Stay Anyway

Kincaid Brothers #7

by Kaylee Ryan

Stella

Getting pregnant in college wasn’t part of the plan, but I’ll never regret giving birth to the best part of me. Even if my parents did disown me for it.

A fresh start in a small town seems like a good idea, until a handsome stranger shows me a little kindness and has me feeling things, I thought I’d never feel again… things I have no business feeling about a man I just met.

Every time I turn around, Maverick is there. One thing inevitably leads to another and my newfound friend comes with benefits. I'm doing my best to hold it all together, but the truth is, when I see him with my daughter, I know I've already fallen too far.


Maverick

From the moment Stella rolled into town, she's had my attention. Since that moment, I've been determined to befriend the sexy single mom who's down on her luck.

Stella has fallen on hard times, but something tells me she'll never take a handout. That doesn't mean I'm not going to try to help, so of course I put in a good word to get her a job. She’s smart enough to know I had a hand in it, but that’s what friends are for, right?

With each day that passes, Stella becomes more than just a friend. She's my best friend—who I apparently can't keep my hands off. She's worried we're complicating things, but screw that. Blurred lines or not, I ask her to stay anyway.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Small Town Romance, Slow Burn, Contemporary, Found Family, Contemporary Romance

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2024

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kaylee Ryan has earned the affectionate title of “Queen of Swoon” from her devoted readers. With over sixty romance novels to her name, Kaylee has built a beloved catalog of heartfelt stories that celebrate love in all its tender, emotional, and undeniably swoony forms. Her signature blend of charm, chemistry, and genuine happily-ever-afters has captivated readers around the world.

When she’s not crafting new love stories or dreaming up her next unforgettable couple, Kaylee can usually be found with a book in hand, fueling her creativity as a lifelong reader. She cherishes the time spent with her family and friends, embracing the moments that inspire the heart of her stories.

Reviews

[Jen ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehh, this was meh, I didn't enjoy it. It might work for other readers, though. Maybe I'm just not in the mood to read about a young single mom who's so down on her luck.

Stella moved to her grandparents' small town when her own parents disowned her after she got accidentally pregnant. They told her to terminate her pregnancy, but she didn't want to do it; hence, they cut her off. Then one day, Maverick saw them on the side of the road with a flat tire and helped them get the car towed. Since then, Mav has decided to befriend Stella and her baby, Ada.

I think I got tired of seeing Stella struggle for the first half of this book. She has a small savings and currently has no job. Although she was staying with her grandparents, she doesn't want to accept any financial assistance from them and she didn't want to inconvenience them. Said her savings should be more than enough until she finds a job. But then Mav came into the picture like a knight in shining armor and wouldn't allow Stella to refuse his help.

If I have to read the line "You didn't have to do that" one more time, I'm going to lose my sh*t. This has been Stella's response all the freaking time to everyone who's trying to help her. I get it; she's not used to receiving kindness, but man, this refuse-then-accept game of hers got annoying and exhausting along the way. Like, just accept the freaking help. This family is never going to listen to any refusals anyway. 

Then Mav's denial of his feelings for her annoyed me too. He said he considers her his friend and nothing more. He found her beautiful but didn't want to do anything with her, yet his actions and words contradict the "friends only" crap he was telling everyone around him. The fact that it took him up until the 77% mark to fxcking realize and admit he's in love with her annoyed me more.

Had he not seen Stella with the sperm donor, he wouldn't have done anything with his conflicting emotions. He said he was more than happy to put her in the friend zone because, in that way, he could still have her and Ada in his life. And I was like, WTF???? So without the OM appearing and signing away his rights to Ada, Mav wouldn't pull his head out his ass to finally claim "his girls" 😑 So beta of his personality, if you ask me.

Then the freaking double standards came into the story. See, Stella got pregnant after she lost her V-card, and Ada's conception was the only time she ever had sex. 😒 Then, as readers, we get to read that Mav had a colorful life. It was implied in the previous books that he and his twin, Merrick, have gotten around. 😑 But in this story, he has been celibate for 10 months, I think?? I'm already annoyed by how the story is progressing, but this freaking imbalance with their sexual experience made me irritated even more. 😤

Then there was one scene where Mav's sisters-in-law mentioned his past activities, and this made Stella realize that, of course, he had been with other women before. It hurt her and made her jealous a bit, but since they were freaking "friends", she can't do anything about it. And I was like, does she really have to know this info? Like at all? Will this serve any good purpose for her??? 🤦‍♀️ But fear not, because it turns out Mav hasn't brought any women to his family events or into his bed (this is sarcasm, btw). So, I guess, at least she has that. 🙄😒

Don't get me started with the fact that it's always Stella who's making the first move to seduce Mav. And he's always willing to give her what she wants but will tell her that this shouldn't change anything about their friendship. 😑 So that's what they did; they fooled around, but afterwards they pretended like it didn't happen. 🫠

To probably show their relationship for the first 77%, I think this conversation would be more than enough.

h: "I’ve loved you for so long. I hid it because I knew that’s not how you felt.”
H: “I was too stupid to see it. My brothers tried to tell me. I refused to listen. I wasted so much time.”

 
Overall, not a worth read for me, but it might work for others. 🤷‍♀️


Book info:
- Small town
- Single mom
- Found family
- Strangers-to-friends-to-lovers
- Insta-something
- No cheating, OWD, separation
- OM (not really, the sperm donor visited Stella to sign away his rights)
- HEA (married and pregnant)

[Becky]

Double standards

She had sex one time before him
He of course was very experiencend

[♡︎ Kesa Subban ♡︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just so damn beautiful 😍

ꍏꋪꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖬𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖼𝗄
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖲𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅𝖺
5 𝘒𝘦𝘺 𝘛𝘰 𝘔𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘉𝘺 𝘒𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘦 𝘙𝘺𝘢𝘯

♾️ ⭐

sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ ʜᴀs ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴍʏ ғᴀᴠᴏᴜʀɪᴛᴇ ᴋɪɴᴄᴀɪᴅ ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ...ʙᴜᴛ ᴍᴀᴠᴇʀɪᴄᴋ ᴋɪɴᴄᴀɪᴅ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴋɪᴄᴋᴇᴅ ʜɪs ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴘᴏsɪᴛɪᴏɴ. ᴛʜɪs ɢᴜʏ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴏɴᴇ ᴜᴘᴘᴇᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ...ɴᴏᴡ ᴡᴇ ɢᴏᴛᴛᴀ ᴡᴀɪᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴍᴇʀʀɪᴄᴋs ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ɪғ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇs.

Stella, my heart broke for her. Her daughter was her choice, no matter what, and she is doing everything she possibly can to provide for her. But luck has not been on her side. Packing their belongings she sets out for Willow River to live with her grandparents. It's her time to start afresh, find a job and get back on her feet. She just never knew what her new beginning had in store for her and Ada.

Maverick....this man 😍♥️

Watching his seven brothers fall in love, makes him hopeful that one day he will have that. It's actually no question he knows he will, he just never realised his act of kindness will lead him to it.

Stella and Mav had an instant bond, I loved the easiness of their friendship, the banter, the chemistry and falling without even realising it.

...Mav never had ulterior motives, he genuinely wanted to do things because that's just who he was, but when it came to Stella and Ada, something was different, he just didn't know what it was...the love he had for his little bug was just beautiful...and the love Ada had for him...my word you guys...just ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

...the development of Stella and Mav's relationship was perfect I loved that it wasn't rushed, he cared and fell for her, without even realising it. And the little spicy scenes we got 🌶️🥵🔥

....𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚...𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙢...𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩!!!

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝖪𝗂𝗇𝖼𝖺𝗂𝖽 𝖥𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒 ❤️
𝖬𝖾𝗋𝗋𝗂𝖼𝗄...𝗁𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗅𝗒 𝖼𝖺𝗇'𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗂𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄.

𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞

"𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮"
“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩."

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🛣️ 🏗️ 🚧 🛣️🏗️
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 💋💋💋💋💋
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵🌶️
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 📚📚📚📚📚
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧💧

[ReadaholicDeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels!!

Maverick's devotion to those he cares for only expands when he meets single mom, Stella. Stella is starting over after her parents disowned her for getting pregnant.

This is not the typical struggling single mom, rescued by the hero story. It was so much more!!! ❤️

I loved the progression of their relationship. They have an instant connection but don't jump right into a romantic relationship. They develop a solid friendship while their feelings develop. The slslowburnnticipation had me turning pages as fast as I could.

Maverick had my heart. Talk about swoony scenes 🥰!! I adored the bond he developed with her daughter.

I smiled the entire time reading, when I wasn't giggling at the family, all the "arm p0rn" IYKYK, and their hilarious commentary.

🌻 single mom
🌻 small town
🌻 starting over
🌻 she falls first, he falls harder
🌻 found family
🌻 friends to lovers
🌻 golden retriever
🌻 slowburn open-door spicy scenes
🌻 first-person, dual POV
🌻 interconnected standalone (book 7)

This can be read as a standalone, but I wholeheartedly recommend reading the entire series.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was cute. It was funny how doing a good deed changed Maverick's life. Sure he was probably being nice at first with Stella and Ada, but you could tell he quickly was smitten with them both, even as he fought it. It was only when he "saw" something he didn't like that he realized that he was lying to himself and that maybe his family was right. Maverick quickly moved to make changes and was lucky that Stella felt the same. Loved seeing how their relationship changed afterwards, with family with them each step of the way!

[Rachel McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously think it’s impossible for Kaylee to write a MMC that I won’t fall in love with. Maverick hit at just the right time. I’ve been loving reading about men who fall in love with women and their children and care for them wholeheartedly as their own. Ovaries are a blaze with this one. Maverick is just perfect. I was just in swoon city this entire book. His family and this town are what dreams are made of too. I just love everything about this book. I can’t wait to read Merrick’s story.

[Father Lib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maverick Kincaid is the total embodiment of the Kincaid family motto “Work Hard, Love Harder” and there isn’t one thing not to love about him . The type of guy who pulls over when he sees a struggling single mom, stuck on the side of the road, with her adorable little girl .. that’s Maverick . Plus being the twin brother to none other than Merrick Kincaid always has its perks .

Stella and her little one Ada are just looking for their happily ever after and they find it in folds with the Kincaid family . Maverick loves the two of them instantly without ever looking back and the rest of his family takes them both in as if they were always meant to be . Which is exactly what Stella deserves after the heart-breaking life she has had .

This is book seven in the Kincaid Brother’s series and it can be read as a complete stand alone .

This book was given to me for honest review by Grey’s Promotions .

[Alecia (The Staircase Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stay Anyway is the seventh book in the Kincaid Brothers Series by Kaylee Ryan. Let me tell you, it’s been a long time since I last swooned over a fictional hero, this hard! If you’re looking for a single mother romance that involves a swoony hero coming in and saving the day, look no further and grab this one!Kaylee Ryan has outdone herself with Maverick, Stella and baby Ada’s story!

Let’s dive into what this novel is about.

First we have Stella. Stella was living her best life in college. But it all came to a screeching halt when she learned she was pregnant after losing her virginity. She not only lost her boyfriend due to him being a deadbeat dad, she also lost the support of her parents. Now, she’s found herself in Willow’s River living with her grandparents and looking for a job so she can solely support herself and her one year old baby girl, Ada. When a flat tire leaves her stranded on the side of the road, fate rides in and places her hero in her path. But Stella’s learned her lesson the first time around and this time, she’s not going to let just anybody into her life. She has her baby girl to think about.

Maverick Kincaid is sick of the solo scene. After watching the majority of his brothers fall in love and settle down, he’s feeling the itch that he wants what they all have. He wants someone to come home to at night, and a new reality that he never thought he would want. When Stella and her baby girl Ada, are placed in his path, Maverick sees the situation for what it is. Stella needs a real friend and a support system. But when feelings get involved, Maverick forces his heart to take a step back… until the unexpected happens, and he’s forced to rethink this situation.

My thoughts:

My heart was on overload throughout this whole novel. I couldn’t get enough!! It also has to be said, if you love series that feature a very close family with an unbreakable bond, you should definitely get your hands on the Kincaid Brothers Series! I can’t put into words how much I adored this novel. Let’s start with Maverick. This man was swoony as hell!! I loved how he flawlessly and unnoticeably filled the position of daddy in Ada’s life. From the moment he looked in that car and saw that baby girl, I knew he was a goner! Hell, I was a goner!! I also loved the fact that this man overstepped in a cautious and kind way. He pushed for Stella to make friends with his sisters-in-law and he pushed for her to realize it’s okay to depend on others. But never once did he push himself or his feelings on her. My heart swooned for this man.

And then we have Stella. Stella was put through a lot in the span of a year. My heart broke for her. But I knew it would all work out for her in the end. I’m going to keep Stella’s backstory and my thoughts as spoiler free as possible. So i’m going to end this part by saying, I adored this woman and her strength!

Overall, Stay Anyway is my favorite novel in the Kincaid Brother’s Series. I think it’s going to be hard to top this one, but I have faith in Kaylee Ryan and her storytelling skills that Merrick, Maverick’s Twin Brother’s story is going to be just as good, if not better!

_________



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[Laurenreadingrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💙 meet cute
🩶single mom
💙family dynamics
🩶friends to lovers
💙no 3rd act break up
🩶lots of banter
💙found family

This is the 7th book in the Kincaid Brothers series. Although it can be read as a standalone, it could be beneficial to the reader to read in order especially for side character purposes and carry over to other books. This is Maverick story and it might be my favorite so far .

When Maverick stops to help a stranger stranded, he helps out single mom, Stella, he immediately becomes taken with her and her 1 yr baby daughter , Ada. Him and his twin brother , Merrick, have taken the most ribbing of the brothers, as they are the babies of the family. Maverick keeps insisting that Stella and him are just friends, until it sneaks up on him when he sees her talking to someone else. From this point on he is all in for Stella and Ada too.

Stella was a loving mom to her daughter , despite everything she has been through and all the obstacles she’s had to overcome. She was in a new town with no friends and no family other than her grandparents, and the Kincaid's became her family. No questions.

I’ve loved every single book and I think what makes them great is the dynamics of all the brothers have not only with each other, but their spouses too.. family isn’t always blood.

I adored Stella and Mavericks story. I would definitely recommend if you like these tropes and a quicker read.

[jordanlilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

like it was cute? If the mmc started a sentence with “nah” one more time I would have lost my shit. ALSO while if I like strongly ignore the outside world and my gut reaction I could see how him refusing to give the baby back to the fmc (the mom) would be cute cause like “awe he wants to help and he’s so kind and she likes him” etc etc but like in real life? If a man I had JUST met started refusing to give me my baby when i’d ask id literally go insane. But like overall loved the found family concept and all that. Also the only conflict in this story is the mmc being in a relationship with the fmc but telling everyone and the fmc they are just friends even though he is QUITE literally fucking the fmc and playing daddy to her daughter and inviting them to family only events. It was cute idk

[Alaine McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stay Anyway- Kaylee Ryan

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️

Oh my gosh I love Maverick and his over the top personality so much. I love all the Kincaids, but there’s something about that golden retriever personality that Mav has and I can’t wait to get another dose of it with his twin Merrick’s story. I also LOOOVED how much he doted on Stella and her baby girl Ada. It was like the world knew they were meant for him even before he did and it was so beautiful to see it unravel. This was a very low conflict story, so a great palette cleanser. The whole series really are fabulous palette cleansers when you need something light and lovey to refresh the mind before jumping into something dark or like a big fantasy world.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was super cute and i really liked maverick and stella, their dynamic and his dynamic with her daughter ada was super cute! However the thing that made this a 3 star is that it felt like a copy and paste of beat by beat, they both have similar plots, the same tropes and it felt like maverick was a copy and paste of marshall, and i just didn't love that and i do like beat by beat better that might be cause i read it first but marshall and wren have my heart and so i didn't enjoy this as much cause it felt too much like a copy and paste of beat by beat.

Tropes

Single mom
Found family
Friends to lovers

Favorite quotes

"I want what they have. I want a man to love me so openly that everyone around will know it without him saying a word."
"Go have a good time. You deserve it. You know Ada loves me, and she’ll be fine. You can call and check on her whenever you want, however many times you want.”

"It’s a bug, and she’s my bug. She needed it. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it."

"I am her lifeline, and she’s mine."

[Julie Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

We have waited for Maverick’s story and the women who he would love harder for.

I have loved every Kincaid brother to date, but we knew Mav would be special, and there was no disappointment at all. I swooned more than once as Maverick befriended and helped Stella and her daughter. The way he protected his girls and included them as family from day one.

All that is left is Merrick; he has watched his brothers and taken notes. I expect big things, but it will be bittersweet as he is the last brother to fall.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stay Anyway by Kaylee Ryan is a heartwarming single mom-small town rescue romance. Stella, a relatable and likeable character, moves to a small town with her daughter after being disowned by her parents. Maverick, the local knight in shining armor, befriends and supports her, adding a touch of sweetness to her struggles.

While the story is a quick and engaging read, it leans heavily on the single-mom rescue trope. The prolonged friends phase between Stella and Maverick lacks emotional maturity, which might frustrate some readers. However, the addition of baby Ada and the warm community support are delightful.

Overall, Stay Anyway by Kaylee Ryan is a good read for those who enjoy small-town romances. It has its charming moments despite its reliance on stereotypes. I’d rate it 3 stars.

[Allie Felske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot get over how much I loved this story. Seeing Maverick and Stella grow from friendship to more was so heartwarming. Then throw in baby Ada and watching Maverick slowly fall in love with her and I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.

[Briana smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you kidding me 😭😭😭 this was perfect in every way. My favorite in this series by far. I'm obsessed with these people.

[Karla Escutia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Stella and maverick story it was super cute and with a lot of emotions. Loved this read great story.

[Haley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad. Simply bad. In this case, judge the book by its cover

[Marissa Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Maverick! He’s was just so sweet and caring! I loved that he was always there for Stella and her baby girl! These two were something special! I loved how they just clicked! I couldn’t get enough of them! They had me smiling the whole time! I loved every little thing about them! 🌻💙🥰

[The Booknerdigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Single Mom
✨Found Family
✨One Bed

“Work hard, Love Harder.”

This book was everything and more. I knew Mavericks story would be great but it surpassed my expectations and gave me so much more. The chemistry between Maverick and Stella is so sweet I was hooked from page one. The love he shows both Stella and Ada will just melt your heart. I have never grinned so much reading a book until this one.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this family so much hard to believe we are only a couple more books away from the end, this book was so cute and emotionall all rolled into one awesome story, we have stella a single mom whos had a rough go of it and than we have Maverick who i just knew would be amazing and the way he is with stella was soo soo cute,,

[Noëmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️

It was a beautiful story, I loved the development of feelings between Maverick and Stella. They went through several stages, from strangers to friends to lovers. I also loved Maverick's relationship with Ada, Stella's daughter, which was so adorable, and so cute. He's so protective for both of them. I had a great time reading this story and seeing the development of the characters, which was very well written and at the right pace. Stella tries to keep her feelings at bay, but Maverick will succeed in breaking down all the walls she has put up.

What I loved the most was Maverick and the Kindcaid family, this family is everything you need. They're so lovable that it's almost impossible not to fall in love with them.

If you want to know what happened between them, you must read this book. It's a beautiful story and I recommend it.

There's only one book left in this series and I don't think I'm ready for it to end.

I recommend this story without hesitation.

[Patti Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Stay Anyway by Kaylee Ryan; it is an incredible friends to lovers love story. It is the seventh book in her Kincaid Brothers series. Kaylee Ryan continues to prove that she is an amazing storyteller and is one of my favorite authors to read. It was impossible to put Stay Anyway down and I loved every moment on every page. It filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? I really enjoy how the book is told in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. My favorite part of the book is how Kaylee Ryan incorporates the title of the book and the picture on the cover into the love story. Stay Anyway is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. Stay Anyway is filled with such moments, and with so much emotion. It is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in a Kaylee Ryan love story, and she did not disappoint, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. I love how Kaylee Ryan always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. Stay Anyway is the story of Maverick kincaid, works on a road construction crew and Stella, single mother of Ada, her year old daughter, who recently moved to Willow River and lives with her grandparents, George and Harriette Gunderson, who own Gunderson’s Hardware. Stella and Maverick meet along the side of the road, where Stella’s car has a flat. Maverick calls one of Declan’s tow truck drivers and has it towed to his shop. He then takes her to family dinner. Maddox is immediately infatuated with Stella, but immediately puts her in the friend zone. I love the relationship between Stella’s daughter, Ada and Maverick and how she knew Maverick’s twin brother Merrick, was not Maverick. I love the chemistry between Stella and Maverick. Conversation between Stella and Maverick flows so easily, with innuendos and playful banter, and Maverick constantly flirting with Stella and telling her she’s beautiful. I love that both they share secrets with one another that they have not shared with anyone before, especially the secrets that Stella shares about her relationship with her parents after getting pregnant in college. As Stella and Maverick spend time together with Maverick helping Stella out, things change between them, neither admitting their true feelings for one another, since Maverick has friend zoned Stella. I love all how the Kincaid brothers and sisters-in-law tease Maverick about falling for Stella. I love all the special gifts that Maverick gives to Stella and the significance of those gifts. I love how their relationship changes from friendship to something more without Maverick realizing it. Some of their conversations between Stella and Maverick are truly heartbreaking, make sure you have your Kleenex nearby. A surprise plot twist occurs that helps Maverick realize that he wants more than friendship with Stella. I love that Ada calls him Da-Da after the plot twist. I love the heart-to-heart conversation that Maverick has with his Dad and brothers and Stella has with his sisters-in-law. I love the Kincaid family text thread and the texts between Stella and Maverick. I loved that Stay Anyway is more than just a romance, there are issues that both Stella and Maverick are facing that need to be resolved. I love how the storylines get so beautifully resolved. My favorite part of Stay Anyway is the ending of their love story, everything that Maverick does for Stella, and Maverick’s proposal and I love how he used Ada in his proposal Another favorite part is the two epilogues, one is told from Stella’s perspective and I love the surprise she reveals with Ada’s help and the second epilogue told from Maverick’s perspective and the final surprises revealed. Make sure you have Kleenex nearby for the ending. Stay Anyway is filled with poignant and bittersweet moments as well as plot twists that I have come to love and expect in a Kaylee Ryan love story. I still love Blakey and her wiener pants and arm porn. I love Stella’s reaction to those comments. I especially love the family motto of “Work hard, and love harder. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Stay Anyway, the characters feel like family and friends. I enjoyed all the interactions between the Kincaid siblings, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. I love the descriptions of the Willow River location. I loved all the characters in Stay Anyway, and I am looking forward to reading the Merrick’s story, the last books in the series. It will be a bittersweet story saying goodbye to the Kincaids. I love how all the Kincaids embraced Stella and Ada as their own and the friendships that Stella made with the Kincaid wives. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Stay Anyway, who does not love a a friendship to lovers love story. I loved catching up with all the Kincaids, and all their babies. Highly recommend this incredible love story. Received an advanced copy from the author.

[A-reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reviews always contain spoilers, I write them so I can remember the story.

3.75/5 stars

I enjoyed the book but sadly didn’t love it. There were to many part where I wanted to shake the hero to wake up and see what was right in front of him. I understood Stella’s hesitancy because she was let down by the people who should have been there and supported her. It’s hard to believe perfect strangers are going to be kinder than your own parents. But what was Maverick’s excuse for being such a dunce? He has seen love up close his whole life, how could he not recognize it in his own feelings? His wanting her as a friend so he wouldn’t lose her was not a valid enough reason to not realize his own feelings.
I did like that they built their relationship on a solid foundation of friendship but without the thoughts of longing and pining for one another I didn’t really feel the romance.

