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Stay
When grief becomes a sanctuary, letting go feels like betrayal. For six years, Dayna Baldwin has wrapped herself in memories of Catherine, her beloved partner taken too soon by a heart attack.
Now, Tegan Roberts has returned to their small town, trading lesson plans for the challenging role of caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s. A chance encounter in a grocery store aisle sets both women’s carefully ordered worlds spinning. When they meet again at a charity golf tournament, the attraction between them seems impossible to ignore.
As Dayna slowly opens her heart to possibilities she’d long since locked away, she finds herself caught between two the tender ghost of her past and the vibrant promise of a future with Tegan. Now Dayna faces her hardest truth—that sometimes moving forward means letting go.
Read An Excerpt
Now, Tegan Roberts has returned to their small town, trading lesson plans for the challenging role of caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s. A chance encounter in a grocery store aisle sets both women’s carefully ordered worlds spinning. When they meet again at a charity golf tournament, the attraction between them seems impossible to ignore.
As Dayna slowly opens her heart to possibilities she’d long since locked away, she finds herself caught between two the tender ghost of her past and the vibrant promise of a future with Tegan. Now Dayna faces her hardest truth—that sometimes moving forward means letting go.
Read An Excerpt
- GenresAdult
218 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2025
19 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Kapp
2 books8 followersValerie A. Kapp grew up in Richland, Pennsylvania, a small town surrounded by Amish farms and a community where your parents knew what you did that day before you got home for supper. She is the oldest of five, with four younger brothers, one deceased. She had a grandfather who was blind and an uncle who was severely developmentally delayed. So no wonder her career was helping people as a counselor, specializing in counseling with the deaf.
Valerie was an outstanding athlete, beginning in the summer community playground competitions leading to high school and college athletics. She was president of the student council in high school, in the band and other activities, and a football statistician. She played three sports in high school and college. She was voted captain in all three sports and selected to all-star, all-state, and national field hockey teams (before the NCAA). She also coached at the college and high school levels.
For forty years, she has lived in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, where she is retired after working in the field of deafness, HIV/AIDS, and vocational rehabilitation. She ended her career as a research associate at Wright State University in the Substance Abuse Resources and Disability Issues (SARDI) program. In addition, she has served on the board of Trustees of the Deaf Community Resource Center in Dayton, Ohio, and as an adjunct instructor at Sinclair Community College Psychology and Interpreter Training Departments and Wright State University School of Medicine.
You can find Valerie riding her Harley motorcycle, golfing with her wife and friends, visiting New York City to see Broadway plays, or every Monday night at one of the houses of their Monday night social club, sharing a meal and laughter with ten other women.
Valerie self-published a non-fiction e-book titled, Woman as Leaders? YES, YOU CAN! A 6-Step Formula to Confidently and Powerfully Inspire Others to Follow You as a Leader. She is working on her second lesbian romance novel about a woman who lost her partner in 2009 from a heart attack at the age of sixty with no legal protection from an unaccepting family. The story moves into 2015 with the passage of the Marriage Equality Act and follows her journey to believe in love again.
You can contact Valerie at: alignmentleadership@gmail.com.
Valerie was an outstanding athlete, beginning in the summer community playground competitions leading to high school and college athletics. She was president of the student council in high school, in the band and other activities, and a football statistician. She played three sports in high school and college. She was voted captain in all three sports and selected to all-star, all-state, and national field hockey teams (before the NCAA). She also coached at the college and high school levels.
For forty years, she has lived in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, where she is retired after working in the field of deafness, HIV/AIDS, and vocational rehabilitation. She ended her career as a research associate at Wright State University in the Substance Abuse Resources and Disability Issues (SARDI) program. In addition, she has served on the board of Trustees of the Deaf Community Resource Center in Dayton, Ohio, and as an adjunct instructor at Sinclair Community College Psychology and Interpreter Training Departments and Wright State University School of Medicine.
You can find Valerie riding her Harley motorcycle, golfing with her wife and friends, visiting New York City to see Broadway plays, or every Monday night at one of the houses of their Monday night social club, sharing a meal and laughter with ten other women.
