What do you think?
Rate this book
Stay
What if two damaged souls fall hard for the other, but fear stops them from revealing their flaws?
Emily aches for a place to belong. Her fiancé left after discovering she couldn’t offer him the perfect life, a secret she holds close. She isn’t looking for a new man nor does she expect the electricity that crackles at a first meeting in front of a church bulletin board.
Jacob closed himself off when his wife left him, demanding perfection he couldn’t provide. And now, Jacob finds it impossible to stay away from Emily and her bright light that shines into his damaged heart. Still, he hides behind their nine-year age difference, fearing Emily will leave when she learns of his inability to give her a family.
While preparing for a mission trip to Guatemala, Jacob and Emily’s relationship blooms, and they gain a glimpse of the happiness they always craved. But when Jacob’s fears take hold, will he retreat, leaving them both tattered and torn?
Will Jacob and Emily overcome their fears and find the happily-ever-after they desire?
Emily aches for a place to belong. Her fiancé left after discovering she couldn’t offer him the perfect life, a secret she holds close. She isn’t looking for a new man nor does she expect the electricity that crackles at a first meeting in front of a church bulletin board.
Jacob closed himself off when his wife left him, demanding perfection he couldn’t provide. And now, Jacob finds it impossible to stay away from Emily and her bright light that shines into his damaged heart. Still, he hides behind their nine-year age difference, fearing Emily will leave when she learns of his inability to give her a family.
While preparing for a mission trip to Guatemala, Jacob and Emily’s relationship blooms, and they gain a glimpse of the happiness they always craved. But when Jacob’s fears take hold, will he retreat, leaving them both tattered and torn?
Will Jacob and Emily overcome their fears and find the happily-ever-after they desire?
- GenresRomance
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2023
26 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Tara Taffera
9 books73 followersTara Taffera is an avid reader and the author of A Divine Love Series. She writes contemporary sweet romance enveloped in hope and faith. Book two and three in her series, Love Unfailing, and Love Reunited, won the silver medal in the 2022 and 2023 Illumination Book Awards in the romance category. Love Unfailing was also a semi-finalist in the Indies Today Awards. And Love Reunited was nominated in the romance category in the 2023 Christian Indie Awards.
She lives in Virginia with her husband of almost 25 years, a non-reader himself who provides valuable advice on her books—all those baseball scenes! He is one of her biggest cheerleaders, along with her three daughters.
You can find Tara on all the major social media platforms, and her books are available on Amazon.
She lives in Virginia with her husband of almost 25 years, a non-reader himself who provides valuable advice on her books—all those baseball scenes! He is one of her biggest cheerleaders, along with her three daughters.
You can find Tara on all the major social media platforms, and her books are available on Amazon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 4, 2025
I've seen this one around lately, and the blurb caught my attention. Deciding to give it a chance, I ended up picking up an offered digital review copy. Stay by Tara Taffera turned out to be a delightful story, and unique in that it deals with some topics and themes I don't see as often in Inspirational and Christian Contemporary Fiction. Emily has a medical condition the has left her essentially sterile. This leads to relationship struggles leaving her reluctant to even consider opening herself up to heart-break again. Only, she doesn't realize that the handsome man who's caught her eye has secrets of his own.
This story takes readers on an emotional journey though pain and heart-ache experienced by the main couple as they each embark on their own healing journey. Along with good friends who are more like family, and hope found in unexpected places, their story is a powerful testament to God's love toward us. Tara Taffera has created a beautiful story of hope. friendship, family, and faith that is sure to leave readers both content with the end, while being eager to read more of her writing!
Jacob and Emily are both relatable characters. I enjoyed their friendship, and seeing their relationship bloom and unfold throughout the story. I also adored their friends, and how at times those friends were exactly the voice of reason that they needed, even if they weren't willing to admit that at the time. Haha!
I did struggle a little with the writing style for the first half of the book, and don't know if it was more me getting used to it, or if the last half was just somehow smoother? The first half had phrases that sounded a little odd, and read almost like a psychology self-help book. The story itself was good, but the way the dialogue and character's thoughts were worded, it was almost more telling than showing, that was a bit jarring to read. Still, I am so glad I stuck it out, as I loved the last half of the book, and it more than made up for the struggles I encountered earlier in the story.
