AN AMAZON TOP 50 BESTSELLERStephen Hastings is a control freak. He’s arrogant. He’s smart as a whip and sexy AF.He has too much money. He’s bossy, and he’s usually right. All I saw were his clear blue eyes, tight butt, and ripped torso. I gladly handed him my V-card that night, ten years ago. I was so stupid. I swore I’d never be that stupid again… again…
Emmy Barton works for a dry cleaner?
Yes, that Emmy Barton—long, blonde hair, bright blue eyes, pretty smile…
Sexy little body. Smart mouth.
She was the only girl who interested me, but I was leaving to be an officer in the Navy.
Now I’m home, running my business. My life is perfectly ordered until I bump into her, divorced and struggling to make ends meet.
I hate seeing her like this. I hate that she married Burt “The Dick” Dickerson. What an a–hole.
She says she hates me, but when we fight, it’s all heat and lust.
I won’t leave her this way.
She will let me help her and her son. She will stay…
It’s a thin line between love and hate, and this line is on fire.
(STAY is a STAND-ALONE enemies-to-lovers, second-chance, marriage of convenience romance. No cheating. No cliffhangers.)
more
Sweet, Sexy, All the Feels! I loved Stephen and Emmy! I didn’t want it to end. Don’t miss this amazing story!
This author is one of my favorites. Her books are always well written. Sweet. Sexy. Full of romance without a lot of angst, and OW drama. Although there was a smidge of pointless OW drama in this one that my picky ass could have done without (lol). Feisty heroine’s and likable (non manwhore) heroes. This book had all that plus the extra addition of an adorable little boy.
It was close to being a 5-Star read for me. What kept it from being perfect (for me) was Stephen himself. Honestly, I am a grudge holding b!tch and I never got past the way he treated her ten years previously. And I never felt like he groveled enough. The fact that he couldn’t even figure out why she was pissed off at him was mindboggling to me. Yes, he had #reasons, though none of them were connected to her specifically. He also didn’t appear to have given her or the incident much thought since he had been out of the Navy for six years and didn’t bother to look her up once. So yea, probably a nitpicky thing to get hung up on since for most of the book he is a sweet hero. However…THIS reader found herself less than 100% enamored by him. (lol) Also, Emmy jumped right back into his arms WAY too quickly for my liking.
Aside from that little niggle the rest of this book was a delight to read. Especially Eli. He was adorable and certainly a huge highlight of this book. Two thumbs up from yours truly.
New release from Tia Louise!
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Stephen Hastings feels guilty about something that he had no control over. Emmy Barton does what she has to for her son. Her son is a great scene-stealer. Someone else that steals the scenes she’s in is Lulabell – she’s someone I wouldn’t mind having in my life.
For some, this is listed as an enemies to lovers trope but I don’t know that that is actually true when it’s a one sided enemy. It’s more of a woman not liking a man due to circumstances from the past. I would say that it’s definitely a second chance, which goes toward making up for a past wrong. There’s plenty of steam between our main characters and it all starts with a slow burn. Lou will give you plenty of chuckle moments and I always looked forward to seeing what she was going to say next.
The author was good about not giving her too much of a lead so that it brought my attention back to the couple at hand. I liked how Stephen could keep surprising Emmy, which kept her a little off kilter. I also liked how it may seem subtle but he’s a bulldozer in disguise. He helps us get to know Emmy and in turn her son. Our author was great about creating chemistry between our couple and a family dynamic that included a sweet little boy.
If you have a curiosity about Stephen, the author lets you know at the end that he had a cameo appearance in another of her books – in case you’re looking for another of her books to read. Or you may even want to read Make Me Yours first and then read this one. Especially since this ends on a very happy note.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
A TOP NOTCH, SUCCULENT, TOUCHING SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE WITH ALLLL THE FEELS AND ALL THE SEDUCTION AND ALL THE ROMANCE!
What a spectacularly written story Stay was. Its fun, romantic, steamy, sweet, charming and crackling with glorious tension. I fell in love with Stephen and Emmy from the very start. Both these amazing characters had so much potential and awesome personalities that seemed to mesh so well together. The plot is astoundingly tempting and so delectable, my heart was melting like chocolate on a hot street! This was perfect.
Stay gets a SEDUCTIVE FIVE STEAMY HOT STARS!
Stay is a standalone, enemies to lovers romance. This is Stephen Hastings and Emmy Barton’s story.
They knew each other 10 years ago and she lost her virginity to him. He walks out of her life then. Now 10 years later Stephen is home from the service.
This was probably not left up to coincidence Emma’s ex-husband’s name is Burt “Dickerson” because he is a big ####erson. Stephen Hasting’s may be a control freak but, I love him. He came through for Emma and Elijah!
At one part in Stay Tia Louise had me in tears and with chills. Let me just say…. I love Stephan, I love Emmy, I love Eli!!! And, Burt is just that a Dickerson. Just saying.
If you love romance and you love a little sexiness then I highly recommend Stay. I loved it! 5 stars
4 Stars
If you love strong and at times domineering heroes then you will love Stephen. If you enjoy women who work hard and are independent even when life throws them many obstacles, you will also love Emmy. This is a story of heartache, sacrifice and learning to believe in the things you thought could never be true. And of course we cannot forget the amazingly smart and sweet little boy that helps bring these characters together.
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Stay was an incredible enemies-to-lovers and marriage of convenience romance that was filled with passion, desire and heart. This book is definitely Tia’s best yet and my favourite of hers to date.
Stephen Hastings was a billionaire knight in shining armour. My god, he was impossible to resist and had me grinning and swooning with his dominating, passionate ways. And the way he is with Emmy’s son, Eli just made me fall deeper in love with him.
Emmy Barton was a resilient, strong and magnificent heroine, with an amazing and brilliant son, Eli. This mother and son duo were darn cute and always brought a smile to my face.
Stephen and Emmy had sizzling chemistry that translated into smoking hot passion. The more they fought, the hotter they burn. Emmy might have hated Stephen for what he did ten years ago, but it’s a thin line between love and hate.
This story had all the feels. I loved how Stephen couldn’t keep Emmy out of his thoughts once they were reunited, how Emmy was a mama bear who wanted the best life for her son, how Stephen had an instant connection with Eli, how Stephen and Emmy fell in love through happy and sad times and how they became a family. There were emotional moments and stressful times that made me anxious but it was so worth it.
Oh my gosh! This book is a little bit of everything I love in romance! Enemies to lovers, second chance, and a marriage of convenience all rolled up with a couple that set my Kindle on fire! This book left me with all the feels and a serious case of hero worship!
Ten years ago, Emmy Barton gave herself to Stephen Hastings and was casually tossed aside.
Now, divorced and raising her son, Eli, her dreams have changed from those of that girl so long ago. All she wants now is to find a cure for the seizures that rule her son’s life. The last thing she needs is Stephen Hastings reappearance.
”Cringing, I know I’ve made a critical error. I actually thought I was over this guy. I actually thought I was in control. I was a fool. And I was so, so wrong. This is Stephen Hasting we’re talking about, my kryptonite.”
Stephen has never forgotten that night with Emmy. Through the years it’s been a recurring memory. When he sees her again he’s determined to see even more of her. Emmy may be stubborn, but Stephen is relentless and soon he realizes nothing matters except having her in his life after their expiration date.
”I couldn’t relax in the cab home from Emmy’s place last night. Sexual frustration was part of it, but also thinking of her in that apartment clenched my jaw. It’s cramped and dangerous. The location is bad, and it’s not enough space for Eli. Hell, what if he had a seizure? He could hit his head on any number of objects if he fell in that rattrap.
Emmy’s resistance nags at the back of my mind. Why won’t she stop fighting and do what I say?”
I can’t even express how much I loved Stephen! From the first moment they reconnected, his sole purpose was to have Emmy, to make Emmy his, and to make Emmy stay.
The fact that with each step along the way he’s a bit clueless regarding his motivations had me grinning because there was never a doubt that he was all in from the first moment he saw her again. His heart was leading him and for a very smart man, his brain was lagging a bit behind.
There were some pretty intense moments here that had my emotions racing from one extreme to the other. I love when an author can make me feel like that. The chemistry between this couple was absolutely scorching and seriously, I had to crank the A/C down to survive this one. In addition to all the heat, with Stephen’s fierce protective instincts, and the instant connection he had with Eli, I was a swoony puddle of goodness.
Highly recommend!!!
FAVORITE BOOK OF 2019!!!!!
This books has all of the feels. Happy smiles, tender kisses and heartbreaking tears! I am a huge fan of Tia Louise and I think this book is her best work yet.
We all have those things that happened when we are young and immature. Things you look back on and say, what was I thinking or I really messed that up. All Emmy can’t think is how stupid she was for her childhood crush and thinking that he would love her.
Stephen dealt with a lot during his teenage years, from losing his mother and then losing the only other mother figure he had. So to say that he never wanted to get married was something that he stood to.
I loved watching Stephan, Emmy and Eli spend their time together.
Oh, Oh, Oh…. you must grab this book and read it. You will not be disappointed.
It’s been a while since I read a good enemies to lovers/marriage of convenience, but Stephen and Emmy have filled that void. These burn so hot together that they could literally combust. I really loved this book and Tia Louise has never steered me wrong. I’m excited to read more from this author.
Tia Louise always gives us romance, passion and desire in her amazing stories and in her latest book, “Stay”, Stephen and Emmy show us that family comes first and that everyone needs a hero in their life. This book has everything we need to truly believe that love conquers all and that we should never give up hope.
Stephen was Emmy’s first love, even though he was unaware of her feelings. She now had a second chance with him as he swooped into her life and became her savior, hero and knight in shining armor. Emmy would do anything for her son and she sacrifices her heart to allow him to lead a normal life. She yearns to meet that special someone to spend her life with, but isn’t sure that the arrangement she has with Stephen is the best way to find happiness. Money can’t buy love and Emmy needs to protect her son and her heart from making the wrong decision. This time around, she wants a forever and magical love that will stay with her for a lifetime.
5 star Review Stay by Tia Louise
Where do I start? Stay is a second chance at love story which ticked all the boxes for me. Emmy Barton and Stephen Hastings stole my heart and I think they have kept a little piece of it.
There were times when I sighed, I laughed, I cried and throughout it all I kept saying, just one more chapter. I was riveted from the first to the last page, such was the strength of the writing and the fabulous characters.
Of course there were plenty of swoon worthy moments and plenty of sizzle between Stephen and Emmy which I have come to expect from a book from Tia Louise.
At times an emotional roller coaster that had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the connection he had with Eli, Emmy’s son, it melted my heart.
I fell hard and fast for Stephen and I loved how devoted he was to Emmy, he made me swoon on so many occasions. I loved how strong and feisty Emmy was and I adored the banter they had.
Throughout it all Tia Louise kept me absolutely on the edge of my seat as I read and cheered for Stephen and Emmy to get their happily ever after.
There was nothing I didn’t love about Stay. This is one of the best books I have read this year. Once click this little gem, you won’t be disappointed.
Spoiler Free Review
What I enjoyed most about this Contemporary Romance novel: Complex Characters / Cute kid / Perfect amount of steaminess / Happily Ever After
Format Read / Collected: Unabridged Audiobook
Formats Owned: Dual Kindle and Audible
Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Teddy Hamilton
Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
Release date: 10-24-19
Publisher: TLM Productions LLC
Ratings
Story – 4.5 stars!
I’m always curious about couples who met when they were younger and then later reconnect whether they had a long-term early connection or not. This couples’ love story was engaging and had a cute kid with a serious medical condition added into their romantic dynamic. I really liked that Stephen stepped in to be Emmy’s modern day knight-in-shinning-armor even though fortunately most 21st century women don’t need a man, especially not to rescue them.
Women today want a man as a complement to their lives while remaining fiercely competent and independent in all aspects of life. But every now and again, I like to experience a love story where the hero can step in and provide that extra safety net (financial and legal) and security for a heroine. It wasn’t a requirement but rather a bonus in Emmy and Stephen’s case which really appealed to my old historical romance loving .
Performances – 5 stars for both narrators!
I’m already a fan of both Lucy Rivers and Teddy Hamilton. So, I wasn’t surprised at all to thoroughly enjoy this narrating duo’s vocal acting. I have zero complaints, bravo!
Overall – 5 stars!
It was nice to get back to reading a Tia Louise’s novel again now that more of her new releases are also being released in audiobook format, my primary reading format. She is still one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, and I look forward to enjoying more her novels in audiobook format.
Final Thought: Don’t miss this charming romance!
Heartwarming, steamy, hot, alpha male the list goes on!
This is my first read by this author and I can’t wait to read more books by her!
I’m a sucker for ememies to lovers books and this book was all that and more! I loved that it had a mix of second chances in it. It really added a unique twist to it.
I know this was a stand alone but I would love to read more about Emmy and Stephen! It really has left me with a book hangover!
Yet again, Tia goes and makes me swoon, makes me laugh, makes me smile, makes my heart flutter. This author is known for her swoon-worthy, hot as hell, all-consuming and addictive romance and Stay was nothing less than perfection. I am a sucker for enemies to lovers story, I love reading about the push and pull between the main characters, and it was the exact same way for me with this one.
Stephen Hastings needs control, he craves it, he loves it, he is a control freak with an arrogant streak. He is all money, all brains, all bossy and sexy as hell… and he is probably someone Emmy Barton should want nothing to do with again, that should be turned off but she isn’t, all she sees is a man with looks to die for, and a body you just want to lick from head to toe and a man she has a past with.
I thought this might be just typical enemies to lovers romance, but for me… It was so much more. I am a sucker for a control freak, an asshole and a domineering man that will make me go weak at the knees with just one stare. Stephan wasn’t so much an asshole but he was the rest and he knew what he wanted. After these two reconnect after close to a decade, the spark is still there, the flame is still ignited and the chemistry between these two is OFF THE DAMN CHART!
But Tia added so much more to these characters and this plot. It takes me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and had me exhaling sharply at every damn turn. The constant push and pull were enough to send me insane, but it is what I love most about this authors work. She can give you angst, she can give you heat, chemistry, and a push and pull that’ll have you begging for more.
I absolutely loved this. The moment I saw the blurb for this book, I knew I had to read it and Ms. Louise did not disappoint and has yet again proven to me and given me the prime example of why I love her books so much.
Bravo, Tia! Nailed it!
5 STARS!!!
“Life chances. Situations chances. People come and people go. The best people are the ones who stay.”
There is no treasure greater than love and family.
Emma Barton has a secret crush. A few beers, a casual, sensual and explosive encounter with the object of her desires, Stephen Hastings, can only be the right recipe for one thing: a broken heart.
Ten years later, Emmy’s life is very different from what she planned: divorced, single mom and working in a laundry. Despite this, she has a happy life, even with the constant convulsions of Elijah, her son. And everything would be perfectly under control if the man she promised to hate forever did not return to her life.
Stephen is determined to find out why Emmy hates him so much. And he is sure that one night with the woman he could never forget is what he needs to get her out of his system. But when he discovers the situation of Elijah, he will make an irrefutable and unusual proposal of marriage.
He does not believe in marriage. She does not believe in love and still claims to hate him. The unexpected proximity and explosive chemistry of the couple, with the coexistence and concern for the health of Elijah will erase the limits of the agreement and can rekindle old feelings.
A well-constructed narrative, engaging and delightful, with enthralling protagonists, wonderful side characters and a despicable antagonist. Stuffed with emotion, sensuality, lots of humor, tenderness and a few moments of tension to sway the heart of the reader and make him fall in love with this awesome book.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *
4.5 Stars
Stay by Tia Louise was an enemies to lovers and marriage of convenience story. It was a romance filled with angst, chemistry, love and lots of feel good moments. This was not your typical story, as single parent stories always get to me.
Stephen is your typical rich bachelor. Emmy is a single mom, with an ex that is the pits and a boy suffering from an illness. They also have a past that left Emmy brokenhearted.
When Stephen runs into Emmy again sparks fly, and he wants to be her savior. Their marriage of convenience will fill your heart as they get close and realize there is more to their story.
This story had so many feels that will make you swoon. And Emmy’s son Eli will steal your heart. This is the best kind of second chance as Stephen and Emmy discover the truth about their previous encounter and the pull they currently have towards one another.
Stay is a standalone filled with amazing characters and writing that will keep you glued to the pages. I definitely recommend one clicking Stay!
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. I could hardly out it down. I loved the characters so much! I’m not going to lie Stephen had me skeptical in the beginning, but he quickly won me over. He is prime book boyfriend material. I loved the scenes between Emmy’s son and Stephen. Precious make your ovaries explode moments. Then when he is there for Emmy, one word swoon! There is a lot of humor in this book which is one of my favorite things about the book. There is also grab your heart serious moments that make you gasp. The epilogue is the icing on the cake when it comes to this book. It still has the touch of humor all the way until the end. I would highly recommend this book.
O.M.G. THIS BOOK! Stay totally wrecked me in the best way. Tia Louise’s latest is absolutely amazing!
Quote: My Head is spinning. I feel like I’ve been thrown a lifeline. Only, it’s a lifeline wrapped in brambles and thorns. Thorns I feel certain will pierce my heart and leave me to bleed out.
Quote: I know I’ve made a critical error. I actually thought I was over this guy. I actually thought I was in control. I was a fool. And I was so, so wrong. This is Stephen Hastings we’re talking about, my kryptonite.
Tia Louise’s latest, Stay, is my favorite book to date by the author. I mean, what’s not to love about a second chance, enemies-to-lovers romance?! Both are favorite troupes of mine and I know already how much I love Tia’s brand of romance, so I truly jumped all over the opportunity to read Stay. I also must admit that after reading previous books by the author that features Stephen Hastings, I couldn’t miss his own romance. I love an asshole hero and Stephen, while I don’t truly believe he is one, comes across that way with his above average intelligence which fosters a know-it-all personality. But behind that shell, the Stephen that readers discover has a huge heart and it’s obvious that it took a special person to draw that to the surface. Enter a heroine who not only captures his interest but his heart… by simply not giving into Stephen the way all other women seem to. Emmy is a single mother who’s been badly burned by Stephen in the past. She’s not about to offer herself up on a platter like she once did, yet she’s hobbled by a son that needs what only Stephen can offer. Stay is sexy, sweet, heartbreaking and a truly beautiful story. I couldn’t put this one down and Tia Louise is a one-click author for me for a reason. I wholeheartedly recommend Stay to any romance reader… If you’ve somehow missed reading Tia Louise in the past, rectify that now, with Stay and find out why I loved this story so very, very much!!!