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
A perfect book and one of the best books of 2019
I don’t know how to begin to write this review because for me this book is perfection. I love everything about this book. Books like this are the reason that I continued to read. Brittainy C. Cherry writes complex characters and beautiful love story.
Shay is a sweet girl who has problems at home but at school is always happy and smiling. Shay wants people around her to be happy and for that, she thinks that she had to be perfect. She doesn’t want to cause problems for her family.
When someone saw your pain and didn’t look away, it felt like a gift. Like people were allowing you to be exactly who you were without shame and judgments.
Landon is sad and he feels alone and unseen. He is really a great guy who fights with depression and nobody seems to notice that he has this problem. I love him because he is so sweet with his mother and he always forgives her.
Landon and Shay hated each other but everything changes when they made a bet. Because of the bet, they spend time together and they both realize that they have things in common and they aren’t so different. They began to help each other and forget about the bet.
Loving Shay came as easy as the wind. It pushed through my system and left me breathless.
Shay needed someone to love her with cuts and cracks and to say to her that it’s ok to be sad and Landon give her the freedom to be sad without judging her. He just loved her. Landon needed someone to love him and Shay loves him and encourages him to find solutions for his depression.
Their relationship is so beautiful and fragile. They are really perfect together. Read this book and I’m sure that you will love this book. I can’t wait to read the next chapter in their story.
“A penny for your thoughts…A nickel for your time…a quarter for your heart…A dollar to make you mine…”
Ms. Cherry, you have done it again. You have wrecked my heart and made it whole again. Your story has touched my soul and made me see that you are not alone in the world.
This story of Landon and Shay was full of issues that made me cry, made me laugh and yes even brought more of an understanding to myself and those around me. This story touched me on a personal level and shone a light on subjects that have been in the dark for far too long.
This is a story of friendships, a story of heartbreak. This is also a story of love, redemption and hope, above all else hope.
I can understand why Ms. Cherry decided that Landon and Shay couldn’t be contained to just one book….this story deserves and demands to be more.
You have to read this story slowly, you will see the writing on the wall, you will see the twist if you really look and it’s gonna break you all over again. But as Mima says “Be brave, my love. Be strong. Be kind. And stay” Stay with this story till the very end.
But most importantly….”Go slow” (The quotes in this story will stay with me for a long, long time)
A rom com done in true B. Cherry fashion.
Please note this is BOOK 1 of a DUET!
I’m honestly not sure how this author does it but every single book of hers I read just gets better. She has such a beautiful, poignant writing style that is an utter symphony to read.
Landon and Shay is probably one of my favourite books by Brittainy. It has everything! Angst, feels, laughs, tears, joy, steam, a little heart break and then more FEELS.
I love enemies to lovers stories and I freaking love duets. I love this author and her detailed, unique writing and I love rom com’s. Make no mistake though, whilst this book will make you chuckle and outright laugh at times, it still is very much a B. Cherry rom com so expect all the feels. It wouldn’t be Brittainy any other way.
Whilst Landon is a bit of a jerk off, my heart absolutely broke for him. Shay is a such a likeable, sassy, positive heroine. I couldn’t help but love her. The two together are just pure, balanced perfection. The banter, push and pull and undeniable chemistry between these two was off the charts
I really, really need Part 2 now though. I need more.
*Reviewed by Ali at Fallen For Books.
Usually Brittainy Cherry kills us in just one part, so waiting for the second half of this duet is a special kind of torture.
I found her with a related story, Eleanor & Grey, and she brings the same angst, the same story depth, the same incredible emotional twisting and turning and visceral reactions to this couple. Landon and Shay are a hate-to-love story, and it’s strangely beautiful to watch, with an edge of tension as you wait for it to implode at any moment. So good.
My critical brain picked out a couple of the reveals before they happened, but that didn’t lessen their impact!
If you like a high-school age hate to love, enemies to lovers romance, this is a great choice!
What words can be said when a book leaves you absolutely speechless!? Wow!!
My heart is hurting badly but yet, it’s so full. It’s such an incredible feeling. Brittainy, you never stop amazing me with your stories. Thank you!
Landon and Shay are both incredibly strong and amazing characters. They are STRENGTH! They are LOVE! They are REAL!
They are both struggling with life in their own way and just trying to survive the best way they can. They came into each others lives when they need each other the most and I was so thankful for it. My heart was equally gutted for both Landon & Shay. I want to reach inside this book and love them so hard. You know a book hits you hard when you talk back to it. Lol They needed to hear me. I needed to hear me! You will understand this when you read their story!
Have tissues ready, as well. I had tears of hope, happiness, anger and love for all of these characters.
Also, go in blind. Don’t read any spoilers. Just let this book consume you and feel their story deep within your soul. I did and it is incredible!
I seriously can not wait for book 2. I need to know!! I have to get my heart back into one piece because right now it’s not whole.
I HIGHLY recommend this book! A must read of 2019!
Highly Emotional and Addicting to say the least. Depression is no laughing matter and the author did a beautiful job at portraying the feelings abd thoughts of the characters. The writing was beautiful minus a few grammar and spelling issues but all in all I was totally enthralled with Landon and Shay and their journey. I am super juiced snd looking forward to the conclusion.
5 STARS
4.5 Let’s just say goodnight STARS
I’m sitting here trying to write my review, to get my thoughts out on paper and to explain my feelings for this story, whilst being all kinds of emotional. Wow, this book is wonderful. To be honest though, I struggled in the beginning. It was a slow start and I’ll admit I put it down a couple of times before I became invested. I’m not quite sure how, but around the 25 percent mark Ms Cherry worked her magic on me. I began to see Landon’s vulnerability. I had a sort of “ah ha” moment when I realised he was not what he seemed to be, in reality was not what he portrayed to the world, and from then on I was hooked. I fell deeper into the story and couldn’t put it down.
I don’t want to get into the plot itself but I will say Landon and Shay are so much more than I expected them to be. The phrase “you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover” couldn’t be more appropriate for this pair. Their personalities may be like night and day and their situations somewhat contrasted in parts, somewhat similar in others, but nevertheless they each have their own difficulties and obstacles to overcome. I loved both these characters but Landon’s strength in particular blew me away. My heart broke for him and I just wanted to hug him and make everything all right.
They are not your typical teenagers, but neither are they trying to act like 40 year olds. Their reactions to certain situations seemed real to me and Shay’s naïveté had me laughing out loud. The way they interacted with the adults around them was, for me, just right. Sticking up for themselves without going overboard, backing down rather than becoming disrespectful. I’m so pleased this author showed their vulnerabilities as well as their strengths and their need for, and reliance on, certain people in their lives was heartwarming and true to life.
Looking back now, having finished the book, those first chapters make a whole lot more sense to me. It was easy to forget those feelings of doubt I had in the beginning and I was so pleased I’d kept reading. Knowing what I know now, I would’ve kicked myself if I hadn’t. As this is book one of a duet, this part of Landon and Shay’s story does end on a cliffhanger, although not a shocking one. I found it emotional, yet full of hope. Their journey is far from over and I’m itching to read part two and find out what life has in store for them next.
***2019 Favorite***
I get so excited every time Brittainy C. Cherry releases a new book. I know I am in for a reading experience that will play on all of my emotions while being thoroughly entertained. Brittainy takes her readers along on the life journey of all her characters. Her characters become our friends, our family, and a part of our hearts. As readers we identify with all aspects of their lives including the struggles, failures, and victories. We celebrate their growth as individuals. Most of all we celebrate their ability to love unconditionally and accept it without reservation.
Readers met Landon and Shay in Brittainy’s previous novel, Eleanor & Grey. They were the devoted friends and family that always offered their support, strength, wisdom, and unconditional friendship. They were both very strong people who could weather any storm. Never in a million years could I have predicted what was going to be unleashed in their story!
Landon was the life of the party, the one to always bring a sense of joy, and light heartedness. Beneath the surface he’s anything but lighthearted. He suffers from severe depression which goes beyond circumstantial causes. It’s an inherited genetic disorder that needs more than wild parties, wild sexcapades, and recreational drugs can provide. Although his best friend Grey sees some of his pain, he doesn’t know how deep it runs and is deflected by Landon’s ability to hide his pain. There is one person who sees the darkness that lurks beneath the surface. He hates that she can see his demons, he hates that she can see him. He doesn’t want her to see that part of him but at the same time that part of him needs her to help him through the darkness. Shay is the only person who sees his pain. She sees Satan lurking beneath his sexy good looks and irresistible charm. His darkness is desperately reaching out for her even though he despises that need.