The story itself is wonderful, and if you can stomach the 'telling' bits, it does get better and is so worth it! I wasn't sure what to expect with I started this one, and it became one of my favorite reads of January, and likely one of my favorites of the year!
*I read an ecopy from the author. This does not affect my review or my thoughts. This review is voluntary and unbiased.*
This story takes readers on an emotional journey though pain and heart-ache experienced by the main couple as they each embark on their own healing journey. Along with good friends who are more like family, and hope found in unexpected places, their story is a powerful testament to God's love toward us. Tara Taffera has created a beautiful story of hope. friendship, family, and faith that is sure to leave readers both content with the end, while being eager to read more of her writing!
Jacob and Emily are both relatable characters. I enjoyed their friendship, and seeing their relationship bloom and unfold throughout the story. I also adored their friends, and how at times those friends were exactly the voice of reason that they needed, even if they weren't willing to admit that at the time. Haha!
I did struggle a little with the writing style for the first half of the book, and don't know if it was more me getting used to it, or if the last half was just somehow smoother? The first half had phrases that sounded a little odd, and read almost like a psychology self-help book. The story itself was good, but the way the dialogue and character's thoughts were worded, it was almost more telling than showing, that was a bit jarring to read. Still, I am so glad I stuck it out, as I loved the last half of the book, and it more than made up for the struggles I encountered earlier in the story.
The story itself is wonderful, and if you can stomach the 'telling' bits, it does get better and is so worth it! I wasn't sure what to expect with I started this one, and it became one of my favorite reads of January, and likely one of my favorites of the year!
*I read an ecopy from the author. This does not affect my review or my thoughts. This review is voluntary and unbiased.*
April 12, 2023
Once again, you never disappoint! I've read all of your books and they are wonderful. Please hurry and write more. You could be the next Francine Rivers!
March 20, 2023
Crying and typing
Hallmark has nothing on this journey... This has all the feels: giddiness, despair, hope, regret, redemption, fear - It's 3:30am and I am wrecked (in the best way.)
No spoilers, just advice: If Christian romance is your genre, Read This Book.
If you love the best HEA's, Read This Book. If you don't want to cry, to truly Feel, Read This Book anyway. You won't regret it.
God is so amazingly, awesomely, unbelievably Good.
-ncv
Hallmark has nothing on this journey... This has all the feels: giddiness, despair, hope, regret, redemption, fear - It's 3:30am and I am wrecked (in the best way.)
No spoilers, just advice: If Christian romance is your genre, Read This Book.
If you love the best HEA's, Read This Book. If you don't want to cry, to truly Feel, Read This Book anyway. You won't regret it.
God is so amazingly, awesomely, unbelievably Good.
-ncv
March 13, 2023
This book touched my soul in ways I didn’t realize I needed it. It brought back so many fond memories and the heart ache too of my first mission trip to an orphanage in Guatemala. There were many tears shed the day we drove away from that place and those sweet children.
It was also a sweet reminder to put in the work for the person you love. Definitely recommend this love story for both marrieds and singles!
It was also a sweet reminder to put in the work for the person you love. Definitely recommend this love story for both marrieds and singles!
March 7, 2025
This one had me hooked from the very beginning. What a great book! I received an Advance Review Copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this review. I will also be voluntarily seeking out the rest of the books in this series and definitely looking for more by this author. I got pulled in from the very beginning and I fell in love with the characters. I laughed with them, cried with them, and even felt frustrated with them. I stuck with them through it all and sat glued to my reader as they delivered a heart-warming and beautiful story. Themes of faith, forgiveness, joy, loyalty, and hope sprinkled throughout. If you're looking for a sweet, heartfelt story of love and reconciliation, try this one out! I'm so glad I did.
March 26, 2023
a great read
Lovely story that I was lucky enough to win through a goodreads giveaway. It was heartwarming and kept my interest.
Lovely story that I was lucky enough to win through a goodreads giveaway. It was heartwarming and kept my interest.
May 5, 2023
My favorite by far!!!
A must read! I can't get enough of Em and her love for life, faith and the love she will find. Without giving anything away I can say that I couldn't put this one down. Tara never disappoints!!!