Valerie self-published a non-fiction e-book titled, Woman as Leaders? YES, YOU CAN! A 6-Step Formula to Confidently and Powerfully Inspire Others to Follow You as a Leader. She is working on her second lesbian romance novel about a woman who lost her partner in 2009 from a heart attack at the age of sixty with no legal protection from an unaccepting family. The story moves into 2015 with the passage of the Marriage Equality Act and follows her journey to believe in love again.
You can contact Valerie at: alignmentleadership@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 23, 2025
This is a story about Dayna Baldwin who is Woman's Leadership Motivational Speaker. Her wife Catherine has died from a sudden heart attack. Dayna goes into a deep depression and has a series of one night stands during her speaking engagements. Dayna has a group of six friends who encourage her to date again and get back to living her life. She meets Tegan at a charity golf event, and they are both attracted to each other.
I liked the realism of this book and it was an easy read. It seemed like a journal entry, with very little descriptive language. Kapp did a good job of describing Dayna anguish over her wife's death and the horrible treatment from Catherine's mother at the time of her death. Both Dayna and Tegan are in their 60s, so this has a more mature romance. It was fun to see them both want to try new things in the bedroom.
I don't think the cover of the book depicted either character as I envisioned them to be. It was a short book and an enjoyable read.
Thanks to Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I liked the realism of this book and it was an easy read. It seemed like a journal entry, with very little descriptive language. Kapp did a good job of describing Dayna anguish over her wife's death and the horrible treatment from Catherine's mother at the time of her death. Both Dayna and Tegan are in their 60s, so this has a more mature romance. It was fun to see them both want to try new things in the bedroom.
I don't think the cover of the book depicted either character as I envisioned them to be. It was a short book and an enjoyable read.
Thanks to Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 15, 2025
For a storyline like this one to be successful, it must have several crucial elements come together in a deeply emotional and relatable way, and it does. At its core, Valerie Kapp weaves themes of grief, love, and healing with nuance and authenticity. Stay resonates with readers. And because it does, it is a profound exploration of the human experience, drawing readers into a world where Dayna and Tegan’s journey feels familiar yet unique. The narrative captures the complexities of relationships, showing how love can emerge from the depths of loss, providing light and beauty in the darkest of times.
Grief takes center stage in Dayna Baldwin’s journey, and its portrayal feels genuine. Readers connect with her struggle as she attempts to move forward, even though she still holds on to her past. Kapp does a nice job detailing the complexities of loss, demonstrating that grief does not follow a linear path; she scripts tender and touching scenes where Dayna’s connection to Catherine continues to emerge through vivid memories and small gestures. Her progress towards healing includes setbacks, guilt, and doubt about her feelings for Tegan, and this adds believability to the storytelling. By exploring Dayna’s inner conflict, the narrative gains depth, creating a character with whom readers can genuinely connect.
As Dayna gradually realizes that moving forward with Tegan does not diminish her love for Catherine, readers witness a stirring transformation. Though it begins slowly and cathartically, it culminates in a moment where Dayna consciously chooses to open her heart to Tegan. This emotional payoff becomes central to the story’s most powerful message: Letting go is not a betrayal, but as an act of honoring the past while embracing the future.
Another important key element of this story is that it is not rushed; Kapp takes her time with the romance, developing it slowly, deliberately and patiently. The connection between Dayna and Tegan is built on shared experiences, friends, and vulnerabilities. This makes the romance between them thrive, showing that their bond is not formed on physical attraction alone. It relies on shared moments and conversations, ones that expose their vulnerabilities and build trust. That takes time. And though Dayna’s nostalgia for Catherine and her growing love for Tegan stir tension—feeding the emotional drama—it’s the small, ordinary moments that impact the most. Kapp inspires a “magic” in these moments, keeping readers engaged and invested.
Final remarks…
Stay’s storytelling thrives on emotional authenticity, well-drawn characters, and a thoughtful exploration of the human experience. By not rushing Dayna and Tegan’s love story, it becomes something poignant and unforgettable. Paralelling Dayna’s story (the loss of Catherine) with Tegan’s (caring for a mother with Alzheimer’s) deepens the emotional weight of the story, striking a powerful chord with readers. Though love, loss, patience and strength play a heavy hand in the storytelling, Stay is really about hope. I give this one an energetic thumbs up.
