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Stay
Maggie Collins is running away from everything she knows and loves. The only thing she ever wanted was to go to college, open up her own bakery, and marry the man of her dreams. Years later she still struggles to face a secret sheʼs hidden from everyone since she was little. With her brother, Jeremy, and her boyfriend, Luke having the time of their lives at Northwestern, she makes the hardest decision of her life--to let them go. Unfortunately, that means giving up her own heart to protect theirs. What she hadnʼt planned on doing was working at a strip club to pay bills, or to meet someone new that may be able to make her feel whole again.
Luke Matthews has more than he could ask for. Heʼs attending his favorite University, has the girl of his dreams, and lives with his best friends. The one morning when he wakes to find her scribbled note telling him sheʼs leaving flips his world upside down. Unable to cope, he turns to booze and pills to numb his pain. It isnʼt until almost two years later and losing all hope when he stumbles upon Maggie. And of all places, working in a strip club.
Convincing her to come home with them is the easy part, but finding out the real reason for her leaving could destroy them both.
Luke Matthews has more than he could ask for. Heʼs attending his favorite University, has the girl of his dreams, and lives with his best friends. The one morning when he wakes to find her scribbled note telling him sheʼs leaving flips his world upside down. Unable to cope, he turns to booze and pills to numb his pain. It isnʼt until almost two years later and losing all hope when he stumbles upon Maggie. And of all places, working in a strip club.
Convincing her to come home with them is the easy part, but finding out the real reason for her leaving could destroy them both.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
30 people are currently reading
1146 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Mooney
21 books402 followersYoung Adult/ New Adult author. Lover of books, fine wine, chocolate, and movies. Mom to two awesome kids, and one insanely crazy boxer, who keeps me busy.
You can find me on Facebook username www.facebook.com/kellymooneyauthor
You can find me on Facebook username www.facebook.com/kellymooneyauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
July 8, 2013
... um! I'm kinda wondering if I read the same book as everyone else with 4 and 5 star ratings. I almost hated this book. At times I seriously considered just quitting but I absolutely hate giving up on a book so I continued on. I have nothing against the writing itself.. it all actuality I think that Kelly is a great writer.. I just didn't love Maggie or Luke. At first it was just Maggie I couldn't stand and I adored Luke but near the end he just really started to irritate me. He blamed Maggie for things I can't mention without ruining the book for some of you who actually decide to read it.. but I thought it was totally messed up. And OMG! I understand her need to run away and the things she'd been through.. I get that.. but her back and forth and never knowing her feelings.. and Max.. then Luke.. it just got under my skin in a big way. With that being said.. my heart adored Jeremy.. completely 100% I loved him. He was thee ideal big brother.. even if he was only older by three minutes.. I loved loved loved Dean as well but felt often disappointed that he seemed like more of an after thought and didn't play a bigger role. Also Max has been from the very beginning and I often times felt extremely bad for him.. and felt like he got totally screwed over. I don't know I'm sure for some of you this was an incredible book.. it simply just wasn't my cup of tea.
buutttt great book cover :)
buutttt great book cover :)
Want to read
June 15, 2013 Ok, this is BRAND new and I don't know a thing about it but I love the cover and blurb!
Maggie Collins is running away from everything she knows and loves. The only thing she ever wanted was to go to college, open up her own bakery, and marry the man of her dreams. Years later she still struggles to face a secret sheʼs hidden from everyone since she was little. With her brother, Jeremy, and her boyfriend, Luke having the time of their lives at Northwestern, she makes the hardest decision of her life--to let them go. Unfortunately, that means giving up her own heart to protect theirs. What she hadnʼt planned on doing was working at a strip club to pay bills, or to meet someone new that may be able to make her feel whole again.
Luke Matthews has more than he could ask for. Heʼs attending his favorite University, has the girl of his dreams, and lives with his best friends. The one morning when he wakes to find her scribbled note telling him sheʼs leaving flips his world upside down. Unable to cope, he turns to booze and pills to numb his pain. It isnʼt until almost two years later and losing all hope when he stumbles upon Maggie. And of all places, working in a strip club.
Convincing her to come home with them is the easy part, but finding out the real reason for her leaving could destroy them both.
Maggie Collins is running away from everything she knows and loves. The only thing she ever wanted was to go to college, open up her own bakery, and marry the man of her dreams. Years later she still struggles to face a secret sheʼs hidden from everyone since she was little. With her brother, Jeremy, and her boyfriend, Luke having the time of their lives at Northwestern, she makes the hardest decision of her life--to let them go. Unfortunately, that means giving up her own heart to protect theirs. What she hadnʼt planned on doing was working at a strip club to pay bills, or to meet someone new that may be able to make her feel whole again.
Luke Matthews has more than he could ask for. Heʼs attending his favorite University, has the girl of his dreams, and lives with his best friends. The one morning when he wakes to find her scribbled note telling him sheʼs leaving flips his world upside down. Unable to cope, he turns to booze and pills to numb his pain. It isnʼt until almost two years later and losing all hope when he stumbles upon Maggie. And of all places, working in a strip club.
Convincing her to come home with them is the easy part, but finding out the real reason for her leaving could destroy them both.
July 3, 2013
This was probably the worst book I've ever read that deals with the topic of childhood abuse.
The male love interest (Luke) is downright abusive himself.
For example, he gets Maggie drunk in the hopes of having sex with her, pressures her, takes her cigarettes away, shames her and regularly screams at her in a very aggressive manner. Oh, and the best part: he stages a suicide attempt to get Maggie home when all she wanted to do was to properly break up with her former boyfriend.
The author obviously has a very twisted idea about good relationships, boundaries and consent. I could maybe overlook these flaws in a fluffy, light romance story; but mixed with the childhood abuse it's just distateful and awkward.
I guess I don't have to tell you anymore that the childhood abuse itself was badly researched and Maggie's behaviour extremely inconsistent with her past.
Yes, I did finish this books, but only because I kept hoping Maggie would finally make the right choice and be with the decent guy. Unfortunately, it didn't happen.
The male love interest (Luke) is downright abusive himself.
For example, he gets Maggie drunk in the hopes of having sex with her, pressures her, takes her cigarettes away, shames her and regularly screams at her in a very aggressive manner. Oh, and the best part: he stages a suicide attempt to get Maggie home when all she wanted to do was to properly break up with her former boyfriend.
The author obviously has a very twisted idea about good relationships, boundaries and consent. I could maybe overlook these flaws in a fluffy, light romance story; but mixed with the childhood abuse it's just distateful and awkward.
I guess I don't have to tell you anymore that the childhood abuse itself was badly researched and Maggie's behaviour extremely inconsistent with her past.
Yes, I did finish this books, but only because I kept hoping Maggie would finally make the right choice and be with the decent guy. Unfortunately, it didn't happen.
June 16, 2013
One of those books that captivates you from page 1..
So much depth to the story, it's not towards the ending there abouts when you learn why she chose to run away which gives you more of an understanding what was going through her head, sitting back I can understand why she felt she had to..
But if she only knew that no matter what love conquers all!!
So much depth to the story, it's not towards the ending there abouts when you learn why she chose to run away which gives you more of an understanding what was going through her head, sitting back I can understand why she felt she had to..
But if she only knew that no matter what love conquers all!!
November 3, 2016
Aunque un poco turbulenta y trágica me gusto la historia de Maggie y Luke.
October 9, 2014
1/5 estrellas: No me gusto (SIN SPOILERS)
Stay es un libro que nos promete una historia de amor tierna y simple, a penas leí su sinopsis me llamo la atención al instante. Cuando leí la sinopsis pensé que nuestra protagonista, Maggie, era una chica fuerte y decidida, no pude estar más equivocada. Yo creo que si el libro tendría una protagonista diferente sería mucho mejor, pero seguiría sin encantarme. Maggie es una chica bastante débil, pero sobre todo, me pareció muy muy masoquista, para ella los demás estaban bien, solo y únicamente, si ella sufría y era miserable. Al principió del libro solo sabemos una de las razones por las que Maggie se fue, la otra no la sabemos hasta el final, yo pensé que cuando supiéramos la ultima razón el libro iba a empezar a tener más sentido y empezaría a entender a Maggie, pero cuando la supe me pareció el doble de idiota, inmadura y masoquista. Yo creo que la hubiera entendido más si el XX hubiera sido del papá y no de Luke. Después el libro es bastante corto, no llega a las 200 páginas, el tema es que parece que estuviera escrito corriendo. Parecía que la autora tenía ganas de terminarlo rápido, de más esta aclarar que la forma en que escribe la autora es bastante común y pobre, nada destacable. Ningún personaje me logro enamorar, la mayoría estaban medio desdibujados y poco profundizados, pero la peor sin duda fue Maggie, la odio. Y de nada ayuda el hecho de que ella nos cuenta la historia, la hace ver de una forma muy triste, ya que como dije, la chica es muy masoquista y decía todo para bajarsela a si misma. Las partes en la que cuenta Luke, tampoco eran mucho mejores: Mejores eran, yo quería que llegaran rápido, pero el chico ve todo de una manera muy sexual y eso, para mi, era bastante molesto. La relación de Max y Maggie, era mejor, desde mi punto de vista, que la de Luke y Maggie, de todas formas, Max es usado por un momento por la autora y dejado de lado al siguiente. El ritmo del libro es normal, no era pesado, pero por la pelotuda de Maggie, no me daban tantas ganas de leerlo. En fin, el libro fue bastante malo, desde mi punto de vista (A vos te pudo haber gustado!!), estaba entre ponerle 1, 1'5 o 2 estrellas, pero por el momento me quedare con 1, después, en caso de que cambie de opinión, cambiare el puntaje.
Stay es un libro que nos promete una historia de amor tierna y simple, a penas leí su sinopsis me llamo la atención al instante. Cuando leí la sinopsis pensé que nuestra protagonista, Maggie, era una chica fuerte y decidida, no pude estar más equivocada. Yo creo que si el libro tendría una protagonista diferente sería mucho mejor, pero seguiría sin encantarme. Maggie es una chica bastante débil, pero sobre todo, me pareció muy muy masoquista, para ella los demás estaban bien, solo y únicamente, si ella sufría y era miserable. Al principió del libro solo sabemos una de las razones por las que Maggie se fue, la otra no la sabemos hasta el final, yo pensé que cuando supiéramos la ultima razón el libro iba a empezar a tener más sentido y empezaría a entender a Maggie, pero cuando la supe me pareció el doble de idiota, inmadura y masoquista. Yo creo que la hubiera entendido más si el XX hubiera sido del papá y no de Luke. Después el libro es bastante corto, no llega a las 200 páginas, el tema es que parece que estuviera escrito corriendo. Parecía que la autora tenía ganas de terminarlo rápido, de más esta aclarar que la forma en que escribe la autora es bastante común y pobre, nada destacable. Ningún personaje me logro enamorar, la mayoría estaban medio desdibujados y poco profundizados, pero la peor sin duda fue Maggie, la odio. Y de nada ayuda el hecho de que ella nos cuenta la historia, la hace ver de una forma muy triste, ya que como dije, la chica es muy masoquista y decía todo para bajarsela a si misma. Las partes en la que cuenta Luke, tampoco eran mucho mejores: Mejores eran, yo quería que llegaran rápido, pero el chico ve todo de una manera muy sexual y eso, para mi, era bastante molesto. La relación de Max y Maggie, era mejor, desde mi punto de vista, que la de Luke y Maggie, de todas formas, Max es usado por un momento por la autora y dejado de lado al siguiente. El ritmo del libro es normal, no era pesado, pero por la pelotuda de Maggie, no me daban tantas ganas de leerlo. En fin, el libro fue bastante malo, desde mi punto de vista (A vos te pudo haber gustado!!), estaba entre ponerle 1, 1'5 o 2 estrellas, pero por el momento me quedare con 1, después, en caso de que cambie de opinión, cambiare el puntaje.
July 6, 2013
This book comes off a little familiar, running away from the past, childhood love and the reuniting of it, but I still thought it was a good read.
Maggie was best friends with her twin Jeremy, his buddy Luke and their buddy Dean all through school, and now the boys were ready to head off to college. She had a strained relationship with her parents as Jeremy was the favorite, so Maggie was going to go to community college and working to save money for culinary classes. Her dream was to eventually open her own bakery. Maggie's home life was horrible, something she kept a secret from everybody, until it became just too much. She left her brother and now boyfriend Luke a note and skipped town.
