Book two of this interconnected series continues with broken hearts and love in all the wrong places…The last thing I expected to do was walk away from him.My heart broke in two, my world cold and empty.While I fell into the arms of another, He lost himself to alcohol and parties.I tried to pick up the pieces, tried to move on,But the days were long, and the nights were longer.Dean was there, … nights were longer.
Dean was there, with open arms, and promises of a future,
One I didn’t want but thought I needed.
Levi haunts my dreams while Dean is there to wipe away my tears.
One destroys me, while the other makes me better.
But sometimes better isn’t best and sometimes you can’t help but choose what destroys you.
I should be ghostin’ him while lovin’ you but instead my heart beats for you both.
How will I choose?
Warning- Ends on a cliffhanger
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Some books/series just wreck you and that is exactly what this one is doing to me. The intense story is filled with raw emotions, angst, drama, poignancy, heartache, desire and soul deep pain. This is not always an easy story to read but it is always compelling. These complicated characters truly will make your heartache. There are no easy answers to be had and a cliffhanger to endure on the way to book three. This is my independent, impartial review.
This book is going to make your head spin. Addiction, rehab, head spinning, what did I just read, cliffhangers is what this book is going to be. Looking forward to more.
And here I thought the previous book in the You & Me series was an emotional rollercoaster ride…boy howdy! This one is even harder to get through and I’m now left a blubbering mess after reaching this book’s cliffhanger ending. From start to finish readers are put through the wringer alongside main characters that are clearly struggling at the start, struggling with addiction, self-doubts, and unrequited love. With each turn of the page readers will become even more invested in the outcome as a love triangle comes crashing down into a moment that will change all of them irrevocably.
Raina’s wallowing in heartbreak at the start of this story, missing Levi but knowing that staying with him would’ve dragged her down too. She’s simply going through the motions, a ghost merely existing one day at a time through actions that sometimes frustrated me while understanding where her heartache came from. She’s depressed and clearly a lost and lonely soul, looking for a bit of solace…which leads her to Dean. Dean’s a truly good guy, sweet and sexy, and it’s obvious that he loves Raina. Not so obvious is how she feels about him. Dean’s a very appealing hero and a delicious piece to Raina’s love triangle, but he’s got his own baggage, baggage that he’ll have to deal with one tragic night of no return. It’s baggage that will lay him bare, pluck reader’s heartstrings, while leaving them reaching for a tissue repeatedly. As to the other part of Raina’s love triangle…Levi’s addiction to alcohol takes center stage in this story as it’s become an all-consuming habit for him. It’s taken over his life, taken the love of his life, and turned him into someone very hard to love. He’s angry, verbally abusive at times, and doesn’t hesitate to lash out when feeling hurt. Despite his hurtful behavior he still can count on his friend Drew to support him. Drew’s habit of enabling started in the previous story but comes to an end here though, after seeing how low Levi’s fallen. Drew knows he must finally be a real friend to Levi and get him help in the first step to a new life for his friend, a first step towards introspection for Drew too regarding his past actions while dealing with the fallout from the cliffhanger readers are left with here. Another character who left a lasting impression was Raina’s friend Mabel…a ball of energy and a strong support to her friend. She helped Raina work through her depression and was there when her friend needed her most…despite some harsh treatment thrown her way. She’s the kind of secondary character you’d love to see have a story of her own and I look forward to seeing more of her in the next installment.
On a whole this was a gritty and angsty read, one that you couldn’t put down despite how much pain you were feeling. Each character was put through the wringer, tore down before starting to rebuild, with their feelings laid out for all to see. Issues of addiction, the toll it took on the addict and those surrounding the addict, were powerfully depicted and it broke my heart at times as it pushed buttons of my own experiences with an alcoholic parent. Ms. Cole performed a masterful balancing act in presenting an epic love story weighed down by addiction, giving us characters who were perfectly imperfect and who we cared about. From start to finish I was on the edge of my seat, knowing things wouldn’t end well, but hoping I was wrong. By the time the cliffhanger arrived I was already an emotional mess, now left waiting with bated breath to see where these characters go from here.
I knew after reading Lovin You the first book in the You and Me series that book 2 was going to be rough..I wasn’t wrong. This book picks up where book 1 left off as Rai and Levi are both still dealing with their choices in life as they’ve separated. Rai is feeling lost and is making bad decisions until she meets Dean who has a heart of gold and is the opposite of Levi.
Levi is drowning more and more into the bottom of a bottle and sometimes they have to hit bottom before they can climb their way out, so I’m wondering what will it take to wake him up. This book will grab you by the heartstrings and twist, so you best have the tissues.
What an emotional ride this trilogy is!! I’m not sure how much more that I take but I’m dying to know how it ends. Raina and Levi are both hurting being apart and you can totally feel all of their emotions pulling you into the story. They both try to move on and do better but tragedy leaves them suspended in a limbo of pain. Anxiously awaiting book 3!!!!!
This book will blow you away. From the very first page I felt this one in my heart. Do not miss these books. I can not wait for more.
Thank you for your review.
OMG, what a cliffhanger! GHOSTIN’ YOU (#2 in the You and Me Series) is an emotional rollercoaster as we ride every high and hit the withdrawal symptoms that the character endures. This book was heart-wrenching in its emotional angst, highs and lows of the three main characters’ struggles as they help each other try to get what they each need. This book was flawlessly and poignantly written about Levi and Raina’s love story—emotional and exhilarating—this book is best read with tissues nearby. Lyssa Cole is an amazing storyteller. She makes me laugh and cry, often times in the same sentence; and the way she develops her characters and tells their story, it captivated me from the start. I enjoyed the way the characters’ roles changed as the story progressed. I fell head over heels for Levi and Raina, and I have no doubt you will too. Addiction is a powerful disease in our society that people battle daily. I enjoyed reading how Lyssa Cole brought the darkness of addiction to the forefront and didn’t shy away from showing how bad things end up when a person becomes addicted and the painful choices you have to face. Everything was so good at first for Raina and Levi—they were so right for each other—they were combustible—they were true soulmates—their battle of wits is tremendously fun—acerbic and sexy and filled with tension, but despite the tumultuous events that brought Levi and Raina together, Raina believed she had found her happily-ever-after with Levi. But life managed to tear them apart, and Levi shattered Raina’s heart in a million little pieces in the process. Levi and Raina’s relationship certainly wasn’t an easy one between addiction issues, family drama, and the band. Then, Raina abruptly stops seeing Levi because of his addiction. Levi has been in a bad place for awhile, but in order to stay in the band, he’s gotta go to rehab, stay clean and keep it together. But now, what Raina didn’t expect was to fall in love with two men. Both Dean and Raina have preconceived notions of the other, but they find they have more in common than they expect. In spite of Dean and Raina’s relationship, I am still rooting for Levi and Raina!! Who will you root for? Not to give any spoilers away, but I wasn’t expecting the turn this story took; it has quite an unexpected revelation that may leave you flabbergasted—it is jaw-dropping good! What happens next? Well, read this amazing story and find out! You won’t regret it! This was a well written story that hooked me from the start. Lyssa Cole delivered a powerful, addictive, intriguing, emotional, and all-consuming story that left me obsessed and yearning for more. I HIGHLY recommend this book, and I can’t wait to read the next book.
Ok so I’m not gonna lie, this one hit home… hard. I’ve been in both of these characters shoes before and it sucks. I lost everything I cared about to alcohol and fought the demons daily for years. These characters will forever be apart of me and I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens next.
Holy moly! I didn’t see the turns coming! While the end of the first book broke my heart, this one crushed me! There are so many twists to this story and it is definitely leaving me confused as to where I want it to end! I need the next book like yesterday!!! Good job!
Lyssa Cole has brought us the next piece in Levi and Raina’s story.
This is book two in the series. It can not be read as a stand alone and it does end in a cliff hanger. The third and final book is currently slated to publish in August.
Ms. Cole had left us with a heart wrenching end of Loving You. Ghostin You picks up almost immediately where Loving You leaves off. Raina is home for the summer and is in despair over ending the relationship with Levi. She won’t talk about it to her parents, and even her brother isn’t able to fully pull her out of her depression. As the new school year is approaching, Raina is both dreading it and looking forward to it.
Mabel and Raina remain roomies in this book, but they are renting an apartment instead of dealing with the dorms. Their new digs are a short walk over to Drew and Levi’s place. Mabel is her typical stable and comforting self. She’s found an apartment which offers Raina the ability to people watch, is close to their usual haunts and to school. Mabel is doing everything she can to pull Raina out from her horrible downward spiral.
Raina is trying to reengage with her life while holding out hope that Levi is getting help. Getting better. She tried calling him only once over the summer and was met with anger. She finds herself wandering over to his building one day just to see him. To see for herself how he is. Unfortunately for her, Levi does catch sight of Raina, misinterprets the situation, and verbal shreds her heart.
At that, Raina leaves. Broken and convinced that Levi no longer loves her.
Raina spends much of this novel grappling with depression and second guessing her actions, her feelings and her decisions. She knows that Levi has a serious problem. She knows he needs help. She firmly believes that he needs to do this on his own so that he can come back to her whole and healthy.
As with the first book in this series, Ms. Cole writes a heart wrenching, raw, and accurate depiction of a couple just over the line of adulthood struggling with some of life’s biggest issues. The mental spin and spiral that Raina is in grips you, and is brutally accurate for someone in depression.
Levi’s addiction is handled just as rawly. Peeling away any trace of romanticism one could have about rockstars and over indulgence. Ms. Cole writes an unfiltered character who is abusing alcohol to hide from the pain in his life.
Also staring in this novel is Drew. Levi’s childhood best friend and bandmate. Drew walks an incredibly thin line between assisting Levi in his addiction in order to get Levi to function and perform, and being a true concerned friend who sees his friend in pain. While Drew’s actions aren’t always driven from Levi’s best interest, he does have his friend at heart.
The story travels along Raina meeting someone new whom she ever so slowly opens her heart to. Dean quickly falls for the beautiful beaten girl. We learn that Dean is a master at both musical production as well as trying to fix people. It’s hard to know if the reader is supposed to be supporting Dean or Levi in Raina’s life. Dean’s part is written so seamlessly and openly. You feel that this relationship is going to end hard, fast, and brutally for someone… but I can’t tell yet if it will be Dean or Raina who will be the victim.
There is a quick glimpse of hope for our new triangle as Levi is finally forced into rehab and Drew supports him post discharge. Things are hard and it’s a struggle, but Levi is working at it.
Then, it all explodes.
All I can say from this point on in the book is, you will need tissues. The utter pain and emotional destruction, loss, hope, friendship, despair, and road one can travel on when a loved one is ill pours out at the readers feet. Raina is left a shell of herself with her stubborn core torn as to what she should do.
Mabel shows herself to be the most forgiving and supportive of friends. She keeps Raina away from truly falling off an emotional cliff.
Drew and Dean?? The gents are stripped to their souls and it is brutal. Each have struggles and revelations to overcome and work through.
Once again Ms. Cole writes a stark, emotional, gripping story of love and the angst of battling internal demons. She writes of such heavy topics being lived through and dealt with at such a young age, but with such maturity. She brings her characters to the very ground but still manages to treat them with respect and dignity.
This story will leave you emotional, breathless, and yet fearfully hopeful at the end…..because the right way forward is the very opposite of clear. These characters are so irrevocably intertwined that I am anxious to see how Ms. Cole resolves life for them all.
This is such a raw, rich read. I highly recommend this series.
Oh my goodness, this is another brilliantly written book by Lyssa, I loved everything about it.
Raina has moved on, she has met someone else, a man who is perfect, he loves her, and she thinks she loves him, but on a night out with Dean she sees Levi, and that night something devastating happens, and it could change the future for them all.
Levi is unaware of what is happening, Dean feels he has already lost her and Raina is in love with them both, but deep down she really only loves one of them with all her heart. The problem is, her mind says one thing and her heart another, one man is good for her and currently one isn’t! Who will she choose?
This finishes on a cliffhanger, so if you don’t like them, wait for book three to be released, or you will be chomping at the bit for the final part!
Ghostin’ You is the continuing story about the heartbreak that takes place after Raina leaves Levi. Levi is spiraling out of control with his drinking and is getting worse now that Raina has left him. With the help of his friends he enters rehab to get his life on track and win Raina back. This is an emotional story that will pull at your heart and keep you on edge as you follow the pain and destruction these two are going through as each wants to forget the person that destroyed them, but they can’t as the memories of the love they have for each other is too strong to forget. Now they will soon be reunited one again, but not without problems. Rania meets Dean who is someone she can count on, wipes away her tears, listens to her and is just the right person for her, but can she give her heart to him fully when Levi is still apart of her life? Even though Dean says he understands it hurts Raina that she can’t commit to him. The journey these three will embark on is full of pain,heartbreak with twists and turns throughout this story. Who will Raina choose in the end the bad boy or the one person who just might be the better man for her? We will have to wait for the next installment to find out what happens to this trio. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Thank you Lyssa Cole, you have once again taken your readers on an emotional roller coaster ride with Ghostin’ You.
