Stay

Next Level #4

by Briana Michaels

Haley
I’ve never stayed anywhere too long, and always kept my heart in a cage.

Until I met Cole.

I shared everything with him—my history, my body, and secretly my heart. But we weren’t meant to last. He had dreams of becoming a world-famous architect, and I had to work through my damaging past.

So I gave us both what we A chance.

Dropping back into Cole’s life after five years of no contact might bite me in the ass, but I can’t stay away a minute longer. Our reunion quickly turns into an inferno of passion, but I have a confession to make. One that might destroy everything.

Cole
I’ve built the perfect life, but it’s still missing one Haley.

Five years ago, she drove away, taking my heart with her, and I’ve never fully recovered. Now she’s back, and the feelings I’ve buried roar to life all over again, because there is one unshakeable truth.

Haley is mine.

She says she’s back for good and wants a future with me. So why does it feel like she’s going to run again?

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, BDSM, Dark Romance, Second Chance Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2024

About the author

Briana Michaels grew up and still lives on the East Coast. When taking a break from the crazy adventures in her head, she enjoys running around with her two children. If there is time to spare, she loves to read, cook, hike in the woods, and sit outside with a fire. She does all of this with the love and support of her amazing husband who always has her back, encouraging her to go for her dreams. Aye, she’s a lucky girl indeed.

Reviews

[ReneeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is 90% smut and 10% plot so if that’s your thing, you will eat this up just like Cole does Haley. 😱❤️‍🔥🥵

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

This was okay very spicy and a couple of angsty moments between the couple since they got back together. Cole gets a shock of his life when his past comes back Haley they left on eh terms after college and she took his heart. He resents her a little for not staying for not telling him how she felt since her parents did a number on her mentally, which I couldn't really blame. She even mentioned she left because she was too toxic for them she needed to work on herself for them to be a US. Which is a grown ass thing to do so props to her. They both grew.

He did try to keep things professional for them. But they came together again and again. They did talk about it, which I love, and more was talked about why she left why she shut him out. That was the only part I disliked she did.

The spice wad spicyy. He was a perfect partner, and so was she she took everything new, and they tried.


I hate that she was Celibate, and he was learning how to please woman... 😕😕😕
His words. This annoyed me. Because she was, I knew he was with woman.


No ow/om drama, no cheating,Sexy times, no virgins (she was celibate, he was not during the separation)

Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶.5

Slowinsta
Pinning
Push away from h
Masturbation
Daddy dom
Free use
Impact play
Praise kink
Degradation
Mentions of of Miscarriage
Mentions of past abuse from parents
Hea
Epilogue

[Sonia]

Meh 😐 SPOILERS

Of course he isn’t celibate 🙄. Guess who is? 🥴
Any guesses? 😐🙄

At least he says he learned how to please women during the separation 🥴

What a dreamboat 🥴😒🙄

[Paula (on hiatus)]

NO! Just NO!

[M (hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I’m not a fan of the second chance trope but since I loved all the other books, I had to read this one. Safe to say I’m still not a fan. *sighs*. This is definitely my least favorite book in the series so far.

“Sinking two fingers inside her, I hit Haley’s cervix.”

Apparently, the MMC is part octopus because this man is touching her cervix with 2 FINGERS. Miss author, I didn’t realize human anatomy was optional? I have questions.

[✶ ✶ Hummingbird ✶ ✶]

During separation she is celibate but he is not. He learns to “pleasure” women during the separation.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


I hope the author is happy ruining what was a great series. I’m dropping the book.

[Kate V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cole was EVERYTHING. And the reason this book gets 3 stars. The mouth on that man was HOT. I loved him.

Haley...



She was a hot mess and I couldn't stand her. I just wanted to yell at her to get her shit together.

[sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

i thought there would be at least a little bit of plot but no lmao def 2.5 stars

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5

TW - sexual harassment (sc), depression (past, mentioned incl not eating as a result), miscarriage (recounted), toxic relationship with parents / emotional and verbal abuse (mentioned throughout, one instance recounted), homelessness (past, mentioned), death of a pet (dog, mentioned briefly), drugs (sc, cocaine, implied)

CW - impact play (spanking, paddle), masks, daddy dom, D/s, leash and collar, free use, sensory deprivation (blindfolds), light edging, degradation, toys

Tropes - second chance, erotica, he falls first

Like the other books in this series, this was fun and hottt

Cole (MMC) and Haley (FMC) met in college where they had the time of their lives together but ultimately had to part ways... until now. Haley has been working on herself and working through the shit her parents have put her through to find her way back to Cole and boy, is it worth it

I really enjoyed these two together and the dynamic they had

Defo recommend along with the others in this series

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List

[morganinpages · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @54%
Honestly this book was not good and could have been solved by ✨communicating✨. The whole time reading this I was getting so mad bc neither of them told eachother their feelings before or even now. It was frustrating to say the least. I had to ultimately DNF bc this book honestly wasn’t good and very predictable. Like I knew Haley was going to be his new client and I knew they were going to get together super quick and everything else. Idk I was honestly skipping a whole bunch of parts including the sexy scenes bc I just couldn’t get through it. I’m so sad bc I absolutely LOVED glitch. I probs won’t be reading on.

[Sasquatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triggers:
Miscarriage in back story
Bad childhood in back story

Scenes:
Sexual fantasies
Kissing
Oral (she receives and he receives)
Spanking
Dirty talk / praise
MF sex
Semi public
Mild BDSM dynamics
Rimming
Role-play / masks
Toys / restraints

Notes:

This book is on par with her other books, which is pretty much straight up erotica. Except it doesn't start until about 30% in.

I don't really like how desperate Haley comes across as. Or that she basically saved herself for Cole while he kind of moved on. It feels too obsessive from both of them rather than natural.

This was a quick read. It was hot with low stakes and low drama, but some of the angst hits hard.

[girlwithhearteyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

A second chance romance — and more emotional than I expected from this series. Lots of kinks (praise/degradation, daddy kink, dom/sub dynamic, free use), but it felt grounded in the connection between Haley and Cole. My favourite of the series so far.

[readswith.erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was 200 pages of absolute filth …

… and I loved it.

Haley, what a sweetheart, bless her.
Cole, what a daddy!

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why am I still reading this series?

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

God Dayem

I hated Cole's speech patterns. GOD DAYEM. Imma lose my mind, but first, I'll explain. Don't worry, I gotchu. Cole talks like a high school basketball player, except he's a 25-30 year old basketball player slash architect. I really can't explain how unhot this is. It's like the sideways baseball cap of language. I just can't believe this dude is that attractive and irresistible when he talks like he's 15. Also, there's an awful high ratio of free-use to consent discussions in this book. Feels a little weird. The reader has to accept that they are so in tune with each other that it just isn't a problem, since no one ever safewords. The spice level is high, but I don't think the scenes are that long or immersive. They felt a little perfunctory by the end.

[Michelle]

DNF due to me reason, the writing is good though!

In order for me to like 2nd chance stories it has to be written in a certain way...and it wasn't written in the way I like it to be written. That's a me thing. I also didn't like how/why they didn't work out in the first place. And how they were written in the flashbacks (college age, both were virgins) seemed really unrealistic for me. These virgins were the most unvirgin-like virgins in the history of virgins. Just saying.
I felt like the whole thing was unromantic and just...too realistic, I think. I wanted more romance, and this wasn't delivering (for me). So I DNF'd after the first sex scene (which was, as always, written well).

So even though it was a DNF for me, if you like second chance romances (I'm not big on them) give this a try because it's written well, and the characters are developed. It just simply wasn't for me.

There is talk about a miscarriage, so if that's a trigger for you be forewarned.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ not my favorite in the series, but still a fun read. This is a second chance spicy quick read that’s filled with lovey-dovey “Daddy” moments and some hand necklaces here and there. Not too much plot, a whole lot of spice and an ugly Xmas tree that made me smile.

[tane'a · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
😈daddy dom
😈free use
😈second chance
😈friends to lovers
😈masks
😈spanking

Stay was absolutely filthy and I loved every minute of it!
Cole is Trey’s brother - the MMC from Flip. He and Haley met in college and were inseparable their senior year having a friends with benefits situationship. Upon graduating, Haley straight up ghosts Cole unexpectedly and they are both left with a lot of unresolved feelings. Main story takes place five years later when they are reunited under much different circumstances when she moves to his city and seeks him out for help designing her office space. They are still drawn to one another after all these years like a moth to flame. There are gratuitous sexy times and lots of shenanigans. It was really beautiful seeing how much unconditional support they provided to one another as life threw curveballs their way.

Fave quote:
“When love gives you a second chance, you go all in. Go big or get off the motherf*cking porch.”

[Marielli (lellireads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I loved her when she was a mess. I’ve loved her all the years we’ve been apart. I love her now. I can’t help it. She’s endgame for me.”

Second chance romance where SHE is the one seeking him out? Sign me up! And daddy kink? What a wonderful surprise! But what really stood out to me was how emotional this book was, it made me teary-eyed multiple times. I absolutely loved Cole and Haley and their journey back to each other. Second chance romances are truly my weakness.

As expected from this series, it was super hot. The smut was next-level 😉 with all the kinks explored. I hadn’t read a book with free-use before, and damn, I might need to find more now. But what really got me was the development of Haley and Cole’s relationship. It’s rare to find second chance stories where the woman is the one doing the groveling, and I absolutely loved it. Haley didn’t have to grovel too much, but it made perfect sense for their story. Honestly, I loved it so much.

[librarian.lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy f*cking...I have no words...this man's dirty talk had me melting throughout this book! "Beg harder"...oh my f*cking god! Apart from all of the delicious and creative smut, the story was good. MMC and MFC met in college, swiftly struck up a form of sexual relationship that turned in to more, even though both of them can't accept it. She decides to cut ties, since their careers would leave them going in different directions and she didn't want to f*ck up the MMCs future career by holding him back. But they get that second chance! It's a short read, and gives you the right amount of story and sm*t to to leave you satisfied. I would have loved for it to be longer to flesh out the story a bit more. Personally I wanted more flash back to how they met or whatever...I guess I just wanted more! Anyways, highly recommend this b*tch!

[Michelle Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Couple: Cole & Haley
❋❋❋❋❋
She wrecked me once, and I survived. Even if she destroys me a second time, it’ll be worth it. One more minute with Haley is worth everything.
❋❋❋❋❋
Nothing like getting right back into the absolute yummiest series Next Level, this book packs a punch just like the rest. I love how you get all the spicy goodness you could ask for, and still get all the feels from the MCs. Cole was absolutely delicious, he was like a dominant cinnamon roll. I was so proud of Haley, putting the work in to better herself. I wish they would have communicated a bit better while in school but both became who they needed to be. When they got their second chance the chemistry came back tenfold and it was delightful to see them get their HEA.

[Brittany ⭑ Book lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
4.5/5 🌶️

Haley and Cole met in college and had a hot and heavy senior year but Haley left, and didn’t look back at the end of it. Five years later, Haley is back. Both Haley and Cole have to work through their feelings about the past to finally try for their HEA.

This was a great short, super spicy, second chance read. I fell in love with Cole from page one. He was so sweet and so filthy. Haley was a strong and resilient FMC. I loved that even though they were both hurt by the past, they understood and respected the other’s decisions. Their relationship played out perfectly and the spicy interactions they shared were so good! As always, check for TWs and happy reading!

[Nikisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read if you like: Second chance, first love, dom/sub, daddy kink, “I’ve always loved you”, high steam and light plot, workplace romance

I really enjoyed this book. The two actually worked on themselves so the character development was great 🤩

When Haley said Cole was a whole five course meal, she wasn’t wrong. Cole is delicious 🥵 oh my dominate ME pls 🙏🏻

I thought the book was short, sweet, steamy, mature, and the epilogue was so good to finish everything off. I’m glad they got their long awaited HEA

[Noriboo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it! This story is a college fwb, second chance romance with dom/sub dynamics.
Haley has issues. She says she's done her healing work, but at the same time, she was surprised that her past actions had affected Cole. This story is quick and smutty 🌶🌶🌶🌶, very low suspense, and overall, just good vibes. Click still remains my favourite in this series, but this is a good addition!

[Book Reader 123 · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 40% I don’t know… no real connection between h & H. Development seemed off and it was very rushed to smut. No chemistry and awkward dialogue like H always calling h “angel” literally every other paragraph..

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.
Hot, simple, kinky.
Really sweet.
It was a good time with very little angst because their story was already halfway through basically. It was one of those where the second chance is because the timing just wasn’t right before but it’s completely correct Now.

[Jess (scijessreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly (fun) smut, but with a good second-chance storyline and a fair amount of sweetness. Also, a lot of emotional growth happens. The books in this series all hit the mark for a good mix of sweet and spicy.

[Pauline (booksofviolette) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕:
🫶🏻 Second chance
🫶🏻 All smut


𝑴𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I was expecting a lot more plot for these two. It had lots of potential with the second chance gripe but they fell back into each other without even an ounce of fight. The smut scenes were good except for the daddy talk for me

[Yashu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at 30%!! FMC is the worst!!!