Lay Me Down (Lay Me Down, #1)

by Tamara Hart Heiner

[sstaley]

I must preface this review by saying first: this review may be vague in what I can tell you about the story. The reason why is, I absolutely do not want to ruin the story for you. This book is so far one of the best I've read this year in 2016. It has a little of everything in it: romance, mystery, and supernatural. Quite a combination wouldn't you say?

The story starts with us looking at the world through main character Kylee's eyes. Her life is not easy. She lives with her browbeaten, druggie mom, and abusive stepfather Bill, in a rundown home. Kylee doesn't go to public school anymore and is always in fear of her life because of Bill's explosive temper. Kylee is cut off from her few friends and the rest of the world. She feels like she is non-existent and no one cares.To help her deal with the pain in her life she cuts herself.

It is amazing to me how this story is told so beautifully in such an ugly situation, but Author Tamara Hart Heiner is able to do so. You are pulled into Kylee's world of emotional pain,verbal and physical abuse, and her longing to be loved.You will be mesmerized like I was as this story unfolds. This is one of those stories that you won't be able to put down. You'll be reading as fast as you can to figure out the many mysterious things that start occurring in Kylee's life.

The story brightens a bit when Kylee's cute, new neighbor, Price Hudson, starts talking to her.He's hesitant at first because of his own heartache he's living through, but soon he can't stay away from Kylee. Price soon shows her that the world can be a brighter and more loving place. They also form a friendship that can't be broken. The two teens are quickly pulled into a supernatural world where they work together to figure something very important out. Price is a wonderful character that you will like because of his kindness and loyalty.

As you figure out what is truly going on, the tension in the story does not die down, it only builds. Time is running out for the mystery to be solved and both Kylee and Price are in danger. With the help of a Medium, Madame Humphrey, the story finally comes to an end with a shocking revelation. I was left with a feeling of contentment at the end, though the ride getting there was full of angst. This is a must read and I think I heard there may be a sequel. I hope it is true!

**I read this book with my teen daughter and we had some good discussions along the way. The story is for older teens and adults. There is some violence, blood, and mild gore within the book.**