Book 2 in the You and Me series and all I can say is wow. Loved this story. Ghostin You picks up where Lovin You left off and you need to get ready because Rai and Levi will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. All I can say is get your tissues ready. It will end on a cliffhanger so you have been warned. Loved this book and I can’t wait to read how it will all end for Rai and Levi.
I read an early review copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
What amazing read that takes off right after the last book ended. This story will have you hooked from the very beginning to the very end. Read this story in one setting. This is a must read series as it will have you on a emotional roller coaster ride of hearts and anger. Their is so much emotion in this story that you will have hard time putting down.
Get the box of tissues!!
Part 2 is intense and very emotional. Both Levi and Raina are hurting! Levi refuses to believe he has an alcohol addiction and refuses to admit he still loves Raina. He downward spiral is heartbreaking.
Raina loves Levi without a doubt. She is deeply affected by her own decision to leave him. After meeting Dean, she now has to decide whether she really loves him or if her love for Levi is greater!
Addiction and depression are real! Lyssas Cole does a good job with these characters and the story.
It’s taken me a few days to recover from reading this book. I knew it was going to be more intense than the first book in the series. Geez! My heart was all over the place.
My heart broke, dropped and semi recovered. But Lyssa did warn us.
In this book you get to read how Levi’s actions caused him to loose the one person he’s loved. I’m hoping he can get out of the situation he’s in. And back into her arms again.
Raina is still heartbroken over Levi and trying hard to get over her decision when dean comes into her life. And make things more complicated.
I’m rooting for Levi and Raina, but then again Dean doesn’t seem to be the one to give up on something he wants.
Hopefully in the third book we get more on Dean’s background. I read an arc for an honest review.
What a mess!
So much love and sadness at the same time. I thought I ’knew’ what would happen in this second book, but everything was tossed up in the air and haven’t fallen down yet. I need to calm down a little before the next part of this story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this story
This story picks up where book one left off and as much as I enjoyed it I’m anxious to read the next one cause of the new character brought in, Dean. Oh how I love this man but I’m certain things probably won’t bode for him in the next book so I’m hoping he will be horrible next book (but it’s doubtful) lol. Raina is in so much pain leaving Levi but she couldn’t bear watching him self destruct anymore so thought she needed to move on, enter Dean! My heart broke for Levi and his addiction and didn’t like Raina self doubting her previous decision but the love she has for Levi is so strong she can’t help her heart. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next one. Team Dean all the way though!!
WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED?! Book two in the “You and Me Series” has destroyed me. My mind is racing. How do I explain what I just experienced. This story is ALL KINDS of messy.
Addiction, rehab, unrequited love, and self destructible behavior are all part of this story. Sob.
Raina for the entirety of this book is a lost soul. Plan to NOT be impressed with her choices but having said that, I understand why she was looking for connection.
As we saw in Lovin You, Levi is a perfect example of someone suffering from alcoholism. When I am not wanting to smack him, I just want to hug him. These feelings of course are the crazy making behaviors of an alcoholic. Yes I have had personal experience trying not to enable someone dealing with addiction. It is painful and exhausting. This author depicted that struggle well.
So I have to tell you that I am extremely conflicted by this story. You see I fell in love with someone. His name is Dean. Ugh I want to tear up thinking about him. He has a heart of gold and you learn about the injustices in his life. Sigh. I don’t think things end well for him in the next book. Ugh but I am not sure. Yikes I need that book now. This author is cruel. Yes you are going to be left hanging again. Plan to be filled with all kinds of anxiety and questions.
Happy Reading Everyone! XOXO
Lyssa has done it again! Her ability to write human emotion is phenomenal. This book is the second story in the You and Me trilogy, be still my heart, was an emotional roller coaster with that stops on a huge cliff! Get the tissues ready, you will need them for this story! I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for Forever You.