Luke is a sexy broken man. Although his note from Maggie says it all, he just can't see why she didn't love him enough to let him help her-he thinks there is more. It has been two years and after suffering the heartache of Maggie leaving, Luke suffers again and just about looses it altogether.
The boys are on a break from college and out of all the strip clubs in New York, they end up in the one Maggie works at. It has been two years and she has tried her best to move on, the last thing she needs is Luke back in her life. They are drawn together and eventually have to figure things out, but now Max is in the picture. He works at the club and has helped Maggie live for the past six months. Of course there are more secrets to be reveled and more heartbreak. At times I was annoyed with Maggie being so wishy-washy, but with her jagged past I had to give her a break.
Like I said, the book had some familiar undertones and was a very angsty read.
Maggie was best friends with her twin Jeremy, his buddy Luke and their buddy Dean all through school, and now the boys were ready to head off to college. She had a strained relationship with her parents as Jeremy was the favorite, so Maggie was going to go to community college and working to save money for culinary classes. Her dream was to eventually open her own bakery. Maggie's home life was horrible, something she kept a secret from everybody, until it became just too much. She left her brother and now boyfriend Luke a note and skipped town.
Luke is a sexy broken man. Although his note from Maggie says it all, he just can't see why she didn't love him enough to let him help her-he thinks there is more. It has been two years and after suffering the heartache of Maggie leaving, Luke suffers again and just about looses it altogether.
The boys are on a break from college and out of all the strip clubs in New York, they end up in the one Maggie works at. It has been two years and she has tried her best to move on, the last thing she needs is Luke back in her life. They are drawn together and eventually have to figure things out, but now Max is in the picture. He works at the club and has helped Maggie live for the past six months. Of course there are more secrets to be reveled and more heartbreak. At times I was annoyed with Maggie being so wishy-washy, but with her jagged past I had to give her a break.
Like I said, the book had some familiar undertones and was a very angsty read.
March 16, 2017
I absolutely adored this book! Stay by Kelly Mooney was my first read by this easy to love author, because she knows how to deliver a beautiful, raw and emotional love story, one that left me lusting for more, still prying to keep the door from closing as I couldn’t leave her characters. Maggie and Luke were perfect together, being her brother’s best friend they shared an attraction and bond that made their relationship impossible to resist. Luke was so sweet, sexy, and adorable. He really made up for what Mags went through with her parents, who were forever absent from her life, favouring her twin brother Jeremy and supporting his needs, whilst Maggie’s dreams were suppressed constantly neglected, she was a strong and thoughtful girl towards other people’s needs when her own accomplishments never saw the limelight, stuck in second place, she would pick herself back up again, and look at new ways to reach her goals. Mags was definitely a girl who suffered from emotional and physical scars, the fact that she had Jeremy, Luke and Dean around to make her smile made the pain tolerable and hidden, but when her future alters and fearing the impact on her loved ones, not wanting to jeopardise their future, she decided to run leaving her dream man behind with confessions and Luke a broken man. I really felt for Mags as she tried to find peace and acceptance with her new life, and Max was the perfect guy who made her confront her demons. Now Luke, god I just loved him lol, the guy was romantic, sexy and unrelenting to get her back because she was always going to be his. Kelly Mooney really brought tears to my eyes reading his pov, my heart ached to console him as he fell deeper into a dark hole, unable to exist and relied on woman, drink and pills to numb thoughts of his loss. Now he did make my bad list when he played around and acted immature, because he couldn’t handle seeing Mags with Max, I know he was hurting and that he still struggled to overcome his pain relief to deal, but his behaviour and sexual antics kind of tainted what he shared with Mags and his appeal slightly slipped, I hated reading it because I loved his character and I wanted him to stay perfect in my eyes, good thing he did know how to redeem himself and that’s why he’s book boyfriend material for me, we all make mistakes right? This was a romantic read which I loved, drawing me into a world of heartache, loss, inner strength and second chance love as Luke Matthews fought to get his dream girl and his life back on track.
desafio-no-recomendaciones
March 5, 2015No-recomendado por
ᴍɪᴄs *ᴀᴍᴀɴᴛᴇ ᴅᴇ ʟᴏs sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀs*
Me propongo leer de principio a fin libros considerados "malos". Mi intención es encontrar al menos UNA cualidad buena en ellos y reseñarlos objetivamente siguiendo 20 puntos a desarrollar brevemente. (Los puntos varían según el género del que se trate.)
Si tienen ganas de No-recomendarme otros libros
pueden comentar acá o ACÁ. ¡Cualquier género es bienvenido! Cuanto más variado, mejor :)
ᴍɪᴄs *ᴀᴍᴀɴᴛᴇ ᴅᴇ ʟᴏs sᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀs*
Me propongo leer de principio a fin libros considerados "malos". Mi intención es encontrar al menos UNA cualidad buena en ellos y reseñarlos objetivamente siguiendo 20 puntos a desarrollar brevemente. (Los puntos varían según el género del que se trate.)
Si tienen ganas de No-recomendarme otros libros
pueden comentar acá o ACÁ. ¡Cualquier género es bienvenido! Cuanto más variado, mejor :)
August 6, 2016
Mucho drama innecesario, creo que me ahogue en el :(
Tenia tantas expectativas con esté libro, la verdad me esperaba más, ya había leído algunos libros de esta autora, no fueron de los mejores, y esos que son inolvidables, pero al menos fueron decentes y me hicieron pasar un buen rato.
No paso con este, y llego al caso de desesperarme y sentí que tenia muchas paginas de relleno... que a la final, no eran necesario.
Tenia tantas expectativas con esté libro, la verdad me esperaba más, ya había leído algunos libros de esta autora, no fueron de los mejores, y esos que son inolvidables, pero al menos fueron decentes y me hicieron pasar un buen rato.
No paso con este, y llego al caso de desesperarme y sentí que tenia muchas paginas de relleno... que a la final, no eran necesario.
