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The pain was unbearable, but I had to keep moving. I had to keep running because, if I didn’t, he’d find me. I looked behind me as I ran through the streets; scared, alone, and in the dark as the mist of rain hit my face. There was no time to think, and there was no time to stop. My shoes were soaked as they sloshed through the puddles of the dimly lit streets.

My name is Rory Sinclair, and the night I was violently attacked was the night that changed my life forever. One man, a man named Ian Braxton, made it his mission to heal me, to save me, and to show me a world that previously had been only a dream to me.

Ian Braxton is far from perfect. He’s a self-absorbed, demeaning, arrogant, and a womanizing millionaire. He makes it so easy to hate him, but so very hard to resist him. We’re from opposite sides of the spectrum. He comes from money and I come from poverty. When our worlds collide, his struggles become mine, and mine become his, leaving us with one question:
How much would you give up to be with someone who was meant to be yours?

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2014

933 people are currently reading
3747 people want to read

About the author

Sandi Lynn

116books5,439followers
Writing is my passion and my mission is to provide readers with romance novels that will whisk them away into another world and from the daily grind of life - one book at a time.

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5 stars
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3 stars
1,292 (18%)
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282 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews
Profile Image for Indy.
1,197 reviews33 followers
February 23, 2014
Gosh, after reading, I wish I could gain back those hours of time. I can't recall the last time I was this disappointed about a book whose blurb looked so promising. I completed this book with a strong sense of anger, and a greater appreciation for another trilogy I had just finished by Lydia Michaels, which was very similar in plot. For those contemplating this book - my advice, go read the Surrender trilogy and pass on this one.

This book starts off really abruptly and then continues in such an unrealistic vein - what man finds a wounded woman on the street and doesn't take her to a hospital? What young woman wakes up in a strangers home and has no fear or restraint in telling her background and staying there? I really never understood why Rory freely discloses personal information when she never gets any from Ian and has had such a harsh upbringing which should make her hesitant to share. Why doesn't she dwell on where her brother is and make attempts to find him? Where does the attraction between Ian and Rory come from? - We never get to hear what draws them to one another. This book has both serious plot challenges and unappealing characters.

BIGGEST COMPLAINT: Ian is an asshole for 83% of this novel and Rory tolerates it! He sleeps with a different woman every night, of which Rory sees while staying with him, during which he makes a countdown for how many days til he sleeps with her - without a condom (same night he goes on another date). He is verbally abusive, claims it's a woman's fault if she ends up as a single mother, has friends who harass Rory, a verbally abusive father, shows no affection in front of others, and acts bipolar with conflicting actions during each scene. Ex:

"Suddenly, I didn't care about him being with another woman last night. He wanted me, and he wanted me bad. Nobody every wanted me, and for him to come along and tell me how beautiful I was and pay me so much attention; of course I was going to fall head over heels in love with him."

As you can see, Rory isn't much better, freely becoming a whore for Ian, one of many, displaying no independence, self-respect, jealousy over multiple sleeping partners of Ian's, tolerating his father and his friends abuse, etc. And of course all is forgiven when suddenly (for no reason), Ian has a change of heart at the end. Unfortunately, you can't save a book in the last 5% and I'm surprised I didn't DNF earlier, guilt over a $4 purchase had me continuing my discomfort.

Profile Image for politetemper.
192 reviews11 followers
June 22, 2015
Another DNF

I had some notes on my Nook but I accidentally deleted them soo, I'll try and remember!

Honestly I thought this book moved way too fast, from the stabbing to their so called "feelings" for each other.

I didn't get Rory, Ian basically treated her like shit and TOLD her he only wants to fuck her..she gets angry with him says that she's done yadda yadda yadda but as soon as he starts being "gentle" with her she automatically forgets like nothing even happened. He brought random girls back every night, knowing she was in the house yet she's still "falling" for him! Really?

Rory was wayy too wishy washy for my liking, she just went around in circles...one minute she's angry with Ian then when he doesn't talk to her for days for no reason she misses him and as soon as he decides hes gonna talk to her again without so much as an apology for being a dick she AGAIN acts like nothing happened.

I think you can tell that I didn't like Ian. He's a dick plain and simple. I guess you can say that I can't say that because I didn't even bother to finish the book but you know what? I don't care, first impressions count. And I didn't like his first, second or third impression.

