Stay Here with Me

by Judy Corry

Working as the nanny for my best friend’s brother was supposed to be simple.
Until the single dad I can’t have starts looking at me like I'm everything he wants.

Nora Miller has known her best friend’s brother for long enough to know that he’s completely out of her league. He’s older, established, and still carrying the quiet heartbreak of losing his wife two years ago. But when Theo’s nanny quits without warning, his sister insists that hiring Nora is the perfect solution.

Nora needs the job. Theo needs someone he can trust with his three-year-old daughter. Pretending she’s not wildly attracted to the man she works for shouldn’t be that hard.

Theo Archibald has been doing his best to rebuild the life he lost, but no matter how many dates he goes on, nothing ever feels right—something, he tells himself, that has nothing to do with his daughter’s new nanny.

But with Nora filling his home with laughter and bringing warmth back into spaces that became hollow, it’s getting harder to pretend he doesn’t notice her. And somewhere between late-night talks and stolen glances, the dynamics begin to blur and he realizes he’s thinking about her in ways he shouldn’t be.

She’s younger. His sister’s best friend. His employee.

But when she’s in his arms and the ache in his chest finally quiets, it’s hard to care about the rules he swore he wouldn’t break.

And when the woman who’s become his daughter’s favorite person starts to feel like the home he never thought he’d find again, he has to decide if love is worth the risk… or if some lines should never be crossed.



STAY HERE WITH ME is a slow-burn, forbidden single dad romance about second chances, found family, and falling for the one person you were never supposed to want.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Clean Romance, Second Chance

482 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Judy Corry is the USA Today Bestselling Author of YA and Contemporary Romance. She writes romance because she can't get enough of the feeling of falling in love. She's known for writing heart-pounding kisses, endearing characters, and hard-won happily ever afters.

She lives in Southern Utah with the boy who took her to Prom, their four amazing kids, and two dogs. She's addicted to love stories, chai latte's and dark chocolate.

She is represented by Lane Heymont at The Tobias Agency.

Keep updated with Judy and her books here ➜ https://subscribepage.com/judycorry

Find her on Instagram and TikTok: @authorjudycorry

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo Archibald is trying to rebuild his life after the loss of his wife. When his 3-year-old daughter’s nanny suddenly quits he's caught off guard. In steps Nora Miller, his little sister's best friend. She needs a job and he needs someone he trusts with Charlotte. The only thing Nora has to do is hide her crush on her best friend's brother. How hard can it be?

I usually say I'm not that fond of reading about single parents, but now I've read several books with that trope that I've liked, so maybe I have to change my mind? Here 3-year-old Charlotte completely steals the show with her energy and her "Otay!", but it's also very nice to see how Theo shows how important Charlotte is to him. I can only imagine what a nightmare it is to handle the grief after your wife's death, and at the same time take care of your (then) 1-year-old daughter, but Theo seems to have managed okay and Corry describes the whole procedure really well.

I'm also not that fond of age gaps, and sure, it sometimes shows that Nora is younger (8 years), but my focus was more on the nanny/boss trope, which could be considered a cliche. However, the author, once again, handles a difficult subject well and it never becomes awkward.

I thought the story dragged at times, and even though I love a slow-burn, I felt a bit frustrated for them taking so long to admit their feelings for each other! The last 20% of the book was clearly my favorite part, and I had a constant smile on my face!

This is the fourth book in the Kings of Eden Falls series, but you can easily read it as a standalone. I've read books 2 and 3 earlier, and although I enjoyed all of them, Maddie and Ian are still my favorite couple (book 2 - Say You Remember Me) - besides Charlotte, of course!

* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review *

[Bryn Jeffers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing! Judy Corry never fails to disappoint in any of the books that she wrote and this one is a new personal favorite! I can’t wait for the next one!!!!

[Sarah Fogle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️ Cute. Nothing special in that I felt there were a bunch of tropes thrown into this book with some random heavier topics thrown in. Felt like a bunch of mishmash and slightly choppy. Good thing everyone has money in this story. I enjoyed the atmosphere (light hearted for the most part).

🎧 audiobook

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A second chance to love romance

My Review: Stay Here With Me by Judy Corry is book #4 in the Kings of Eden Falls series. It is described as "A Single Dad + Nanny, Small Town Romance." The novel was released on 7/7/26.

About the Book: "Working as the nanny for her best friend’s brother was supposed to be simple.

Until the single dad she can’t have starts looking at her like she’s everything he wants."

In My Own Words: Unexpected events in life, found family moments, and longing & love come together in beautiful ways.

My Final Say: Judy Corry has such a way of writing that it's incredibly easy to become invested in the story and in the characters. This was, yet again, one of those. Everything about Nora Miller and Theo Archibald's romance was tops. And when you add in little Charlotte, well, sweetness is the word that comes to mind.

Truth be told, I do not think I have ever read a not so great story from JC. I adore her style. She is one of my automatic read/read on repeat authors. This story, like all the others I have read, has heart, emotion, and a HEA that I am totally on board with. With her books, I am always guaranteed to walk away with a smile on my face.

Other: Readers who enjoy the following listed tropes will like this story.

Tropes & Vibes:

Single Dad x Nanny

Best Friend’s Brother

Forbidden Romance

Age Gap

Live-In Nanny / Forced Proximity

Slow Burn

Widower Hero

Found Family

She falls first, he falls harder

Healing & Second Chances

Special Note: This book will be fantastic as an audio experience. Also, I would love to know if there is an Eden Falls book club. If not, there should be. (Hint, hint.)

