Review: Stay

My Synopsis:

Stay by Allie Larkin

(For review from Dutton/Penguin)

Savannah Leone thinks that her world is ending. Her best friend, Jane is marrying the man she has been in love with for years. Peter's family has always disliked Savannah because she was the housekeepers daughter in her best friends home. In a drunken depression Savannah orders what she thinks is a little black puppy online. But, when Joe arrives he is one-hundred pounds of lovableness!

Savannah has to find a way to get on with her life and Joe is the beginning of something new. When she meets his new vet, Alex, Savannah begins to see what life without Peter could be like. The neighbors are up in arms about Savannah's new pet and she must find a new place for her and Joe to live. What will she do? Will Jane and Savannah be able to rekindle their friendship in spite of Van's feelings for Peter? Can she and Peter still be friends? Is there a future for Van and Alex?

My Thoughts:

Allie Larkin has done an excellent job with her debut novel, Stay. It's a situation that a lot of girls find themselves in . In love with your best friends, boy friend. It's something that many will be able to relate to, if they weren't the culprit it was probably someone they knew. The situation is made even more complicated when you add in the relationship with Jane's mother and the fact that Savannah's mother has recently passed away. This novel is a great deal about how to move on and start over. Savannah must figure out a way to get over Peter, and she must also decide what kind of relationship she wants to have with Diane, now that her mom is not there to hold them together.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a big dog fan and this book really hit the spot! Joe reminds me of my own dog, Lady. She's big and lovable and full of mischief. Joe was really one of the characters in the book and he was a lot of fun. Savannah is like a lot of young women, she's been so focused on the fact that she was in love with someone who was unattainable that she let other men pass her by and now she is faced with moving on. I think a lot of women do this because it's scary to try to find someone out there, it's easier to love the one you can't have. Alex may not seem the kind of guy Van would like because he is so much different than Peter, but I think that's what she was looking for, something or someone out of the ordinary!

I liked this book a lot, though I would say this is not one for young readers. There is some adult language but it doesn't take anything away from the story.

Stay is available now from your favorite bookseller...

I give this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

YOU MIGHT LIKE STAY, IF...

- You are a dog lover

- You love a good romance

- You need a pick me up

YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE STAY, IF...

- You prefer your romance with lots of sexual scenes

- You are opposed to a little adult language

- You just don't like animals

Here is some more information about Allie Larkin.

Q: How would you describe your life in 8 words? A: Full of friends, dogs, books, blogs and love.

Q: What is your motto or maxim? A: Be kind.

Q: How would you describe perfect happiness? A: I find a lot of happiness in the imperfect.

Q: What’s your greatest fear? A: Jello. No, not really, but the way it moves weirds me out.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be? A: I would love to get to hang out with all my far away friends, but the where doesn’t matter all that much.

Q: With whom in history do you most identify? A: I think any writer feels some connection to the writers who came before them.

Q: Which living person do you most admire? A: My husband.

Q: What are your most overused words or phrases A: Oh! I have the “like” and “um” disease. Trying so hard to break it.

Q: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be? A: I am quite possibly the world’s worst dancer. It might be nice to be less embarrassing in that capacity.

Q: What is your greatest achievement? A: Having a marriage that nurtures personal growth and creativity. STAY is very much a product of my husband’s belief in me and his endless support.

Q: What’s your greatest flaw? A: I wear my heart on my sleeve.

Q: What’s your best quality? A: I care.

Q: What do you regret most? A: I regret little things – drinking one too many cups of coffee, not going for a run last night – the big stuff is just a chance to learn and do better next time. I’ve learned too much from my mistakes to regret them.

Q: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be? A: I’ve always wanted to be a mermaid.

Q: What trait is most noticeable about you? A: My hair has a life of it’s own.