Once upon a time, I fell in love with a boy.A beautiful, broken boy who had his own world of struggles. People warned me against our love, but I didn’t listen.We looked weak. Young, foolish. Dangerously in love. We didn’t care.In order to keep our hearts protected from the opinions of others, we became each other’s secret. We shared stolen moments. Tender touches. Secretive embraces.It was our … Tender touches. Secretive embraces.
It was our twisted love story, and it worked for us up until our lives changed forever.
The boy I loved became Hollywood’s newest golden boy.
His career blossomed as mine stalled.
He found massive success as I discovered multiple failures.
He made something of himself, while my dreams never came true.
We moved into different realms where our pieces no longer fit together.
In the fairy tales, love conquered all.
In reality, love was the main reason empires began to fall.
I always knew Landon belonged in my story.
He was my beginning, middle, and end.
The only problem? I wasn’t certain I still belonged in his.
Book Two of the Landon & Shay Duet.
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This book was so deliciously angsty! We get this turbulent trip from when they graduated high school until adulthood. Landon moved to California to get treatment for his depression. While there, he was “discovered” and started modeling, then acting. As his career skyrocketed and he found success after success, Shay found rejection after rejection of her scripts. She floundered, working in coffee shops, while waiting for the chance that didn’t seem to arrive.
“While he was off living in la-la land, I was receiving rejection letters left and right, struggling to figure out a way to make my dreams come true.”
We get to suffer as their relation stumbles and finally crashes. Landon has a very hard time dealing with his illness. There are ups and downs, neglect of his condition, refusal to deal, a spiral of sensations and darkness. It’s a very rocky period and he uses Shay as a remedy but only for sex and seldom times.
“You are my poison,” I whispered, pain in my breaths as my body pressed against his. His lips rolled against my collar bone as he unbuckled my jeans. “You’re my remedy,” he swore, as his mouth pressed against mine.
It all comes to a head and they part only to reunite years later, but the reunion is not a success. Shay does not welcome Landon with open arms, much the opposite, so Landon has a lot of work to do.
The road back for them to be together again is fraught in mistrust, rancor, misgivings. Shay doesn’t believe in love for her now, she mistrusts relations and is very bitter about what happened to them. Landon’s abandonment of her years ago has made some deep scars in her and she’s not easy to open up to love again.
I loved this story, suffered along with them, rejoiced in a love that just won’t quit, and despaired that Shay would ever change her mind and open her heart. I loved how the author chronicled the downturn of their relation and the resurgence of it. And I loved, loved, how all the time their love was there, strong and eternal, even though Shay suppressed it in order to move on.
“In the past, I believed in fairytales. I believed in true love conquering all, but now I was old enough to know better. The only love story that mattered was the one I lived with myself. If I was in love with me, it didn’t matter if some man was, too. My love had to be enough to keep me warm at night. So, I started to fall in love again—with me, with my life, with my dreams.”
I loved the notebooks they would fill out with their words and exchange, early on before the separation. I thought it was an integral part of Landon’s recovery and control over his darkness. The secondary characters in this story were fantastic. I loved meeting up with Grayson and Eleanor as they lived their story along side with Landon and Shay, it was like reliving their great and their worst moments. This was all I love in a book: angst, a powerful love that surpasses all kinds of separations, and two wonderful individuals who are great alone but together are a whole lot of powerful.
An intense and emotional conclusion to Landon & Shay’s love story. This isn’t an easy love story but it is a beautiful & powerful love story with all of the feels, and very much worth the read. You do have to read Part One in order to understand what is going on.
Brittainy Cherry is so talented! Her words evoke such vivid imagery and powerful emotion. I feel as if I am living the story along with these wonderful characters. I laughed. I cried. My heart ached and shattered into a million pieces for both of them. I felt their passion and their pain. It was so hot and intense. The plot was beautifully written. It is a great world-building story. I fell in love with everything about this book. This is a must-read. It is an epic love story that will stick with me for some time to come! I highly recommend reading this book. It is a top 2019 read for me. Thank you Brittainy for sharing your words and this epic love story with us.
***ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.***
4.75 stars
I absolutely LOVED part one. Despite being beyond excited to have the second part in my hands, I was a bit scare due to my high expectations, but with Brittainy’s books, you can’t go wrong. Her plots, her characters, her wonderful way of telling a story always mesmerize me.
The first part was kind of surprising as I was expecting something different, but I found myself aching and struggling along Shay and Landon in a different way of what I had anticipated, which was great.
I enjoyed reading how the characters grew up and learned more about themselves, how they found their way together again. Shay was an awesome character, despite everything that happened, she always stayed true to herself. Landon is one of my favorite book boyfriends. I just wanted to be there for him like Shay did.
