Shay Gable hated my guts, and I hated hers, too.We went out of our way to avoid one another at all times. When she came my direction, I went the other. When we locked eyes, she’d turn and walk away.All of that changed the day I was presented with a challenge. It started out as a stupid bet: make Shay fall in love with me before I fell in love with her first.That was an easy bet for me to win.I … easy bet for me to win.
I didn’t love, I hardly liked.
Yet slowly the game started to shift. Shay made me crave things I never knew I wanted.
Love.
Happiness.
Her.
The closer we grew, the more she challenged my darkness, and the parts I kept locked away.
The hurts.
The pains.
The truth.
The game between us became too real, our feelings intermixed, and the risks of hurting one another grew higher.
But you know what they say…
All’s fair in the game of love and war—especially the heartbreaks.
(Book one in the L&S Duet)
more
No one writes YA quite like this author does. She breathes life into the words and takes you on a journey. You grow with the characters in the book and her words leave an indelible tattoo on your soul.
Landon and Shay travel on a road from enemies to so much more. They fall into each other’s lives when they truly need each other.
I can’t wait for book two so that I can continue on their journey with them.
I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review.
I loved Landon and Shay so much. Sure they were high school kids dealing with regular high school problems, but they were also dealing with personal issues. Turns out they were a lot more alike than they thought possible.
The way the story unfolded was so good. Landon and Shay hated each other, but it was the kind of hate where you knew, deep down, it wasn’t real. There was a lot of back and forth that was basically harmless. They both had an idea of who the other person really was and it wasn’t until the bet that they learned just how wrong they were.
I started this book on a Saturday afternoon and by late Saturday night I was done. I couldn’t get enough. I couldn’t put it down until I had read every word. I am not a YA reader, so I can’t compare this to other YA books, but I will say that for me, this read as more of a NA book. The characters felt older than their high school age, but not so much that it felt unbelievable.
Toward the end I kept waiting for the bad thing to happen. And when it didn’t, I cried. I cried because it just struck a chord with me and I loved that the author took a different route than most books probably would. Every character has their own journey and I can’t wait to read the next part of the journey in book 2.
CW: Suicide, drug use, and depression
Another great story by Brittainy C Cherry, Landon and Shay is a story that is full of love, hope and many dreams that are still in the work but the future is so ready to finally set the right people in place.
Landon and Shay have so much in their lives that they hardly can see what is ahead of them.. a series of past events is really making their lives miserable .. their adults in their lives are just not really caring what they are feeling or going throught.. blinded by their own hurt are even hurting them more.. but life will happen and sooner or later this will help them to finally see the truth and move on..
“We weren’t brought into this world to be perfect; we were brought here to be human. To live. To feel. To hurt. To love. To cry. To exist. And with that, comes a few broken parts. You don’t have to be perfect to love or be loved. You just have to be brave enough to show the world your scars and call them beautiful.”
Landon was forgotten everybody in his life didn’t want to show up for anything not even for his own birthday something really sad happened that made all of her loved ones run away and immerse themselves into other things that will make them forget about the pain of that day..
“I’d learned early on that there aren’t any real villains in life, just heroes who have been beaten down for so long they’ve forgotten they have the ability to be good.”
Shay is a beautiful girl, with so much talent and love to give. people thought she had a perfect life and family but nothing could be farther than the truth. She had her own demons to fight and conquer specially when people she trusted only keeps disappointing her, no matter how much she tried to believe in them.
“When someone saw your pain and didn’t look away, it felt like a gift, like they were allowing you to be exactly who you were without shame or judgments.”
Landon and Shay hated each other not even knowing why they both thought wrongly about each other but the lies will finally fall and eventually, they will see the truth. nothing will break them not even their own thought and demons..
“we’re all a little broken. If you think anyone in this world doesn’t have cracks, scars, and a story, then you’re not looking close enough. ”
Landon story hits close to home, I’ve lived with that sadness for 42 years people celebrating the death one besides the one who still alive and breathing.. Without giving so much away, I just have to say, please celebrate the one who still here much alive, please enjoy the company of the ones who still here.. it is so hurtful and sad to be in between. people just don’t realize how hurtful it is for us to be forgotten.
