A friends-to-lovers second-chance romance…Fourteen years ago, my life changed forever.My sister disappeared. That day I was selfish. That day I chose myself over her. And that day, I lost everything. Including Nikki Walters. She’s the girl I’ve loved my whole life. She’s gorgeous. Caring. Every single thing I’ve ever wanted but denied myself. She was my sister’s best friend, and I destroyed any … sister’s best friend, and I destroyed any chance of keeping her.
When her safety is threatened, I have a second chance to do the right thing. But as soon as she moves in, I want her in all the wrong ways.
All it takes is a brush of her hand, and I’m losing all control.
The fire between us is only burning hotter.
But neither of us saw what was coming.
And it just might be Nikki Walters who destroys me in the end.
The highly anticipated sexy, suspenseful stand-alone second-chance romance from NYT Bestselling Author, A.L. Jackson.
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Lead Me Home is a beautifully written, heartbreaking story. It is book three in the Fight for Me series and if you have read the first two stories than you have met Ollie. This is his story and I am so excited to finally find out what makes this broody man, who carries so much weight on his shoulders, tick.
Nikki and Ollie had something special between them even when they were young. Years ago, guilt and tragedy pushed them apart but now danger is pushing them together again. Little did they know, but that fateful day fourteen years ago, when everything changed is all related to what is happening now. Can they find their way back to each other and finally find the happily ever after they deserve?
I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version of this story and the narrators absolutely added to my enjoyment. Their voices were spot on with the characters and all the emotions that the book invoked.
5 “Fly, Fly, Dragonfly” Stars
This was, by far, the best book in the series for me. I was intrigued by Ollie since we first met him in Show Me the Way, the first book of the Fight For Me series. In Show Me the Way he was described as “big, burly asshole who was covered in tats, and if you didn’t know him, he was intimidating as fuck.” That right there is a description of my favourite type of male protagonist. And boy, did A.L. Jackson deliver! It was everything I hoped for it to be and then some.
I loved the chemistry between Ollie and Nikki. They danced around each other since book one and I was curious about how their story will unfold. As expected, the story was beautiful yet heartbreaking. A lot of revealed in this book which left me devastated, especially that one chapter (you need to read the book to know what I am talking about). It took me by surprise and I am not kidding when I say I couldn’t stop thinking about it for couple of days after I finished reading Lead Me Home.
Overall, Lead Me Home is a powerful and emotional read that will rend you to puddle of goo once you’re finished with it.
The angst. The angst! I don’t know. I wanted to slap Ollie for being a hurtful idiot. Poor Nikki. But still, this one keeps you reading until the very end.
I absolutely loved this entire series. It was amazing!!
This book is funny, and sweet and all the things a good romance book should be. I really enjoyed it!
Forever, you and me
I don’t even know where to begin. This book evoked so many emotions I’m still trying to deal with them.
This is a standalone that is also part of the Fight For Me series, and since the first book I’m intrigued by the story of Ollie and Nikki and what happened to Sidney (Ollie’s brother).
If you’ve read the first books (and I totally recommend you do), you already know Nikki had a crush on Ollie.
But the thing is: it was not a crush. And I loved that.
Everybody thought it was just an infatuation, a puppy love that Nikki felt. But the truth is that Ollie and Nikki’s story went way back and it was so powerful, so deep, so intense and so tragically beautiful.
You star the book thinking Ollie has no idea what he’s missing, when in fact he knows exactly what he is missing and he is doing that because he believes he doesn’t deserve all that Nikki is.
Their story wasn’t just a platonic feeling. It was just too sacred and too personal and too real to say about it out loud.
After his sister disappearance, Ollie took it upon himself all the responsabilty and guilt, without realizing he wasn’t the one to blame and he wasn’t the only one in pain.
Being her best friend, Nikki is suffering just as much, but trying to heal and trying to be there for Ollie, for when he realizes that he deserves to be loved.
Loving her from afar wasn’t an easy task for Ollie. Being pulled and pushed by him, only hut Nikki.
But when a very real threat shows up at Nikki’s door, Ollie is forced to face his feelings for her. Because even if he doesn’t believe he deserves her, he would die before he let anything happen to his Sunshine.
Besides being willing to die and kill for her, now he needs to learn how to live for her.
His grief and pain and guilt are all too consuming. But Nikki’s light starts creeping in the cracks of his armor. And together, they start to find a path to healing.
At first, Ollie bothered me with his hot and cold behavior, but as you get to know him and the turmoil in his head and heart, you start to understand why he was so relutant for all those years to love Nikki.
He has so much love and tender to give, he just didn’t know how to do it without letting his guilt go.
Nikki was so incredibly strong. She had so many fear since her childhood, but she was always trying to overcome them, to fly like a dragonfly. She had insecurities, but she battled everyday for a better life for her and for the people around her.
She was indeed a Sunshine to her Beast.
So many things happened and touched me in this book. So many raw emotions and angsty feeligns. But the main point was that, even in the darkest moments, love was pouring so intensely, I felt embraced!
It was just exquisite!
NO SPOILERS!
Lead Me Home was a heartbreaking yet beautiful and uplifting story about love, loss, and learning to let go of the past and live life to its fullest. A.L. Jackson did an extraordinary job and gave me ALL THE FEELS with this sexy, swoon-worthy, and suspenseful standalone second chance romance in the Fight for Me series.
The storyline and characters were wonderful, and I loved A.L. Jackson’s writing style. Ollie and Nikki’s story, though sad and tragic at times, was beyond beautiful and I loved it with all my heart. There were some elements that I wasn’t fully expecting and that took me by surprise, but Ms. Jackson did a great job handling those situations. I loved all of the characters, with the exception of a few, and was so happy to see some familiar faces again. I loved everything about Lead Me Home, minus a few parts, and I was absolutely ecstatic with the conclusion to Ollie and Nikki’s story. It was PERFECT and made me insanely happy.
Lead Me Home was a definite MUST READ from the incredibly talented A.L. Jackson, and I would highly recommend it and the rest of the Fight for Me series! Ollie and Nikki touched my heart, and I loved reading their story, even though it put me through the emotional wringer. That being said, I can’t wait to devour more of Ms. Jackson’s sweet, sexy, emotional, and suspenseful love stories!
*4,5 stars*
**Fly, fly, dragonfly**
I’m really loving and enjoying this author her books. I’ve only, not too long ago, discovered this author and I’m glad I did! This story was heartbreaking but also loving at the same time. I don’t think there are words enough to say how touching this story was, even if it did make you want to cry your eyes out.
Nikki has loved Ollie for as long as she can remember but one fateful night changes it all for them. His sister has disappeared and Ollie’s been frantically trying to find her over the years but with no such luck. Although Nikki wants to be there for him, he can’t seem to open his heart to her even though he desperately wants her to save him. Now there’s a threat looming over her, he’s scared to lose her the same way he lost his sister. Even though both are trying to deny their feelings, the chemistry between them is undeniable. But secrets will be laid to bare; some they’ll never see coming… Will they finally know where his sister disappeared to all these years ago? Will they finally have a chance to be together?…
Friends since childhood. In love since high school. Separated by tragedy and guilt. Waiting. Patient. Looking for answers. Will Ollie and Nikki ever find a way to the future they once believed they’d have? Well edited.
Ollie. Sydney. Nikki. These three were inseparable. Carefree childhood days. The addition of Rex and Kale. Still, the three are inseparable. Then high school, and things change. Still the three, but afraid to tell that there are pairs behind the three. Ollie and Nikki. Sydney and Rex. And the fear opens the door to unimaginable tragedy and guilt and devastation. Fourteen years later – Rex has finally allowed himself to find happiness, but Ollie and Nikki are still stuck. Once more, the winds of change are blowing. Ollie feels the storm coming. Someone is stalking Nikki. They leave notes. They trash her apartment. Ollie is there to take Nikki into his home, to keep her safe. Ollie tries to resist the temptation that is Nikki. He should be good at it. After all, he has been resisting for the better part of fourteen years. But, a man can only resist so long when the love of his life is right in front of him. And just as he allows himself begin to let Nikki in and let go of the past just a little, the storm breaks and he is caught in the whirlwind. Answers to the past come, but with them comes a threat to the present. Will Ollie recognize the threat in time to save Nikki? Will he finally let go of the guilt and embrace the love?
This book, and this series, have been very good reads. They are full of real emotion – guilt, fear, grief, hope, joy, and love. Wonderful, strong, deep friendships. People that have had their world rocked by tragedy at very young ages, and have finally learned how to navigate through to the other side. Encouraging each other, leaning on each other, supporting each other. The mystery of Sydney is finally answered. And finally, these friends realize that they can’t bury themselves in guilt for acting like the teenagers they were. Enjoy!
