It all started when she changed her phone number, one more way to cut ties with her previous life. What she didn’t plan on was answering her new phone (and getting a ticket for talking on her phone while driving) and getting caught in the web of Justin Beckett. Yes, that Justin Beckett, wealthy and arrogant rock star. Kayla Montgomery was moving to Los Angeles to be near her sister, Talia. Somehow, she ended up with Justin’s old phone number and he is willing to pay her to take his phone messages. She rebuffs him time and time again, but Justin doesn’t give up. Finding out that you can’t really outrun your past, will she finally succumb to Justin’s charm? I didn’t really care for Justin’s character (reminded me of Justin Bieber) and felt Kayla deserved better. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

About this book • Release date: July, 7th 2020 • Published by Montlake • 300 pages • Contemporary Romance

This one just fell flat for me, it was just ok. I didn’t feel the chemistry and I didn’t like the main characters. And to be honest, there wasn’t anything to like about him.

This was a Netgalley Arc from the publisher and all opinions are my own. I’ve given my honest review.

Justin needs to stay out of trouble!

Kayla Montgomery moved to Los Angeles to hopefully start her own clothing business, so she got a new phone number to go with her new phone. She started getting calls for Justin from his grandmother and since she had time, she decided to help decided to help her out. The number had belonged to singer/actor Justin Beckett’s assistant and he asked her to be his assistant and takes messages quietly after the implosion of his band.

Lead Me Back by CD Reiss is more about Justin finding the person that treats him just like a normal person and not some star to use for connections because Kayla wanted to make her own career after being blackballed by her former boss.

Celebrity romances are fun to read, and they are real people too.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I saw the blurb for this book, I was excited to read it. CD Reiss is a new author to me and I love Hollywood stories.Her writing and characters hooked me from the start. It was an interesting series of twists throughout to keep the readers attention and want that happily ever after.
Kayla sets out to start over in LA after leaving the NY fashion world in a hurry and not in the best way. She was a strong character and female lead. She grew throughout the story and had a fight in her except when it came to Justin.
Justin was an unlikely hero in that he was trying to get his life together and stay out of trouble. After he has a falling out over a misunderstanding with his bandmates, Justin goes solo. When Kayla gets Justin's old number, the two become friends in an unusual way. This friends to lovers story has a little bit of everything. It's filled with friendship, family, fun and some heartwarming moments thrown in.
The banter and chemistry between the two was right on point.
Lead Me Back by CD Reiss was a fun, flirty read that will make you smile and feel good!

Lead Me Back was an inviting Hollywood Romance between boy band singer/actor Justin and wannabe fashion designer Kayla, who moves to L.A determined to put her experience of working for a top designer in New York behind her. And it was an enjoyable read. That not only touched on a timely and serious issue, but made me chuckle, and with no big dramas, plenty of likable characters, and an easy-going romance, I was easily engaged throughout.

I truly enjoyed this book. Kayla is trying to escape her “old “ life in New York’s fashion industry, so she moves across country to LA where her sister lives in addition to connect with her estranged Dad. As part of shedding her old life, she gets a new cell phone and number, which is when she gets a very strange request. She decides to help the woman on the phone out (who thinks she is her grandson’s assistant) and drops off roses to the address she was provided. She comes to find out her new number is the former number of Justin- the bad boy rockstar who is in all of the gossip papers. Justin is trying to figure out the mess his life has become, in addition to finishing staring in his first movie. He wants Kayla to let him know if anyone is calling his old number so he proposes a deal- let him know if anyone calls and he will get her a job helping with the costume alterations in the movie. I liked that Kayla didn’t let Justin get away with the typical egotistical attitude in addition that Justin shows her the “real” person he has to hide from the world. I also enjoyed that characters from the 2 Hollywood A list books make appearances in the book. This was a fun bad boy read with some steamy scenes but it also deals with an important issue that sent Kayla to LA. Definitely worth the read.

I love it when C.D. Reiss brings out her oh so romantic toe tingling side and makes us feel all gooey and loved up. Lead Me Back does just that. Kayla and Justin are both captivating in their own way and complement each other perfectly. It's a romance in every sense of the word. They both have problems that just won't go away. Kayla finds herself tangled up in Justin's and let's face it why wouldn't you want to be tangled up with him. He is gorgeous. The side characters in this book are more than engaging. I loved loved loved Louise she was fabulous. Not everything about these two is revealed immediately so as you read you're left wondering what exactly went on with each of them. All is revealed and we get the HEA we love. As always beautifully written. A light, engaging romance that will leave you with a smile on your face.

I’ve been a fan of Christine’s books from the moment I was introduced to Jonathan Drazen. The Drazen Seriesi is more intense and a much darker series, so if you’re looking for something lighter, she writes a very enjoyable celebrity romance. I’m not a big fan of celebrity/Hollywood romances, per se, which says something about her writing style when I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Kayla & Justin. Justin is not your normal hero but by the end of the book he redeems himself quite nicely. Kayla is spunky and a spitfire! This author always grabs my attention and keeps me turning the pages no matter what she writes. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

A sexy romance that I loved every minute of. These two characters are so hot for one another and you can feel the spark when they are together. Throw in some drama and you will not want to put this story down. If it’s not your list to read you certainly want to add it.

This is my first book by CD Reiss and I enjoyed it very much. Kayla is a great female lead...she’s so feisty. The male lead Justin reminded me of another popular young Justin. Kayla and Justin are great characters and their chemistry was undeniable. Cute story of famous boy falling for a normal working girl.

HOOOOOOLLLLEYYY SHHHHYYYYTTT
I swear that CD REISS can write anything but now that I have read her last two contemporary books it is so incredible that it maybe tops her dark romance. This book was dun and refreshing and different. the love story wasn't simple and easy because it focused on reall life and struggles and love and excitement. I wish I can totally re read this for the first time it was soo good and refreshing and wow loved it.

Lead Me Back
By: CD Reiss

💕📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚💕

Can the bad boy change his image?

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. He was cocky and assuming and she wasn’t impressed or really care he was famous. The development of each character not just Justin and Kayla but all the people close to them or the ones trying to. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.


Authors Blurb: Cutting all ties, Kayla Montgomery drives cross-country to Los Angeles. New start. New life. And an unexpected new job: assistant to Justin Beckett.

The Justin Beckett....The boy band rebel with the cocky attitude and dreamy bed head who casts a spell over his fans and tests the patience of his handlers.

Now at the peak of Mount Adulthood, he has to build a clean-cut, movie star image. It’s in his contract. No partying. No attitude. No groupies.
To tie it together, he needs a normal girl.

Suddenly, Kayla’s swept up in Justin’s glamorous world, and his arms. But the most dizzying thing is Justin himself. Sweet, generous, reliable, and as eager to shed his past as Kayla is hers.
About that…Those ties she thought she’d cut? They’ve followed her across the country with her secrets in tow, and they’re about to test Kayla’s courage, Justin’s loyalty, and a love that wasn’t part of the deal.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

Unlike some of the other romances I've read lately that have had an annoying tendency to sag or lose their way in the middle, Lead Me Back started off on an enjoyable, 4 star level, but continued to build until by the end it was solidly in 5 star territory. I loved this book. The characterization of Justin, the bad boy lead singer of a boy band that spectacularly self-destructed was particularly strong. Initially Justin came off as a decent guy who'd been corrupted by fame to the point where he took it for granted that the world should revolve around him and his needs. When he meets Kayla, he just assumes that she has nothing better to do than to fall in line and do what he wants, regardless of her own goals and desires. It comes as quite a shock to him when she figuratively gives him the finger and walks away. Justin initially appear to be a spoiled brat, BUT, such is the magic of C.D. Reiss' writing that she slowly redeems him, showing the truly good guy underneath and having him evolve to the point where he becomes a worthy partner that any woman would be lucky to have.

As for Kayla, she was the type of heroine I love, strong, sure of herself and her own abilities, not willing to put up with any BS, and also not willing to sacrifice her own dreams and ambitions just because she happened to catch Justin's attention. She never hesitated to stand up for herself or to back away to keep from getting swallowed up by the drama that seemed to swirl around him, no matter how much she was attracted to him. The romance itself was kind of a slow burn which fit the story perfectly, since Justin needed to mature a bit before he became someone that Kayla could trust enough to be intimate with. Overall, 5 enthusiastic stars! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story. Both leads were very strong characters and I thought the writing throughout was entertaining and witty and the storyline kept my attention through the whole book. I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Justin’s Grandma. I wish she had been in it more!

There is something about a celebrity romance that I gravitate toward. I don't love every one I read, but I always have to try it because when it works - there's something almost magical about it. This is actual fairytale material and my sappy little romance loving heart will never ever tire of fairytales.

C.D. Reiss got it just right.

I was sucked in immediately and then I was in. Like all in for Justin and Kayla's love story.

I'll admit, I had a moment of pause when I realized I was basically reading a Justin Bieber story. A moment where I was like -- oy, can I do this?

Turns out, I can.

And then I did.

Because it was addictive and compelling and sexy and romantic. And it was a fairytale. And, well, you already know how I feel about those.

Truly, I loved everything. The banter was on point. I loved how plucky and fierce Kayla was. I loved that she wasn't starstruck or even all that impressed with Justin at first. I loved how she made him work to win her trust and her heart. I loved how he did work for her. And how he was so genuine and generous. I loved how much surprising depth he had, and how much he cared for those he loved.

I loved that there was no unnecessary drama here. These two were so real with each other - even when it hurt.

I just...loved them! In the most unexpected and delightful ways. Lead Me Back was a fun read and it delivered all the heart flutters and sappy smiles I could ever have asked for. Definitely recommend for a fun romantic escape!

After I burned through EL James, Molly Weatherfield, and Laura Antoniou, a good friend recommended the Songs of Submission series by CD Reiss. It was such an amazing series that I was really keen to read more of her work.

Lead Me Back was disappointing in that it lacked the depth, darkness, suspense, and heat that characterized the Songs of Submission series. This novel was much more conventional: from the failed meet-cute that kicks off the events to the happily ever after ending that ties up all the loose ends. I never really felt worried for the characters - probably because I never really felt for the characters. All the obstacles they faced seemed trivial, with straightforward resolutions. The fact that these obstacles persisted and took so long to resolve was a mind boggler for me.

I might be being unfair in comparing this novel with her previous work, but I picked up this novel because I really enjoyed the previous work.

I received this book as a digital advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.3 stars

If this author writes it, I will read it. There is just something mesmerizing about the way that she crafts a story. It doesn't matter what the subgenre is it always holds my attention.

I know nothing about fashion design. However, in this book, I felt like I did. She is an expert at giving details that lend a certain credibility to her stories. Strong characters, likable dialogue, a funny as hell Grandma, and a slow burn romance that catapulted this story to a rare treat.

There were some areas of the story that I wanted more of a resolution or to be further expanded on. One, in particular, was Ken the manager and the other was how things turned out in regards to the former boss. Regardless of those two main concerns, this story was still fantastic. There is a reason that she is one of my favorite authors in the field.

CD really knows how to write a Hollywood romance. Kayla is tough as nails but you can understand why. Some readers may not like her attitude but I loved that she was up front. She spoke her mind and her truth. Justin was a little hard for me to read at first but once you do will adore him. They’re both trying to pull themselves back up from the negativity their names bring. Both did nothing wrong but yet trying to explain to people the true story…was fighting an uphill battle. Justin and Kayla just worked!! Through it all they figured out their relationship and there was no ott drama with that. They were open and honest with each other. That’s what I appreciated the most with this story.

Arc provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a sucker for a bad boy 'rockstar' romance and Lead me back may just be the best one I have ever read! This story drew me in and held my attention. I'm not ashamed to say I read it in one sitting and felt really sad when it was over! I shall blame the lockdown for this though!

If you are looking for a more grown up romance this one is for you! Highly recommend!

Kayla is an aspiring fashion designer forced to flee across the country, where a wrong number situation results in her working meeting Justin, a former rock star looking to clean up his image.

I liked Kayla as a character, but I wasn't convinced by the romance with Justin. It felt quite rushed to me, and I didn't really feel that they had much chemistry.

The plot had some interesting twists, and enough mystery to make me want to keep going to the end. However, this definitely wasn't the author's best!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and will be submitted to Amazon after release.