January 21, 2017
Me tubo despierta toda la noche y apesar de que odie totalmentemente la indecision de la chica siempre me gusto la historia ame totalmente a luke quiero un luke en mi vida max siemto que alfinal ya no sabia que jacer para que se quedara en newyork siento que era muy posesivo ....la verdad es lo primero que leo de esta autora y me a gustado todo menos la actitud de puta de la chica jajaj
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2013
2.5 really... I want to like this book at the same I want to strangle myself, Maggie is a royal pain! At the end of the book, I get all her pain and what she's gone through, I just still couldn't feel for her! Damn! Must be all that running, she could win a marathon!
June 17, 2013
God please help me erase this book from my memory.
September 13, 2013
This was a good story that covered a lot of things. Abuse, love, forgiveness, and healing
The story revolves around Maggie, her twin Jeremy, and his two best friends Dean and Luke. They've all known each other since the age of 6. Maggie always got she crap end of life. Jeremy always got priority over her. The nice things, the car, the college education. Maggie knew her place and didn't hate her brother for it. She wanted him happy. But no one knew the sexual abuse she endured from a young age. By someone she trusted. No this isn't a spoiler, it's revealed in the very beginning. Once the boys take off to college, things get harder for Maggie. It's also when Luke and Maggie finally admit to their feelings and begin a relationship. It's always been there for them.
About a year and half into college, she can't take it anymore. She's got to get out and the only way to do it is to walk away. So she leaves behind two letters. One for Luke and it explains her abuse. One letter for Jeremy, no mention of the abuse.
She ends up stripping in a club in New York. She befriends bartender Max who helps her to heal. But Luke is never far from her heart. It's been 2years
The boys take a trip to New York. Luke and Dean wonder into a club. Her club. Dean spots her first and it's like..
The story starts to unfold. They want her back. Luke is still in love with her. Luke was never the same after she left. He also suffered a huge loss and Maggie wasn't there. Jeremy has more questions and is so happy to have her back. Max is afraid to lose her. She moves back with the boys and knows she has some explaining to do. Jeremy doesn't handle the reason very well but stands by her. But there's still a other reason why she left she hasn't told yet. Luke is dying to have her back. Max is still in the picture when she returns home and I felt so bad for Luke. I felt like he was being tormented. Getting his heart ripped out. But I had faith because the kind of love between Luke and Maggie was too strong to not make it. She had to realize that love again right??
After some indecision and secrets exposed this group can finally come to terms and heal. Because these four are a family. They realize why she ran. She realized she should've had more faith and trust. But she was so scared, the only choice she saw was to let them live the good college life and not bring them down with her issues. She needed to forgive and heal too. Can Luke forgive her? For not trusting him,for leaving, shattering his heart? He suffered so much. Can she get past the hurt she caused and find her way back to Luke or has max stolen her heart?? For me there was never any doubt it was always to be Luke and Maggie.
. Told in alternating povs of Maggie and Luke made you feel their pain, the sorrow and especially the longing. This did put me through the ringer a bit but there is an HEA
The story revolves around Maggie, her twin Jeremy, and his two best friends Dean and Luke. They've all known each other since the age of 6. Maggie always got she crap end of life. Jeremy always got priority over her. The nice things, the car, the college education. Maggie knew her place and didn't hate her brother for it. She wanted him happy. But no one knew the sexual abuse she endured from a young age. By someone she trusted. No this isn't a spoiler, it's revealed in the very beginning. Once the boys take off to college, things get harder for Maggie. It's also when Luke and Maggie finally admit to their feelings and begin a relationship. It's always been there for them.
About a year and half into college, she can't take it anymore. She's got to get out and the only way to do it is to walk away. So she leaves behind two letters. One for Luke and it explains her abuse. One letter for Jeremy, no mention of the abuse.
She ends up stripping in a club in New York. She befriends bartender Max who helps her to heal. But Luke is never far from her heart. It's been 2years
The boys take a trip to New York. Luke and Dean wonder into a club. Her club. Dean spots her first and it's like..
The story starts to unfold. They want her back. Luke is still in love with her. Luke was never the same after she left. He also suffered a huge loss and Maggie wasn't there. Jeremy has more questions and is so happy to have her back. Max is afraid to lose her. She moves back with the boys and knows she has some explaining to do. Jeremy doesn't handle the reason very well but stands by her. But there's still a other reason why she left she hasn't told yet. Luke is dying to have her back. Max is still in the picture when she returns home and I felt so bad for Luke. I felt like he was being tormented. Getting his heart ripped out. But I had faith because the kind of love between Luke and Maggie was too strong to not make it. She had to realize that love again right??
After some indecision and secrets exposed this group can finally come to terms and heal. Because these four are a family. They realize why she ran. She realized she should've had more faith and trust. But she was so scared, the only choice she saw was to let them live the good college life and not bring them down with her issues. She needed to forgive and heal too. Can Luke forgive her? For not trusting him,for leaving, shattering his heart? He suffered so much. Can she get past the hurt she caused and find her way back to Luke or has max stolen her heart?? For me there was never any doubt it was always to be Luke and Maggie.
. Told in alternating povs of Maggie and Luke made you feel their pain, the sorrow and especially the longing. This did put me through the ringer a bit but there is an HEA
May 11, 2016
Lola's List of Problems with Stay
1. There's too much going on. Family tragedies, sexual abuse, It makes it difficult to understand where your focus should be. I was getting whiplash with all the problems in the novel.
2.
3. How is Jeremy noticed his sister never got anything she wanted? Why didn't it bother him more?
4. How could Maggie's mother be so cold and nonchalant about the sexual abuse. It's like, "Wake up and take a look at your f**cking husband, lady!" Any mother who doesn't believe her daughter after hearing a claim like that is a disgrace.
5. Okay, saying Maggie works in a strip club in the description makes her sound like she's stripping. She isn't. That might've been more interesting, but that's a different novel. A bit of blunder on the part of the description writer...
6. How is everyone getting from Chicago to New York so easily? I live in Michigan. I know it is not that fast. This might be a factual mistake on the author's part.
7. This was not well-edited. I found at least a dozen grammatical and spelling mistakes. I mean, I make them in my reviews, but I don't have an editor looking at them, do I?
8. Luke. He's just a freaking hot mess a lot of the time, and frankly he scares me. I like him when he's put together, but I don't like his temper.
