Broken up into two parts, we get a riveting mix of young adult and contemporary romances in Brittainy C. Cherry’s exceptional storytelling—laying out the full growth and evolution of Ellie and Grey’s friendship and love and passion for every reader to witness and devour. We get to take in, feel and experience just how much time and loss and life changed them in the most drastic of ways, yet brought them back together at the same time.
“He was him, I was me, and we were us. This was us. This was our story.”
This author has been known to slay and bring on the feels with every single book she writes, and she certainly delivered yet another remarkable and completely unputdownable novel that deserves to sit on top. There’s just nothing that can compare to the way her words engulf you with every emotion known to man, or the way her characters affect you in a level you feel deep down to the marrow of your bones, or the way her storylines fill your heart up to the brim that you‘re just bursting with so much light and warmth and joy.
“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.”
Eleanor & Grey is a story that will penetrate through the darkest and coldest of hearts. One that will strike you right to the very depths of your soul. One that will definitely leave its permanent imprint down to your core long after you’ve reached the end. This is truly and undeniably one of those books that will touch you, stick with you, and live in you for always. There’s just no forgetting Ellie and Grey and their extraordinary story. And there’s absolutely no getting over them any time soon.
This book is everything. My favorite book ever. I have not cried so much reading a book, not just sad tears but tears of joy as well. Greyson was there when Ellie needed him and Ellie returns the favor many years later when Greyson is at his lowest of lows. This is a second chance/ best friends/ single dad/ nanny all in one. Definitely a 10 star read. Highly recommended.
Wow!!!!!! What an amazing 10 star story this was. I don’t remember the last time I read a story that made me ugly cry from all these emotions coursing through me.
Eleanor and Grey met when they were in their teens. They leaned on each other in times of needs. They were both going through some loses. Now many years later their path crosses again. They are both different adults. Grey needs an Eleonor in his life even if he says he doesn’t need her. Will they be able to lean on each other?
This was such an addicting and captivating story that I basically devoured it in a day. I wasn’t able to put it down for very long. Beautifully written with an amazing storyline that made me feel so many different emotions. What makes me connect to a story, are the characters. They were perfectly created to perfection. They made me fall in love with them. Bottomline this is 2019 must read.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.
ELEANOR & GREY” is a standalone romance novel by Brittainy C. Cherry.
Eleanor is sixteen when Greyson enters her life. She’s introverted and shy to his extroverted, popular cool kid ways. He’s decided that he wants to be friends with her and nothing she says/does steers him away from what he wants- her as his friend. Soon, they are friends and close where she has fallen in love with him but life takes them in different directions and different paths. Eleanor never forgot the boy who came into her life and gave her life new meaning yet left her life way too soon; throughout the years she kept her memories of Grey as treasures. Fast forward 15 years later – Eleanor and Grey end up crossing path again. Grey isn’t the same boy that Eleanor remembers. He is cold, distant and acts like he doesn’t remember Eleanor. She wished she could be reunited with him but her wish isn’t coming true like she hoped. She always wanted to see if their love was worth pursuing but this Grey makes her wonder if she is stuck in the past … can she get a 2nd chance at love ? This is an emotional, unique love story that will have you grabbing tissues. The actions and emotions of the main characters will have you wondering up until the very end. Ms. Cherry writes emotions beautifully and her characters make you feel as though these are people that you grew up with. I enjoyed reading this engaging romance.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ******
Eleanor & Grey
O.M.G.!! Wow! Wow! Wow! Amaze balls! Totally admired the characters! What an emotional roller coaster! Very well written! Absolutely loved and adored! Admired the cover! Love the story! Perfecto!
Very highly recommend!