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If You Stayed
There once was a man who loved me, until he forgot every memory we've ever shared…
Gabriel Sinclair would forever be my first. My first best friend, my first kiss, my first love…and my first heartbreak. The accident that nearly took his life ripped the memory of me from his grasp—and for the last decades, I've let the guilt of that one terrible night keep us apart.
It took me years to make peace with the fact that he would no longer be in my life, so when he shows up as the architect for my new home, my world's tossed upside down. Now, I'm trapped in a loveless marriage, raising a child, while Gabriel stirs up feelings I thought long buried. It feels like my soul is waking up after years of being in a deep slumber—and my controlling husband will do whatever it takes to keep us apart.
I know I should push Gabriel away to protect him from the shadows surrounding me. Yet, I can't deny the hope that blooms whenever he's near—the chance that he might remember me, that we could reclaim the chapters of our story that we've lost.
Nothing good could come from us, but I can't help but wonder what would happen if this time...he stayed.
There once was a man who loved me… And now he's my only hope for tomorrow.
Gabriel Sinclair would forever be my first. My first best friend, my first kiss, my first love…and my first heartbreak. The accident that nearly took his life ripped the memory of me from his grasp—and for the last decades, I've let the guilt of that one terrible night keep us apart.
It took me years to make peace with the fact that he would no longer be in my life, so when he shows up as the architect for my new home, my world's tossed upside down. Now, I'm trapped in a loveless marriage, raising a child, while Gabriel stirs up feelings I thought long buried. It feels like my soul is waking up after years of being in a deep slumber—and my controlling husband will do whatever it takes to keep us apart.
I know I should push Gabriel away to protect him from the shadows surrounding me. Yet, I can't deny the hope that blooms whenever he's near—the chance that he might remember me, that we could reclaim the chapters of our story that we've lost.
Nothing good could come from us, but I can't help but wonder what would happen if this time...he stayed.
There once was a man who loved me… And now he's my only hope for tomorrow.
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2025
658 people are currently reading
7313 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 655 reviews
April 30, 2025
4.5/5
- OMG THIS BOOK IS SOOO GOOD!! This has officially become my favorite read of brittainy cherry’s books and I’ve literally read like 12 of her books I think! You will literally want to finish this book in one sitting.
- Love how easy of a read this book is too! I will definitely recommend this book to new readers and often because it has the perfect balance of drama that keeps you hooked & the words are pretty large.
- This book doesn’t have much spice, but the tension is everything! If you’re looking for a low spice book rec that still makes you swoon, pick this one up!
- OMG THIS BOOK IS SOOO GOOD!! This has officially become my favorite read of brittainy cherry’s books and I’ve literally read like 12 of her books I think! You will literally want to finish this book in one sitting.
- Love how easy of a read this book is too! I will definitely recommend this book to new readers and often because it has the perfect balance of drama that keeps you hooked & the words are pretty large.
- This book doesn’t have much spice, but the tension is everything! If you’re looking for a low spice book rec that still makes you swoon, pick this one up!
April 2, 2025
5 stars
If You Stayed is a stunning second chance romance that I devoured. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book in less than 2 days, but I couldn’t put this one down. Gabriel and Kierra’s story made me smile, made me cry, and gave me hope.
Gabriel and Kierra meet again after two decades apart. Gabriel was the love of Kierra’s life. The only problem is, he doesn’t remember her. And she’s in a terrible marriage. It seems messy, right? Well, it is. Messy, complex, and what a ride it is… I loved watching these two find their way back to one another.
Brittainy Cherry writes my favorite words. She is a phenomenal storyteller and I love her characters and the hearts that they have. Gabriel was so special, Kierra was so strong, and Ava stole my heart. This, like most of Cherry’s books, was equal parts heart wrenching and heartwarming, but by the end I was crying happy tears. This is one of those books that I know will stay with me and I highly recommend!
If You Stayed is a stunning second chance romance that I devoured. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book in less than 2 days, but I couldn’t put this one down. Gabriel and Kierra’s story made me smile, made me cry, and gave me hope.
Gabriel and Kierra meet again after two decades apart. Gabriel was the love of Kierra’s life. The only problem is, he doesn’t remember her. And she’s in a terrible marriage. It seems messy, right? Well, it is. Messy, complex, and what a ride it is… I loved watching these two find their way back to one another.
Brittainy Cherry writes my favorite words. She is a phenomenal storyteller and I love her characters and the hearts that they have. Gabriel was so special, Kierra was so strong, and Ava stole my heart. This, like most of Cherry’s books, was equal parts heart wrenching and heartwarming, but by the end I was crying happy tears. This is one of those books that I know will stay with me and I highly recommend!
“My joy had come home."