A must read! I can't get enough of Em and her love for life, faith and the love she will find. Without giving anything away I can say that I couldn't put this one down. Tara never disappoints!!!
March 17, 2023
Jacob and Emily have a very, very interesting story. It is quite relatable and you end up reading and reading to find out how it ends up. This was a really good story.
March 14, 2023
This author knows how to write a tender, heartwarming, and authentic love story. This one, about two aching souls so afraid of rejection and hurt that they end up shutting each other out before they have a chance at true love. Hurt and rejection from past loves and family, and the disappointment of lost dreams combine to keep them both scared of what the future might hold. Watching their stories play out as they deal with family, take a missions trip (a must-not-miss part of their story), and sort out their feelings, is an adventure worth taking with them. Character you'll love, some you'll be mad with - until you understand their stories - will draw you into their hearts until you ache for their happy endings. And a most satisfying ending you'll get.
September 9, 2025
I absolutely loved this novel! Emily and Jacob’s story pulled me in right from the start. Both characters are beautifully flawed, carrying fears and insecurities that felt so real and relatable. Watching them slowly let their guards down and open up to one another was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at times.
I listened to the audiobook, and Jen Furlong’s narration was fantastic. She brought so much emotion to the story and made me feel every moment. Tara Taffera is such a talented author; her writing is heartfelt, authentic, and deeply engaging. This book had me rooting for Jacob and Emily every step of the way, hoping they could see that love is worth the risk.
A touching, beautifully written story that will stay with me for a long time. Five stars!
I listened to the audiobook, and Jen Furlong’s narration was fantastic. She brought so much emotion to the story and made me feel every moment. Tara Taffera is such a talented author; her writing is heartfelt, authentic, and deeply engaging. This book had me rooting for Jacob and Emily every step of the way, hoping they could see that love is worth the risk.
A touching, beautifully written story that will stay with me for a long time. Five stars!
December 25, 2024
Emily and Jacob meet at a church bulletin board looking over different groups the church offers its members. They both are interested in the missions group to Guatemala. They both sign up and become friends in the process of learning what is entailed in the trip. When it appears they could become more than just friends they each back away since they both harbor a secret too painful to share.
They go through a lot of needless heartache all because they won't open up and talk to each other. Of course, if they had been open and honest from the start, there wouldn't have been as much of a story. I enjoyed the storyline of the home for abused young girls in Guatemala. The author gave a compassionate telling of their hurts and after affects of the abuse without going into gory details of the abuse itself.
The ending of the story was uplifting and a happy one once they each admitted their feelings for the other and why they did not think they were good enough to consider marriage.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
They go through a lot of needless heartache all because they won't open up and talk to each other. Of course, if they had been open and honest from the start, there wouldn't have been as much of a story. I enjoyed the storyline of the home for abused young girls in Guatemala. The author gave a compassionate telling of their hurts and after affects of the abuse without going into gory details of the abuse itself.
The ending of the story was uplifting and a happy one once they each admitted their feelings for the other and why they did not think they were good enough to consider marriage.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 19, 2024
Two people who have been hurt by the one they expected to marry for things they had no power to change. This makes them very scared of relationships and tend to keep personal things to themselves for too long. Both assume things about the other that aren't true and at different times push the other away.
They meet through church and join a mission team. The story of their mission trip is very heart warming. There are other family dynamics going on as well and this story is strong on those who live their faith without the constant scripture you sometimes find in stories of this type. It is a true example of living your faith in ways others can see it.
This is an uplifting story with a happy ending.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
They meet through church and join a mission team. The story of their mission trip is very heart warming. There are other family dynamics going on as well and this story is strong on those who live their faith without the constant scripture you sometimes find in stories of this type. It is a true example of living your faith in ways others can see it.
This is an uplifting story with a happy ending.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 11, 2026
Stay by Tara Taffera is a sweet novel about Emily & Jacob (no last names given) who hit it off right from the get go. Both share similar life experiences of love, rejection, hurt, betrayal and abandonment over similar secrets they each carry.
This makes them wary of love and messes around with their relationship. There is plenty of soul baring and agonizing over their individual secrets, secrets that ultimately drive them apart, tearing into them.
Their sidekicks - friends, Morgan, Andrew, Jenna, Scott his wife Hannah and their kids Emily's sister Victoria, Emily's niece and nephew who are enamoured of Jacob and her mother Nora, are entertaining characters with plenty of backstories to tell.
I found it a tad boring, going on about their secrets and agonizing over their feelings. They, as do we, learn wisdom and the importance of trusting God with their feelings, wounds and desires.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This makes them wary of love and messes around with their relationship. There is plenty of soul baring and agonizing over their individual secrets, secrets that ultimately drive them apart, tearing into them.
Their sidekicks - friends, Morgan, Andrew, Jenna, Scott his wife Hannah and their kids Emily's sister Victoria, Emily's niece and nephew who are enamoured of Jacob and her mother Nora, are entertaining characters with plenty of backstories to tell.
I found it a tad boring, going on about their secrets and agonizing over their feelings. They, as do we, learn wisdom and the importance of trusting God with their feelings, wounds and desires.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this book from a new-to-me author.
I was drawn in immediately and found myself engaged through the whole reading.
I loved both Emily & Jacob and found them as well as the secondary characters personable and believable.
I felt for both Emily & Jacob as they dealt with their pain in being rejected by the ones they love over something that is out of their control.
I found the story realistic & heart wrenching and shed a few tears along the way.
I loved the Christian theme and appreciated the authors way of weaving it into the story without it being preachy.
I look forward to reading more from Tara Taffera.
I received an ARC courtesy of StoryOrigin and this is my voluntary review.
I was drawn in immediately and found myself engaged through the whole reading.
I loved both Emily & Jacob and found them as well as the secondary characters personable and believable.
I felt for both Emily & Jacob as they dealt with their pain in being rejected by the ones they love over something that is out of their control.
I found the story realistic & heart wrenching and shed a few tears along the way.
I loved the Christian theme and appreciated the authors way of weaving it into the story without it being preachy.
I look forward to reading more from Tara Taffera.
I received an ARC courtesy of StoryOrigin and this is my voluntary review.
March 3, 2023
What a blessing this book was to my soul. The characters are so real and endearing as they are damaged souls who just need to look past what they perceive as flaws due to being broken by a past relationship. Emily was previously engaged to a man who literally broke her heart. She is also beaten down emotionally on a daily basis by her mother. Jacob's wife left him despondent when she found out they would not be able to have children. She has left him with the feeling that he would not be able to provide what a woman needs, so he just doesn't date. All of these things change for both Emily and Jacob when they see each other at a meeting about a mission trip to Guatemala. Jacob is nine years older than Emily, and he feels he cannot give her what she needs and Emily knows of her health issues as well. After a short period of time, they both realize that they cannot deny their attraction to one another.
This was a heart warming story of learning to put the past behind you and not using someone's measuring stick of who and what you are when you enter into a future relationship. There was forgiveness and family drama with blessings in between. Emily was a sweet soul that I wanted to reach into the book and hug. Jacob was also a sweet man, but he was also a little stubborn. Apparently his ex-wife really did a number on him. He was truly a broken man. This story reminds you that we are all broken in some ways, but we can never give up. There will be a second story after this one with some of the characters from this book. I am anxiously awaiting the second book now.
Thank you to Story Origin and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a heart warming story of learning to put the past behind you and not using someone's measuring stick of who and what you are when you enter into a future relationship. There was forgiveness and family drama with blessings in between. Emily was a sweet soul that I wanted to reach into the book and hug. Jacob was also a sweet man, but he was also a little stubborn. Apparently his ex-wife really did a number on him. He was truly a broken man. This story reminds you that we are all broken in some ways, but we can never give up. There will be a second story after this one with some of the characters from this book. I am anxiously awaiting the second book now.
Thank you to Story Origin and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 9, 2025
When jacob and Emily first meet in front of the church's Missions bulletin board, sparks fly; but he notices how perfect she appears while he's battered and bruised. When they both plan on traveling on a church mission trip to Guatemala, they get to know each other, and both feel the attraction to each other.
But Emily isn't perfect. She fights her mother's (mostly negative) opinions and holds a secret close to her heart. Jacob is also hiding a secret that he feels would turn Emily away, not to mention their 9-year age difference. Yet neither can deny the sparks that fly as they get to know each other, flirt, and catch a glimpse of a life they've only dreamed of.
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Taffera, and it's a wonderfully unique and heartwarming story of 2 hurting people. Will they bravely push through their differences and work to resolve their conflicts--with each other, family, life--or will they hide their hurts and walk away?
There are heart-pounding swoony moments, better than any Hallmark movie. I enjoyed the details of the mission trip to a home for abused young girls in Guatemala, which the author tenderly handled with compassion and love, giving us a beautifully realistic mission trip experience. I also enjoyed the way Jacob stood up to defend Emily against her family's negativity and hurting remarks. A truly delightful and moving story that I wholeheartedly recommend. I'll be looking forward to reading more by this author!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.
But Emily isn't perfect. She fights her mother's (mostly negative) opinions and holds a secret close to her heart. Jacob is also hiding a secret that he feels would turn Emily away, not to mention their 9-year age difference. Yet neither can deny the sparks that fly as they get to know each other, flirt, and catch a glimpse of a life they've only dreamed of.
This is the first book I've read by Ms. Taffera, and it's a wonderfully unique and heartwarming story of 2 hurting people. Will they bravely push through their differences and work to resolve their conflicts--with each other, family, life--or will they hide their hurts and walk away?
There are heart-pounding swoony moments, better than any Hallmark movie. I enjoyed the details of the mission trip to a home for abused young girls in Guatemala, which the author tenderly handled with compassion and love, giving us a beautifully realistic mission trip experience. I also enjoyed the way Jacob stood up to defend Emily against her family's negativity and hurting remarks. A truly delightful and moving story that I wholeheartedly recommend. I'll be looking forward to reading more by this author!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.
February 26, 2023
I was blessed to receive this book in advance in exchange for an honest review. I was sucked into Emily's story from the first page! It can be so easy to be so hurt by past abandonments and disappointments that we push others away. We can learn a lot about letting go and letting God. One thing I see in a lot of romances that frustrates me is the back and forth: one decides that they are done with the other and when he comes around, the other is done with that one. But I do know this is how it can be in real life many times. Very well done! I can't wait till the next book!
September 23, 2024
I have read a lot of Christian romance stories and this is one of the best. Jacob and Emily meet in church while looking at the bulletin board listings of volunteer activities. A mission trip to Guatemala brings them together. Both have been rejected by previous partners so they are hesitant about getting involved but the attraction is there. I love the characters and how they overcome their hardships. The epilogue at the end was heartwarming. I highly recommend this clean Christian romance. This is my voluntary and honest review.
March 12, 2023
What a wonderful heartwarming read! Em and Jacob's story is full of emotions, you will laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between. I absolutely loved this book and look forward to the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 13, 2023
This is a good well written love story of two people finding each other at a time of them both having heartbreaking experiences and it’s very touching how they finally come together
March 29, 2023
Oh goodness, I don’t know where to start, I absolutely loved Em and Jacob’s story. All the feels! Emotions ran high throughout. The pain of their pasts had me reaching out and hugging them, characters so hurt and confused and whom I fell in love with, Jacob’s tattoos and burly demeanor too! Em was right, he’s a big teddy bear. Their story shows us that God never leaves us and all long as we keep faith in His timing, God is good and we are okay, no matter how broken we are, He loves us always. Emotional, gripping, let the tears flow right along with Em and Jacob! I’m looking forward to Morgan and Andrew’s story!
March 12, 2023
I was given the opportunity to read this book before it was released and feel lucky to have done so! This is Tara's fourth book and they just get better and better. I was instantly captivated by both Emily and Jacob's stories. The anticipation of their love story kept me turning pages quickly and the way that Tara developed their characters throughout the story was very well done. I was rooting for them the whole time! Bravo Tara! I can't wait for more books from you.
November 28, 2024
Jacob and Emily meet because of shared interests. They both have a secret in common, and both think that their secret will ruin the other one. What is interesting is that they both share the same secret when it boils down to it.
This book was really sweet, and relatable because I met my husband in a similar way.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was really sweet, and relatable because I met my husband in a similar way.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 10, 2024
This was the first book I have read from this author but it will definitely not be the last. I really enjoyed the story, how she gave depth and history to the characters that was relatable but also made you want to climb in there and sit them down to talk to Clear things up! Well written romance that is clean (no blushing required, Christian values). A beautiful read !
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews