A mysterious letter alluding to a secret in her parents’ past brings Genevieve Woodward back to her Blue Ridge Mountains hometown, but she’s also in need of a break from a high-profile career that has left her dangerously burned out and concealing a powerful secret of her own. When she wakes inside an unfamiliar cottage to find the confused owner staring down at her, she can no longer ignore the … the fact that she needs help.
Sam Turner has embraced his sorrow and his identity as an outsider. The solitary, disciplined life he lives on his historic farm is the life he’s chosen for himself. The last thing he wants is to rent his cottage to a woman as troubled as she is talkative. Yet, he can’t force himself to turn her away right when she needs him most.
As Genevieve researches her family’s history and her and Sam’s emotions deepen, they will have to let go of the facades and loneliness they’ve clung to and allow light to illuminate every hidden truth.
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Stay with Me is genuinely marinated in grit and shame yet seasoned with grace and authenticity. Yes, my reader heart was trampled by heavy emotion but the empathy gained is well worth the cost. Grief, substance abuse, guilt, secrets, and shame play important roles in the lives of these characters crafted with transparency and heart.
A simple small-town girl who happens to be a quasi-famous Christian celebrity meets ridiculously handsome Aussie-American foodie guy who lives in a historic mountain valley… a purely wonderful storyline without all the baggage. Stay with Me is so much more than that. It is exquisitely complex and I highly recommend it. We need more stories like this one to make us think and feel and learn what we may not know we need.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
I LOVE Becky Wade no question but I take each book as they come and this one did not disappoint. The characters, the setting, the backstory, the ministering, the falling in love and the love, all of it just captivated me and kept me glued to this book.
Although this book plays out in current time, the reader is taken along with snippets of an earlier time to a particular event for a few of the characters. Those had me intrigued just as much as the main story because I kept trying to put it together. Don’t worry they fit together and you never have any doubt about it but how does the past affect the present and the future. I told you intriguing.
I love a love story that without a doubt the reader can pick up on the chemistry of the main couple without being told. If you’re the same way then you are going to love this book just as much as I do. The banter, the little things that go along with attraction are there, so effortlessly and naturally played out that you fall in love too.
This book tackles a couple heavy topics that were beautifully handled and the ministering that went along with it fed my soul. I highlighted and journaled quite a bit through this book and it’s fiction but very quotable. This book dives deep even as it entertains.
Bonus after reading this you will be excited for the next book in the series.
I received this book free from NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my honest opinion
Overcoming
My rating is 4.5 stars
A miraculous rescue when Genevieve was only twelve led her into a career as a Bible study teacher and writer. An injury to her ankle led her down a slippery slope she wasn’t even aware she was on. The secrets she hid strangled her relationship with God, making Him seem distant. . .
When the handsome Australian farmer and restaurateur, Sam, discovered Gen in his guesthouse, he confronted her with a truth she was loathe to accept. The mirror he shined into her heart reflected an image she was ashamed of. And determined to correct.
Determined, also, to solve the mystery behind the anonymous letter she received, Gen worked with her sister Natasha to ferret out the secret her parents are clearly concealing. The truth was almost more than they could handle and threatened to send Gen back into the mire she had only begun to escape!
The story of the Miracle Five is slowly revealed as introductions to each chapter. The events of that week had a profound impact on all five, four of whom remain close friends to this day. It is strongly hinted that we will learn more about Ben and Sebastian and that their story is going to be profound! I hope Luke’s story will also be told in a future book. He needs a happy ending!
Genevieve’s older sister, Natasha, was also one of the “Miracle Five”. She was a riot! I loved her obsession with everything Jane Austen and her year of “living Austenly”. She would quote Austen’s works whenever she could fit them into the situation, invited friends over to play whist, and shunned television for more appropriate pursuits like knitting (which she was terrible at) and listening to the pianoforte. Her poor husband!
Read my review of Stay with Me by Becky Wade at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
We Christians like to appear as though we’ve got our lives together. That we don’t struggle with sin or wrestle with God. But we all do. And Becky Wade tackles that very issue in Stay with Me.
This story is about a heroine who is often in the spotlight praising and teaching about Jesus. But in the darkness, she’s lost and turning to things other than God to help her cope with life. At her lowest point, Genevieve meets Sam. A man who has also been broken by life and now lives his solitary life in protective mode.
I loved Sam and Gen because they are so real—courageously real—with each other. Yes, it takes Sam a little longer to open up to Gen, but it is her struggle that centers this story.
