Bookreview: 'Staying On Top' by Lyla Payne

*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Sam Bradford has it all—he’s the #2 tennis player in the world, plenty of girls want to date him, and he’ll never want for money. At least, that’s what he thought until his accountant stole everything and disappeared. Interpol has no idea where to start, and neither does the American F.B.I., so Sam figures he’ll just have to take care of his body and play a few extra years to make it back.

When Blair Paddington, the accountant’s daughter and a friend of a friend at Whitman, shows up and claims she can help Sam get his money back he’s torn between wanting justice and the very real possibility that Blair is just as big a con man as her father. When she promises not only money, but justice, Sam agrees—but only if he can go along on the search.

The two of them set off on an adventure neither rich kid is prepared for—cheap hostels, the same clothes three days in a row, and nothing but a backpack of possessions—so they can fly under the radar as college lovers on a winter break. In spite of Blair’s shady family, her daring and resourceful personality strike Sam’s interest and he finds himself falling for the one girl he shouldn’t.

When they finally find her father, the truths that come to light not only make Sam question his affection for Blair, but could cost him more than money—if they can’t work together one last time, neither of them may be going home. Ever.

Sam and Blair first met when they were on holiday in St.Moritz with friends. Sam showed his interest in Blair but Blair turned him down, not wanting to hook up with a guy who gets every girl he wants, and too afraid to get closer to people and actually having to trust them.

“She reminded me of an animal in the woods, one trying to decide whether or not to take the carrot out of my hand. Scaring her away was the last thing I wanted.”

When they meet again Blair tries her best to ignore her growing feelings for Sam, his charm and him trying to make her see how good things could be if she would just let it happen. They are on a mission: getting Sam's money back; at least that's what Sam thinks is the plan. But for Blair it's way more than that.

“And there was no doubt I would lose him. The only question was when.”

After her mother died, it's always been Blair and her father, or just Blair. Her father's been gone most of the time, wanted by Interpol and the FBI for stealing rich people's money.

But how much does Blair know about Sam's stolen money when she comes to him to team up with him to track down her father? That's what Sam tries to find out while slowly falling for the only girl he probably shouldn't fall for.

“You're really pretty when you smile. For a devil.”

Sam is not the typical rich bad boy, the manwhore known for his way of fucking around. Sure, he had his fair share of women but I like the side of him we get to know in Staying On Top. I like how different the story is, compared to the other Whitman University books (which I also highly recommend). I'm not the biggest fan of book series but this is one of the best I've ever read. I love the characters, how they all have their life outside of university.

LylaPayne told Sam's and Blair's story in a great way. During their road trip we get to know both of them, how they discover their feelings, how they try to hide them and how they fight them. It's told in a gorgeous way of two people getting to know each other, trying to be friends when they know there's more than that. Their feelings develop slower than most of the NA loves in books and it's so much better, I think. It creates an anticipation and excitement, and I loved every page of this book.

I couldn't put it down and love Lyla's writing style. She's an inspiration for my own writing and that's what makes books special for me. This one is special and I highly recommend it.