This was a great beginning of Landon and Shay’s story, angst, love, faith, and friendship so many things that made this book even more enjoyable. the secondary characters are great, they added so much depth to Landon and Shay world. We even get to see Eleanor and Grey.
I can’t wait to finally read the conclusion of Landon and Shay!
What a phenomenal read from Brittainy C Cherry!
Landon and Shay is simply a beautifully crafted novel. Every single detail about this novel was written to absolute perfection. It was so flawless that I was captivated by not only the storyline, and the characters, but also the poetic flow of the words on the page.
I absolutely loved the storyline between Landon and Shay. No matter how hard they tried to hate each other, or stay away, something always pulled them back together. A sign that they were meant to be. The passion shared between the two of them flowed off of the pages, as though they were two very real characters, and we got to see their relationship blossom first hand.
I cannot praise this novel highly enough. You must pick it up, and read it for yourself today.
5/5 Stars!
Angsty as all get out, I had my heart strung reading this book. It dealt with depression, a subject I know about up close and I had total sympathy for the feelings it evokes.
Landon and Shay have been hating each other for a long time during their high school years. Landon hated Shay because he saw her as perfect and happy, a good student, lots of friends who liked her, a laughing girl who was friends with everybody in school and everyone liked her. She was sunshine where he was darkness.
“Not only was she beautiful, she was smart, too. She was the top of the junior class. Brains and beauty—though I’d never tell her so.”
“His eyes were heavy and miserable, filled with a story he was too terrified to tell. He kept something to himself. His hurts? His pain, maybe? His truths? I wanted to know more about those parts of him. I wanted to study the angles he kept hidden from the world. I wanted to know about the boy I hated and why he hated himself even more. “
I recognized Landon’s symptoms from the start. He was affected by his uncle’s death, and his death’s anniversary was coming up, making things harder. He was alone, abandoned by both his parents. His father is a criminal lawyer and totally absent from home. He came by seldom and always to criticize his son. His mother had a new job that took her away and although she was sure to call Landon every day, morning and night, the fact was, she wasn’t there for her son. With depression, the feelings of loneliness are increased and devastating.
A bet came up during a party in Landon’s house: that they could make one fall in love with the other. At the time the bet happened, it felt like a contrived move in the book. It didn’t make sense because Shay and Landon hated each other and it seemed out of the realm of possibility. Even so, it was the beginning of their story and it was a good one.
Shay gave Landon the biggest truth he ever received to his face: he’s fake. This woke up his desire to show her who he was, and in doing so, it was his redemption. He used to behave like a a-hole with her and had this hateful smirk on his face, like he was superior to her and others. Looking for weaknesses in Shay’s armor, he joined her drama class and got chosen to play Romeo & Juliet against her. This scheme turned into a lot of revelations. It brought out to light Landon’s incredible talent for acting and showed him Shay’s darkest corners.
This was a riveting and wonderful book about redemption, about light in the darkness, facing your demons and doing something about them, about loneliness and having someone in your corner.
“I was thankful to have someone to sit with in silence. Sometimes sitting in silence with someone who is willing to stay with you helps a heart heal more than talking about one’s hurts.”
We are never surprised to see Shay’s many moments of kindness. She went to Landon every time he needed her. In the midst of their enmity, when she and her mother went to his uncle’s wake, she found him crying and went to hold him in her arms while he shattered in despair. Later on, she was there for him in all his darkest moments. He was spiraling, even though he had his girl. Most everyone he encountered, save for his best friends, told him he was no good, he was destructive, and he didn’t deserve a girl as good as Shay in his life. Notwithstanding that Shay, his friends and his mother told him otherwise, his depression told him tenfold that it was true. It was sad to see his fight with his mind, his feelings and his demons, and I loved how he sought the light, not the darkness.
The book ends in a soft cliffhanger, full of hope and possibilities. I loved reading this book, I felt it depicted depression so well, the feelings of inadequacy, of isolation, not wanting to get out of bed, the exhaustion about dealing with life on a daily basis. I also liked that it depicted the inner strength of a boy determined not to let it finish him, and feeling enough desire for life as to seek help.