9. Maggie's relationship with Max dragged on much longer than I thought necessary or realistic. Trust me, that kind of long distance relationship would have never worked out, and Mooney stretched believability pretty thin there.
10. Dean is supposedly like a brother to Maggie, but we barely hear him speak. He's kind of in the background a lot.
The only reason this got two stars with the last chapter. It was gooey and emotional and romantic, and I squealed at the end of the book. If when it's crappy, I like a book to have a happy ending. I just might not care as much.
1. There's too much going on. Family tragedies, sexual abuse, It makes it difficult to understand where your focus should be. I was getting whiplash with all the problems in the novel.
2.
3. How is Jeremy noticed his sister never got anything she wanted? Why didn't it bother him more?
4. How could Maggie's mother be so cold and nonchalant about the sexual abuse. It's like, "Wake up and take a look at your f**cking husband, lady!" Any mother who doesn't believe her daughter after hearing a claim like that is a disgrace.
5. Okay, saying Maggie works in a strip club in the description makes her sound like she's stripping. She isn't. That might've been more interesting, but that's a different novel. A bit of blunder on the part of the description writer...
6. How is everyone getting from Chicago to New York so easily? I live in Michigan. I know it is not that fast. This might be a factual mistake on the author's part.
7. This was not well-edited. I found at least a dozen grammatical and spelling mistakes. I mean, I make them in my reviews, but I don't have an editor looking at them, do I?
8. Luke. He's just a freaking hot mess a lot of the time, and frankly he scares me. I like him when he's put together, but I don't like his temper.
9. Maggie's relationship with Max dragged on much longer than I thought necessary or realistic. Trust me, that kind of long distance relationship would have never worked out, and Mooney stretched believability pretty thin there.
10. Dean is supposedly like a brother to Maggie, but we barely hear him speak. He's kind of in the background a lot.
The only reason this got two stars with the last chapter. It was gooey and emotional and romantic, and I squealed at the end of the book. If when it's crappy, I like a book to have a happy ending. I just might not care as much.
January 10, 2014
Oh, sweet Lord.
I just can’t- How did it get more than 1 star is beyond me.
Luke was just awful, he was abusive and manipulative and plain ol’ jerk. I can’t believe he could be the love interest of anyone. What an ass.
Maggie, well… Though I understand why she did some of the things she did, I just hated her. She run away from everything, you guys, everything. It became ridiculous! And aside from deciding to leave her family and friends, she couldn’t make a decision for shit. Everyone else made them for her, and the worst part is that she let them. I can’t even tell you what a huge pet peeve of mine that is.
Aside from Max (the only decent character in here), I hated every single character in this story. Jeremy (Maggie’s brother) always put himself and Luke before Maggie. Always. It didn’t matter how torn and messed up she was, as long as she was with Luke, then Jeremy was ok, because his friend was ok now.
Really?
Really?
Brother of the year, ladies and gentlemen.
Seriously, you guys. How I was able to finish this, is beyond me. I only did it out of stubbornness, I guess.
I just can’t- How did it get more than 1 star is beyond me.
Luke was just awful, he was abusive and manipulative and plain ol’ jerk. I can’t believe he could be the love interest of anyone. What an ass.
Maggie, well… Though I understand why she did some of the things she did, I just hated her. She run away from everything, you guys, everything. It became ridiculous! And aside from deciding to leave her family and friends, she couldn’t make a decision for shit. Everyone else made them for her, and the worst part is that she let them. I can’t even tell you what a huge pet peeve of mine that is.
Aside from Max (the only decent character in here), I hated every single character in this story. Jeremy (Maggie’s brother) always put himself and Luke before Maggie. Always. It didn’t matter how torn and messed up she was, as long as she was with Luke, then Jeremy was ok, because his friend was ok now.
Really?
Really?
Brother of the year, ladies and gentlemen.
Seriously, you guys. How I was able to finish this, is beyond me. I only did it out of stubbornness, I guess.
June 15, 2013
Love the effing cover!!! Jeremy he's a good brother, "Maggie, there is no effing way you're staying here in New York, let alone working in a goddamned strip joint." Luke after years you can tell her still hardcore for his girl, "I stayed up the rest of the night planning my mode of attack to win her back, worrying she might leave, or worse, stay with Max, and I'd never get my girl again." He's real persistent as well, "go ahead, baby. Keep running, but I'll never change my mind about you. It's a waste of time to try. Cause this isn't over." I loved this book losing your first love, finding it again, going through s*** to get back to where you were it's like a fairytale!
April 21, 2015
Sé que la primera regla de un lector es: "Nunca juzgues a un libro por su portada." Con este, totalmente lo hice. Me enamoré de esta portada o seria más honesto decir, del chico en la portada, lo leí sólo porque la portada me atrapó y debo decir que fue una perdida de tiempo. No me gustó para nada este libro, demasiado floja esta lectura. La primera estrella la obtiene por lo que me tuvo leyéndolo principalmente, la portada (perdón por redundar) y la segunda simplemente por el intento de hacer un buen libro. Lo siento, no fue uno de mis favoritos.
October 29, 2014
Tenia muchas ganas de leerlo ya que "Please don't tell" es uno de mis libros favoritos y me gusta como escribe Kelly, pero... me ha decepcionado.
Empezó muy bien pero a mitad del libro no veia el momento de terminarlo (no soy capaz de dejar un libro sin terminar). Los dialogos me han parecido repetitivos y la razón para huir de Maggie no me pareció del todo convincente (pese a que era una situación dificil podria haberlo solucionado de otra manera).
Y el final... sin palabras.
Empezó muy bien pero a mitad del libro no veia el momento de terminarlo (no soy capaz de dejar un libro sin terminar). Los dialogos me han parecido repetitivos y la razón para huir de Maggie no me pareció del todo convincente (pese a que era una situación dificil podria haberlo solucionado de otra manera).
Y el final... sin palabras.
January 8, 2014
Que tonta es Maggie ¬¬
December 16, 2013
I thought this was a cute book. I really love the cover thats what drew me to the book in the first place. This was my first read from this author and I will read more.
February 13, 2015
Lo único bueno del libro? La sinopsis.
Le falto mucho desarrollo.
Le falto mucho desarrollo.
September 28, 2020
A love story for all
Another amazing story by Kelly Mooney. I loved the characters and the storyline. Honestly I couldn't put it down. I loved how the characters developed during the book.
Another amazing story by Kelly Mooney. I loved the characters and the storyline. Honestly I couldn't put it down. I loved how the characters developed during the book.
October 29, 2023
3.5 Stars
May 9, 2014
Me gusto mucho este libro. De verdad que si, este tipo de historias generan cierta debilidad en mi que me hace reaccionar de diferentes maneras. Enojo, Felicidad, Esperanza, Disfrute, y me hace ver a los protagonistas como se merecen ser vistos.
Maggie es muy fuerte, lamentablemente le pasaron cosas horribles en su pasado y llevaba conviviendo con eso desde los nueve años de edad, resistió demasiado hasta que huir fue su única salida.
Luke es todo un luchador, lucho para seguir adelante cuando todo se había acabado, Luchó por Maggie y por todo lo que lo hacia feliz.
Max es un gran chico pero simplemente la historia de Luke y Maggie estaba destinada a ser.
Mi personajes favoritos fueron Jeremy y Dean me reí muchísimo con ellos.
Sin embargo lo único que no me gusto mucho de este libro es que uno se entera muy rápido de que es lo que realmente sucedió pero después de todo creo que fue una gran historia.
I like it very much. I really do, this kind of stories make me feel weaker and that makes me react in different ways. Anger, Happiness, Hope, Enjoyment and makes me see the characters them deserve to be seen.
Maggie is very strong, regrettably she has to been through horrible things in her past since she was 9 years old she resist until until escape was his last exit.
Luke is a Warrior, he figth to go on when all aroung it's falling into pices, he fougth for Maggie and for all that makes him happy.
Max it's a great guy but The story about Luke and Maggie was meant to be.
My fav characters are Jeremy and Dean they make me laugh a lot.
The only thing I didn't like that much is that we realize what happen in past in a very fast was insted of get us nervous about what it's what they are hidding to us. but after all I think it's a great story.
Maggie es muy fuerte, lamentablemente le pasaron cosas horribles en su pasado y llevaba conviviendo con eso desde los nueve años de edad, resistió demasiado hasta que huir fue su única salida.
Luke es todo un luchador, lucho para seguir adelante cuando todo se había acabado, Luchó por Maggie y por todo lo que lo hacia feliz.
Max es un gran chico pero simplemente la historia de Luke y Maggie estaba destinada a ser.
Mi personajes favoritos fueron Jeremy y Dean me reí muchísimo con ellos.
Sin embargo lo único que no me gusto mucho de este libro es que uno se entera muy rápido de que es lo que realmente sucedió pero después de todo creo que fue una gran historia.
I like it very much. I really do, this kind of stories make me feel weaker and that makes me react in different ways. Anger, Happiness, Hope, Enjoyment and makes me see the characters them deserve to be seen.
Maggie is very strong, regrettably she has to been through horrible things in her past since she was 9 years old she resist until until escape was his last exit.
Luke is a Warrior, he figth to go on when all aroung it's falling into pices, he fougth for Maggie and for all that makes him happy.
Max it's a great guy but The story about Luke and Maggie was meant to be.
My fav characters are Jeremy and Dean they make me laugh a lot.
The only thing I didn't like that much is that we realize what happen in past in a very fast was insted of get us nervous about what it's what they are hidding to us. but after all I think it's a great story.
June 16, 2013
This was a really quick read as I was able to finish it in a day. I thought there were a lot of good ideas in the story but I didn't turn out to be that tear-jerking emotional read I was hoping for.
Maggie has a dark past. She may seem like she has the perfect life but behind closed doors, she’s dealing with the abuse of her father. One night, she decides to leave town to start fresh, leaving her twin brother, Jeremy, and boyfriend, Luke behind. For Luke, it’s always been Maggie. So after she leaves, he does anything in his power to numb the pain whether it be from drugs, alcohol, or random girls. Two years later, Luke and friends all go out to New York to help Luke get over the loss of his family after a freak car accident that killed them instantly. It is there he sees Maggie again and is determined to get her back into his life, whether she wants to or not.
The characters were okay for me. Maggie is the type of heroine I typically don’t like reading. Everything that happened the last two years could’ve been avoided if she had only talked to Luke. She just decided not to trust in their relationship and left without a trace. I realize there wouldn’t be a story had she not left but I feel like this kind of story is so overdone. I felt like they could’ve played with her relationship with her father more. I didn’t feel like there was any closure in that aspect. I liked Luke and he did have some swoon-worthy moments but he didn’t stand out amongst the heroes I’ve read lately.
One thing I didn’t understand was Jeremy. He and Maggie are twins and super close but I just don’t understand how he could not notice how their parents were blatantly favouring him over her. Maybe he didn’t care, I’m not sure. But it just didn’t make sense to be how he could’ve carried such a “good” relationship between him, Maggie, and their parents all the while Maggie was treated so poorly.
The story is told in first person POV from Maggie and Luke. I did appreciate there was little to no plot rehashing every time they switched POVs. That’s a personal pet peeve of mine when I read books in dual POVs.
Overall, the story was okay but felt a bit anticlimactic for me. The big reveal as to why Maggie left was kind of disappointing and the epilogue felt really rushed for me as well.
Maggie has a dark past. She may seem like she has the perfect life but behind closed doors, she’s dealing with the abuse of her father. One night, she decides to leave town to start fresh, leaving her twin brother, Jeremy, and boyfriend, Luke behind. For Luke, it’s always been Maggie. So after she leaves, he does anything in his power to numb the pain whether it be from drugs, alcohol, or random girls. Two years later, Luke and friends all go out to New York to help Luke get over the loss of his family after a freak car accident that killed them instantly. It is there he sees Maggie again and is determined to get her back into his life, whether she wants to or not.
The characters were okay for me. Maggie is the type of heroine I typically don’t like reading. Everything that happened the last two years could’ve been avoided if she had only talked to Luke. She just decided not to trust in their relationship and left without a trace. I realize there wouldn’t be a story had she not left but I feel like this kind of story is so overdone. I felt like they could’ve played with her relationship with her father more. I didn’t feel like there was any closure in that aspect. I liked Luke and he did have some swoon-worthy moments but he didn’t stand out amongst the heroes I’ve read lately.
