Left Behind

‘Minutes, hours and days disappear. I’m alive, but I’m not really living. It’s what I deserve. I don’t deserve to feel…’

Jenny & Gitte: So from one tearjerker to another we leapt right onto another ride of ‘tear our hearts out and stamp on them’ as we lived a tragic journey with Nikki and Zack. One of heart ache, grief and devastating revelations. We fell in love with both of them; their hearts genuine and broken looking to mend and heal though love and hope.

You live a life the best you can and the life you lead you take the best from. Well, what happens when the rug is pulled from beneath your feet and you learn of secrets that highly impacts on who you thought you were and who you may now be? Does it change who you truly are?

‘Love needs no words. You had me before you even spoke.’

Poor Nikki; she didn’t grow up under the best conditions, living in a trailer park with a sick Mum and a life that took her all over the place. She grew up running and never stopped until the day she loses her Mum and learns of an aunt and a twin sister. Nikki has no one then suddenly there’s hope of a connection and of family. Nothing’s ever easy though and her journey brings her so many discoveries both heart-breaking and hopeful. Nikki finds love. Nikki finds a place to belong. Nothing comes without a price though and Nikki bless her, really goes through the ringer in order to find what she truly deserves for who she truly is. A beautiful young woman with a huge heart.

‘I wish he had remained silent. Never let me hear his voice. Never let me in. Only to push me out.’

As for Zack; we fell in love with his character. He lost his heart and childhood in one night and lives with guilt and what if’s. Better the devil you know despite how things may change over years. The head may argue but the heart still loves what it knows. He was a beautiful character who wore his heart on his sleeve. Sometimes pure romance is not what you say but how you say it.

“Everything is better with you. I’m better with you.”

We loved this story though have to say we guessed the twist and saw it coming a mile off. However, this didn’t spoil our reading experience too much as we cried, felt so incredibly emotional and wanted to wrap Nikki and Zack in our arms. We highly recommend this story especially for readers who like to truly FEEL!

Stars can't shine without a little darkness.

I am sure most people have a read a book that has touched them emotionally and physically and this book did that to me. I was blown away by this story. I have read many books by Vi Keeland but not many by Dylan Scott..today that will change. This story is about tragic loss and tragic love. It made me believe that you truly can have more than one soul mate no matter what tragedy brought the two together. I would give this book a solid 4 stars. This is a standalone no cliffhanger book, I was for one was truly greatful for that. It is told in dual POV's of Zack and Nikki. If you haven't picked this book up you need to do it ASAP!

Zack has suffered a loss of his girlfriend and he is only in highschool, he doesn't know how to move on and he blames himself for her death. He struggles everyday with the guilt and eventually its all he can think about. When a new girl comes into the picture Nikki, he will finally for the first time in over a year will feel a spark for another girl but will the guilt of his loss hold him back?

But being near Nikki makes me feel. It's not just in my head either. It's physical too. A draw, a pull, and energy that zaps me back from the land of numb. Even the slightest touch, a simple handshake, brings me back to life.-- ZACK

Nikki has also suffered a tragic loss of her mother, she fears that she will be thrown into the system because she isn't quite 18 yet and has no family that she is close too. When an Aunt comes forward Nikki's life of being poor and living in a trailer will change drastically when she is moved into a big house and finally finds out secrets from her past. When she meets to broody Zack she feels the spark as well, but Nikki doesn't know his secrets and he doesn't know hers.

I don't know how Zack and I found each other, but it's the first time in my life that I'm starting to wonder if there really is such a thing as fate. Before now, fate was an escape...a fantasy, something that only happened in movies and books, where people paid for a happily every after. Now I wonder if maybe, just maybe, I wound up here for a reason.-- NIKKI

Darkness surrounds both of them and they are both in search of what will help them out of that darkness, but they will soon realize that maybe they can help eachother and start living again. But when secrets are revealed there will be consequences and sometimes the consequences are to much of a battle ... will there connection win out or will they both feel left behind?

This book was seriously amazing and I would recommend it to all... you need to get this now! I will be following both authors and look forward to much more in the near future hopefully! You will need some tissues there are some seriously sad parts but the book will be so worth in the end.

In Left Behind by Vi Keeland and Dylan Scott, these two conquer a whole new genre with younger characters, a different audience, and a whole new set of problems. This story is something far different than we are used to from Vi Keeland but her collaboration with Dylan Scott yields a book that is a beautiful coming of age story wrapped up in an intriguing plot laced with tragedy and grief.