Strengths…
Engaging, multi-dimensional characters
Well-employed themes
Well-scripted, compelling romance
Well-developed story world
Nice use of supporting characters
Emotionally satisfying HEA
Grief takes center stage in Dayna Baldwin’s journey, and its portrayal feels genuine. Readers connect with her struggle as she attempts to move forward, even though she still holds on to her past. Kapp does a nice job detailing the complexities of loss, demonstrating that grief does not follow a linear path; she scripts tender and touching scenes where Dayna’s connection to Catherine continues to emerge through vivid memories and small gestures. Her progress towards healing includes setbacks, guilt, and doubt about her feelings for Tegan, and this adds believability to the storytelling. By exploring Dayna’s inner conflict, the narrative gains depth, creating a character with whom readers can genuinely connect.
As Dayna gradually realizes that moving forward with Tegan does not diminish her love for Catherine, readers witness a stirring transformation. Though it begins slowly and cathartically, it culminates in a moment where Dayna consciously chooses to open her heart to Tegan. This emotional payoff becomes central to the story’s most powerful message: Letting go is not a betrayal, but as an act of honoring the past while embracing the future.
Another important key element of this story is that it is not rushed; Kapp takes her time with the romance, developing it slowly, deliberately and patiently. The connection between Dayna and Tegan is built on shared experiences, friends, and vulnerabilities. This makes the romance between them thrive, showing that their bond is not formed on physical attraction alone. It relies on shared moments and conversations, ones that expose their vulnerabilities and build trust. That takes time. And though Dayna’s nostalgia for Catherine and her growing love for Tegan stir tension—feeding the emotional drama—it’s the small, ordinary moments that impact the most. Kapp inspires a “magic” in these moments, keeping readers engaged and invested.
Final remarks…
Stay’s storytelling thrives on emotional authenticity, well-drawn characters, and a thoughtful exploration of the human experience. By not rushing Dayna and Tegan’s love story, it becomes something poignant and unforgettable. Paralelling Dayna’s story (the loss of Catherine) with Tegan’s (caring for a mother with Alzheimer’s) deepens the emotional weight of the story, striking a powerful chord with readers. Though love, loss, patience and strength play a heavy hand in the storytelling, Stay is really about hope. I give this one an energetic thumbs up.
Strengths…
Engaging, multi-dimensional characters
Well-employed themes
Well-scripted, compelling romance
Well-developed story world
Nice use of supporting characters
Emotionally satisfying HEA
January 6, 2025
would like to thank the publisher for letting me read this book
when catherine had her heart attack it set of a chain of events that would be felt for years to come after.... her partner dayna for the last 15 years was ejected from the hospital room and was never allowed to see catherine again.... it was heart breaking to read... catherines mother had ejected dayna from the hospital and she wasnt even allowed to the funeral....
it had repercussions for years to come....
what a heartbreaking storyline to read and knowing that its probably based on events that have happened in the past is heartbreaking
but its an inspirations storyline that gives hope to others
when catherine had her heart attack it set of a chain of events that would be felt for years to come after.... her partner dayna for the last 15 years was ejected from the hospital room and was never allowed to see catherine again.... it was heart breaking to read... catherines mother had ejected dayna from the hospital and she wasnt even allowed to the funeral....
it had repercussions for years to come....
what a heartbreaking storyline to read and knowing that its probably based on events that have happened in the past is heartbreaking
but its an inspirations storyline that gives hope to others
December 22, 2025
A good portrayal of facing loss, lowering protective walls and trying to move on. Add in acceptance and finding a new path and family. An emotional read.
January 4, 2025
Stay is a powerhouse story of overcoming grief with the support of found family. It's hard to believe that Valerie Kapp is still a relatively new author.
The first 20% of the book makes for difficult reading as it covers the loss of Catherine, the 15-year life partner of MC Dayna Baldwin through a massive heart attack. Starting in 2009 when marriage equality was not yet available made for a gut wrenching read as marriage equality was not yet available, so Dayna had no protection from Catherine's unaccepting family. Given Dayna's history growing up in foster care, losing access to Catherine and then losing Catherine completely only served to exacerbate her already overwhelming sense of abandonment.
Once the story jumps forward to 2015 when the Marriage Equality Act was passed, the story becomes much less angsty. However, we find Catherine unwilling to consider any kind of relationship, preferring to lock away her heart and making use of one-sided, one-night stands where her companions are not allowed to touch her at all. She believes that she is content with her career as a leadership coach and running an annual golfing tournament to raise funds for heart research.
It's at one of these golfing fundraisers where she first meets Tegan Roberts through her close-knit group of friends. As they continually meet each other at future social events it soon becomes impossible that there is an attraction that is difficult to ignore. However, before she would be able to fully let Tegan in, Dayna needs to find a way to let go of the ghosts of her past. What follows is a beautiful story of patience, love, acceptance from both blood and found family and the promise of a brighter future.
Definitely a 5-star read for me and one which I will most certainly come back to again and again in the future.
I am grateful to Valerie Kapp and Bella Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
The first 20% of the book makes for difficult reading as it covers the loss of Catherine, the 15-year life partner of MC Dayna Baldwin through a massive heart attack. Starting in 2009 when marriage equality was not yet available made for a gut wrenching read as marriage equality was not yet available, so Dayna had no protection from Catherine's unaccepting family. Given Dayna's history growing up in foster care, losing access to Catherine and then losing Catherine completely only served to exacerbate her already overwhelming sense of abandonment.
Once the story jumps forward to 2015 when the Marriage Equality Act was passed, the story becomes much less angsty. However, we find Catherine unwilling to consider any kind of relationship, preferring to lock away her heart and making use of one-sided, one-night stands where her companions are not allowed to touch her at all. She believes that she is content with her career as a leadership coach and running an annual golfing tournament to raise funds for heart research.
It's at one of these golfing fundraisers where she first meets Tegan Roberts through her close-knit group of friends. As they continually meet each other at future social events it soon becomes impossible that there is an attraction that is difficult to ignore. However, before she would be able to fully let Tegan in, Dayna needs to find a way to let go of the ghosts of her past. What follows is a beautiful story of patience, love, acceptance from both blood and found family and the promise of a brighter future.
Definitely a 5-star read for me and one which I will most certainly come back to again and again in the future.
I am grateful to Valerie Kapp and Bella Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
January 7, 2025
"Stay" by Valerie Kapp is an emotional book that explores the themes of grief over the death of a long-time life partner, caring for an aging parent, found family, and later in the book feelings of betrayal when an emotional attraction sparks with someone new.
The first portion of the book is highly affecting when Dayna Baldwin's life partner, Catherine, of fifteen years has a widow maker heart attack in 2009. Note, that this is prior to Marriage Equality being enacted in 2015 in the United States. Therefore, Dayna and Catherine are not married. Catherine is taken to the hospital and placed in ICU. However, what transpires with Catherine's estranged family was a tearjerker and left me feeling angry on Dayna's behalf.
The story jumps from 2009 to mid 2015 and a celebration of Marriage Equality. In mid 2015, Dayna also meets Tegan Roberts a retired English teacher who has returned to Trotwood, a small town outside Daytona, Ohio, to care for her mother with Alzheimer's. Dayna and Tegan meet in a grocery store and later at a barbecue hosted by mutual friends. There is an immediate attraction between the two women. The story proceeds to share how they overcome life's challenges (Dayna's loss of Catherine and Tegan caring for her mother) to get to know each other and eventually date.
Although an emotional read, especially for the first fifth of the book, it was a quick read. The book is divided into fifty-three short chapters and the book length is only about 220 pages. But what is contained in those pages leaves an impact. I would highly recommend this book to other readers.
I received an ARC from Bella Books in exchange for an honest review.
The first portion of the book is highly affecting when Dayna Baldwin's life partner, Catherine, of fifteen years has a widow maker heart attack in 2009. Note, that this is prior to Marriage Equality being enacted in 2015 in the United States. Therefore, Dayna and Catherine are not married. Catherine is taken to the hospital and placed in ICU. However, what transpires with Catherine's estranged family was a tearjerker and left me feeling angry on Dayna's behalf.
The story jumps from 2009 to mid 2015 and a celebration of Marriage Equality. In mid 2015, Dayna also meets Tegan Roberts a retired English teacher who has returned to Trotwood, a small town outside Daytona, Ohio, to care for her mother with Alzheimer's. Dayna and Tegan meet in a grocery store and later at a barbecue hosted by mutual friends. There is an immediate attraction between the two women. The story proceeds to share how they overcome life's challenges (Dayna's loss of Catherine and Tegan caring for her mother) to get to know each other and eventually date.