“We were just two kids who made a stupid bet a few months ago. Two kids who pushed one another. Two kids who pissed each other off, who made rude remarks, who battled each other tooth and nail, and then somewhere in the midst of our hate, we accidentally fell in love.”
Landon & Shay, they hated each other and they always went out of their way to avoid one another. But when she heard Landon and another guy wants to place a bet, of course she would want to participate in it. Who makes one fall in love first wins! Easy, they thought. But as they grew closer, everything shifts especially their feelings. Hate turns to so much more.
I really love Shay! She’s the kind of girl who everyone loves but also kind of a bad-ass. Like who participate in a bet that involves herself, right?? And the way they are together, they see each other beyond what others can only see.
It is a duet, but the way it ends in this first book, it doesn’t end on a hanging cliffhanger. But still I very much anticipated the next part of the book. Because I’m pretty sure its them adulting.
Brittainy C. Cherry writes it……I read it ASAP! I LOVED Landon but Shay was all the things! Its a duet so be warned but oh soooooo worth it.
I’ve wanted to read their story since the beginning, since I first met them in Eleanor & Grey. I knew there was so much unsaid between these two, and I was right! Oh boy, was I right. Brittainy C Cherry, is a one of a kind author. She’s just plain awesome.
As for Shay & Landon she might have out did herself. This is a classic enemies-to-lovers story, hate to love. My absolute favorite trope of all time. I will almost literally read any book with this trope. This book has so many memorable quotes and passages.
Shay Gable is a good girl with good intentions except when it comes to Landon Harrison. The guy who went out of his way to make her life miserable. She’s known him since they were kids, but they didn’t stop teasing, or the bet. And Landon just loves making her life hell. It is what makes his day better.
Ah, the bet. Speaking for myself, I would never bet that I could make someone fall in love with, because you just never know what fate has planned for you. And did fate deliver them some insightful messages.
“We’re all little broken. If you think anyone in this world doesn’t have cracks, scars, and a story, then you’re not looking close enough. We weren’t brought into this world to be perfect; we were brought here to be human. To live. To feel. To hurt. To love. To cry. To exist. And with that, comes a few broken parts. You don’t have to be perfect to love or be loved. You just have to be brave enough to show the world your scars and call them beautiful.”
As the weeks pass, they find out more about each other and themselves than either of the anticipated. Learning about the others flaws and struggles and strengths. But I don’t think either one expected the events that would eventually unfold.
“I love you in the light and in the dark. I love you like a whisper and like a shout. I love your good days and your bad days, and I love you. All of you. Every single piece…” She began fiddling with her fingers, and her T-shirt collar moved between her lips, “And every single scar.”
Landon & Shay will hook you from the first chapter until the end. Because it is about a lonely broken hero, who falls for an strong and amazing heroine. There are topics discussed in this book about depression and anxiety. About the pressures of a home-life and what’s expected of you. BC Cherry does those with tact and profession.
Incidentally, the time line for this book takes place before Eleanor & Grey, so you can wait to read that one until you read the duet for this couple. Those characters will pop up in this one.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves enemies-to-lovers and who wants to watch a beautiful heart grabbing story. This book doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger. But you will have questions. At least I did.
I loved this book with every fiber of my being! And I can’t wait for second book to finish off their story! Brittainy is such an incredible author, she has this very unique ability to draw me into the story at the very beginning and never let me go!
Landon and Shay have grown up together but have been enemies from the start! Things begin to change after a silly bet and their relationship quickly blossoms from there. I felt their hatred, love, pain and everything in between; it was such a beautiful story of friendship, loyalty, perseverance and strength! Part two will be just as incredible if not more so!
Landon and Shay Part one is the latest book from a new to me author. From what I have learned, the characters of this story were mentioned in the previous book “Eleanor and Grey” but this can be read as a standalone. As always, I still encourage reading the other one just for maximum reading experience. This is a contemporary, new adult, enemies-to-lovers romance.
The story tackles a topic that feels close to my heart as I have known someone suffer the same. It is hard for me to know its symptoms, fully understand the extent of it and help that person. I didn’t know what to do. I loved this story as the author made me relate with the character’s real life situations. It really hurt to know that Landon doesn’t have anyone until Shay.
The characters and its story will tug at your heart with all the feels! With its emotionally charged moments, this is another story that will leave its mark on you as you ponder. I can’t wait for part two to know what will happen next. A must read for every romance lovers out there. I loved it!
“I think I was born with a hole in my heart. It doesn’t beat like it’s supposed to, and I don’t know if that makes it unworthy of love.”
It’ll be no surprise to hear Brittainy C. Cherry made me cry with Landon & Shay. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect when it came time to read their story. However, there were two things I did know for sure:
1.) I was intrigued by the glimpses we received of them during Eleanor & Grey.
2.) It’s Brittainy C. Cherry.
Back to the unexpected…
I was not expecting how truly broken, or even the type of struggles Landon and Shay would be going through. How they both wore a mask to have it appear that everything were “okay.” Normal. As if they were happy. And I’ve never wanted to crawl into the pages of a book and hug a character as much as I did with Landon. You can feel just how deep his pain runs.
“I’d learned early on that there aren’t any real villains in life, just heroes who have been beaten down for so long they forget they have the ability to be good.”
Landon & Shay is a pull on the heart-strings type of book I’ve come to love from Brittainy C. Cherry. It had the perfect amount of tension and humor mixed within all the emotion. And a perfect reminder in which you never truly know what’s going on in a person’s life. That even though everything may appear great, there’s always a chance that it’s not. So, be a Shay in life and have a compassionate heart. I absolutely loved Part One of this story, and can’t wait to see what happens in the adult lives of Landon & Shay.
I loved it!!!!!
Absolutely beautiful and deeply emotional love story infused with so many feels! There is so much that I want to say about this story but I am going to keep it brief because it is too good to ruin with spoilers. This was a gut-wrenching, touching enemies to lovers book. The plot is well-paced and well-written. There are tough subject matters in the story, but the author does a wonderful job of conveying the story and emotions.
Brittainy C. Cherry writes emotional stories that reach into your soul, and implants the characters with beautiful words and situations (even though they are difficult). There are important messages delivered in this story. I laughed. My heart broke. I cried. I fell in love with Landon and Shay. They are both broken but together, they are beautifully broken. The trouble is, sometimes life doesn’t always turn out how you would like it to.
I love Brittainy’s books. They always have a strong message. They touch your heart and leave an imprint that is long lasting. This book is no different. Bravo Brittainy!!! I highly recommend reading this book! I cannot wait to see what happens in Book #2!!!
***ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.***
Landon and Shay can’t stand each other. So it makes sense that when a bet was placed that he’d make her fall for him before he fell for her, that the mind games would be all over the place. But something happened along the way and the two started to develop decidedly non-hateful feelings toward each other. Somehow Shay became Landon’s light, offered him some peace to the jagged mess that was his mind. But, he’s got a lot of work to do on himself before he’s ready to be with Shay. Will she stick around, or move on? Unfortunately, I won’t find out until part 2 release, which I hope is soon!
Enemies to lovers can be hard to write successfully, but in the author’s capable hands, the trope was executed perfectly. I fell so hard for these two who had such contempt, who loved. I cried with them, especially Landon, as his story was unfolding. I can only hope in part 2 that he’s back and with a measure of happiness and peace, that he deserves. And I can only hope Shay’s love for him is still there.
“I love you in the light and in the dark. I love you like a whisper and like a shout. I love your good days and your bad days, and I…love…you. All of you. Every single piece…” “And every single scar.”
I always know a Brittainy C Cherry book is going to be emotional and this one certainly was for me. This book did take me slightly longer then normal to get into but once I did I was hooked.
Landon and Shay’s story is quite an emotional one, its not easy and full of issues that will swing back and forth between breaking your heart and making you laugh. She has brought a lot together in this to give us a tale of heartbreak, friendship, love and hope.
I can’t wait to see what Brittainy brings us in part 2 of this duet.
Wrecked and gutted. That’s how this book left me but in the best ways possible. The author’s ability to capture every minute detail of a relationship and make the reader feel like they are experiencing it themselves is unmatched. I have virtually nothing in common with these characters, but I felt so deeply for them it was amazing. My only complaint about this book is that we have to wait for part two! For a complete review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a complimentary, pre-release, digital ARC of the book.
My heart will not beat till I have book 2! I swear to all that no one brings out my feelers like Cherry! I can’t think of another book that has touched on such tough topics and taken it head on like this amazing author! No over dramatics, no added angst, it’s all real, personal and gutt wrenchingly beautiful!
Landon and Shay aren’t who they portray themselves to be and though their hate is strong; their understanding of each other becomes stronger! Two beautiful broken souls trying to find their way seem to find each other but in order to heal you have to hit rock bottom and now both will have their promises tested!
Gah I seriously can’t put all that I’m feeling after this book into words but this is a definite must read and one that will have you all up in your emotions! Amazing so flipping AMAZING!
5+ “I think I meant always” stars!
You know the stories that completely captivate you? The ones that capture your heart and don’t let go? The ones that will break you before they put you back together? This is one of those books and it is a phenomenal start to what is sure to be an epic love story. Chock-full of all the feels, this captivating, consuming, emotional, read is unputdownable!
Landon and Shay go to school together but they are not friends. They come across as opposites in every way. She is sunlight and he is darkness. He is broken and she is whole. And with the exception of one moment a year ago, they have spent all their days hating each other.
“We hung out in the same circles, had the same friends, but we were far from being anything more than enemies. I was comfortable with our hate, too. It felt oddly pleasing. Hating Shay was the most constant thing in my life. Hating her felt like a high I’d always been chasing, and as each year passed, I got more and more high off Shay’s dismissal of me.”
Landon and Shay have made it their mission to stay far away from each other and for the most part they’ve succeeded; however, when they accept a bet to see who could make the other fall in love with them first, they finally have to spend time together. Soon they realize that sometimes when they let down their walls, the hate they try so desperately to hold onto morphs into something that looks a lot like love.
Everything may look perfect from the outside but often times it’s what happens behind closed doors that break a person down, and both Landon and Shay are broken in their own way. Landon is not perfect, he’s does awful things, and he knows it and owns it. He doesn’t pretend to be someone he isn’t but he is real and he is hurting. His vulnerabilities make him real, and his heartbreak is almost unbearable. The pain he experiences consumes him and it continues to pull at my heartstrings.
Shay is sweet, sensitive, artistic, and kind. She is strong, can hold her own, and gives as good as she gets. She seems to have everything – a loving family, good friends, and talents that will take her places – but she shoulders things the world doesn’t see, and it made me sad to see what she was forced to face.
These two were never planning on becoming friends but the bet changes everything. The harsh banter turns more flirty when they try to one up the otherr, each wanting to win. It becomes a fun game but there is something deeper between them that’s surprising. A connection that lies just under the surface. Shay understands Landon and she sees him and his pain, and Landon starts to realize that Shays life isn’t perfect and she carries her own burdens. They can relate to each other’s pain and the more they get to know one another the more their feelings grow.
“It scares me a little,” she confessed. “Whatever’s happening in my heart when I’m around you…it scares me.”
“It scares me too, but I know one thing for certain,” I said, placing my fingers beneath her chin and raising it so we were looking into each other’s eyes.
“What’s that?”
“I am going to love loving you as much as I loved hating you.”
They fall in love and it’s real, it’s consuming, and it’s a surprise. Going from enemies to lovers wasn’t their plan, but when true love sneaks up on you, you don’t let it get away. I loved these two together. They stuck together and supported each other completely. I loved watching them as they open their hearts to one another and the butterflies that take flight when you fall for someone. They are sweet and swoony together and my heart skipped a few beats when they opened their hearts to love.
“I love you in the light and in the dark. I love you like a whisper and like a shout. I love your good days and your bad days, and I…love…you. All of you. Every single piece…” She began fiddling with her fingers, and her T-shirt collar moved between her lips, “And every single scar.”
These two love hard and they love deep but sometimes that’s not enough to make everything right. I knew that there would be heartache before there could be a happily ever after, and book one is just the beginning of Landon and Shay’s story. We are left with a cliffhanger that hurts but thankfully doesn’t destroy. I understand it but I am desperate for more. My heart is raw and I cannot wait for their second chance to become reality.
This book is not an easy one to read. It deals with heavy themes like depression, addiction, and suicide. The emotion is full on and I felt everything these characters experienced. But it’s also about the strength of friendship and love, of understanding, acceptance, and healing that gives you hope that they can overcome the darkness and love in the light.
Brittainy C. Cherry really outdid herself with this story and what’s more amazing is that this is only part one. I can’t wait for part two because I need more of Landon and Shay. They have burrowed their way into my heart and there’s no chance I’ll let them go!
“We were just two kids who made a stupid bet a few months ago. Two kids who pushed one another. Two kids who pissed each other off, who made rude remarks, who battled each other tooth and nail, and then somewhere in the midst of our hate, we accidentally fell in love.”
There are authors that write stories that leave us feeling entertained. There are other authors that provoke our thoughts. Then there is Brittany C. Cherry! She is an author that not only tells an amazing story, but builds the inner excitement so high that it will leave you with your mouth dry. Landon & Shay left me almost speechless. I say almost because as much as I was indeed without words when I finished, I could not fathom not sharing my feelings and emotions on this powerful venture.
Let me give a preface please. I have been told I read way too dang many books, and I will admit I have gotten a bit hooked on the romance written word. I can never say I have not read a story quickly as I always want to appreciate the author’s work. But…
Brittany’s story is one, you want to allow time for. Landon & Shay is a powerful saga. It is not one you rush thru. Actually, it is impossible to rush it at all. This story envelopes, holds, shakes, rattles and rolls. I felt every one of those emotions and so many more as the book controlled my flow. This story hurdles life’s good and bad parts at you. It leaves you with feelings so strong as to crush, yet the touch is lighter than a feather and the shock last as if that of a hurricane’s path.
Landon and Shay are awe inspiring. As young people, their struggles are seen today, their efforts are seen today, their battles are as of today, their love is of today. Parent or not, we are drawn to them. I was enthralled with each word on the page as I was pulled along on their journey.
Brittany C. Cherry, you have a new fan in your midst. One who is very proud to give you every star available as I wait for Landon & Shay – Part Two.
Landon and Shay aka Satan and Chick is my new favorite enemies to lovers read of 2019. I laughed so with the things these two said to each other. The way they just didn’t let up but man once the hate started to melt, I kept blushing with how they were blossoming. The intensity of their hatred for each other was the only fuel needed to ignite the fire of love.
Landon is an inspiration for others. He shows there’s no need to suffer in silence and that you are more than what people want or think you should be.
Shay this girl is fierce and strong. Even when everyone else would give up, she didn’t quit. The way she loves , was just beautiful. Everything about Shay will make you fall in love with her.
The importance of a great support system was the best take away from this book. Both Landon and Shay had a team of people who saw beyond the face they presented. This serves as a message for us to pay more attention to those in our lives.
I can’t wait to read book two and see what happens with these two. I love them and I am so excited.
For years while I was in college I didn’t read anything except textbooks and once college was finished, it was time for babies and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I took this huge break from reading. One of my first books upon my return to reading was Brittainy Cherry’s Four Elements series. Can I just say that Cherry writes like it’s mandatory for her life. It’s strong and vivid… I’m talking Cherry’s way of writing not a specific story. I feel like those words encompass her writing more than anything else… strong and vivid. She kept that feeling through Landon & Shay.
There isn’t much I can say about Cherry’s writing that hasn’t been raved about before. Her writing is poetic. It’s lyrical. Landon and Shay are both really relatable. I feel like I had so many similarities to Shay. She’s good. Inside and out. Good heart. Good soul. Landon brings out the worse in her. He brings her back up and makes her hair stand on edge. Landon is exactly what every teenage girl could want. He’s what every father dreads coming home with his daughter. Who would have ever thought one bet would turn their disdain for each other into something way more than either were expecting. Let’s just say that this story gets way deeper than I ever imagined. It gets real hard. There’s issues here. Issues I was surprised with. Prepare yourself. Cherry pulls out all the stops. Guard your heart and grab a box of tissues! Cherry’s signature pain and heartache is hidden among all her stunning words.
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.