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Stay
“I felt like I was walking to the end of a plank precariously hanging over shark-infested water. When I jumped, sharp teeth would rip into me and the cold water would steal my breath away. The monsters would take everything from me, leaving me shivering and naked in the water. The only difference was that tonight I would be pulled from the icy darkness and forced to do it again. There would be no release from death, only pain.”
Home after her first year of college, Adeline Miller is looking forward to a stress free summer filled with reading, working on her blog, and spending time with friends. But all that changes in an instant when she is witness to something terrible, something she wasn't supposed to see.
Beaten, drugged, kidnapped.
Adeline Miller is ripped from her innocent and carefree life and thrust into darkness, into a world full of pain and horror. As a sex slave, she is forced to do horrible things, and have horrible things done to her. One of her captors has a past as dark as the world she is now living in. Will getting close to him mean freedom? Or will he pull her deeper into the shadows?
Home after her first year of college, Adeline Miller is looking forward to a stress free summer filled with reading, working on her blog, and spending time with friends. But all that changes in an instant when she is witness to something terrible, something she wasn't supposed to see.
Beaten, drugged, kidnapped.
Adeline Miller is ripped from her innocent and carefree life and thrust into darkness, into a world full of pain and horror. As a sex slave, she is forced to do horrible things, and have horrible things done to her. One of her captors has a past as dark as the world she is now living in. Will getting close to him mean freedom? Or will he pull her deeper into the shadows?
Paperback
First published May 19, 2014
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About the author
Emily Goodwin
94 books3,950 followersEmily Goodwin is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over a dozen of romantic titles. Emily writes the kind of books she likes to read, and is a sucker for a swoon-worthy bad boy and happily ever afters.
She lives in the midwest with her husband and two daughters. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking wine with friends.
Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.
www.emilygoodwinbooks.com
facebook.com/emilygoodwinbooks
emily@emilygoodwinbooks.com
She lives in the midwest with her husband and two daughters. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking wine with friends.
Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.
www.emilygoodwinbooks.com
facebook.com/emilygoodwinbooks
emily@emilygoodwinbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
December 22, 2014
Just a couple nights ago I glanced at Stay, but I wasn’t looking for a new book to read at the moment, I couldn’t tell what it was about by the title/cover, and—this is my bad—I didn’t even finish reading the whole blurb. I don’t remember why (I think the shark metaphor made me worry that there would be a lot of flowery prose, and that’s not my thing), but part of it is probably that I’m so used to being disappointed by many of the dark romances I pick up. But then Emily Goodwin popped up in my FB newsfeed doing an author takeover on a blog I follow, and she used the r-word that never fails to excite me—research. She said she wrote a dark romance that involved human trafficking, and then mentioned some of the research she did to prepare to write about this.
I was pretty much sold on that alone. Too many authors these days don’t bother doing any research, and then I read their books, don’t like them because they’re insanely unrealistic, and I feel like a meanie. It’s an unpleasant experience for everyone involved. When I saw how seriously this author (rightly) took her research, I got all giddy. I didn’t reread the blurb that I never finished (I rarely go into books that blind, but I made an exception this time) and I didn’t look at a single review. I saw that it was on sale and snapped this little book right up in my greedy, gluttonous Kindle.
Now, first I want to say this is not erotica. It was classified on Amazon as erotica so that's what I expected, but it really isn't. (That doesn't bother me, as I don't read a ton of erotica anyway, but I thought it was worth pointing out.) Also, the romance in this is not dark. The circumstances are dark, but the romance is not. There's also rape (obviously).
I won't totally reblurb here, but a very brief synopsis--this is a story about an ordinary girl just going about her life, she's in the wrong place at the wrong time, and she ends up getting abducted by a group of human traffickers.
This was a very readable book. I read the whole thing in one day. Lost many hours of sleep! It's also pretty unique. While it's not altogether uncommon these days for trafficking to be a plot-point in dark romances, this one certainly didn't go about it in the same way. In a sense, some parts reminded me of Trafficked (that one was much less graphic/not as dark and featured domestic servitude, not prostitution, but it also focused on the girl's life during the trafficking experience without the captor-romance that sometimes develops in the dark romances).
My interest in this book was very uneven. It didn't immediately grab me, but I was pretty determined to love this book, and once I read a little more and got accustomed to the writing style, I got sucked in--obviously, since I read it all in one day! I was really excited, not only because of the research, but because there's an author's note at the front of the book that reads, "One thing I hope you understand is that fear controls the victims. There may be times that seem ideal for escaping or calling for help that are not taken because the fear of getting hurt or having loved ones hurt is so deep."
I basically vibrated with excitement when I read that, because that goes through my mind, almost word for word, every time I read a book with this storyline and the heroine acts like a headstrong hellion, but magically survives, even though in real life, someone who needlessly provokes dangerous criminals to that extent would be dead and buried in a shallow grave. That note made me think this one was going to be different. The heroine would be more of a survivor, smarter than that, more wily, able to bide her time and...I won't even bother finishing, because unfortunately that was not the case.
Unfortunately Addie was exactly the sort of heroine that I don't like in these kinds of books. She isn't a survivor, she's a headstrong pain in the ass who confuses bravery and strength with stubbornness and stupidity. I'm not a soulless criminal, and I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, if I were Nate, Addie would have died about halfway through this book. Without question.
"You don't want to become more trouble than you're worth."
I was not even remotely intimidated by the bad guys. Rather, at the beginning I thought they had a lot of promise, but as the book went on, they lost all credibility for me and eventually became complete afterthoughts. There were occasions when I thought the so-called bad guys needed to either respond to Addie's constant, stubborn rebellion, or just turn in their bad guy cards altogether. Not that I want her to suffer, obviously, but I need to be shown these guys actually mean business, and they put up with way more crap from her than I would have in their positions. If I’m more merciless than your bad guy...that’s a problem. In real life, the “strong,” and “spirited” things she did would have gotten her killed. Her life means nothing to them. Less than nothing—she’s an inconvenience! So the logic didn’t hold up for me. I’m sure others will admire her fighting, “never give up” spirit, but for me, when it reaches the point that I cannot for the life of me understand how you are alive, but the soulless baddies just slap your wrist and ground you...this is a huge issue for me. I need my bad guys to convince me/behave like bad guys. Otherwise, what’s the point? These guys tolerated way too much and threw around empty threats way too often. I learned in management that you never issue a threat you can't/won't follow through on if you want to be respected/feared, so how can that be left out of the successful bad guy manual?
The heroine was also...man, I don't even know. She may have been made of stern stuff, but to me she came off as an outsider looking in rather than someone living in those horrific conditions. I hate to say it, but I think some of it was because of all the research; Addie often sounded like someone who had learned a lot about trafficking victims trying to educate the audience...which is okay in a sense, educating people who don't know is admirable and all, but it stuck out like a sore thumb and was not how the character should have thought. The author was also apparently so concerned with circumventing victim-blaming that realistic portrayal was sacrificed--even in the moment, when anyone in the world would be horrified at what resulted from their actions/apologizing, etc, she made a point of having Addie say how she's not sorry for anything, nothing is her fault. Frankly, she just made Addie sound like a bitch. Even victims who don't blame themselves do not take it this far--she was defensive and there was no reason for it as far as the circumstances were concerned. It pulled me out of the story every time because it felt so out of place. She was also WRONG in every instance--the things that happened to the other people DID happen because of her actions. If she would have been shrewd/kept her mouth shut on both occasions, there would have been no consequence to the people around her. Simple as that. Cause and effect--it has nothing to do with what's right or wrong, what people should or shouldn't do, if you provoke someone you know to be violent intentionally and for no reason (it certainly can't benefit you to do so), you're just kind of an asshole when you don't feel bad that you running off at the mouth/doing something painfully stupid caused your friends to get hurt.
I also hated Addie's high and mighty attitude toward the other girls (not Phoebe, but Rochelle and Lily). Her attitude toward the girl who had Stockholm syndrome really rubbed me the wrong way. You don’t choose to develop Stockholm syndrome—it just happens to some people under the right circumstances as a means of coping. You don’t get to judge them for that—it’s a real thing! It really happens. Often in books Stockholm syndrome is totally misrepresented (like, the heroine gets it ten minutes after meeting the anti-hero, etc) and that was definitely not the case here, but the heroine’s clear disdain (and condescension) toward the girl who was experiencing it really made me stop liking her. Also her condescension toward a "brainwashed" tween-prostitute. Maybe it made the character feel better/superior to separate herself from the other girls at every turn, but it slowly drained away her likability for me. (I also felt sometimes the portrayal of how smitten Rochelle was came off a little heavy handed. Skipping up the stairs? Really? And I think that happened two or three times.)
This is probably less of an issue for most people though. I'm sure most readers will simply be impressed by her "strength" and fortitude. Personally, I consider a strong character a smart character, someone who can feasibly survive terrible circumstances because they are shrewd enough to make it, not someone full of attitude who only makes it because they're a main character and the author says so. And most people probably won't look at the story from the perspective of the bad guys, either, to make sure their actions/motives make sense. But I do, so these were problems for me.
There were little things that bothered me as well. Editing issues (which I wasn't even going to mention when I was loving it, but...); Zane beginning the story as a potentially interesting, really compelling character (and there was even some build-up of his character, describing how compelling/manipulative he could be!), but then eventually fading into nothing but a one-line bully who made an occasional appearance to cackle and say something thoroughly unclever; the stereotypical portrayal of all the johns in the beginning (all fat with BO and some obvious interest in fast food); lots of blurting and more dialogue tags than were necessary. I also didn't really warm up to the romance until the very end, it felt based out of their bond on the inside, but there was nothing about it that made me think they would be together if they ever escaped. Then I was pretty upset when
“Addie, I’d rather live one day with you than a hundred without. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Overall, I did like the book, but the issues I had with the heroine and the lack of conviction of the bad guys put a real damper on things for me. I would still recommend it, unless you share my feelings about how-in-the-hell-did-she-survive heroines...maybe even then, if you're feeling patient.
3.5 stars
August 26, 2014
One of my favourite dark reads of the year. Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through couldn't read it quick enough.
Addie is abducted and held captive in a basement with some other girls and has to work as a sex slave for Nate and Zane.
She is totally mistreated, abused and raped. Addie makes friends with Jackson who she first thinks is one of the traffickers.
Addie made several attempts at escaping she was strong willed and very determined and was not giving up hope of getting out. She would not be broken.
Its a sad thing to say how much I enjoyed this thrilling book when this really is happening in the real world.
Addie is abducted and held captive in a basement with some other girls and has to work as a sex slave for Nate and Zane.
She is totally mistreated, abused and raped. Addie makes friends with Jackson who she first thinks is one of the traffickers.
Addie made several attempts at escaping she was strong willed and very determined and was not giving up hope of getting out. She would not be broken.
Its a sad thing to say how much I enjoyed this thrilling book when this really is happening in the real world.
July 4, 2014
This book tells the story of Addie, a college-aged girl that is kidnapped and forced into sexual slavery. The story is grim and provides a more realistic glimpse into the criminal underbelly of society today. This is not an overly romanticized tale, although there was a love story. The book had a "non-fiction" feel to it, even though it is fictional, reading more like a cursory tale than a romance novel.
Due to the heavy nature of the topic, I found it to be emotionally draining. Addie fights to the very end, never letting them break her spirit, which was pretty amazing. Finally, you get a HEA. However, the emotional damage is done, so I didn't get that satisfied feeling that usually follows a HEA ending. I just feel disturbed.
Due to the heavy nature of the topic, I found it to be emotionally draining. Addie fights to the very end, never letting them break her spirit, which was pretty amazing. Finally, you get a HEA. However, the emotional damage is done, so I didn't get that satisfied feeling that usually follows a HEA ending. I just feel disturbed.
April 30, 2016
RATING: 3.5 The world has some sick bastards... Hearts
September 8, 2015
Finally a story with a heroine who doesn't cave or submit to Stockholm Syndrome. For me this is a rare find, Adeline Miller shows what inner strength and perseverance is all about as she fights tooth and nail to regain her freedom. This is a must read if you enjoy the darker intense reads. So much happens you won't wanna put it down.
June 26, 2015
I thought it was a bit.. over the top? of a rinse and repeat? ridiculous?
All of the above I guess.
I didn't really feel much empathy towards the characters because I don't think the book really gripped me.
I also disliked that it was meant to be so dark and gritty (not really in my opinion) all the way through and then at the end its quickly all tied up neatly happily with a big bow.
I have read much darker/grittier/better/more interesting/more unique captor books which I would recommend in a heart beat. This I would recommend.. well never.
All of the above I guess.
I didn't really feel much empathy towards the characters because I don't think the book really gripped me.
I also disliked that it was meant to be so dark and gritty (not really in my opinion) all the way through and then at the end its quickly all tied up neatly happily with a big bow.
I have read much darker/grittier/better/more interesting/more unique captor books which I would recommend in a heart beat. This I would recommend.. well never.
May 27, 2014
This is the first book I have read by Emily Goodwin and I was amazed! This story is absolutely perfect.
It has edge of seat moments, mystery, love and loss. Goodwin knows how to write a harrowing setting with hopeless characters and how to make it seem like we should not give up.
Her portrayal of Jackson was stunning, making you fall for his strength. She made you go from thinking coward to saviour.
This needs to be read by those who love a romance and a bit of darkness with it.
Not many books managed to convey as many emotions as this one and certainly hardly any standalones leave you feeling as content as this one.
Please write more for this genre Goodwin, you're great story teller
Human by Christina Perri
I can take so much
till I've had enough
Cause I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human and I crash and I break down
your words in my head
knives in my heart
you build me up and then I fall apart
cause I'm only human
It has edge of seat moments, mystery, love and loss. Goodwin knows how to write a harrowing setting with hopeless characters and how to make it seem like we should not give up.
Her portrayal of Jackson was stunning, making you fall for his strength. She made you go from thinking coward to saviour.
This needs to be read by those who love a romance and a bit of darkness with it.
Not many books managed to convey as many emotions as this one and certainly hardly any standalones leave you feeling as content as this one.
Please write more for this genre Goodwin, you're great story teller
Human by Christina Perri
I can take so much
till I've had enough
Cause I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human and I crash and I break down
your words in my head
knives in my heart
you build me up and then I fall apart
cause I'm only human
July 28, 2014
ARC provided by Indie Inked via Netgallery.
Addie was just trying to help a stranger when she was taken. She didn’t think a world like this could exist just hours from where she grew up, where she felt safe. But it did. It found her, or rather she found it.
When Addie begins to piece together what the men who took her want from her she tries to fight allowing it to break her. She can escape. She won’t give up. After all she has people that will look for her, family that lover her and won’t give up searching. Although her spirit might not be easy to break, her body is much easier to break. Clients are pushed on her day in and day out all while she holds out hope that her time for escaping will still come. It has too.
Pity soon replaces the feeling of hate when it comes to Jackson. She knows that he was there when she was taken, but she is starting to realize that she may have had judged him too soon.
I honestly struggled with the start of this book. I had put it down a few times, coming back to it later, hoping that something would grip me. I didn’t feel that until the end of this story – with only about 30-40% left in Addie’s story, I was finally unable to put it down. I just had a really hard time feeling connected to or sorry for her character. In a story like this, not getting that initial moment of bonding with the heroine makes for a difficult read. I did like her spirit and the fact that she didn’t give up. But also found myself wanting to shake the hell out of her after every failed attempt. Each time she stumbled, fell down or tripped was driving me nuts. There were so many clumsy moments with each scene that I was starting to get frustrated.
Without the connection formed early with Addie, I think most of the impact this story could have had on me was lost. It felt like a switch was flipped towards the end of this story, the change felt like I was reading an entirely different book than before.
Overall, I enjoyed the book – but I did not go crazy over it. I think had the start of this been more gripping for me, I would have loved it – even if I had gotten a bit of Jackson’s POV throughout parts – It could have added to the story.
For those that like Dark Romances that are not erotica this might be your cup of tea. Note that this book has scenes of rape. The one thing that I think the author did really well was the moments after these encounters, especially the first time. The reaction Addie had was the first time (until the end of the story) that I felt any real emotion for her. The reaction was written very well as well. Many books warn of triggers, this is one of the first ones I’ve read where that warning seems fitting.
Addie was just trying to help a stranger when she was taken. She didn’t think a world like this could exist just hours from where she grew up, where she felt safe. But it did. It found her, or rather she found it.
When Addie begins to piece together what the men who took her want from her she tries to fight allowing it to break her. She can escape. She won’t give up. After all she has people that will look for her, family that lover her and won’t give up searching. Although her spirit might not be easy to break, her body is much easier to break. Clients are pushed on her day in and day out all while she holds out hope that her time for escaping will still come. It has too.
Pity soon replaces the feeling of hate when it comes to Jackson. She knows that he was there when she was taken, but she is starting to realize that she may have had judged him too soon.
I honestly struggled with the start of this book. I had put it down a few times, coming back to it later, hoping that something would grip me. I didn’t feel that until the end of this story – with only about 30-40% left in Addie’s story, I was finally unable to put it down. I just had a really hard time feeling connected to or sorry for her character. In a story like this, not getting that initial moment of bonding with the heroine makes for a difficult read. I did like her spirit and the fact that she didn’t give up. But also found myself wanting to shake the hell out of her after every failed attempt. Each time she stumbled, fell down or tripped was driving me nuts. There were so many clumsy moments with each scene that I was starting to get frustrated.
Without the connection formed early with Addie, I think most of the impact this story could have had on me was lost. It felt like a switch was flipped towards the end of this story, the change felt like I was reading an entirely different book than before.
Overall, I enjoyed the book – but I did not go crazy over it. I think had the start of this been more gripping for me, I would have loved it – even if I had gotten a bit of Jackson’s POV throughout parts – It could have added to the story.
For those that like Dark Romances that are not erotica this might be your cup of tea. Note that this book has scenes of rape. The one thing that I think the author did really well was the moments after these encounters, especially the first time. The reaction Addie had was the first time (until the end of the story) that I felt any real emotion for her. The reaction was written very well as well. Many books warn of triggers, this is one of the first ones I’ve read where that warning seems fitting.
January 31, 2016
ARC received for review
NYROAB (New Year's Resolution Old ARC Book)
Dark and sad, but then all wrapped up with a neat little bow.
NYROAB (New Year's Resolution Old ARC Book)
Dark and sad, but then all wrapped up with a neat little bow.
January 5, 2015
There are more slaves today than there were 100 years ago.
What a harrowing and emotional journey this book takes the reader on... we begin with an innocent Adeline "Addie" Miller who goes to a pride parade with her friends and her little sister. When Addie spies a woman running and in distress she attempts to help but little does she know her good heart may cost her everything...
Taken to secluded country house and brutalized by elegant yet sadistic men, Addie learns of her future as a sex slave. Against all odds and a horrific circumstance she never loses hope. Will Addie make it out alive or is she just another lost soul in the abyss of human trafficking?
This book had SO much to it...significant time would pass in the plot but I never thought it was rushed or wrapped up too quickly. This is no "tlc" dark romance... this is a book of brutalization that will make the reader almost lose hope as well before the end. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel....don't be afraid. Addie is much stronger than she seems.
I sat between a 4 and 5 star rating for this book until the last 30%.... in the beginning I thought it was a page turner and was engrossed in the story but I didn't truly FEEL. Towards the second half the author definitely tugged on my heart strings making this an emotional read for me.
In the beginning I thought a certain character was going to be "redeemable" and although he was a bad guy... I thought he might be the changing force. But oh I was wrong. I always love being proved wrong by authors... it makes a book so much more interesting to me.
The writing...
Detailed but not overly... descriptive in certain scenes especially one frightening scene that involved a grown man, tea party, and porcelain dolls. *shiver*
The characters...
In the beginning they were mediocre to me...but as the story continued I became invested. Now I'm even more invested...I want to know ALL of their stories...the good ones, the bad ones, everyone's story and I hope the author continues to write about the characters involved in Stay.
All in all an excellent and emotionally profound read- one I hope others will enjoy as well and take something away from it-
"There is only a supply of slaves because there is a demand."
What a harrowing and emotional journey this book takes the reader on... we begin with an innocent Adeline "Addie" Miller who goes to a pride parade with her friends and her little sister. When Addie spies a woman running and in distress she attempts to help but little does she know her good heart may cost her everything...
"There was no escape. I felt like I was walking to the end of a plank, precariously hanging over shark-infested water."
Taken to secluded country house and brutalized by elegant yet sadistic men, Addie learns of her future as a sex slave. Against all odds and a horrific circumstance she never loses hope. Will Addie make it out alive or is she just another lost soul in the abyss of human trafficking?
This book had SO much to it...significant time would pass in the plot but I never thought it was rushed or wrapped up too quickly. This is no "tlc" dark romance... this is a book of brutalization that will make the reader almost lose hope as well before the end. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel....don't be afraid. Addie is much stronger than she seems.
I sat between a 4 and 5 star rating for this book until the last 30%.... in the beginning I thought it was a page turner and was engrossed in the story but I didn't truly FEEL. Towards the second half the author definitely tugged on my heart strings making this an emotional read for me.
In the beginning I thought a certain character was going to be "redeemable" and although he was a bad guy... I thought he might be the changing force. But oh I was wrong. I always love being proved wrong by authors... it makes a book so much more interesting to me.
"Sunlight gleaming off shiny black feathers, swooping down on his prey with gossamer wings, luring in victims with his grace and beauty, then razor sharp talons pieced through even the toughest of flesh, digging deep until they grasped the soul. By the time hist rue nature was found out, it was too late."
The writing...
Detailed but not overly... descriptive in certain scenes especially one frightening scene that involved a grown man, tea party, and porcelain dolls. *shiver*
The characters...
In the beginning they were mediocre to me...but as the story continued I became invested. Now I'm even more invested...I want to know ALL of their stories...the good ones, the bad ones, everyone's story and I hope the author continues to write about the characters involved in Stay.
All in all an excellent and emotionally profound read- one I hope others will enjoy as well and take something away from it-
"There is only a supply of slaves because there is a demand."
September 18, 2014
Stay took me on an emotional rollercoaster. Forget the box of tissues, I was grabbing for my toilet roll with this one!
Emily Goodwin is a rock star with words. Where other authors have lately been glamorising the rape/slavery scene, Emily showed the true horror these poor human beings have to endure.
I wanted to give Emily a standing ovation for this masterpiece.
With Addie's haunting story we also get to experience compassion, friendship and love - the kind people are willing to die for.
The start took my very breath away. The middle took my appetite away. The end had me smiling through my tears.
PS...I really enjoyed the part Zane got beaten up. I was cheering so loudly my son came into the room to see what was going on.
Addie and Jackson, oh my word, they are true heroes and I just wanted to hold them at the end, help them back on their feet - I can't help but love them.
Emily Goodwin is a rock star with words. Where other authors have lately been glamorising the rape/slavery scene, Emily showed the true horror these poor human beings have to endure.
I wanted to give Emily a standing ovation for this masterpiece.
With Addie's haunting story we also get to experience compassion, friendship and love - the kind people are willing to die for.
The start took my very breath away. The middle took my appetite away. The end had me smiling through my tears.
PS...I really enjoyed the part Zane got beaten up. I was cheering so loudly my son came into the room to see what was going on.
Addie and Jackson, oh my word, they are true heroes and I just wanted to hold them at the end, help them back on their feet - I can't help but love them.
January 3, 2016
This is not erotica. I don't know who has been shelving it as so, but there is nothing erotic about the sex that takes place in this story. Stay is not about sex. It's an often upsetting story about human trafficking, filled with power, resilience, violence, control, trust, and healing.
From the author's introduction:
"Human trafficking is a real issue. It happens everywhere, even quiet, 'safe' little towns like the one I live in. The more I researched, the more horrified I became. There are more slaves today than there were 100 years ago. The average age of sex trafficked victims is 13-14. Trafficking victims have a life expectancy of two years. 100,000 to 300,000 people are trafficking in the United States every year. Girls as young as five have been forced into child prostitution. Every thirty seconds, someone becomes a victim of human trafficking."
From the author's introduction:
"Human trafficking is a real issue. It happens everywhere, even quiet, 'safe' little towns like the one I live in. The more I researched, the more horrified I became. There are more slaves today than there were 100 years ago. The average age of sex trafficked victims is 13-14. Trafficking victims have a life expectancy of two years. 100,000 to 300,000 people are trafficking in the United States every year. Girls as young as five have been forced into child prostitution. Every thirty seconds, someone becomes a victim of human trafficking."
Read
June 12, 2014All I'm going to say after reading this is: it wasn't the book for me. There was too much angst, abuse, torture, tears, and pain. Again, it has nothing to do with the story or the characters, it's just a personal preference. No rating.
October 12, 2014
I don't even know how to put into words how I feel about this book other than to say that it is very worthy of receiving a 5 star rating!
Stay was at times sweet and beautiful and intensely then soon was disgusting and tragic. If I had to describe stay in one word, it would be, "intense". This book is so powerful that it is one of very, very few books that affected me emotionally. While reading this book I experienced feelings of dread, sadness, discussed, hatred, excitement, fear and joy. There were even 2 occasions when I literally felt sick to my stomach at how appalling a character's behavior was. To have a physical reaction to something fictitious says a lot about an author's skill!
I love to read, "dark erotica" and expected Stay to fit into that genre. After having read the entire book, I I am not certain that Stay fits into the, "dark Erotica" category or that it fits into any specific genre(s). This Book is truly unique and fits a category of its own! If you read this book you will get some romance and it's certainly. "dark" yet I don't think I could classify anything sexual in this book as being, "erotic". Stay is definitely not a steamy novel that gets your blood flowing in a sexual way but it did certainly get my adrenaline pumping! This book made me focus on the fact that the tragic, horrific things I read about in this fiction story do actually exist in our world. Stay made me want to start researching what I can do to help victims of human trafficking and it is now something I am determined to become involved with! It also made me want to find out what else Emily Goodwin has written because she is absolutely amazing!!!!
Stay was at times sweet and beautiful and intensely then soon was disgusting and tragic. If I had to describe stay in one word, it would be, "intense". This book is so powerful that it is one of very, very few books that affected me emotionally. While reading this book I experienced feelings of dread, sadness, discussed, hatred, excitement, fear and joy. There were even 2 occasions when I literally felt sick to my stomach at how appalling a character's behavior was. To have a physical reaction to something fictitious says a lot about an author's skill!
I love to read, "dark erotica" and expected Stay to fit into that genre. After having read the entire book, I I am not certain that Stay fits into the, "dark Erotica" category or that it fits into any specific genre(s). This Book is truly unique and fits a category of its own! If you read this book you will get some romance and it's certainly. "dark" yet I don't think I could classify anything sexual in this book as being, "erotic". Stay is definitely not a steamy novel that gets your blood flowing in a sexual way but it did certainly get my adrenaline pumping! This book made me focus on the fact that the tragic, horrific things I read about in this fiction story do actually exist in our world. Stay made me want to start researching what I can do to help victims of human trafficking and it is now something I am determined to become involved with! It also made me want to find out what else Emily Goodwin has written because she is absolutely amazing!!!!
September 28, 2014
God I wish goodreads had half star ratings, this is a 4.5 star book!
I only give my 5 stars to books that I was amazed by and this was so close.
I LOVE Adeline!
Finally a strong woman character that doesn't succumb to the Helsinki syndrome and fall in love with her captor and forget he raped her or had her raped! While I know books are fantasy that always pisses me off. It makes, at least for me, rape and rapist seem ok if you fall for the abuser.
This story is fresh and original and I really liked it.
Adeline is taken when she tries to help a girl during a parade and is taken also. Turned out into a sex slave and kept in a dingy bathroom she refuses to break. Willing to try to escape when she sees a chance. Beat and raped repeatedly, she is strong and won't give up. Buoyed by the support of two of those captive with her. She fights to break out.
I loved the character development, the story line, the fresh take on a dark subject,
Well done Emily Goodwin
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO LOVERS OF DARK NOVELS OR JUST A VERY GOOD BOOK/STORY
I only give my 5 stars to books that I was amazed by and this was so close.
I LOVE Adeline!
Finally a strong woman character that doesn't succumb to the Helsinki syndrome and fall in love with her captor and forget he raped her or had her raped! While I know books are fantasy that always pisses me off. It makes, at least for me, rape and rapist seem ok if you fall for the abuser.
This story is fresh and original and I really liked it.
Adeline is taken when she tries to help a girl during a parade and is taken also. Turned out into a sex slave and kept in a dingy bathroom she refuses to break. Willing to try to escape when she sees a chance. Beat and raped repeatedly, she is strong and won't give up. Buoyed by the support of two of those captive with her. She fights to break out.
I loved the character development, the story line, the fresh take on a dark subject,
Well done Emily Goodwin
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO LOVERS OF DARK NOVELS OR JUST A VERY GOOD BOOK/STORY
January 11, 2015
God that was dark. The first half of this book was almost unbearable to read. The constant abuse was vile and disturbing. Addie never gave up, she fought so hard for her freedom and by God I was rooting for her. Jackson was her hope and he gave her strength, it was wonderful to watch their feelings develop and grow, I'm so glad they found justice in the end.
While this book was so intense and dark, it was also the love story of two people in an impossible situation who despite all odds, found love and hope in each other. It will definitely stay with me.
While this book was so intense and dark, it was also the love story of two people in an impossible situation who despite all odds, found love and hope in each other. It will definitely stay with me.
May 14, 2015
Fantastic, over the top, scary, dark read. And one I'll probably be remembering for a long time to come!
January 7, 2016
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Blurb:
**Trigger Warning: This book is dark. It contains rape, abuse, sexual assault, violence, and strong language. This book is not suitable for readers easily offended by realistic tellings of human trafficking, those that do not wish to read about hard topics, or readers under the age of 18. If you want a feel-good, sexy read, this is NOT the book for you. Stay does not fit neatly into one genre. It’s part erotica, part dark romance, and part suspense thriller. It is a dark, gritty, and harrowing tale about finding love in the darkest of places. Read at your own risk. **
"I felt like I was walking to the end of a plank precariously hanging over shark-infested water. When I jumped, sharp teeth would rip into me and the cold water would steal my breath away. The monsters would take everything from me, leaving me shivering and naked in the water. The only difference was that tonight I would be pulled from the icy darkness and forced to do it again. There would be no release from death, only pain.”
Home after her first year of college, Adeline Miller is looking forward to a stress free summer filled with reading, working on her blog, and spending time with friends. But all that changes in an instant when she is witness to something terrible, something she wasn't supposed to see.
Beaten, drugged, kidnapped.
Adeline Miller is ripped from her innocent and carefree life and thrust into darkness, into a world full of pain and horror. As a sex slave, she is forced to do horrible things, and have horrible things done to her. One of her captors has a past as dark as the world she is now living in. Will getting close to him mean freedom? Or will he pull her deeper into the shadows?
Blurb:
**Trigger Warning: This book is dark. It contains rape, abuse, sexual assault, violence, and strong language. This book is not suitable for readers easily offended by realistic tellings of human trafficking, those that do not wish to read about hard topics, or readers under the age of 18. If you want a feel-good, sexy read, this is NOT the book for you. Stay does not fit neatly into one genre. It’s part erotica, part dark romance, and part suspense thriller. It is a dark, gritty, and harrowing tale about finding love in the darkest of places. Read at your own risk. **
"I felt like I was walking to the end of a plank precariously hanging over shark-infested water. When I jumped, sharp teeth would rip into me and the cold water would steal my breath away. The monsters would take everything from me, leaving me shivering and naked in the water. The only difference was that tonight I would be pulled from the icy darkness and forced to do it again. There would be no release from death, only pain.”
Home after her first year of college, Adeline Miller is looking forward to a stress free summer filled with reading, working on her blog, and spending time with friends. But all that changes in an instant when she is witness to something terrible, something she wasn't supposed to see.
Beaten, drugged, kidnapped.
Adeline Miller is ripped from her innocent and carefree life and thrust into darkness, into a world full of pain and horror. As a sex slave, she is forced to do horrible things, and have horrible things done to her. One of her captors has a past as dark as the world she is now living in. Will getting close to him mean freedom? Or will he pull her deeper into the shadows?
July 9, 2023
3.5/5
started nicely but somewhere near the end i wasn't so willing to finish it tbh.
started nicely but somewhere near the end i wasn't so willing to finish it tbh.
January 30, 2025
3.5 stars ⭐️
it just skipped at the end 💔
it just skipped at the end 💔
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December 14, 2018Not feeling this one...
February 28, 2016
OH... MY... GOD... where do i begin!?!
This is an unbelievably incredible heartfelt book by the ever talented Emily Goodwin, and she has once again managed to completely enrapture me within a book!
I was lucky enough to have the chance to Beta read Stay and without trying to give away too many spoilers, let me just say you will not regret reading this!
Adeline Miller walks in on a horrible scene and being a witness to the crime is then abducted herself and sold into the sex trafficking industry by her capters. Throughout this book you are right there with her through every horrifying thing that is done to her, and the strength she has to pull herself through. By the end of the book i felt myself wanting to jump right in and help her,and was having heart palpatations!
Unfortunately the most horrifying this is, this happens all the time in our own backyard! Every year 100's of thousands of women and children live this life and its not just a story to them. I believe Emily has undoubtedly captured the truth within this book and brought to life a lot of real issues.
An absolute, no doubt, MUST READ!!!!
This is an unbelievably incredible heartfelt book by the ever talented Emily Goodwin, and she has once again managed to completely enrapture me within a book!
I was lucky enough to have the chance to Beta read Stay and without trying to give away too many spoilers, let me just say you will not regret reading this!
Adeline Miller walks in on a horrible scene and being a witness to the crime is then abducted herself and sold into the sex trafficking industry by her capters. Throughout this book you are right there with her through every horrifying thing that is done to her, and the strength she has to pull herself through. By the end of the book i felt myself wanting to jump right in and help her,and was having heart palpatations!
Unfortunately the most horrifying this is, this happens all the time in our own backyard! Every year 100's of thousands of women and children live this life and its not just a story to them. I believe Emily has undoubtedly captured the truth within this book and brought to life a lot of real issues.
An absolute, no doubt, MUST READ!!!!
July 2, 2014
Was recommended to me as dark erotica...
Definitely got the dark part right and while there is sex, I'm not sure if there's enough of it to qualify as erotica. Most of the sex scenes were glossed over (rape scenes where she mentally checked out and it was described as a few thrusts and done). The intimate scene between the H and h just wasn't all that steamy and it had the potential to be. Bummer. For me, this book was just okay... I felt like a lot of scenes were repeated and it kind of dragged... then WHAM! Ending! And everything is wrapped up in a nice HEA bow at warp speed.
Definitely got the dark part right and while there is sex, I'm not sure if there's enough of it to qualify as erotica. Most of the sex scenes were glossed over (rape scenes where she mentally checked out and it was described as a few thrusts and done). The intimate scene between the H and h just wasn't all that steamy and it had the potential to be. Bummer. For me, this book was just okay... I felt like a lot of scenes were repeated and it kind of dragged... then WHAM! Ending! And everything is wrapped up in a nice HEA bow at warp speed.
December 12, 2014
Wow, this was a brutal read - much more realistic and less romanticized than other books I've read dealing with this subject. Addie was such a strong character. The things she went through... I had a nervous stomach during the entire book, and at the same time was completely sucked in.
October 20, 2014
This was.... disturbing.
It did NOT romanticize sex slaves. There was no Stockholm syndrome on behalf of our main heroine. Very different from Tears of Tess, and the Captive in the dark series. This was just SAD! Addie was abducted through a series of unfortunate events. She is a strong self-confident woman, no weird baggage or skeletons in the closet. You just get sucked into the despair of this awful situation and honestly, a lot of it was INCREDIBLY hard to read. There really isn't a whole lot more to say about this. Read at your own risk.
It did NOT romanticize sex slaves. There was no Stockholm syndrome on behalf of our main heroine. Very different from Tears of Tess, and the Captive in the dark series. This was just SAD! Addie was abducted through a series of unfortunate events. She is a strong self-confident woman, no weird baggage or skeletons in the closet. You just get sucked into the despair of this awful situation and honestly, a lot of it was INCREDIBLY hard to read. There really isn't a whole lot more to say about this. Read at your own risk.
December 14, 2014
Finished it, cried so much it hurts. Ugly cry, I was a mess. I tried to hold it together but at the end I gave in I couldn't stop the sobbing and the ugly cry wouldn't stop. I felt so much, the end was really good justice was served, so emotional. I was so glad things worked out but then being the #masochist as I am i started reading the first chapter of book 2 (this book is a stand alone, you do not have to read the second one). Book two is his pov but OMG sobbing like a baby I can't hardly breathe...I am a complete mess....
May 27, 2015
WOW!!!!
This was my first read by Emily and I must say it was so worth my time! This was a deep, dark read and has strong subject matter so if you can't handle that kind of stuff this book is not for you. It's scary to think that this actually happens in the world and that people have or are having to go through this.
This book was brilliantly written, it's filled with so many emotions and at times was a little hard to get through. I'm looking forward to reading Jackson's POV. I don't want to give anything away all I can say is this is a must read!!
This was my first read by Emily and I must say it was so worth my time! This was a deep, dark read and has strong subject matter so if you can't handle that kind of stuff this book is not for you. It's scary to think that this actually happens in the world and that people have or are having to go through this.
This book was brilliantly written, it's filled with so many emotions and at times was a little hard to get through. I'm looking forward to reading Jackson's POV. I don't want to give anything away all I can say is this is a must read!!
December 26, 2015
Holy dark mother of darkness! This is NOT a romance or an erotica book. Stay is probably the most realistic story of what happens when a person is kidnapped and is a sex slave. I was terrified through most of the story. Its told in first person which made the book even more personal.
I highly reccomend this to lovers of dark reads.
I highly reccomend this to lovers of dark reads.
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