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Stay With Me
Some love stories refuse to be forgotten.
They met as children… a friendship that grew into something purer, deeper. But fate had other plans, binding them not as lovers… but as family.
Years later, captivity forces them to confront everything they tried to bury. The line between love and survival begins to blur and in the harshest reality imaginable, two souls cling to the only truth they know… each other.
A dark contemporary romance about trauma, captivity, and finding love after everything is taken from you.
They met as children… a friendship that grew into something purer, deeper. But fate had other plans, binding them not as lovers… but as family.
Years later, captivity forces them to confront everything they tried to bury. The line between love and survival begins to blur and in the harshest reality imaginable, two souls cling to the only truth they know… each other.
A dark contemporary romance about trauma, captivity, and finding love after everything is taken from you.
514 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2026
218 people are currently reading
3262 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 622 reviews
February 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ❀⋆.ೃ࿔* STAY WITH ME ❀⋆.ೃ࿔* Is a full length dark contemporary romance book by new to me author Luna K. Wicked. Spoken in 'Dual Pov's. Isaac & Ronnie
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
Tropes: Childhood friends to Forbidden Lovers, Taboo (Step-siblings), Possessive and Obsessive MMC, Captive MMC & FMC, Playboy and Good Girl ,Second Chance Romance, Forced Proximity, Emotional Healing and Redemption.
Not sure how this popped up on my radar, but all it took was one read of the blurb, a glimpse at the reviews and one click of the finger for it to arrive on my ipad..
I jumped into this that night in bed, lulled into a false sense of security as these two fast became childhood friends, to later branching off into separate roads as they forged new relationships until the unthinkable happens and they’re kidnapped.
It’s disturbingly dark, no lightness within their captivity, survival at their core, an emotional roller coaster which grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. You'll definitely want to check triggers before going into this because this author doesn't hold back, it's raw, it's gritty, it's dark, but they do finally get their much deserved HEA though it takes a long healing road to travel down before that occurs.
The negative aspect of this book is the poorly edited version of this which in same places made for hard reading, many repeated passages, spelling errors, misplaced words, missing words, when my brain was too tired to unscramble the mess I had to revert to text to speech.
This definitely won't be the last book I'll read of this authors.
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
Tropes: Childhood friends to Forbidden Lovers, Taboo (Step-siblings), Possessive and Obsessive MMC, Captive MMC & FMC, Playboy and Good Girl ,Second Chance Romance, Forced Proximity, Emotional Healing and Redemption.
Not sure how this popped up on my radar, but all it took was one read of the blurb, a glimpse at the reviews and one click of the finger for it to arrive on my ipad..
I jumped into this that night in bed, lulled into a false sense of security as these two fast became childhood friends, to later branching off into separate roads as they forged new relationships until the unthinkable happens and they’re kidnapped.
It’s disturbingly dark, no lightness within their captivity, survival at their core, an emotional roller coaster which grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. You'll definitely want to check triggers before going into this because this author doesn't hold back, it's raw, it's gritty, it's dark, but they do finally get their much deserved HEA though it takes a long healing road to travel down before that occurs.
The negative aspect of this book is the poorly edited version of this which in same places made for hard reading, many repeated passages, spelling errors, misplaced words, missing words, when my brain was too tired to unscramble the mess I had to revert to text to speech.
This definitely won't be the last book I'll read of this authors.
February 11, 2026
6 ✨ I haven’t cried this hard since finishing Releasing 10. The yearning, the angst, the healing, the love.. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest and stomped upon. It’s a devastating story about a beautiful love. And I am so happy that I signed up for this ARC.
“We are two halves of one soul—that I’m certain of. My love for him transcends time and space, and it doesn’t matter that fate opposed us when our very souls chose long before we did.”
“Everything hurts.” ⛓️
“Wanna be my queen?”
“Take me with you.” 🦋🩵
“We are two halves of one soul—that I’m certain of. My love for him transcends time and space, and it doesn’t matter that fate opposed us when our very souls chose long before we did.”
“Everything hurts.” ⛓️
“Wanna be my queen?”
“Take me with you.” 🦋🩵
Read
April 10, 2026As much as I either wanted or tried, it wasn’t working for me…
I couldn’t connect with the mcs and their journey couldn’t hold my interest. 🤷🏻♀️
Dnf @ 18%
I couldn’t connect with the mcs and their journey couldn’t hold my interest. 🤷🏻♀️
Dnf @ 18%
unsafe
April 27, 2026Safety note - heavy OP drama, no celibacy.
MCs are childhood friends, they’re in love, but date anyone except each other…
─ ✦ ────
"Is it wrong to check out Ronnie (fmc) while Alexa (ow/fmc’s bff) sucks me off? Absolutely. Is it going to stop me? Probably not. This is the only way to ease the ache and longing inside of me."
──── ✦ ─
MCs are childhood friends, they’re in love, but date anyone except each other…
─ ✦ ────
"Is it wrong to check out Ronnie (fmc) while Alexa (ow/fmc’s bff) sucks me off? Absolutely. Is it going to stop me? Probably not. This is the only way to ease the ache and longing inside of me."
──── ✦ ─
Review of advance copy received from Author
"All I want to do is restore whatever part of her that’s missing, give her all the pieces of me until she’s whole again."
Wow!
This wasn't just a story, this was a journey through two people's lives.
Isaac Vargas must be protected at all costs. his love is all consuming and will never leave you. Completely selfless, always putting Ronnie above everything, even his own feelings and healing. My heart broke for him, I just wanted to pull him in and tell him "I got you, stay with me!" (Yes, punch intended 😆)
Their story is probably the most heart wrenching i've read in a while.
Beginning at their meeting for the first time as children, a blossoming friendship which only grows over the years .. the hurdles thrown their way, to absolutely devastating trauma, where their feelings only grow stronger.
This took me longer to read than usual. It was so realistic and emotional.
"My sunflower is barely hanging on, and I'm helplessly watching as she slowly loses her petals."
The chemistry, tension and connection between Ronnie and Isaac seeps into your bones. It's sweet and tender, until its not 😭 their life spins on a course that I didn't see coming.
Luna gave this story and her characters deep emotional complexity, that cannot be overlooked.
I often find character development can get lost in the narrative sometimes, I can assure thats not the case here.
Ronnie's emotional healing journey is beautifully represented.
I was so invested in isaac, I don't think he really recognised his own trauma, but rather invested everything he had into Ronnie, even when that meant he was chipping away at himself 😢
Such a beautiful ending to their story, thus proving that true love conquers all and I'm so happy that Ronnie fully healed and didn't harbour any resentment.
DARK Contemporary MF Romance - Second Chance- Childhood friends to Forbidden Lovers - Emotional Healing - Captive FMC & MMC - Angsty and Yearning.
As always please familiarise yourself with the content before reading.
Wow!
This wasn't just a story, this was a journey through two people's lives.
Isaac Vargas must be protected at all costs. his love is all consuming and will never leave you. Completely selfless, always putting Ronnie above everything, even his own feelings and healing. My heart broke for him, I just wanted to pull him in and tell him "I got you, stay with me!" (Yes, punch intended 😆)
Their story is probably the most heart wrenching i've read in a while.
Beginning at their meeting for the first time as children, a blossoming friendship which only grows over the years .. the hurdles thrown their way, to absolutely devastating trauma, where their feelings only grow stronger.
This took me longer to read than usual. It was so realistic and emotional.
"My sunflower is barely hanging on, and I'm helplessly watching as she slowly loses her petals."
The chemistry, tension and connection between Ronnie and Isaac seeps into your bones. It's sweet and tender, until its not 😭 their life spins on a course that I didn't see coming.
Luna gave this story and her characters deep emotional complexity, that cannot be overlooked.
I often find character development can get lost in the narrative sometimes, I can assure thats not the case here.
Ronnie's emotional healing journey is beautifully represented.
I was so invested in isaac, I don't think he really recognised his own trauma, but rather invested everything he had into Ronnie, even when that meant he was chipping away at himself 😢
Such a beautiful ending to their story, thus proving that true love conquers all and I'm so happy that Ronnie fully healed and didn't harbour any resentment.
DARK Contemporary MF Romance - Second Chance- Childhood friends to Forbidden Lovers - Emotional Healing - Captive FMC & MMC - Angsty and Yearning.
As always please familiarise yourself with the content before reading.
February 25, 2026
Just no. I really should have skipped this one.
I'll start by stating that I can recognize the potential for why others may find this book appealing. However, personally, I did not like this. And to make things clear; reason isn't because the book is on the darker side.
I am currently 70% through it (I skimmed quite a bit after the halfway point) and it remains to be seen whether I will ever finish it, but at this point, I don't see that happening. Usually, I consider whether to leave a lower rating if I haven't read it all the way through, but in this case, imo there was enough to warrant a 2-star rating.
So, the book begins when they are 8 years old. However, it jumps very quickly to when they are 28 years old. There wasn't enough content in between to lay any kind of deep foundation (which they're supposed to have) for their feelings/relationship or even for a strong friendship. Yes, there are some flashbacks to their past later in the book, but I would have liked to see more of their relationship at the beginning.
The characters are written in a very surface-level way and we don't really know much about them at all. Both main characters are also unlikable in my eyes. I just didn't vibe with them, or any of the characters really.
And here are couple examples why:
”Is it wrong to check out Ronnie while Alexa sucks me off? Absolutely. Is it going to stop me? Probably not. This is the only way to ease the ache and longing inside of me.”
Duude, like what?! _Only way_ to ease the ache and longing?? umm okay 🤡🤡 Both of them strung other people along for yeeaars even though they knew they were in love with each other.
’ ”You're just gonna stare at me all day. Or do you have something better to do?” My girl has a way with words.’
”my girl has a way with words” ?! WAY WITH WORDS? Just by saying that?! I actually scoffed at that XD pls.
Also they were watching Twilight. AND sparkly Edward was mentioned. Also, the MMC said ”Really making me feel all ‘hoa, hoa, hoa’ deep inside.” 😂😂 at this point I should have given up really. *
Also the author mentions their own book:
”I stir, causing my mother to jolt from her recliner chair, dropping the book, “Play Dirty,” by Luna K Wicked, from her lap.”
Yeah it’s the author’s choice to do whatever with their books but this is just a bookish turn off for me🥴
⚠️⚠️ If you don’t want any kind of hints what’s gonna happen, maybe skip the last part:
If I had known there was a pregnancy trope in this, I could have skipped this book right away—one of my least favourite tropes. ⚠️
So yeah… it’s a no from me, unfortunately.
*Disclaimer: not hating on the movies -have watched them myself, few times actually 😂 just don’t think the vibe suited this book
I'll start by stating that I can recognize the potential for why others may find this book appealing. However, personally, I did not like this. And to make things clear; reason isn't because the book is on the darker side.
I am currently 70% through it (I skimmed quite a bit after the halfway point) and it remains to be seen whether I will ever finish it, but at this point, I don't see that happening. Usually, I consider whether to leave a lower rating if I haven't read it all the way through, but in this case, imo there was enough to warrant a 2-star rating.
So, the book begins when they are 8 years old. However, it jumps very quickly to when they are 28 years old. There wasn't enough content in between to lay any kind of deep foundation (which they're supposed to have) for their feelings/relationship or even for a strong friendship. Yes, there are some flashbacks to their past later in the book, but I would have liked to see more of their relationship at the beginning.
The characters are written in a very surface-level way and we don't really know much about them at all. Both main characters are also unlikable in my eyes. I just didn't vibe with them, or any of the characters really.
And here are couple examples why:
”Is it wrong to check out Ronnie while Alexa sucks me off? Absolutely. Is it going to stop me? Probably not. This is the only way to ease the ache and longing inside of me.”
Duude, like what?! _Only way_ to ease the ache and longing?? umm okay 🤡🤡 Both of them strung other people along for yeeaars even though they knew they were in love with each other.