Shay has a gift of seeing people for who they are beneath the surface. She has trained herself to look beyond what the world sees. The amazing thing about her gift is her ability to be empathetic, compassionate, patient, kind, and loving. She leaves judgement out of the equation. Landon is the one person she hates because of how careless he is with other people’s feelings, how he uses girls like a revolving door, and how dismissive he is to those who try to help him. She purposely steers clear of him until the day she sees his undeniable pain at his darkest moment. She can’t turn her back on him when he is hurting so badly. She can’t allow him to push her away. Landon isn’t easy and he can push harder because it is easier than reaching out. She’s going to keep pulling him in until he can no longer push back.
Landon & Shay: Part One is only the beginning of this difficult life journey. Somehow I know they are both going to be okay because I saw glimpses of it in Eleanor & Grey. What Brittainy has in store for these two characters is going to take them to hell and back. Without a doubt they are both going to survive the in between and come out stronger people. Together they are going to learn to embrace every side of the human spirit and validate every emotion and feeling they have. They are going to learn to deal with their darkness and reach for the light. They are going to learn the real definition of love and hope. They are going to learn to use these emotions as their coping mechanisms.
In a sense I can’t wait to see what comes next for Landon & Shay but I am preparing myself to experience all aspects of human emotions. Brittainy C. Cherry can take her readers on a beautiful journey no matter what is in store because she has a gift of showing the beauty of the human spirit. That is what makes a great love story!
4.5 still-beating stars – Fab slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers story.
We first meet Landon and Shay in a previous novel, but you don’t need to have read it to read this story. However, in saying that, the Landon I met in this novel is quite different from the one I met in the previous novel. In that one, he came across as a bit douchey and kinda clownish but in the current novel, there’s a hell of a lot more to him than meets the eye.
“Hating Shay was the most constant thing in my life.”
Landon and Shay have been enemies since forever. They’re both popular kids but just not with each other. When a silly bet is made between them, Landon is certain he will win, however, as time goes on, the lines start to blur between hate and love, winner and loser, as they start learning and delving deeper into each other’s truths.
“I wanted to know his story. His ugly, hard novel. I wanted to read his words, even though they seemed to bleed across the page in the most painful way.”
This was a fantastic start to the duet. Landon is such a messed up kid. He has serious issues and he strives to keep back the darkness, but with absentee parents and only a few really close friends, he often feels that he’s losing the battle. Shay comes across as the perfect girl with perfect grades and a perfect life. However, she’s far from that. She has her own crosses to bear, yet she keeps her chin up through thick and thin.
“I saw her cracks, and they were so beautiful that it almost made my frozen heart beat again.”
There was so much chemistry fuelling their hate that it was inevitable that once they started becoming friends, that chemistry was going to completely flip to the other side. Shay has a gift for studying and reading people, and she could really see Landon. I loved how much light she brought to his life, but he’s in real need of professional help. She has a good, caring heart and just refused to bow down to the dark side of her own life. Landon, himself, has a good heart – he only loves a handful of people but his loyalty is unquestionable.
Their fall into love was beautiful to watch but hard decisions were made. I can’t wait for the rest of their story.
In just the few books I’ve read by Brittainy Cherry, I have come to love each and everyone and love each one more than the last. I felt so bad for Landon. I wanted to take him out of the story, and hold and love him like his parents should have. My heart broke for him. Shay was the perfect girl. I love that she didn’t back down from Landon and didn’t let him bully her. I can’t wait to get the 2nd part. Why do we have to wait!???
New Adult | Enemies-to-Lovers | Emotional Romance
Brittainy C. Cherry writes books about hard topics with poise and grace. I have noticed this in each and every book she has written and it’s one of the main reasons I always come back for more. She’s one of the most talented authors and continuously brings her readers raw and emotional stories that everyday people can relate to in some way.
Landon & Shay- book one in the L&S duet is a deeply romantic enemies-to-lovers romance. One would think this wouldn’t be possible within this trope but once again, Cherry proves her skill by making it so achingly heartwarming that the idea that these two were enemies in the beginning becomes nonexistent in our minds. To put it mildly, I was smitten by this book. I fell so deeply in love with these two characters that I read it faster than I thought I would be able to. It’s not a short book either. But I breezed right through it because I was so consumed with it.
Now, as you can see, this is the first book in a duet. While most duets leave us feeling on edge because of the way they ended, this isn’t the case here. This is one of the most beautiful cliffhangers I have read. It’s emotional of course, but it’s also extremely powerful. Readers aren’t going to feel anger and angst at this ending- that is a promise. You’re more than likely going to feel as if you have a full heart and smile from ear to ear. Again, Brittainy C. Cherry shows us real love through it and I am sending her virtual hugs because of it.
A little bit about the book: As I mentioned, this book DOES deal with some heavy topics. These include depression and suicide. Some may be turned off by these topics as they are hard to read about and I totally get that. But there are books out there that SHOULD be read because of topics such as these and if I could recommend any book that deal with them THIS IS THAT BOOK. It’s not hard to live vicariously through these characters even though they are dealing with tough issues because of the way the author writes it. So I implore anyone who is afraid of these topics to give the book a try despite their hesitation. Cherry handles the story with utmost care and I think many people can learn a little something from Landon and Shay.
Other than this, this book falls within the new adult romance category and beings with enemies-to-lovers trope that will make your heart pitter patter. Landon and Shay are both high school students but I consider it NA instead of YA because they are 17/18 AND because of the topics at hand.
I hope readers consider this book- I can’t say enough good things about it! All I can do is sum up what I got from it in these words: beautiful, heart-achingly real, and one of the best books I have ever read. I can’t wait for the next book to see how everything comes together.
4.5 Stars
Every time I write a review for a Brittainy C Cherry book I feel like I’m saying the same things. It’s amazing, the writing is incredible, her words make me feel everything. But every time they are all true. Landon & Shay is no exception, and if this is just part 1 I can’t even imagine how amazing part 2 will be.
“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.”
I’ve been waiting for Landon & Shay’s story since they were first introduced in Eleanor & Grey, and to say it wasn’t what I was expecting is an understatement. The best word to describe this book is raw – there’s no sugar coating or puppies & rainbows. This story is real and heartbreaking, pulling at each and every heartstring.
But it’s also beautiful and true, showcasing just how full of love & hope you can be even beneath all the scars. I will say this book contains many triggers and maybe too much for some, but it was written in a way that makes you want to push through and embrace the hurt instead of run the other way.
I loved these characters, with their full hearts and jagged edges. I loved their story so far, and I can’t wait to see where their journey takes them in part 2.
This is one of these books that will stay with you for long after you read it. I love Brittiany’s books and was so excited to read this one! It’s emotional especially the last few chapters. It will tear at your heartstrings so much. It also teaches you to not judge someone based on what you see or hear. Landon’s life looks perfect but after tragedy happens, his world gets rocked upside down. He’s hurting and grieving but refuses to let anyone in. He hiding in his pain and his parents aren’t any help. His mom tries but is gone all the time. His only relief is the housekeeper who comes to feed him. He has a hatred for Shay and this known very well with their group of friends. A simple bet is made that will change both of their lives. Shay appears to have the perfect life as well but it is far from the truth. Her life is a mess. Her parents are fighting non stop and her grandma is one who won’t back down either. She has her writing and acting that she is passionate about. It helps her push thru the pain of everything. These two come from the same rich worlds but have so many issues that neither knew existed. Despite the bet, they push each other to be a better form of each other and heal from the past/present issues. Shay is remarkable. She and Landon may bump heads a lot but deep down they truly care about each other. With Shay by his side, he is able to find his passion and get the help he desperately needs. I really wish I could give more then 5 stars cause this book is so much more then 5 stars, its more like 10,000 stars. I finished this book late at night and couldn’t sleep because I was an emotional wreck. It destroyed me and my heart. I can’t wait to read part 2 and see how everything plays out!! This book is incredible and one of my ultimate favorites of the year!!!!
This was a 4 star read for me, until that ending. I loved how she ended it with no drama or bad terms even though there is a 2nd book to this.
I’m looking forward to the rest of their story!
I’m so happy. I’m so sad. I’m an emotional mess! Landon & Shay’s story…I was not expecting that. CLEARLY it was EVERYTHING great in a read.
Enemies-to-Lovers
Fun Banter
Feels
Romantic
Real, Raw, Deep
Best Friendships EVER
~ Something had to be said about friends who never left your side, even when your storm was wild enough to strike their souls, too.
These characters were introduced to us in Eleanor and Grey and I liked them. I was hyped to get their story.
How was I to know that I would fall face first in love with Landon! I want to cry with how amazing he is. AND don’t even get me started with Shay…. She is fierce, strong, beautiful person, she’s admirable.
~ I Love You. I Love You.
I said it once so you can hear it.