April 19, 2025
Kierra’s world is thrown off its axis when the first man she ever loved suddenly appears in her life again. Unable to remember his past and the fateful event that changed their lives forever, Kierra is determined to keep him at a distance. But when her controlling husband hires Gabriel’s architecture firm to build their new home, close proximity leads both Kierra and Gabe to question newfound feelings.
If you are ever in search of an angsty romance, look no further than indie romance author Brittainy Cherry, who writes some of the best angst in the business. I always prepare myself to be emotionally wrecked (in the best way) and am never disappointed.
I found this story to be fresh and unique, and also completely engaging. I was desperate to learn more about what event had occurred in the past to get these characters to where they are when we start the book. We move forward both in the past, and in the present, bringing us to a pivotal inflection point in both as these characters are forced to make life-altering decisions.
While I enjoyed it overall, I did not necessarily love how everything wrapped up so neat and tidy in the end. Given the complex, emotional nature of the story, I would have thought a little messiness to end the story, even with an HEA, would have been preferable. That said, I still appreciate the story as a whole and how memorable these characters are. I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about them for a long time to come.
Read if you like:
▪️second chance
▪️forced proximity
▪️friends to more
▪️cinnamon roll hero
▪️dual POV and timelines
CW: This story has quite a few triggers, particularly around the subject of abuse. Please, please check your triggers prior to reading if you are sensitive to them.
📆 Pub: April 22, 2025
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advanced copy.
If you are ever in search of an angsty romance, look no further than indie romance author Brittainy Cherry, who writes some of the best angst in the business. I always prepare myself to be emotionally wrecked (in the best way) and am never disappointed.
I found this story to be fresh and unique, and also completely engaging. I was desperate to learn more about what event had occurred in the past to get these characters to where they are when we start the book. We move forward both in the past, and in the present, bringing us to a pivotal inflection point in both as these characters are forced to make life-altering decisions.
While I enjoyed it overall, I did not necessarily love how everything wrapped up so neat and tidy in the end. Given the complex, emotional nature of the story, I would have thought a little messiness to end the story, even with an HEA, would have been preferable. That said, I still appreciate the story as a whole and how memorable these characters are. I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about them for a long time to come.
Read if you like:
▪️second chance
▪️forced proximity
▪️friends to more
▪️cinnamon roll hero
▪️dual POV and timelines
CW: This story has quite a few triggers, particularly around the subject of abuse. Please, please check your triggers prior to reading if you are sensitive to them.
📆 Pub: April 22, 2025
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advanced copy.
April 25, 2025
The Toad (Gabriel) & the Penguin (Kierra)
Sleep eluded me last night, when page after page turned into chapters and for the life of me I couldn’t put this down. Such an emotional roller coaster of a book, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
After two decades apart Gabriel & Kierra are in each others orbit again, that soul crushing sadness overwhelmed me when he didn't remember their childhood spent together, from the age of 8 upwards these two were neighbours, until their teens when a tragedy pulled them apart, never to see each other again.
Until her husband hires him..
She remembers everything about him, he was her everything, her soul mate..
Kierra is stuck in a loveless marriage, a man with a brilliant mind who belittles and manipulates her, the only thing keeping her tied to her husband was her daughter Ava who came into her life as a 5 year old, but Kierra loves her like her own.
Gabriel was one of a kind, he couldn't understand the gravitational pull he felt towards Kierra and for the life of him for some reason he couldn't stay away.
It's been a while since I'd picked up a book by this author to read and once I'd started it felt like I was coming back home after a long trip away, that sweet nostalgia feeling hit me as soon as I started reading, and that emotional pull she wrings out of you was definitely there with this book.. I felt all the feels.
The only reason why I didn't rate this 5 stars was I felt like the ending was rushed.
Sleep eluded me last night, when page after page turned into chapters and for the life of me I couldn’t put this down. Such an emotional roller coaster of a book, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
After two decades apart Gabriel & Kierra are in each others orbit again, that soul crushing sadness overwhelmed me when he didn't remember their childhood spent together, from the age of 8 upwards these two were neighbours, until their teens when a tragedy pulled them apart, never to see each other again.
Until her husband hires him..
She remembers everything about him, he was her everything, her soul mate..
Kierra is stuck in a loveless marriage, a man with a brilliant mind who belittles and manipulates her, the only thing keeping her tied to her husband was her daughter Ava who came into her life as a 5 year old, but Kierra loves her like her own.
Gabriel was one of a kind, he couldn't understand the gravitational pull he felt towards Kierra and for the life of him for some reason he couldn't stay away.
It's been a while since I'd picked up a book by this author to read and once I'd started it felt like I was coming back home after a long trip away, that sweet nostalgia feeling hit me as soon as I started reading, and that emotional pull she wrings out of you was definitely there with this book.. I felt all the feels.