If you read the book and like it then good for you, but I just couldn't.
Profile Image for Sandi.
Author116 books5,439 followers
January 30, 2014
I love Ian & Rory!
Profile Image for ★¸. • * ° * ༺*Blanka*༺*°°*•.¸. ♥★.
2,325 reviews313 followers
April 25, 2015

The Douche and the Pushover

I have not felt such anger towards two characters (main characters, at that) in like ever!!
We have Rory this victim who is saved by this douche named Ian..
The first ten pages were okay and once he started spurting his bullsh*t in his "master" tone..I was disgusted..



Sooooo.. then I decided to give Rory a chance. I figured she is going through a shock or something..come to find out she is the perfect obedient little puppy! She acts all bad "I'm not taking your ish" one minute, and then it's back to "yes, sir" and "you just had sex with me and now you're going out 10 minutes later to find someone else, that is fine I will wait for you"..

There is nothing less attractive about a naive, push-over! Nothing..

Sadly, I hated them both!!




Rory:






And then this is me asking her?


Profile Image for Brooke Hauguel.
87 reviews
February 17, 2014
I Pre-ordered this book. I guess I thought the synopsis sounded interested.

I really hope I didn't pay much for it.

I read about 600 of the 1400 some pages, and it was a struggle to get through the first hundred

This review may contain spoilers

***

Complaints

1) who the heck takes a random dirty girl, who is bleeding all over the place from a stab wound, into their limo, and back to their house vs. a hospital.

The set up for this story is so beyond unbelievable, I cannot understand why I decided to read past the first chapter.

2) what character or person freely stays with some stranger, no questions asked, and uses all of his money and accepts his clothes, like it's no big deal.

It is so strange to me that Rory never puts up a fight of questions why this stranger is taking care of her, and she has no problem being a complete mooch

3) Does Ian even like her!?!?

He brings new women home every night, I'm sure there is an explanation later on, but geez

He also ignores Rory for two weeks after she moves out.

4) Rory knows Ian just uses woman and disrespects them, but then she wants to be with him sexually anyways?

She seems very back and forth about him, without him doing anything to truly sway her decision

5) Ian is a terrible Christian Grey copy
-he has a kinky play room, that Rory stumbles upon and doesn't think it's weird at all...
-he has mommy issues
-he treats women like objects (even Christian Grey treats his women better than that!)
-he's a rich millionaire

I honestly would suggest not wasting your time or money with this book. There are far better ones out there.

I do not know where the story is headed, but I cannot imagine anything will help redeem this mess.
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,514 reviews1,008 followers
October 22, 2021
DNF

I am really struggle to find any connection to this book. The setting is unbelievable. A random girl who was out of luck was saved by a passerby stranger. And guess what he is a millionaire!! I have to roll my eyes on this.
Roy, the heroine agreed to moved in with Ian, the hero. No questions asked even though she was just being abused.

At this point, I groaned out loud on my work desk. This is so bad!! I am sure Miss Lynn redeeming herself with dirty talk on the bed. But the dirty talk sounds ridiculous instead of sexy. So everything is just bad!

2 stars
Profile Image for Becca Booksreview.
154 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2014
I have LOVED Author Sandi Lynn since the first chapter of Forever Black, she has given us wonderful stories with characters that we have all loved. Lie Next to me is her new book that comes out 17th of Feb, Put it on your auto buy list. Sandi has once again given us characters to Love and to Hate and then love again. I was given Lie Next to me as an ARC copy for an honest review.

Rory is a young, Beautiful, hurt woman how happens to be bleeding from a stab wound on her side, she is running for her life and runs into Ian's Limo. Ian knows that she needs to help and the only place he is taking her is home with him.

Ian goes through women like he changes his shirts, but he knows that Rory is different, not only is she beautiful but she is damaged, she is hiding something, there is hurt in her eyes, and she has nightmares that wake him in the middle of the night. But he also knows that he can't stay away from her, NO matter what he does to her, hurts her, ignores her, it always comes back to her for him.

Both characters are wonderful, there is a honesty factor that comes with Rory, she doesn't let Ian get away with the things that he has been getting away with. she pushes back, and when enough hurt and pain come her way is willing to walk away to protect herself.

I really love that we see some of the Black's in this book as well. even if its for a short time!

Thank you Sandi Lynn for giving us another wonderful story and characters to love, I can't wait for the second book of this series and the next chapter of Ian and Rory.
Profile Image for Rachel.
223 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2014
Okay so this is how i felt throughout this book...

description

Mainly because of the heroine. I don't think i have ever read about a heroine that is so fucking FRUSTRATING. I wanted to reach in to my Ipad, get hold of Rory and just shake her so hard and yell WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!

Ian was an asshole. The things he said and the things he did made me want to club him over the head with something hard. They fought, they walked away and she always came back apologizing!(When he was the one in the wrong!)

description

Ergh! I hate heroines that are such yes people. GET A BACKBONE.

Oh and the other thing that really annoyed the hell out of me was that he just had to smile, kiss her, touch her or friggin BREATH on her after an argument and immediately she was perfectly fine forgetting why she was pissed and continued to just spread her legs and give him what he wanted.

I think it's safe to say i won't be reading the next book.
Profile Image for Chris- Bookaddict.
778 reviews253 followers
February 3, 2014
WOW!!! I can not wait till you all get to meet Ian and Rory!! Sandi has done it again with another amazing Couple.........



Some images were taken from Sandi's Pinterest page.
Profile Image for Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.•.
2,429 reviews238 followers
August 10, 2017
Really struggled with this story. Didn't really like the narrators voice. I found the female lead very annoying.

I also prefer a more descriptive story and instead of statements like 'we had amazing sex' I want to read about it, not be told that it happened.

So just an okay read for me.
Profile Image for Milica's Bookshelf.
1,039 reviews306 followers
September 2, 2020
LOVED IT.

Obožavam način na koji me Sandi Lynn tako lako uvuće u svaku njenu priču. Ova nije izuzetak, jer obožavam svaku stranicu koju sam pročitala. Znam da je ova priča klasičan milionerski ljubić, ali moje srce je oduševljeno i presrećno (kraj je čisto savršenstvo), da moram da joj dam 5++ zvezdica! �

Moram da kažem da sam 85% ove knjige prezirala Iana. KAKAV KRETEN! On je možda seksi, privlačan i jako bogat, ali je veliki ser*nja većinu vremena.
Zaista se nadam da će biti bolji u drugoj knjizi.
Profile Image for Luna de Selene  .
241 reviews30 followers
March 24, 2015
Las mujeres, para mí, son buenas para una cosa y eso es follar.



Aparte que Ian es un cerdo, el tipo sonríe todo el tiempo. TODO. Hace que parezca bastante creepy.
Así es como pienso que es cuando sonríe



Este libro es una tortura.
Profile Image for Beatriz.
737 reviews28 followers
February 18, 2014
Rory Sinclair ran from danger one night and by luck and fate she stumbled upon the gorgeous, sexy and dazzling millionaire named Ian Braxton. He was as bossy as it gets but Rory was drawn to him. It actually frustrated the hell out me how they argue. One minute they have a moment and the next they were yelling at each other. It didn't help with the fact that their relationship started with lust and it was too fast paced.

There were times when Rory irritated the hell out of me. I don't know why she insisted on being a push-over when it came to Ian. She was tough and knows when enough is enough but when it came to him, her brain turns into mush and she just can't help herself but be hypnotized by Ian once more. Then again, Ian saved her life and helped her get back on her own feet. But it wasn't enough for her to be bossed around by Ian when it came to her decisions, she also said yes when Ian wanted her in a "friends with benefits" situation. Sooner though, she fell in love with him despite his asshole-ish attitude.

“I’m in love with you as a person. Sure, you piss me off sometimes, but I still love you. I want us. I want us to be something special to each other."

“You saved me and you made me fall in love with you. You took my soul and you stole my heart. I’m a human being and I have feelings."


Sadly though, he didn't return the feeling. He kept insisting that he doesn't do relationships. That being tied down will only burden a person and he won't be like that. It made Rory hurt in every way and she couldn't handle it. With enough support from a dear friend, she escaped her life with Ian Braxton.

Towards the end though, Ian realizes his mistake and follows where Rory's been staying. He pours his heart out to her and tells her that he can't live without her.

“I miss you, and it’s been really hard for me since you left. You’re on my mind every second of every day. I dream about you every night, and I can’t get you out of my fucking head. Everything I do, and everything I see, reminds me of you. I hate it that you’re not at home with me. Since the day you left, I’ve slept in your bed because it smells like you, and I miss your scent. I miss you. I miss us. I miss everything we shared.�

“I’m willing to give it all up for you. The company, the house, the money, everything. I’ll walk away from it all just to be with you. You were right. The way I am does have to do with my mother. I can admit that now because I refuse to lose you. I’m just so scared that you’ll leave me like she did. I was afraid to love because I saw what it did, not only to me when she left, but what it did to my dad. I know now that I can’t live that way anymore. I want us to share a home, Rory. I want us to be a couple, and I want to go on dates with you, and travel with you. I want to scream to the world that you’re mine.�

“I love you, Rory Sinclair. I’m in love with you and I have been since the night you laid your head across my lap in the limo. I just couldn’t admit it, and then when you left, reality hit me. You and I are supposed to be together. The both of us were at the right place at the right time. We were destined to meet. I know that now. I’m so sorry for hurting you and saying those awful things to you, and I will spend eternity making it up to you. I love you so much, and I can’t live without you.�


It was a happy ending but knowing that this is a series, I know that the next book will open more doors for drama into Rory and Ian's life. I do hope it will be more interesting and dramatic than this because I just felt that the story was a bit too fast paced. But I liked it enough due to the fact that I didn't sleep
much at night because I wanted to finish the story.

I also loved the fact that the other characters are very interesting as well. It reminded me of certain characters from a different series created by the same author as this one. And there was a special participation of a couple we both miss. You just have to find out who they are, but I think you already have a hint *wink ;)

“This necklace is the key to my heart because you’ve unlocked it and you filled my heart with love. I want you to know that my love for you will always protect you.�

Profile Image for Carolina Godinho.
306 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2014


I can't even start to describe how disappointed I was with this book. I loved the Forever trilogy ( another problem, cuz I just know that will have the fourth book in what was supposed to be a trilogy ), and I read the blurb of Lie Next to me and loved. I was really anxious waiting for this book. But it´s completely implausible since the first paragraph. First of all, a man take a completely strange stabbed woman to his home. Then, he buy her clothes, including underwear. And, he invade the bathroom while she´s bathing, and she let he wash her hair. And, all of this happens in the first chapter. I´ll stop here because this book is wrong in so many levels that I will pass the rest of my life here complaining.
Profile Image for Katrina Tingle.
34 reviews6 followers
February 15, 2014
Omg.... I thought that Connor was the most frustrating man. Well wait until you meet Ian Braxton. A millionaire with a heart of stone. That is until he meets Miss Rory Sinclair. Both have been hurt in the past. Can they get pass all that hurt or will they let it ruin what they could have. Sometimes it takes walking away to make the other realize what they have....will it come to that.
I LOVE Ian!!!! I'm sorry Connor but Ian has stolen my heart. Even if I wanted to choke him 90% of the time. I can't wait for Ian and Rory story to continue.

Awesome job Sandi. .....i think this is my favorite :)
Profile Image for Miss Bee.
91 reviews3 followers
February 19, 2014
Almost DNF. Skimmed through the pages.

Did I read the same book? When I saw the rating and the blurb, thought it was going to be a good read but for the life of me I can't stand the characters! Ian is one major asshole. And the plot, it's just so predictable and the parents-issue baggage thing is just getting too old now. And I didn't feel the love at all, it was just SEX- hero-acting-dominant. I continued reading because I was hoping the hero would change but he didn't. I'll probably won't read the next book. I hate to give low ratings but this is a one star read.
Profile Image for Mitchii.
802 reviews260 followers
February 18, 2014
Eh? Even with his mommy issues I still found him a complete douche. What freaking ass, he has little respect to woman. I guess it is true then, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Woman, you’re in a lot of trouble.
Profile Image for Annessa.
30 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2014
This book didn't even deserve one full star, more like half a star. I really don't understand how people gave this book high ratings, are you sure we were reading the same book?
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews94 followers
Want to read
July 5, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/5/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Julia.
408 reviews10 followers
February 28, 2014
Huh, scroll down through the written reviews...talk about polar opposites. At least at this point, of the readers who took the time to write a review, they either LOVED it or hated it. There isn't a lot of middle ground there. I typically expect a line there when it's ARC vs. purchased copy and when that's the case, I trust the people who purchased the book. Not so with this one. It's a clear split. (Yes, I know I'm rambling, but I find stuff like that so interesting.)

I am clearly in the LOVE it camp. I'm a bit surprised because other books by the same author didn't resonate with me. I thought this one kicked ass though. I was looking for and Alpha male and found him in Ian. Was he an ass? Yep. Did his actions always make sense? Nope. But, I thought he was completely consistent with his character...someone who saw women as objects.

I had a harder time with Rory, but I still got it. Ian filled something in her that wasn't there before and she was willing to try to accept him as he was (with his parade of women) to hang onto it.

Even with an HEA, there are still plenty of places the sequel has to go. The author did a great job of answering enough questions to give closure, but left plenty to further explore. I'm looking forward it. 4.5 stars

Profile Image for Raj.
1,514 reviews8 followers
September 2, 2014
4 stars

From the very start, this novel was able to get my attention. It was exciting and I just dig story lines about damsel in distress, where in the guy acts as the light in shining armor and tending to the heroines needs. The guy was thoughtful and very caring, but.. he's still an asshole and a fucking manwhore... I love this shit!!

I love the writing style, the characters - though the heroine appears weak sometimes, she's very feisty. I get to feel the characters emotion, so amen to the writing style! Towards the end, Ian kind of became to corny or too mushy with his words.

THeir non-relationship is a fucking yo-yo, I love it and I hate it.

I don't have much to say, no rants at all. I enjoyed their journey!
Profile Image for twobrokegirls.
1,139 reviews42 followers
February 18, 2014
WOWZA. Ian Braxton is intense and boy ol boy he can turn hot to cold in 2.2 seconds. You love him, and he will infuriate you. You feel sorry for Rory because she is stepping into the lions den. As if she didn't know. I was fist pumping when she stood up to him and didn't bow to his directions. Showed she had some backbone but he was very persuasive at times I must say. I felt sometimes maybe he knew she needed him because of her past and he made her feel safe something she had never felt before so it was inevitable the poor woman would fall for him at some point and he made it pretty easy to fall for him. Heck I think even when I wanted to be so angry with him I was still falling for him. And oh my gosh, Conner and Ellery made their appearance. One of my favorite couples of all times.

I really enjoyed the book but sure was hoping for more just when my heart was Mended I was left waiting for book 2 . * insert sad face :(*

Sandi Lynn is an amazing author and I love all of her stories this far. She has yet to disappoint.
1,254 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2016
Wow this book was so terrible it was almost hilarious. I actually finished it but only because it was the kind of train wreck you cant look away from. I don't want to waste too much more time on this so im gonna skip my normal extended review. To sum up the characters had literally zero redeeming qualities the heroine was spineless and the hero was one step away from abusive. Anything that had the remotest potential was never developed but we get pages and pages about the hero's sexcapades (most of them with other women). We get a hint that some S&M is coming (tehe) but it never develops. It's not one of my favorites but i do dig the tragically broody millionaire storyline however this dude had no call to treat people the way he did...it wasnt sexy it was disgusting and i fail to see how any woman could find him appealing. The HEA ending was completely unbelievable he doesnt change at all and the heroine just takes him back basically just because he followed her to paris. awful awful awful. would not recommend and wont be reading more by this author.
Profile Image for De Reese Robinson.
394 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2014
: Breathtaking

Ian and Rory's story took my breath away. it was hot, passionate and filled with love. there's definite 2 heroes in this book that will keep you on the edge of your seat as your heart feels like it's going to pop out of your chest and you may need oxygen to help you breathe again. I loved it.
Profile Image for Ivana.
385 reviews38 followers
October 25, 2019
This deserves no stars at all!
Ian is manipulative, patronizing and simply rude to Rory. He has no respect for anything or anyone. I would even dare say that he is verbally and emotionally abusive.
I felt very uncomfortable reading this book and I finished it simply because I wanted to see and hoped that Rory would leave him.
Profile Image for Jo.
1,897 reviews17 followers
February 19, 2014
I can't believe it, my favour Connor took some part in the book, that's really great. Another fairy tale story. A poor lady with bad luck childhood met a rich man, he saved her and she saved him. Even there are so many things without logic, but I take it because this is a 'cinderella' story
Profile Image for Tracy Kellies.
135 reviews19 followers
May 16, 2016
This was a quick read but a waste of my time. The plot had so much potential but the writing was so bad. I let out quite a few loud sighs, not out of pleasure but pain.... This book was so frustrating!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews

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