’ ”You're just gonna stare at me all day. Or do you have something better to do?” My girl has a way with words.’
”my girl has a way with words” ?! WAY WITH WORDS? Just by saying that?! I actually scoffed at that XD pls.
Also they were watching Twilight. AND sparkly Edward was mentioned. Also, the MMC said ”Really making me feel all ‘hoa, hoa, hoa’ deep inside.” 😂😂 at this point I should have given up really. *
Also the author mentions their own book:
”I stir, causing my mother to jolt from her recliner chair, dropping the book, “Play Dirty,” by Luna K Wicked, from her lap.”
Yeah it’s the author’s choice to do whatever with their books but this is just a bookish turn off for me🥴
⚠️⚠️ If you don’t want any kind of hints what’s gonna happen, maybe skip the last part:
If I had known there was a pregnancy trope in this, I could have skipped this book right away—one of my least favourite tropes. ⚠️
So yeah… it’s a no from me, unfortunately.
*Disclaimer: not hating on the movies -have watched them myself, few times actually 😂 just don’t think the vibe suited this book
May 8, 2026
4.25⭐️ childhood friends turned forbidden romance, and then to absolute heartbreak!
Veronica & Issac were childhood friends turned something more, until their parents also fell in love and they suddenly found themselves as step siblings. Giving into temptation one night and one night only right before Veronica (Ronnie) leaves for college. Issac however will never move on from Ronnie, but he may be forced to because after years of loving her from a distance she’s now engaged. When one night alone leads to absolute tragedy when they’re abducted together. Forced to do the unimaginable, and live with the consequences of what comes next.
The way Iz yearns for Ronnie is tragically beautiful, this is a hard fought and incredibly emotional HEA.
Veronica & Issac were childhood friends turned something more, until their parents also fell in love and they suddenly found themselves as step siblings. Giving into temptation one night and one night only right before Veronica (Ronnie) leaves for college. Issac however will never move on from Ronnie, but he may be forced to because after years of loving her from a distance she’s now engaged. When one night alone leads to absolute tragedy when they’re abducted together. Forced to do the unimaginable, and live with the consequences of what comes next.
The way Iz yearns for Ronnie is tragically beautiful, this is a hard fought and incredibly emotional HEA.
February 8, 2026
ARC review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stay With Me is one of those dark, haunting love stories that lingers in your chest long after you turn the last page.
This is not a sweet, fluffy romance. It’s raw, traumatic, and deeply emotional built on a foundation of childhood friendship that was twisted by fate into something forbidden, complicated, and impossible to forget. The fact that they grew up together, loved each other in that innocent, pure way, and then were forced into a different role adds such a painful, heartbreaking layer to everything that follows.
The captivity element is intense and heavy, but it’s handled in a way that highlights survival, trauma, and the desperate need for connection. When everything is stripped away of freedom, safety, identity; the only thing they have left is each other. Watching their bond shift from childhood comfort to something darker, more desperate, and emotionally tangled is both beautiful and devastating.
What really stood out is how the story explores love under impossible circumstances. The blurred lines between affection, dependency, and survival make this a gripping psychological and emotional journey. You’re constantly questioning what love looks like when the world is cruel and choices are taken away.
If you love dark contemporary romance, trauma-bonded characters, intense emotional depth, and stories that hurt so good, this one is absolutely worth reading. Bring tissues and maybe a comfort read for afterward because Stay With Me does not play gentle with your heart. 🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stay With Me is one of those dark, haunting love stories that lingers in your chest long after you turn the last page.
This is not a sweet, fluffy romance. It’s raw, traumatic, and deeply emotional built on a foundation of childhood friendship that was twisted by fate into something forbidden, complicated, and impossible to forget. The fact that they grew up together, loved each other in that innocent, pure way, and then were forced into a different role adds such a painful, heartbreaking layer to everything that follows.
The captivity element is intense and heavy, but it’s handled in a way that highlights survival, trauma, and the desperate need for connection. When everything is stripped away of freedom, safety, identity; the only thing they have left is each other. Watching their bond shift from childhood comfort to something darker, more desperate, and emotionally tangled is both beautiful and devastating.
What really stood out is how the story explores love under impossible circumstances. The blurred lines between affection, dependency, and survival make this a gripping psychological and emotional journey. You’re constantly questioning what love looks like when the world is cruel and choices are taken away.
If you love dark contemporary romance, trauma-bonded characters, intense emotional depth, and stories that hurt so good, this one is absolutely worth reading. Bring tissues and maybe a comfort read for afterward because Stay With Me does not play gentle with your heart. 🖤
February 15, 2026
Luna, you had me tear up at the end. What a beautiful story 🫶🏼
This is a story of trauma and healing. Luna takes us on an emotional journey with Issac and Veronica’s story. They are childhood best friends with lingering feeling that only grow stronger as they become teens. But they are forced to dull their attraction for each other when their parents end up together making them step siblings. Leaving them both resentful. Especially Iz who can’t get over his feelings for Ronnie.
Tragic hits when they end up being abducted together after a night out with friends. They go through hell together being used as breeding pets. And by the time they finally escape they are fully bonded and trying to heal together and separately, so they can find their way back to each other. The ending was beautiful and had me tear up!
The tension and longing was palpable. The yearning and emotions were strong. The character development beautiful!
The steamy scenes and sensuality it was written with was🔥
This is some of Luna’s best work 🦋
This is a contemporary romance with dark themes. Not nearly as dark as Painters Obsession (loved) but be sure to still check TW’s!
Not to compare books but this is for you if you loved the “Still Beating” vibes. (Just a bit smuttier) 🦋
Thank you for the ARC Luna. Loved it 😍
ARC review
4,5 stars
3,5 smut
2,0 darkness
This is a story of trauma and healing. Luna takes us on an emotional journey with Issac and Veronica’s story. They are childhood best friends with lingering feeling that only grow stronger as they become teens. But they are forced to dull their attraction for each other when their parents end up together making them step siblings. Leaving them both resentful. Especially Iz who can’t get over his feelings for Ronnie.
Tragic hits when they end up being abducted together after a night out with friends. They go through hell together being used as breeding pets. And by the time they finally escape they are fully bonded and trying to heal together and separately, so they can find their way back to each other. The ending was beautiful and had me tear up!
The tension and longing was palpable. The yearning and emotions were strong. The character development beautiful!
The steamy scenes and sensuality it was written with was🔥
This is some of Luna’s best work 🦋
This is a contemporary romance with dark themes. Not nearly as dark as Painters Obsession (loved) but be sure to still check TW’s!
Not to compare books but this is for you if you loved the “Still Beating” vibes. (Just a bit smuttier) 🦋
Thank you for the ARC Luna. Loved it 😍
ARC review
4,5 stars
3,5 smut
2,0 darkness
February 28, 2026
I need to collect myself 😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (ARC Review)
Thank you to Luna K. Wicked for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.
This was a five-star read for me — not because it was easy, but because it was deeply emotional and thoughtfully executed.
The story begins with two children meeting in a park under difficult circumstances — she and her mother escaping abuse, and he carrying his own family’s pain. From the beginning, their connection feels rare and immediate. As they grow, their love matures with them — tender, loyal, and unshakable.
When their families become intertwined, the relationship shifts into complicated territory. The emotional tension builds naturally over time, and their bond is tested by social boundaries, expectations, and life’s unpredictability.
The darkest turn in the story is devastating and absolutely comes with content warnings for kidnapping, sexual assault, and torture. These scenes are heavy and not written for shock value. They are painful and difficult — intentionally so.
What made this book a five-star read for me was the aftermath.
The healing was not rushed. It was not glossed over. It was earned. The author takes the time to walk the characters through trauma, survival, emotional regression, resilience, and ultimately rebuilding. The recovery arc felt raw and realistic. Their love does not magically fix what happened — they fight for their healing, together and individually.
This is not a light romance. It’s a story about enduring love, shared trauma, and choosing to stay — even when staying is hard.
It won’t be for every reader. But for those prepared for an emotionally intense journey with meaningful character growth and a hard-earned path toward healing, this one delivers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (ARC Review)
Thank you to Luna K. Wicked for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.
This was a five-star read for me — not because it was easy, but because it was deeply emotional and thoughtfully executed.
The story begins with two children meeting in a park under difficult circumstances — she and her mother escaping abuse, and he carrying his own family’s pain. From the beginning, their connection feels rare and immediate. As they grow, their love matures with them — tender, loyal, and unshakable.
When their families become intertwined, the relationship shifts into complicated territory. The emotional tension builds naturally over time, and their bond is tested by social boundaries, expectations, and life’s unpredictability.
The darkest turn in the story is devastating and absolutely comes with content warnings for kidnapping, sexual assault, and torture. These scenes are heavy and not written for shock value. They are painful and difficult — intentionally so.
What made this book a five-star read for me was the aftermath.
The healing was not rushed. It was not glossed over. It was earned. The author takes the time to walk the characters through trauma, survival, emotional regression, resilience, and ultimately rebuilding. The recovery arc felt raw and realistic. Their love does not magically fix what happened — they fight for their healing, together and individually.
This is not a light romance. It’s a story about enduring love, shared trauma, and choosing to stay — even when staying is hard.
It won’t be for every reader. But for those prepared for an emotionally intense journey with meaningful character growth and a hard-earned path toward healing, this one delivers.
March 18, 2026
Honestly, I went through such a wide spectrum of emotions through out this book. Seeing a survivors point of view and really seeing in first person and in depth how they pick up the pieces and heal. And to top it off the ups and downs of their love story along with the trauma… oh my god my heart!!! And add Lucas into the mix with the support of the family! Gah im crying ugly crying!!!! But going through the ups and downs with the characters and the heart wrenching sadness! To quote something Momma Eureka said to me while we messaged back and forth and talked about this book: “This book destroys your sanity! In the best way possible!” It rips your heart apart just to put it back together again in the best way and I love it so much! The journey with the characters was hard but so worth it!! And daddy Issac is now one of my top mmc’s of what I read this year 👏
March 13, 2026
Wow this was such a amazing, roller coaster of emotions! Definitely going to need some more light hearted books after my last couple reads🥲
“Don’t let the darkness win”
Ronnie & Iz are beyond broken & I just want to hold them both & make everything ok for them. They both suffer through such pain & trauma. I cried throughout their story so much. They desperately needed healing & growth so badly. My poor baby girl Ronnie😭
“Fly high little butterfly, even if I’m not there to see it”
I’m balling happy tears though because this did have a HEA THANK GOODNESS these characters needed it more than anything.
Side note I absolutely loved the Latino characters, songs & phases throughout this book, I think this may be the first Latina author I’ve read if I’m not mistaken!
‼️ Please be sure to read the trigger & content warnings as this story definitely touches on some very sensitive topics.
“Don’t let the darkness win”
Ronnie & Iz are beyond broken & I just want to hold them both & make everything ok for them. They both suffer through such pain & trauma. I cried throughout their story so much. They desperately needed healing & growth so badly. My poor baby girl Ronnie😭
“Fly high little butterfly, even if I’m not there to see it”
I’m balling happy tears though because this did have a HEA THANK GOODNESS these characters needed it more than anything.
Side note I absolutely loved the Latino characters, songs & phases throughout this book, I think this may be the first Latina author I’ve read if I’m not mistaken!
‼️ Please be sure to read the trigger & content warnings as this story definitely touches on some very sensitive topics.
March 26, 2026
⭐️2⭐️ I was really excited to start this book because the story sounded very interesting. The beginning caught my attention and made me curious about Ronnie and Isaac.
Unfortunately, that excitement didn’t last long.
The time jumps made the story very confusing and hard to follow. It often felt like important parts of Ronnie and Isaac’s relationship were missing. Instead of seeing their story grow step by step, it felt like the book skipped many moments that should have been important.
Because of that, I couldn’t really connect with the characters. Their relationship felt rushed and not fully developed, so it was hard for me to feel emotionally involved in the story.
I don’t want to be disrespectful to the author, but I honestly think this story had a lot of potential. The idea of the story is actually very good. However, the way it was written didn’t do the story justice.
With stronger writing and better development, this could have been a really beautiful and emotional book but unfortunately, it wasn’t.
Unfortunately, that excitement didn’t last long.
The time jumps made the story very confusing and hard to follow. It often felt like important parts of Ronnie and Isaac’s relationship were missing. Instead of seeing their story grow step by step, it felt like the book skipped many moments that should have been important.
Because of that, I couldn’t really connect with the characters. Their relationship felt rushed and not fully developed, so it was hard for me to feel emotionally involved in the story.
I don’t want to be disrespectful to the author, but I honestly think this story had a lot of potential. The idea of the story is actually very good. However, the way it was written didn’t do the story justice.
With stronger writing and better development, this could have been a really beautiful and emotional book but unfortunately, it wasn’t.
February 15, 2026
“All I want to do is restore whatever part of her is missing, give her all the pieces of me until she’s whole again.”
ARC Review
Stay with me is an emotional, dark, love story that will stay with you long after turning the pages. This story was raw, traumatic, and deeply emotional. It was built on childhood friendship to love twisted by fate into something forbidden and complicated.
The yearning, the angst, the love, the healing..it will destroy you, rip your heart out, step on it then give you healing. I was not prepared for the pain and heartache I’d feel for these two through their tragic story. Their love was just so pure and so strong. Issac Vargas was the definition of a perfect man. His and Veronica’s story is one that will never leave me. If you take a love letter to whiskey and still beating but darker you have this book. Wow what an emotional ride this one was. I haven’t cried this much since Boys of Tommen😭
Thank you to Luna Wicked for this arc. This releases on Feb 22nd. Check your triggers but you need to read this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dark romance
Childhood friends to lovers
Step siblings
Forbidden
Captive MMC&FMC
ARC Review
Stay with me is an emotional, dark, love story that will stay with you long after turning the pages. This story was raw, traumatic, and deeply emotional. It was built on childhood friendship to love twisted by fate into something forbidden and complicated.
The yearning, the angst, the love, the healing..it will destroy you, rip your heart out, step on it then give you healing. I was not prepared for the pain and heartache I’d feel for these two through their tragic story. Their love was just so pure and so strong. Issac Vargas was the definition of a perfect man. His and Veronica’s story is one that will never leave me. If you take a love letter to whiskey and still beating but darker you have this book. Wow what an emotional ride this one was. I haven’t cried this much since Boys of Tommen😭
Thank you to Luna Wicked for this arc. This releases on Feb 22nd. Check your triggers but you need to read this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dark romance
Childhood friends to lovers
Step siblings
Forbidden
Captive MMC&FMC
February 13, 2026
The emotions, the hurt, the trauma, the healing, ❤️🩹 this book had it all! These characters went through it from the beginning to the end. There’s so much character development because after everything they went they i didn’t see a happy ending but they worked on themselves and found their way back to eachother. I really enjoyed the captured plot of this one, it was different compared to others ive read and made it unique.
March 1, 2026
If you LOVED Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann, you might enjoy this.
But in all honestly, nothing could come close to Still Beating.
But in all honestly, nothing could come close to Still Beating.
March 15, 2026
“For those who have faced darkness and survived, for the ones still healing.”
an angsty, traumatic, taboo romance is always going to be one of my favorite genres. i thoroughly enjoyed this but it fell flat for me in some moments. from the beginning, i felt like we were missing a lot with the time jumps. although we would be told what happened during the jump, and sometimes get a flashback chapter, it still felt like i missed some pivotal moments and it was just jumping so quickly. their love story was heartbreaking and emotional and what they went through was devastating. i felt for them so much. however i wasn’t a fan of how his trauma was overlooked in order to focus on hers. i wish we had been able to dive deeper into his journey rather than the sole focus being on her, although hers was just as heartbreaking. with that being said, i loved the ending and how their healing journey was wrapped up and will continue on.
an angsty, traumatic, taboo romance is always going to be one of my favorite genres. i thoroughly enjoyed this but it fell flat for me in some moments. from the beginning, i felt like we were missing a lot with the time jumps. although we would be told what happened during the jump, and sometimes get a flashback chapter, it still felt like i missed some pivotal moments and it was just jumping so quickly. their love story was heartbreaking and emotional and what they went through was devastating. i felt for them so much. however i wasn’t a fan of how his trauma was overlooked in order to focus on hers. i wish we had been able to dive deeper into his journey rather than the sole focus being on her, although hers was just as heartbreaking. with that being said, i loved the ending and how their healing journey was wrapped up and will continue on.
March 10, 2026
This is a story about trauma, healing and dealing with what life throws at you.
I inhaled the first half of the book and read at every opportunity I had.
Veronica and Isaac’s story starts with their childhood. I loved the writing style of the author in the quiet moments - such as these.
I wish we saw more of the foundation of their love. Mainly because of this I was not able to ship them as a couple. Also I was not able to understand them as separate people - we never even understood what Veronica worked.
This could have been a duology 🤔
I was hesitant at the “healing” part, but I ended up loving it.
The trauma that they endured was brutal and not for the sensitive readers so check your TW list.
Update after some thoughts: My boy was grovelling and I love him for that 💔😭
I inhaled the first half of the book and read at every opportunity I had.
Veronica and Isaac’s story starts with their childhood. I loved the writing style of the author in the quiet moments - such as these.
I wish we saw more of the foundation of their love. Mainly because of this I was not able to ship them as a couple. Also I was not able to understand them as separate people - we never even understood what Veronica worked.
This could have been a duology 🤔
I was hesitant at the “healing” part, but I ended up loving it.
The trauma that they endured was brutal and not for the sensitive readers so check your TW list.
Update after some thoughts: My boy was grovelling and I love him for that 💔😭
February 2, 2026
Wow, I loved this book so so much. Finished it in less than 24 hours as I just couldn’t put it down!
Iz and Ronnie are everything. Their chemistry on page is instant, and I absolutely adored them navigating their way to each other. Their journey is messy, it’s ugly and it’s not how it was ment to go. But somehow Iz and Ronnie make their way back after a horrendous event shatters their lives, leaving them stuck in turmoil. It’s raw, and unfiltered. The blows kept coming and honestly I was a blubbery mess for about 40% of the middle. Damn Luna pulled at my heart, i was so so sad for them…. 😭😭 and I was rooting for them so hard. Iz is complete perfection, from the moment they meet as kids and as they grow as besties, Iz is nothing short of amazing and the yearning PLEASE🧎🏻♀️we love a man who yearns and yearn he did. Ronnies so selfless, always putting others first. Her character progression was great, she blossomed into this head strong woman who owned her scars, and Iz loved her even more for it. They fought hard for their ending, it was so bittersweet but utterly perfect. I just adore them sm… I’m so sad it’s over.
A really great read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Iz and Ronnie are everything. Their chemistry on page is instant, and I absolutely adored them navigating their way to each other. Their journey is messy, it’s ugly and it’s not how it was ment to go. But somehow Iz and Ronnie make their way back after a horrendous event shatters their lives, leaving them stuck in turmoil. It’s raw, and unfiltered. The blows kept coming and honestly I was a blubbery mess for about 40% of the middle. Damn Luna pulled at my heart, i was so so sad for them…. 😭😭 and I was rooting for them so hard. Iz is complete perfection, from the moment they meet as kids and as they grow as besties, Iz is nothing short of amazing and the yearning PLEASE🧎🏻♀️we love a man who yearns and yearn he did. Ronnies so selfless, always putting others first. Her character progression was great, she blossomed into this head strong woman who owned her scars, and Iz loved her even more for it. They fought hard for their ending, it was so bittersweet but utterly perfect. I just adore them sm… I’m so sad it’s over.
A really great read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️
What an incredible read! Ronnie and Isaac’s story left me completely speechless, I finished it feeling emotionally drained in the best possible way!
The characters in this book written so well, our FMC Ronnie is incredible, she endures so much, and I found myself heartbroken for her time and time again. Yet she never stops pushing forward. Watching her reclaim her life and grow stronger after such trauma was handled beautifully with so much care. And then there’s Isaac - the king of yearning who now has my whole heart. The love he has for Ronnie is unwavering; he’s truly a walking green flag. I’ve never read a character quite like him. He suffers deeply as well, but instead of letting it consume him, he steps up and becomes the best version of himself.
I didn't know what I was in for reading this book, tbh I signed up because I saw it was step siblings, and I am so glad I did. If you love a dark and gritty love story then this is the book is for you!
Be sure to check the trigger warnings before starting Stay With Me, as it tackles several heavy and sensitive topics. It does end with a HEA, but not before completely emotionally wrecking you along the way.
Thank you so much Luna for sending this arc for review.
What an incredible read! Ronnie and Isaac’s story left me completely speechless, I finished it feeling emotionally drained in the best possible way!
The characters in this book written so well, our FMC Ronnie is incredible, she endures so much, and I found myself heartbroken for her time and time again. Yet she never stops pushing forward. Watching her reclaim her life and grow stronger after such trauma was handled beautifully with so much care. And then there’s Isaac - the king of yearning who now has my whole heart. The love he has for Ronnie is unwavering; he’s truly a walking green flag. I’ve never read a character quite like him. He suffers deeply as well, but instead of letting it consume him, he steps up and becomes the best version of himself.
I didn't know what I was in for reading this book, tbh I signed up because I saw it was step siblings, and I am so glad I did. If you love a dark and gritty love story then this is the book is for you!
Be sure to check the trigger warnings before starting Stay With Me, as it tackles several heavy and sensitive topics. It does end with a HEA, but not before completely emotionally wrecking you along the way.
Thank you so much Luna for sending this arc for review.
March 23, 2026
This book was painful. I think I actually cried when I finished, just out of relief that it was over.
The thing is, the story does have potential. I was able to connect with the characters because they have enough personality to not feel flat, and that helped. But the writing made this such a hard read. This book drags badly. It is ridiculously long, and someone really needed to make the author cut content because there are pages and pages of the characters just going in introspective circles. It gets exhausting.
The first half is decent. It still drags, but nowhere near as much as the second half. To me, there’s a real lack of balance in the way the story is developed. Some parts that should have been explored more deeply barely were, while other parts were explained to death for no reason.
And something I really can’t ignore is the Spanglish dialogue. Spanish is my first language, and wow, it was so cringey to read. Same with some of the song choices. It all made the book feel even more awkward.
This will be my first and last book by this author. Sorry, but no.
The thing is, the story does have potential. I was able to connect with the characters because they have enough personality to not feel flat, and that helped. But the writing made this such a hard read. This book drags badly. It is ridiculously long, and someone really needed to make the author cut content because there are pages and pages of the characters just going in introspective circles. It gets exhausting.
The first half is decent. It still drags, but nowhere near as much as the second half. To me, there’s a real lack of balance in the way the story is developed. Some parts that should have been explored more deeply barely were, while other parts were explained to death for no reason.
And something I really can’t ignore is the Spanglish dialogue. Spanish is my first language, and wow, it was so cringey to read. Same with some of the song choices. It all made the book feel even more awkward.
This will be my first and last book by this author. Sorry, but no.
March 8, 2026
“Do you want to help me finish my castle? It needs a queen. You could be that.”
This book was sweet and emotional. The plot was there. The characters were there and developed.
I will say it did fall flat for me in multiple spots and did give me Still Beating vibes. Especially during certain parts. But not in a bad way.
I felt as though the story did drag in a few spots. And I really felt the suffering of the FMC especially later in the book. Her anger. And guilt. And emotional turmoil.
I also felt for the MMC though. And this book did give representation to male victims which I felt was important. We got his POV and the struggles he faced as a survivor.
It was hard for me to write this review and figure out what I wanted to rate it at. But overall I would say
3.5-4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.⭐️-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heartbreak 💔💔💔
This book was sweet and emotional. The plot was there. The characters were there and developed.
I will say it did fall flat for me in multiple spots and did give me Still Beating vibes. Especially during certain parts. But not in a bad way.
I felt as though the story did drag in a few spots. And I really felt the suffering of the FMC especially later in the book. Her anger. And guilt. And emotional turmoil.
I also felt for the MMC though. And this book did give representation to male victims which I felt was important. We got his POV and the struggles he faced as a survivor.
It was hard for me to write this review and figure out what I wanted to rate it at. But overall I would say
3.5-4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.⭐️-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heartbreak 💔💔💔
February 27, 2026
The way this book destroyed me y'all! 😭
I was not ready!!! I thought it would be one of those messy childhood friends to lovers stories with a touch of forbidden bc Ronnie and Iz are now technically step siblings but the author basically said bitch you think this was emotional? Hold my trauma. And BOOM. She hit me with kidnapping, basement, assault and more dark shit.
Like why 😭 That part hurt so much! I knew i shouldn't have trusted Luna in the beginning with all these gentle scenes.. she totally fucked me up later.
Ronnie was secretly in love with Isaac since they were eight.. and i was like okay. That's cool.. what can happen? Maybe some misunderstanding and angst. But then it got real messy because their parents got married and they suddenly became a family. Like the lines y'all got blurred real quick. Ronnie kept pushing Issac away even though he loved her so much.. and it hurt watching them. They were hurting and I was hurting with them. Poor Issac never gave up, he always repeated how much he loved her and that he wanted a life with her. My shayla 😭
And when you think IS THIS WHAT I'M GOING TO DEAL WITH FROM NOW ON? after reading all the angst between them, the book rips the floor out from under you EVEN MORE.
Like you are not ready. This book will fuck you up. There's a huge shift and everything gets very heavy and dark. This is when you realize its not about longing and family drama anymore, it's about trauma and survival. Iz and Ronnie go through so much!
And once again. ISAAC MY SHAYLA! I felt so bad for him because nobody stopped to hold him the way he held everybody else. That boy almost destroyed himself to make sure the woman he loves is okay. His story broke me.
Honestly I'll never forget this book. It was truly so special. I don't know what Luna puts in her books but every freaking time she has me hooked from the beginning until the end.
I was not ready!!! I thought it would be one of those messy childhood friends to lovers stories with a touch of forbidden bc Ronnie and Iz are now technically step siblings but the author basically said bitch you think this was emotional? Hold my trauma. And BOOM. She hit me with kidnapping, basement, assault and more dark shit.
Like why 😭 That part hurt so much! I knew i shouldn't have trusted Luna in the beginning with all these gentle scenes.. she totally fucked me up later.
Ronnie was secretly in love with Isaac since they were eight.. and i was like okay. That's cool.. what can happen? Maybe some misunderstanding and angst. But then it got real messy because their parents got married and they suddenly became a family. Like the lines y'all got blurred real quick. Ronnie kept pushing Issac away even though he loved her so much.. and it hurt watching them. They were hurting and I was hurting with them. Poor Issac never gave up, he always repeated how much he loved her and that he wanted a life with her. My shayla 😭
And when you think IS THIS WHAT I'M GOING TO DEAL WITH FROM NOW ON? after reading all the angst between them, the book rips the floor out from under you EVEN MORE.
Like you are not ready. This book will fuck you up. There's a huge shift and everything gets very heavy and dark. This is when you realize its not about longing and family drama anymore, it's about trauma and survival. Iz and Ronnie go through so much!
And once again. ISAAC MY SHAYLA! I felt so bad for him because nobody stopped to hold him the way he held everybody else. That boy almost destroyed himself to make sure the woman he loves is okay. His story broke me.
Honestly I'll never forget this book. It was truly so special. I don't know what Luna puts in her books but every freaking time she has me hooked from the beginning until the end.
March 30, 2026
This was okay . Very similar to still beating but a lot darker. I’m not sure what exactly did not work for me, but I felt it difficult to connect emotionally.
i really did not like
The fmc at all she pissed me off.
She was selfish. It was always about her and her trauma and her healing. As if they both didn’t go through the exact same thing. In fact he ended up having a permanent reminder of his assault. And as testament to who he is, his biggest concern wasnt the mental torture the situation was putting him through, no it was fear of it being to much for her to handle. Fearing she would leave because of it.
. His physical assault and sexual abuse was also much more frequent, happening almost every day while she was left alone for weeks at a time due to one reason or another. However the whole trauma healing was focused on her, he literally tore himself apart to keep her whole and she was mad at Him, over how he coped.
He was fighter before it, demanding he stop something he was doing for years prior to appease her was again a selfish move. Then to see that he was using as a punishment bc he couldn’t cope with trauma and guilt, surely our girly would understand and try to get him to get some help right? Nope. She simply demand he stop doing it and when he didn’t bc it was all he had, she sure as shit is quick to accuse him of lying and betraying her.because again it’s all about her. She truly never stopped to consider him.
Oh And my favorite part was the way she used him to make her self feel better. Finally giving him the one thing he has made so overtly clear their entire lives, her love. Then just decided that she wasn’t healing enough and abandoned him , leaving him crying on his knees begging her not to get on a flight to another country. She does so without a look back or a good bye.
She stays away for months, changes her number and has some self healing journey away from it all., decides she’s okay enough now to go back and be with Him.
Like his pain, trauma, didn’t matter. Didn’t matter how much he loved her the entire time. Didn’t matter that he forgoes his own healing for hers, didn’t matter how he made her feel safe when she needed it but the second he needed to feel safe, needed reassurance that she loved him and wouldn’t leave him, she simply didn’t care. She didn’t see him as someone who was also hurting.
She never saw him or his pain, she saw him as a means, and left him high and dry even tho he went through more.
This is almost a great example of society not taking men sexual assault seriously.
i really did not like
The fmc at all she pissed me off.
She was selfish. It was always about her and her trauma and her healing. As if they both didn’t go through the exact same thing. In fact he ended up having a permanent reminder of his assault. And as testament to who he is, his biggest concern wasnt the mental torture the situation was putting him through, no it was fear of it being to much for her to handle. Fearing she would leave because of it.
. His physical assault and sexual abuse was also much more frequent, happening almost every day while she was left alone for weeks at a time due to one reason or another. However the whole trauma healing was focused on her, he literally tore himself apart to keep her whole and she was mad at Him, over how he coped.
He was fighter before it, demanding he stop something he was doing for years prior to appease her was again a selfish move. Then to see that he was using as a punishment bc he couldn’t cope with trauma and guilt, surely our girly would understand and try to get him to get some help right? Nope. She simply demand he stop doing it and when he didn’t bc it was all he had, she sure as shit is quick to accuse him of lying and betraying her.because again it’s all about her. She truly never stopped to consider him.
Oh And my favorite part was the way she used him to make her self feel better. Finally giving him the one thing he has made so overtly clear their entire lives, her love. Then just decided that she wasn’t healing enough and abandoned him , leaving him crying on his knees begging her not to get on a flight to another country. She does so without a look back or a good bye.
She stays away for months, changes her number and has some self healing journey away from it all., decides she’s okay enough now to go back and be with Him.
Like his pain, trauma, didn’t matter. Didn’t matter how much he loved her the entire time. Didn’t matter that he forgoes his own healing for hers, didn’t matter how he made her feel safe when she needed it but the second he needed to feel safe, needed reassurance that she loved him and wouldn’t leave him, she simply didn’t care. She didn’t see him as someone who was also hurting.
She never saw him or his pain, she saw him as a means, and left him high and dry even tho he went through more.
This is almost a great example of society not taking men sexual assault seriously.
February 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was trauma wrapped in longing wrapped in YEARS of “we shouldn’t.” aka: an emotional forbidden SLOoOoOw Burn 🔥 😏
Isaac and Veronica were childhood friends first, so their connection already runs deep. So when their parents get married and they become step-siblings, that tension turns forbidden and complicated fast.
Then the kidnapping happens… and everything shifts.
Their captivity forces all the suppressed emotions to the surface, and I really appreciated that the story doesn’t magically heal them afterward. Isaac spirals into underground fighting. Veronica tries to piece normalcy back together. They trigger each other. They cope differently. It’s messy but real. And they keep choosing each other.
The slow burn isn’t just romantic — it’s emotional healing. They don’t save each other perfectly. They fight for each other.
Check your trigger warnings with this one!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was trauma wrapped in longing wrapped in YEARS of “we shouldn’t.” aka: an emotional forbidden SLOoOoOw Burn 🔥 😏
Isaac and Veronica were childhood friends first, so their connection already runs deep. So when their parents get married and they become step-siblings, that tension turns forbidden and complicated fast.
Then the kidnapping happens… and everything shifts.
Their captivity forces all the suppressed emotions to the surface, and I really appreciated that the story doesn’t magically heal them afterward. Isaac spirals into underground fighting. Veronica tries to piece normalcy back together. They trigger each other. They cope differently. It’s messy but real. And they keep choosing each other.
The slow burn isn’t just romantic — it’s emotional healing. They don’t save each other perfectly. They fight for each other.
Check your trigger warnings with this one!
February 14, 2026
4.5 stars
If you need a book that is going to destroy you, rip your heart out, step on it, and then give you healing, this is it!!
This book was a dark, emotional ride, full of angst, yearning, trauma, and healing that will leave you speechless.
My heart was not prepared for the pain I’d feel for these two through this rocky journey they took together. Their love was so pure, and beautiful, but it didn’t come without struggles and so much pain.
Veronica & Iz’s story was just one that will hold a place in my mind. A tragically, beautiful, forbidden love, that just has you wanting so much for their characters!!
Wow, what a ride!!
If you need a book that is going to destroy you, rip your heart out, step on it, and then give you healing, this is it!!
This book was a dark, emotional ride, full of angst, yearning, trauma, and healing that will leave you speechless.
My heart was not prepared for the pain I’d feel for these two through this rocky journey they took together. Their love was so pure, and beautiful, but it didn’t come without struggles and so much pain.
Veronica & Iz’s story was just one that will hold a place in my mind. A tragically, beautiful, forbidden love, that just has you wanting so much for their characters!!
Wow, what a ride!!
February 25, 2026
4.5⭐️3🌶️
This book was if Still Beating was a step sibling romance. If you have been chasing the Jennifer Hartman train, you would like this!
This book was if Still Beating was a step sibling romance. If you have been chasing the Jennifer Hartman train, you would like this!
February 24, 2026
***spoilers***
How does one write such beauty in a very traumatic book! Iz and Ronnie started off as friend’s and became step siblings… but they couldn’t help the sexual tension they feel for each other! They are kidnapped by this CRAZY couple and used for breeding! The trauma the endured having to see each other being used and beaten! The ending was so beautiful and love that they can finally live in peace.
Tropes
- captured
- Step siblings
- trauma
- HEA
How does one write such beauty in a very traumatic book! Iz and Ronnie started off as friend’s and became step siblings… but they couldn’t help the sexual tension they feel for each other! They are kidnapped by this CRAZY couple and used for breeding! The trauma the endured having to see each other being used and beaten! The ending was so beautiful and love that they can finally live in peace.
Tropes
- captured
- Step siblings
- trauma
- HEA
Read
March 31, 2026Well that was depressing and heartbreaking. Thank god for happy endings.
Read
February 17, 2026The writing didn't feel natural or flow well for me. I understand it's an emotional turmoil across years, and I didn't make it to the big plot portion, but honestly, I just couldn't get past the writing. The MMC was aggravating for me, and the FMC felt wishy washy. The scenes in Part One felt like they jumped around with no context. Just wasn't for me. DNF at 14%.
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