The only reason why I didn't rate this 5 stars was I felt like the ending was rushed.
May 16, 2025
I had never heard of this book before, but I found it on a table in the bookstore and felt I had to get it. This is a book about DV so be aware of that when reading. While the book ‘It Ends With Us’ downplayed DV, this book offers a way more realistic version that may be harder to read for some people.
It was hard for me to rate this book, because at times it felt very repetitive in the beginning. I think editing should have cut this book down about 50 pages and removed some of the filler. However, overall I really enjoyed the story.
It showed how emotional abuse can escalate to physical abuse especially during timeframes of infidelity and when you try to stand up for yourself. It showed how kids can be used as pawns to keep you in an abusive relationship. The realistic dialogue of when he was mocking her for allowing him to do what he does and see how far he can push her.
Personally for me, I think this story focused too much on the love story between her and her first love. I would have actually preferred it focus more on the DV, but I will say this book was way more realistic and did not minimize DV. If there was a book that should have become a movie about DV it is this one, not Colleen’s book.
I think overall, there were some really good parts of this book, but it did not “wow” me or make me super emotional. I would give this a 3.5-3.75 rounded up.
It was hard for me to rate this book, because at times it felt very repetitive in the beginning. I think editing should have cut this book down about 50 pages and removed some of the filler. However, overall I really enjoyed the story.
It showed how emotional abuse can escalate to physical abuse especially during timeframes of infidelity and when you try to stand up for yourself. It showed how kids can be used as pawns to keep you in an abusive relationship. The realistic dialogue of when he was mocking her for allowing him to do what he does and see how far he can push her.
Personally for me, I think this story focused too much on the love story between her and her first love. I would have actually preferred it focus more on the DV, but I will say this book was way more realistic and did not minimize DV. If there was a book that should have become a movie about DV it is this one, not Colleen’s book.
I think overall, there were some really good parts of this book, but it did not “wow” me or make me super emotional. I would give this a 3.5-3.75 rounded up.
October 19, 2025
"That was the problem with falling in love when you were out of love with yourself: even monsters looked appealing then"
okay. wait. this was honestly soo good.
i love all the characters- keirra and gabriel and ava. their bond was so heartwarming.
plus, this was such a quick read.
it's just that the ending felt somewhat rushed(?) and it was lwk underwhelming (i mean, to some extent)
i would've liked to read more abt their backstory. i think that's where this book kinda fell short. but it's alr, ig
however, there are quite a few triggers-
tw: spousal abuse (verbal and physical), adultery, attempted sexual assault, loss of a child, and sizeism.
but still, it was a good read. def worth my time.
pre-read
I've only read, like, 2 books by brittainy c cherry. but they were both good!
and so is this one (so far).
fingers crossed that it stays that way 🤞🏻
May 25, 2025
Well for starters the story is beautiful but some moments it doesn’t feel believable. I think about the first 10 years… what happened?
My thoughts…
My thoughts…
May 8, 2025
3.5 stars
I’m having a hard time reviewing and rating this one. the writing was beautiful, and the characters were truly lovable, but there were a few aspects of the story that just didn’t sit right with me. it didn’t hit me as emotionally or leave an impact the way B. Cherry’s books usually do.
I will rate it with 3.5 stars for now, but I may come back and change my mind and write a proper review.
I’m having a hard time reviewing and rating this one. the writing was beautiful, and the characters were truly lovable, but there were a few aspects of the story that just didn’t sit right with me. it didn’t hit me as emotionally or leave an impact the way B. Cherry’s books usually do.
I will rate it with 3.5 stars for now, but I may come back and change my mind and write a proper review.
April 22, 2025
Kierra + Gabriel
Those two have been pushed together by their parents when they were only eight years old. They hated each other. But that hate turned into friendship and love. But it all stopped after that car accident when they were 19.
Gabriel lost his memory of her - of everything. And his mother didn't want her in his life anymore.
Many years later he's the architect for her new house. The super modern tech house her husband wants to build.
...let the fun times begin...
══════════════════
Well. That was so sad and heartbreaking.
They lost so many years and now they could have something again. But! She's married and he's still not remembering her. Ugh.
Kierra is only staying in her marriage because of her step-daughter. She's her everything. Her husband is a horrible person.
And Gabriel is the absolute opposite of that. He's so sweet and perfect. But he still can't remember her. But tiny little things seem to pop up in his mind every now and then.
Will he hate her once he finds out the whole truth?
We hope not. We so want that super-delayed happily ever after for them all.
I really enjoyed reading it. It was sweet and sad and so many things.
Wouldn't mind watching this on TV one day!
