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The One Who Stayed
he thought love meant staying. Until staying meant losing herself.
For twenty years, she gave everything to a marriage that asked for more than it gave. Until one night in the car — when her husband’s words shattered the illusion and cracked something deep inside her. That’s when she realized she had two stay and disappear completely… or finally choose herself.
Then came Sebastian — a baseball coach with a past, a smile that disarmed her, and a kiss that made her feel alive again. What started as late-night texts and quiet longing became a pull too powerful to ignore. But passion always comes with a price.
Torn between the comfort of the life she built and the ache of the one she’s discovering, she must ask the hardest question of What does it mean to stay, when everything inside you is begging you to leave?
Told with sensuality, honesty, and heart, The One Who Stayed is a love story about the woman you were, the one you became, and the fire it takes to burn through the past to rebuild your future.
For twenty years, she gave everything to a marriage that asked for more than it gave. Until one night in the car — when her husband’s words shattered the illusion and cracked something deep inside her. That’s when she realized she had two stay and disappear completely… or finally choose herself.
Then came Sebastian — a baseball coach with a past, a smile that disarmed her, and a kiss that made her feel alive again. What started as late-night texts and quiet longing became a pull too powerful to ignore. But passion always comes with a price.
Torn between the comfort of the life she built and the ache of the one she’s discovering, she must ask the hardest question of What does it mean to stay, when everything inside you is begging you to leave?
Told with sensuality, honesty, and heart, The One Who Stayed is a love story about the woman you were, the one you became, and the fire it takes to burn through the past to rebuild your future.
217 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 9, 2025
I devoured The One Who Stayed in a single sitting. Sandra Guzman has crafted a story so honest, so raw, that it grips your heart and refuses to let go. This is more than a tale of a woman rediscovering herself. It’s a universal anthem for every woman who has ever yearned for recognition, acceptance, and the courage to demand what she truly deserves.
Isabella is a breathtakingly complex protagonist who expresses herself unapologetically. Her journey resonates deeply: the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable truths about commitment and the sacrifice of self for the sake of others. Guzmán masterfully captures the essence of what it means to grapple with emptiness, surrender, and the need to feel seen and valued.
Between each chapter, Isabella’s story is punctuated with raw, poignant quotes that feel like whispers of solidarity—a sisterhood of voices speaking directly to the heart. These moments of reflection elevate the narrative, providing a sense of shared understanding that feels deeply personal.
This is a tale of courage, a woman’s refusal to shrink herself to accommodate others’ expectations. Isabella’s journey through tethered love, shattering heartbreak, and the liberation of newfound lust is a powerful testament to resilience. Her evolution from being a fragmented version of herself to a woman standing whole and unapologetic is nothing short of inspiring.
Guzman weaves a narrative of a survivor who demands acknowledgment of her worth, unravels the conditioning that once confined her, and reclaims her truth. Isabella’s story is a celebration of bravery; the bravery to let go, to heal, and to choose herself unapologetically.
For anyone who has ever felt lost in the role of wife, mother, or partner, The One Who Stayed offers a lifeline of hope and empowerment. It’s a story that lingers, reminding us all that choosing ourselves is not just an option but a right. Sandra Guzman has given us a gift: a tale of a woman rediscovered and redefined. Five glowing stars for a story that is as unforgettable as it is transformative.
Isabella is a breathtakingly complex protagonist who expresses herself unapologetically. Her journey resonates deeply: the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable truths about commitment and the sacrifice of self for the sake of others. Guzmán masterfully captures the essence of what it means to grapple with emptiness, surrender, and the need to feel seen and valued.
Between each chapter, Isabella’s story is punctuated with raw, poignant quotes that feel like whispers of solidarity—a sisterhood of voices speaking directly to the heart. These moments of reflection elevate the narrative, providing a sense of shared understanding that feels deeply personal.
This is a tale of courage, a woman’s refusal to shrink herself to accommodate others’ expectations. Isabella’s journey through tethered love, shattering heartbreak, and the liberation of newfound lust is a powerful testament to resilience. Her evolution from being a fragmented version of herself to a woman standing whole and unapologetic is nothing short of inspiring.
Guzman weaves a narrative of a survivor who demands acknowledgment of her worth, unravels the conditioning that once confined her, and reclaims her truth. Isabella’s story is a celebration of bravery; the bravery to let go, to heal, and to choose herself unapologetically.
For anyone who has ever felt lost in the role of wife, mother, or partner, The One Who Stayed offers a lifeline of hope and empowerment. It’s a story that lingers, reminding us all that choosing ourselves is not just an option but a right. Sandra Guzman has given us a gift: a tale of a woman rediscovered and redefined. Five glowing stars for a story that is as unforgettable as it is transformative.
Displaying 1 of 1 review