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Ask Me To Stay
A cozy, feel-good romance filled with beloved second chances, friends-to-lovers, dual timelines, and a golden-retriever hero who refuses to give up on the guarded heroine he loves.
The summer after high school graduation, Billie Sloane and Sean Kingsley were inseparable. Sun-soaked days on the lake, reckless nights, and a love that felt invincible. But just as their hearts began to entwine, Sean was bound for the Army. Obligated by a decision he made before he knew what it meant to love Billie Sloane.
Ten years later, Billie has returned home to Washington nursing a broken heart and forced to confront her estranged father and Sean the one that got away. With a connection that years couldn’t erase, Billie finds herself falling in love with Sean again, not for the first time but hopefully the right time. Will they finally give in to one another? Or will old habits die hard?
Ask Me To Stay is an emotional journey through the innocence of young love and the ache of what might have been. A story about finding your way back to two loves, your parent and your soulmate.
"At an age when many are still figuring out what they’re going to do with their lives, Mackenzie Osborn is already an accomplished author with a promising future ahead." - Active Media
The summer after high school graduation, Billie Sloane and Sean Kingsley were inseparable. Sun-soaked days on the lake, reckless nights, and a love that felt invincible. But just as their hearts began to entwine, Sean was bound for the Army. Obligated by a decision he made before he knew what it meant to love Billie Sloane.
Ten years later, Billie has returned home to Washington nursing a broken heart and forced to confront her estranged father and Sean the one that got away. With a connection that years couldn’t erase, Billie finds herself falling in love with Sean again, not for the first time but hopefully the right time. Will they finally give in to one another? Or will old habits die hard?
Ask Me To Stay is an emotional journey through the innocence of young love and the ache of what might have been. A story about finding your way back to two loves, your parent and your soulmate.
"At an age when many are still figuring out what they’re going to do with their lives, Mackenzie Osborn is already an accomplished author with a promising future ahead." - Active Media
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
About the author
Mackenzie Osborn
4 books8 followersMackenzie Osborn is a romance fiction author, diving into stories about losing yourself, irrevocable bonds, and finding hope in everyday life. With a voice that leans into raw emotion and honest vulnerability, her writing not only tells a story but leaves you feeling inspired.
Her debut novel, Ask Me To Stay, was released December 5th, 2025. Making it into the Top 100 of small-town romance books within one day of publication.
A second novel is already in the works, promising more life-altering romance titled, How It Was Will Never Be Again.
Two worlds collide when soon-to-be college graduates Quinn and Wren are led to the same bench on a rainy afternoon. A bench that could change their lives forever. Both in a place of hurt, they talk as strangers. They decide to spend the day together to distract themselves from the tragedies in their lives. As the hours go by and they get to know one another on a deeper level, they realize that maybe things could be better—that one random, kismet day could change everything.
Coming June 2026.
Follow her on TikTok & Instagram
@mackenzieosbornwrites
Her debut novel, Ask Me To Stay, was released December 5th, 2025. Making it into the Top 100 of small-town romance books within one day of publication.
A second novel is already in the works, promising more life-altering romance titled, How It Was Will Never Be Again.
Two worlds collide when soon-to-be college graduates Quinn and Wren are led to the same bench on a rainy afternoon. A bench that could change their lives forever. Both in a place of hurt, they talk as strangers. They decide to spend the day together to distract themselves from the tragedies in their lives. As the hours go by and they get to know one another on a deeper level, they realize that maybe things could be better—that one random, kismet day could change everything.
Coming June 2026.
Follow her on TikTok & Instagram
@mackenzieosbornwrites
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 3, 2026
This was such a good read. Being able to see them before and after, how they were, how they grew up and how life brought them back to each other's life. Its was an amazing read of second chances, forgiveness, reconciliation, and many more things I won't give away. The author did a great job at writing, doing the transition from the before and now, the characters personalities, how the main and secundary characters mix well with each other. All had something beautiful to give us and the author did really good ♡
March 24, 2026
This book was a 10/10 read! It’s perfect for readers who love an emotional and heartfelt romance. It’s a captivating story with relatable characters that makes you never want to stop reading. I loved the second chance romance between Billie and Sean. I couldn’t put the book down and highly recommend it to any romance readers!
March 21, 2026
Loved this book. Perfect pace to keep me hooked. I loved the back and forth between the past and present day.
Read
February 2, 2026Debut young author who graduated from HS in my town. I enjoyed this shorter story and would encourage her to keep writing books and following her dream.
Also got a chuckle from some of the Easter eggs. :)
Also got a chuckle from some of the Easter eggs. :)
February 1, 2026
I loved this book. I am a sucker for a good second chance romance. And the author painted the picture and the world of Billie and Sean so well. I think the story flowed beautifully and was told in a way that felt gentle, forgiving and authentic. Overall- a great read.
January 8, 2026
This is a sweet, emotional read that captures the uncertainty of growing up and learning when to hold on and when to let go. I enjoyed watching Billie grow into herself as she learned to stand up for what she deserved and slowly trust her own voice. Recommend!
January 7, 2026
I really liked this story. I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading! Billie and Sean stole my heart . Such a good book! Please read it! Amazing writing! Congratulations
December 9, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ Beautifully written! I saw this author promote her book while opening a proof copy on TikTok and wanted to support. I really enjoyed the storyline, character development and dialogue throughout the whole novel. The flashbacks made sense to tie the story together, and overall the chemistry between the main characters were sweet and organic to witness. The cover itself was what drew me in as well once I saw the TikTok video prior to its release. I’m excited to see what Osborn releases next!
December 19, 2025
A beautiful book between old lover that becomes new. I really loved reading it and teared up a bit. The story between a broken heart and a healing one was really cool to see. Not only with a lover but with family. Great and easy read that will make you smile at the end :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2026
3.75 stars
Ask Me to Stay is well outside what I typically read, but something told me to give it a try and overall, I'm happy that I did. This was exactly the emotional read that I thought it would be, even if it sometimes wasn't the happy emotions I expected. Although I understood the books namesake by part way through chapter 4, I still liked it.
Billie, our MC, is someone that I wasn't sure I related to until this quote appeared, and then other similar one's like it.
"I was too ashamed to say anything to her. I thought something had to be wrong with me for him to just fall out
of love. There was no big fight. There wasn’t anything. He just didn't want to be with me anymore."
Having experienced something similar in my life, my heart was immediately connected to hers. Billie is a character that, while I can't say I loved, sometimes reminded me of the things I don't like about the me of the past. Not in all her actions, but between that and the way she would then act in ways that I wouldn't made the read difficult and uncomfortable at times. I found myself feeling connected to her and crying and then that connection was immediately severed, it was jarring.
Being totally honest, I didn't like the multiple timelines, the moving between past and current. I understand that it was meant to give us as readers more context, but I found myself interested more in the current than whatever happened in Billie's past and I would often skim those chapters.
If I cared enough about my mental health, I'm not sure I would've finished this book, but I did. I believe this book is absolutely going to be a warm hug for most readers and I want nothing more than for those readers to find this book.
Unless you're someone who has a bit of trauma like me, I'd say read this book. And if you are like me, you may want to read it anyway, just prepare for your heart to hurt and to cry a lot. And also have whiplash with emotions.
Ask Me to Stay is well outside what I typically read, but something told me to give it a try and overall, I'm happy that I did. This was exactly the emotional read that I thought it would be, even if it sometimes wasn't the happy emotions I expected. Although I understood the books namesake by part way through chapter 4, I still liked it.
Billie, our MC, is someone that I wasn't sure I related to until this quote appeared, and then other similar one's like it.
"I was too ashamed to say anything to her. I thought something had to be wrong with me for him to just fall out
of love. There was no big fight. There wasn’t anything. He just didn't want to be with me anymore."
Having experienced something similar in my life, my heart was immediately connected to hers. Billie is a character that, while I can't say I loved, sometimes reminded me of the things I don't like about the me of the past. Not in all her actions, but between that and the way she would then act in ways that I wouldn't made the read difficult and uncomfortable at times. I found myself feeling connected to her and crying and then that connection was immediately severed, it was jarring.
Being totally honest, I didn't like the multiple timelines, the moving between past and current. I understand that it was meant to give us as readers more context, but I found myself interested more in the current than whatever happened in Billie's past and I would often skim those chapters.
If I cared enough about my mental health, I'm not sure I would've finished this book, but I did. I believe this book is absolutely going to be a warm hug for most readers and I want nothing more than for those readers to find this book.
Unless you're someone who has a bit of trauma like me, I'd say read this book. And if you are like me, you may want to read it anyway, just prepare for your heart to hurt and to cry a lot. And also have whiplash with emotions.
May 18, 2026
arc review
"Actually, I do remember the day I saw you for the first time," Sean says, looking over at me.
"You do?" I ask.
"You were wearing this dark pink dress with those ballet-looking flat shoes you always wore. You were reading Pride and Prejudice and sitting under this tree at the front of the school. It was cold outside, and I thought you were crazy for wearing a dress, but you never cared for the weather. You always wore what you wanted."
welcome to lakewood - a beautiful scenic small town! this was such a good dual time second chance romance. i love billie and sean. i love the writing style of the book. it’s easy to read and keeps you in a reading flow. i liked how easy it was to follow the billie’s thoughts. the beginning catches you immediately and i love the going back and forth between now and then. i really liked that she reconnected with her father after all this time. that part also made me cry because I’ll never reach that stage in real life. i’m not in my late 20s yet but the book helped me understand that even if you’re getting older and when you’re an "actual adult", that it doesn’t mean that you have your whole life under control or can’t be self conscious about your body and looks. i guess something will never change. call me a hopeless romantic, but to me this romance story was realistic - no weird and over dramatic cause why they didn’t work out back then - but a realistic youthful dialogue. sean is literally 'the man who can’t be moved'. but nothing prepared me from the ending. i was wrecked and cried. i didn’t expect it at all. literally 'willing and able' by noah kahan.
"Actually, I do remember the day I saw you for the first time," Sean says, looking over at me.
"You do?" I ask.
"You were wearing this dark pink dress with those ballet-looking flat shoes you always wore. You were reading Pride and Prejudice and sitting under this tree at the front of the school. It was cold outside, and I thought you were crazy for wearing a dress, but you never cared for the weather. You always wore what you wanted."
welcome to lakewood - a beautiful scenic small town! this was such a good dual time second chance romance. i love billie and sean. i love the writing style of the book. it’s easy to read and keeps you in a reading flow. i liked how easy it was to follow the billie’s thoughts. the beginning catches you immediately and i love the going back and forth between now and then. i really liked that she reconnected with her father after all this time. that part also made me cry because I’ll never reach that stage in real life. i’m not in my late 20s yet but the book helped me understand that even if you’re getting older and when you’re an "actual adult", that it doesn’t mean that you have your whole life under control or can’t be self conscious about your body and looks. i guess something will never change. call me a hopeless romantic, but to me this romance story was realistic - no weird and over dramatic cause why they didn’t work out back then - but a realistic youthful dialogue. sean is literally 'the man who can’t be moved'. but nothing prepared me from the ending. i was wrecked and cried. i didn’t expect it at all. literally 'willing and able' by noah kahan.
March 23, 2026
Ask Me To Stay by Mackenzie Osborn is a heartfelt and emotionally rich story that beautifully captures the complexities of love, time, and healing. The dual timeline adds depth, allowing readers to fully experience both the innocence of first love and the weight of second chances. Billie and Sean’s connection feels genuine and tender, while the exploration of family relationships brings an added layer of realism and emotion. With its blend of romance, nostalgia, and personal growth, this debut promises a touching and memorable read that lingers long after the final page.
May 13, 2026
This is honestly such a cute story. It’s so wholesome and honest and the author did an amazing job at handling grief, forgiveness, and second chance romance. The dual timelines was done so well and makes it so easy to relate to each character in their past and current lives. It was fun seeing them young and then finding each other again later in life. It’s different than the books I generally gravitate toward, but it delivers exactly what I expected.
There were a few places where I found the pacing was a bit slow for me, but other than that, it’s very well written and a quick easy read!
There were a few places where I found the pacing was a bit slow for me, but other than that, it’s very well written and a quick easy read!
February 5, 2026
Made this account just to support the author. I know how hard it is to get reviews and this book was great and deserves it! The plot line was pretty basic in all the best ways. I really connected with the main character. I loved the relationship between her and her best friend. I already recommended to my friends!
January 14, 2026
A dnf for me. The writing was juvenile and the plot was boring. Pretty cover though.
April 30, 2026
This book had me hooked! Read it on my kindle in 1 day! I was annoyed with the fmc at first but I grew to love her!
It's a must read!
It's a must read!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews