Early Review: Lean On Me by HelenKay Dimon

Title: Lean On Me
Series: Holloway, #2
Author: HelenKay Dimon
Release Date: October 22, 2012
Pages: 111
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Carina Press
Rating: C-
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Goodreads
Cassidy Clarke once climbed the world’s highest mountains, but after an unexpected illness ends her career she’s back in her hometown, broke and hoping for a little luck. But the townsfolk aren’t exactly putting out a welcome mat for the woman who once snubbed them in the media, despite her apologies now.

Mitch Anders knows someone has set up camp on the grounds of his plant nursery, and he’s surprised to find his sexy high school crush ducking questions about where she’s staying. Though he’s sworn to stop cleaning up other people’s messes, Mitch offers Cassidy a job and a place to stay—his place. Bedsharing optional, but definitely welcome.

Out of options and too attracted to Mitch to keep things platonic, Cassidy says yes to his offer. She wants to get back on her feet financially and start a new career. She never expects to suffer a different kind of fall, one that has her believing Mitch just might bring her something bigger and better than luck.

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Marq's thoughts:
Lean on Me is overall a cute story that lost its steam halfway through the book. Cassidy has fallen on hard times and must return to her hometown, where she's not exactly welcomed after an interview she gave, making fun of Holloway, WV. Mitch had a crush (?) on Cassidy in high school, but Cassidy was a bit of a loner and didn't take Mitch asking her out seriously. So now that Cassidy is back, Mitch pounces on her, wanting to finally have that date. While Cassidy is trying to figure out her life, the entire town of Holloway hates her and is all up in her business. She even has a nickname, The Chosen, and it's not a compliment.

Lean On Me started off strong. I thought Mitch was cute and sexy. Cassidy has a lot going on in her life so she's not exactly open for a relationship of any kind. What dragged the story down was the people of Holloway. A lot of CR are set in small towns because small towns are cute and the citizens are quirky. But the folks of Holloway were annoying, mean and down right rude. It wore me down and took away from the overall romance between Mitch and Cassidy.

Lean On Me is not a full-length novel so the romance moves pretty fast. I guess that's why Mitch acted like they dated for years in high school instead of a guy who simply had a crush. Seriously, he was never her boyfriend and yet he acts like he has claim to her. That annoyed me as well.

I was still liking Mitch until the very end. After defending Cassidy to everyone who bad mouthed her, he finally gives into the gossip and has a bit of doubt. Really? I felt that the conjured up conflict was unnecessary when he had zero doubt about her for most of the book!

Lean on Me is a cute story and quick read. Didn't like the small town as the backdrop. The people weren't quirky. They were mean and judgmental busybodies! I suggest that Cassidy and Mitch move to a new town.