One thing I didn’t understand was Jeremy. He and Maggie are twins and super close but I just don’t understand how he could not notice how their parents were blatantly favouring him over her. Maybe he didn’t care, I’m not sure. But it just didn’t make sense to be how he could’ve carried such a “good” relationship between him, Maggie, and their parents all the while Maggie was treated so poorly.
The story is told in first person POV from Maggie and Luke. I did appreciate there was little to no plot rehashing every time they switched POVs. That’s a personal pet peeve of mine when I read books in dual POVs.
Overall, the story was okay but felt a bit anticlimactic for me. The big reveal as to why Maggie left was kind of disappointing and the epilogue felt really rushed for me as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2014
http://www.blue-moon.fr/spip.php?arti...
Kelly Mooney n’est vraiment pas passée loin de son objectif avec ce roman auto-édité qui reprend des thèmes très utilisés dans la romance jeune adulte. Seules quelques maladresses viennent nuancer l’impression générale et cette auteure a les moyens de faire très bien.
Maggie est une jeune femme apparemment comme les autres. Flanquée de son frère jumeau et de ses deux meilleurs amis, elle semble avoir une adolescence normale. C’est loin d’être le cas et le début du livre, nous la montre, sur le point de quitter Luke, son petit ami, meilleur copain de son frère et un des membres de leur petit groupe. Nous ne saurons alors rien de ses motivations sinon qu’elles n’ont rien à voir avec un coup de tête ou une envie futile. Deux ans vont passer qui vont changer considérablement les choses. Maggie vit à New York, a rencontré un garçon très sympathique qui lui redonne goût à la vie car quitter Luke et sa ville a été douloureux et n’a pas totalement résolu ses problèmes. Evidemment un grain de sable va faire éclater ce petit monde tranquille. Luke et ses mais vont débarquer dans le bar où elle travaille.
Il y a beaucoup de pistes ouvertes dans ce roman notamment les mystères du passé de Maggie qui sont à l’origine de tout, la confrontation entre deux petits amis potentiels, le nouveau et l’ancien, des révélations fracassantes sur tout ce qui s’est passé en deux ans.... En un mot Kelly Mooney a sans doute voulu en faire un peu trop et est un peu submergée par toutes les pistes à suivre. L’impression générale est aussi que beaucoup de malheurs se sont abattus sur ce petit groupe de jeunes gens. Le roman est d’une longueur moyenne et précipite un peu tout.
Il n’en reste pas moins que l’idée est intéressante et le récit bien mené. Luke l’ancien petit ami, persistant et pas mal fracassé lui aussi est un personnage séduisant qui souffre justement de devoir faire face à trop de choses dans cette histoire. Maggie est aussi une mère courage qui a refait sa vie bien mal engagée. En un mot, le potentiel de ce roman était important mais il aurait mérité parfois plus de rythme et à d’autres moments, de prendre plus son temps. Kelly Mooney est en tous cas dans son élément et il faut lui donner sans problème une seconde chance car elle a un réel potentiel.
Kelly Mooney n’est vraiment pas passée loin de son objectif avec ce roman auto-édité qui reprend des thèmes très utilisés dans la romance jeune adulte. Seules quelques maladresses viennent nuancer l’impression générale et cette auteure a les moyens de faire très bien.
Maggie est une jeune femme apparemment comme les autres. Flanquée de son frère jumeau et de ses deux meilleurs amis, elle semble avoir une adolescence normale. C’est loin d’être le cas et le début du livre, nous la montre, sur le point de quitter Luke, son petit ami, meilleur copain de son frère et un des membres de leur petit groupe. Nous ne saurons alors rien de ses motivations sinon qu’elles n’ont rien à voir avec un coup de tête ou une envie futile. Deux ans vont passer qui vont changer considérablement les choses. Maggie vit à New York, a rencontré un garçon très sympathique qui lui redonne goût à la vie car quitter Luke et sa ville a été douloureux et n’a pas totalement résolu ses problèmes. Evidemment un grain de sable va faire éclater ce petit monde tranquille. Luke et ses mais vont débarquer dans le bar où elle travaille.
Il y a beaucoup de pistes ouvertes dans ce roman notamment les mystères du passé de Maggie qui sont à l’origine de tout, la confrontation entre deux petits amis potentiels, le nouveau et l’ancien, des révélations fracassantes sur tout ce qui s’est passé en deux ans.... En un mot Kelly Mooney a sans doute voulu en faire un peu trop et est un peu submergée par toutes les pistes à suivre. L’impression générale est aussi que beaucoup de malheurs se sont abattus sur ce petit groupe de jeunes gens. Le roman est d’une longueur moyenne et précipite un peu tout.
Il n’en reste pas moins que l’idée est intéressante et le récit bien mené. Luke l’ancien petit ami, persistant et pas mal fracassé lui aussi est un personnage séduisant qui souffre justement de devoir faire face à trop de choses dans cette histoire. Maggie est aussi une mère courage qui a refait sa vie bien mal engagée. En un mot, le potentiel de ce roman était important mais il aurait mérité parfois plus de rythme et à d’autres moments, de prendre plus son temps. Kelly Mooney est en tous cas dans son élément et il faut lui donner sans problème une seconde chance car elle a un réel potentiel.
June 27, 2013
**4 out of 5 Stars**
Read my full review at http://romancereaders101.blogspot.com
This was a good little book. I needed a break after my last read, something that wasn't as dark with a HEA. I got this with this book. It took a long time to get there but they finally made it. The writing style was great, I had no trouble following it. I liked the characters for the most part. The heroine got on my nerves through most of it simply because she couldn't make a decision and it was so obvious to me where she should be. There is a lot of angst and drama with this one. I was so mad at her most of the book. I wanted to pull my hair out and just scream!
Maggie is strong, a survivor. She’s been through a lot in her life. She’s working in a strip club in New York and trying to move on with a life she never imagined. She’s beautiful. I like her to a point. I admire her for doing what she did but at the same time I hated her! She can’t make a decision about anything. She reminds me of Kiera form Thoughtless with her decision making.
