Crista McHugh totally rocks and love her stories!! They are witty, charming and total fuzzy filled warmth. Her Kelly Brothers Series is one of my top favorites and let's not forget her book "Searching For Billy Shakespeare"....totally rocked!

Having said that, "Upside Down" sure will take you on an upside down ride as Kayla Gilmore and Caz Miller navigate the upside down of a love ride of their lives. Unplanned pregnancy, fears and insecurities, pride and arrogance - feelings that can make or break a relationship and is what this book offers the readers. Sometimes it's hard to isolate the crux of the feelings, but ultimately these are what matter in life. It may not be on par with her other stories, but definitely will give some food for thought....

Personally, I enjoyed the book.

Kayla has gotten up in the morning and has taken a few pregnancy test only to find the same result staring at her the same each time, positive. She can’t be she is 26 years old and a surfing pro. Leaving the house where her and other women surfers live she goes chasing after the father to tell him the news. Only to be smacked in the face by a guy who is more interested riding the pipeline because the waves are huge because of a storm. He tells her before she can tell him that they are through and not soon after he is through as well, dead. Now alone because she has been dropped by her sponsors, and kicked out of the house she was living in she ends up with the baby’s parent’s house. That night she hears the father slapping the mother and she leaves and goes to the only person she thinks she still has as a friend, her ex from eight years ago. Caz also a professional surfer takes her in and tells her she can stay in his apartment above the garage. He also is wanting to make up for what he did to her when they were dating and how he ended it. Afterwards he realizes she was right for him but he still has problems with commitment throughout this story. Running away from her. I read some of the reviews and some people did not like Kayla and her thoughts or choices. A lot of her choices were choices were taken away from her when she was kicked out of the house, dropped by sponsors and then later finding out that they also cut off her insurance. She did make the right choice by leaving the parents’ home because if that man hit his wife what would he have done to her or the child. There were some good choices. Also 26 is still young and a lot of people forget what that was like and for the most part she felt alone with no one to talk to. I thought this was a good story with good characters and gave you the reader something to think about.

This e-book was given in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited about this story because it seemed like the kind of drama that we enjoy and read in a single afternoon. And in the beginning it was like that. For the first half of the book, I devoured the pages and was even enjoying Kayla and Caz, but halfway through the end I did not like it at all.

Kayla seems like the kind of character one could talk about a lot, there were many things that could be explored, especially with the unwanted pregnancy plot. But we only scratched the surface with her, we did not delve into her fears and her relationship with that pregnancy, her desires and fears. We are just on the surface, waiting for something to happen, to change.

With Caz it was a little different, we understand his motivation, but understanding is not forgiving, and his days as a A-hole were not in the past. There are two moments between Caz and Kayla that are dreadful and I do not understand how she can just forgive him in the end.

In fact, the end was another very disappointing point for me. An unwanted pregnancy is really something that impacts a woman's life a lot, and I expected her to be treated with more empathy, more commitment to reality. But then everything happens in the last pages and it's so fast, and Kayla goes through a roller coaster of feelings and decisions in a single conversation with Caz, and the (large) weight of the event sort of gets lost in a hurry to finish the story.

I figured I'd end the book crazy to read the first one, but now I'm even rethinking the desire to continue the Kelly Brothers series

Anyway, it was not a good read for me.

Sometimes I start an ARC and wonder why on earth I requested the book. Then I get further in and want to kick myself. This time, that point was when a side character drops an info bomb on the hero that the heroine is pregnant, and then “huffed on her nails and polished them on her dress.” Oh, geez...really??? Is she also going to twirl the ends of her mustache before grabbing the sides of her cape and making a dramatic exit???

I think I requested this book because I love second chance stories. But in order for this trope to work for me, I need to see two things: how important the hero and heroine were to each other the first time, and why they are still hung up on each other. Did I get either of those things here? No, no I did not.

Kayla is a professional surfer, and has just discovered she’s pregnant. Within a few short days, she’s lost everything - the father of her child (but they weren’t really a couple anyway), her profession (apparently you can’t surf if you’re pregnant?), and her place to live. So things are looking pretty bleak for our “heroine”.

Caz is also a professional surfer, and Kayla’s ex. They were madly in love eight years ago, but Caz - who has major commitment issues because of his father - sabotaged their relationship and broke Kayla’s heart. But now he has the chance to make things up to her by letting her stay in the apartment over his garage.

What follows is a lot of internal monologue about how Kayla can’t ever trust Caz again, can’t ever get involved with him again, and how much Caz regrets his big screw up and wishes he wasn’t just like his dad so he could be with Kayla, who he’s never stopped loving.

Of course, Kayla decides to give Caz another chance (because he’s even hotter than he was eight years ago). And then another one. And both times he’s a big giant buffoon. But he miraculously pulls his head out of his ass, explains why he keeps being an ass, and says he’s sorry. So she forgives him, and then they get married in an epilogue.

The lack of character and plot development was laughable. You can’t just have the characters say “this person was the love of my life” and not show the reader ANYTHING about that time. Also, the heroine was dealing with an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy - this could have been a very compelling storyline as she decided how to deal with the situation. Instead of being sympathetic, she came across as self-centered and insincere. Now that I think about it...I didn’t really care for - or about - either the heroine or the hero.

I was hoping that giving a day or so after reading this book would mellow me out, but nope, it hasn’t. I have as strong of an unfavorable opinion now as I did when I finished the book. I’m not even sure how I managed to get through it. Actually, I do know - after the fifth chapter, I started skimming to see if it would get better. But no, it did NOT. I’ve read this author before and liked her, but it was several years ago so I’m wondering if my reading tastes have evolved. I think I’m finished with this author.

Also...I need to be WAY more discriminating this next year with the ARCs I request. Life is too short to read a book that makes me want to chuck my Kindle across the room.

* thank you to NetGalley and Midnight Cat Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Kayla thinks of Caz as an arrogant surfing Casanova. However when she finds she's pregnant and her ex-boyfriend dies on the same day, he's the only person who seems interested in helping her.

This certainly isn't your standard romance. Kayla's pregnancy and her thoughts about this add another dimension, which may make some readers uncomfortable. For me it added the necessary depth to understand the characters a bit more and to stand out from a crowded field of books.

The romance itself is a slow burn as trust rebuilds between Caz and Kayla.

I enjoyed this. Will keep my eye out for other books by Crista McHugh.

Review published at https://sophiesbookshelves.blogspot.com/

Upside Down was a good read but it wasn't something I would read again or remember for much after I read it. Caz was a solid book boyfriend even with his issues and Kayla was put in an impossible situation which made her sympathetic but it still took me some time to warm up to her.
I didn't love this book but I also don't have anything bad to say about it. I would read another book by Crista McHugh.

A fast read! The story engaged me right from the beginning. Ms. McHugh's characters are very well developed. She writes with compassion, humor and a great happily ever after. I will be checking out other books by this author.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open, honest review.

I read book 1 and loved it! I was hoping that Alex's best friend Caz would get his own book. He did. I am not disappointed with the results. 

Caz Miller is a professional surfer in Oahu. Eight years ago, he made the biggest mistake of his life. He cheated on his girlfriend because he was scared of commitment and becoming like his father. Too bad he didn't realize how big of a mistake that was until a few years later. By that time, she hated his guts. He yearned for her. His eyes would always find her when she's surfing or walking down the beach or with another douchebag not worthy of her. He wants to do anything to make it up to her. 

Kayla Gilmore is the Queen of surfing, ranked number one in the women's ranking for numerous years. Her only downfall is constantly dating assholes who treat her like crap. Jerks like Justin. Oh, and this jerk knocked her up and then died. She and everybody else on the beach watched when the thirty foot wave crashed. Justin popped up face down. The last person she expected was Caz to hold her while she fell apart. She wasn't in love with Justin. They were just bed buddies. But she was carrying his baby. She cried for her surfing career and their baby. 

Caz continued to help her even offering to let her live in the garage apartment above his garage. Grant it, that means Caz's deadbeat father can't live there. But he also wants to make up for what he did to Kayla all those years ago. He can't let her know that he still loves her after all these years--even more after they spend more time together. 

The past and present have a way of keeping people apart. Can Caz overcome his issues in order to be there for Kayla?

Can Kayla trust him after what he put her through before?

Upside Down by Crista McHugh is a book title that fits Kayla, the main character, to a T. Her world has completely been turned upside down in this story. Not that it is a bad thing, though it certainly seems that way to Kayla at the beginning of the book. The changes as the story progresses in the main character with her thinking and in her decisions are a strength of the story.

Caz Miller has done some changing too. However, most of his growing up happened before this story began. Now he is trying to live out what he has learned. Not as easy as it sounds. A story of redemption, being dependable and living with the choices one has made in life. Thank goodness for second chances!

Can you ever get over first love/first hurt. Finding herself pregnant suddenly without a job that was her life and now living with that deep hurt, could she keep going. A lot of hard questions. Healing a broken heart was hard to do. Read Christa’s emotionally charged book

I believe that this is the first time I have read a book where the heroine is seriously contemplating on whether or not she should keep the baby. I have never been in a similar place and the circumstances are not ideal, but I found her cold and detached. To me, she didn't open up for even a second and I cannot say that I understood her thinking, feelings or her character in general. The author chose to approach a subject that's very sensitive and I don't think that she did it justice. I think that the story got one too many times the easy way out. First with the baby daddy and then with the baby itself. Kayla never had a choice and never decided on her feelings about it 'till very late in the book. I would have been completely ok if in chapter 1,4,415 she had made up her mind and knew what she wanted, even if it was to abort. I am not ok with everything that happened in the book. The plot when to 3892 different directions and I don't feel like we scratched below the surface on any of them. There was a lot of superficial approach on all of them and it was disappointing. I didn't even felt like there was any kind of romance between Caz and Kayla. Caz is a commitment-phobe and (again) doesn't do anything about it 'till the very end to fix. Honestly, these two need a second book where they go a therapist and solve their problems. The only bright spot in this book was Alex and Britney from book 1. The book wasn't that bad, but it certainly needed more pages and character development if you ask me.

Kayla May be at the top of her game as a professional surfer but it’s all about to come crashing down around her when she finds out she is pregnant, her boyfriend and her sponsors dump her and she finds herself looking to a man from the past for help. Caz fell in love with Kayla 8 years ago but his career came first and they drifted apart but now she needs help and the only way he can help her is by offering her the apartment above his garage. Kayla doesn’t want a repeat of the past so she try’s to keep away from the man who always held a piece of her heart but that man is desperate to show her he has changed will she trust her heart and give him one more chance or will the past ruin what ever future these two have with each other........
This is a beautifully written love story with plenty of ups and downs, twists and turns, I loved the characters and the banter and interaction they shared. A fun romantic read that I certainly would recommend to every lover of romance.

Upside Down
By: Christa McHugh

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

In this second chance book we get to read Caz and Kayla’s story. Can he prove he’s changed? Can she be forgiving and look at who he has become? I enjoyed this book even with the serious topics throughout the book.

Authors Blurb: Caz Miller. Surfing god. Arrogant Asshole.
Or at least, that’s what Kayla’s assessment of him has always been. But in a cruel twist of fate, she finds herself at his mercy. Dropped by her sponsors, homeless, and pregnant, how could she not accept his offer to crash in the apartment above his garage? It’s just until she can get back on her feet. That doesn’t mean she’ll fall for him all over again…or does it?

Kayla Gilmore. Queen of the Waves. The one he can’t forget.
By the time Caz realized how much Kayla meant to him, it was too late. He knows better than to ask for a second chance. She deserves someone better than him. The best he can hope for is to get the asshole title dropped from his name. But what starts out as an offer to earn some karmic points rekindles the fiery passion between them, and he finds himself in same precarious position as before. This time, though, he’s determined not to break her heart.

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

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.📚💕

I wanted to read this book because "second chance romance" is one of my favourite tropes.

The heroine is pregnant and the hero is there for her trough all that journey. I liked that he didn't judge her and he was very clear that it was her body and her choice. I loved that the heroine considered all her choices, keeping the baby or having an abortion. So most of the book is her trying to chose what is best for her. Kayla also struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, although I wasn't completely happy how it was handled because I would like her to get professional help, I appreciated that Caz encouraged her to go to a counselor.

I felt some things were a little rushed towards the end, and I liked Caz, he was there for her but then he would sabotage himself so he had to learn to believe in himself and that he was a good guy to Kayla.

I would like Kayla to have some female friends. Because Caz had a lot of males figures in his life, friends and his stepfather but Kayla didn't.

Overall, I enjoyed it, I liked the premise and the setting. Also, it was my first time reading about surfers.

The story of Caz and Kayla. This is the second book in the series, but I don't think it matters if you haven't read the first, although some of the same characters are featured.

Since she left him 8 years ago, Kayla has kept her distance from Caz. But now she needs a friend and a place to live, it seems like he has changed, - will history repeat itself or has he really grown up?
A second chance romance, which is quite emotional at times.

Received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Upside down is all about second chances between a reformed Casanova and his knocked up ex-girlfriend.
Kayla has a hard time after an unwanted pregnancy and the sudden death of her asshole boyfriend. Homeless and jobless, she lets the boy, who broke her heart years ago, help her. In the 8 years they haven't been together, Caz has become a responsible man but Kayla still has trouble accepting that and trusting him. As much as her independent streak and determination were admirable, I did not like Kayla, which had nothing to do with her plan to abort her baby. (I completely believe that it was her choice if she wanted to keep the baby or not. No judgements from me)
She seemed so cold and unemotional. And often callous.
Caz, on the other hand, was an idiot for cheating on Kayla. Agreed, he didn't grow up with a proper role model for relationships, but his commitment-phobia was something that bugged me throughout the book. Even though he realises his love for Kayla, he is not ready for an adult life. Their on again / off again relationship wasn't much fun. But he does try to be better for her at each turn and that's what made this book beautiful. His conversations with his friend Alex was the best part of the story. The ending was expected, but sweet nevertheless.
Not everyone might like this story, but it sure was a decent read.

I have read books by Crista McHugh before and loved them, but this one unfortunately struck out for me.

Kayla is 26 years old and has just discovered she is pregnant. When she tries to tell her douchebag boyfriend, she doesn't even get the chance as he dumps her and then dies in a freak surfing accident. She is a professional surfer and due to her pregnancy loses her sponsors as well. Caz is an ex-boyfriend of Kayla, also a professional surfer and he offers her a place to stay. Their relationship once failed because of cheating (by him) so Kayla has a hard time believing Caz has changed.

I really did not like the heroine all that much. There was a lot of talk of abortion and she did not seem into her baby at all. Of course, that is her choice/life but I don't have to like it and thought she was a bit cold. When I read the blurb I expected a completely different story. It happens sometimes with books that storylines just hit a nerve I guess. All opinions are my own.

Very good book, not my all time favorite but definitely worth reading! This is Kayla and Caz book, they're both professional servers and dated back in the day, Kayla ends up pregnant with some jerk who ends up dumping her before she can even tell him about the baby then he dies in a freak surfing accident ! Kayla in rough shape her sponsors end up dumping her and she gets thrown off the circuit ! Caz ends up coming to her rescue! The book was a good story line really hot, lots of angst and all around a decent read! I do recommend this book it's definitely worth reading just not my all time favorite! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

Kayla is a professional surfer and is in the top of her game. Until she losses her home and job because she’s pregnant. Caz is an ex boyfriend whom she dated eight years ago until he cheated on her. Caz is a surfer and number one. He offers his apartment above his garage until Kayla figures out what she’s going to do. She tries to keep her distance but Caz keeps showing how he’s changed. But he keeps running away from her. When he breaks a promise, Kayla knows she let him into her heart, and it’s just too much and decides to go home to her mother. Can Caz prove he’s the man for her or will he just mess up again?
Good story. Sexy. Honestly Caz tried to be a better man but I think he honestly didn’t know how. Kayla can go from hot to cold in a second. I understand her not trusting him but there are other things I don’t much like about her. I mean she is strong and independent but I just didn’t like her choices. I enjoyed the story and I think most of you will too.