The main characters, Nikki and Zack, are different is so many ways yet have a bond that not many young people can understand or know how to handle. This bond brings them together in a way that is immediate, intense, and unshakable. Your heart goes out to Nikki from the start and is soon breaking for Zack as well. The strength these two possess individually and find in each other is impressive, admirable, and moving and the struggles they have in the beginning phases of their budding relationship, especially the worries and fears that Zack experience, make the story all the more relatable and emotional.

I love a book that is completely unpredictable and totally unexpected. That wasn't quite the case with Left Behind. Although I felt like I knew where this one was going from very early on and pretty much had it pegged well before the halfway mark, I was hoping this was one of those books that you think you have all figured out and then you realize you had no idea. Turns out I had it right, but it was just enough to keep me second guessing myself along the way and keep it interesting. There were also a few additional details that I did not see coming which were pleasantly surprising.

The secondary characters were just as endearing as the main characters, particularly Keller and Ashley, Nikki and Zack's best friends, who made for great comic relief amongst some heavy times and kept things light and well balanced. I would really love to read more about them especially considering where we left them.

Left Behind was a fast paced, quick read that interests you from the very beginning and keeps you hooked to find out what the connection is between the two main characters and just how it will play out in the end. It is delightfully sweet, a refreshing change from the norm, and is a touching and wonderful young love story.

Left Behind is a young adult standalone romance.
Nikki Fallon hasn't had the easiest life living with her mother and it just got worse. Her mother has passed away just a few months before her eighteenth birthday. With no other family she knows she will have to go into the foster care system. An Aunt she didn't know existed shows up and offers her a home in California with her. Nikki accepts her offer but has an ulterior motive in wanting to go. When she was going through her mother's belongings she learns that she has a sister somewhere out there. Nikki believes California could hold the key to unlock all her mother's secrets.

Zack Martin met the love of his life, Emily Bennett at a very young age. She was his everything and even now as the power couple at school, All American football athlete and head cheerleader he notices how much Emily has changed since they were little. One night changes everything and Zack goes into a dark place, isolating himself from everyone. Until he meets a girl that seems to help alleviate his guilt.

Fate...

When Nikki and Zack's lives collide both feel some type of connection. They form this bond from understanding what each other is going through. As they spend more time together both can't help to fall for one another. Nikki is still searching for answers about her sister. Zack will help her anyway he can. When everything is revealed they learn just how twisted fate can be.

I really enjoyed this book. I don't read many young adult books, but I think it's nice to throw one in every now and then. When I first read the synopsis I was intrigued and even though it's a young adult they're some heavy topics throughout this book. The story is slightly predictable but there is also many revelations that I didn't see coming. It is written in dual POVs, which I always love. My rating, I have been trying to keep in mind that this is not my typical read so.... as far as young adult reads go this one deserves a solid 5 stars.

A beautiful story of loss, coming of age and love, oh so much love! I’m not sure if I will be able to convey how special this story is, but here goes.

The dual POV works well with the authors’ style of writing. Both Zack and Nikki have distinct voices, allowing the reader to be swept up in their stories. Zack is full of ego and humor, yet his pain is truly crushing. Watching as he comes to terms with his loss, coming alive once again and living is stunning. LOVE when he starts trusting his gut instead of taking everyone else’s advice.

Nikki and her fascination with dimples- sigh. Because who doesn’t love a full set of deep dimples?? Back to my review, her strength is humbling. So many secrets and she had to be the grown up with her mom, never asking for help or anything for herself.

Adore the friends that surround the two of them, Keller and his raunchy humor, Ash as the lifelong bestie who tells it like it is and Allie who is sassy and true. Very honest in their interactions with Nikki and Zack, good friends to have.

The story is well paced, though there are a few points where more detail would’ve been appreciated. Maybe a bit more doing instead of telling?

I also love that this is a book I was able to share with my two teen-aged daughters. Their insight into the characters as well as the oohing and ahhing tears and laugh out loud quotes was amazing.

Growth and maturity often come at some type of emotional loss and the characters in this book dealt with all that was happening with raw emotions and intense honesty. A stunning portrayal of the ones left behind as well as finding life and love when hope seems out of reach. Kudos!

And PERFECT last scene.

ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review

Nikki Fallon and Zack Martin are two teenagers living worlds apart. For most of her life, Nikki dealt with the fall out of her mother’s illnesses whereas Zack, the handsome and popular quarterback, lived a charmed life. Fate and tragedy stepped in and their paths were destined to cross. Life handed both tremendous heartache, but hope and love delivered them from grief to the possibility of joy.

My heart went out to Nikki. Displaced, alone and grieving from the death of her mother, she was a lost soul. Barely holding herself together when she discovers family secrets that turn her world upside down. Nikki begins a journey, which sends her miles away from her hometown in search of answers. What she discovers are the missing pieces of her life, family and the promise of hope, which lies within Zack.

Zack was not the stereotypical YA bad-boy book boyfriend. Rather, he was sweet and irresistibly adorable. Having lost his girlfriend, whom he has known for most of his life, Zack is dealing with much guilt and grief. Until one day, Nikki comes along, and a friendship blossoms. I felt for Zack as he struggled to let go of his past and move on to find a way to open his heart to Nikki.

Written in dual points of view, Left Behind was a tender and sweet drama free read, which I enjoyed. The beginning was a bit slow in building each of the character’s background and circumstances prior to them meeting. There were plot twists – some of which were predictable and few I did not see coming. All in all, this was a lovely tale that I would recommend to fans of YA romances.

Nikki is lost. After the death of her mother, the only person she has is her best friend. Or so she thinks. When her mother's sister comes forward, offering her a fresh start in California, she takes a leap and leaves Texas and the only life she's ever known behind. For Zack, his life appears perfect. He's the star quarterback, his girlfriend is the head cheerleader. But when tragedy strikes, Zack falls apart. How can these two lost souls heal?

I won't lie, I wasn't expecting a high school romance from Vi. That being said, I really liked it. While not a typical read for me, I thought it was a sweet, well written story. I felt both Nikki and Zack were strong characters and the storyline was well developed. Left Behind is a solid 4 star read for me.

Nikki is lost. After the death of her mother, the only person she has is her best friend. Or so she thinks. When her mother's sister comes forward, offering her a fresh start in California, she takes a leap and leaves Texas and the only life she's ever known behind. For Zack, his life appears perfect. He's the star quarterback, his girlfriend is the head cheerleader. But when tragedy strikes, Zack falls apart. How can these two lost souls heal?

I won't lie, I wasn't expecting a high school romance from Vi. That being said, I really liked it. While not a typical read for me, I thought it was a sweet, well written story. I felt both Nikki and Zack were strong characters and the storyline was well developed. Left Behind is a solid 4 star read for me.

Zack Martin was living the picture picture life...handsome, popular, intelligent, star quarterback, great family, and beautiful girlfriend. We see his younger life and progress to his current High School existence. But one decision causes his life to change in an instant and soon he cannot see past the darkness, his guilt, and regret.

Nikki Fallon suffered a loss and life change. She is new to California, starting over, and searching for something.

These two individual lives converge and they are instantly drawn to each other. But Zack will barely allow himself the thought of moving on or being happy again. And Nikki has her own issues to deal with. So their beginning is tentative and confusing at best.

I really liked Zack. He was real, caring and just a good guy. But he made choices that changed the direction his life was going and left him full of guilt and regret. He became lost and broken until Nikki came along and managed to start to break through.

Nikki had spunk and tenacity. She had to be strong to deal with her life and was a natural fixer and soother. But she also needed to feel wanted, loved, and that she belonged.

Together they had chemistry and rapport. They had to push each other to open up and share and get past their walls. But they could relate to each other and understand each other on a deeper level. And that intense connection neither of them expected might be just the thing that will allow them both to feel alive and move forward.

But will secrets and issues from the past burst their little new found bubble of happiness?

I enjoyed the side characters of her animated best friend Ashley, his larger than life friend Keller and sweet and sassy Allie. I would be interested to see more with these characters in the future.

This story is a great example of how sometimes destiny and fate may follow a convoluted and broken path but still can lead you to where you need to be. It was told in both points of view allowing us all access to these troubled characters. It was an intriguing, emotional, heartfelt young adult story of love, loss, grief, and hope.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great read. Sad and heart breaking at times but mostly I found it super sweet and funny. This was very well written; the story flowed perfectly and was very easy to follow. Vi Keeland and Dylan Cross did an amazing job capturing the emotions and pulling you in from the very beginning. I love reading dual POVs. It gives you insight on the emotions from both sides.

Zack and Nikki will have you crying, laughing and touching your heart. Zack is the sweetest guy and I'm so glad that he wasn't the usual player in most stories these days. He was the good guy. The guy who has a huge heart. The guy who makes the perfect boyfriend. And Nikki, who has been through so much but carries herself so well. So brave.

I also like that the secondary characters play a huge role in the story. They're a great support system for Zack and Nikki. Zack had Kellar, who is absolutely hysterical. He will make you laugh every time. And Nikki had Ashley, who says the funniest things that will have you laughing out loud.

A wonderful story about loss, love and fate.

4.5 STARS!

Nikki has lived her whole being shipped around Texas and struggling to pull her and her mother through life while dealing with her mother’s mental illness. The eventual loss of her mother leaves Nikki alone and needing to go back into Foster Care until she reaches her 18th Birthday.

Halfway across the country, Zack is struggling to come to terms with his long term girlfriend Emily’s mood swings and what he sees as the demise of his relationship.

A dramatic turn of events leads Nikki to California where she meets Zack and they both feel instant chemistry.

But this plot is thick, life is never simple and you will be asking questions until the end when all is revealed.

A great story of loss, love and finding your way when everything you know has either gone and been pulled out from under you and you need to start again.

Highly recommended.

I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Diana

A lot of the reviews gushed about how they needed Kleenex w/ this book and how suspenseful it is, but I just didn't feel it & the plot is obvious.

Did the female MC have some tough knocks? Yes. Was it a "The Notebook" kinda tear jerker? No.

The sister plot is obvious.

The romantic plot has very touching moments toward the end, but was definitely geared for older teen readers overall.

The characters are okay, but a little too wishywashy & not fleshed out enough for solid connection w the reader. For example, the male MC doubts his feelings for his long-time gf, eyes another chick, goes through some pretty unrealistic grieving considering, & then immediately falls into "love" with yet another chick. It just wasnt written well. The female mc has a knee-jerk reaction and runs away w/o seeking explanations but then is upset when he stops calling?!? wishywashy!

I did like the epilogue extending beyond hs. However, the end was rushed considering the painstakingbuildup through hs monotonous scenes. ehh:/

Id say 17/19 yr old age group of angsty romance_driven plots would best be suited for ths book.

While I like the coming of age stories - this one dragged a bit...it deals with some real issues and some not so real -- but hey it wouldn't be fiction if it was completely real.

I wish there was a way to get my time back for reading this book or even my money - the price tag was so not worth the storyline...

Left behind is an amazing story that I couldn’t put down! Circumstances allow these two hurting young people to meet. When they meet there is an instant draw to each other, but their recent past and hurts have made them cautious and vulnerable. Their situations are different and yet they are also the same as they will eventually find out. The draw between Zack and Nikki pulls the reader along with them. Their personalities and budding relationship will capture you from the beginning. You will be rooting for them, but all is not as it seems there are some secrets and other people that could very well destroy them. Go one-click this book now to delve into Zack & Nikki’s world to see if their love for each other can withstand whatever comes their way.
I hope that Keller gets his own story; I love that guy!

Intriguing. Emotional. Beautiful. Simply brilliant!

Left Behind was indeed an emotional roller coaster ride from beginning to end. A ride you'll never wanted to end. The story was sweet and smart, and quite unique...definitely NOT your usual young adult story. The intriguing element in the story will have you guessing and second guessing yourself as you fall in love with the characters and try to unravel their secrets. I do not typically enjoy young adult fiction because it contains so much youthful angst. Oh sure, Nikki and Zack have their moments but they are both dealing with some heavy life issues so it's to be expected. I cannot say enough good things about this story. Brava!!! to the authors.

Fate does it really control the outcome of our lives? It sure does seem like it does for Nikki and Zack.
They were connected bound to meet...eventually, but they had no idea how intertwined their lives really were.
Having lost the only person she really loved Nikki find that she had more family than her mother let on.
Zack has suffered a loss that no one should really suffer. He can't seem to get out of the spiral his life has taken after that awful night. Until he see Nikki.
This story is all about fate and how no matter what she gets what she wants and has planned for us eventually. A beautiful story of love, family and above all felling connected.
Zack and Nikki were simply beautiful and pure and everything that you can say about love. I loved it, there really isn't anything more I can say bit yes I loved it and I will read it over and over again.

Left Behind by Vi Keeland and Dylan Scott
Source: Authors
My Rating: 3½/5 stars
Me Review:

Nikki always knew the day would come when her mother’s body simply gave up; between the bipolar disorder and the diabetes, she just couldn’t last forever. Nikki simply hoped that day wouldn’t come before she turned 18 and could legally be on her own. If wishes were dreams, right? Her mother dying certainly sucks but the real suckage sinks in when Nikki finds out not only was her mother keeping secrets, she kept some very, very big secrets like an aunt and a twin sister Nikki never, ever knew about. With her choice being foster care or her aunt, Nikki takes a leap of faith and moves to California with her aunt.

As Nikki is trying to sort out and adjust to her new life and make sense of the mysteries left over from her old life, Zack is doing good just to continue breathing. Emily, his girlfriend and partner in crime since the age of nine has died and his last memories of her are of anger and the fight they had. For more than six months, Zack has refused to go to school, refused to see his friends and, generally refused to live his life. The despair and guilt are almost more than he can bear and the very thought of moving beyond Emily is damn near crippling. In an effort to help their son finally begin to live his life again, Zack’s parents insist he return to school and the life he knew before that fateful night.

Zack’s first meeting with Nikki is perhaps the most significant moment of his life. For the first time in what feels like forever, he feels a spark of something deep in his soul. Nikki is new to the area and the school and has no idea about Zack’s past or what it is that makes him seem so very lost and desperately sad. What both know for sure is that they are interested in the other and they have to find a way to make that interest fit into their respective lives. The feeling out process for both is at times funny, at times sweet and, at times riddled with guilt and misunderstanding. Both Zack and Nikki are still very young and have dealt with incredible loss recently and so, the thought of happiness for themselves and with someone else causes an increased level of guilt mixed with their burgeoning feelings for one another. On top of all the mixed up and confusing feelings is the ongoing mystery of Nikki’s twin sister and the crazy neighbor lady who is virtually stalking Nikki. Neither Zack nor Nikki are in any way prepared for the resolution of these mysteries and when the truth finally comes out, all of the happiness that they have recently found with one another is torn apart.

The Bottom Line: Left Behind is a solidly written read from Vi Keeland and Dylan Scott. Though I did enjoy this read and had no difficulty getting through it, I can’t honestly say there is anything here that just blew me away. Once the story gets rolling, the light mystery is pretty easy to unravel and that just leaves a love story. The love story is riddled with angst, desire, and, some humor but it really doesn’t offer anything new or exciting. I liked both Nikki and Zack and certainly rooted for them along the way but I didn’t ever feel like I had a real connection with either character. Would I recommend this read? Sure. It’s a straight-forward and easy read that will keep your attention as most light reads will.

I really, really enjoyed this story. The writing just flowed and held my attention from beginning to end. I love picking up a book to read and not being able to put it down once I've started.

It was a little overdramatic in the beginning. I was a tad bit confused when Zack started talking about the changes between his and Emily's relationship. He talked about how much he loved her at one time but in the last few months, she'd become someone he hardly recognized. With that being said, after that one tragic night that changed everything, he was so withdrawn and basically a shell of his former self. That just confused me. He pretty much sounded all but done with her and had no warm feelings toward her. It was a little baffling.

In any case, I really liked the story and would recommend the book to anyone.

I just finished Left Behind and I just loved it. I’m not usually into the YA stories but with one or two authors, not offense to the others it is just typically not my thing however I am so glad that I was able to get to read this. You just have no idea.

Nikki is having a hard time in her life. Her mother has died and now she is all alone. She is 17 so now she has to go live with another foster family. What she finds out though rocks her world. She has a twin. She also has an aunt and she wants to live with her to be able to find her sister. What starts out as a mission to find her sister, turns into a beautiful journey for second chances.

Zack has the world at his feet. One night brings it all crashing down. Months go by and he is still trying to cope. An unlikely friendship occurs with Nikki, the new girl in school. He feels guilty and eventually is able to cope better and try to move on. What starts out as a tragedy turns into a beautiful journey for second chances.

I really enjoyed this story. It was beautifully written. I thought that it flowed really well and I was hooked from the get go. I loved how this story just intertwined and the heartache that they suffered just broke my heart. I was definitely rooting for a happy ending. One thing I will say is you think you know how it turns out, I did but was still shocked at certain things in this story. It really kept me on my toes. I loved their chemistry, the banter, the shyness, it all just took me back to when I was 17. The major point for me is that they seemed older than 17 and I thought that made it better.

Give this one a chance, you won’t regret it!

Story 5
Sex 2
Overall 5

Reviewed by Beggin from Mommys a Book Whore

Emotionally captivating Left Behind pulls you in from the beginning. It addresses the powerful topic of mental illness and how it can effect so many lives. We are introduced to Nikki and taken through the pages of her heart breaking journey and how she deals with the cruel hand that fate has dealt her. There is also the character of Zach. I personally could not help but fall in love with him. His journey of how choices made can change your life forever and being carried through the story of his love of Emily and moving on was enthralling. The chemistry between the characters of Nikki and Zach was endearing and powerful. Beautifully written the authors did a wonderful job of presenting a story that flowed flawlessly and left the reader wanting more.

***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review - Sanne ~ Scandalous Book Blog***

Wow this was quite the emotional read, Vi Keelan and Dylan Scott in a whole different perspective.

I find it really hard to reviewing this book without giving anything away because there are so many secrets going on.

There is one thing I gotta say and that is that I absolutely loved both lead charcters their respective best friends! They were both hilarious and I would loooove to see a book going on about those two, that would be so funny.

Now on to Zack and Nikki...

Nikki is a young girl living with her mother who has been sick for a long time. Due to her mother illness she was placed in foster care from time to time, so she had to grow up rather fast. One day her mother's illness took the best for her and Nikki was once again on the brink of going in to the system again. BUT then a big surprise came in the letter her mother left her... It seems that her mom had a sister and that Nikki was part of a twin. That'll bring her on an adventure from Texas all the way to California. New life, new school, new boy?

Would it only be so easy....

Zack is a young boy living with his parents and is mister popular in school. He being a quarterback and his "girlfriend" Emily being head chearleader. Emily is no longer the sweet little girl Zack once met, she is completely consumed by the popularity machine. She is also not being nice to him and keeps teasing him... Until one night when they have a huge fight and all of a sudden ''...'' It couldn't be too late could it?

Secrets will be unveiled, new love will blossom and friendships will be made but what when the actual truth comes to the surface? Will love conquer all or will it all end up in to shambles?

Overall I found this to be a pretty good story with some big "OMG" moments thrown in here and there... I love seeing them develop toghether and the pull they had toward one another from day one.

What I found a bit strange was that nobody recognized Nikki.. I guess not all twins look that much alike.

Emotional, funny at moments, sizzling from day one and heart gripping from the get go!

Left Behind is the intertwined story of Nikki and Zack.
Zack is your typical All-American guy, someone who is relatively popular, and dating his best friend, the girl he believes is the love of his life; the girl he's known since he was a little boy.
Nikki comes from a sad past, one that she wants to forget. After her mother's death, Nikki discovers a secret her mother had kept from her all her life, a secret that sends Nikki on a quest to find what had been lost.
I did like this book, you really feel for Zack and Nikki throughout the book, the writing style made it very easy to be sucked into their worlds. The only thing I didn't like about thos book was the pacing. Some of the relationships in the book seem a little forced,they seemed to happen without much development, at least, not that's described to the reader.
As a side note, there are sexual references in the book, as well as a non-graphic sex scene. Otherwise, it was a very good book, definitely something to pick up!

In Left Behind, Vi Keeland and Dylan Scott team up to bring you a young adult romance that revolves around a story of tragic loss and restoring hope. Fate.

Nikki spent her life moving around central Texas and taking care of her mother. But when her mother passes, Nikki is not quite yet 18 and is either going to be moved to a foster home or move to California to live with an Aunt she never knew existed.

Zack saw her when he was just nine years old. The girl on the yellow bike, the one he knew he’d love. Eight years later, Emily is still standing next to him. Although she isn’t always the same girl he remembered as a child. One night changes everything, Zack never imagined that life could be so cruel.

Nearly six months have passed when Zack sees her, the girl from the track. The one that makes him feel something again. The one that seems to understand the loss that he feels. Learning to let go of the guilt of feeling something for this girl, Zack begins to fall, more deeply than he knew was possible.

But a new start isn’t the only thing that led Nikki to California. She has a sister, a twin. A piece of her she never knew existed. She knows the answers can be found in California, but nothing could have prepared her the truth that she was going to discover.

Although this venture into the genre of Young Adult was a little different than what I’ve come to love from this author, the collaboration with Dylan Scott on this book was very much enjoyed. Even though the twist wasn’t buried too deep in the story, I found that I was still excited to see how it would play out. Both Nikki and Zack were very likable characters and were easily to get lost in. I did feel like I was lacking a bit of an emotional connection at times. There was potential for this to have a very emotional moment, but I think that figuring out the story line early on, turned that moment down a few notches. I was prepared for it, so when it happened I sort of glazed over the emotional impact of it.

