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When He Stayed
When loyalty is tested and legacy becomes a curse, staying might be the bravest thing of all.
Jace never wanted power. Only to protect the people he loves. But when clan politics and buried betrayals force him into leadership, he finds himself unraveling under the weight of expectations he never asked for.
And then there’s Luna—the girl who once walked away and now stands in his path. She brings with her unanswered questions, old hurts, and the undeniable pull of something they never quite finished. But in a world where trust is fragile and every choice has consequences, love might be the most dangerous risk of all.
Caught between duty and desire, grief and longing, Jace must decide who he’s willing to fight for—and what it means to truly stay.
When He Stayed is an emotionally charged romantasy about fractured bonds, found family, and the quiet strength of those who remain when everything else falls apart.
Perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, deep emotional tension, and character-driven fantasy.
Content Emotional manipulation, graphic combat, sibling conflict, grief, legacy trauma, and themes of identity and abandonment.
Jace never wanted power. Only to protect the people he loves. But when clan politics and buried betrayals force him into leadership, he finds himself unraveling under the weight of expectations he never asked for.
And then there’s Luna—the girl who once walked away and now stands in his path. She brings with her unanswered questions, old hurts, and the undeniable pull of something they never quite finished. But in a world where trust is fragile and every choice has consequences, love might be the most dangerous risk of all.
Caught between duty and desire, grief and longing, Jace must decide who he’s willing to fight for—and what it means to truly stay.
When He Stayed is an emotionally charged romantasy about fractured bonds, found family, and the quiet strength of those who remain when everything else falls apart.
Perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, deep emotional tension, and character-driven fantasy.
Content Emotional manipulation, graphic combat, sibling conflict, grief, legacy trauma, and themes of identity and abandonment.
307 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 10, 2025
An unexpected journey of betrayal, brotherhood, and cozy elements all wrapped up into one fantastical storytelling. I have said this a number of times already, but I stand by this: Van LaCar puts the SPELL in spelling with her enchanting style and haunting descriptions. The vivid imagery painted by Van's words made every moment alive as if I were watching it on my television or even in the pages of the book itself alongside Jace and Luna.
From its explosive start to its sublime ending, this was a wonderful read, and I am so glad to have had the chance to do so.
From its explosive start to its sublime ending, this was a wonderful read, and I am so glad to have had the chance to do so.
August 16, 2025
When He Stayed is a journey of betrayal, brotherhood, letting go, and cozy sun-filled tea shops wrapped up in one whimsical, fantasy world with emotional storytelling. The vivid, and sometimes haunting, imagery made every moment immersive and poignant. I felt as if I were in the pages of the book with Jace and Luna. I also enjoyed the cross-over of modern and ancient world-building.
This book was -100 emotional damage. It ripped my heart out, stitched it back together, and healed me in ways I didn’t know I needed.
It illustrated so perfectly that when the right person stays it allows you to be fully yourself, with no expectations to be anything else; whether that’s silent and brooding or a chatty whirlwind. I so appreciate that the characters are who they are until the very last page, and they didn’t suddenly change because of love.
I can’t recommend this book enough. It was a joy to read, even through the heartbreak.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews