Be With Me by J. Lynn Review

Be With Me by J. Lynn
(Wait for You, #2)
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow; 384 pages

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…

Move aside, Cam Hamilton, Jase Winstead is coming through. Oh, that's right. This guy is absolutely swoon-worthy and then some. He's got skeletons in his closet but he's got a soul and heart as pure as gold. Seriously. I know he's a bit like Cam and loves the ladies minus the relationship parts but that's fine. There's a reason he's that way but seeing him evolve throughout this book and fight every instinct he has is just pure entertainment. Not that I think watching people battle their inner demons is entertainment but it makes for a great story which makes for great entertainment . . . feel me?

I'm actually eating cupcakes from Jen (yes, the Jen from the book) while I'm writing this review. I though it was appropriate, right? She even made the very last cupcake featured in this book. I haven't eaten yet . . . but it's sitting there, tempting me. 

I liked Cam, a lot, especially after Trust in Me but it pales in comparison to what I feel for Jase.  I even liked Jase in Wait for You and I was excited to hear that he was getting his own story. I have a love/hate relationship with series books that each book features a different main character. I love them because it adds something new to each one, different voices while also getting glimpses of characters from the previous book but, and this is why I'm such a fan of series, one book is just never enough for me; especially for a book I love. That's why I get a massive book hangover - when I know there's only one book with certain characters. I crave more of them and I get all selfish like and want more. But you know what? We can't always get what we want but sometimes that works out for the best.

Jase has skeleton's in his closet and he doesn't want them coming out especially to Tess, Cam's younger but equally attractive sister. The girl he's trying to avoid but finding that more and more difficult. It's always the things you want but can't have that really give you a fit, right? Except - that's not the problem here. He wants her and he could have her but he doesn't because of these skeleton's (and, let's be honest, Cam).

There are so many times in this scene when you think things are about to change between Tess and Jase but then suddenly, we run in to a brick wall and we're scratching our heads as to how this got here. Then some time later, it happens again. It's like groundhog's day with our emotions. We get excited and hopeful only to be let down and then it happens again . . . and again . . . and again and yet, we're still reading. We can't stop reading. Because we're rooting for these two. Especially since Tess has issues she's dealing with, too. Not hidden skeletons like Jase, but her dance career, which was her life, is now in limbo. She may or may not get to continue her career after a nasty fall she took which she then needed knee surgery.

Do you know what else I loved about this book? Besides the cupcakes, Jase and the appearances of characters like Cam and Avery? I loved how gradual their relationship was. Though it gave me whiplash, it was whiplash I'd gladly take again.

Also, the other storyline that is actually a pretty big part of this story was horrifying, heartbreaking and disturbing all mixed together. During one scene, it had me holding my breath as if I were actually living through Tess. It was terrifying. If you've read the book, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, as soon as you do you'll know what I'm talking about. I feel like I can't really talk about this without giving anything away but you'll know, trust me, you'll know.

I definitely liked this book more than Wait for You and Trust in Me which insane because I couldn't put those books down (and I read them back to back). I just think I liked both of these characters more and their story was more appealing, for me. You don't need to read the books before this but it's always helpful so you know the background on these characters and ones that are already mentioned.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins (William Morrow) for allowing me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.