Don't You Wanna Stay?

Familyl Forever #1

by Aliyah Burke

Decisions must be made about what’s more important, love or work.

One explosive night between strangers isn’t something billionaire Gareth Ericsson could, or wants to, easily forget. When a second-chance meeting with the one woman unlike any he’s met before comes up, he decides he’s not willing to let her go again.

Xandra Asher has enough on her plate during the fundraiser she spearheaded when she finds herself facing the man she had a one-night stand with. He’s as enigmatic as he was that night, and she soon finds he’s inserted himself back into her life.

Work is cutthroat and accusations fly. When careers are on the line, which will come out on top—their jobs or their hearts?

Reader advisory: This book contains references to abduction and drug addiction, as well as scenes involving an emotionally abusive parent.

Genres: Contemporary

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2021

About the author

A USA Today Bestselling author, Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached http://aliyah-burke.com/blog/contact/
Facebook, twitter, Instagram, or via email.

She is married to a career military man, and they are owned by 4 Borzoi. Her days are spent sharing her time between work, writing, and dog training/showing.

Reviews

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aliyah Burke knows how to write strong woman!

The heroine in this story is a Corporate badass. She's the whole package, it's one of the reasons her one night stand wants another taste ... every damn day and night! She's indispensable, and when an emergency arises, she drops everything to rectify the situation. Too bad, not everyone plays by the rules. When a video upends her life, it's not the end, but beginning of a new journey that starts with that first step toward her destiny. Recommended: Read It!

[CLorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always torn in stories: do I want the couple to already be connected or do I want to meet them as they meet each other? I do find that sometimes when the couples are not connected that I skip ahead to the “meat” of the story. Well, there was no skipping in Don't You Wanna Stay? the latest book by prolific author Aliyah Burke. I have read numerous books by Ms. Burke over the years, and I was so excited to have the opportunity to read one of her books as an ARC!!! This book is my absolute favorite so far. Busy and driven Xandra Asher has little time for romance, and we are not counting that one night stand she had recently. He rocked her world, but she left without leaving her name or number or getting his. Gareth Ericsson can not get the fiery beauty out of his head; she was everything he could want in a woman. The only problem is that after a night of heady passion she left, and he has no way of contacting her. But fate had other plans in store and now she is standing across the room from him at a fundraiser!! This amazing story did not cut any corners; it made me sad, happy, angry, betrayed and hurt but it also made me read every word until the satisfying end. I highly recommend this stellar story from an always amazing author (ah, alliteration!).

I will keep my eyes peeled for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hawkeye K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding a story that pulls you in within the first two chapters says a lot about the writer. Xandra Asher is the right-hand woman to her boss Mr. Yoon, who considers her family. She even learned to speak Korean. Gareth Ericssons works for his father’s company, a rival company. A one-night stand changes both of their lives for the better. The road to true love is never easy especially when one of the love interest has their eye on a job prize not a love prize. Xandra doesn’t have time for love, she is on the fast track with her job and that is her number one priority. A fundraiser and a determined Gareth insure that once was not enough. I love how we are brought into the worlds of our main characters. Gareth knows what he wants and goes after it. His feelings are a lot more obvious than Xandra and I felt his feelings were a lot more open. Since the road to true love is never easy there are twist and turns that keep you turning the page all the way to the end. I like where this story went and was happy to get there.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Don't You Wanna Stay? by Aliyah Burke is the first book in her new series Family Forever and tells the story of Xandra Asher, the right-hand woman to her boss Mr. Yoon, and Gareth Ericssons, who works for the rival company. Xandra has little time for romance and no time for love but does enjoy the occasional passionate interlude. Gareth and Xandra experience just such an encounter and spend a pleasant evening together. For Xandra one and done was enough, she is on the fast track with her job and that is her number one priority. Gareth knows what he wants and goes after it and Xandra is who he wants. Now he just has to find her.

Ms. Burke has kicked off her series with a dynamic well developed story with likable characters. This was a great book full of humor, steam, drama, family issues, betrayal, and misunderstandings. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes some drama with their romance.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books by Aliyah Burke and I love her writing style and her way of getting you interested and pulling you in from the very first page. This is the first book in the “Family Forever Series”. This is a fast paced easy read with family drama, betrayal, loyalty, misunderstandings, forgiveness, great chemistry and romance all the makings of an excellent read. Xander works for Mr. Yoon and he considers her to be family. Gareth works at his father’s company which is a rival company to Mr. Yoon. A chance meeting between Xander and Gareth ends in an explosive night of mind blowing sex. Gareth is a super sexy alpha male and he wants more than a night stand with Xander. Xander is happy with the night stand or is she. Gareth can’t seem to forget her Xander. Gareth is my kind of alpha guy; he knows who and what he wants and goes after his love interest.

Can Gareth convince Xander that she can have her career and him?

I received an ARC via Booksprout, and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, book 1 in the Family Forever series, interracial romance, has good worldbuilding details, sizzling chemistry. Gareth and Xander are beautiful people, successful in business and a great match for a physical relationship. Gareth wants more. Can he convince Xander to give them a chance? I really like this story! It's unpredictable, with drama, family dysfunction, loyalty, betrayal, misunderstandings, forgiveness and love. Great dialogue and a man who won't give up. Multilayered, likable characters - love Xander and her relationships with her family and co-workers. A well-deserved HEA for these 2 in the midst of conflicts and complications. Would love to read more about the rest of this cast, especially Xander's cousins. Very entertaining! 5 stars

[Cici · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute

I enjoyed this. I didn't understand why xandra was being so nasty to Gareth once she sees him after their one night stand, tired of the heroine like that man so she acts like shrew trope. She's a grown professional woman but resorts to playground behavior not because he was rude or hurt her but because she liked him. That's lame. Xandra was venturing into mammy mode with the overlooking being treated poorly by her boss & Gareth family. Normalize black women not turning the other cheek in the face of racism & classism. 1990's political correctness be having black women authors in a chokehold. The people she should have been Nasty to, she wasn't yet the man who she clearly liked got all her venom. It's time for more updated, nuanced & fresh approaches.

[Mylene Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A one night stand who was hard to forget, appears at a gala event representing his father. Immediately Xandra recognises him and starts avoiding him. But Gareth is determined to reconnect with the woman he too has not forgotten. Once tasted never forgotten, Gareth sets out to get his woman. Business and others interrupts the start of a beautiful relationship. What will be sacrificed for their love? A good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BreakingtheEpigraph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it

PA Zandra Asher didn't think she’d ever run into her one-night stand again. Now that she knows his name, she must avoid him at all cost, or she will lose more than her heart. Gareth Ericsson is surprised to see the woman who left her mark on him. Now he has to convince her they belong to forever.

I loved these two together as well as the closeness Xandra as with her family.

[Yemisi Oladeji · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the series

I gave it 3 stars,one because it was a short book and 2 it ended without tying up the situation with his family or even the situation with the Toon family. Did Mr Yoon eventually return as ceo, did Dann y recover from his addiction etc. The book felt incomplete. also the business Mr Yoon lost was it the deal with the Irish man? If so this seemed contradictory to the Irish man's character as portrayed.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT ❤

I loved reading about Gareth and Xandra's story. This was a cute and adorable read with a bit of humor, heat and drama. I would absolutely recommend reading this book. Great job as usual Ms. Burke thank you so much for writing these wonderful stories keep these coming please. ❤👍🙏📚🔥

[Victoria Ziglor-smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Got My Copy

Xandra and Gareth makes this a beautiful hot and sexy romance. I was upset that Mr. Yoon, mistreated Xandra and didn’t have a good excuse after she had been such a loyal employee. I like that Gareth was willing to help Xandra at the drop of a hat, that’s is a good man. Love it

[Manisha Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good read and definitely has a lot of heat. The storyline is good the characters have great connection you won't regret getting this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this captivating book with exceptional characters in a world that is so realistic it felt like I was on the journey with them. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author that knows how to captivate the attention of their readers.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xahara and Gareth, had instant chemistry that she chose to deny and try to ignore all through the beginnings of their relationship. It came to a point at the end that she could no longer do that, so check this out and read how it transpired!

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good one

Gareth was a little over the top, and I loved his alpha male energy. When you know you know and Xandra did not stand a chance. The way their story was told was well developed and the introduction of family shows so many possibilities for this series.

[Joyce Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family

I bought all three of these books at one time. I just finished the first one and I really enjoyed it so I guess I’m going to the second one. This book was full of mass craziness, but it was good pick it up and enjoy it.

[Selina Durio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lengths some will go to…

This book showed the lengths some will go to to win! What made it even more troubling is when a father will do it to his own son.

[ANGEL-A- · Rating 2 out of 5]

DROLL, TOLL ROL

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Gareth & Xandra’s book. It was an intriguing read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much better than the synopsis indicated.

[Nancy L Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Few Questions...

I was wondering what the job market wound up being in the end. As well as what his family's dynamic was like at the end

[Willie-mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t You Wanna Stay by Aliyah Burke was a fantastic read. It was well written and had great character development. I enjoyed Gareth and Xandra’s book. Gareth can’t forget the woman he spent one night with, while Xandra wishes or at least tries to pretend that night didn’t happen. She’s a workaholic and is focused on her work and doesn’t want the distraction of falling in love. That may be what her head is saying but as they say the heart wants what it wants. Will they have their happily ever after? Buy this book and read it to find out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.