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Stay For Me: A Love Series Spin-Off

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A Love Series Spin-Off

Eli Sabatino, determined to make a name for himself amid Seaside, New Jersey’s nightlife, has laid out the perfect plan for success. But that plan didn’t include Layla, the hopeful bartender who walked in for an interview. He knows, as an employee, this blonde bombshell is off-limits but he can’t fight the undeniable force of attraction that pulls him toward her.

Layla Del Luca has the weight of the world on her shoulders. With a full course load, a boyfriend, a sister to take care of, and an alcoholic mother, she needs to regain control of her life. Her job at Fierce is priority number one. But a complication she didn’t expect looms behind the eyes of Eli, her handsome new boss.

Emotions collide full force and they can no longer turn a blind eye to what their hearts are telling them.

But, can their passion survive when Eli can no longer promise the one thing Layla asks of him? Will everything change? Will he stay?

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2015

142 people are currently reading
830 people want to read

About the author

Megan Smith

17 books2,117 followers
Megan Smith is a USA TODAY Bestselling author who’s a stay-at-home mom and writes whenever her little heart can. She lives in Southern New Jersey with her husband and three children. When she’s not chasing around her children she loves watching movies, reading, spending time with her family and watching beautiful sunsets.

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5 stars
512 (42%)
4 stars
346 (28%)
3 stars
206 (17%)
2 stars
75 (6%)
1 star
58 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
Profile Image for Tricia Facto.
2 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2015
Heartbroken and Disappointed

Let me start by saying I gave this book 3 stars because the writing is excellent, the story is original and the characters are amazing. That being said.... I HATE THIS BOOK! I have read all Megan Smith's books and I have loved them all up until now! When I read a book I'm not really concerned w/ proper grammar and small editing mistakes, I see right past that, I don't even necessarily need originality. I just need to be entertained. Sweet love story, hot and sexy, doesn't really matter, but I require a happily ever after! If I wanted to be gutted I'd read Nicholas Sparks( and I don't). I read this genre of books to escape into the characters for a little while, to laugh and shake my head and sometimes even cry, but not like this! If you are even remotely like me.... DO NOT READ this book. There is NO HEA! It will leave you devastated and speechless. I tell you this because I wish someone would have told me. This will ruin my week. I will actually be thinking about this for days, I know I will, and not in a good way. I'm writing this review and I still can not believe what I just read.
To be fair the character development was really good, you really became invested in them, which makes the outcome that much worse in my opnion. I have been eagerly anticipating the conclusion of Cooper nod Jayelynn's story from the Until Series; which this book was a spinoff of, but truthfully... I don't know if I will read it now because if I'm not gonna get and HEA ending... Then I don't wanna waste my time and aggravate myself.
12 reviews
August 4, 2015
SPOILER: Beware - this book isn't what you think. This book was supposed to be a happily ever after. Instead the heroine dies - for no reason!!!! Don't write a love story for 99.9% of the book and then kill off a main character in the last .1%. Seriously? I have no idea how the author can market this book as a love story. I really have no idea how others are rating it so highly. I get death is a part of life but people aren't reading romance new adult novels to have real life thrown in their face. They're reading them to escape real life and fall in love with characters in a book. Very disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rejane.
1,366 reviews62 followers
no-way-jose
May 23, 2017
No HEA. I think this is the author's idea of a (bad) joke? Like: April's fool- you're a getting a romantic book then , SURPRISES: nope, you're NOT. LMAO
Profile Image for Brooke.
196 reviews10 followers
August 19, 2016
This would have been a four star review until the end of the book. I mean really?
5 reviews
March 25, 2015
I loved all the books in loves series and couldn't wait to read Eli and Layla's story... And up until 85% I was glad it was another good read, but the ending wasn't for me what a waste of a great book I felt it was the worst that could happen after all Layla had been through to have it end that way. I'm gutted
Profile Image for J.R. Grant.
Author 7 books159 followers
March 31, 2015
Megan Smith surely knows how to tug at your heart. WOW! Stay With Me was such a good story, I devoured it in one day. I wasn't sure if I wanted to scream, cry or yell, considering I finished reading at 3am and my husband would have thought I was crazy, however I did a little of all three, quietly, with my pillow over my face. That's how emotionally charged I was after reading this book.

Just like the MacKenzie guys, Eli Sabatino was HOTTTTT and he definitely did not disappoint. His character was almost perfect with his flaws. I fell deeply in love with him =)

My heart truly went out to Layla and her POS exboyfriend needed a good swift punch in the junk. However when her and Eli first got together, I knew their connection would be strong. Eli's personality fit perfectly for Layla. I was so glad when she dove right in, needing more of Eli.

Meeting at a hard time in Layla's life, Eli walks into the picture and has a strong pull to help her in life. Of course, being the strong girl that she was, Layla tried as much as she could to fight the urge of Eli off, but it didn't last very long.

The story was almost perfect, BUT.... Just like Megan Smith's style, she messes with us at the very end. I hate spoilers and won't give them away, however the only warning I have is to grab your tissues the last half of the book. You'll definitely need them, I promise.

Great job Megan. I can't wait to ready more of your work!
Profile Image for ♡Tonya♡.
2,062 reviews568 followers
not-happening
August 25, 2016
If you've read The Love series, you know what happens. Not my idea of a romance story. Not happening for me!
Profile Image for Lydia's Bookshelf.
1,020 reviews188 followers
August 21, 2018
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

I am at a LOSS FOR WORDS right now...and I can't even tell you WHY because that would be the BIGGEST spoiler EVER.

Oh.
My.
Gosh.

What did I just finish listening to? My jaw has quite literally hit the floor, so I guess I should start by picking that up...

I am legitimately at a loss for words, so this review is proving to be quite the challenge to write. Hmm...let me see...

I don't think I had ever listened to a book narrated by Chris Ruen nor Savannah Peachwood (that I remember) but I really did enjoy their work! Chris Ruen definitely made Eli sound sexy AF. So yes, FIVE STARS to the narration of the book, hands-down.

As for the story...holy hell. Where can I even begin?

Eli and Layla's story is one that will forever stay in my heart.

From a crappy mom (to say the least) to an abusive ex-boyfriend to a lifestyle that kept knocking her down more times than not, Layla did NOT have anything easy. Enter Eli. He was her second chance at a LIFE, and not just a good one, but a normal one. She deserved a break and Lord knows her little sister did too. Fallon had to be THE CUTEST little girl ever, by the way. Books with little kids are always a plus for me because they add a special kind of humor to the storyline that really always makes me smile.

Now, here's the thing. I'm an over-thinker. As I read, my mind is always going a mile a minute, coming up with different theories and scenarios of what might be happening next in the book. Well, let me tell you that Megan Smith is the first author to completely surprise me with one hell of a curveball I did not even THINK about...AT ALL. That scenario didn't even begin to get close to crossing my mind. I mean, I knew something would happen, but THAT? Oh, hell to the NO.

Anyhoo, Eli is 100% swoon-worthy and a book boyfriend you need to meet. Now, STAY FOR ME is a spin-off of the Love Series and I have NOT read nor listened to any of the books within that series. Suffice it to say, I will be going back and checking them out. I got a glimpse of the characters within that series and I love them already, so yeah. I am going back. And NO, nothing is spoiled for me by reading this completely out of order.

FIVE STARS to STAY FOR ME.

Profile Image for Nancy❤The❤Bookaholic.
1,179 reviews142 followers
May 22, 2015
description
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~~3.5 HEARTS~~

Stay For Me is a spin-off of The Love Series. Though it states this can be read as a standalone, I do recommend that you read the Love Series before you read this book because there are other characters in this book that plays an important role and knowing their past helps. I'm glad Eli got his own book. Layla and Eli makes a good couple. Eli Sabatino is Cooper Cahill's friend and business partner at their bar, Fierce. He knows that Layla is off-limits because 1) she has a boyfriend and 2) he's her boss...but he can't fight the attraction they have for each other. Emotions collide full force and they can no longer turn a blind eye to what their hearts are telling them.

Layla Del Luca has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Trying to finish college, taking care of her little sister, Fallon, dealing with an absent alcoholic mother and a possessive, abusive boyfriend is just a part of her crazy life.

I'm glad Eli and Layla finally became a couple. And just when Layla feels like everything is looking up for her, Brian (the ex) comes back into the picture to wreck havoc. I was really enjoying the book and then that damn ending screwed me up big time. Brace yourself when you get to the ending. It's either going to piss you off or make you cry. Me, I cried my eyes out!!!

description

Profile Image for Brandi Condon.
13 reviews
May 29, 2015
This book was such a good read. I read it straight through from beginning to end. I was so looking forward to the return of Brian. It did not disappoint. However, the last couple of chapters left me heartbroken! I cried so hard for Layla. I wish that instead of her dying that when she was in the hospital Eli just whispered to her please stay for me, like she did when she wanted him to spend the night in her room. Having Layla died put an awful turn on this book it left me heartbroken for Eli who is not even a fictional. Layla's heart was revived twice but she did not write for it to revive the third time. This book was very well written but the ending is just sad. I fell in love with their love story and I feel like I lost something special because the happy ever after was stolen from me. I understand every story doesn't have a happy ending but this ending was just sad and left me heartbroken.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for CDBW.
1,617 reviews81 followers
March 21, 2015
5 Crazy Ass Ugly Cry Stars!!!!!

I've just instituted a new rating. Yup, Megan Smith made me ugly cry so it's only fitting she gets a "special" rating. My sister called me up yesterday and asked if I had gotten the ARC for Stay For Me and if so, I needed to read it right away because she'd already finished and wanted to talk about it. I complied and enjoyed it until I started crying. Once that happened, I loved it because it meant that I connected with characters and got wrapped up into the story. It's so not how expected things to turn out. I've got to walk away right now because I just started crying all over again. But before I do, this is a Crazy Ass Must Read!
Profile Image for Dimka.
55 reviews34 followers
Read
March 22, 2015
How could you?? I'm so mad right now... I did not like the end. I cried a lot. This story won't leave my mind.. Now I will be afraid to read your other books. I couldn't handle the end.. I'm devastated... I won't be reading for a while
Profile Image for Laters.
384 reviews
March 17, 2015
I loved this book until the end! I can't stop crying! I hope there will be more for Eli!
Profile Image for Amie Morgado- We Stole Your Book Boyfriend.
1,664 reviews82 followers
April 3, 2015
I devoured this book in a matter of hours no lie !! Just as I did every other Megan Smith book I have read !! Which I believe would be all of them !!!!!!!!!! Then of course I bawled my eyes out like a snotty little toddler throwing a temper tantrum from about 85% on !! This is also not new to me when it comes to Megan Smith , she does enjoy torturing in some of her books. This is why I read , I love being tortured and teased and kicked in the gut , not in real life just in my wonderful book life. I was destroyed and wasn't sure I could even start another book but after a few hours of sleep here I am writing my review and moving on. I won't forget , but I also am feeling more at peace with the ending. I am looking forward to more from the original gang , I mean Cooper must have had some serious struggles with this and I of course want more of everyone I feel they all have more to tell !!

If you have read Megan's other books you will already know all the characters , even Eli and Layla , and you will have already seen some of this play out through Cooper and Jay's POV. I love multiple POV's , love being in everyone's head !! This book is mainly about Eli and Layla but you do get quite a bit of Cooper and Jay since they are each others besties and they lend some POV as well. Eli's story is pretty straight forward. He is everyones savior and protector. He protects and runs the club while Cooper is away for baseball , he watches over Jay and Cooper's house as well. He protects his sister from her dumb exes and spoils his niece rotten. He wants to take care of and protect Layla as well. He very rarely has a selfish moment. Until he is frustrated and drunk. He is an amazing guy and I loved every piece of him that we got. I mean I hate bar flies but no doubt he was hot and I enjoyed envisioning the cover model as Eli in action !! He is intense in everything he does. The pull he feels towards Layla is scary intense and full of passion. You know when he gets what he wants it will be EPIC !! Eli deserves some happiness for himself. Layla is living a nightmare. Her mother comes and goes as she pleases leaving Layla to care for her little sister and take care of bills to their crappy apartment. Layla relies on her abusive boyfriend for just about everything and he willingly gives and expects too much in return. Thankfully by the time we get to Layla she has had enough and we see her strength building. Sadly she doesn't tell anyone anything about her life not even those who think they are her best friends. After a few too many events that strike Eli and Jay as weird they finally get to the bottom of Layla's secrets and the desire they have to help is amazing. Once life starts to turn around for Layla and her little sister Fallon we also see the even more amazing side of Eli !! I swear their relationship is beautiful and heartfelt and so full of love and emotion before they even make it official. All the while you are on the edge of your seat just waiting for Brain , the abuse now ex ?? I mean between him and the mom it really is a roller coaster of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Well it drops and it drops hard and heavy. I think I went through a whole box of tissues. It will gut you , maybe ?? Maybe not ?? I mean I expect some drama and heartache from a Megan Smith story but this was a whole new level of it. HOLY WOW. The ending , the 6 months later , the letter , OMG as if I wasn't already destroyed. So am I being vague , probably , but you know what just go read it !!
Profile Image for Jill M (Embrace the Romance).
1,560 reviews123 followers
March 22, 2015
Wow. I don't know what to say. Going into this book I didn't have any clue where the story would go. I was totally blown off guard which is how it should be when reading a book. Expect the unexpected.

I loved the characters and the way they grew together. Eli and Layla were perfect together. They completed each other and made the other one better. Their story felt real. It wasn't rushed. The chemistry was hot. Their lives were intertwined together. They were in love and starting their lives.

My heart aches and I'm sad. But that's life. I ugly cried. I haven't had a book do that to me in a long time. Any book that pulls emotions from you makes it a good book. I loved this story and would recommend this book.
Profile Image for Lisa Callen.
101 reviews
March 20, 2015
Omg I am so heartbroken. I loved the story until the last chapter or so. Their is defo an ugly cry ending. I wish they had a happily ever after as they were such a great couple and they defiantly would have deserved it!!!
Profile Image for Tiny.
16 reviews
March 20, 2015
This book shows that life should never be taken for granted!
Profile Image for Romance.
367 reviews17 followers
March 25, 2015
GOODNESS!!!!
I AM STILL FEELING THIS BOOK!!!!!

Megan Smith is a freaking genius!!! A genius that made me cry and I freaking loved every moment of it!

Eli and Layla are a couple that really tries to fight the connection they have. She fights it because he is her boss and she has a boyfriend.He fights his feelings because he's not the guy that takes another man's girl. Layla has some serious trust issues and has so many secrets that she doesn't let anyone in. Heck, people don't even know where she lives! She is in a horrible relationship, one that she is literally trapped in. Her number one goal is to work and make enough money to make rent and put food on the table for herself and her little sister.

Eli, loves spending time with Layla at work, he takes her home after work and takes her to dinner a few times. The more he sees her the more he can't hide his feelings. He eventually discovers Layla's secret but is so heartbroken when her pride pushes him away. Eventually, Layla has no choice but to seek help and all roads lead to Eli. This decision opens up so many opportunities for Layla and her little sister. As time goes by the feelings they have been fighting win and they eventually give in.

Will Layla's secret past come back to haunt her? Will she finally get the happiness she deserves?

Must read!!
Profile Image for Letty  (Cover to Cover Book Blog Reviewer).
650 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2015
This is the first book I read by this author and I have to say that I am pleased with the writing. The style has an easy flow and the characters are amazing. The story grabs you and sucks you in as you become invested in the characters’ lives.

That being said, I have to warn you that the ending is not what I expected. I have to admit that I am a little disappointed, because it definitely is not what I wished for the characters.

Eli and Layla come together while she has a boyfriend. Circumstances and her own insecurities keep her from leaving him, even though she doesn’t want to be with him anymore and she begins to feel afraid when he’s around. The attraction between Eli and Layla is strong and I questioned whether or not they would be together. I really wish I could’ve seen more of them.

I loved the character development and the storyline and feel that I will definitely read more from this author.
Profile Image for Heather.
104 reviews
April 2, 2015

I honestly never expected the roller coaster ride that I went on with this book. I got that though in a good way. I felt for Layla and her wanting to protect her baby sister Fallon, she also felt embarrased to tell any of her friends where she lived so she always hid it and waited until they drove away before walking home. Only one person, well besides her mom that lived with her, really knew where she lived and it was not a good situation. He was just as abusive. It took a lot for Layla to reach out to her friends to even ask for help getting out of the situation she was in after her mom stole all of her money that she had saved to move out. With her mom gone to who knows where ............. and no money Layla had to do something in order to feed her sister, she needed a break and despite her pushing everyone away ....she had to reach out to them....... I will be honest ...I didn't expect how this ended but Layla was strong throughout.
Profile Image for Lauren.
22 reviews2 followers
March 18, 2015
Holy cow!!
I think I'm at a loss for words. His book was just as good if not even better then the ones before. I loved Eli from the past and I adored Eli and Layla's relationship. I couldn't have predicted the end even if I wanted to. I cried so much reading this book my husband looked at me like I had 2 heads. He just didn't understand. Fallon (Layla's sister) was adorable. I got so caught up and lost in the whole story. This book is definitely worth it but you'll have to read the WHOLE Love series to get a good feel for everything. I loved Jay and Cooper coming into this story and how Jay helps Layla with their friendship. I can't wait for the next book. love Megan Smith. One of my ALL time fav authors. Absolutely amazeballs Megan!!! <3
Profile Image for Night Runner.
1,544 reviews36 followers
May 29, 2021
4.5 Stars until the last 31 minutes of the story (5 chapters before the end).

0 Stars based on the spoilers and reviews.


****
Romance Authors: If the story does not have an HEA/HFN ending or ends with a cliffhanger, please highlight that at the top of the book description.
****

I started reading this story and at the halfway mark, I had the feeling that I needed to read the Goodread Reviews and I am happy that I did. Tragic endings are not my cup of tea! When I got to the 31 minute mark and the story took a horrific turn, I stopped reading the story.

Up until the parking garage incident, this was one of the best stories I've read in the past couple of months but I don't want to read a romance that has a tragic end. We have enough of that in the real world!
Profile Image for Michelle Quintana.
1,854 reviews7 followers
June 17, 2015
Holy cow. I was not expecting the ending to this book. This can't be how Layla's and Eli's story ends. It was a nice love story that started out as mutual attraction between the two but nothing was done because of things happening in Layla's life. She had the jersey boyfriend Brian and a deadbeat mother to do deal with. After finally swallowing her pride, Layla reaches out for help for her and her sister. Layla and Eli start building a relationship but took it slowly, which I liked. Just when things finally start looking up for Layla, bunch of stuff happens, which causes an ending that left me speechless. I hope there is more because their story can't be over.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,512 reviews86 followers
April 11, 2015
ARC received for review

WHAT?!?!?!? Great writing. Very nice love story with a nasty, soon to be ex. But the ending...no, no, no, no. I need a new ending. Now! Yes, I cried but with that ending no way am I giving it 5 stars, not even 4.
Profile Image for Shelli.
137 reviews4 followers
April 10, 2015
This story captured my heart.
One person who has struggled her whole life and still has so much love to give. Then she met the one person who capture your heart and change her world.
Profile Image for Tracy.
93 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2015
Oh how I cried! I'm such a big baby!
Profile Image for Cyndi.
2,450 reviews124 followers
August 24, 2021
Nope. Ok I finished this book and a box of tissues. There are sooo many triggers that I hardly know where to start. So first of all. He is the boss and she is young, damaged, and his new hire. She’s in college, BTW. Not a lot younger, but the power dynamics is off.
Next, he professes to be in to her but takes the ‘bar bunnies’ back for a quickie while he waits for her to come around.
Then her mom steals the rent money and the girl’s abusive boyfriend knocks her around. He leaves with an an ominous ‘I’ll make you cry.”
So now the young girl is about to be evicted with her 6yr old sister. The boss steps in to give her a place to live, further changing the dynamics.
Love ensues, months pass. Mom comes back clean and wanting to take her place in their lives. The story was beginning to drag a bit, and I was wondering what happened to ex-abuser boyfriend. I don’t think they just disappear without cops involved. Especially not in books. So I took a glimpse at other reviews. They warned me. But I kept going anyway. You can’t change the ending no matter how much you want an HEA. 🙁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Melissa.
269 reviews9 followers
December 31, 2020
Yea so if you want a fantastic heartbreaking story that will leave you a little upset (okay a whole lot of upset) with Megan Smith them this is perfect! Second chance love, slow burn and THEN SHE WILL RIP YOUR HEART OUT AND STOMP ON IT! I 10000% recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews

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