This duet will hold a special place in my heart. If you like romantic books, it’s mandatory to read these two books. You’re in for a treat.
I haven’t read many Brittany c cherry books but these last three i have read will stick with me forever first i read Eleanor and Grey and i loved that book and i was excited to get the next couple that featured in thier book which was Landon and Shay.
We got the first book in the duet and i loved everything about it but what i got from the second book was beautiful and raw and i don’t know how else to explain it. What we aren’t from young love in the first book we got what second chances are about in the second one.
What really touched me in this book was the sensitivey to the subject of depression if it wasn’t about Landon it was Karla and these two just broke my heart in such different ways. I will never forget the desperation of two peoples love like Landon and Shay.
I also loved Shay she was strong and i could understand the way she wanted to protect her heart and how she struggled to give second chances. What i also loved about this book was that Shay never expected Landon to be perfect and loved that he didn’t have a miracle cure and that he learned to live with his depression and that it was a part of him and he was such an amazing character for this.
I loved Mimi and Camila in this book as well they were such important characters for me and the way them and Shay had this unbreakable three generation bond.
If you looking for an emotionally beautifully written story that will get you right in the feels and a story that you will never forget then this is the book for you.
5 freaking how is your heart stars for this baby.
I believe Brittainy C Cherry writes the most angsty, heart gripping, pulls at the ol heartstrings, stories I have ever read. I know when I get something written by her, I will not be disappointed. The conclusion to Landon and Shay was no different. If anyone deserves an HEA, it is Landon and Shay. I will most definitely recommend this duet and both will be a top 2019 read for me! Great job Brittainy C Cherry!!!
4,5 stars
Since I finished reading part 1, I’ve been crazy about the sequel. The story of LANDON & SHAY affected me a lot and became one of my favorites. Following the completion of this story was as wonderful as the first part.
I thought this book was going to start with them as adults and then start with some flashbacks. However, the story continues the situation in which the characters were when they were still 18 years old and continues for a few more years till the parts we saw in the book ELEANOR & GREY. It was great to see what really happened, since, as secondary characters in Grey’s book, as I said in the previous review, it looked like they were just frienenemies, with a lighter, playful story.
There was a huge growth of the characters and this time I liked Shay’s attitudes, albeit difficult ones. I liked that she started thinking of her in the first place. Landon also had an evolution that, even as difficult as it was, it was necessary.
I thought the author treats depression subject in a very realistic way. We suffer and feel everything with them. The way she writes holds us in the pages and makes us emotional.
I am a super fan of the author and once again she brings a great work. Both Landon and Shay are wonderful characters to follow. I highly recommend this duet.
4.5
Cherry definitely delivered a beautiful ending to Landon and Shay’s story! I have been waiting for this book and the wait was worth it! Landon and Shays Love was so strong and so beautiful that my heart won’t let them go anytime soon!
We got to see each character blossom and grow through life, pain and mistakes! Cherry does amazing at showing how tough mental issues can be and how they affect everyone around us! Whether we struggle with them ourselves or have a loved one; mental issues can be a struggle and I love that she took on this issue and she did an amazing job with it!
I don’t want to give it all away other than letting you know that this is a very beautiful and emotional story! I have loved every word and have enjoyed this journey with these characters! I loved getting to see Eleanor and Gray and I can’t wait to see what Cherry writes next! She’s definitely an author I looked forward to when I see she has new words coming!
Wow, this conclusion was not easy for me to read or easy for L&S to experience. They’re separated for years, literally years, and when they finally come together, it’s a less than satisfying experience. Not that they don’t still love each other, because they definitely do, it’s just that because of where Shay is at in her life, no longer the trusting young woman she was before, she refuses to open up her heart again, for fear of Landon breaking it again. So she only gives him a very small part of herself at first. Luckily for her, he’s willing to work to get her back.
I enjoyed Landon & Shay’s conclusion, but I have to admit it didn’t get to me as much as the first part. It’s not as intense or passionate, and I hated that when they first re-engage with each other, it’s not as a full blown couple. I guess I was a bit disappointed. Not to say that I didn’t like or appreciate their hard fought for conclusion, because I do, I just wished for more of the passionate intensity of Part One.
THIS WOMAN! A story I felt to the bottom of my soul.
WELL DONE!
Part 2 of Landon and Shay is an unputdownable epic journey of coming home. It’s the journey or love finding its way back home to Landon and Shay. I said this in part one of their journey, but it is worth saying again: I am ridiculously proud of this story. It’s all consuming but yet somehow not overwhelming. I was all up in my feelings but it wasn’t gut-wrenching. It was hopeful. It was real. It was realistic. It was life.
There are not a lot of authors out there that I can say every book I’ve read written by them has been outstanding. I can say that about Brittainy C. Cherry. All her stories, including this one, have all kinds of nooks and crannies or twists and turns so deeply embedded in the storyline that if you blink, you might miss them. I read her books very slowly. I suggest you do the same. They deserve to be savored.
Brittainy C. Cherry’s continues the emotional journey of her beloved characters Landon and Shay in Landon & Shay – Part Two for a memorable work and a great conclusion to her L&S Duet book 2!
In the second book of her duet Ms. Cherry’s characters embrace their suffering in order to move forward. Landon grappled with learning to love himself before he could commit to being the man he needed to be to love Shay to his fullest. His missteps were heartbreaking to see play out but his growth and success in becoming the person he wanted to be was touching and inspiring. The sincerity of Shay’s love for Landon was romance at it’s best. Even in her hurt the core of her heart’s commitment remained steady. The acknowledgement by this couple of their grief and their past experiences gave them the ability to embrace their happiness. This relationship was not easy to watch work out. The pain and joy that joined together with these two formed a complex harmony that proved living is not always easy but a gift worth the bad times as well as the good.
Not one to shy away from intimidating feelings this author was quite brave in her depiction of uncomfortable subjects often swept away in embarrassment and seen as weaknesses. This writer went deep as she revealed her characters darkest and lightest moments with great sensitivity. Brittainy C. Cherry’s Landon & Shay – Part 2 was a beautiful statement of life’s ups and downs and put in the forefront a question everyone should ask daily, “How’s your heart,” don’t pass this book by!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*This work is part two of a duet.*
Brittainy C. Cherry always shocks me with her emotional gut checks. My heart aches through her words and part 2 hurt a bit more than I thought it could. I don’t know how or why I forget the emotion power this author has in her words. It’s like every time I read her, I get surprised that she can make me feel so much for characters in her made up story but she does.
I was more smitten with Shay than I ever expected. If you’re reading this review, you’ve more than likely read the first book so you are aware that Landon is a mess. Well, he gets messier. As much as I adored him, I was thoroughly impressed with Shay. Her strength was commendable. She was impressive. But nothing is as easy as it seems to outsiders and this is one messy story packed full of heart and confusion.
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.
I loved this duet so much and am so happy Landon & Shay finally got their HEA!!! Through all of the heartbreak they found their way back to each other
Wow just wow! blown away by Brittainy words yet again!
Wow!!! What a beautifully written 6 star page turner. The first part was amazing but part 2 surpassed my already high expectations.
This is the continuation of Landon and Shay’s friendship into the love story that made me feel so much. Life happened to bring them on different paths then what they thought it would be. Now years later they come full circle.
These characters were perfectly developed and made me feel so many different emotions. I was reading it at work on a slow nights and I was a mess. Tears of sorrow then tears of joy. These characters had real struggles that made me want to hug them. This story is beautifully written with a seamless plot. I’m glad Brittainy decided to turn it into a 2 part because I don’t think it could have been told any differently.
Bottomline this a 2019 must read books. Told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.
A fabulous conclusion to a brilliant, dramatic read.
When us readers finished Landon and Shay Part One, our young lovers were separating in efforts to help Landon get a better grasp on his mental health. With the promise that their love would survive, Shay was willing to be supportive from a distance.
Time and space unfortunately have a way a way of weakening things. And unfortunately this was true to Landon and Shay.
This is a well written love story with some of the best characters I think I’ve ever read. Book one ended with a cliffhanger of sorts and book two nicely wraps everything up. I absolutely love these characters and I think you will as well.
I loved part one of Landon and Shay’s story, so I was eagerly looking forward to the continuation. While I was happy to complete their story, I thought there were some rushed and uneven parts. One of this author’s talents is crafting a story that winds through time, and there were a lot of “fast forward” parts (some over weeks, some over years). I did like how Grey and Eleanor make appearances and how their stories intertwine. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you already read Part One. (And if you didn’t, you should!) For more thoughts please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a digital ARC of the book.
The Stunning Conclusion to Landon & Shay’s story | Emotional Romance
Angsty, filled with emotion, and realistically stunning! I have no doubt that Brittainy C. Cherry will make a difference in this world through her books. She doesn’t just write what her readers want, she writes what’s important. I am so glad I found her novels a few years ago because she truly touches my soul with each book.
That being said, this is the second book in the Landon & Shay duet. You must read the books in order as they follow Landon and Shay from the beginning of their love (rather, hate for each other) to the end where they finally make the toughest choices on whether to be together. This duet is ANGSTY. It’s a very slow burn even though we KNOW they are perfect for one another. However, both are dealing with some serious issues and it takes time, patience, and a ton of ups and downs in order to find that HEA everyone craves. This isn’t an easy book in terms of subject matter, and I found myself with tears in my eyes many times but as I said the subject matter is SO IMPORTANT. Many people suffer from mental illnesses- some quietly, others sharing their pain. So, reading about it in a book is cathartic.
If you haven’t had the chance to read this duet now is the perfect time to do so because it’s complete! I recommend it to ALL readers. I can’t wait to see what Brittainy writes next. Karla’s story would be amazing but we shall see.
3.5 stars
I loved the first book in this duet and anxiously (I do mean ANXIOUSLY) awaited the second one. Brittainy Cherry gives you a sense of Landon and Shay’s grownup attraction in Eleanor and Grey, but there is so much you don’t know. Finally, we get the sequel we wanted.
Landon, as you know, has some issues he needs to work through. When we saw last him, he was on his way to California, where he hoped that distance and relative isolation would help him overcome the mess life has flung at him.
You expect, of course, for things to go horribly awry. You expect that Landon’s life will take him in unexpected (and unintended) directions, and you expect conflict. Since this is a Brittainy Cherry book, you expect conflict that rips you apart … and she delivers. There were times when reading this book that I would be so angry with Landon that I’d have to go hide in a different room, lest my rage cause me to lash out at my (apparently) innocent husband.
The passion between Landon and Shay is undeniable. From the moments they “hated” (I still don’t buy that they did, and their references to that period in which they claim mutual hatred continue to ring hollow to me) each other, it was clear they would ignite when they got together. I’ve always been a huge fan of how Brittainy Cherry writes sex scenes because she does so purposefully. Yes, they are hot. Yes, they make you squeeze your thighs. But they also serve a function. There is one scene in this book that made me cry thanks to the way Cherry developed the increasing tension and emotional pain.
At times, this book feels like it drags. I would wonder if perhaps this isn’t a duet that would have been stronger as one book. Particularly toward the end, the story starts to feel almost circular, as if some scenes repeat themselves. Shay will frustrate you to no end. She can’t make up her mind about something, and her constant tug-of-war brings both her development and the story’s to a screeching halt. Whatever happens with (and within) a character needs to advance the plot. With several scenes in this book, that goal is not accomplished.
I love Brittainy Cherry’s books. She knows how to tell a story, and she knows how to craft characters you want to know more about. I also love Landon and Shay. I think if these two books were condensed into one, this would have been a phenomenal novel. At two books, there were moments when the pacing began to plod.
4.5 stars
This is the concluding part of Landon & Shays story so book one does need to be read first.
This is yet again another beautifully written story from Ms Cherry that is full of angst and that will take you on another emotional rollercoaster ride. These two characters are just so easy to love. It’s all to easy to feel their sadness and pain, their confusion, their happiness. Their story isn’t always easy but it is so worth it.
After reading Part 1 of Landon and Shay, I had been counting down the days until part two was released. I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to obtain an ARC of this title.
Brittainy C. Cherry writes words that connect with my heart. She has a way of writing pain, heartache and passion all in one neatly packaged parcel, that you can’t help but want to tear into and embrace.
This book was an emotional journey, and a book that held such powerful words about depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. It was a book that broke me several times, yet healed me in equal measures. To me a book that evokes such real, raw emotion, is a book that is up there with my all time favourites.
The story shows the progression of Landon and Shay from teenagers in part one, to now adults finding their way in the world. It explores the heartache of a lost connection, and the rekindling of a first love. The book was so beautifully composed it slayed me!
I love Landon! He is a broken boy who turned into an admirable man, just trying his best to get through life battling poor mental health. He is a character who needed to be written, as in todays society it is important not only to highlight depression and anxiety, but it is vital to highlight how real it is for men as well as women.
Shay is equally as complex in how she transforms from being so hopelessly in love, to jaded and disbelieving. Anyone who has suffered that first love heartbreak, will relate to her. Her story shows that you can be down on your luck, but if you hold on and work hard you will eventually get there.
This story is powerful, beautiful and one of my all time faves from this author. It was an incredible read and I feel all kinds of sadness that it had to end. It is a book about two broken souls and their journey of healing.
I’d recommend to all romance lovers. It has to be read as the duet for full affect! You will not be disappointed.
My favourite quote from the book has to be ‘If you’re ever given the chance to choose between being afraid or being brave, be brave.’