Still not a fan of Brittainy over-using the words PRIOR. Ugh. I just hate that. Just say LAST NIGHT. Why say THE NIGHT PRIOR? Ew. But that's just a ME thing!
There were a few more 'writing things' that bothered me a bit. But pfft. Who cares. ME thing again.
IF YOU STAYED was such a sweet + heartbreaking + very late second chance love story. Run to your nearest book dealer for your own Gabriel - he'll be sold out in no time!
If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!
💜
💜
May 16, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ !!!!
I finished this book in under 24 hours because I was so addicted to it. It was an emotional and beautiful storyline of second chance lovers who reunite after years of distance. My only critique is that I wish it was longer, and the ending wrapped up a little too quick! I just wanted MOREEE😭💗
I cannot recommend this book enough. I can see this being one of my favorites of the year!
I finished this book in under 24 hours because I was so addicted to it. It was an emotional and beautiful storyline of second chance lovers who reunite after years of distance. My only critique is that I wish it was longer, and the ending wrapped up a little too quick! I just wanted MOREEE😭💗
I cannot recommend this book enough. I can see this being one of my favorites of the year!
June 9, 2025
3.75⭐️
This was another win for me! Great pacing like all of her other books which I enjoy.
I liked this one a lot and honestly loved the past timeline more than the preset. I just feel as though something that I can’t put my finger on was missing.
Some parts of the story were a little dramatic and far fetched but the good parts were GOOD!
I don’t think Brittainy Cherry could write a bad book if she tried. So glad I added this one to my TBR for this month. Realtime thoughts for this one on my next vlog on YouTube. 🩷
This was another win for me! Great pacing like all of her other books which I enjoy.
I liked this one a lot and honestly loved the past timeline more than the preset. I just feel as though something that I can’t put my finger on was missing.
Some parts of the story were a little dramatic and far fetched but the good parts were GOOD!
I don’t think Brittainy Cherry could write a bad book if she tried. So glad I added this one to my TBR for this month. Realtime thoughts for this one on my next vlog on YouTube. 🩷
June 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If You Stayed was my first Brittainy Cherry book, and now I know I need to read everything she’s ever written. I went into this one completely blind, and I’m so glad I did. The emotional journey was raw, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Kierra, our FMC, is a therapist carrying the weight of her own pain. From an abusive husband to the shadows of her past, she’s been surviving, not living. Watching her slowly open up, find her strength, and allow people to truly support her was powerful and deeply moving.
Gabriel, our MMC, is the kind of man you hope exists in the real world. After losing his memory in an accident, he’s spent years missing a vital piece of his life. But when he meets Kierra, something inside him clicks. He’s kind, patient, and incredibly selfless, not just with Kierra, but with her daughter Ava too. He’s the kind of man who says, “Call me if you need anything,” and actually shows up without hesitation.
Their connection is slow-burning, rooted in friendship and trust, and it was beautiful to watch it all unfold. And just when you think you’ve figured it out, Brittainy Cherry throws in twists that had my jaw on the floor, especially toward the end.
This book broke my heart and stitched it back together. A must-read.
If You Stayed was my first Brittainy Cherry book, and now I know I need to read everything she’s ever written. I went into this one completely blind, and I’m so glad I did. The emotional journey was raw, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Kierra, our FMC, is a therapist carrying the weight of her own pain. From an abusive husband to the shadows of her past, she’s been surviving, not living. Watching her slowly open up, find her strength, and allow people to truly support her was powerful and deeply moving.
Gabriel, our MMC, is the kind of man you hope exists in the real world. After losing his memory in an accident, he’s spent years missing a vital piece of his life. But when he meets Kierra, something inside him clicks. He’s kind, patient, and incredibly selfless, not just with Kierra, but with her daughter Ava too. He’s the kind of man who says, “Call me if you need anything,” and actually shows up without hesitation.
Their connection is slow-burning, rooted in friendship and trust, and it was beautiful to watch it all unfold. And just when you think you’ve figured it out, Brittainy Cherry throws in twists that had my jaw on the floor, especially toward the end.
This book broke my heart and stitched it back together. A must-read.
dnf
October 21, 2025DNF @ 33%
Man, I hate this! Brittainy C. Cherry wrote one of my very favorites, Loving Mr. Daniels, and I've liked many of her other earlier works too. I feel like either my likes have changed or she has.
I was kind of...bored. I didn't feel a connection but felt like I was told about it instead. I had to force myself to get past the 30% mark before adding it to my DNF shelf and that felt like a challenge. Nothing really was happening. I also felt like the characters were lacking in a way that I didn't find myself invested in their story like I have been with Ms. Cherry in the past.
It could be a me thing, but I haven't had success with her books since 2020...
Man, I hate this! Brittainy C. Cherry wrote one of my very favorites, Loving Mr. Daniels, and I've liked many of her other earlier works too. I feel like either my likes have changed or she has.
I was kind of...bored. I didn't feel a connection but felt like I was told about it instead. I had to force myself to get past the 30% mark before adding it to my DNF shelf and that felt like a challenge. Nothing really was happening. I also felt like the characters were lacking in a way that I didn't find myself invested in their story like I have been with Ms. Cherry in the past.
It could be a me thing, but I haven't had success with her books since 2020...
May 10, 2025
My heart! I cried so much reading this book. Both sad and happy tears. Beautifully written and told.
Please check trigger warnings.
Please check trigger warnings.
September 16, 2025
I loved this book sooo much!!! Gabriel… when I tell you I LOVE that man….I LOVE THAT MAN!
If You Stayed is a contemporary second chance romance. In this book you first meet a younger Kierra after a horrific life changing accident where she is forbidden from ever contacting Gabriel again.
Years later Kierra finds herself trapped in a loveless turned abusive marriage with her controlling husband, Henry. This man is a true villain. Brittainy Cherry did such a good job at making me HATE this man!
Gabriel, reappears is Kierra’s life when her husband hires him as the architect for the new house (not a home 😑) Henry is having built. Gabriel, who suffers from amnesia because of the accident does not recognize Kierra, but something is pulling him towards her.
This book could be a Tyler Perry movie, someone call him up, or on the Lifetime Movie Channel. This was the first book I’ve read from this author and it DID NOT disappoint. I’ll be getting into her other books.
If You Stayed is a contemporary second chance romance. In this book you first meet a younger Kierra after a horrific life changing accident where she is forbidden from ever contacting Gabriel again.
Years later Kierra finds herself trapped in a loveless turned abusive marriage with her controlling husband, Henry. This man is a true villain. Brittainy Cherry did such a good job at making me HATE this man!
Gabriel, reappears is Kierra’s life when her husband hires him as the architect for the new house (not a home 😑) Henry is having built. Gabriel, who suffers from amnesia because of the accident does not recognize Kierra, but something is pulling him towards her.
This book could be a Tyler Perry movie, someone call him up, or on the Lifetime Movie Channel. This was the first book I’ve read from this author and it DID NOT disappoint. I’ll be getting into her other books.
April 24, 2025
ÉL PERDIÓ LA MEMORIA Y AÚN ASÍ SE ENAMORÓ DE ELLA OTRA VEZ
IF YOU STAYED, es un libro de romance que va más allá de un romance y toca el tema de la violencia doméstica.
Creo que este libro es una muestra increíble de cómo puedes tocar este tema sin romantizarlo o caer en lo mismo de siempre.
LEAN LAS ADVERTENCIAS.
El libro es un CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS TO STRANGERS TO LOVERS, donde los protagonistas se conocían desde niños, pero pasó algo y se alejaron.
Años después se reencuentran, pero él no la recuerda porque sufrió un accidente.
Wow, Kierra y Gabriel, fueron todo una explosión de emociones.
Los flashbacks, los momentos de ellos en el presente, la situación de Kierra, Gabriel y sus recuerdos.
Sinceramente, creo que fue una experiencia completa y leerlos se sintó bonito, triste y lleno de amor.
He sufrido mucho con Kierra😭😭😭😭😭 y creo que su historia es muy valiosa. LA VIOLENCIA DOMÉSTICA SE CONDENA.
JURO QUE EL LIBRO ME TENÍA FANGIRL CON AMBOS Y ESTUVE GRITANDO EN MUCHOS MOMENTOS DE EMOCIÓN.
Amo mucho a Brittainy, he leído varios de sus libros y cada vez que la leo, se siente correcto.❤️🩹
IF YOU STAYED, es un libro de romance que va más allá de un romance y toca el tema de la violencia doméstica.
Creo que este libro es una muestra increíble de cómo puedes tocar este tema sin romantizarlo o caer en lo mismo de siempre.
LEAN LAS ADVERTENCIAS.
El libro es un CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS TO STRANGERS TO LOVERS, donde los protagonistas se conocían desde niños, pero pasó algo y se alejaron.
Años después se reencuentran, pero él no la recuerda porque sufrió un accidente.
Wow, Kierra y Gabriel, fueron todo una explosión de emociones.
Los flashbacks, los momentos de ellos en el presente, la situación de Kierra, Gabriel y sus recuerdos.
Sinceramente, creo que fue una experiencia completa y leerlos se sintó bonito, triste y lleno de amor.
He sufrido mucho con Kierra😭😭😭😭😭 y creo que su historia es muy valiosa. LA VIOLENCIA DOMÉSTICA SE CONDENA.
JURO QUE EL LIBRO ME TENÍA FANGIRL CON AMBOS Y ESTUVE GRITANDO EN MUCHOS MOMENTOS DE EMOCIÓN.
Amo mucho a Brittainy, he leído varios de sus libros y cada vez que la leo, se siente correcto.❤️🩹
July 14, 2025
[arc review]
i guess i was in a mood to have my heart ripped into shreds and stomped on because sourcebooks casa gave this book to me a week ago and i was reading a very dark romance before this and now i’m broken. literally if you look on the floor you’ll see me curled into a ball and sobbing. i knew when i read the trigger warning page i would need tissues. the pain i felt reading this book? it’s comparable to the type of pain you feel when you’re so heartbroken and you’re crying so hard you can’t breathe and you’re screaming at the big man up there asking why you and asking for it to stop. my heart HURT okay. and i will be sending brittainy cherry my next therapy bill.
gabriel could not have been more perfect. like ava said, he is a man written by a woman. he is the epitome of a man written by a woman. i’m only half way through my reading goal but man he’s won book boyfriend of the year. i LOVE gabriel sinclair so fucking much it hurts. he is so kind, beyond patient, talented as hell and so loving. his accident might have made him forget the first 20 years of his life but it did not change who he’s always been. he’s so perfect i don’t have anything else to say about him.
i don’t know how brittainy did it but i felt every single gram of pain kierra went through while married to henry. with every page, my heart cracked just a little more until i was completely broken. kierra is such a bright soul and the best mother ava could ask for. she has been beating herself up over and over because of the accident but the amount of gaslighting she went through on top of that broke her spirit. she knew she needed to leave. but she wasn’t leaving without ava and i’m so glad she didn’t leave her daughter behind.
the book ends with a hea but the feelings brittainy puts you through to get there were so real.
i guess i was in a mood to have my heart ripped into shreds and stomped on because sourcebooks casa gave this book to me a week ago and i was reading a very dark romance before this and now i’m broken. literally if you look on the floor you’ll see me curled into a ball and sobbing. i knew when i read the trigger warning page i would need tissues. the pain i felt reading this book? it’s comparable to the type of pain you feel when you’re so heartbroken and you’re crying so hard you can’t breathe and you’re screaming at the big man up there asking why you and asking for it to stop. my heart HURT okay. and i will be sending brittainy cherry my next therapy bill.
gabriel could not have been more perfect. like ava said, he is a man written by a woman. he is the epitome of a man written by a woman. i’m only half way through my reading goal but man he’s won book boyfriend of the year. i LOVE gabriel sinclair so fucking much it hurts. he is so kind, beyond patient, talented as hell and so loving. his accident might have made him forget the first 20 years of his life but it did not change who he’s always been. he’s so perfect i don’t have anything else to say about him.
i don’t know how brittainy did it but i felt every single gram of pain kierra went through while married to henry. with every page, my heart cracked just a little more until i was completely broken. kierra is such a bright soul and the best mother ava could ask for. she has been beating herself up over and over because of the accident but the amount of gaslighting she went through on top of that broke her spirit. she knew she needed to leave. but she wasn’t leaving without ava and i’m so glad she didn’t leave her daughter behind.
the book ends with a hea but the feelings brittainy puts you through to get there were so real.
August 26, 2025
« for the hurting souls.
grief is just love with no place to go. »
du coup, sans transition : j'ai enchainé avec le dernier bébé de Brittainy, et c'était totalement à son image : beau et puissant, le message délivré est tellement important (tw violences conjugales entre autre, donc be careful si c'est un sujet sensible pour vous 💘) c'était une histoire intense et pleine d'émotions, j'ai adoré ma lecture
plus qu'à attendre sa prochaine sortie maintenant...
grief is just love with no place to go. »
du coup, sans transition : j'ai enchainé avec le dernier bébé de Brittainy, et c'était totalement à son image : beau et puissant, le message délivré est tellement important (tw violences conjugales entre autre, donc be careful si c'est un sujet sensible pour vous 💘) c'était une histoire intense et pleine d'émotions, j'ai adoré ma lecture
plus qu'à attendre sa prochaine sortie maintenant...
May 12, 2025
5⭐️ my first book by Brittainy Cherry, and definitely not my last. This book was the true definition of an emotional romance story. Incredible storyline and characters. I didn’t want it to end, and it made me cry all the way through!Obsessed. Not to mention the plot twist at the end?!!! Made it even better.
April 24, 2025
This book was just sad... There is an HEA. But I was still a bit sad at the end. It could have been my mood. The writing was good and I was completely vested. Just be ready for some big emotions.
April 23, 2025
Read if you like: second chance romance, amnesia, angst, childhood friends, failing marriage, then and now chapters
Check the TW - heavy themes of DV
I wish the TW was included in the ARC sign up because I would not have picked up this book if I knew.
Did I read the same book as everyone else?
There were so many things I didn’t like in this book 🥲
- I needed Kierra to take her own advice as a therapist
- Usually I love kids in stories but I found Ava very annoying, sometimes she was too mature for her age and other times very childish
- I found this story inconsistent
- Amma’s apology was forced by Gabriel and I hated that. I wish she came to the realisation herself and apologised
- Romance was meh
- In theory it is an angsty plot, but I didn’t shed a single tear or even tear up? I cry at EVERYTHING so I am shocked
This was not a book for me, but if you like angst then maybe give this book a go
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this ARC
Check the TW - heavy themes of DV
I wish the TW was included in the ARC sign up because I would not have picked up this book if I knew.
Did I read the same book as everyone else?
There were so many things I didn’t like in this book 🥲
- I needed Kierra to take her own advice as a therapist
- Usually I love kids in stories but I found Ava very annoying, sometimes she was too mature for her age and other times very childish
- I found this story inconsistent
- Amma’s apology was forced by Gabriel and I hated that. I wish she came to the realisation herself and apologised
- Romance was meh
- In theory it is an angsty plot, but I didn’t shed a single tear or even tear up? I cry at EVERYTHING so I am shocked
This was not a book for me, but if you like angst then maybe give this book a go
Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this ARC
May 5, 2025
4.25 stars ⭐️
May 4, 2025
3.75 Stars ⭐️
June 24, 2025
Brittainy 👏🏽 best book I’ve read of yours!! Like?? 🥹🥹🥹 why did you do this to me?? This book was SO good! I was hooked from the very beginning, and the storyline captured me immediately. Gabriel is such a sweetheart. He has such a pure heart and really was such a great mmc. Kierra is heaven sent. She is so selfless, such a great woman and mother, her heart has always been in the right place and her intentions are so pure. Brittainy wrote an AMAZING plot and it really just flowed so effortlessly. 5 stars 🫶🏽
December 7, 2024
4⭐️
ARC Review
Brittainy Cherry does it again!! Wow, I felt all the emotions reading this one. Let me start of by saying this book has one of my least favorite tropes…amnesia, BUT if there’s one person I trust to be able to win me over with a novel that has that specific plot it’s the lovely Brittainy Cherry and boy did she destroy me in the best possible way with this book!!😭🫶🏻
Kierra and Gabriel deserve every ounce of love. Their story was heartbreaking, emotional, deep, and so complex. This story had the perfect flow and explored heavy themes with such deep care and recognition for what it is. There is no glorification. Sure the resolution of the story happened quickly, but I felt that was necessary for the amount of themes that are covered and discussed in this book. Kierra is such a beautiful character that I identify with so deeply. Her caring nature and gentleness, her wanting to do everything for everyone else to make sure they are okay, her determination and willpower to just simply get up everyday despite it all…each one of her traits is something I understand and deal with personally. Although her story is far different than mine, I see so much of myself in her. Reading this story gives me so much hope for my future. And Gabriel!!!😩What the kindest most loving man who deserves it all. He had such a beautiful ability to read people and their emotions so accurately. His patience, empathy, and reassurance is what won me over instantly. From his first introduction I knew I was going to love him and boy did he exceed all expectations. Gabriel is the man we all deserve. His story is so emotional, and with the flashbacks and present day structure of this story, despite what happened, he never lost the heart of himself. What a hopeful, genuine, emotional book that I will for sure be recommending!
Tropes:
-amnesia
-second chance
-failing marriage
-childhood friends
ARC Review
Brittainy Cherry does it again!! Wow, I felt all the emotions reading this one. Let me start of by saying this book has one of my least favorite tropes…amnesia, BUT if there’s one person I trust to be able to win me over with a novel that has that specific plot it’s the lovely Brittainy Cherry and boy did she destroy me in the best possible way with this book!!😭🫶🏻
Kierra and Gabriel deserve every ounce of love. Their story was heartbreaking, emotional, deep, and so complex. This story had the perfect flow and explored heavy themes with such deep care and recognition for what it is. There is no glorification. Sure the resolution of the story happened quickly, but I felt that was necessary for the amount of themes that are covered and discussed in this book. Kierra is such a beautiful character that I identify with so deeply. Her caring nature and gentleness, her wanting to do everything for everyone else to make sure they are okay, her determination and willpower to just simply get up everyday despite it all…each one of her traits is something I understand and deal with personally. Although her story is far different than mine, I see so much of myself in her. Reading this story gives me so much hope for my future. And Gabriel!!!😩What the kindest most loving man who deserves it all. He had such a beautiful ability to read people and their emotions so accurately. His patience, empathy, and reassurance is what won me over instantly. From his first introduction I knew I was going to love him and boy did he exceed all expectations. Gabriel is the man we all deserve. His story is so emotional, and with the flashbacks and present day structure of this story, despite what happened, he never lost the heart of himself. What a hopeful, genuine, emotional book that I will for sure be recommending!
Tropes:
-amnesia
-second chance
-failing marriage
-childhood friends
Want to read
May 4, 2025DNF.
For the moment. I couldn’t go past 25%. Heroine and hero are high school sweethearts, heroine is driving the car and has an accident where the hero is severely injured and his lil brother is killed.
The hero’s parents asks her to leave and never come back, because she killed their son.
Heroine feels guilty so she leaves before the hero regains consciousness.
More than a decade later, they meet again, she’s married to a controlling and cold man who’s also very rich and important, he has a daughter from a previous marriage that the heroine loves very much so she doesn’t want to divorce him. The hero is not with a partner, has only had random women and doesn’t remember anything of his previous life.
I stopped when the hero’s mother threatens the heroine and asks her not to see the hero anymore, because he doesn’t even remember her. Apparently this woman never even told him he was in an accident where his lil brother died.
The heroine doesn’t do anything.
So, I don’t know why she should beat herself up, an accident is an accident and anyway she left the hero when he was still unconscious, so I can’t see much love for him in this choice.
The heroine actually seems very disconnected and cold, and I don’t feel very invested in this kind of reading. I find it very unfair what she did. And let’s not talk about his mother, ok she lost a son and the heroine was driving but it’s not as if she killed him on purpose.
And the heroine compliance to stay silent about the truth doesn’t speak about love for the hero, just about her feelings of guilt.
So I lost interest.
Maybe later.
For the moment. I couldn’t go past 25%. Heroine and hero are high school sweethearts, heroine is driving the car and has an accident where the hero is severely injured and his lil brother is killed.
The hero’s parents asks her to leave and never come back, because she killed their son.
Heroine feels guilty so she leaves before the hero regains consciousness.
More than a decade later, they meet again, she’s married to a controlling and cold man who’s also very rich and important, he has a daughter from a previous marriage that the heroine loves very much so she doesn’t want to divorce him. The hero is not with a partner, has only had random women and doesn’t remember anything of his previous life.
I stopped when the hero’s mother threatens the heroine and asks her not to see the hero anymore, because he doesn’t even remember her. Apparently this woman never even told him he was in an accident where his lil brother died.
The heroine doesn’t do anything.
So, I don’t know why she should beat herself up, an accident is an accident and anyway she left the hero when he was still unconscious, so I can’t see much love for him in this choice.
The heroine actually seems very disconnected and cold, and I don’t feel very invested in this kind of reading. I find it very unfair what she did. And let’s not talk about his mother, ok she lost a son and the heroine was driving but it’s not as if she killed him on purpose.
And the heroine compliance to stay silent about the truth doesn’t speak about love for the hero, just about her feelings of guilt.
So I lost interest.
Maybe later.
April 28, 2025
My heart is still aching. This story was so deeply emotional. Gabriel and Kierra were childhood best friends turned lovers until a tragic accident stole Gabriel’s memories of her. When he reappears years later as the architect working with her husband, Kierra recognizes him instantly, but he has no idea who she is.
Kierra’s journey broke me. She carried the heavy guilt of the accident while trapped in a marriage that became more and more abusive, from emotional wounds to physical ones. Some parts were really hard to read, but her strength was incredible. I also adored Ava, her stepdaughter, and I’m so glad Kierra was there to love and guide her.
And the twist toward the end? It left my jaw on the floor. I’m still clutching my chest thinking about it.
Brittiany Cherry writes raw, soul deep emotion like no one else. This was an unforgettable, five star read for me.
Kierra’s journey broke me. She carried the heavy guilt of the accident while trapped in a marriage that became more and more abusive, from emotional wounds to physical ones. Some parts were really hard to read, but her strength was incredible. I also adored Ava, her stepdaughter, and I’m so glad Kierra was there to love and guide her.
And the twist toward the end? It left my jaw on the floor. I’m still clutching my chest thinking about it.
Brittiany Cherry writes raw, soul deep emotion like no one else. This was an unforgettable, five star read for me.
January 20, 2025
Personally, I didn’t enjoy reading this as much as I initially thought. A lot of the parts were quite predictable and some dialogue in this a bit too cringey for me.
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2025
WOW!!! Brittany Cherry is THAT girl! I really enjoyed this beautiful, second-chance romance! 💜
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