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: ❤️‍🩹💛💖
Format: 📱
Cover: +
Title: +

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Cherry Blossom Romance), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review. I am grateful for the opportunity.

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded ⬆️

Stay Here With Me ✨review ✨ thank you @bookedwiththeemilys for the gifted copy!

Stay Here With Me
by Judy Corry
out now!

Working as the nanny for her best friend’s brother was supposed to be simple.
Until the single dad she can’t have starts looking at her like she’s everything he wants.

What to expect👇🏽
✨Single Dad x Nanny
✨Best Friend’s Brother
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Age Gap
✨Live-In Nanny / Forced Proximity
✨Slow Burn
✨Widower Hero
✨Found Family
✨She falls first, he falls harder
✨Healing & Second Chances

My thoughts 💭:

I love when a romance is jam packed with tropes, and this one delivered! All the tropes made for a fun, swoony read that was easy to get wrapped up in. Theo and Nora were incredibly sweet together, and I loved watching their relationship develop. The family dynamic was great and there were so many moments that had me smiling. The only thing that held it back a bit for me was that it’s a closed door romance. That’s purely a personal preference! I don’t need a super spicy book, but when there’s so much tension and teasing throughout the story, I tend to want a little more payoff. As an adult reader, I sometimes feel like those moments naturally lead somewhere, so when they don’t, it can affect my overall reading experience. That’s completely on me and not a criticism of closed door romances, I know so many readers love them. Even with that preference, I still had a great time reading this one and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, trope filled romance.

happy reading 📖

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some romances don't need grand gestures to steal your heart... they do it with quiet moments, healing hearts, and a little girl who completely runs away with the show.🥹

Thank you Partner @bookedwiththeemilys @authorjudycorry for the gifted book🫶🏾💛

Theo is doing everything he can to be the best dad after losing his wife. Then Nora walks into their lives as Charlotte's nanny….bringing laughter, patience, and light back into a home that had forgotten what happiness could feel like.

The bond Charlotte builds with Nora felt so natural and wholesome that I found myself rooting for this little family long before either adult admitted what everyone else already knew.

From lingering looks, quiet conversations, stolen moments, and two people learning that healing doesn't happen overnight.🥹

Theo's grief wasn't treated like something he simply "got over." Judy Corry handled it with so much care showing that loving again doesn't erase the love that came before it simply makes room for hope.🫶🏾

If you're looking for a romance that feels like a warm hug with all the cozy small town vibes…this one absolutely delivers babes.

What’s inside…
💛 Single Dad x Nanny
💛 Best Friend's Brother
💛 She Falls First, He Falls Harder
💛 Slow Burn Romance
💛 Widower Hero
💛 Found Family
💛 Age Gap
💛 Closed-Door Romance
💛 Small Town Setting
💛 Healing & Second Chances

#StayHereWithMe #JudyCorry #SingleDadRomance

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo is a widow raising his young daughter in search of a new nanny. His sister’s best friend, Nora, recently graduated college and accepts the job with hopes she can keep her crush on Theo a secret.

This was my first book by Judy Corry and I loved it! It was so easy to read but also had a lot of emotional depth. I really appreciated how much of a slow burn Theo and Nora’s relationship was and how much care and consideration was put into his daughter’s well being. I loved the dual POV, banter and the text messages woven into the story. This book is part of a series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone. If you are looking for a single dad + nanny romance, highly recommend this one!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

This book confused me. With the plot revolving around a single dad and his younger sister’s best friend turned nanny…. This was one of the most chaste romance novels that I’ve ever read. Too many overly dramatic things kept happening that made me cringe over and over again (the men’s book club turned competition and the house fire!).

If you’re looking for a very closed door taboo-ish romance, this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cherry Blossom Romance for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good best-friend's sibling trope. It's actually one of my favorites. So I definitely jump at the chance to read books by favorite authors with that trope! I loved watching Nora and Theo dance around each other and adjusting to life with Nora being the new nanny for his daughter. It was fun to watch them start to fall in love. Or rather, Nora's been in love with him for years, but he's just starting to see her in that light. Rightly so with the age gap, and he was married prior to this. As the book moves on we see that his marriage wasn't what he had hoped it would be, and the family that he hoped to build was him being an amazing dad and loving his daughter fiercely. Now he's a widower and raising his daughter the best he can, he's searching for someone who can care for her. His best answer stands in front of him in the form of a beautiful princess (read the book to understand that comment) and he jumps at the chance to hire her!

I loved watching them fall in love and the sweet dynamic of his young daughter. It was absolutely adorable with her. All of the backstory that kept developing the plot and characters kept me turning the pages.

Content: I would definitely rate this as a PG-13 and would recommend it for older readers. There are some innuendos throughout, and the characters have some forced proximity moments and closed door scenes. Making out that gets a bit more.

I received a copy from Cherry Blossom Romance, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Amanda Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ sweet and steamy, fade to black, closed door romance, age gap (8 years), second chance (MMC’s second marriage), single dad, forced proximity, forbidden relationship (nanny/dad) *trigger warning: death of a spouse, childhood trauma: neglect, drug use and probably abuse (in the past)*

This was the fourth book in an interconnected series and the first book I have read by this author. While it was presented like an interconnected standalone, I would have absolutely benefitted from reading the previous stories. I would suggest reading the series in order if you don’t want to struggle often with trying to figure out who is who and the plethora of seemingly random characters that are thrown into the story without any background information, assuming the reader already knows who they are.

MMC Theo (30 yrs) was married, had a baby daughter and his wife tragically passed away in a car accident two years prior to the start of this story. He is navigating his grief, healing and raising a daughter on his own. His nanny quits and he needs to hire someone - enter our FMC, Nora. A very recent college graduate (22 yrs), best friends with Theo’s younger sister, isn’t able to find a job in her chosen field after graduating. She’s working as a for-hire birthday party princess where she reconnects with Theo when his daughter is attending a party where Nora was hired to play Princess Belle. Theo hires Nora temporarily to babysit his three year old daughter (Charlotte) and later hires her full time. Nora’s house catches fire and Theo just so happens to be driving by late at night and sees the smoke, rushes into the burning house and wakes Nora, rescuing her before her house caves in on itself. Theo buys Nora many new things to replace what she’s lost (clothes, phone, toiletries, etc) and offers her a place to stay in his home.

I appreciated getting much of Nora’s backstory late in the book but we got almost none of Theo’s. Maybe his family history was already told in the previous story(s) and the author didn’t feel the need to share his story in his own book? No idea.

As a parent myself, I’ve had four, three year old children and Charlotte did not act like a three year old most of the time - her mannerisms and comprehension were definitely older, like four or five years old, so that threw me off several times but overall, she was an adorable character and her relationship with Theo was so endearing.

For what the story told, I felt that it could have been edited down quite a bit. There were pages and pages of internal monologues that were unnecessary and pages and pages dedicated to very steamy make out sessions that made me question if I had accidentally picked up a spicy read with open door scenes.

Theo was a wonderfully written character. He had so much growth, took notice of the things and people in his life, learned from his mistakes and was a wonderful father. I liked his personality and how he treated the FMC, his family and his friends. He could have had a bit more of a backbone with his in-laws. I didn’t like his few interactions with them but that seemed to resolve in the epilogue without going into detail.

Nora was definitely written as the age she was - she seemed like a 22 year old and acted like one. I don’t know if I would have picked her and Theo to be partners but obviously that’s what the author wanted. She loved Charlotte, thought through her choices but still ultimately disregarded her degree and we never got to see if she ended up teaching gymnastics or doing anything with her exercise science degree. Not even in the epilogue. Her not abandoning her degree was kind of a big deal to her brother Ky (where is his story???) and to herself, but after she got into a relationship with Theo, it was never mentioned again after their trip to the Hamptons.

Anyway, I think my review is as unnecessary wordy as this story, so I’ll wrap it up. Overall, it was a cute story. A little too steamy for me, and I was fairly lost with all the extra characters, not having read the other stories in the series. I don’t think I’ll read more by this author, most due to her spice level and that there are bonus epilogue(s) with more steam advertised at the end of the book.

[JK · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought Judy Corry wrote clean romance novels, but this one (while *technically* closed door) boarders pornographic/explicit sex scenes. I've read every one of her books, and they've become more and more vulgar over time. This one flirts with the line of smut. I'll describe in more detail below.

Putting the smuttiness aside, I thought this book fell flat. Literally nothing happened for the first 1/2 of the book. The only reason why I couldn't put the book down was that I was hoping *something* would happen soon. Then when something finally did happen, it was so over-the-top that it wasn't believable; so out of place and random for the story.

All-in-all, I thought this book felt like a Judy Corry finally tipped the scale to becoming a sell out like so many good authors unfortunately have become. She used to write sweet and cute stories that I'd be ok letting a high schooler read. I didn't even finish this book myself because I have no space in my brain for junk reads. Examples from this book for why I see Judy's writing deteriorating just to sell to the masses:
- There was a scene where Theo described the previous nanny as having a large nose, and he purposefully hired her since he couldn't be attracted to her. That was literally her only "fault." And then later in the convo, Nora was upset that he thought she was cute but not beautiful or "even pretty"...it all came across as very superficial, as if a girl's value is in her looks.
- The book normalized boyfriend and girlfriend sleeping over & sharing a bed & doing whatever else happens in a guy/girl sleepover...
- There was a scene that alluded to being ok with homosexual relationships.
- Within the first chapter, the "h" word was used. Every single time there is cussing in the first chapter, I already know the book will be one for the DNF shelf. It shows the author wants to be shocking and not substantial. The "h" word was also used a handful of other times throughout the book. I know it's not a big deal and some don't view it as a bad word, but Judy didn't use to have *any* language in the book. This--in addition to what was mentioned above--made the book too worldly. I just want a sweet, clean book.

Ok, now for the sexual content I mentioned earlier: before I DNF'd this around 75%, there were 2 extremely steamy scenes that took up a whole chapter each. This book didn't just have a couple paragraphs here or there about a hot kiss; no, these were under the cover, getting tangled up in each other's limbs foreplay scenes that took up an *entire* chapter. During these scenes, Judy used the phrase "jumping his bones," there was under-the-shirt body exploration (male & female), the mention of grinding, an "unintentional year of celibacy," etc., etc.

I'm sorry, Judy, but you've unfortunately lost my respect and I won't continue reading these smut books. I should have stopped 3 books ago when you had that bonus sex scene in Hide Away With You. If you go back to true YA romance that isn't grooming impressionable minds, let me know.

[Sienasummerrreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ Closed Door 🌶️

This was such a beautiful slow burn romance. I loved Theo and Nora’s story, and little Charlotte was such a cute kid with so much energy honestly, just the sweetest little girl.

This definitely has the love after loss trope. It’s been a few years since his wife passed, and there are many moments in the story that bring up her memory through thoughts or spoken words. Love after loss is one of my favourite tropes, and the way Theo took his time processing his feelings for Nora was beautiful. Nora was so sweet with Charlotte but also patient with Theo. I loved the friends gathering and the games night they had. It was a very slow build before things really started to happen, but it made the tension and chemistry worth it. When we got to the slightly intimate scenes, it made you smile. The light touches and slow, sweet kisses were perfect. I do need to mention that this is closed door spice, so we only got first and second base moments on page, such as running hands over the body and kissing, but that was it which I personally don’t mind.

I do want to mention that, even though I enjoyed the very slow build, I wish we got a little more flirtatious behaviour between them early on. It took a while for me to warm up to the relationship forming, as it felt very uncertain for the first 20–30% of the book, and I was waiting for the spark. I also was expecting resistance toward the relationship from friends or family, since it has the forbidden element, but everything was fine.

Lastly, I picked up the audiobook to read along with the eBook. It’s done in dual narration, and Amy and Austin were fantastic. This was my first experience with these narrators, but I hope I get to listen to more of their work in the future.

Overall, I enjoyed this character driven story. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more of Judy’s books in the future.

Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC and Audiobook
Pages: 482
Audiobook Length: 12hrs 33mins
Narrators: Amy Melissa Bentley and Austin Rising - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: Closed Door
POV: First Person
Series or Standalone: Book Four In The Kings Of Eden Series
Tropes or Themes: Forbidden, Single Dad, Nanny, Best Friends Brother, Love After Loss, Age Gap (8yrs), Found Family, Slow Burn, Chemistry, Hero MMC, Grief, Past Memories, Mutual Pining, Mature Content and Closed Door Spice.
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[Tatum - nuggetybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️
- Book 4 in King Of Eden Falls Series
- Dual POV
- Lawyer, Widowed, Single dad MMC
- Nanny FMC
- Best friend’s brother
- Age gap

⭐️⭐️
This book was incredibly hard for me to get through. It felt like the author just wanted to trope load as many as she could without considering the quality of the story. I didn’t like the repetitiveness of phrases or thoughts. There was a lack of depth of emotion and conversation, especially when handling sensitive topics or traumatic experiences. If the characters are going to have heavy backstories, it should be backed up with emotional conversations and growth. I was constantly wondering if we’d get more or be able to understand more of where the MCs were coming from but we didn’t get that insight. Commitment was vague and they tiptoed around all serious conversation.

I felt like there was no character development on Nora’s part and her character was very flat and one dimensional. She was just obsessed with making out with Theo. Some of her inner monologue and dialogue was very very juvenile. She felt more like a teenager than a 22 year old.

Theo was a bit too perfect and not really human. There was no real humanity to him. He handled every situation perfectly. He also didn’t have much depth. His character struggled with grief and I thought that was handled tactfully but also he seemed to handle the grief remarkably well and quickly.

I read this as a standalone and I was able to understand much of the dynamics. I could tell which characters likely already had books and were making cameos. Some of the side characters seemed completely unnecessary or like they should have been used more since they had more potential (the in laws). Charlotte (the 3yr old) was more of a wall fixture than a part of the story at times. She’s conveniently quiet and not there when she needs to be, not always representative of a real child. Her mannerisms were cute and the family moments were enjoyable.

This is a fade to black romance with detailed making out that gets very close to having sex they stop before escalating without a fade. The scenes include a lot of physical details and little emotion. There is no cursing.

**Thank you so much to Judy and Booked With The Emilys for letting me read this gifted ARC. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**

[Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Stay Here With Me by Judy Corry is the latest release from her Kings of Eden Falls series.
In this Single Dad, Best Friend’s Older Brother, Faking Dating, Nanny Romance, we follow the story of Nora Margaret Miller and Theo Archibald through the telling of their dual perspective.

The story did make for a sweet romance when it came to seeing Nora and Theo go through a lot of back and forth with their feelings from the unknown and unsurely of forming a relationship through a bumpy journey for the two.
Until circumstances eventually had them taking the plunge.

It was an interesting read too, given the addition of the elements that played into their story.
Such as the age-gap, their work relationship, their connection to one another that came about from a third party aka Lucy Archibald; Theo’s younger sister and Nora’s best friend.
And how it all impacted their journey together when it came to the two navigating through it all separately and ultimately together once they connected.

The times shared between Nora and Charlotte; Theo’s daughter were cute and adorable. As well as between Nora, Charlotte and Theo, which had them seeming like they were a family.
It made for some fun and cute moments from the interactions they shared together. Especially between Nora and Charlotte, since despite Nora being her nanny, not only did they quickly take a liking to one another. They were able to form a strong bond with how Nora was always there for Charlotte.

With that said, unfortunately the story did fall short for different reasons.
IMO it was hard to read sometimes due to the length and how drawn out it became at times, it just felt a little unnecessarily too long for my liking.
More so when you take into consideration how the first half of the story felt like it wasn’t really going anywhere for either Nora and Theo other than pushing them into different directions.

On top of that while I don’t mind Slow Burn and usually am a fan of it.
The fact that it took a great portion of the book to get through in order to see any real development to occur between Nora and Theo was unnecessary for my liking.
It made for the slowest of Slow Burn, to the point of being even slower than a snail’s pace.
Having to read over 80% of the book to actually see any romance take place between Nora and Theo seemed just too long of a wait and again unnecessarily drawn out longer than it needed to be IMO.

In the end, Stay Here With Me still made for a decent read for me, considering the parts I did enjoy when it came to Nora and Theo’s story.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Brie Coffeestainednovel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stay here with me by Judy Corry
Publish date July 7th, 2026

Digital | ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Stay Here With Me is a sweet, closed-door romance with a slow-burn, single-dad storyline. While it had some genuinely cute moments, it ultimately didn’t have enough to keep me fully invested.

