Book Review: "Lost In Me" by Lexi Ryan

Lost in Me

Here and Now #1

SYNOPSIS:

Lost in Me is the first book in the Here and Now series, a spin-off of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Hope series. This sexy amnesia love triangle is intended for mature readers.

The last thing I remember is having drinks at Brady’s and trying to avoid eye-contact with my life-long crush—the gorgeous, unattainable Maximilian Hallowell. They tell me that was a year ago, but I have no memories of anything since then. What I do have is this ring on my finger that Max says he gave me, and this much-thinner body I’ve dreamed of most of my life. Aside from a case of retrograde amnesia, everything seems almost...perfect.

But the deeper I immerse myself into this new world of mine—planning a wedding to a man I don't remember dating, attempting to run a business I don't remember starting—the clearer it becomes that nothing is as it seems. Do I have the life I’ve always wanted or is it a facade propped up by secrets I don't even know I have?

I need answers before I marry Max, and the only person who seems to have them is the angry, tatted, sexy-as-sin rocker Nate Crane. And Nate wants me for himself.

Lost in Me is not a standalone novel, as the story continues in Here and Now book two, FALL TO YOU, releasing in June.

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REVIEW:

4.5 Stars

First and foremost, I love Lexi’s writing. She has a way of writing a book that is all encompassing and just very enjoyable. They are always easy reads that flow with a good amount of angst and sexiness!

This book was naturally a ‘must read’ given the fact that I adored and devoured her New Hope series and these are a spin-off from there. We all fell in love with the twins…..and now, their story comes to life in this new series. And what a series it has started out as!! This series also touched on a very serious disease, and I do like the way it was handled responsibly.

Hanna and Lizzy are twins, but they look anything but. Lizzy is beautiful and has a nice svelte body…..Hanna is beautiful with luscious curves. We have two sisters with very different personalities and looks; but very lovable all the same. Hanna is the most giving, devoted and honest person out there. Everyone knows how sweet she is and it really shows. As we get deeper into the story, we start to notice that their sisterly bond has been slightly damaged. Hanna has no idea how it happened, but she aims to fix that.

Max Hallowell is an unattainable, gorgeous guy and Hanna is very much in love with him. She has been since she was a young teenager in school. But Hanna knew she never stood a chance…..there were skinnier, prettier girls and they always got the good guys. Hanna has a complex and she knows how to effectively deal with it….in her own mind, until something very serious happens and she has to seek help.

I frown at my reflection and run my finger along my newly defined jawline. Max can’t keep his hands off me. I wonder if that started before or after I lost the weight.

Nate Crane is a sexy, swoony rocker with a deep, seductive voice. He shows up and knocks Hanna for a loop and has her already confused mind on a desperate search for the truth…..not what everyone is telling her for ‘fact’. She wants her memories back and plans on finding out who this Nate guy is. She has no idea who he is or where he came from. Why is there such a deep connection with this man she doesn’t remember? (Did I mention he was HOT? Because if I didn’t, lemme tell you….he was ALL SORTS OF HOT!)

Seconds ago, I wanted his knowing eyes anywhere but mine, but now I wish he would look at me. I need to see the eyes of the man I feel this inexplicable connection to.

With Hanna waking up in the hospital and having NO clue as to what is going on, the entire scene is very chaotic and confusing. She has NO idea what happened and how she got there, and so the mystery begins. I could totally feel her panicky self watching with a curious and fearful eye. What Hanna doesn’t understand is why Max is there, all concerned and proclaiming his LOVE to her! He is SO loving towards her and is just absolutely enamored with her. But why is she wearing his ring?? I was really intrigued as to how this amnesia storyline would play out, as it was a very complex beginning to a very fascinating story!

“I love you, Hanna,” he says softly, and more surprising than the words is this feeling in my chest. As if something there knows what he says is true, even if my mind can’t remember how we got here. ~Hanna

“I know you don’t remember. I’ll win your heart all over again if I have to.” ~Max

This ‘new life’ for Hanna was a little off kilter, and every time she recalled a memory or a new truth, she uncovered another very curious mystery. There was a very twisted web of lies and deceit going on in this little town of New Hope, but they all got buried with her amnesia, and some people are making sure she doesn’t remember. There are a lot of little twists and nuances that add to the confusion for Hanna. Max is very odd and elusive at times. Lizzy is very distant for some unknown reason. Nate keeps popping up at the most inopportune times. Oh….and Meredith is in the book as well. She is a weasel and we saw that in the New Hope series, and she clearly has NOT changed her tune. She is a conniving person….I’m waiting on Karma.

I felt very connected to everything going on in the story and felt that I was there, right along with Hanna, trying to figure out what had happened and what was STILL going on around her. I loved how much Max made her feel loved and how Nate made her feel desired. The feelings for each guy were so different, and it really made me enjoy the book…..and just added to the mystery of it all.

No matter how hard I look, I can’t remember being with him. So why do I have this feeling in my chest like my heart knows something I don’t?

This book did a wonderful job showcasing how the thoroughly confused Hanna figured out, little by little, what had happened in the last year of her life. I really enjoyed watching her start to remember what had happened, and it jumped back and forth between present day and her past, with her recovered memories. As we started to see little things pop out here and there,  it really started to make you guess what was going on….I loved all the little detail in the story. Putting the pieces together WITH Hanna was a journey. Lexi did a really good job of making sure that we didn’t figure anything out. It was truly written really well and I was thoroughly entertained! The ending was a cliffhanger, but not a doozy. It was one that I personally could deal with while waiting for book 2 in June, but I will say…..it has me VERY excited and wondering how this little turn in events happened!!! I am soooo excited for the next book!!!!!

“I need the truth,” I whisper weakly.

“The truth? Is that what you really want, angel?” His deep voice dances over my skin like a caress. A little tender. A lot wicked.

When everything seems so perfect with her new body, her hot fiancé and her finally working her dream job…..why is Hanna searching for anything different? Because the truth is all that matters when it concerns your heart……and she is ‘feeling’ something that she can’t explain and isn’t too comfortable with.

4.5 Angsty and Mysterious Stars!!!

Love,

Bethany

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon | Paperback | B&N

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lexi Ryan

Lexi Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, writes romances with humor, heat, and heart. A former college English professor, Lexi now writes full time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband and two children. Please visit www.lexiryan.com 

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