Luke is tall, built and tattooed. He’s been through a lot of tragedy. He lost the girl of his dreams and his family all within a year. He’s lost and trying to find himself at the bottom of a bottle and with Xanax. He’s been in love with the same girl since he was a kid and he can’t let her go. He’s gonna do what he has to, to make sure he keeps her once he’s found her again.
After Maggie left him one night 2 years ago, Luke's life went downhill fast. He doesn't know which way is up anymore. A road trip to NYC brings him face to face with the girl he thought he had lost forever. Their journey is a long and hard one, filled with ups and downs, heartbreak, and forgiveness.
I liked this one. It wasn't the best I've ever read but it wasn't the worst either. It’s just a light read with a little angst thrown in. I’m giving it 4 stars because she drove me crazy not being able to make a decision. If you’re looking for a 2nd chance at love story than this book is for you!
Favorite Quotes…
“…I can’t live without you. You’re the air that I breathe. You’re the beat to my heart. You’re the smile on my lips. You are everything to me. You always have been.”
Read my full review at http://romancereaders101.blogspot.com
This was a good little book. I needed a break after my last read, something that wasn't as dark with a HEA. I got this with this book. It took a long time to get there but they finally made it. The writing style was great, I had no trouble following it. I liked the characters for the most part. The heroine got on my nerves through most of it simply because she couldn't make a decision and it was so obvious to me where she should be. There is a lot of angst and drama with this one. I was so mad at her most of the book. I wanted to pull my hair out and just scream!
Maggie is strong, a survivor. She’s been through a lot in her life. She’s working in a strip club in New York and trying to move on with a life she never imagined. She’s beautiful. I like her to a point. I admire her for doing what she did but at the same time I hated her! She can’t make a decision about anything. She reminds me of Kiera form Thoughtless with her decision making.
Luke is tall, built and tattooed. He’s been through a lot of tragedy. He lost the girl of his dreams and his family all within a year. He’s lost and trying to find himself at the bottom of a bottle and with Xanax. He’s been in love with the same girl since he was a kid and he can’t let her go. He’s gonna do what he has to, to make sure he keeps her once he’s found her again.
After Maggie left him one night 2 years ago, Luke's life went downhill fast. He doesn't know which way is up anymore. A road trip to NYC brings him face to face with the girl he thought he had lost forever. Their journey is a long and hard one, filled with ups and downs, heartbreak, and forgiveness.
I liked this one. It wasn't the best I've ever read but it wasn't the worst either. It’s just a light read with a little angst thrown in. I’m giving it 4 stars because she drove me crazy not being able to make a decision. If you’re looking for a 2nd chance at love story than this book is for you!
Favorite Quotes…
“…I can’t live without you. You’re the air that I breathe. You’re the beat to my heart. You’re the smile on my lips. You are everything to me. You always have been.”
December 19, 2013
Weird.
The whole time I was reading this book, I think I said the word weird aloud more times than I could count.
Don't get me wrong. If you're looking for a cheesy love story then this book will give that to you. But as far as the storyline goes, it's quite predictable - and in my opinion, not exactly in a good way. I already knew what was going to happen the first chapter in. Usually with these kinds of books you can predict how it may end, but the things that happen in between always, more often than not, surprise you.
This just didn't do that for me.
Lucas & Maggie, or "Blue" as he nicknamed her, were childhood friends turned college sweethearts turned whatever you would call their relationship at the present time. They both have been through a lot growing up and it has, in more ways than one, affected their relationship. I'm not going to tell you that it's all rainbows and butterflies, or if it's all doomed to fail. I will say this though, I can relate to some of the things that Maggie has been through.
I think we all come to this point in our lives where we want to figure out what we want, on our own terms, and allow others to live the life we think they deserve as well.
I don't know if I'll ever read this book again, but if I do, it's because Stay is a short and light read.
The whole time I was reading this book, I think I said the word weird aloud more times than I could count.
Don't get me wrong. If you're looking for a cheesy love story then this book will give that to you. But as far as the storyline goes, it's quite predictable - and in my opinion, not exactly in a good way. I already knew what was going to happen the first chapter in. Usually with these kinds of books you can predict how it may end, but the things that happen in between always, more often than not, surprise you.
This just didn't do that for me.
Lucas & Maggie, or "Blue" as he nicknamed her, were childhood friends turned college sweethearts turned whatever you would call their relationship at the present time. They both have been through a lot growing up and it has, in more ways than one, affected their relationship. I'm not going to tell you that it's all rainbows and butterflies, or if it's all doomed to fail. I will say this though, I can relate to some of the things that Maggie has been through.
I think we all come to this point in our lives where we want to figure out what we want, on our own terms, and allow others to live the life we think they deserve as well.
I don't know if I'll ever read this book again, but if I do, it's because Stay is a short and light read.
June 19, 2013
What happen to Maggie was unacceptable in so many ways. First moving out leaving a letter to Jeremy and Luke was for me the coward thing to do. BUT the telling the half truth to Luke is inexcusable. Then she she Max that any girl dreamed on a guy. He's very understanding and loving guy. I felt hurt knowing she chooses Luke over him but maybe Max wasn't her true soulmate that she needs to let him go. On the other hand Luke experienced an excruciating that for me never in the million thing could I ever overcome for. He lost Maggie and his family.
Finding Maggie after 2 years give him hope and bring his faith that his one true soulmate came back to save him but the complication rises because now Maggie has Max in his life.
As I continue to read more about them I've learned that Jeremy is very loving brother who doesn't have a clue what happen to his twin sister, never in the day he misses her, for Dean who loved Maggie as his own sister and a great friend to Luke. Most of the times I get irritated to Maggie due to her actions. But the good thing is Luke never gave up on her. For another secret that "almost" destroyed them but faith has own ways to get back these people together.
Finding Maggie after 2 years give him hope and bring his faith that his one true soulmate came back to save him but the complication rises because now Maggie has Max in his life.
As I continue to read more about them I've learned that Jeremy is very loving brother who doesn't have a clue what happen to his twin sister, never in the day he misses her, for Dean who loved Maggie as his own sister and a great friend to Luke. Most of the times I get irritated to Maggie due to her actions. But the good thing is Luke never gave up on her. For another secret that "almost" destroyed them but faith has own ways to get back these people together.
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