Stay Awhile

by Chrissa Rose

After walking out on my jerk of an ex-boyfriend in the middle of a date, I made a promise to no dating for a year. A little time and space to get to know myself was exactly what I needed after eight years in a toxic soul-sucking relationship, and it’s not like my tiny hometown is teeming with eligible bachelors anyway.



And then a night at the bar with my little sister ends with her in the back of a cop car and me sobbing in the bar owner’s arms—and drunkenly telling him the whole sad story of my terrible relationship, including just how bad the sex was.



Whoops.



It turns out that bar owner might just be everything I’ve ever wanted and then some.



He’s funny and kind and toe-curlingly sexy. He goes to the farmer’s market every Saturday morning and does yoga in the community garden with the senior citizens every Wednesday. And when we finally fall into bed together? I’m seeing stars.



I said no dating, but a no-strings-attached arrangement with the hottest man I’ve ever met just might be exactly what the heartbreak doctor ordered.



This is supposed to be temporary, so why is Weston starting to feel like home?




Stay Awhile is a small town black cat x golden retriever romance with heart, heat, and a little humor.

Genres: Small Town Romance

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2024

Reviews

[Allie McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC review*

I really enjoyed this cute small town romance. A duet novel to Hello Ranger, this cute duo hit it off right from the start, but had some emotional trauma to work through along the way. Both the FMC and the MMC had sweet, likeable personalities. The spice level is probably 3/5.

For context I would recommend reading Hello Ranger first, although I think you can technically read them in either order! Some transitions were a little choppy but overall an enjoyable, easy read.

Thank you Chrissa Rose for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Leah Maximovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ARC Review⭐️

Honestly it’s probably the cutest hallmark channel style small town romance I’ve read yet. Super easy read, if you’re looking for a pick me up book this would be it. Millie might be my favorite character of them all. If you’re looking for spice it’s minimal but all in all I would definitely recommend reading it.

[Kiana Puahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable small town romance read!

[Variant Hedge · Rating 4 out of 5]

*An ARC Review*

The FMC, Rose, is on a journey of rediscovery, trying to stand on her own after unlearning all the toxic patterns from her previous long-term relationship. The MMC, Weston, is such a gentleman—he hates seeing her struggle but steps back when she makes it clear she wants to handle things herself. He just knows what she needs, even without her saying it.

They’re perfect for each other—she’s exactly what he needs to in his life and for his future dream, and he’s the support she didn’t know she needed. The sexual tension between them was incredible, and the progression of their relationship from strangers to friends with benefits to lovers felt so natural. She had just left a toxic relationship, and Weston gave her the time and space to let their friendship grow first.

The forced proximity, thanks to their plan to set up his best friend with her sister, was the perfect setup to bring them together. And the small-town setting added so much charm! Everyone in the close-knit community was so supportive and caring—it was heartwarming to read about. I truly enjoyed every bit of it.

[Lisa Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I never thought I could dislike a character so much in my life until I read Stay Awhile by Chrissa Rose. Todd who is Rose’s ex is a guy that makes me want to punch the guy so bad. He was rude and made it so Rose felt like she was a burden and felt guilty for just hanging out with her sister.

Rose was at her lowest point when she met Weston but since he was the right guy for you he was able to help build up her confidence and make her into a better person at the end of the book. They both brought out the good in each other, accepted each other as a person, and didn’t try to change one another.

Stay Awhile was a book that could tug at the heartstrings and show how in a relationship if it is right there is give and take and no keeping score. The partner is there for you no matter what and wants to help you succeed. Giving Stay Awhile four stars was a no-brainer. Along with the heartstrings and amazing story, there was spice. This book was able to get a 3 on the Spice Level rating.

Stay Awhile is available wherever you get your books, and if you are part of Kindle Unlimited, Stay Awhile is included in your membership.

[Ashlé Kronk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the golden retriever bar owner, Weston. He was there for Rose in the beginning just out of the goodness of his own heart and being in the right place at the right time situation. He continued to be there for her because he felt something even it that something was going to just be a friendship because she just got out of a relationship with a horrible ex. He helps her find herself and take life as an adventure instead of staying cooped up and not really living. She helps him learn to trust again because not everyone will stab you in the back even if it was your family that did it in the first place.

Also excited to read the sister story to see what happens between Rose’s sister and Weston’s best friend.

[Britt Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ ARC REVIEW ⭐️

I loved the FMC! She was very relatable - and the MMC is dream worthy. Their conversations were solid. Spoiler free - the end of the story conflict was a bit of a surprise for me which I enjoyed! I had predicted it going a different way, so I loved that.

This felt slightly like insta love to me, and I could’ve used a little more plot or hard to get. Maybe even some more conflict in the beginning of the story - parts just fell a little flat. I would’ve loved to see more of the FMC’s “black cat” energy to the MMC’s “golden retriever”.

Overall, cute story!

Thank you Chrissa Rose for the ARC opportunity!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. I LOVE Weston and Rose and literally all of Waverly Falls. What an adorable little town. Weston is sweet and sexy and thoughtful, and I'm so here for it. And Rose is just so relatable to me. Their journey includes heartbreak but also joy, trauma but also healing, and loss but also friendship. I loved following along with their story, and I wish I could move to Waverly Falls and hear all about the small town shenanigans.

Stay Awhile was an excellent read, and I can't wait to see what Chrissa Rose has coming up next!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the beginning, Rose is with a mentally abusive, narcissist named Todd, who she ends up leaving. But the damage he did is clear throughout, and Weston is here to save her, but also allow her to save herself. Which is just beautiful. He is there when she needs him, but allows her to grow on her own. Which really is love. She is hesitant, but there is no fighting the fire between them. The two are a match for the ages and I ate it up.

[Lyndsey Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆ARC Review☆

Adorable Hallmark style story with some added spice! Weston is a man who knows what he wants out of his business and life and loves his town. Rose is smart, witty, and healing in a way many of us can relate to. I really enjoyed their banter and chemistry. Not only will you love them, but the small town side characters too.

[Kalexreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really loved this book! The characters are so great, even though they both had some baggage to go through. Their chemistry was delicious. The banter between everyone was so fun! It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the tension was great. Not a lot of angst with just a touch of a third act breakup. Their happily ever after was so worth it!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is supposed to be happening at the same time as Hello, Ranger. A major plot point for Hello, Ranger is changed (those it unfolds) in Stay Awhile. If the books are a duet and happening at the same time, shouldn’t the major plot points match? Also, it felt like the resolution between Weston and Rose was a little rushed.

[Carlin Biederbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, easy read. Some grammatical errors that made me stutter during reading, and a few timeline/detail slips (7 year relationship was then referred to as 8 years, he’s wearing sweats then suddenly it’s jeans), but overall I had fun and enjoyed Rose and Weston’s story!

[Space Station Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect contemporary romance that feels up-to-date in references and lingo but also full of tropes. The MMC is too good to be true--so much emotional labor! Swoon!--but fun to fantasize about.

[Ria Dockerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve said it once i’ll say it again, Weston is THE book boyfriend. the character growth from both rose and weston is lovely to witness and their attraction is insanely palpable.

a sweet-sexy-wholesome story with a touch of miscomm angst and a perfectly wrapped ending

[Tiffany Lingenfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶🌶
A sweet love story about learning to trust yourself and growing/healing. Weston is the perfect book boyfriend!

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute love story about healing from past relationships, learning to trust yourself/find yourself again, and falling in love when you least expected it!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fucking delight! I can't believe it's this author's first full-length book! I'm a huge fan and can't wait to see what she writes next.

[Ella Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute small town romance! Totally adored Weston and Rose. The ending seemed a little rushed though.

[Nifer Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one. 

Both MCs were great alone, and together. They were well rounded and realistic. 
Loved that they developed a friendship first. 
Would definitely read more about them.