The story is told in dual POV’s that start off with giving you a glimpse into both their lives before the move to California and their meeting. I enjoyed being able to be a voyeur into both their lives as this story unfolded. I absolutely loved the little notes, I am sucker for these sweet little gestures in books. Something so simple outshines the grandest of gestures and this just made loving Zack a little easier.

A wonderfully told coming of age Young Adult romance that shines a little bit of light in the darkness of loss and shows you that not all hope is lost when you lose someone you love. That sometimes things happen a certain way, in the most crushing ways, to bring you something so beautiful that the all the pain is worth it, because without it you wouldn’t have experienced the love.

This change in scenery for VK was refreshing and although I love her more adult titles, I would definitely not hesitate to pick up another YA title if she ever decides to write another. After all, Keller and Ash might just have a story that is yet to be discovered.

Left behind was a very sweet romance that left me with a wide smile on my face and my heart feeling a little lighter. A love story of two kids where the usual angst and drama fueled story lines didn’t exist because their own experiences were enough to drive the story forward.

Left Behind by Vi Keeland and Dylan Scott
Ratings:5 stars
Nikki stands in the parking lot alone, rain pelts down on her so hard that it stings her skin. The navy dress she is wearing is the only dress that she owns. It's the first time she has cried since it happend.Ms.Evans is the worst social worker she's ever had. Watching her casually walk into her mother's funeral, reminds Nikki of all the months she kept them apart. Nikki throws a rock at Ms Evan's window, unsatisified she throws another rock and breaks her window. Zack met Emily at the age of nine, he thinks that he fell in love with her before he understood what falling in love ment. Nikki found out that she is going to be moving again and she didn't want to have to tell Ashley. Ms Evans gave Nikki a letter that was from her mother and in that letter she found out that she has an aunt and a twin sister who was adopted at birth. Nikki goes with Ms Evans to meet her Aunt Claire Nichols. Claire was awarded temporary custady of Nikki. Zack and Emily got into a huge fight at the bonfire, so Emily didn't want to leave with Zack. Zack's mom comes into his room crying and he thought that something happend to his father, but it turned out to be something happend to Emily. Zack and Nikki meet at the track while running, Zack finally starts to talk to her. Will anything happen between Zack and Nikki.
Nikki is a foster child, her mother died when she was seventeen, Feburary 14 is her birthday and her favorite holiday, she wants to find her sister, The Library has always been her santuary. Ms Evans is Nikki's social worker. Zack is the quarterback and captian of the football team, hasn't been to school for months after Emily's death.Emily has changed over the last couple of years, captain of the cheerleaders. Allie is Zacks friend and has English class with him. Keller is Zack's friend and is in his English class. Ashley is Nikki's best friend for four years. Claire Nichols is Nikki's aunt and is hiding things from Nikki.
This is my first book by Vi Keeland and Dylan Scott and it most definitely will not be my last. I loved how I was hooked from the first page. I couldn't put this book down, the characters were very well developed. I loved how this book was very fast paced.

This wasn't a terrible book, the prose was pretty good and the idea of the book had potential for a YA book, but it just had so many gross stereotypical "teen" aspects that overall it came across as flat and shallow. It gets 2 stars because the prose was good for the genre.

I disliked this book for the most part and kept finding fault with things. Maybe it's a cup of tea for some, but I really couldn't get past all the cliches and stereotypes and overused plot devices; there's nothing really spectacular about this book and the characters are just churned out copies of characters everyone knows. The authors treated the teens in this book like the most boxed-in, overused ideas of adolescents you can imagine. Every other page was another episode of hormonal, lustful longing for a person the character barely knows or descriptions of how the main girl was "different" from "plastic, fake girls.". I hate the sudden physical attraction, a few similarities and mild liking, and that suddenly turns into true love that's deep and everlasting without hardly any time devoted to forming an actual bond. I hate how the main girl was yet again "special snowflake girl" who is just so very, very "different" from all the "other" girls. I hated the super typical portrayal of a "hot main lead with a chip on his shoulder." The mystery of the book is predictable, it's very casual despite having themes like loss/death/mourning, and it's nothing I'd want to read again.

My biggest problem was how heavily this book relied on that "girl who likes reading is so much better and different from soulless blonde barbie" thing that's so popular in teen orientated things these days, as though only by rejecting things that feminine teen girls like can a 17 year old ever be important and worthy (of male attention, particularlly). I can't begin to explain how gross it is to pit girls against one another and cater so heavily to making it a competition for a guy's attention. There's absolutely nothing wrong with or lesser about liking feminine things and they do not equate to having a bad personality, yet these teen novels feed off this kind of thing and almost require it to move forward, as though it's of the utmost importance to have this play out to showcase just how special and wonderful Different Girl is. It's actually quite a damaging dynamic and I've frankly had enough of it. I'm 10000% over this.

All in all: not my cup of tea in the least.

I don't usually read high school romance.But this story was so touching,sweet,sad.It had humour.Keller keep things light.Felt bad for Nikki,she was her mother's only caregiver since she was a small child.Emily had everything she ever wanted.Fate stepped in and brought Nikki and Zack together.Would of liked Nikki to have a chance to confront Mrs.Bennett,and more about her father and his search for her.Over all good read.
C

Nikki Fallon has not had the easiest life, at seventeen she has had to endure more than most adults do. When she finds out that her mother had kept a huge secret about her, she is determined to find out the truth. Leaving Texas she moves to California with her newly found Aunt.

In her senior year of school, Nikki is trying to find answers but at the same time she meets Zack Martin. His vibe is hot and cold, but Zack is trying to work through his own problems and feeling a variety of feelings for Nikki. As secrets are uncovered will Zack and Nikki be able to withstand the storm that is brewing?

This was an incredible read. Nikki is inspiring and I thought the emotions both Zack and Nikki have throughout the story were spot on. You laugh, cry, and wish for more by the end of the story. Fantastic read.

I received this for an honest review.. This is the first book I have read by either author and I have to say that I absolutely enjoyed it. When reading this I really didn't know what I was in for. I felt this was a wonderful story. This is a standalone and well worth the time to read it. This book in many parts made me want to cry and I felt my heart breaking for the two leads in this story.
Zach is all star everything. He had everything he could ever want best friend/girlfriend who was a cheerleader while he was the quarterback. Then he lost his girlfriend Emily to a car accident. On the other hand we have Nikki who has just lost her mother the only family she has ever known. Only to find out she has an aunt she never knew about. These two souls meet and find that they can heal each other or can they
I just really enjoyed this story. This is definalty a story about finding the person that is meant for you.. such a beautiful story!!!

Loved this book !!!!

Two stories intertwined, A letter that reveals a secret, 3 people more involved that they realized.

this story was beautifully written, I loved every second of it, I couldn't put it down.The Heartbreak
lies,truths,friendships,love and secrets. this book at times will crush you but you will keep reading.
Wonderful Story.

This book stole my attention looking through the kindle store. The cover to me is what makes a first impression about the author. And it just looked heart breaking, like a story needed to be told. Trust me, this book will make read it in one sitting. Not only does the story pull you in, but you feel the pain and love that Nikki and Zach both go through together. It makes your heart melt and just makes you sigh with how fresh of a book this is. I would recommend this book to about everyone. It's probably even a must read for teen lit. Classes in school. 5 out of 5. Thank you to Vi Keel and and Dylan Scott for making me fall in love with these characters and just wanting more!!!

This story left it's mark on me! Beautifully written with such sweet memorable characters! Nikki's character matched with Zack's to a tea and left my heart full and fluttery! Sadness of loss brought these two souls together but it was fate that made them stick forever :-)

Loved the story from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried, all the emotional buttons were pushed. This story was such a good sister bad sister with the bad sister coming out to be the good one in the end. Soul mates though not called that in the book, this is an epic love story.

Vi is one of those writers I read unconditionally, no need for reviews, she puts it out there I pick it up. Didn't even scan the description, just ordered it and started reading. Thoroughly enjoyed this story in spite of its uncharacteristic subject matter. Found myself committed to these young characters in a way I would not have thought possible. As always well written, engaging and satisfying.

I enjoyed this story being an easy and comfortable read, but not overly predictable. Young love romance, paired with a some twists, yet still mature enough to be enjoyed by an adult. A refreshing change from the other romances I've read lately.

I thought this book has a lot of potential. There were serious issues to deal with for both of the main characters. I just didn't think the author developed those plots sufficiently. Nikki's mothers illness was mentioned but never really developed. More importantly, despite Nikki and Zack becoming close, he never discloses his dissatisfaction with Emily and her antics. I thought the author just could have done so much more here. It was just OK for me.