I jumped into book four without reading the previous books and never felt completely lost, although I imagine longtime readers may appreciate some of the returning characters and relationships more than I did.

My biggest struggle was the pacing. The romance between the main couple took a long time to develop, with much of the first half focused on them encouraging each other to pursue other people. Personally, that’s not my favorite romance dynamic, and I found myself wishing that part of the story had wrapped up much earlier so we could spend more time with the actual relationship between the main characters.

Once the tension and yearning finally started building around the halfway point, I enjoyed the story much more. The jealous moments, lingering glances, and slow progression of their relationship were definitely the highlight for me. I also have a soft spot for the single-dad trope, and that added plenty of sweet moments throughout the book.

That said, some of the dialogue felt a bit forced, and the continued miscommunication became frustrating instead of adding romantic tension. There were also a few plot moments that felt underdeveloped or referenced after the fact, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.

Overall, this was a cute, wholesome romance with a very slow burn, closed-door romance, plenty of yearning, and a lovable single dad. While it wasn’t a standout read for me, I think readers who enjoy clean romances with lots of slow-burn tension may have a better experience than I did.

[Ayushi Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books quietly steal your heart, and this was one of them. 💛

From the very first chapter, I found myself completely invested in Theo and Nora's story. Their connection isn't built on instant attraction or dramatic declarations—it's the kind of romance that grows slowly, layer by layer, until you're rooting for them with your whole heart.

Theo is doing his best to navigate life as a single father after unimaginable loss, and watching him balance grief, fatherhood, and the possibility of opening his heart again felt incredibly authentic. Nora brought such warmth and light to every scene. Her bond with Charlotte was absolutely precious, and some of my favorite moments were simply the three of them together, creating something that felt like home.

The slow-burn romance was done so well. Every glance, every conversation, every little moment carried meaning, making the payoff feel even sweeter. I especially appreciated how the story handled healing and moving forward. It never rushed the process, allowing both characters the space to grow while learning to trust love again.

The small-town setting added an extra layer of charm, and the fake dating element created just the right amount of tension without overshadowing the emotional depth of the story.

If you love:
✨ Single dad romance
✨ Best friend's brother
✨ Fake dating
✨ Nanny romance
✨ Slow burn tension
✨ Small-town charm
✨ Found family vibes
✨ Widower hero

then this book deserves a spot on your TBR.

Heartwarming, emotional, and filled with hope, this story reminded me why I love romance in the first place. Judy Corry delivers a beautiful journey of healing, family, and second chances that left me smiling long after I turned the final page. 💕

Thank you to the author (Judy Corry), publisher (Cherry Blossom Romance) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Anna Serfass · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC Review***

Thank you partners, @bookedwiththeemilys @authorjudycorry for this #gifted arc.

What You’ll Find:
💜Single Dad x Nanny
❤️‍🩹Best Friend’s Brother
💜Forbidden Romance
❤️‍🩹Age Gap
💜Live-In Nanny / Forced Proximity
❤️‍🩹Slow Burn
💜Widower Hero
❤️‍🩹Found Family
💜She falls first, he falls harder
❤️‍🩹Healing & Second Chances


Synopsis: 
Working as the nanny for her best friend’s brother was supposed to be simple.

Until the single dad she can’t have starts looking at her like she’s everything he wants.
Nora Miller knows that her best friend’s brother is completely out of her league. He’s older, extremely successful, and still carrying the quiet heartbreak of losing his wife two years ago. 

But when Theo’s nanny suddenly quits and he asks Nora to fill in, she can’t turn him down.
As long as no one discovers her hopeless crush on her new boss, everything should be fine.

Theo Archibald is doing his best to rebuild his life after loss, but no matter how many dates he goes on, nothing ever feels right—something, he tells himself, that has nothing to do with his daughter’s new nanny.

But with Nora filling his home with warmth and laughter, it’s getting harder to pretend he doesn’t notice her. And somewhere between the stolen glances and late-night talks, the lines begin to blur, and he realizes he’s thinking about her in ways he shouldn’t.

She’s younger. 
His sister’s best friend. 
His employee.

But when she’s in his arms and the ache in his chest finally quiets, it’s hard to care about the rules he swore he wouldn’t break.

And when the woman who’s become his daughter’s favorite person starts to feel like the home he never thought he’d find again, he has to decide if a second chance at love is worth the risk… or if some lines should never be crossed.

I really enjoyed this book. This is the first book I have read by Judy Corry and won’t be the last! This is also the fourth book in the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars.

[Holli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s perfect timing when Theo runs into his sister’s best friend at a children’s birthday party. His nanny just quit with zero days notice, and Nora must be great with kids since she’s working as Belle at the party. Plus, his little Charlotte already loves her.

Nora is discouraged after the gymnastic camp she was meant to teach at doesn't need her, so she's working as a princess at little girl birthday parties. When her best friend's older brother asks if she can nanny for a week, Nora agrees. The money's great, the kid is cute, and the dad is hot. Oh, and let's not forget that Nora's had a crush on him for about a year. Plus, it's just one week, right? Hahaha, oh Nora...

Stay Here With Me is a closed-door, slooooow burn romance. It's the 4th book in the Kings of Eden Falls series. This is my first Judy Corry book, so don't be afraid to jump in if you haven't read any of the rest of the books. I probably missed some nuances with the other couples, but it didn't take away from my reading experience.

I don't normally read closed-door romance. Not because I don't like them, I just tend to read spicier books, but I'm glad I took a chance on this one. It took a while for our couple to work through some of their own stuff and get together, but I liked watching them navigate their relationship as their feelings for each other grew. Charlotte was cute, and I like how Corry was able to weave her in, make her important, but give Theo and Nora their time to "bond" as well.

I do feel like there are some things about Nora's past that get glossed over--a traumatic event, specifically. I just felt like Nora shared this thing that was kind of huge, and then was like, I'm fine, and everyone moved on. I would have liked a bit more of her acknowledging that life has thrown her some frustrating curveballs, but I think her "stuff" takes a back burner to Theo's.

Overall, this was a solid 3.5-4 star for me. It was cute and fun, and I was engrossed in Theo and Nora's love story.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't always considered myself a fan of forbidden romance... but then I was introduced to Judy Corry's books (and the Kings of Eden Falls series particularly), and now... well, if she writes it, I'm going to read it (and love it). Every. Single. Time. This age gap, nanny/single dad romance between Nora and Theo was certainly no exception! Oh these two, I loved them so much! Their chemistry was flying off the pages and the tension, my goodness! And those kisses! Listen, the kisses might get a little more heated than some closed-door readers prefer, but personally, I think this is another area that Judy has mastered- bringing just the right amount of heat and passion while still keeping that door closed. But it was definitely the emotions that made me truly love this story. I loved seeing Theo getting his second chance at love after losing his wife... there was such a sense of healing there. Simply put, I absolutely adored this one... and that ending? Well, I certainly cannot wait to see the next book in the series!!

Stay Here With Me is a closed-door romance with no language. While there is nothing beyond kisses on the page, again, those kisses do get rather heated (wandering hands, shirt coming off, etc.) and there is mention of sleeping in the same bed that could imply more happened, without actually saying one way or another. Either way, those kisses alone definitely make this one more PG-13. There is also an optional steamy/open door bonus scene that readers can choose to download if they choose. This is book four in the Kings of Eden Falls series, but I do think it could be enjoyed as a standalone as well.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth Voth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The job was simple, stand in as the nanny for her best friends adorable 3 year old niece for the next week. As a new college grad, she needed the money and something to hold her over until work in her field opened up, after all, one can only do so many princess birthday parties to try and make rent.

But Nora knows it can’t possibly be that simple, because the father of that adorable 3 year old is her best friends older brother, Theo Archibald, the impossibly handsome lawyer she has had a crush on for years.

Two years after the loss of his wife in a car accident, Theo is navigating the world as a single father and lawyer, prioritizing his daughter Charlotte as best he knows. But when his nanny up and quits with no notice, Theo needs a solution, fast. Enter, Nora.

Tropes:
- Best friends older brother
- Age Gap romance
- Single dad (a widower)
- Forced proximity (at home, on vacation and on a boat)
- Fake dating (that doesn’t stay fake for long)
- Found family
- He saves her. Literally.

This was my first Judy Corry read and first introduction to the Kings of Eden Falls series. Judy provides enough background detail throughout the book to understand each character if like me you are new to this series. Looking forward to going back to the beginning and meeting these characters from the start.

STAY HERE WITH ME is a slow-burn, single dad romance about second chances, found family, and falling for the one person you were never supposed to want.

Thank you, Booked with The Emilys for all the work you do behind the scenes to bring books to our worlds and for Judy Corry for the chance to meet Theo, Nora and Charlotte early with this arc.

[rosesreadsromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩷 I knew it had never been about waiting for some magical day where I'd wake up "fixed." It was about finding the right person to make moving forward feel possible. 💙

"Having a place to go is a home.
Having someone to love is a family.
Having both is a blessing." — Donna Hedges 🤍


This book is a beautiful reminder that even after losing someone you love, your story isn't over ❤️ It shows that opening your heart again is possible and that happiness can find you when you least expect it 😍

Theo is a handsome, intelligent lawyer and a devoted single dad who would do absolutely anything for his daughter, Charlotte. She is his whole world, and their relationship completely stole my heart 🥹 Their bond is so sweet, full of love, trust, and adorable moments. It's impossible not to smile while reading about them 🥰

Then there's Nora — a kind, beautiful former gymnast who becomes Charlotte's nanny. From the very beginning, Nora and Charlotte share such a natural connection 🫶🏻 Their friendship feels effortless, and I loved watching their relationship grow 💖

What I enjoyed most was the romance between Theo and Nora 😍 It develops slowly, starting with friendship and growing into something deeper. The slow-burn romance felt believable and heartwarming ❤️‍🔥

That said, there were a few moments when the story felt a little slow, and I would have liked the pacing to be a bit quicker. Even so, I really enjoyed this heartwarming romance 💜

If you love these tropes:
👨‍👧 Single dad
💖 Nanny
💙 Best friend's brother
✨ Age gap
🐢 Slow burn
🤍 Clean/closed-door romance

...this book is definitely worth checking out! 📚✨🩷


📖 Stay Here With Me by Judy Corry (ARC) 🩷💙

[Sophie Toovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stay Here With Me has a genuinely strong setup: Nora stepping in as an emergency nanny when Theo suddenly loses childcare for his daughter Charlotte. The emotional groundwork is excellent. Theo’s grief for his late wife is tenderly, convincingly drawn, and the early chapters give the story a grounded, heartfelt centre. I loved the slow burn — there’s a lot of longing, a lot of careful emotional pacing, and for about 75% of the book it feels like a gentle, steady clean romance with a cosy tone.

The final section, however, surprised me. I expected a bigger emotional confrontation with Theo’s late wife’s parents, especially given how much tension had been built around them. That thread never really materialised, and instead the steam level suddenly accelerated. Although the book is technically closed‑door, the detail in those scenes felt noticeably stronger than the tone established earlier. For me, the pacing jarred — the shift from slow burn to heightened intimacy was abrupt, and I found myself wondering where the “pinch” or emotional pressure had gone.

As for the intimacy itself, I don’t personally find it ambiguous. An unmarried couple kissing in bed, losing items of clothing, followed later by a reference to being in the bedroom with the door locked — that’s not vague. Some reviewers describe it as open to interpretation, but I didn’t feel that at all.

The ending is undeniably sweet, and the characters are easy to root for, but the tonal shift in the final quarter left me a little unsettled. A lovely premise, strong emotional foundations, and a heartfelt slow burn — but the pacing and the sudden change in steam level kept it from fully landing for me.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you partner, Booked with the Emilys, and the author, Judy Corry, for a gifted e-arc. All opinions are my own!

Short Synopsis:
Theo finds himself in a bind when his daughter’s nanny quits without notice. With all of his regular sitter’s unavailable, his sister recommends her friend Nora, who’s working odd jobs to get more money while she’s searching for a more permanent career. Being Theo’s temporary nanny should have been simple, but when it gets harder to hide her long time crush, she’s worried it could complicate her friendships with Theo and his sister. Worse yet, it could make her lose her job, and her quickly formed bond with Theo’s daughter. Will unexpected circumstances change things for the better or will Nora find herself moving on?

My Thoughts:
I’m in my Single Dad book trope era and this book fit exactly what I was looking for from a Single Dad romance! I loved the way the author wove together light-hearted moments with the depth and character development needed to fully connect with the story. Despite his circumstances and working through his own grief, Theo was charming, cautious and so incredibly dreamy (especially while taking care of Nora). I loved how Nora was able to bring Theo and his daughter closer, and help them move forward after grief. This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last!

Read this if you like:
💕 Single Dad x Nanny
💕 Best Friend’s Brother
💕 Forbidden Romance
💕 Age Gap
💕 Live-In Nanny / Forced Proximity
💕 Slow Burn
💕 Widower Hero
💕 Found Family
💕 She falls first, he falls harder
💕 Healing & Second Chances

[Madison Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
Single-Dad👧🏽
Slow-Burn🔥
Small-town🏘️
Found Family🧑‍🧑‍🧒
Fake Dating🤪
Best friends brother🫣
Each other’s (wing people)😂

The other people kind of through me for a loop at first and I didn't know if I was going to like it, but it was surprisingly good. As you can see I devoured this book as soon as I got it there was no stopping. lol.

This is the first book I’ve read by Judy Corry and let’s just say I’ll definitely be reading more from her. The cover and title are what first caught my attention, but it was the description that captured me. I literally tried to read another book, but I just couldn’t stop thinking about these characters and how the story would go.

This was a story about love after loss and, of course, it's messy, and you know people's feelings are maybe going to get hurt, but it was also a story about a father doing everything he can to make sure his child still has everything she needs and wants, plus taking her feelings into account as well, so I thought their romance was brilliantly done.

I especially love that it was a slow burn. There was no jumping into something that he wasn't ready for yet. She makes you feel their connection and actually builds up on the tension until you feel it about to snap and it is such a beautiful thing. I loved all three of them together. They were such a cute little family. And I felt like it was refreshingly new in a story about a single dad and a nanny trope.

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to review this book! 📕 🩷

[SH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora Miller has always had a soft spot for her best friend's older brother, Theo Archibald, but she has long accepted that he is out of her league. When Theo suddenly needs a new nanny for his young daughter, Nora steps into the role, determined to keep her long-held feelings firmly under control. As the weeks pass, however, the growing bond between Nora, Theo, and his daughter makes it increasingly difficult for either of them to ignore what is developing between them.
I really enjoyed the emotional depth of this story. Theo's grief was handled with sensitivity, and his journey towards opening his heart again felt believable rather than rushed. Nora was a kind, compassionate heroine who brought warmth and light back into Theo's home without losing sight of her own hopes and dreams. Their relationship developed naturally, with plenty of quiet moments that made their growing feelings feel genuine.
One of my favourite aspects of the novel was the family dynamic. Theo's relationship with his daughter was beautifully portrayed, and Nora's connection with the little girl added an extra layer of sweetness to the story. The age gap, employer-employee relationship, and best friend's brother trope all worked well together, creating enough tension to keep the romance engaging without feeling overly dramatic. While the pacing slowed slightly in the middle, the emotional payoff made it worthwhile. A touching story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Katie Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(4.5)

When Nora’s post-college gymnastics career comes to a sudden end, it’s the perfect time for her to assist her best friend’s brother with his daughter Charlotte’s childcare. It’s also the perfect time for the widower to begin dating more seriously again. But why is the only connection that seems to spark with his much younger sister’s best friend, who just so happens to be his newly employed nanny?

I ate this up. This is the perfect balance of meaningful characters and frivolous romance- exactly what we want !!! Full of the best tropes, I was living for every second of hot single dad lawyer Theo and his yearning for his eight(!!)-year-younger sister’s best friend Nora who he has no clue has had a crush on him for years. It’s the best tropiness- I can’t even tell you the rest because it’ll give away some super fun chemistry moments

All you really need to know is-

It’s part of a series but I didn’t read the others and easily was bought into the story

It’s closed-door + all clean language but has the best HIGH romantic tension

Super easy to binge but there’s 400+ pages to swoon through

Did I mention he’s a tall handsome lawyer and they work out together in the morning in his home gym?

k bye- off to read another steamy romance from Judy, xo

Thank you so much @bookedwiththeemilys for the ARC!

Perfect for you if you like:
Tropes- like you love the cheesiness and chemistry they bring
Single dad + forbidden romance
Hallmark vibes + steam

Similar:
Gracie Harris is Under Construction by Kate Hash
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams (open door)
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage (open door)

🌶️closed door romance (steamy kisses, innuendo)
⚠️widower, house fire, previous child abuse

[Sneha Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Stay Here With Me* is such a heartwarming story about healing, second chances, and finding love when you least expect it.
I really enjoyed how Judy Corry explored the idea that life doesn't end after heartbreak. Theo's journey was beautifully written. After losing his wife in a tragic accident, he's understandably hesitant to open his heart again—not just because of his own grief, but because every decision he makes now affects his daughter. I loved that his priority was always making sure that anyone who entered his life would also genuinely love and care for his little girl. As a father, Theo was an easy **10/10**.
Nora was equally lovable. She was kind, patient, and full of warmth. Watching her bond with Theo's daughter was one of my favorite parts of the book. She never tried to replace anyone; she simply became a source of comfort and happiness, and that made their found-family dynamic feel incredibly genuine.
The romance was exactly what I enjoy in a slow-burn. It wasn't overly dramatic or filled with unnecessary angst. Instead, it developed naturally through quiet moments, stolen glances, late-night conversations, and growing trust. The chemistry felt believable, and I appreciated that the romance never overshadowed the emotional healing at the heart of the story.
If you're looking for a feel-good romance with a lovable single dad, an adorable child, a sweet nanny, and a beautiful second-chance love story, *Stay Here With Me* is definitely worth picking up. It's warm, comforting, and leaves you with a smile by the end.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora & Theo's story is mesmerizing.... 100% addicting and I stayed up way too late finishing it....

The slow burn tension is just.... the best... it makes you feel all the feels.... the longing and yearning they feel... you feel also...

I really loved the book... I love the characters (all of them) so much... and little Charlotte is a sweetheart (she's Theo's 3 year old daughter). I love their interactions, their conversations... their outings.... and even how his wealthy in laws accepted her.... (it was a process...but I appreciated their openness). It was a bit emotional... seeing some grief as he's packing up his dead wife's clothing... but it was a sweet moment that Nora was able to walk alongside him & be a helper/comfort...

I didn't realize that this book is part of a series (it's book 4 in the Kings of Eden Falls series, as interconnected standalones)... I could only tell when it felt like I missed some backstory in some of the characters... but it still was easy enough to follow along.... I do really look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, though!!

Told in a dual 1st person POV.

Spice: 2/5 : fade to black

*he's a single dad
*he's a lawyer
*she's the nanny
*she's a gymnast
*he's her best friend's brother
*he's a widower
*fake dating
*slow burn
*small town
*forced proximity

Thank you to the author (Judy Corry), publisher (Cherry Blossom Romance) & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute!

I flew through it. It's very readable, the pages move quickly, and I finished it in no time.

As a toddler mom, I have to say the author absolutely naaaaailed a lot of the toddler stuff. Everything with Charlotte felt very authentic to me, and I loved that.

That said, this one never fully clicked for me.

I think a lot of it came down to the writing style. The book uses a lot of short, fragmented sentences for emphasis and, unfortunately, that's just a style that really doesn't work for me. After a while, it started to feel repetitive. Once I learned the author also writes YA, the voice made a lot more sense to me.

I also wanted a little more from the romance itself. Theo and Nora were both perfectly likable, but I never found myself fully invested in them as a couple. There were plenty of moments meant to bring them together, but I never personally got that feeling where I was desperate for them to finally get together.

Tbh, by the end, I was more interested in some of the side characters than the main romance. (Miles and Alessi!!)

Overall, this wasn't a bad read at all! It was just one of those books that wasn't quite for me. If you're looking for a sweet, cozy romance with a lower spice feel, I have a feeling this one is going to be a hit with the right audience.

Thank you to Netgalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Judy Corry for the eArc!

[Samantha Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an ARC Review of Stay Here With Me by Judy Corry. Stay Here With Me was released on July 7, 2026.

Thanks to Booked with the Emilys and Judy Corry for the gifted copy of this book. It is always a privilege to be an ARC reader.

Things I loved:
- Theo getting his moment…After being the second choice in a different book, it was good to see Theo find his person.
- Charlotte…Maybe it’s because I have a rambunctious little girl of my own, but I adored Charlotte.
- Gymnastics…My favorite Olympic sport to watch is probably gymnastics. I’d love more about Nora’s gymnastics career.
- Theo’s house…I would love to know what it’s like to live in a house like Theo’s. The idea of cleaning it all stresses me out. I guess that’s why he hired Jessie.

Things I liked:
- Best friend’s brother…It was more subtle than some stories, but it was there.
- Hot air balloon…I really would like to go on a hot air balloon now. The views sounded spectacular.

Things I disliked:
- Becca drama…I’m trying to avoid spoilers, but I’ll explain a bit. The grandparent situation made sense. I’ve had students in similar situations. However, the events leading to the falling out when Nora was 13, felt a little far fetched.
- Miles pining…the girl Miles is pining after makes me a little uncomfortable.
- lots of tropes…Don’t get me wrong, I love every trope that was included in this book…just not all for one story.