Kayla has really reached rock bottom when she leaves New York to start a new life in L.A. She has little money to her name, a huge passion for starting her own clothing line and a closed down theatre as a roof over her head.

On the day she arrives she receives a wrong number phone call on the phone she just had connected and not wanting to let an old lady down, she ends up delivering roses to a complete stranger. This is how she meets Justin Beckett, ex-boyband and movie star. Grandson of the wrong number caller.

It turns out Justin has recently been through a publicity nightmare, all brought upon himself, he has parted ways from his band, alcohol, drugs, women and his old phone number. After everything blew up his ‘people’ decided that cutting ties with anyone from his old life would be best. However, now that he knows someone has a lifeline to his old band, he decides having Kayla around could be beneficial. Having her working on his latest movie set gives her a job and him access to any potential calls. Thus begins a strange friendship or sorts between Justin and ‘Kaylacakes.’

Kayla’s ultimate goal is to get backing for her portfolio so she can launch her own clothing line. Working for Justin cements her desire to work for herself. When an opportunity comes up to present her ideas to a well known and lucrative backer, she is disappointed to discover that who you know doesn’t always bring the best results. It is also a reminder of why she left New York and makes her realise that running away from things doesn’t mean the problem will go away.

As her friendship with Justin moves into something more intimate and meaningful she decides that dealing with her past is the only way to move forward. However, Justin’s reaction to this decision was not what she expected it to be. It turns out that his loyalty had conditions and she will not be with someone who can’t be unconditional with her. Justin has a lot of grovelling to do if he wants this plot to end in a happy ever after.

This is a fun romance set among the Hollywood hills and the world of movies.

4 STARS for Lead Me Back by CD Reiss 

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own & have not been influenced in any way.

WOW really liked this book !

This book is not just a great romance with a HEA but it’s about finding yourself & the person that makes it all like coming home. 

Justin and Kayla’s  story begins with a misplaced cell phone call , unexpected flower delivery & job offer ! Justin Beckett - Hollywood bad boy thinks he can wrap Kayla Montgomery around his little finger.  That so ain’t happening ... Kayla is a down on her luck fashion designer having been run out of NYC by a scandal. I really liked that this book tackles the Me Too movement as well as characters speaking up on women’s right always to say NO. 

Lead Me Back has a great storyline with great engaging characters. 

I read in just one sitting & loved it ... 

A favorite passage reads like this ( reminding us all of who & where our “home” is   ) 

I had a split second in his arms before we hit the water together , and it was all the time I needed to realize that I was happy .. I had arrived at my destination ... no matter what the future held in store for me I was home ... 

Love this author and will be checking out more of her back list. 

Highly recommend this read !!

Lead Me Back is a sweet heartfelt story with some serious topics mixed in, between Justin Beckett, the boyband member who’s fallen from grace and Kayla, who is running from her past.

Kayla, who has dreams of having her own design label, has just moved to LA from New York to be closer to her sister and dad. She meets Justin in the most unusual of circumstances, over the case of the wrong number. When Justin realises that he needs Kayla’s help and he can repay the favour by offering her a job on set of his movie, Kayla is reluctant at first to fall into his world. But she needs a job, so accepts, and slowly realises that the Justin Beckett the world sees is different to who he really is. Justin’s world was turned upside down after a party ruined his friendship with his childhood friends and bandmates. Trust broken and image destroyed, he was told not to contact them again, even if the events were all a misunderstanding. He slowly comes back to realising what’s important in life through spending time with Kayla. Will they be able to make it work as a couple? What happens when Kayla’s past finally catches up with her? Will Justin be able to reunite with his bandmates?

I really liked the storyline, although at times it was quite difficult to follow, it jumped all over the place in time without any warning, and also some dialogue didn’t flow right. There was something missing, which was frustrating. But what I did like was the characters and the underlying messages. I loved Kayla, how she really grew throughout, first running from her past and then realising that she could only move on if she faced it, confronted it and overcame it. I loved how the Me-Too movement was addressed and spoken about, it highlighted the serious topic well and showed how women are affected by the aftermath of these traumatic events. Justin was a bit of a hit or miss character, some of his actions really frustrated me but I think he had been in the industry for so long, he could only see how things could negatively impact him. He did really care for Kayla; it just took him a while to see what was really important. However, the ending did redeem him for me, it was incredibly sweet and swoon worthy, and I was so happy he too faced his demons and rebuilt the relationships he had lost.

The secondary characters were great and brought the whole story together. Justin’s grandmother was hilarious, she made me laugh out loud a couple of times. Kayla’s dad’s story was intriguing, and I felt for him, I loved his friendship group though and how they stood by Kayla in her time of need.

Overall, I enjoyed this book because of Kayla’s character and her growth throughout. I think the issues Lead Me Back addresses are important and are so current, especially in the industry they both worked in, so it was good to see it realistically spoken about in a book. It’s a great read if you like enemies-to-more actor romances with a strong female lead!

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review.*

The blurb for Lead Me Back doesn't do this book justice - it's much better than the description, and I'm so glad I read it. I was worried that it would be a boss/employee romance, but had heard such good things about CD Reiss that I wanted to give it a try. I'm happy to report that this book is not an assistant romance, it was delightful, and I inhaled it. Kayla has moved from NY to LA to get away from her past. She changes her phone number, but it turns out her new number is the old number for superstar Justin Bieber. Sorry, Justin Beckett. Justin tries to get Kayla to answer his phone calls, but she's a fashion designer and not actually his assistant. I really liked the way their relationship developed - Justin is dealing with the breakup of his band, and trying to launch an acting career. Kayla is trying to launch her own line, but also haunted by what's happened to her, and is trying to build a relationship with her estranged dad. She is strong and prickly, and I really liked her. The supporting characters are great - I especially loved Justin's grandma Louise, who was a riot. This was my first CD Reiss book but definitely not the last!

I'm such a sucker for Hollywood romances. haha!

I really enjoy most everything this author puts out into the world and this was no different. 

I really loved Justin & Kayla's story and although at times felt a little like i was reading some biebs fan fiction, loved where this love story took us. 

I would totally recommend to anyone who loves a good celebrity romance.

A sexy and sweet Hollywood romance, I could not resist this delectable story from one of my favourite romance writers. Kayla Montgomery decides to start a new life in LA and inadvertently becomes tangled up in more ways than one with boy band sensation Justin Beckett.

'Lead Me Back,' has all the ingredients needed to concoct a light, easy to read romance that hooks the reader in from the beginning to end. There was nothing not to love and I was super excited to read. CD Reiss pulled me into her world of make-believe by creating characters who I completely warmed to and a relationship that, from the outside looking in, seemed like a scenario that dreams are made of, which is exactly what I need in my romance novels.

2 reviews:

4 stars
Lead Me Back by C.D. Reiss is a great story with witty banter, interesting characters, and interactions that keep me turning the page. 

Bad boy meets good girl, but is that all there is to these two people? No. There is so much more and not everything is as it seems. I really liked this book, but there were a couple of times when I felt that it dragged or was drawn out a little more than I would have liked, however, the story was enjoyable. I really liked the plot and the characters. I highly suggest everyone one-click and read this book for yourself. 4 stars. 

4 stars
Justin Beckett is deemed the bad boy. He's left a pile of chaos in his wake. His band is broken up, he's accused of cheating with his bandmate's wife and partying too hard. He feels very much at a loss for how to put the train back on the tracks. Justin is hoping that his breakout acting role will help him on his way.

Kayla is escaping New York and coming to LA with hopes of becoming a fashion designer. What she hadn't planned on was becoming Justin's phone answering girl. But the more time Kayla spends with Justin, the more she starts to see past what he is portrayed as and she can't help but like who he is underneath.

But the past is coming for both of them. Will they survive? Definitely one-click this now, you won't be disappointed.

So so so good!  Highly recommend reading.  Justin and Kaylas hilarious banter back and forth keeps you hooked.  Justin a playboy who plays in a band who never really grew up. Well a wrong number brings Kayla into his path.  But will his playboy and being in a band be too much for Kayla?  Book given to me on netgalley.

This is a light, sparkly Hollywood romance and I loved everything about it. A great change of pace from the usual angst and drama Reiss loves to torture us with.

Kayla and Justin are a hilarious pair, and both have their own issues working against them ending up together. Their banter is super fun and the side characters like Louise and the group of guy friends Kayla's dad hangs with steal the show! This story has some steam, some laughs and a big heart. Recommend!

Great book and storyline!  You just had to love the hero in the book- he was such a jerk but such a fantastic backstory!  Had some amazing lol moments with the book! Great read!

Kayla and Justin have a chance meeting and their lives are changed forever.  This is an enchanting story about Justin, a mega celebrity who meets Kayla, an ordinary person with dreams of becoming a fashion designer.

Justin reminded me of Justin Beaber in many ways. He is rich, famous and entitled. He is used to everyone catering to his every need, until he meets Kayla.  She isn’t impressed with Justine's celebrity and she doesn’t let him get away with his behavior. Kayla is a spitfire and I admired her in every way.

It is entertaining watching Justin and Kayla fall in love. Their story is fun and engaging and wanted them to work through all their issues and end up together. I also enjoyed Justin's grandmother, she adds many laughs to this story.

This is the perfect summer romcom read, it is adorable, funny and sexy. This story follows Kayla and Justin. This author has a fantastic way of writing that just has you mesmerised from the start. The love story in this book wasn't easy or simple because its based on real life which made it easier to relate to and fall in love with the characters. The characters were really well written and very easy to love. 

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Lead Me Back by CD Reiss was another great read by one of my favorite authors. I have never read a bad book by her.

I'm a big fan of CD Reiss' books and this one was also really good. I've come to expect heavy and dark romances from the author like  the songs of submission series and Iron Crowne which I couldn't get enough of. This romance was on the lighter side but just as enjoyable. The premise of the story is what drew me in and rockstar romances are one of my favourite tropes to read.

Kayla and Justin had great chemistry and their characters were very relatable. I really liked Kayla's character. She wasnt swayed by his wealth or his popularity. She stood up for her own values and beliefs. I admired Justin's commitment to Kayla and his love for her truly  shone in his handling of the conflicts that arose in the book. Their romance was low on angst which I enjoyed because snivelling emotional wrecks are not my cup of tea. 

A few pet peeves:
I thought that Kayla should've solved the problems in her past not primarily to continue a relationship with Justin, but for herself and the good it would do her. That would've shown that she was strong and capable all on her own. Other than that, this one was a winner and I can't wait to read more from this author

Thank you Netgalley for sending me an ARC.

I really enjoyed Lead Me Back, and I was pleasantly surprised by the more lighthearted, humorous tone in comparison to CD Reiss’s other books. It was just what I needed and was the perfect summer read. 

This book also managed to unearth long-buried dreams of ending up with a celebrity and what it’d be like to be thrust not only into the glitz and glam of Hollywood, but the negative aspects of fame as well. Okay, maybe not that long-buried lol, but it was something I could relate to and also find believable.

Kayla and Justin have great chemistry—as all of the author’s characters do—and I wasn’t disappointed in the least by their relationship development or the steamy scenes.

Overall, this book was unexpected in a good way and delivered on the smart, sexy romance this author is known for.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. However, I was not a big fan of the main characters in this book.

Going into this one blind, I didn't realize who the character inspiration for Justin was. If I had, I may have passed over this one. It's hard to get over his douche-bro (word borrowed from another reviewer, thank you!) personality. Both characters seemed a bit immature and their connection didn't seem authentic. There conversations, at time, seemed disjointed and a bit hard to follow.

That being said, I loved the supporting characters. The friends and family members were fantastic and made excellent contributions to this book. While I didn't connect with Justin or Kayla much, the supporting characters were strong enough, I will definitely read more by this author.

Kayla needs a fresh start and to escape her old life.  Justin needs to repair his reputation to keep his current life intact.  Both have been through the personal and professional wringer and now they have been brought together by an old phone number and a meddling grandmother.

Kayla is so darn feisty and self sufficient. She wants to be her own person.  She needs to create her own successes, even after being run out of the NYC fashion industry.  Unfortunately for her, she has lots of baggage . . . some of which that follows her across the country.

Justin is totally and completely misunderstood and misrepresented in the media.  He’s manipulated by his own PR manager and cut off from his band mates and childhood friends.  He may be all alpha, cocky, and arrogant, but he’s also genuine and real with those he cares about

Together this couple should be a disaster.  Neither can do any favors for the other professionally.  They both have too many secrets and trust issues.  Yet when they are together, it all seems so darn right in their little bubble.  But with someone always watching everything they do, can they make it work and find their own slice of happiness in a world that feels like they own them?

I flew through this book because I could not get enough of this couple.  Enthralling.  Emotional.  Intense. I  loved every damn second of this book!  5 stars!

Lead Me Back is a perfect book to escape into when you've had enough of the real world and need a few hours of other people's drama. 
 
I liked Kayla from the start. She was wacky and fun but not silly and nonsensical. She was a fighter and someone who'd make a really solid friend to have on your side.  I like Justin ok.  He definitely seemed to be in a different world than Kayla (and all the other "little people") but he was never completely intolerable or mean.  He had just grown accustomed to a world that bowed to him while simultaneously trying to tear him apart so it made sense that he had his quirks. 
 
Kayla and Justin had chemistry from the start and Justin did manage to prove that he was worth of an HEA with Kayla so ultimately this was a fantastic contemporary romance that I will read again. 
 
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys funny contemporary romance. 
 
I happily accepted an ARC of this book.

Kayla's finally going to be in the same state as her sister Talia. And as scary as this next adventure seems to be the she knows she's ready to make her dreams of becoming a fashion designer true. 

Let me say that the beginning of this book with Justin's grandmother, Louise, had me cracking up. She is something else and I knew she would be one that I would not be able to forget. Justin left his mark on Kayla on their first encounter and as hard as she tried to forget about him she couldn't. Both had secrets and issues yet they attracted each other like magnets. The banter between them was refreshing and the chemistry, well that was BOOM. Get cozy and ready to read about love story that was denied until they until they no longer could deny it.

2.5 / 5 Stars

I almost DNF'd this book at about 20% but sheer bloody-mindedness kept me reading... It was an ARC and I don't like to bail on those but it look will-power, I tell ya!

I just didn't like the characters. I didn't like Justin Beckett and I didn't like Kayla Montgomery but I did like the supporting characters... There just wasn't a lot of page time with them.
The book was 100% the Kayla and Justin show and that is fine - great even - if you like the main characters but I've already said that I didn't so it caused problems.

Kayla is a prickly bitch and it takes a long time to get to the bottom of what her issue is. Her issue - the reason she ran across the country - is a serious one and it explained a lot but, the thing is, the reveal doesn't actually explain why she has such a shit attitude towards men in general. It's just her... And I'd say Daddy issues (even though I liked her dad).

	2.5 / 5 Stars

I almost DNF'd this book at about 20% but sheer bloody-mindedness kept me reading... It was an ARC and I don't like to bail on those but it look will-power, I tell ya!

I just didn't like the characters. I didn't like Justin Beckett and I didn't like Kayla Montgomery but I did like the supporting characters... There just wasn't a lot of page time with them.
The book was 100% the Kayla and Justin show and that is fine - great even - if you like the main characters but I've already said that I didn't so it caused problems.

Kayla is a prickly bitch and it takes a long time to get to the bottom of what her issue is. Her issue - the reason she ran across the country - is a serious one and it explained a lot but, the thing is, the reveal doesn't actually explain why she has such a shit attitude towards men in general. It's just her... And I'd say Daddy issues (even though I liked her dad).

Justin. Well. He's just the authors wanna be Justin Bieber thrown into a boy band. He is surrounded by drama and is a bit of a tool. I hated the descriptions of how he dressed, I hated his behaviours and attitude and couldn't understand why anyone would find him attractive. That said, his relationship with his grandma made me laugh (the grandma is a great character) and he could occasionally do sweet things so... I dunno.

The back and forth between Justin and Kayla almost gave me whiplash and they'd contradict their behaviour and thoughts from one paragraph to the next. As this is my first CD Reiss book, I don't know if that's supposed to be a character thing (aka they don't know what the hell they're thinking) or if it's a quirk of the writer but it drove me bonkers.

Now, I know I'm giving the book a bit of a roasting and I'm sorry for it because the ending was actually quite satisfying. If the entire book had lived up to the final quarter, it would have been a really good read - but it didn't. I have a feeling that this book will really work for some people but it just was not for me.