Did CD Reiss just make my loins quiver for Justin Bieber?

WHAT!

You have to picture him as you read Lead Me Back because Reiss's descriptions of Justin Beckett sure seem to reflect the Beibs in all his tattooed, gold-chain wearing, "douchecore" jeans-sporting glory. The two Justins also hit their musical celebrity high as teenagers. This fictional Justin, however, also dabbles in acting, and he seems to be more mentally stable than the real thing.

In Kayla, Justin finds a worthy partner. She doesn't take his fame seriously; in fact, she doesn't take him all that seriously. Freshly relocated from NYC, she's in LA to begin anew and to prove herself. The two meet cute, their connection instant and problematic. Thanks to their individual controversies, the last thing they need is an emotional connection. As CD Reiss shows so well, though, their emotional connection is too strong to deny.

As I write this review, it is early July in the midst of a pandemic. I opened this book expecting an angsty, fraught, sexually-centered story of an alpha male and his lady, and what I got was hilarious, heartfelt heat.

I'm also a sucker for Hollywood romances, so Reiss checks a lot of my boxes in this book. I'll admit that there were times I questioned Justin Bieber as a muse, but it works in this book. You understand how this guy achieved his fame, you understand how he's maintained it, and you understand how he might lose it. Kayla's backstory may have more notoriety, which makes her need to establish herself professionally all the more urgent.

I enjoyed this book so much, and I like seeing the softer, friskier side of CD Reiss. She's shown it before, but I think it clicks better in this book.

When you read this one, let me know what you liked about it. Were you, too, surprised that you could get hot for Justin Bieber?

I have not been this impressed with a female lead in forever. I love, love, love Kayla’s character, and am a fan of her honesty, resilience, and grit. CD Reiss gives us something we didn’t know we needed-a story about hope and strength mixed with love and passion.

Justin took a little getting used to-I’ll be honest. Only because of his cocky facade and immature ways in the beginning. Maybe it took me a bit to get used to because of my age, but I grew to like his character with Kayla and their chemistry.

LEAD ME BACK by CD Reiss is everything you want in a romance. These days I find it hard to focus and when I picked up LEAD ME BACK, it hooked me from the first page. Kayla drew me in. But the storyline kept the pages turning.

CD Reiss is an automatic one-click author for me and I thoroughly enjoyed Lead Me Back. Kayla and Justin’s story had me hook, line, and sinker from the start. Their story was refreshing, something I needed in this world of craziness. Justin has met his match with Kayla and their witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and sexiness just made this story enjoyable!

Kayla and Justin's story was a great read. We have a fashion designer wanting to turn her life around and finds herself working for Justin, he is a superstar with a bad reputation he wants to clean up his act. They both find themselves challenging each other in different ways. I love Louise, she made me laugh a lot. This is a sweet celebrity romance that will have you immersed in the story until the very end. If you love celebrity romances make sure you don't miss this one.

4.5 Stars for this Captivating Hollywood Romance!

I was completely captivated by this sexy Hollywood romance from the very first scene. There is just something about having a glimpse into the private lives of very public stars that is enticing and enlightening. This story is hilarious, and sexy but also poignant, emotional, and passionate. Justin Beckett is a famous boy band bad boy who is trying to turn his career around. Kayla Montgomery has just moved back to LA looking for a fresh start designing her own fashion line. She has a painful past she is trying to forget when she gets a random call on her new cell. That starts the crazy meet cute with Justin and his Grandmother. Justin talks Kayla into helping him and she isn't sure what it all means. She just wants to stay under the radar and create her own brand that she has always dreamed about. But Justin isn't easy to ignore, his easy charm always gets him what he wants, and Kayla is in his sites. He was totally fascinated by her and is confused by her indifference to him. She tries to keep him at a distance but soon learns there is more to Justin than what the tabloids say. The quiet way he takes care of those he loves is too hard to resist. They have a fiery attraction they can't ignore, but they also understand each other in a way no one else does. Justin is the kind of character that is hard to like at first but you can't help wanting to. He was funny and sometimes a bit of a douche bag, but he has this endearing quality, and caring nature that reels you in. Kayla is thoughtful and caring but has a strength and resolve that I love to read about. They are both such vivid characters, I thought their vulnerability and flaws were authentic and their growth throughout felt honest. I loved their witty banter and their sizzling chemistry. The secondary characters were all genuine and added fun, tension and intrigue. I especially loved Justin's quirky Grandmother. This is a beautiful and poignant story of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances. It was so well written, with very human characters that you want to cheer for. Their journey isn't easy, it's messy and complicated as they maneuver life in the public eye but it is so worth the fun and bumpy ride, and I loved every minute of it.

What I enjoy most about this story is the amazingly witty and fun banter between Justin and Kayla. Kayla comes across as maybe a bit quirky but also strong and resolute in her plans to put her past behind her. Justin, well....he's just that boy band boy who maybe never grew up...but soon we find out there is WAY more than meets the eye there. He comes across as a playboy, party boy and disloyal to a fault but ....hold on...there is more. A wrong number puts them in each others paths and the ride that comes next is one both of them are maybe not willing to take or ready for but neither has a choice. A cameo by a favorite character from Bodyguard makes an appearance or two and still makes me smile

Fashion designer Kayla packs up and moves to LA for a fresh start in live. Justine is a Rockstar turned actor who needs to reform and clean up his bad boy image, and when he unexpectedly meets Kayla in his grandma’s house, he is determined to convince her to work for him as his assistant. Kayla does not fall for any of his nonsense and she challenges him at every turn. What will happen when past demons come back to haunt Kayla? This is a well written story which is a compelling and engaging tale with witty banter and leads to an entertaining and addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this author and I highly recommend her work for all readers.

Another great book by Miss Reiss! I enjoyed Justin and Kayla very much! they were very engaging, sexy and incredible together! a must read!

4.5 Stars!
Kayla Montgomery is a fashion designer who leaves behind her life in New York and moves to Los Angeles for a fresh start and a simpler life. As she drives across the country she encounters a few unexpected detours and crosses paths with fallen bad boy superstar Justin Beckett. She soon finds herself tangled in his web and her welcome to LA doesn't go quite as planned. Suddenly she's his assistant, and she finds herself roped into someone else's drama. He's a complicated beautiful man, but she can't get distracted from her goals. Although she enjoys his attention, her focus has to stay on following her dreams. As she gets to know Justin better, she realizes there's more to him than meets the eye. Will she be able to resist him charms, or will she get swept up in his world and give in to the the magnetic pull between them?

Justin Beckett is a musician who found fame at a young age, and is often labeled as impulsive and immature. Lately the future is uncertain and he feels like everything is spiraling out of control. He needs to reform his bad boy ways, and improve his brand. He's ready to focus on work, and wants to get into acting. It's time for an image makeover where people will talk more about his talents than his escapades. Then he meets Kayla, and she challenges him, and makes him feel vulnerable. She's not starstruck, and doesn't play games. Can he shed his reputation and past to finally have something real and lasting?

Lead Me Back by CD Reiss is a fun, sexy Hollywood romance full of chemistry and fantastic banter. I really loved this story and these characters. Justin's a gorgeous misunderstood rock star turned movie star that will steal your heart, and Kayla is a tough, confident woman that knows her worth. Together they are pure magic!

Lead Me Back is a standalone contemporary romance. Long-time fans of author C.D. Reiss will appreciate the casual nods to characters from prior standalone novels set in Hollywood, and new readers will have no trouble jumping right into Kayla and Justin’s story. Lead Me Back is filled with second chances, friendship, and smart banter.

The opening scene absolutely hooked me. Having lived in both New York and California, Ms. Reiss nails the descriptions of both towns. Kayla travels across the continent to run away from her troubles in New York, and when she foolishly takes a call from an unknown number, her life is turned upside down again—but this time by a sweet old lady named Louise. I loved Louise! She is one of those scene-stealing secondary characters. Louise’s grandson is none other than the boy band heartthrob, Justin Beckett. Just like Kayla, Justin is haunted by his past. Another standout secondary character is Kayla’s estranged father.

The slow-burn romance is perfectly paced. I didn’t always feel the chemistry between Kayla and Justin, but I really enjoyed their banter. As the story progressed, the inevitability of their relationship developed organically, so that by the end, their partnership was a balance of support, respect and passion.

With Lead Me Back, CD Reiss blends a blossoming romance with some more serious topics. There is a touch of #metoo along with the judgement of social media and the paparazzi. It was all handled in a gentle way and still managed to drive home some valid points.

Justin Beckett is a rockstar who has recently decided to try his hand as an actor. He's also trying to clean up his horrible reputation. He has a questionable history that's been plastered all over social media and he's anything but proud of himself. He's locked into an agreement with his label that feels like they are trying to control every aspect of his life. He's only willing to tolerate their tactics because he feels as if he has a great deal to atone for. Kayla Montgomery has recently relocated to California looking for a fresh start. She left New York under a dark cloud and is hoping to outrun her negative experience there. Kayla's heart is in clothing design, but she settles for a job in movie alterations until she can secure funds to chase her big dream. Kayla and Justin meet completely by accident and it sparks a little chemistry right off the bat. The real challenge will be meshing their lives and histories and still being able to stay in a relationship.

This was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed seeing Justin and Kayla's stories unfold. I also have to say that Louise, Justin's grandmother was a hoot. I loved her casual matchmaking and manipulation. She had all the best intentions. It was also lovely to see Kayla and her Dad mend their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake Romance and CD Reiss for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn't sure what to think of this book at first but was sucked in within the first chapter. The writing style is fluid and entertaining and the characters are relatable and hilarious.

Kayla has moved to LA from New York. Her sister and father live in LA and after being run out of New York (trigger warning: sexual assault) she decides to start over near her family. She has been estranged from her dad because his relationship with her mom ended when he came out as gay. This is a side development in the book but I think was handled really well, coming from someone related to a parent who came out as gay later in life.

Justin is a former boyband member and is now going solo and getting into acting. He hires a PR firm to clean up his image but is chafing at being controlled. Kayla somehow ends up getting a new cell phone with Justin's old number and starts getting covert calls/messages for him. Perfect meet-cute.

I liked how Kayla stood up for herself in drawing boundaries in her relationship with Justin. He could be a bit self-centered but he respected her wishes and believed her when it counted. I was also very amused when I realized he was based on Justin Bieber and his mannerisms took new life.

I enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more from this author.

Lead Me Back is a sweet romance. I went in expecting a bad boy that was rough around the edges and found a sweet guy coming into himself. Kayla and Justin have a magnetic push and pull that was enjoyable to read. I was drawn to the relationships Justin has with the band and his grandma. They felt authentic and added layers to the story. In all honesty Grandma almost stole the show. Kayla’s family seemed less authentic. I wasn’t drawn to any of them and found her relationship with her dad to seem overly simplified and convenient.

CD Reiss has a unique style and a way with words that keeps me coming back for more. Overall this was a quick beach read.

I haven't always been a fan of CD Reiss, but as of late she has me rethinking my opinions. Lead Me Back brings the humor and the heart. Kayla and Justin will have readers believing in the unexpected. She's running to a fresh start. He's trying to change his bad boy ways. When their paths collide sparks fly, hearts break and forever could be within reach. Falling softly is a tumble into chaos that I never wanted to see end.

I was so convinced I would hate this story for so many reasons. The characters' skew younger than I typically like. Meet too cute. The hero is steeped in boy bands and Justin Bieber. For any other writer, the Biebs as a muse would be a hard nope. But, this is CD Reiss. I had to see if she could manage to get me to finish it, let alone not hate it. So - long story short this started out as a grudge read.

Then, I met Kayla. And I fell in love. Wise, mouthy, and, sometimes to her detriment, kind. And on a journey I totally love. Not so much finding herself, but being herself with no apologies. Then Justin drops into her life at the worst possible time in his. A hot mess douchebro, and headache that Kayla doesn't need. Of course there was so much more to Justin than meets the eye. It wouldn't be any other way.

Their story is so swoony and captivating in its simplicity, I couldn't put it down. Love blooms like dandelions fighting through cracks in the pavement, unexpected and tenacious. It took no time at all to be genuinely swept away and invested in their emotional push pull.

It's the sunny, sweet side of CD Reiss. The impeccably written, romantic escape we all need right now, whether the beach is open or not.

#TopReadsof2020

So normally when I read, I highlight a lot of various quotes or things that I like that happen in a book. But when I read this one, I was so involved with it, I hardly highlighted anything! Kayla arrives in Los Angeles and she gets an unexpected phone call. But since she doesn't have anything else to do, she decides to help out the older lady that calls her. Little did she know how life changing that wrong number would be! Kayla is trying to get her life back in order and staying under the radar while she works on her own line. She definitely wasn't expecting Justin in her life. And she wasn't someone Justin would have been attracted to in the past, but there was something about her. The pull and the chemistry between them was palpable through the pages! Their story was interesting and unique. I haven't read a book like this and that's what I loved about it! I was lost in the world of actors and costumes! Be sure not to let this book pass you by.

Nice romance, low drama and chemistry. You definitely will get that with Justin and Kayla. CD Reiss still made me want to follow the story of a young ex-boy bander and the fashion designer woman who falls for him.

The concept of a Rockstar falling for an “ordinary” woman is a trope that is has been done a lot. This is kind of a new take on the Rockstar Trope. You have douchey ex-boy bander Justin, trying to make it as an actor and solo artist and throw in Kayla that is trying to forget her past in NY and make a name for herself in California and you get a fun and engaging romance.
Justin and Kayla's story told in dual POV starts with her getting Justin's old phone number when she moves to California and needs a clean break from her life in NYC. The meet cute for these two is all because of Justin’s stubborn Grandmother and her need for flowers. Justin’s Grandma is a hoot! The idea of ending up with not only a celebrities former cell phone number but the havoc it causing for these two is such a great concept for a romance story!

Justin comes off as entitled but it fits him and his character. You quickly learn there is more to him then his celebrity persona. He is sweet and always looking out for everyone he cares about. Kayla is not afraid to go toe to toe with Justin. Justin is so caught up in everyone falling at his feet and giving in to all his whims, he isn’t sure what to do with tough, hard as nails Kayla. Kayla is not swayed by his charms and has no problem in putting Justin in his place. Underneath her tough exterior is a heart of gold.

I liked these two characters and their banter. They have fun and entertaining Chemistry between the two of them. The drama for the two of them has taken place before they meet so this is both of them finding love and dealing with past baggage. Their story is more about fixing the wrongs of the past and letting go of the baggage to find joy and love in the now.

I had not previously read a book by CD Reiss. I had read reviews of previous books expecting a stronger Alpha Male and intense love story, that was not this book. This was a very light contemporary, bright lights, big city, HEA read. I did struggle to engage with the characters a bit and it took me a few chapters to really enjoy the story. I would give this a 3.75/5 star read. I liked it. It is well written, just not a favorite.

Lead Me Back by CD Reiss takes us on Kayla and Justin's journey. Kayla get s a new phone number and it is Justin's old number. He wants her to help field his calls still coming in.

I loved Kayla and Justin because they were real and dealing with real life issues. How they grow together and learn to trust and care for each other is a wonderful story! I flows over time- it isn't rushed and the more you read about them- you just want more and more!

4 stars. Some great banter made this a book I didn’t want to put down. I really enjoyed the celebrity aspect when it’s not normally a trope I swing towards But it just really worked for me here.

A love story that makes you smile. A hero and heroine that go toe to toe with quick and fun banter and a redemption quality in the story that gives them each a second chance.

Justin Beckett is the bad boy rockstar, turned actor, who has to walk the line because of his past with his former band members. Kayla Montgomery is a garment designer from New York who has run from her past to LA because of an incident that has ruined her reputation. These two meet by a total bizarre and random coincident but there is something about each other that forms a spark. I must say that Louise, Justin’s grandmother, is the sweetest and cutest secondary character that shines throughout the story.

I loved the premise of the story. I loved the slow burn of the story and how the incidents of the past for both Justin and Kayla hoover throughout the story until they must be addressed and confronted. I will say that parts of the story were a little disjointed for me but the beginning and the end were strong and swoon worthy. This is a lovely contemporary romance that takes your mind off the craziness of the world because who doesn’t love a rockstar who redeems himself and a garment designer who succeeds on her own that fall in love and live happily ever after❤️