Keep Me Still Review

Book Review 
February 9. 2014

Keep Me Still 
~plus Let You Leave and Hold Us Close Novellas~

by:Casey Quinn

4.5 Stars ★★★★☆

Blurb ~  Layla Flaherty had the perfect life, or close to it. Until a stranger gunned her parents down right in front of her, leaving her with seizure inducing PTSD. After years of trying to pass as normal and failing miserably, she resigns herself to being invisible. But new to town Landen O’Brien sees her, and he likes what he sees. Much to Layla’s surprise, he doesn’t freak out when she has a seizure in front of him. He does the exact opposite, calming her until the tremors subside. But Landen has secrets of his own. Secrets that will either bind them together or tear them apart.
 ~~~~~~
Scarred by loss, Layla leaves her hometown of Hope Springs, Georgia, hoping to put her painful past behind her and start over in college in California. When she runs into Landen at freshmen orientation, she has a choice to make. Reinforce those steel walls she's built up around herself or give the only boy who can keep her still a second chance.

Landen’s more than ready to tear down those walls, but this time when they come crashing down, they might bury her.
 ~~~~~Sometimes happily ever after is just the beginning…

High school sweethearts Layla Flaherty and Landen O’Brien are living a fairytale in the heart of Spain. Landen’s professional soccer career is taking off and Layla is finishing her college degree. But when her aunt Kate calls with life changing news, she has to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from everyone.

She’s pregnant. And she’s not sacrificing her child for anything, not even her own life.

Landen has a secret of his own. There’s one thing he never wants to be. Ever.

A father.

My Review 

Before even starting this review I am going to warn you this is a review of the novel plus the two novellas. It is highly recommended you read both; it helps give the story and relationship between the characters more substance and understanding. With that being said this was an amazing read. So much pain, suffering and heartache but also love, redemption and trust. This was truly a beautiful story that I will be hard-pressed to forget.

Layla has suffered since she was a young girl and her parents were killed in front of her. Resulting from this horrific moment Layla has a recurring seizure problem that keeps her separated from life and people around her. Most of her high school years are spent being home-schooled until senior year when she decides to give it a go again.

On the first day of school, new kid Landon, immediately notices Layla and knows he has to know her. But he also notices how everyone else treats her; as if she’s carrying an infectious disease. The girls are cruel and the boys are uncaring. Landon doesn’t care, he needs to know Layla and as luck would have it Layla is not resistant to his attraction, at least after some work on his part. 

When Landon witnesses Layla’s seizures in action he’s horrified. Landon is scared out of his mind for her and ashamed in everyone else who just stands around and points. Landon knows he can and will take care of Layla because that’s what love makes you do. Although there’s always some obstacle that causes things to go crazy and Landon moving away does just that. 

For a year these two are separated and Layla has tried to let Landon out of her heart. But when he shows up at her college avoiding him becomes impossible to do. Landon is keeping a secret from Layla though and it’s one that could threaten every promise and profession of love he has made. But when it comes to Layla’s well-0being and safety, there is nothing that Landon won’t do. 

The final novella was nothing like I expected. It actually contained more twist and turns than the entire story combined. Landon has some personal demons of his own to conquer and it’s up to him to decide if he wants Layla by his side to battle them. These two certainly go through the emotional wringer, dealing with issues like Layla’s health and Landon’s abusive father. Overall I can’t say more great things about this book. As my first Casey Quinn novel I am doubly impressed and can’t wait to read more. Sure this was an emotional rollercoaster but both Layla and Landon were strong and determined characters so they were a joy to read. I loved that nothing I expected happened which is a rare occurrence for me. Even with all the sad moments this was an overall happy book with a HEA, is there anything better? I would certainly recommend but not unless you promise to read the two novellas that go along with it!!

HAPPY READING!!!