Could not put this down
It was an emotional roller coaster ride that touched on every emotion possible

5 stars
Wow this book had me laughing and crying. Genuinely, I don't think I have ever cried while reading a book before.
The Scottish dialogues were confusing, however the storyline was so powerful I didn't care.
The chemistry between Erin and Ward is amazing! I loved how passionate they were to Tommy (Erin's brother and Ward's best friend). I loved how they challenged each other, how they fought but also how loyal they we're. Words can't describe how much I loved this book. I will definitely re-read!

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! What a hot read this was! This was by far the best book I have read by this author, and I love all her books! It was wonderfully angsty and naughty too, just what I’ve come to expect and love from Ms. Casey. Straight to my favorites shelf! Well done!

Oh my gosh, this novel took me on an emotional rollercoaster. But it was so good and ultimately so worth it. I loved it even though it made my heart hurt at times. I loved the characters. This novel sucked me in from the very first page to the very last. I love a novel that can make me smile, laugh out loud, cry and leave me with a smile on my face. This novel did it all for me. Even though at times I felt my heart breaking I loved it and in the end, it left me with a smile on my face.

A step away from the funny, good-humored, sexed up, mafia entwined, drama-filled, yet upbeat and full of brotherly ribbing tales of the Slater Brothers series, Her Lifeline shows L.A. Casey’s take on a much more subdued, melancholic, heart-wrenching journey of love, tragic loss, healing, and life. Erin lost her father, her mother and her first love the day her father died. Now, eleven years later, as history seems to repeat itself, Erin has to deal with the reality of her big brother’s induced coma, after a car crash; the return of his long lost best friend, who was once family but who abandoned them when her dad died; and her drunk mother who blames her for it all. Surviving this won’t be easy and she’ll more than need help. Help Ward will insist on giving her no matter what. Eleven years ago, Ward and Tommy had big plans to move to London and launch their App. Something Ward did on his own after Tommy refused to leave his family’s side. Ward went and made it big. Now a wealthy man, he wants to make amends and heal the bonds he broke. If only Erin would give him a chance. Because back then he needed to leave. And now, she needs him to stay. A story filled with love, family, sorrow, a chance at forgiveness and a future with a HEA. I always love Lee’s stories and Her Lifeline was not different...

I didn't immediately fall in love with this book. It took a while into the book before I started to connect to the characters and the storyline, but once I did, I absolutely loved it. I thought Erin and Ward's love story was sweet how they were able to slowly come together in the wake of family tragedy when Erin's brother Tommy is nearly killed in a terrible crash. Ward comes back into the picture after being gone for many years (leaving at age 19).

I honestly didn't really like Ward in the beginning just because of how he left in the past. He became a millionaire after launching an app that was supposed to be Ward and Tommy's idea, but Ward didn't give any credit to him so this leads Erin to hate him when she previously had had a crush on him when they were younger. As the story progressed I did start to enjoy his character right along with Erin and I started rooting for Ward to get a HEA with Erin who also deserved a HEA after all that she'd been through in her life - both before Ward left and after he left.

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

Wow this book packed some emotional punches. You will be sucked in from page 1. The characters are gripping and the way LA Casey has written their stories. The pain and anguish is all so raw and beautifully emotional.

Having a side of my family come from Scotland, I felt like I was back with family with the Scottish dialect. I could honestly hear the accents in my head reading this.

This is the tale of 3 friends, Erin and her older brother Tommy and his best friend Ward. They are so close until one heartbreaking night when Erin and Tommy lose their father. What should bring them closer in their grief ends up tearing them apart when Tommy stays behind whilst Ward goes off to University.

11 years later they are reunited but its not under happy circumstances when Tommy is in an accident. All the years of anger and pain end up coming full force against Ward when he returns to support Erin. Despite the anger he is steadfast in being their for Erin. Being her strength whether she wants him there or not. He walked away once before and he can't do it again.

LA Casey has written this book so well. The pain and emotion really does seep off the pages, I had to read through tears a few times. The flow of this story is flawless and really embeds itself in your soul.

Well done LA Casey for a great MUST read

Her Lifeline packs a punch and it hits you with it right from the beginning. The story centers around Erin and Ward. As the story starts out, Erin is eleven and has a crush on her older brother's best friend, Ward. Erin's father is killed and this singular event is pivotal in the decision they each make and how they go on to live their lives. Tommy decides to stay home instead of leaving for college with Ward. He knows his mother and sister will need him and he has a son that he wants to be around for. Ward leaves and seemingly never looks back.

The story picks up eleven years later when Tommy has been seriously injured in a car accident. Ward, who was informed by his brother that Tommy was injured, shows up at the hospital. Erin has developed a strong hatred for him over the years, for a variety of reasons, and absolutely does not want him there. Over time, Ward wears her down and helps her to see he's not the person she thought he was. There were numerous underlying stories that played to why Ward left, didn't disclose information about Tommy's participation with their "idea" that made him all the money, and so forth. I would encourage you to continue reading when you think you want to stop because Ward is an unredeemable jerk. Realize there is a reason for everything he did and in time, the author explains it all.

This story definitely tugged at my heartstrings. There is so much tragedy in Erin's life but she is able to move past it and focus on the beauty.

"I was going to live happily with my family, and cause ripples in the pond that was my life. My reflection would always be changing, and I was perfectly okay with that." -- Her Lifeline by L.A. Casey

A copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Her Lifeline was on okay read for me. Numerous times I had to go back and reread the sentences, I had a problem with the scottish wording. This is a brother's best friend, who was part of he family until he turned into the enemy. It was an emotional story, that I even shed some tears. The characters Ward and Erin felt forced at times, I didn't feel their connection. I have read previous books from this author and liked them, this one just fell flat for me.

I’m generally a big fan of L.A Casey but unfortunately this book fell short all round for me.
The actual plot line and story was interesting and great potential but I just could’t connect with the characters and I Just didn’t get any connection from them as a couple. There were times as well, that it just felt all too rushed. That said, the ending was really good and it did evoke real emotion from me. My major issue was the Scottish dialogue. It was difficult to follow and understand and it really interrupted the reading flow.

Her Lifeline
By: L.A. Casey

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

In the end I did like the story. However, I personally found the writing of the Scottish dialect was a Huge distraction and took away my reading enjoyment. I had to use the internet quite a few times to figure out what someone was saying. The characters were well thought out and very believable.

Authors Blurb: Erin has had a crush on her brother’s best friend Ward for as long as she can remember. But eleven years ago he disappeared from their lives—breaking Erin’s trust, and her heart.
When the person they both love most—Erin’s brother Tommy—is nearly killed in a terrible crash, she and Ward are thrown back together for the first time. Their lives couldn’t be further apart. Erin still lives at home, working two jobs and dealing with a series of family disasters. Ward, now a multibillionaire entrepreneur and a household name, seems determined to make amends—but it may just be too little too late. And while Erin can’t deny feeling a spark at the sight of Ward, is it a spark of love or burning resentment?
At odds with one another but forced to share their heartache, have Erin and Ward really drifted apart forever, or have they finally found the anchor they both so desperately need?

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.📚💕

Erin is eleven years old and ran home from school to avoid the name calling and laughter of her classmates. Girls hear mom thought were erin’s friends were actually cruel bullies who made hres stomach sick from the time until she left. She never told anyone but her brother Tommy. Erin’s mother Amelia told her she had a gift from her Tommy’s best friend Ward, he always called her Doll as he said she looked like a porcelain doll. He had told her he was getting her a gift for Valentines day. Ward was nineteen like her brother. There was a card as well as a teddy bear from ward. Tommy and Ward were into computers which bored Erin. They wanted to be computer programmers. Tommy was not just Erin’s brother but her best friend. Erin was a loner. Ward also gave Erin a yellow Rose as he did her mother. Erin went and put the rose in a book to preserve it like her grandmother had taught her. Her father said he was going to McDonalds and get them dinner. Than a while later the police came to their door to tell them her father had been in a car accident and didn’t make it. The also needed her mom or her brother to go and identify the body and her mother went. Than Ward said he was still going to college in England where he and Tommy both had been accepted. Tommy said he wasn’t going he had to stay and help her family with his father gone. Than both Erin and Tommy told Ward t go and never come back. Than he left when they needed Ward most. Present Day- Erin’s mother- Amelia - had been clinically depressed since the night her husband died and her medicine of choice was alcohol. When Amelia got sick to her stomach Erin had to clean her up and the mess she had made. Her mother basically vomits every day and Erin had to clean up after her. At fifteen Tommy had got his seventeen year girlfriend Lucy pregnant and she had his son Aidan. Lucy was controlling and manipulative. But Tommy loved Aidan and so did Erin. From the moment Aidan was born Lucy used Aidan asa weapon against Tommy. Lucy now only allowed Tommy to see Aidan six hours on Friday. Ward was founder, owner and chief shareholder of his company.. Ward’s personal assistant was Hope who was in her sixties but he was like a mom to Ward. She had Ward and his company’s best interests. Ward was engaged but hope asked him when he was going to find a god girl. His fiance was blackmailing Ward and that was the only reason he was now with her. When Ward wanted the pleasure of a woman’s company he used a high end escort service that promised total privacy. He still required any woman he slept with to sign a confidentiality agreement so they couldn’t threaten him about going to. the press. It was public knowledge Ward was engaged and it would cause a lot of chaos in the press if it was exposed he was unfaithful and would be damaging to Ward’s brand. Ward wishes he could escape from his fiance Tara. He had already tried. They hadn’t been intimate in over a year every since she threatened to drop the bombshell that would ruin his carefully built image if it was made public. As Ward had started Friendzone and had said he did it all by himself instead of admitting Tommy . was the co- founder of Friendzone and Tara knew it. Tommy and Ward had been best friend since pre-school. Ward was now a billionaire. Reading was Erin’s one and only escape. It had been pouring and Erin called Tommy to pick her up after work to get home. Tommy’s car had been hit and Tommy was in critical shape with a bad head injury as well as two broken legs and other injuries. Erin started walking and seen a car accident and then she found out Tommy was the one in the accident and she ran to him and things didn’t look very good. Ward’s brother Jesse called him and told him what happen and Ward said he was on his way and would be there as soon as he could. Ward was coming home. Tommy was in surgery when Erin lost it but now she won’t talk to Jesse who had been a good friend to Erin and Tommy since Ward left. . . Erin and her mother are just staring at the wall crying. Ward told Jesse to keep an eye on them until he got there. Once Ward was there Erin told Ward to immediately leave but he wouldn't and everyone else seemed to want him there. Erin fainted the first time she seen Tommy through the window as no one but staff could go in Tommy’s room. Erin warned Ward if he hurt antone in her family or cared about she would come after him.
I loved this book, this intense romantic read, I loved Erin and Ward together . I literally cried with what ended up happening to Tommy. I felt so heartbroken - all she went through. I was glad Ward finally faced all his demons. There was some pretty intense moments in this book. This covered a lot of things the biggest being physical and sexual abuse and by a step parent. As well as guilt. I loved the ending and was happy Amelia was working on changing and being sober. I must say I definitely have a new favorite book. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this of this book and I highly recommend.it.

I loved Frozen and Until Harry, so when I read the blurb of her Lifeline, I jumped.

But sadly, it didn’t work for me.


It was as sad as Until Harry, so that wasn’t the problem.

I just didn’t enjoy the writing.
Partly because of the dialect, partly because of the characters, and maybe because of the consistency.

I wanted to skip some pages several times, so this is definitely a very bad sign for a reader.

I didn’t buy the sudden love Ward felt for Erin, it all felt too rushed

There were several plots (and heavy ones) that deserved a lot more of consistency, as the characters, and that a shame because the whole story had a lot of potential.

I love my romance angsty, but this one just didn’t work for me, and I didn’t expected it since I’m a fan of this author…

I've been having a hard time choosing between 2-Stars and 3-Stars. While there were things I did genuinely like about the book, there were quite a few things I didn't like.

First, the writing of the Scottish dialect was a MAJOR distraction and hindered my reading enjoyment. I had to use Google a few times to figure out what someone was saying.

Every time I read "dinnae" I thought it was "dinner".
"Haud yer weesht." <- Hold you're shit? Maybe? I don't know.
"Cannae" = Can't
"isnae" = Isn't
"Please dinnae fash yersel with me" = *Shrugs* No Idea
"What's fur ye'll not go by ye?" = GOOGLE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS ONE!!

Her Lifeline is supposed to be an emotional read, but I had a hard time connecting to the emotional scenes. I felt like the heroine was very immature and obnoxious. She YELLED a lot and would jump from one extreme (like yelling) to another extreme (crying).
When we first met the heroine at the beginning of the story, she was eleven. When the story jumps to the present time, the heroine is twenty-two. She acted the EXACT same at eleven-years-old as she did at twenty-two. Loud and obnoxious with some added sass. (She was a Scottish version of Broghan for The Slater Brothers)
It just didn't work for me.

The hero Ward was a coward and weak - I didn't feel like his character was redeemed by the end. He had eleven years to heal and make things right and he didn't. I understand he had some past trauma from childhood and it was sad. But to me, he was weak for letting that be the copout for his lies and life he led.

While I did enjoy the concept of the story and the storyline, it was intriguing and different. I just couldn't like the main characters nor the dialect.
Although I did like the secondary ones - Aiden, Jesse and Tommy.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: molestation, physical abuse, alcoholism, death

Ward has a great life. He is thriving in his business and loves what he does. But his past is something that he's been running from since he left home. Even though he doesn't have a great relationship with his dad, he does try to keep in touch with his half-brother, Jesse. When Ward's best friend from childhood, Tommy, is in a horrible accident, Ward runs home to try and figure out if he can help and to make amends for leaving.

Erin has been surviving. Ever since the death of her father, Erin has tried to keep her family together. She loves her family fiercely and isn't willing to let go of her hangups any time soon. So, when she sees Ward after all of these years, knowing what she knows about his relationship with Tommy and her family, she's hurt and incredibly angry.

Ward knows that he has a lot to make up for, but is hopeful that with his money and history with Erin and her family, that he can make those amends. What he's not expecting is being able to bond more closely with his family.

I think I had the most issue with the bombs that were dropped in this story. There were some huge ones, but they felt glossed over. Also, it didn't really feel that Erin and Ward had great chemistry. I hoped to have their relationship more developed.

In the end, this was just an okay read for me. It had incredible potential, but it just didn't really deliver for me.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This book takes you from epic highs to the lowest of lows. The range of emotion in this book left me hollow and teary eyed at times, yet thankful for my blessings at the same time.

L.A. Casey has done a wonderful job of letting you feel the emotions of both Ward and Erin, the reasons behind those feelings, and the resolution of the hard feelings between them.

I immensely enjoyed this book even though I was an emotional wreck by the end.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
I absolutely loved every page – per usual with an L.A. Casey book. I can honestly say I've never cried more when reading a book than with this one, it 100% sucks you in from page one and I wasn’t able to put it down.

Erin has been in love with her older brother Tommy’s best friend, Ward, as long as she can remember. Then tragedy strikes her family and Ward leaves to pursue his and Tommy's dream, leaving Erin and Tommy behind without a backward glance. Now, years later, Erin has harbored a hatred for Ward for taking credit for his and her brother’s invention. Tragedy strikes again – bringing Ward home with the realization that he has feelings for Erin like he never expected.

I love the development of Erin and Ward’s relationship. They go from best buds as kids, to Erin absolutely despising him, to lovers in such an intriguing way. The author does a brilliant job not only with the two main characters but the supporting characters as well. I know this is a standalone but I'm still holding out hope Ward’s kid brother will get a story!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up

This is a really emotional story, so expect to need tissues, and maybe read somewhere where tears aren't too embarrassing! There are also a number of issues dealt with which may be triggers to readers; I think they are dealt with carefully and sensitively, without being belittled. I was not a huge fan of the Scots dialect, and whilst it felt like it rang true, I don't really see that it added to the story itself. I appreciate that as an audiobook it would possibly be more effective.

We start at the point that the whole situation starts eleven years ago... and then come into the present day and just how far apart Ward is from his childhood friends, Tommy and Erin, both physically and financially. His extreme wealth, built on an app that he and Tommy dreamed up at school, has led to him leading an unhappy, hedonistic lifestyle, although he runs a charity which is close to his heart, Preventing Secrets. We naturally assume this is based on the fact that he left Tommy behind and never gave him any credit for the app's design. Sadly, as the book goes on, we can guess, and then know, the extent of the secrets which he has been keeping. Undoubtedly this helps us warm to him, even though the anger at his seemingly cavalier disregard of his childhood friends.

Erin has a healthy dislike of all things Ward, and really one cannot blame her. His reappearance due to her brother's accident is like pouring oil on water. I did find her behaviour somewhat extreme at times – she has been a caregiver for years, is a trained teacher, and yet she doesn't listen. I also was confused that she could be so close to Ward's brother, Jesse, and not have a better understanding of how dramatic the issues must have been to keep him away.

Whilst sat in a hospital it may be difficult to show chemistry, but I found it difficult to see it as strongly as it seemingly was. I was glad that the issues were brought into the open, and whilst there is a happily ever after, there isn't really an entirely happy ending, so do heed my warning about tissues!

Heartbreaking emotional story. This book cut you deep in the heart while reading it because so much happens to main character Erin and it seems that she can't get a breather. Ward comes back in his hometown after his best friend has a severe car accident. But he is not welcome home because his action from the past is still haunting him, but the only one to not forgive him is Erin. The hate relationship soon disappears and lust, attraction takes over when waiting for Tommy to get better. Ward takes action and decides to completely change his life and to fight for Erin's love. At first, I didn't like Ward but page after page the layer that he had surrounded himself falls off and we see a caring man that was badly hurt in the past. I liked how Erin lift Ward up when she found his secret from the past. I guarantee you that a few shared tears will fall reading this heartbreaking story. Loved the and how love is the one that helps them through the darkest hours.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly

A true love story. Well written, characters are strong and plot is amazing.
A great read.
Recommend this.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Amason Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review

This author is always a hit and miss for me and unfortunately this one was a miss. The book was well written but the plot wasn't for me.

Her Lifeline by L.A. Casey is the story of Erin and Ward.
Ward was Erin's brother best friend. Erin always had a crush on him but Ward up and left them with no real word or reason. Ward has become a successful business man designing the app that he and her brother came up with. But now in the present day her feelings are harsher towards him but still have the underlining thread of love but she tries to push that down. Ward had reason for leaving had hurting those he cared for but now he is back but can he work toward the present when the past is still so fresh for them.
Enjoyed their story.

Omg this book. Omg. Omg. This is my first book from L. A. Casey and I loveeeeeeeeee it.
I thought this book will be like those brother's best friend romance read, sweet and steamy, but I was so wrong, so very wrong. This book is not just about love, it's about family, what happen when you lose someone you love so deep, what happen when life keeps throwing you curve ball. This book brings all the feelings. I'm crying from the Prologue and since then there's nothing can stop me reading it, even when my eyes so red and puffy with all the crying. I can feel their fears, pains and struggles. I'm weeping with them, my heart breaking for them. I love the story, the characters (I thought Ward is just a typical a*hole, but there's so much more depth behind that), the sweet love, how tight their family is and how they would do anything to protect their family. So overall I really really love it.

If you love romance read packed with emotions, this book definitely a MUST-READ and I think you'll love this one,