Wade delves into the toll that hiding from others and hiding from God takes on our relationships, or productivity, and our decisions. Stay with Me is an encouragement to live our lives out loud, to be honest and transparent with those people closest to us, to lean into the support God surrounds us with even when we are ashamed of our choices.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
So, I completely fell in love with this book. I already knew I could trust Becky Wade to write an amazing novel, and she did not disappoint with Gen and Sam’s story. Gen’s recovery created a tangle of emotion, and adding the family mystery pushed me right to the edge of my seat.
Be ready to spend several hours with this book. You won’t want to leave for an instant. Sam’s farm is picturesque, and the slow romance between him and Gen is so sweet yet so difficult. Their past hurts and current lives will push them apart even as they ache to come together.
The transparency of Gen’s addiction and Sam’s reluctance to step back into that particular arena made for a refreshing twist on romance.
My favorite Becky Wade book yet, and likely my absolute favorite book of 2020.
I requested a copy of this book from Prism Book Tours. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book was so good! Becky Wade has me so wrapped up in this story for several reasons. I really liked the way she told the story about what happened to the Miracle Five. I was also so wrapped up in trying to figure out Gen’s family secrets. I loved the journey of Gen’s recovery too. I loved that it showed that we can be real and talk about our flaws. We don’t need to hide them. I really can’t wait for the next book!!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Becky Wade delivered an amazing story of forgiveness, acceptance of who we are and moving on to the life that God has called you to. Genevieve’s struggle is something that we can all relate to if we are honest with ourselves. We are so busy doing things for God that we neglect our personal relationship with Him. We are overwhelmed with doing and fall into the trap of self-reliant. Sam is another great character in this story. He wants to be alone after feeling like he let the woman he loved die. He is a man whose nature is to help people out. He doesn’t realize that it draws people to him. He met Genevieve in her hour of need and becomes her friend despite himself. I loved this story and these characters. They are all flawed but redeemable.
I received this book from the publisher and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Stay With Me is one of those novels that stays with the reader for awhile after reading it. Not only is it a satisfying romance but this story touches on some very serious issues that probably more people than we can imagine struggle with daily.
In this new book from Becky Wade, the heroine is a well-known and popular Bible study author and speaker who struggles with a problem that she is unable to handle on her own but is ashamed to admit to her family and friends. An inadvertent meeting with Sam begins a relationship in which he reluctantly agrees to help her. Unfortunately Genevieve brings some buried memories and guilt to the surface for Sam who fights his attraction to her. A family mystery adds another layer to Genevieve’s story and has the power to make or break her, especially as God suddenly seems so far away to her.
This beautifully told story is filled with grace and forgiveness and saturated with the love the Lord has for each of his children. I highly recommend reading this touching tale as soon as possible. It might even change your life.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Prism Book Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
For me I’d say 4.5-5 stars. As the reader I can tell Becky Wade really researches and so puts together a well crafted thought out story. The characters have depth and growth. Strong themes with layers to the story and people. There was good dialogue to help move the story along and were shown and not told of the growing romance. I even enjoy the supporting characters. This dealt with heavy topics of family secrets and opiod abuse. Becky Wade had a lot of good food for thought and nuggets of wisdom for these challanges. I think the characters were written as true to life. I know not every real life story has a HEA when dealing with these topics. In this introductory book to the series the characters were introduced through flashbacks. At first I was thrown off rhythm by it. However, I did change my mind and thought this was a good way for the reader to realate and “see” thorugh their perspective and empathize. One thing I didn’t like sometimes was how Sam’s healthy eating was written. Just because it has gluten does not make it inherently unhealthy and just because it’s paleo does not make it inherently healthy. A waffle is still a waffle and can be indulgent when made the traditional way or paleo. I also felt the h came across as , at least in the beginning and middle, not respecting the H’s boundaries. I think her personality was to be more vibrant or bold but a few times it felt too much. Overall, this was book was written with compassion, grace and thoughtfullness on the subject of opiod addiction. The book resolved so well for me. My earlier hesitations were forgotten.
I loved “Stay With Me” by Becky Wade. This was the first book I’ve read by Becky Wade, but it won’t be my last. This book is an inspirational romance but it had some mystery in it, which I loved. I loved the main characters, Genevieve and Sam. Becky Wade did such a great job in making you feel like you are really part of the story. This book will stay with me for awhile.
I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy good, clean, romance with a little mystery books.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion
I am a huge fan of Becky Wade, I’ve read almost all of her books to date. So I’ve been super excited to read this novel for a year now!
Obviously my expectations were super high, and I was definitely not disappointed! I loved this story so much! Both main characters were awesome, Becky Wade is the best at writing relatable heroines, and swoon-worthy heroes! This book is full of heart-melting moments!
This story contains all of Becky Wade’s trademarks, a strong faith story, a super sweet romance, tons of humorous moments, and a charming and delightful cast of supporting characters! I didn’t want this book to end, and I hated to say goodbye to the characters!
I highly recommend Stay with Me, if you like Christian contemporary romance you should definitely add this to your To Be Read List!!!
I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Misty River Romance series!
(5 Stars!)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own!
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Wow!! Becky Wade’s books just keep getting better and better. Genevieve Woodward has life altogether, as a very successful Bible Study author, she is famous, sought after, people love her. Her loving family, her mom, dad and sister, the perfect family in everyone’s eyes. But with one note, it all comes crashing down. How would Genevieve ever find the peace of God she has been writing about again?
This book is so very good, I don’t know where to start! The characters are so well crafted, and well developed they actually began to feel like part of my family. So realistic throughout the entire book that it makes the story so real. My heart was captured from the very first page. I wanted to read it slowly in order to grasp every word, but yet I didn’t want to put the book down because I couldn’t stop reading Genevieve and Sam’s story. I love Genevieve because she has the personality that you just have to love. Yet she has flaws just like the rest of us. And I love Sam, he is a man of few words, but what he says is profound and sticks with you. The emotions between these two had me in tears a lot of the time I was reading this book, yet the humor between them had me laughing much of the time. And there was just enough mystery there to balance the entire story out to make it one of the best stories I have read.
I also love the way author Becky Wade weaves the Christian life into the lives of her characters. But shows their flaws just as most people have. And she does it in such a subtle way. This story is truly one of being honest about your failures, letting go, love, forgiveness, grace, hope and second chances. I’d you enjoy Contemporary Romance that is good, clean and oh so enjoyable and entertaining, Stay With Me is one you definitely do not want to miss. I highly recommend this sweet story to everyone! I have only touched the surface of what this story is about. You have to read it for yourself. This book well deserves many more than 5 stars!!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Bethany House, as well as Prism Book Tours for sending me a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.
Stay With Me is the first of Becky Wade’s new Misty River Romance series. However, she also has a prequel novella Take a Chance on Me, which I haven’t read yet.
This book definitely rocked me in more than one way. I’m left shaking a bit, much like the earthquake that Genevieve and her sister Natasha went through in their teens which is part of a plot in this story.
Right off, let’s start with the trigger warnings: opioid addiction, potential domestic violence, suicide. Those who have battled opioid addiction, related or know of someone who has, or have lost someone to the battle might take caution when reading this. Although I have little to no experience with it, I can say that Wade wrote this to be painfully realistic.
With that out of the way, I can honestly say this is not for the faint of heart.
As Becky Wade is a new to me author, I can’t say what her previous works are like, but this was definitely a controversial, contentious, poignant, breath-taking, eye-opening, and overwhelming read.
The realism of addiction, and its effects cannot be underscored. The author definitely does more than “wade” in at the deep end of the pool in this subject. She slams it head on, full-force with such beautiful, emotional writing. The writing is so beautiful that it can bring tears to the eyes. The powerful emotions of love, trauma, and faith grab at the reader and take hold.
She is brutally graphic and realistic when it comes to the withdrawal symptoms from trying to stop an addiction without medical intervention. A bit of a spoiler, Gen’s addiction had nothing to do with chronic pain. This is where the source of contention might be between those in chronic pain who are unable to get relief, and those who have battled or lost someone to the battle of addiction for unrelated underlying reasons.
It is the heart of the subject that Wade uses to drive us on the journey that Gen is on and the one that Sam doesn’t want to be on; but one that God has put them both on.
But, that wasn’t why I was drawn to the book. What initially drew me to the novel was the mystery surrounding Genevieve’s parents. What could they have done to warrant someone bringing up their past after all this time? They’re telling Gen there is nothing going on, yet she suspects more.
Gen’s secret is revealed right away in chapter one, and it is one that Sam has seen before and doesn’t want to see again. It’s one he’s moved half the world away to avoid, and for a heart-wrenching reason. As the reader learns the two have met for a reason – and it is for both of them to see the path that God is leading them as they both need each other.
As Gen is a bible study author and speaker; and the book is distributed by Bethany House (a Christian/Faith-themed publisher); there are strong references to God and faith. These do play a crucial role in the story and are at times the heart of it. Strong faith themes, redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and trust are other key parts in this gorgeous novel. It is told in present day from Sam and Gen’s POV in third person.
I will admit that I was taken back that this book dealt with not just drug addiction, but had a shocking and disturbing secret to it. The reader won’t see that coming until almost the end of the story – chapter 21. It isn’t until two chapters before that the suspense builds, and it is one I wouldn’t have guessed. I didn’t see that coming at all.
The progression of Gen’s “recovery” and her relationship with Sam is not only awkward, but clunky. I felt conflicted about this part of the story and it was at times uncomfortable, which I am sure is realistic.
This is where I felt it was unnaturally forced, yet I saw why it was there and how it all played into the big picture. It was a true leap of faith for not just the two characters, but the reader as well. It was a message of true faith and even love. Watching them struggle while near each other was almost painful to read. However, this was a message and test for both of them, and perhaps the reader in being there for those who are reaching out at their time of need. Both Gen and Sam needed each other, which becomes apparent.
Gen’s need for Sam deepens after learning the secret that an anonymous letter writer has been referring to. And, it is this secret that almost throws Gen off a cliff and plunging back down with no safety net. I’m very interested to see how this plays out in the second story.
The story also goes back to the “Miracle Five”, which Gen and her sister Natasha are part of. Between each chapter, Wade has short flashbacks in first person POV (Luke, Ben, Genevieve, Sebastian, and Natasha), to tell about the earthquake that five middle school kids survived.
There are times the reader might wonder where this is leading, as I did. It serves as character background to not only show the different paths the youths took after the miracle of their rescue, but also God’s miracle in saving them. This is what the reader learns that is the driving force behind Gen’s work. But, it is that work which is also causing her to lose herself.
I admire the author for her fearless (or it seems that way) approach to a hotly debated, contentious subject. This is a book that will stay with me for quite a while, and not just sitting on my bookshelf. It is one that after reading it, it paves the way for an open and honest dialogue into what we’re all made of, finding the courage to ask for help, and how we can all make a difference.
As of note, in Chapter 20, the author sets up the events that will likely be the subject of the next book – “Let it Be Me”.
Eighteen years ago, Genevieve was one of five miracle children who survived days trapped in rubble in San Salvador, after an earthquake hits the during their junior high mission trip. Now, she’s an online celebrity, a famous author of Bible studies for women. And she’s hiding a prescription drug addiction that could destroy her career, and wondering what secrets her family is hiding. Because there is definitely something, if the anonymous letter she received is any indication.
But she knows something has to change after she wakes up in a stranger’s house with no memory of how she got there. But she can’t go to rehab. That would mean the end of her career. And there is also the question of how her parents will react, especially her overprotective mother.
Sam Turner is an Australian American who owns his own coffee shop and is a big advocate of healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. (Okay, so the one thing I’m not convinced about is a man who voluntarily eats kale, but there you go.) Anyway, Sam agrees—against his better judgement—to help Genevieve detox.
Stay With Me is a strong romance with excellent characters. It’s strong Christian fiction, because faith is central to both Genevieve and Sam’s lives. But the real strength is the way it deals with Genevieve’s addition, an issue that’s rarely discussed in Christian fiction, and the subtle warning against putting other Christians—especially Christian leaders—on pedestals.
Stay With Me is a great start to a new series, a Christian novel that isn’t afraid to ask tough questions about faith and life. Recommended.
Thanks to Baker Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
I’ve been reading Becky Wade books for a long time now. She’s definitely a favorite of mine in the Christian fiction genre. She creates wonderful characters with substance and personality. It’s what I love most, I think.
This book has many different sides to it. Both Sam and Gen have demons they are fighting. They are flawed but inherently good. You can feel their goodness and their desires clearly. I love how the backstories for both Gen and Sam built as the book progressed. We get Sam’s a bit faster which was helpful in understanding his struggles with Gen in particular. To add even another layer, Gen and her sister are involved in an investigation of sorts, which brought some mystery and intrigue to the story. It was interesting and engaging the whole way through and I really found myself loving the characters in this story. Becky Wade made that easy to do.
Content: heavier on the Christian elements, drug abuse, kissing. Light mention of abuse, murder.
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Becky Wade has a winner in this well written Christian romance. It is one that will tug at the heart strings. Genevieve is a Christian author who has become addicted to a prescription drug and realizes she can’t be true to her followers and God and continue to use them. She determines to quit and secludes herself in a rented cabin, so she thinks. to detox. The man who owns the cabin, Sam, wants nothing to do with her and tells her up front, Stay Away. So touching and emotional to read of her struggle and his reaction to her struggle. There is also a mystery surrounding her parents she is searching to find an answer to. All in all this is one great interesting read……Loved everything about it.
What a fantastic book! I read it this past weekend and fell in love the the story and the characters. It was very raw and beautiful. The nuances in various situations brought the characters to life for me!
When we meet Genevieve, she is a hot mess and Sam can smell it a mile away. Sam on the other hand is a closed down and wants no one interfering in his shuttered life. THEN he meets Genevieve. She makes his world topsy-turvy.
I really felt for Sam. He just wants to be left alone (which of course isn’t healthy), but he’s got his routines and just wants to rent his guesthouse (team Sam on that one), but Genevieve convinces him to let her stay there. She and her sister seem to run roughshod over the poor guy. I just wanted to say, “Let the poor man call it his guesthouse!” hahahaha You have to read the story to understand. Even reading “cottage” on the back of the book made me frustrated for him. HA!
And Gen (can I call her that?), she reminded me of some well known authors and speakers for women’s ministries. In a huge way she made them more real to me, and reminded me that they have struggles to. They’re not to be put on pedestals. The story also made me wonder what kind of pressure they must be under. I can’t even imagine.
Sam made the loss of someone to addiction so palpable. This comes up early on in the book so I don’t feel like I’m giving anything away. Gen’s secret makes him want to hold her at arms length while at the same time come along side her to make sure she’s got someone holding her accountable. He doesn’t want to be more than her landlord. Gen’s struggle really made me realize how important it is for people with her secret to have at least a couple people they can really count on. Seriously, this storyline was handled so well! I appreciative of authors who tackle important topics and do their research. It evidenced throughout the Becky learned what she could about the topic.
I also learned what I really like in characters who have a romantic interest in each other. I like it to be drawn out over a period of time. I appreciate when we see the “reason” why characters fall for each other, watch (read) their feelings grow over a period of time and through different situations.
One of the main reasons I enjoyed this book is because I said earlier, the author adds so many nuances to her characters and circumstances. What could take other writers more time explain or become more drawn out, Becky does simply and seamlessly. If someone is pacing the floor, you can absolutely picture it. Honestly it was the attention to details that drew me in and kept me invested in the storyline!
*I received the book from the author. This is my personal opinion.
Stay with Me By Becky Wade is an exciting tale of Christianity, romance, mystery, and beating addiction.
Can the past stay in the past, or will it come back to haunt us?
Genevieve Woodward
Genevieve Woodward has an interesting past that leads her onto the path that she tries to follow. She is a Bible study author and speaker for what she teaches in her books. In her past, though at only 11 years old, something terrible has happened. She and four other people were involved in an earthquake but were the only ones that survived. This event shaped the five of them very differently and took them all on different paths. For Genevieve, it pushed her to move away, but then something else happened to put her on another track. However, the painkiller addiction probably wasn’t on her bucket list of things to do.
What I like about her is that she has two different personalities, and she knows when to switch focus fast when she does that. Genevieve is a very complicated person, and it hasn’t helped her very much. Another thing that I like about her is that Genevieve knows that she wants to beat this addiction and has been trying her hardest. I congratulate her on that front. The last thing that I like about her is that she knows getting into a romance right now isn’t the smart thing to do, but the heart wants what the heart wants.
Sam Turner
Sam Turner came from Australia to live in Misty Rivers four years ago and has been there trying to get a handle on his life. His life was completely different than Gen’s, but what he went through makes him wary of her. The one thing that he can’t let himself do is fall for her. Just like with Gen, the heart wants what the heart wants and something there is no way to stop this from happening. He is a good guy, though, that has tried his hardest to live a simple life, which he has done and is still doing well with Gen living in his guesthouse.
What I like about him is that he wants her to succeed, but he feels she has to beat the addiction for herself. Another thing that I like about him is how caring he is. Sam is also into paleo foods and eating right, which is terrific to see here.
The Mystery
The mystery is all about these two letters that Genevieve has received from her publishers about someone threatening her parents. It was about something that they did a long time ago, and this has both Natasha and Genevieve worried about what that could be. I didn’t see any of it coming. The mystery is something that I won’t discuss as it is crucial to the plot and to what happens for Genevieve and Sam as well. All I can say is that it’s juicy.
Four Stars
Stay with Me By Becky Wade gives us a unique twist on a Christian romance story. I loved trying to figure out the mystery. That is until the Woodward sisters did. Genevieve and Sam’s past intertwine in the story, along with her parents, is a nice touch. Ms. Wade has done a fantastic job. I am giving it four stars and recommending it to anyone who likes inspirational romances.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Prism Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Stay with Me By Becky Wade.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
Whew! Once again I have been reminded me of the power of God’s love and the wonder of God’s grace and it wasn’t from the Holy Bible. I just finished Stay With Me and I doubt that I can write words that will fully do it justice. Author Becky Wade transported me into one person’s struggle to recover from opioid addiction after a serious injury and another person’s determination to live his life alone, using several underlying stories and a shocking mystery to reach her goal. As I learned about Genevieve Woodward’s near-death experience as a young girl I gained understanding as to why she has dedicated her life to leading others to God. As Sam Turner’s guilt over his girl friends’s death comes to light it becomes clear why he is determined to live a ‘safe life’ by focusing on diet, exercise, sleep, and work. It also explains why he is so determined to keep Genevieve from traveling a path to destruction but it does come at a cost. By allowing himself to befriend her and to eventually fall in love with her, he realizes that safety isn’t always good and solitude is against God’s Plan. God wants us to enjoy a sense of community and to interact with His other children.
Stay With Me is a powerful story of honesty, acceptance, forgiveness, and trust and it has everything that I enjoy in Christian fiction! A heartwarming romance, a mystery to be solved, and a hero and heroine who are special, but oh, so flawed! They aren’t perfect and this is why I loved them so much. Wade has proven herself to be a master in writing Christian romance and I wish that I could give it a higher rating than 5 stars. I can’t wait to read the second book in the Misty River Romance series.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Prism Book Tours. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my honest thoughts.
I’m blown away by this book! Touching on a full range of emotions at a heart and faith level, Stay With Me is a stunning, grace-filled story of romance and redemption. This is one of my “Becky Wade” favorites, ranked up there with True to You. (And can I say how fun it is that Becky is not afraid of using exclamation marks!!!)
Both Gen and Sam are realistic characters with relatable quirks. Their journey is a heartfelt, page-turning one with their friendship at the center. Gen and her struggles are completely relatable, even if some of her particular issues aren’t familiar ones for some readers. (I can’t say more because spoilers!) But I will say the challenge to stay “on top” and to thrive, especially if a public image is a concern, was a brave and timely aspect for Becky Wade to explore at great depth. The family history Gen starts to uncover, too, is riveting and interesting!
Now it’s time to talk about SAM. Sam talks to plants, he’s Australian (which means an adorable accent), and HE BAKES. If that doesn’t make you fall in love with him, his gentlemanly actions and kindness will! He notices Gen’s quirks, virtues, and negative traits. He sees the big picture where she’s concerned. I feel like Sam’s perception of Gen elevates Stay With Me in the genre because it captures real-world details like this in many aspects: with Sam and Gen’s romance, with Gen and her family, with the friends and supporting characters. Gen’s zest for life draws Sam out of the shadows of his own choosing — I loved seeing that happen, too.
I appreciate how the romance, especially in Becky Wade’s unique voice, is sexy yet clean. This is a prime example of how the inspirational romance genre CAN have heat and convey a real, respectful sense of desire without crossing any inappropriate lines.
Becky Wade deals with hard truths with a balance of grace and honesty in all of her novels. This honesty, in Stay With Me‘s case, confronts things like pride, accountability, grace in our failings, and even guilt and loss. This list is not something that’s ticked off here and there. Instead, the story embodies these themes as naturally as Sam and Gen’s romance grows; steadily and like second nature.
I have to give a shoutout here to Genevieve’s sister, Natasha, and her “Year of living Austenly” she’s attempting in the novel. Yes, Austenly like Jane Austen and no television. Hobbies like knitting. I *really* need a short story set at Christmas about Natasha and her husband, Wyatt. With all the Austen things. Knitted gifts and drawing room card games. Tea and brown paper packages.
I’m very excited for the rest of the series, and seeing this special group of friends interact and grow closer!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.