Stay with Me is a contemporary novel written by Becky Wade.

Summary: Genevieve Woodward is worn out and needs a break. But returning home brings its own challenges. An overbearing mother, a mysterious letter, and a substance dependence bring Genevieve’s life to a crossroads.

Will Genevieve be able to pull her life back together, or will the mysterious letter lead Genevieve to discover a dangerous secret that could pull apart the very fabric of her family and destroy her career?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book. There was an interesting mystery, the characters were flawed yet relatable, and there was a great message of God’s redemption in the midst of past mistakes. The romance was really good as well.

It is definitely worth a read-especially if you enjoy contemporary romance novels.

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This book did bring up the important topic of the prescription drug issue. It is important that people understand that it truly is an important issue in this world and one that needs to be resolved quickly. If not taken properly, prescription drugs can be extremely dangerous. Becky Wade did an excellent job in weaving the crisis into her story. So, well done for that aspect.

Overall not a fan of this one, though I am curious who the next book will be about!

Now I've read a lot of Becky Wade's book over the years, and this particular version I was reading on my kindle. So somewhere along the way I didn't realize who the author was, until I finished the book.

That said, I found the book to be amazingly awesome. Loved every part of it and I appreciated the fact that I didn't go into it with preconceived ideas.

Genevieve Woodward is returning home, but makes a stop at a cottage where Sam Turner learns a secret that prior to him, only one person knew. She soon realizes that staying home is not an option, so she ask's Sam's help for helping her with her secret.

There was only one part of the book that left me puzzled, and that was the prelude at the beginning of most of the chapters of the "Miracle Five" and their thoughts during the time. At the end, I expected a different ending, at least with those bits at the beginning. The story it self was pretty awesome and didn't need any changes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

In this new series, Ms. Wade creates a tranquil place filled with characters who are all searching for the answers of their heartache.

First up is Sam Turner and Genevieve Woodward. What I love about their story is they have lots of problems.
Now I know that my sound weird, but in a world full of problems, seeing a book address some of those and bring in the hope of God is a breath of fresh air. I loved that Ms. Wade wasn’t afraid to address grief (whether losing a person, a dream, etc.). I’m also thankful she threw in Sam as Gen’s hero because he’s a man worthy of the moniker.

Don’t let the gruff exterior fool you. Sam Turner is a marshmallow whenever Gen comes around. But its not a one-sided relationship. The bring each other’s issues to the front and turn to the answer (God).

A great start to a new series.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.

This book floored me. It was quite simply amazing. Becky has truly outdone herself with this book. I am not sure I can put into words the pure beauty of this story. The characters of Genevieve and Sam were unlike any characters I have read before and they were wonderful and flawed and kept me immersed in this story along with the secondary characters. This whole story drew me in and I had trouble putting the book down at all. This book tugged all my heartstrings and that hasn't happened in a long time. Basically all there is to say is I loved everything about this book and it will go down as one of my top 2020 reads, no question. I am not sure how I will wait a year for the next book in the series...need it yesterday!!

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

STAY WITH ME is another winning faith-based romance from Becky Wade. The beginning seemed a bit overdone for me with the whole Goldilocks theme, but after that, I was pleased with how the story developed, especially how the main characters get to know each other in a real -- and not overly sanitized or perfect -- way. They struggle with real-life issues, including addiction, which is handled sensitively and added terrific depth to the story. There's a lot going on plot-wise as the characters unravel some past mysteries. I also appreciated Wade's beautiful treatment of the faith angle.

A shameful secret leads to new beginnings.



An engaging read from the start, I loved how this book talks about the struggles behind a picture-perfect image and the pressure of those expectations. Genevieve is a gifted speaker and author, but that doesn't make her immune. Sam understands what is at stake with Gen and doesn't want to get too close, yet he knows that he doesn't have it in him to leave her on her own. I loved the complexity and the honesty to the struggles that Gen and Sam faced.



There is a lot going on in this book, with how it ties events from the past into the present and how it continues to affect them. There are great supporting characters, and the relationship between Gen and her sister is a huge strength in this story. There were also natural moments of humor, and I liked the counselor, because she doesn't mess around!



Overall, this is a well written read about two people who find each other amidst pain of the past, and facing problems in the present, while dealing with complicated relationships. I was a little baffled by parts of the lead up to the ending, as for me it didn't quite fit with the rest of the story, but that might just be me.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Reading about Sam and Genevieve‘s journey together was just simply unbelievable! I loved how there were stories within the story. I breathlessly followed the rescue of the Miracle Five, even though I knew the outcome, and solving the mystery behind the letters was a total shock! But back to Sam and Gen...wow! Despite the hardships that brought them together, there was an undeniable, heart-pounding attraction that sizzled every time they were together, but there was no question that every step they took was guided by God’s love for them. Though the road was broken, it unquestionably led them together for all the right reasons. The themes of honesty, forgiveness, and unconditional love were beautiful, and it was was definitely a 2 tissue ending. I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a review.

Wade has crafted another entertaining contemporary romantic novel. I like how she is not afraid to tackle issues in the Christian community. In this novel, a successful female Christian author of Bible studies, Genevieve, has gotten addicted to prescription pain relievers. A potential romance develops when she meets a man, Sam, who is willing to stand by her as she begins to detox. But he has his own issues from his past. There are huge obstacles to overcome before the two can pursue a relationship.

There is also a mystery woven into the plot. Genevieve has received a letter indicating her parents had done something terrible in the past and all might be revealed soon. Her parents deny any skeletons in their closet but when she receives a second letter, Genevieve and her older sister begin to investigate their parents' past.

Both of the threads of the plot combine to explore the concept of Christians putting on an appearance of being fine when all is not well. The whole issue of honesty is highlighted when Sam demands honesty from Genevieve if he is to help her. There is a serious lesson there for all of us in our relationships.

I love the snappy dialogue between Genevieve and Sam. Wade's ability to create engaging characters with entertaining interactions make the novel work. I did not like the time slip aspect, the interludes of going back to the earthquake. I felt they were disruptive and would have rather had them all as a prologue.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

After reading a few books by Becky Wade (and loving) I was super excited about this new book. Unfortunately, I am going to put this away at 50%. I felt there were too many things going on, I never connected with the main character, and sadly I have lost interest to keep reading.

Stay With Me is Becky Wade’s first full-length novel in the Misty River romance series, and it has set the bar high for the rest of the series! Everything within the covers is beautifully crafted. Amazing, quirky, memorable characters--and not just the hero, Sam, (swoon) or the bubbly heroine, Genevieve. In fact, one of my favorites is Gen’s sister, Natasha. I loved all her nutty Jane Austen-obsessed antics.
Sam. Is. Amazing. I could hear the melodic tune of his Aussie accent and see his manly profile, but the best parts of him were on the inside. What a loving and serving heart he has! And such courage rests in him! He was such a warrior for the people he cared about, and that instantly drew me to him.
I just love Genevieve, too. She is so bubbly and bright. And I think the contrast between the darkness of her addiction and this shiny facade of her personality really emphasizes how we can deny the sin in our lives until it threatens to overcome us.
I loved every minute of the interactions between Gen and Sam. How they went from abysmal acquaintances to rocky friends to soul-touching partners in her recovery. And those kisses! Whew!
This novel is layered with depth and sub-plots that grip your attention and add such a fullness to the story. From Genevieve being part of The Miracle Five (I’ll let you discover the meaning to this on your own.) to Gen and Natasha secretly researching her parents’ past, this story will capture and hold your attention and your heart from beginning to finish.
This book addresses some very real and timely issues-- addiction, grief, anxiety, forgiveness-- and how we often turn to the wrong source for comfort. One of the reasons I read inspirational fiction, is I like being challenged in my faith--even if that means taking a closer look at myself. I thought Becky Wade brought important points to light about how we often lie to ourselves and others about the sin in our lives and consequently grow farther and farther from God.
Stay with Me will put you through the emotional wringer, but it is so worth it! You will be crying tears of joy and relief by the end. I promise!
Any fan of contemporary Christian fiction/romance will love this book.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author/publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

A raw, poignant, and unforgettable experience in forgiveness. Becky Wade once again traverses the territory of the messy human heart and the baggage it is capable of hauling around in secret. This story beautifully and graciously demonstrates the truth that perfect love cast out all fears and exposes the darkness. Genevieve and Sam navigate the ugliness of brokenness and the beauty of redemption. They both have a unique charm that will attract even the most stoic of readers and break through all barriers of resistance to a wonderfully real love story. Trigger alert if you or a loved one has struggled with an addiction, but Wade has handled it so beautifully it is worth the range of emotions you are sure to experience. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own and freely shared.

Genevieve was one of the Miracle 5. Five young people who had gone on a mission trip to El Salvador and were trapped in a building when an earthquake hit. Fast forward to adulthood, Genevieve is now a noted Christian speaker and Bible study author. But life has put her on a merry-go-round, she broke her ankle, and is now addicted to opioids. Sam has found calm on his farm after a relationship ended when his girlfriend overdosed on opioids. What will happen when their lives connect on Sam's farm when Genevieve is strung out on opioids?

With realistic, gut wrenching characters, a touch of romance, a smidgen of suspense, and a family mystery that needs to be solved, the premise of this story with its split time plot line bouncing back and forth between the story of the earthquake and Genevieve's present day struggles with opioids was interesting. I felt though there was some disconnection between the two time periods and how they related. I also was bothered by the fact that Genevieve and Sam kept telling one another that there wasn't going to be any relationship between them. Then in the next moment they were holding each other and sharing intense kisses. Finally, although the author did a good job of presenting the problems with opioid usage, I felt like she in some ways downplayed the enormous difficulty of withdrawal from them.

I really enjoyed watching Genevieve and her sister research and piece together the facts regarding the events of their parents romance, marriage and the death of their common friend, Russell. It was nice to see someone who was a well known Christian be honest with her fans about her addiction. With a strong emphasis on truth, compassion, forgiveness, and second chances, this book was overall a good read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

I was excited to have the opportunity to read Becky Wade newest release, Stay with Me. This first book from the A Misty River Romance is probably my favorite that I have read by this author to date. I adored Sam and Genevieve's story. The setting was perfect and I loved reading the details of the area that made me feel as though I was right there.
I am giving Stay with Me a very well deserved five plus stars. I will be eagerly waiting for the next installment from the A Misty River Romance series. I highly recommend this one.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

4.5 stars
There was great anticipation with the release of a new book, in a new series, by Becky Wade. She is undoubtedly one of my favorite contemporary Christian fiction authors. She balances great romantic tension among the characters with real-life struggles. These characters are relatable...their feelings expressed on the pages are relatable. As this is Christian fiction, there are also moments in every book that the characters come to a point of their faith impacting the choices they make. In "Stay With Me," I loved Genevieve's character. She's a Christian author, Bible study writer, and speaker, but the book isn't really centered around that. Her character is presented as primarily a young woman who is in the midst of a critical point in her life, struggling with her past and trying to recover from it. Even though this is fiction, it reminded me that everyone has issues that they struggle with...even those that may be able to present to the outside world that everything is going great. Sam is definitely a swoon worthy hero! First of all...Australian. Thank you, Becky. Second, he's the broody type that I just can't get enough of. He's also very wounded from his past and doesn't really judge Genevieve, but offers her support and accountability. These two compliment each other really well.
Other interesting elements of the story were the side plots. Genevieve was a survivor of a terrible earthquake when she was in middle school. I loved that sprinkled throughout the book, there were a few pages of each survivor's thoughts as they were trapped in a building due to the earthquake. It helped give some backstory without overwhelming the rest of the plot. I thought that was very clever. There's also a mystery element involving Genevieve's family that was another side plot. There's a lot going on in this book, so there's never a dull moment! It was very hard to put down!

I'm SO looking forward (already) to seeing how this series is going to go! Book one, along with a prequel novella ("Take a Chance on Me"), have gotten things off to a great start!

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my honest opinions, which I did.**

Stay with Me, by Becky Wade, is the first book in her latest series. Sam Turner, looking for a solitary life, opened a restaurant in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains; however, one quiet morning he finds a woman unconscious in a empty cottage on his property. After looking through the woman's purse, he discovers her name is Genevieve Woodward; however, he also finds her in possession of some dangerous pain pills!

Genevieve, a well-known Bible study author, has been struggling with her addiction to oxycontin. Sam reluctantly offers to assist her in making an escape from its power. Genevieve also has another problem. She has returned to her hometown to research a threatening letter that she received in the mail!

As Genevieve digs into her parents past in an effort to understand the origin of the threats, she will discover new truths about not only her parents, but herself as well. By the end of this book, you will see a beautiful picture of the healing power that only God can bring!

I was not aware this was Christian fiction as the synopsis did not indicate that. I read a little and found the plot and characters boring so I will not be submitting a further review.

This book is super powerful, it discusses some very tough subjects. The author also discusses finding forgiveness when life doesn't look so great. I found this book really hard to put down. I liked how the author held nothing back. The characters felt like so relatable and felt like I was catching up with a friend who was going through something. This author does not disappoint the book draws you in keeps you going to the end. I really hope to read more about the Miracle five and I hope that Ben and Sebastian's stories will be coming soon. This book is a good clean read though it does discuss some tough topics it's so worth the read.

This was a fantastic Christian novel about examining the things in our life and how they bring us closer to or further from Christ. I also loved the themes of love, redemption, and forgiveness that were woven throughout the book. This was a real and brave look at opiod addiction, especailly from a Christian perspective. Throughout the story, the tale of the "Miracle 5" was unfolded and expertly connnected, compared, and contrasted to the main plot. I would rate this PG-13 for opiod use and discussion of past thematic violence, with a sweet and clean romance that had plenty of swoony kisses. I look forward to reading more from Becky Wade, especially from the Misty River series.

I was so excited for this book and I am left with mixed feelings. There were conversations in the book that I loved and highlighted but others that were too far fetched for me.

I liked how Gen struggled with facades and an image she had to live up too. Some of her family dynamics were intriguing and the suspense was good.

What lost me was the opioid addiction. It seemed like she only lost other people’s opinions of her based on it. Her recovery and secrecy during those 90 days just didn’t sit well with me. I know it’s fiction but to me if you’re gonna cover such a heavy topic you should cover it. It was too clean and controlled for the addictions of people I’ve known and worked with. So that I’m unsettled on.

Also setting the love story during the beginning of her recovery bothered me. If she would have written it more time lapsed over a longer period of time I would have felt more drawn in and connected.

I do like Sam and Kaydens story and watching him heal throughout it. That was probably my favorite part, as he let go of her to fall in love with Gen.