Stay

by Ivy Symone

Frankee had everything a woman could desire. From the castle-like mansion she dwelled in to the fancy jewels she adorned; she had it all. She was the mother of two beautiful children whom she simply adored, and she was surrounded by a slew of servants who praised and worshipped her like she was royalty. Her fairytale life was every girl’s dream come true. But she never thought her shining knight in armor would come in the form of a megalomaniac!Zino Okonjo has been proclaimed by many to be a powerful and ruthless “street financier”. A man like Zino doesn’t sit back and play by the rules others make; it’s his way or no way. Exerting his dominance, he takes Frankee in exchange for a debt owed; it changes her life instantly. Four years later, Frankee still hasn’t accepted her fate and want to reconnect with the man she was taken from. An opportunity presents itself and she makes a dash for her freedom to reunite with her ex, Antwan. This was his chance to reclaim the woman that was rightfully his. Not only will Antwan get his woman back, but it’s time for him to exact revenge on the man he loathe the Zino.

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Fiction

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2016

Reviews

[Elle1986 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So... I planned this long drawn out review and then I was like nah... no need because the book was grand... I mean frankee got on my first and last nerves for a minute but all in all nice read.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stay

This was a good book. The only thing that bothered me was the Frankee was annoying. For some odd reason I like Zino. Twan was wack and wasn't a man at all. The ending almost scared me a little bit..lol. Good job Ivy.

[Autumn Crum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! as always Ivy did the damn thing

[Denise Gilliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book was so good I read it in one day. Zion was one man that did what he wanted no matter what. Frankee was one girl that was troubled didn't understand why she had genuine love looking her way. This book had my emotions all over the place. This was a real life love story and I really enjoyed it. Great job Ivy Symone.......

[Jody Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!!! This book was GREAT!!! This was one of those books that you actually wished was part of a series. I was that damn good. I'm sure that I share this feeling with other readers when I say that in the beginning, I thought Zino was the devil himself. That dude was into some crazy things and I was not a fan of his at all. Frankee, I felt really bad for her situation at first. As the story went along, I couldn't stand her and the stupid decisions she was making. Ivy Symone is one of only a few authors that I read that can make me root for a character and then completely hate their guts by the end. I have to admit, I was hoping Antwan and Frankee found their way back to each other but that changed once I was able to know more about Zino. It didn't take too long to figure out how much Zino truly loved Frankee. He worshipped the ground she walked on and in return, she did everything in her power to refuse his love. She committed the ultimate betrayal and turned her back on him when he needed her the most. I hated her for that. I mean, I kind of understood why she felt that way in the beginning, but after a while, she knew what was really up with Zino. She knew how he felt about her. I was actually hoping that Zino would give Queen a chance. She seemed to really be in love with him. I was really hoping that he was done Frankee. I don't want to give too much away, but this story takes you through so many emotions that before you know it, you're almost at the end of the story. I really hope that we hear from these characters again in the future. This story is about TRUE love. Frankee was looking for love somewhere else when her TRUE love was standing right in front of her all along. Thanks Ivy Symone for such a wonderful story.

[Wilki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankee has all the finer things in life, but there are just some things you can't buy....being free is one of them. When things go terribly wrong and her life gets flipped, Frankee finds herself in the arms of Zino, a powerful business man with ties to the streets. However, all isn't as it seems, but when Frankee finally accepts her fate, will it be too late?

Look, I'm sitting here totally in awe of this read! Hands down this is the best book Ivy Symone has ever written! I was not a fan of the last books in the Crush Series so when a friend recommended this, I was hesitant. I'm glad I gave it a try! The drama was a rollercoaster ride of epic porportions that kept me on my toes! I loved that the street elements didn't over power the love aspect in this book; it was a healthy dose of both.

Frankee and Zino are highly explosive characters when meshed together: I enjoyed the ups and downs of their love through self discovery. Their chemistry, whether it was bickering or making love was fiery! I love how they both progressed through character development by the end. I also enjoyed not knowing how their trials and tribulations as a couple would pan out.

The end left me in total shock: I really thought I had it figured out, but Symone threw me for a loop with that conclusion! This book kept me highly entertained and entrapped my mind to the very end: It was just the literary escape I needed.

[Tierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the CERTIFIED TRUTH. In the beginning I hated Zino and Antwan. I mean how could you say you loved someone but make a trade for them... really. The story depicts the luxury a man provided to woman, a woman who is selfish and ungrateful. She wants for nothing and yet she is still unhappy. This woman goes out her way to defy the man who is in love with her, but is that loved genuine. Does he really know who she is, does she really know him. After a night of escaping trouble follows and just when the realization comes that it wasn't worth and the love was truly there more trouble follows. Ivy this right is the best book I've read in a long time and right as I try to put my edges back on I commend you. You are an incredible writer and I admire all of your work.

[Deedee Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read an Ivy book, what is to be said, needs no explanation. Even though I hated the main character Frankee at first but throughout the read, Ivy had a way of making you feel different types of emotions and towards the end, I kind of sympathized with her. Ivy killed it this with little to no effort. A straight beast with her pen game!

[Jamie Sogol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my JESUS!

This story had me all in my feelings. First of all, I hated Antwan from the beginning. Who just gives you away like you're some object? Then I didn't dig Zino because of how he went about the relationship and Frankee for being so hateful to the wrong person. But this book was so damn good, I didn't want it to end! It was definitely a five star read!

[Dee Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need more stars!!!!
Excellent!! Absolutely beautiful story...I could read it again & again. I loved everything about this story- characters, storyline, cover- everything is on 10!! The only thing left to say is just read it!!!

[Shakeria Sharie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read. I'm glad it was a full book.

[Kwastina Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

😍😍😍

This was soooo good! My heart beat is still trying to find its natural rhythm. The progression of the story and the unveiling of the characters individual layers was heart wrenching but beautigul!

[Sidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This… this was a good book right here! Now Frankee was naive as they come and got on my nerves sometimes but this was good.

This was my first book by Ivy Simone and I’ll definitely be looking for more.

[Cheryl James · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I initially chose this book because of the cover. Frankee was flawless and the ring was bling bling. The beginning took off and had my attention. The middle had me lost a little but I got through it pretty fast. Now the ending part had my total attention. This book was truly an awesome read. It is a love story that most people can't relate too. Most of us always think the grass is greener on the other side only to be disappointed. As couples we should take the time to get to really know each other and try to make the relationship work. I do understand Frankee's point of view in the story because she didn't have a say so in the relationship at first but I am glad that she fought hard for her husband and they both worked things out for them and their children. My best 2016 fall read!!

[Kris Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Author NEVER disappoints me. In true Ivy style she brings the heat! Frankee annoyed me sooooo much in the beginning. I wanted to strangle and hug her at the same damn time! But, once she took those damn blinders off and seen everything and everybody for what it was my girl got smart. I'm so glad Frankee came to her senses. If I could i would give this 10 stars! Yes, she blessed us with another banger! Ivy keep doing what you doing!

[Samona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of surprises

Frankee, Frankee, Frankee!!!
This was a amazing read! Loved Zino from the very beginning, it was just something about him. Frankee got on my nerves throughout the book! Can't day much without giving away to much. It was an emotional roller coaster and I enjoyed it all!

[Latrisha Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!! I just love this book, I couldn't put the book down. I didn't know how it would end but I'm happy the way it ended.

[Tumika Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankee is all alone in the world after tragedy has struck her family, leaving her on her own. All she has are a couple of girlfriends and her boyfriend, Antwan. These are the people who make up her family. Realizing her aloneness has her putting up with far more than she should as Antwan takes her for granted and mistreats her. Then the unthinkable happened: She’s taken by another man…literally…and thrust into a whole new world.

With Zino, she has all the trappings of success that anyone could ask for. He is extremely wealthy and giving when it comes to her, but money can’t buy love. She can’t get over how she came to be his and he can’t get over her unwillingness to forget about that and just hand over her heart to him. In his need to protect and create the perfect life for her, he never acknowledges that he’s turned her into a virtual prisoner….and she resents it to her core.

A random encounter sets into motion a chain of negative events that sends Frankee’s life spiraling out of control, putting both her ex and her new man in the spotlight where Frankee is left wondering is anyone who they claim to be. The only question remains is will the truth unfold before lives are lost and irreparable damage is done.

This is my first read by Ivy Symone, but definitely won’t be my last. From the first lines of this book I was hooked. Symone has crafted an unusual love story with ample twists, turns and emotional elements it kept this reader wanting more. The characters were well-developed, the plot deep and engaging. I loved the way she brought the story back full circle to allow the characters to acknowledge their mistakes and to grow. I found myself feeling a range of emotions and at times wanting to reach out and ring the necks of the characters, while in the next breath rooting for them. Although extremely well written, I would have loved to seen more of the emotional elements of the characters, versus just their actions. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
5 stars
___
Reviewed by Tumika Patrice Cain

[Regina Farris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man this book had a lot going on... And wait the twist with these characters... I felt like I was trying to put a puzzle together... It did become the same ol song over and over with these characters. .. I was kind of over Frankee...
I felt bad for Frankee... She just wanted to be normal and free... She just went about it the wrong way... But then I seen that Zino was not as bad as she was making him out to be.... She just would not give him a chance... She was making her life so much harder than it needed to be... And for what... For a man that didnt love you enough to fight for you... For a man that beat you and took from you and cheated on you... Girl buy...
Then again Zino kind of didnt make things any easier... He was so use to just being in control of everyone and everything that he didnt take the time out to even get to know Frankee... He just knew what he wanted and expected her to just fall in line... But then how he had these women around him that he knew wanted him... Then for him to get mad and play these games with Frankee when he already knew how she was feeling...
But wait then we have all these people that are working for Zino... But can everyone be trusted... Man like I said everyone is not always who they seem or portray themselves to be... I guess everyone had to learn the hard way...
Although it took for all of this to happen... I am glad to see Zino finally get it and for Frankee to finally open her eyes to things that are going on around her...
Now to see what other books this author has out...

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read

Nice read for an urban novel, I can see it landing nicely on a more “mature” audience. I grew up on Urban novels, but most authors stick to the same juvenile formula. This book was slightly different, the characters were decently developed, the plot was weak but most urban fiction plots are. I appreciated that I didn’t feel like I was still in high school sneaking and reading a typical hood story, this one again seems to be made for those of us who grew up on Urban novels but not frozen in development. I wish the characters were older and it made no sense that Zino was adopted that was disappointing to read. But overall still a decent read.

[Tonii Tonii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and different.

This book was good and it was different. The type of book I like to read. Both Frankee and Zino got on my nerves. Zino was wrong and the way he took Frankee but he did love her. He was just too controlling at time. Frankee had misplaced anger. She should had been mad at Antwan but instead she it took out on Zino. I'm glad everything worked out the way it did. As always Ivy you did a wonderful job.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it again

I fell in love with Frankee and Zino all over again. I dont agree with how Zino and Frankee's relationship came about, but I enjoyed reading their story. I think Zino could've made more of an effort in the beginning and things may have turned out differently between them. I wished Frankee wasnt so naive and stupid at certain points of the book, but it was apart of her growth as a character.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

************ 6 stars *********

Wow..... I can't even believe how good this story was. I felt so many emotions with this couple. Frankee got on my nerves but I still loved her character. Zino... inspite of his faults he stayed true to his feelings for Frankee. First time reading this author's work and it was worth every bit of my time. This is definitely a book that will be read over and over again.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whole crew is cray-cray! First Zino stalks Frankee and decides he must have her whether she agrees or not. His millions, power and arrogance gives him a keen sense of entitlement.
Then trifling Antwan kidnaps her and "sells" her to Zino to settle a debt. Really?
And both these creeps think Frankee should just shut up and take it???? What about what she wants for her life?
Add in con-men, gangstas, guns, plus knives and the deceit and betrayal is up in the stratosphere!

[Msgonzo10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tale abt love hate fairytale and nightmares

Liked this story and the way it taught the lesson about the line btwn love and hate, how we over-romanticize the “what if’s” and the importance of perspective. Zino and Frankee both had some important growing and perspective shifting to do. Frankee rued my patience with how long it took for her to get real about everything including her past with Antwan but she got there. Great story!

[Mia Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Fantastic

Ivy, Ivy,Ivy, what can I say. You know you are the stuff with that pen. This was so good. I mean I couldn't put it down. I was mad at Zino at one time, but I like him a lot. Frankee worked these nerves, but I like her. I just didn't want this to end. I'm not go give away anything. This is a must read. It is worth more than five stars.

[Kristie Kilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!!!!

Now this book was soooooo good!!!! It had me in suspense the whole time!!!!! My goodness ivy symone can write a story out of this world!!!!! She is one of my favorites and I'm not even surprised at how good this book was because she never disappoints!!! Awesome read!!!!!!

[Shawnte R. Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

A rollercoaster ride of a love story if ever. Just when Franked thinks her husband Zino is the worst man in the world, she quickly learns two kids, and four years later that all is not what it seems when her true feelings for her husband come full circle.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Banger

Another great read from Ivy Symone, this story was great. Zino I wanted to hate him, but I just couldn't get myself too. Frankee you love to hate her but you can't. Must read for sure.

[OhhSlimmm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can honestly say this author have yet to let me down! Zino is the man I love him even though he did what he did lol. The storyline had my emotions all over I was mad then I was smiling. This book made me happy I'm gonna read it again soon lol