Twice to leave an imprint
I CAN’T WAIT FOR part 2. I can’t wait to get more Landon & Shay
Another emotional packed story by Brittainy Cherry! I can’t wait to see what she does with part 2!
It’s mind-boggling to me that an author can be so consistent with her books. I am never like “hmmm, this Brittainy C. Cherry book is just okay.”…it’s NEVER happened and she continues on her dominance of beautiful writing, beautiful stories, characters that you love and a book that will stay with you for a time after reading.
We had a small sneak peek at Landon and Shay in Eleanor and Grey (a 5 Blush read btw).
As I said above – Ms. Cherry’s ability to write characters with depth, pain, brokenness, and love is something she has been doing since her first book and with Landon and Shay – I feel it all once again.
Both Shay and Landon are broken. They are different yet so alike. Watching their story unfold was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. This is part one of the duet and I am so glad there is more to come. More of their story needs to be told but part one was necessary. Feeling their pain, watching them grown was treacherous and sweet all at once.
Bring on PART TWO!
Landon Harrison is a popular rich kid, handsome with a bad boy attitude. Shannon Gable (Shay) is pretty with her sparkling chocolate brown eyes, bright smile, laughing, and always happy. They’re two high school students who hate each other, for no other reason, then they each think the other, has a perfect life, that was until the bet!
Brittainy Cherry has a way of sucking her readers into her dramas, making us invested in her characters and their outcomes. Personally, this story gave me flashbacks into my life as a teenager, the struggles and issues are real. My emotions were all over the place, swinging from one extreme to another. From tears running down my face, blubbering, then sobbing, to laughing out loud. I wish that I had a tribe like Land & Shay’s when I was growing up.
As a parent, it’s an excellent way to pick up clues on changes in behavior. It is also a list of things not to do! After all, children do not come with an instruction booklet, but this might help you through their teenage years. Caution, have tissues handy.
If you’re wondering why a duet, trust me you will need a break after reading this heartfelt tale. Looking forward to what’s next for these two kids! How’s your heart today?
I don’t think I will ever regret the day that I picked up a Brittainy C Cherry book. This author has never let me down with any of her books. And this one is no different. When I read Eleanor and Greyson’s book I knew that I wanted to know more about these two characters.
Landon is the bad boy of the school. He has everything, rich parents who are never there, popularity and all the girls a guy could want. So why was he depressed and so unhappy. His parents were never home, and the only person who was ever truly there for him committed suicide. So now he parties and makes everyone believe he has the time of his life. He is just loving life and all the women he can get, well except for Shay, the only women he actually hates…
Shay is the opposite of Landon. She is sweet, generous and everyone loves her. She makes time for everyone and likes everyone, well except for Landon, she really hates him. Until a bet is made. A bet that states Shay will make Landon fall in love with her and Landon will get Shay to fall in love with him.
But the more time they spent together, Shay gets to see what other’s don’t see in Landon. The fact that his depressed and lonely and doesn’t think he is good enough. And Landon gets to spend time with Shay and for the first time in his life he feels whole again and he can be himself, she sees more than just the front he puts up and teaching him that maybe he does deserve to be happy and he does deserve to have all the things normal people has…. And maybe he deserves someone like Shay in his life, will he be able to take that happiness or will things just end in darkness as always.
This author really knows how to touch your heart with her words and her stories. She makes you see that things aren’t always happily ever after, there is a long road to getting to your happy ending. Lots of heartbreak, lots of sadness, lots of mixed emotions, misunderstandings and so much more before the sun will shine again.
“How’s your heart?”
“Still beating.”
This book was so amazing to read and I can’t wait for part 2.
Disclaimer: I LOVE Brittainy C Cherry. The woman writes amazing angsty, rip your heart out romance. Landon and Shay Part 1 delivers all of which we have come to expect from Brittainy. The writing is top-notch, the storyline is intriguing, but the whole book is basically one big flashback. GAHHHHHHHHH.
I know I’ve got to get over this aversion to flashbacks. And don’t argue with me that it can’t be considered a flashback when its the entire book. It’s a duet people; Part 1 isn’t even essential for me. No, it doesn’t change the amazingness that is Brittainy C Cherry. Yes, I still got feels to the tips of my fingers throughout the book. I was expecting it to be about the characters now, in the present time. Part 2 comes out on December 4th, so I won’t have to wait long. This is my hang-up; I’ll move on from it. Just, why??????? Okay, I’m done. Go! Buy the book. You’ll love it!