<3 <3
** spoiler alert ** I have absolutely loved this entire series, but this book might just be my fave! Nikki and Ollie are everything!!! Pure fire. The supporting characters are well developed as you read the series and I loved finding out about Sydney. Definitely a 5 star read!!
Lead Me Home by AL Jackson wrapped up all of the loose ends of the Fight For Me series. Ollie and Nikki’s story was full of devastating upheaval from the first page due to a love that collapsed on a devastating night so long ago.
Their connection is deep; their guilt deeper. Their grief is etched into their souls and surviving the only way they know how, is there any force strong enough to bring them together?
“fly, fly, dragonfy”…
This emotional, beautiful written story drives home the amazing healing powers of love and time on the human heart.
Another winner for AL Jackson!
Absolutely loved it. My heart hurt reading it. Ollie is my favorite
4.5 stars
How much hurt can one man take? Does it keep him from finding love, or has he found it already, a long time ago? Lead Me Home tells the emotional story of Ollie and Nikki, who have known each other since childhood. I love how Ollie finally sees Nikki for what she really is, his forever.
“I just . . . loved him. I did, and I had for too many years, and it hurt too much that he didn’t love me back.”
Ollie and Nikki go way back, they meet as young kids and together with Ollie’s sister Sydney they share an inseparable bond. As they grow older, the friendship between Nikki and Ollie starts to shift into something different. They’re too young to understand it, but they’re falling in love. One night however, everything changes. Sydney disappears without a trace, leaving her brother feeling guilty and hurt, and her best friend devastated.
Fourteen years later those wounds still haven’t healed, and the friendship/young love Ollie and Nikki had, is gone. When Nikki faces a threatening situation, Ollie no longer can look away and goes into protective-modus. Spending time together makes our couple finally work through their feelings, and maybe they do have a second-chance after all.
“My thumb traced along her cheek. Right over those freckles that made her appear so sweet and a little untamed. She was. But she was more. So much more.”
Ollie blames himself for not looking after his sister, and to this day he’s still searching for her, wanting to find her. He keeps Nikki at a distance is for her own sake; he doesn’t feel good enough for her, and she reminds him so much of his sister. Nikki is still in love with Ollie after all those years. She tried to move on, but no one compared to her Ollie, and honestly, she doesn’t want anyone else. Both are in pain, and I’m so happy Ollie gives into his feelings for his Sunshine (feelings he so obviously has)
Like other books by A.L. Jackson, Lead Me Home is an emotional story; two tortured souls who clearly belong together, but fight it all the way. And the story of Nikki and Ollie is extra emotional, given their past and what happened to Sydney. My heart breaks for both Nikki and Ollie. Nikki lost her best friend, and Ollie his sister. And that’s not all they lost, they also lost each other in the aftermath of Sydney’s disappearance. The ending of the story is perfect, I’m so glad Nikki and Ollie have found their so much deserved Happily Ever After.
“His lips brushed against mine in the softest kiss. “Sunshine,” he murmured like praise. “You are light and life. My life. My everything. Let me be yours.”
Since I started this series I have wanted Olllie’s book. And I knew it was going to be good, and i was not disappointed.
Ollie and Nikki have been dancing around each other since we started this journey.
Nikki has been in love with Ollie since she can remember but after what happened with his sister, it seemed like Ollie just closed himself off from love. He blames himself for what happened and he just cant move on when she never had a chance at happiness. And even though he can’t seem to get Nikki out of his head he can’t help watching her and protecting her and being the one she needs when she is in trouble.
Nikki feels like she has waited long enough and she is tired of waiting for Ollie to decide what he wants. She can’t deal with the hot/cold attitude he has towards her and if she can’t have him all the time then she wont settle for anything.
“I don’t want to be your duty, Ollie. I can’t be a sin you’re trying to make amends for.”
Even though this book is a romance story, it still had so much angst and mystery and suspense, especially with Ollie trying to find out what happened to his sister. And trust me this book will keep you on the edge of your seat, especially if you are like me and have waited for Ollie and Nikki since the beginning.
It feels like I waited forever to finally have Ollie’s story,but my god was it worth the wait! Heartbreaking, poignant .sexy and a very beautiful love between Ollie and Nikki. A.L Jackson has such a way of writing,her words,the emotions they evoke,you always finish her stories with that special squeeze to your heart. If you haven’t read this author then you are definitely missing out!
Five Stars
Finally Ollie and Nikki’s story. PERFECTION! And a great ending to the series (which I’m sad about). Such a beautiful, heartbreaking, emotional and unforgettable story. This was friends to lovers story and a second chance romance.
Nikki and Ollie. What to say about them? They were perfect and special. I loved their history together and the fact they grew up together and were best friends. But when tragedy strikes it all changed and left them separated for 14 years. No matter what separates them there was always something – some force that also tied and brought them together. I love their connection, chemistry and attraction. Loved how Ollie wanted to protect her and how much he cared about her. If only he could let her into his heart. Ollie harbored so much guilt and carried so much burden. But he’s really a sweet and amazing guy. I loved their flirty banter, light moments and angst. Even though it was emotional it was also amazing to see them fall in love again and witness their road to happiness. I enjoyed the flashbacks because they were perfect to understand and see the intense but special connection they had since early days.
I’m glad I finally know what happened with Sydney but it was really sad because she didn’t deserved that fate. From flashbacks I really loved her she was so full of life and wanted to experience every moment. The epilogue was the best and exactly what they all deserved
A.L. Jackson will forever be a must read for me. Lead Me home had everything I love in a book. Angst was at an all high level (I love angsty books), an alpha male who will do ANYTHING for the heroine, friendship that spans a lifetime, regret and forgiveness. There is even a bit of suspense in this A.L. Jackson book!
We have seen the despair and emptinesss in Ollie life. Since his sister died, he’s been just a shell of a man. He puts on a good front as the hot-tattood owner of Olive’s Bar. We know there is something between him and Nikki, but to what depths their relationship is has been a mystery while reading this series.
This book was a slow burn, almost a little too slow for me. I just couldn’t wait to finally see the walls break down between these two. Nikki often made me want to scream, she just needed to be honest with Ollie and all would have been okay. I do understand her reluctance, her not wanting to be hurt yet again. But when both of them are unable to hold back and the walls crumble it’s the A.L. Jackson I just love. A.L. Jackson is a beautufily flawless writer and we see that in this book.
As always in this series, we get a small sneak peak into the lives of all the couples we have grown to love in this series. You can read this as a stande alone, but reading the other books prior gives you even a better glance into all of the characters and their lives.
Magnetic. Heart stopping. Filled with passion and suspense but brimming with hope. Jackson’s finale to the Fight For Me series is an amazing collaboration of regrets and second-chances. Ollie lost his best friend and sister years ago, heartbroken over the loss he’s slowly pushed away everything he’s loved, including the girl he’s loved since he was a boy. Nikki understands the pain Ollie feels, she lost Sydney that night too. But what Ollie doesn’t understand that his alienation has made her feel like she’s lost them both and the pain is more than she can bear any longer. After a climactic night on the anniversary of Sydney’s disappearance; Nikki makes a stand that she won’t wait by Ollie side any longer. Just as she makes these decisions a darkness looms over her threatening to bring back the past that she and Ollie fought so hard to forget.
As they navigate their own emotions as adults, Nikki and Ollie have to figure out just who is after her. Nikki fights Ollie every step of the way, she has to protect her heart from the pain he could delve unto it again. But fate has other plans. As past and future collide (along with glimpses into that fateful night for Sydney) Ollie and Nikki grow stronger than ever. And when Ollie decides to fight for a future he never dreamed he deserved, their past brings down one final cleaver to threaten to break them once more.
I could not believe how engrossed I became in this story! Ollie and Nikki have an obvious connection that no one can deny. Watching them gravitate towards and away from one another was such heartbreak. I wanted to shout at Ollie to just give Nikki the happiness they deserve! The push and pull throughout this novel is done so beautifully that when Ollie finally accepts the truth, your heart will SOAR! No spoilers for the truth about Sydney but I will say to read between the lines and come to your own conclusions as the truth will SHOCK you. I was not prepared at all for the twist ending but I could not have read any faster, turning page after page to see just what would happen. A powerful, powerful 5 star read that is easily a top read for 2018!
Ollie is the epitome of a tortured hero. His guilt is a heavy burden. And poor Nikki; having her one desire constantly in front of her and having to pretend there is no history. So heartbreaking. I am not a big fan of this authors actual writing style, but her stories are top notch so I always go back for more!