⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Raine and Caleb have been together for seven years. So when Raine turns down Caleb’s proposal, he is shocked and heartbroken. Raine had her reasons for turning their world upside down, and she is heartbroken too.

I LOVED this book! I loved the characters, the angst, the dual pov, the second chance romance, and the characters growth. This was so well written that you deeply understand how each character is truly feeling. They deal with love, loss, family expectations, and everyday life. This one is definitely a tear jerker, but in the best way.
Such a beautifully crafted story where you can’t help but fall in love with the characters! I flew through this book and lived every minute of it!

📘: Lose You to Find Me by B. Celeste
🗓️: December 12, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, B. Celeste, and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this ARC!

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

*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads.

“𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞.”

The small town romance Lose You to Find Me by B. Celeste centers on the relationship between sales clerk Caleb Anders and barista Raine Copelin.

I will blame my high fever and runny nose for why I sobbed nonstop the entirety of the book. But really this novel was truly just so heartbreaking and full of angst.

After reading the prologue and the blurb, I knew what to expect from the novel, and I was devastated for Raine. She was coping with a lot, including her diagnosis and the difficult things she had to go through with her family.

And there was Caleb and all of the awful things he was going through with his father.

However, I hated the feeling that this book was giving, "I'm going to use everything I'm going through as an excuse to use you." For example, it was horrible that Caleb was having sleeping  with Raine as well as his dad's nurse. Also, Caleb left Raine after telling him of her diagnosis and then held her responsible for it, all the while knowing full well that Raine would be unable to provide him with the ideal future life he had in mind at every opportunity.

To be honest, though, their relationship started off so toxic already. Like, Raine went and gave her virginity to a beach boy and then lied to Caleb about it when they did it. And it only happened because Raine and Caleb were supposedly dating, but they never had the "exclusive" conversation.

Let's not even talk about Raine's mother at this point. She was an asshole, and I hated her. I hated her even more for making a joke about the diagnosis of her own daughter, which Raine subsequently forgave her for. Their relationship was toxic as well.

You cannot try to convince me that the relationship between Raine and Caleb or this book was not toxic, and the only reason I chose to read it through to the end was due to the angst.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and to the author, B. Celeste, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. *

A second-chance, angsty romance? Usually I am all over this, but this one did not deliver. I spent most of the book frustrated and upset at the characters with miscommunication to the extreme and poor choices. If the author makes us endure this madness, then the least we can receive is a satisfying ending. Unfortunately, it felt very "happy for now" rather than happy ever after. I felt like the main plot reveal *spoiler* of her having advanced PCOS *spoiler* was not even addressed at the end and felt brushed over.

I liked the double POV and how the author wrote the story. It did keep me reading, but more so out of anger than enjoyment lol. I would give her other books a chance.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was the first book I’ve read by this author, I enjoyed the writing, however this story plot was not exactly for me. I’m not a big fan of the miscommunication trope and the fact that it was actually the whole plot kinda threw me off. Yes I understand where she was coming from but throwing lies over lies to him knowing that one day he still would find out, she could’ve just talked to him from the beginning. Also I can’t believe I’ve read a whole book about two people NOT being together 😂 they just beat around the bush, it was a hot moment cold the next, a never ending cycle where they hated each other and then went to find comfort in each other. I liked the book, but it was just not for me

‘Lose You to Find’ me is the third book in the Lindon U series by B. Celeste which I’ve decided to give 4 stars to.

Caleb and Raine gave everything I expected based of the description. The angst, yearning, drama and the magnetism they had towards each other had me buzzing. This book is a second chance romance between best friends separated by secrets, miscommunication and regret. When Raine says says no to Caleb’s proposal at graduation and his heart breaks and he’s understandably left wondering why after 7 years in a relationship she would say no. Meanwhile Raine is in mental anguish and keeping a huge secret from Caleb which is only alluded to until the end. The journey of them finding their way back to each is not a smooth one, but as the story unfolds and you see the gravity of their love you’re left wanting them to just work on themselves and find their way back to each other.

In terms of writing I liked that B. Celeste decided to the story started at the ‘end’ - my interest was peaked based off of that. Even the use of the miscommunication (which there’s a lot) in this book, a trope that can be a hit or miss for me, was told superbly and enjoyably and the drama was fun to read through. This is my first work of this author’s work and I can definitely see myself picking up the rest of the books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOUREBOOKS Bloom Books for this e-ARC.

3.25 Stars
Was not the biggest fan of this one. This is one of those second chance romances that if the partner just was honest with the other all their problems would have been solved and they would’ve gotten back together… and yet she did not tell him why she broke up with him until the end of the book. I did enjoy getting to see my favs Danny and Skylar and I enjoyed Raine’s relationship with her elderly neighbour.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bloom Books, along with the author B. Celeste for providing me an advanced copy of Lose You To Find Me for an honest review. The two main characters were so realistic/ raw with their setbacks, decisions and choices throughout the book. This book was so emotional at some parts i wanted to throw the book against a wall (not literally since I was reading it on my phone). I absolutely love this series and hope many others will as well.

While this wasn’t a new favorite from this author, I still enjoyed this one a lot. Raine and Caleb had me rooting for them the entire time.

Uplifting, angsty, and sweet!

Lose You to Find Me is an emotive, second-chance romance between the overwhelmed, kind Caleb and the troubled, regretful Raine as they discover that beneath all the hurt, guilt, miscommunication, and past secrets is a deeply rooted friendship, sizzling attraction, and unconditional love that is still smouldering and certainly worth fighting for.

The writing is effortless and smooth. The characters are caring, distressed, and endearing. And the plot is a tender tale of life, love, loss, family, expectations, forgiveness, introspection, acceptance, secrets, friendship, the importance of communication, and new beginnings.

Overall, Lose You to Find Me is the third title in a series that, for me, just keeps getting better and better. It’s a dramatic, romantic, passionate read by Celeste with characters I couldn’t help but root for and a heartwarming ending that left me smitten, satisfied, and ecstatic that there’s still more to come!

📖: Lose You to Find Me
🖋️: B. Celeste
⭐️: 5 of 5
💬: “It sure as fuck tastes like you’re mine.”

⚠️: Please check the warnings as this book may not be suitable for all readers. As always, protect your mental health.💛

Tropes, Topics & Themes:
✨Second chance
✨Grief/ loss
✨Sport romance

I cried!! This book pulled at my heartstrings so much. The growth between both characters was hard to read but very relatable and beautiful to see them overcome it.

One mistake changes everything.

Raine and Caleb have been dating for seven years. Over the years, he has been planning their future but it doesn’t align with her dreams.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Caleb.”

From being brainwashed by her family with expectations for her future. When Caleb proposes at their graduation in front of everyone. She turns him down.

“Nobody is a saint, Raine. Not even you.”

Loss, a mistake, heartbreak, and grief. These two characters have both been through a lot and must grow for them to be back together.

This was my first book by this author and I plan to check out more from the series.

Thank you, B. Celeste, Sourcebooks Bloom Books, and Netgalley for this EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram @Alexandriavwilliams_ shortly.

Thank you so much NetGalley for this wonderful read. This book is probably one of my favorites in the series. Raine and Caleb I loved them so much! Can’t wait to read more books from this author in the future.

This was the first book I have read in the Lindon U series but I didn't feel lost. I will be going back and reading the other 2. This book will take you on an emotional ride. There are some series issues that can be depressing but that's what makes the characters so strong. I absolutely love B. Celeste's writing in this book and Underneath the Sycamore Tree. I can't wait to read more of her books. I highly recommend this book!


Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for allowing me to read this ARC in advanced for my honest opinion.

3.5 stars

Lose You to Find Me is the third book in the Lindon U series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Caleb and Raine have been together for seven years and were happy together. So, on college graduation day, Caleb proposes, but Raine turns him down. She doesn’t give much explanation, but she goes away for the summer.

Caleb is devastated with losing Raine, but he also has to deal with even worse news. On top of that, he’s working hard to keep his family’s grocery store afloat and keep up his grades in graduate school. When Raine returns for school, there’s no way for them to avoid each other completely, which makes things even worse for Caleb, but also better. There’s still feelings between them, but there’s a lot of pain as well.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I liked it. I was invested in Caleb and Raine’s story and didn’t want to stop reading. I just had to know what happened between them, why Raine said no when she obviously still loved Caleb. On the other hand, it took me a LONG time to like the characters, and I didn’t love them. They’re flawed; they’re human; they made mistakes.

Raine was very caring and sweet, always thinking of others. She was also dealing with her own “problems”, her big secret. I do understand why she never told Caleb. It would have solved problems before there were any if she had told him, but still, I get why she didn’t. But she also did do something, another secret, which I predicted and absolutely hated her for.

Caleb was very hot and cold with Raine. Again, it made sense. He was hurt after she left and stressed with everything else going on in his life. But he was a real POS in the beginning. Not only for how he treated Raine, but also others.

These two go through so much separately and together. Their extreme lack of communication was pretty much the cause of all of their problems, but in the end, they worked on it.

This book is very angsty and emotional. It’s heartbreaking and some parts were realistic. There’s pain, healing, growth, and love. It was my first book by B. Celeste, but it won’t be the last.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Lose You to Find Me" by B. Celeste is a poignant and emotionally charged romance novel set in the backdrop of Lindon University. This story intricately explores the complex relationship between Raine Copelin and Caleb Anders, two individuals navigating the tumultuous waters of love, secrets, and personal growth. As a part of the series following the lives of Lindon U football players and the girls who change them, this installment stands out for its raw and real depiction of romance and life's challenges.

The novel starts with a heart-wrenching scene where Raine turns down Caleb’s marriage proposal, setting the tone for a story filled with emotional depth and realism. Celeste's writing is evocative and sensitive, capturing the nuances of a relationship that has been picture-perfect on the surface but is fraught with unspoken issues and deep-seated fears.

Raine’s character is skillfully portrayed as a young woman grappling with her own secrets and the heavy decision to let go of Caleb for his sake. Her internal conflict and the reasons behind her decision are explored with a depth that resonates with the reader. Caleb, on the other hand, is depicted as someone struggling to understand the sudden shift in their relationship, his pain and confusion adding layers to his character.

The narrative takes the reader on a journey through their graduate school life, with a fresh tragedy bringing them back together, forcing them to confront their past and the possibility of a future together. The exploration of themes such as grief, lies, fear, and the power of love is done with a delicate balance of realism and hope.

However, readers seeking light-hearted romance may find the novel's focus on deeper emotional and personal issues more intense. The story delves into the complexities of a long-term relationship, which might not appeal to those looking for a more straightforward romantic narrative.

Content warnings for themes of heartbreak, personal secrets, and dealing with grief are appropriate. "Lose You to Find Me" is ideal for readers who appreciate romance novels that go beyond surface-level attraction to explore the intricacies of love, personal growth, and overcoming life's obstacles.

In conclusion, "Lose You to Find Me" by B. Celeste is a moving and beautifully written romance novel that offers a deep and honest look into the challenges and triumphs of love. Its compelling characters, emotional depth, and realistic portrayal of relationship dynamics make it a standout read for fans of the genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This book was great! I can't wait to read more from this author.

If there is ever a book to read that you are enjoying, but yet it's bringing you pain too, it's this one!

Caleb and Raine are high-school sweethearts, college sweethearts, and basically endgame. Everyone thought that, including them. But what happens when you ask someone to marry you and they say no? How do you move on from that? Together? Separate?

Caleb's a great guy. He's close to his parents, a stand-up guy who's loved Raine for years. This book really puts him through the wringer. He's got some things going on besides Raine, and it's been putting him through a tailspin. He's making decisions he wouldn't normally do. I'll be Team Caleb forever.

Raine knows why she said no. And y'all, I wanted to just beg her throughout the book to just tell him! I was literally gritting my teeth. But without the secrets, it would only be like 2 or 3 chapters, lol.

My favorite line from the book: "The only thing somebody needs to know how to do is love, and you’ve always been full of that. At the end of the day, it’s how you express it, accept it, and distribute it despite all the challenges that makes a difference.”

Angst level: HIGH. As in danger, danger high levels!

This book was different than I expected. I like Raine and Caleb together, but it just felt like the whole book was going around in circles. They would have about one conversation get kind of angry and then have sex. I understood her reason for breaking up with him, but I just felt like she should’ve told him the reason a lot sooner. The last part of the book where they both knew everything about each other was good, we should’ve had more of that throughout the whole book. I also think that since the book ended with her saying no to his proposal the book should've ended with her saying yes.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Lose You to Find Me by B. Celeste is the third book in the Lindon U Series. This is Raine and Caleb‘s story.
 
This book was a long time coming and it added something completely new to the Lindon U world and I really liked that.
 
Caleb has put a lot of pressure on himself with juggling college, keeping the family hardware store afloat, being supportive for his parents during his father’s sickness and having a relationship with Raine. I totally felt for him, and he has so much on his mind that’s inevitable that he makes mistakes sometimes. But that’s what makes him real at the end of the day. He also plays football, but that is definitely not the focus of this book and I liked that it went beyond college life.
 
Raine grew up witnessing her parents' complicated relationship and that’s what made her interested in psychology and she currently studies it. I liked how this story shows a variety of different relationships and it was very fitting. Raine is a good person who even goes as far as witnessing her own happiness for Caleb.
 
You can feel from the beginning that Raine and Caleb belong together and that they have such a strong bond. But life throws a lot of curveballs in their way, and they must come to terms with what is surrounding them. They must learn not to sacrifice themselves, but to rather work together to come out stronger on the other site and that’s what I liked most about this book. At the same time Raine and Caleb often move around the same circles, and they seemingly can’t break that cycle, but it all makes sense in the end. While this book is set in a college series it goes above that and includes some really tough and mature topics and I definitely shed some tears and it makes you feel all the emotions.
 
Overall, Lose You to Find Me is a great new adult romance with so much depth and emotions. 4,5 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

Thank you to B. Celeste, Bloombooks and Netgalley for book 3 in the Lindon U series! I've been lucky enough to receive ARCs for all three books in the series so far and am completely hooked!

I've been waiting for Raine and Caleb's story and I was not disappointed! This is your classic first love, first heart break, one true love story where our MCs have lost their way. We get to witness them live their lives apart as circumstances outside of their control keep them apart.

Don't worry, you still get to see some of the past MCs, but this book did have a different feel from the first two which I enjoyed. It's not your classic sports romance but brought together all of the best elements to create a heart warming and spicy read. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to continue reading the series in 2024!

4.5.

This one is my favorite in the series - by far. I loved it.
The main couple were amazing and I loved the redemption in it. I really recommend this one special if you love second chance. SSo, so good.