I was sent this book through Netgalley. My ratings and reviews will be my own personal opinions and are in no way influenced by publishers or authors who may have sent me books to review.

This is the second book in the Chosen Paths series. I read this as a standalone, and had no problems with following the story. I do wish I would have read book one first as I just prefer reading books in order. Since I liked this one so much, I have added book one to my TBR though.

This book may have some triggers as it does focus around abuse and foster care and domestic violence. So just be mindful of this prior to jumping in. It starts off pretty intense as you immediately find Dalton with blood on his hands from being a bad guy involved with a drug lord. It immediately caught my interest and I wanted to know how the story was going to unfold.

Be ready for an emotional rollercoaster because the author will take you on a wild ride. I loved this and look forward to reading more from the author.

This is such a nice novel. I really enjoyed reading it. My apologies on the delay. though. The characters were awesome to connect. Great book!

The relationship between Spencer and Dalton was amazing. Their connection was beautiful, and i loved how they truly expressed their adoration for each other in actions and in words. They were so cute with their banter. I also loved Rat and Dalton's relationship. Together they were hilarious.

Great book . Loved the pace and character development.

You guys - I just lost about 24 hours of my life. Like, the world just passed me by and there I was, my nose permanently stuck in this book because I couldn't put it down. I was sucked in immediately and spent the entire day compulsively flipping pages while my need to know what happened next just kept growing until finally I could breathe easily again as I turned the last page.

I don't know what I expected from this book. This is the first book I've read by this author and I'd heard wonderful things, but that doesn't always mean I'll connect. But hoo boy, did I ever connect. I wasn't expecting to be so on the edge of my seat. I wasn't expecting to spend so much time holding my breath while waiting for the other shoe to drop. I figured out some things pretty early on, but that doesn't mean the emotional punches were any less potent. And there are plenty of emotional punches here - and my God you guys - they hurt so good.

I adored Spencer and Dalton. I was addicted to their desperate love for each other. I was fascinated by their back-stories and their real-time stories, and honestly just about everything about them. I almost felt like this could have been two books. I never really felt like anything moved too slowly for me, but things definitely felt rushed a little in the end and I wanted more time with these two amazing characters (and gah! The amazing secondary characters). But even despite that niggling complaint - I enjoyed the heck out of this book. Every bump. Every bruise. Every schmoopy smile. Every flutter in my belly. It was all there and it all added up to a pretty amazing reading experience.

I'm so thrilled that I finally had the opportunity to check this new-to-me author out, and I'll definitely be back for more. I'm hooked. Addicted to the fantastic storytelling and the wonderful writing. Definitely recommend this one!

This was a great book. I highly recommend to anyone. It is the second in a series, but it is not necessary to read the first. This works as a stand alone. Love Love. Going to find the 3rd in the series as it revolves around one of the characters in this book unlike the first).

3 Stars!

Under the Influence is an emotional and suspenseful story between Spencer and Dalton.
Their connection was immediate and powerful from the moment they met as children; a connection that has developed over the years into a friendship like no other.
Both enduring horrific childhood traumas, and hiding secrets which have tormented them over the years.
They can no longer deny their feelings for each and so starts the beginning of this love story.
Choices made come back to haunt them and circumstances pull them apart.

I love emotional romances and while this story was supposed to be, I just didn't feel it. It didn't resonate with me.
I loved the message the author was trying to send , and the care and respect with which she handled some very heavy subject matter. But, there were some major inconsistencies. And final part of the story was wrapped up too quickly.

There were some genuinely beautiful moments where the writing flowed wonderfully, and other moments when I had to stop and make sure I was reading the same book.
Some parts I felt were added to lighten the story up a bit, as if: *insert quirky/endearing quality here*, that to me read unnatural and forced.

What bothered me the most was the time spent apart between the two characters. It was long and unnecessarily detailed without actually saying anything of importance - pure story filler.

I really enjoyed many aspects of this book, but I didn't love it as a whole.

"Because the truth is, there's nothing more frightening in my world than those who know you -who really know you. The ones who know your deepest, darkest secrets. The ones who know what your're going to do before you do it. The ones who know not only what buttons to push when they seek your attention but also the cones that can be used to completely incapacitate you."

I really enjoyed this book. It has the troubled angst riddled bad guy who really wants to be good but got led down the wrong path and the innocent yet strong young woman who loves him unconditionally story-line going on.

Dalton Greer has been raised in the foster care system. He has been subjected to years of abuse and neglect. He accepts kindness from a stranger who turns out to be a dangerous crime boss, and accepts his protection in return for a life of crime. It seemed like a good idea at the time as he was being badly beaten on a daily basis and just wanted the pain to stop.

Then he meets Spencer Locke and he suddenly no longer feels alone. He has someone who is kind and accepting and he vows to always protect her. Spencer looks at Dalton and sees his pain. She knows he has demons which he cannot hide form her no matter how hard her tries. She loves him and sees through his tough guy exterior.

After having feelings for each other they decide to take their relationship into the romantic area but after one night of violence, Dalton has to make a choice which affects them both.

This book has young love, sex, abuse, drugs, child abuse and domestic violence which may be triggers for some. This book has the feel of being a YA novel but it really isn't. It is for a more mature crowd. The description says 17 and above and that sounds about right.

I enjoyed the storytelling and the character development. This is a book where I wanted to shake, or at least give a stern talking to, both Dalton and Spencer as they both acted impulsively. Theirs is a kind of coming of age tale for the both of them as the grow and try to take charge of their lives as they become young adults. This book sucked me in and didn't let go until the last page.

I am a sucker for a bad boy meets nice girl type story. Cliched but true. I also liked that Dalton is portrayed as smart and loving. He keeps as rough exterior as he needed to in order to survive and protect himself (and others). This was a well written fast read. The story deals with many tough subjects which I mentioned, but it also touches on love, friendship, acceptance, second chances, hope and redemption.

Thank you to Spencer Hill Press and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly I want to thank Spencer Hill Press and NetGalley for letting me read and review Under The Influence by LB Simmons. From the beautiful cover to the enchanting blurb, I couldn't wait to start reading. Two young adults with pasts they would rather forget, and they built a friendship that made my heart melt. They both have feelings for one another, but Dalton is hell on bent to keep Spencer safe even from himself. He has made lot's of mistakes and he won't ruin what he has with Spencer.

I decided to give Under The Influence three stars. I wanted to give it a far higher rating, because this sounded like a book I would enjoy, but it was rather a slow pace and very typical. And When Dalton and Spencer reconnect, it didn't feel genuine. Felt forced to me sadly. 

Overall I did enjoy this book, it was full of angst, suspenseful, and a friends to lovers romance all in one.

Dalton's life has been far from easy, his past leading him on a path that he should have veered away from if he could have, but then he feels like he has no other choice but to continue on. After all, he still had Spencer in his life and to him, that was the one thing that always mattered to him. When everything falls apart, he ends up on a different route, but being with Spencer is an option that has to be put on hold. Of course, Spencer doesn't know what the heck is going on and even though the poor girl valiantly holds on to the hope that true love will prevail and that Dalton will prove the naysayers wrong, weeks that turn into months that result into years of silence leave her with no other option. While all this is happening and knowing what was really going on, I couldn't help but feel terrible for everything these two had to endure.

There's a good dose of suspense in this love story, and that suspense leads to that feeling of anticipation as to what the future holds for Dalton and Greer, and how, when the time comes that their paths will inevitably intersect once again, will they handle it all. Yes, this new adult story combines the friends-to-lovers trope with that of the second chance romance theme, but it distinguishes itself by giving readers a tale that's different, one that's not just about falling in love, but also about seeking redemption and garnering absolution. Then there's seeking justice, but within parameters requiring patience and sacrifice. If you have yet to read the five-plus-starred Under the Influence, rectify that oversight today. ♥