Stella became pregnant when she lost her virginity to her college boyfriend, when she told him about the pregnancy he dumped her and told her he wanted nothing to do with her or the baby. Her parents disappointed in her disown her when she refuses to terminate the pregnancy. She comes to Willow River to live with her grandparents. She meets Maverick when her car breaks down outside his workplace. He is on his way to the soft opening of his sister in law’s new boutique. Seeing a beautiful woman with car trouble he stops to help.
Stella and her baby Ada have a flat tire and no spare, he calls his brother Declan’s garage to come tow the car and offers a ride to Stella and Ada. She’s hesitant but agrees.
He finds her beautiful and is smitten with Ada but feels she has a lot on her plate and could use a friend. So he takes her to the opening where she gets to meet the whole Kincaid clan. Everyone is so welcoming and they all adore baby Ada.
Maverick offers help, dinners and companionship to Stella and Ada constantly. It’s like he’s dating her without saying he’s dating her. His actions, mannerisms, and gestures can all be viewed as very romantic. Even his twin and other brothers tell him he has a thing for her. He constantly denies it and keeps saying she’s just a friend. Stella develops feelings for him but thinks he is way out of her league and has to remind herself that they are friends and he is just being kind.
There is a little action when she ends up spending the night at his place after girls night out with the Kincaid wives. Maverick gives her an orgasms but doesn’t have sex with her. Embarrassed that she begged Maverick to get her off she sneaks out with Ada in the morning and they pretend the sexy times never happened. The first time they have sex is with Maverick thinking it’s a one time thing to give her a good sexual experience and she is happy to take whatever he will give her. He still can’t recognize he loves HER, he thinks about how the sex feels like nothing has ever felt before, he was a player before, but still thinks they can’t keep doing this because they are friends. It felt like a pity fuck which just seemed messed up.
It takes seeing her with Ada’s father for him to realize that he’s in love with her. He can’t let some other guy have her, she and Ada are his. (If he had not seen the baby daddy would he have continued as they were, friends?) He goes to her as Ada’s father leaves, he sees how sad she is and how distressed Ada is. When Ada sees him she calls him Da Da, which he realizes he is, he is Ada’s dad. He loves her as if she were his little girl. He takes them home where they talk and he tells her he loves her. She confesses her love too and he tells her they will get married and have brothers and sisters for Ada. He proposes at another Kincaid family event and they get married on Valentine’s Day. It’s sweet that she gives him adoption papers for Ada on their wedding day. (Her ex had wanted to meet to sign away his rights to Ada.)
Epilogue five months after they are married she surprises him with an announcement that they are having a baby. At a gender reveal party they find out it’s twins!
I loved seeing all the other couples and Blakely is still a total riot! Would have liked to see more interactions with the parents and her grandparents.

[Nikki'J' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoon. I am a huge fan of the Kincaid family and have loved this series but I think Maverick Kincaid might have just hit it out of the park and claimed the top spot as favorite brother.

He is funny and sweet and hot as hell. He's also goofy, caring and loveable. He couldn't be more perfect if he was made up :P

While he might not realize he's found the one right away (he really should have known better after watching his brothers fall) once he knows there is no going back.

Maverick falls for single mum Stella. When her car breaks down near where Mav parks his truck for work he goes to help her and it's that moment right there that seals their fate.

Stella is having a hard time after being turned away by her parents and the father of her baby girl wants nothing to do with them. Lucky for her, her grandparents take her in and she moves to the small town to find her feet.

From there it's just a matter of time.

For me, it's all the family fun and banter that makes this series so great. The camaraderie and the teasing are just as much a part of the story making you want to be part of the story too.

I always finish these books feeling light as a feather and all warm and fuzzy inside. Kaylee Ryan is a magician when it comes to this kind of storytelling.

One brother left and it's Mav's twin Merrick. I am desperate for this book and not wanting this series to ever end.
.
.
.
Mav hates working Saturday, especially knowing all his family are gathering and he's missing out, but done for the day he can't wait to join them. Instead of heading out as soon as he can though, he spots a car that appears broken down right outside the lot he parks in. Since his momma raised him right he can't just leave her there and once he spots the baby in the back he knows he's got to make it right. Realising it's something he can't deal with on the spot he offers to get them home.

Stella can't believe the day she's been having. Really it's been a long couple of years but despite all the pains she's gone through she wouldn't give her daughter up for any of it. It doesn't matter that her parents disowned her, or that her daughter's father is absent and unreliable for anything because she is worth it all. But breaking down and having no one to call is just the icing on the cake.

When the handsome Maverick offers to help he does and says all the right things but he can't be real. Guys like that don't exist but once she's thrust into his family she quickly figures out that he's one of many.

It's clear Stella is down on her luck and having a hard time finding her feet. She's new and town and mostly alone. Mav decides right then and there that he's going to be her friend and he's going to help her any way he can.

His family insists that there is more than he says but Stella just needs a friend, not someone to hit on her while she's struggling and Maverick is determined to be the best friend Stella and her daughter will ever know. She might be perfect but Maverick won't risk making Stella's life more difficult by wanting more than her friendship.
"Why the interrogation?"
"Just trying to get you to admit that you felt something different."

He's too perfect and too good and too everything. Stella knows Maverick is her friend but with the way he treats them and everything he does for them, it's getting harder and harder for Stella to keep Maverick in the friend box.
"I should go to Merrick's room," she whispers. "I shouldn't sleep here."
"Stay anyway." I hold her in my arms. "We're just sleeping Stel."

Happy Reading.

[Serena Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Estoy enamorado de ti. No porque seas mi mejor amiga, sino porque vives aquí'. Aparto una mano y la coloco contra mi pecho, sobre mi corazón. 'Tú y Ada, aquí es donde se quedarán '.





•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.




Stay Anyway de Kaylee Ryan Serie Kincaid Brothers libro 7

Argumento:

Stella

Quedar embarazada en la universidad no era parte del plan, pero nunca me arrepentiré de haber dado a luz a la mejor parte de mí. Incluso si mis padres me repudiaran por ello.

Un nuevo comienzo en un pueblo pequeño parece una buena idea, hasta que un apuesto extraño me muestra un poco de amabilidad y me hace sentir cosas que pensé que nunca volvería a sentir... cosas que no tengo por qué sentir sobre un hombre que acabo de conocer.

Cada vez que me doy la vuelta, Maverick está ahí. Una cosa lleva inevitablemente a la otra y mi nuevo amigo tiene beneficios. Estoy haciendo todo lo posible para mantener todo junto, pero la verdad es que cuando lo veo con mi hija, sé que ya he caído demasiado bajo.


Maverick

Desde el momento en que Stella llegó a la ciudad, ha captado mi atención. Desde ese momento, he estado decidida a hacerme amiga de la sexy madre soltera que tiene mala suerte.

Stella ha atravesado tiempos difíciles, pero algo me dice que nunca aceptará una limosna. Eso no significa que no voy a intentar ayudar, así que, por supuesto, hable bien para conseguirle un trabajo. Ella es lo suficientemente inteligente como para saber que yo tuve algo que ver, pero para eso están los amigos, ¿verdad?

Cada día que pasa, Stella se convierte en más que una simple amiga. Ella es mi mejor amiga, a quien aparentemente no puedo quitarle las manos de encima. Le preocupa que estemos complicando las cosas, pero al diablo con eso. Líneas borrosas o no, le pido que se quede de todos modos.



Mi humilde opinión:

Un romance con mamá soltera y una enorme familia encontrada en pueblo pequeño.

No esperaba para nada esta lectura y derretirme de amor mientras leía. O sea, si quería una lectura sin dramas con un héroe OTT azucarado no habría elegido un mejor libro.

Star Anyway es el séptimo libro de la serie Kinkaid con hombres que Trabajan duro y aman más duro.

La historia de amor de Stella y Maverick con la pequeña Ada es adorable, no tengo otra palabra. No me molesta que no haya habido un conflicto o dramas profundos en su relación. Es un romance de amigos a amantes que me enganchó desde el principio por lo cálido, sexy y romántico.

Me gustó conocer a la gran familia de Maverick y todos esos hombres calientes enamorados de sus mujeres.

No leí a todos los hermanos Kinkaid y si son como Maverick quiero uno ya! Espero el libro Merrick, el gemelo de Maverick❤️

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting caught up on this series has been so great! I’ve been looking so forward to this seventh installment ever since I found out about it. The blurb instantly caught my eye. I picked it up as soon as I could and got right back into the Kincaid Brothers world. I enjoyed this story so very much!

Stella and Maverick’s journey pulled me in quickly! A person can walk into your life and it changes things something Maverick and Stella know all too well when it comes to one another. Stella is a single mom to her daughter and a move could be just what they need. Maverick wants to know Stella. Could there be more for these two than just friendship?

Both Stella and Maverick drew me in and kept my attention! I really enjoyed the way these two were brought into each other’s lives. Getting to see Maverick and Stella connect got me right in the heart. I didn’t know how they’d tackle their feelings and other things in their lives and I couldn’t wait to see how all of that would play out.

I admired Stella, especially when it came to her love for her daughter, her strength, and taking on things in her life. I was cheering her on. Maverick had me falling with how he was with Stella and and her daughter. I loved his kindness and determination. From their chemistry to the joy they brought to each other, These two had me feeling so much with them while reading!

I was happy to be back with the Kincaid crew!

With Stay Anyway, Ms.Ryan has created such a good read that brought realness, heart, and many feels that kept me turning the pages! It’s always so awesome to be back with the Kincaid crew and I adore the way these characters continue to get me right in the chest. I am so looking forward to book eight, Stay Real! 💙



*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Give Me Books Promotions / the author*

[the_romance_regent · Rating 5 out of 5]

The release of "Stay Anyway" by Kaylee Ryan, the seventh story in the Kincaid Brothers' series, was eagerly awaited by fans of the series. With its blend of friends-to-lovers, found family dynamics, and emotionally rich storytelling, I knew it would be a great read that would captivate me from start to finish.

Stella, a sassy single mom to Ada, arrives in the town of Willow River to live with her grandparents. When her car breaks down, Maverick comes to their rescue and quickly becomes a significant presence in their lives. What starts as a friendship soon blossoms into something more, particularly for Maverick, who showers "his girls" with gifts, attention, and a sense of belonging. Despite Maverick's growing feelings, he struggles to acknowledge his desire for a committed relationship. As they transition into a "friends with benefits" arrangement, it becomes clear to both of them that they are meant to be together. Their shared secrets deepen their bond, and the way the Kincaid family embrace Stella and Ada into their family is heartwarming. The playful banter, text messages, and teasing among the brothers are among the highlights of the book.

"Stay Anyway" was an absolute delight from beginning to end, made even more special by the two epilogues that Kaylee included to wrap up the story beautifully. While I have enjoyed and loved several of Kaylee Ryan's previous works, this was my first introduction to the Kincaid Brothers' series, and I am now determined to catch up on the books I have missed. After meeting the characters in this book, I am eager to backtrack and read the books I have missed. I simply must know the full stories of these wonderful characters now that they have captured my heart.

Thank you to @kaylee_ryan_author and @greyspromo for the ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[lowkeyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Stay Anyway by Kaylee Ryan is a delightful addition to the Kincaid Brothers series, delivering a heartwarming and enchanting romance that captivated me from start to finish. As a fan of contemporary romance, I was immediately drawn to the story of Stella, a sassy single mom who moves to the small town of Willow River with her daughter Ada, seeking a fresh start.

When Stella's car breaks down, she meets Maverick, a kind-hearted stranger who quickly becomes a significant presence in their lives. I loved how their friendship blossomed into something more, despite Stella's initial hesitation. Maverick's determination to help Stella and Ada, getting her a job and showering them with attention and a sense of belonging, made me swoon.

The Kincaid family's warm embrace of Stella and Ada created a heartwarming found family dynamic that I thoroughly enjoyed. The playful banter, witty text messages, and teasing among the Kincaid brothers added to the overall charm of the book, making me laugh out loud at times.

Kaylee Ryan's emotionally rich storytelling and the characters' shared secrets deepened the bond between Stella and Maverick, making their journey to happily ever after all the more compelling. I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.

While Stay Anyway can be read as a standalone, it is a delightful introduction to the Kincaid Brothers series for new readers. But I'd rather you read all of the books. The two epilogues wrapped up the story beautifully, leaving me satisfied and eager to explore more of the series.

With its perfect blend of friends-to-lovers, small-town charm, and relatable characters, Stay Anyway is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartwarming, feel-good story that will leave you with a smile on your face.

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to be swept off your feet and into the enchanting world of Kaylee Ryan's latest masterpiece, 'Stay Anyway,' the seventh heartwarming instalment in the Kincaid Brothers series. As the reigning Swoon Queen of Romance, Ms Ryan once again proves her prowess in delivering a tale that captivates from the very first page.

In 'Stay Anyway,' we meet Maverick Kincaid, the next brother in line to steal your heart. From the moment he crosses paths with single mom Stella and her adorable daughter Ada, sparks fly and lives are forever changed. Ms Ryan expertly crafts a slow-burn romance that tugs at the heartstrings, as Maverick finds himself drawn to Stella and her precious little one.

With each turn of the page, this author's storytelling prowess shines through, weaving a tale that pulls you in and refuses to let go. From Stella's search for belonging in a new town to Maverick's internal struggle to protect his heart, every moment feels authentic and heartfelt.

But it's Maverick's tender interactions with Ada that truly steal the show, showcasing Kayle Ryan's ability to bring her characters to life in vivid detail. As Maverick navigates the complexities of love and family, readers can't help but root for this unlikely trio to find their happily ever after.

And let's not forget the Kincaid family, who welcome Stella and Ada with open arms, adding an extra layer of warmth and charm to an already delightful story. Watching Maverick grapple with his feelings while attempting to keep Stella in the friend zone is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, a testament tone again to Ms Ryan's skill in crafting multi-dimensional characters.

In 'Stay Anyway,' Kayle Ryan once again proves why she's the master of swoon-worthy romance, delivering a story that will leave you breathless and longing for more. With just one brother left to fall, the anticipation for the next book is nail-biting. So grab a cosy blanket and prepare to be swept away by the magic of 'Stay Anyway' - you won't be disappointed.