Although an emotional read, especially for the first fifth of the book, it was a quick read. The book is divided into fifty-three short chapters and the book length is only about 220 pages. But what is contained in those pages leaves an impact. I would highly recommend this book to other readers.
I received an ARC from Bella Books in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2025
(3.5 Stars) The focus of the story is Dayna Baldwin. It begins in 2009 when her life partner Catherine has a heart attack. The story jumps forward to 2015 after the legalization of same sex marriage. While she still misses Catherine she has had time to turn her grief into good things. She changes her career and also runs a annual golf tournament in Catherine’s name. She also has a good friend network that has become her found family. It is through them she meets Tegan Roberts and the sparks are instantly there.
Because the focus is more on Dayna I consider this more women’s fiction with a romance. The cover is eye catching but deceptive. It doesn’t convey that the book is about mature women, one a retire teacher. And with this cover I was also surprised that it is a closed door romance. I like the realism and don’t mind reading about grief. I would like to understand Dayna’s change from her one night stand rules to how she is with Tegan. And the bringing up dominance and bedroom activities seemed off because intimacy is not on the page. But kudos to being mature and talking about such things. I enjoyed reading the story, liked the friend group and niece. And I like that Dayna realizes she can love again after Catherine.
Thank you to Bella Books for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
Because the focus is more on Dayna I consider this more women’s fiction with a romance. The cover is eye catching but deceptive. It doesn’t convey that the book is about mature women, one a retire teacher. And with this cover I was also surprised that it is a closed door romance. I like the realism and don’t mind reading about grief. I would like to understand Dayna’s change from her one night stand rules to how she is with Tegan. And the bringing up dominance and bedroom activities seemed off because intimacy is not on the page. But kudos to being mature and talking about such things. I enjoyed reading the story, liked the friend group and niece. And I like that Dayna realizes she can love again after Catherine.
Thank you to Bella Books for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
February 9, 2025
Letting go is never easy, especially when it’s the love of your life. Her death was a blow she didn’t think she’d recover and when Catherine’s mother stepped in she kept Dayna away. Upon her death Danya didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye. Gone was everything that kept Catherine alive in Dayna’s memory.
Now years later she still feels she’s stuck, she has great friends/family that try to help her but it’s not until she’s introduced to Tagan Roberts. It’s the first time Dayna felt something for another woman. Sure there had been one-night-stands but the idea of seeing them the next day, no she just didn’t want anymore from them. One night and it’s goodbye.
Tagan came home to be with her mother who was dealing with Alzheimer’s so when she moved home she moved away from her friends too. She did have one friend Stacy, it’s been years but when they met it was like no time passed. It was Stacy who introduced Tagan to her friends. The attraction between them was real but Dayna was ready. A very enjoyable read for a cloudy day.
ARC via Bella Books
Now years later she still feels she’s stuck, she has great friends/family that try to help her but it’s not until she’s introduced to Tagan Roberts. It’s the first time Dayna felt something for another woman. Sure there had been one-night-stands but the idea of seeing them the next day, no she just didn’t want anymore from them. One night and it’s goodbye.
Tagan came home to be with her mother who was dealing with Alzheimer’s so when she moved home she moved away from her friends too. She did have one friend Stacy, it’s been years but when they met it was like no time passed. It was Stacy who introduced Tagan to her friends. The attraction between them was real but Dayna was ready. A very enjoyable read for a cloudy day.
ARC via Bella Books
March 17, 2025
Wasn't sure I was going to make it through this one. It is an excellent story, with some heavy topics; loss of a partner, hateful policies, lost and found family, aging parents, light BDSM ... and, in spite of ALL that, there IS a happy ending. As I said, an excellent story. Just take care of yourself, and make sure you're in a good space for this type of story, which we need just as much as any other. Did I cry? YES Am I sorry I read/ listened to this story? Hells NO. It is a great story, and the timing was perfect for me.
Highly recommended, ... with care. 🙂
Highly recommended, ... with care. 🙂
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews