This book was sadly not for me. The writing was very clunky and the dialogue felt forced and inauthentic. I felt that the author did a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, and I really struggled to connect with the characters. I was expecting to be heartbroken but I was left feeling quite underwhelmed. This is my first book by this author and I think her writing style is just not for me!

✨ Publication date: April 22, 2025✨

If You Stayed is a second chance, dual POV, now and then romance novel. This book deals with some sensitive topics so check the trigger warnings before reading.

Kierra and Gabriel were each other’s first love. Kierra can remember all of their little moments and how they fell in love, the problem is Gabriel has no memory of anything from before the accident that took his memory and his little brother.

Gabriel’s mother begged Kierra to let go and leave Gabriel to heal. It was the hardest thing for her to do but she was the one driving the car when the accident happened.

Years later, Kierra in an immensely horrible marriage that she only stays in for her step daughter, can’t believe her eyes when Gabriel shows up as the architect on her new home build.

She vows to keep her promise to Gabriel’s mother and keep their past secret but even without his memories, Gabriel feels the pull to Kierra.

As her marriage continues to deteriorate, Gabriel supports her while continuing to feel the pull of their chemistry. Can Kierra and Gabriel finally find their happy ending or are they destined to only have a past?

I liked this book and the authors writing. I wasn’t pulled in by the story and characters though. This is a 3 star read for me, but I would definitely read another from this author!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #brittainyccherry #ifyoustayed

This was so good. I loved the plot and characters. It was paced perfectly. I didn't wanna put it down and was on the edge of my seat. Definitely adding this to my shelf as a trophy

Get ready for an emotional ride...

Dang you, Brittainy Cherry. You love to break our hearts and feel all the feels, then put us back together, stitched with all the angst of an emotional rollercoaster.
Kierra and Gabriel was once young and in love, but nothing lasts, especially when there are life altering consequences. Back and forth in time, from past and present, their story unravels. In the present, Kierra is ironically trapped in a very unhappy marriage, she's a therapist living a Stepford Wife life, but stays because of her step-daughter Ava. Gabriel has no memory of their first love that ended abruptly and painfully.

Gabriel has no memory of Kierra, He is successful and working to build her new home. Ironic, right?
Recommend for a complicated, emotional ride.

Brittainy C. Cherry has done it again. If You Stayed is a breathtaking second-chance romance that pulls you in from the very first page and refuses to let go. It’s not just a love story it’s a journey of survival, healing, and rediscovery.

Kierra’s character touched me deeply. Trapped in a toxic marriage and trying to protect her stepdaughter, her resilience and emotional strength were incredibly moving. When Gabriel Sinclair, the boy she once loved and lost, comes back into her life, we’re thrown into a slow-burn reunion filled with longing, pain, and undeniable connection. Their history is complicated by tragedy and memory loss, but Brittainy weaves it all together with such raw emotion that it feels heartbreakingly real.

Cherry doesn't shy away from difficult topics; this book deals with domestic abuse, trauma, and emotional healing. But through all the darkness, there's light. The bond between Kierra and Gabriel is filled with hope, and their love feels like a safe place to land after a storm.

If you're looking for a romance that aches in all the right ways, that explores grief, love, and forgiveness with poetic writing and unforgettable characters, If You Stayed is the book for you.

I love a good second chance romance that has a true reason for them to get back together. Especially when its a high school relationship gone wrong. My favorite type of second change is right person, wrong time. While related, it isn't quite the same.

Kierra is so strong. She had to be. She lost her friend, her love, and her ability to fully move on. Then one day, years later after setteling in a relationship that brought her the best thing in the form of her daughter, Gabriel reappears with no memory of Kierra and what he has lost. This throws her through a tailspin as all of her feelings are brought back. While they reconnect as he designs her new house, she has to navigate her reemerging feelings and starting to believe in the best for herself. Her story was heartbreaking and we could feel everything she felt as she navigated her role and her family.

Gabriel was a fun character to see to reinvestigate who he was. So much was lost after the accident, so I enjoyed watching him rediscover himself from before.

Overall, this was a solid book by Brittainy Cherry, and I can't wait for her next one! She is a go to author for me when I'm wanting to see the true struggles people have in their life!

Thank to Sourcebooks Casablanca for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

4.25⭐️ This book was so dang cute!!

the amnesia trope can be a hit or miss for me but this book made it work. I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance, and this book delivered in all the right ways.

The flashbacks to their childhood were so sweet and heartwarming, and they added such depth to the story. And Gabriel?? A literal golden retriever green flag. So patient, kind, and caring just an absolute sweetheart 🥹

My only critique is that the last few chapters felt a little rushed, but overall this was such a solid read.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5

Just finished this marvellous book by Brittainy Cherry, which emphasizes heartfelt themes like memory loss, emotional abuse, toxic relationships, healing, and self-worth. When Kierra returns to her small hometown and reunites with Gabriel—her first love who no longer remembers their past—old wounds resurface, and new beginnings unfold.

The characters are well-developed and carry the appropriate emotional depth to bring out the story’s powerful themes. The romance, rekindled after many tragic events, was portrayed beautifully. The plot was crafted so well that it kept me hooked from beginning to end.\

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy intensely emotional, slow-burn romance with serious themes of trauma, recovery, and unconditional love.

An emotional second chance romance that takes on the controlling abusive husband trope (which I felt like has been done to death). This was good on audio but I felt like I had read some version of this story tons before. Just an okay read for me. I would recommend for fans of authors like Ryan Kennedy. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

this had me hooked SO fast. brittainy cherry’s writing really is beautiful. this book gave me so many emotions, it felt like i was on a roller coaster. i cried, i laughed; over and over again. but it was so worth it in the end. i loved gabriel & kierra’s love story so much.

Second chance is such a top tier storyline and is one of my favorites for developing those soul deep connections that make me feel their love more than just seeing it.

These characters were so authentic and real! Their story falls lighter on the on page spice, but doesn’t sacrifice on any of the tension.

The amnesia trope really enhances how meant to be these characters were — even without their shared experiences to fall back on, they still continued to be pulled back into each other.

You’ll Find —
Forced Proximity
Second Chance
Childhood Sweethearts
Friends to Lovers
Amnesia

Thankful for the opportunity to read!

How many times have we asked ourselves this book title? What if you stayed? Well author Brittainy Cherry answers this question and more in a new romance fiction novel.

Gabriel is Kierra's first everything. Her first friend, first kiss, first love and first heartbreak. One tragic accident tore them apart, leaving Gabriel with no memory and Kierra with a world of guilt. Fast forward a few years to Kierra in a loveless marriage when Gabriel re-enters her life (because we all know it's a small world). Feelings stir, memories threaten to surface and controlling jealousy rears its ugly head.

As an overthinker, I appreciated Kierra's natural instinct to think through every possible scenario. She did not make any kneejerk decisions like chicks in romance novels often do. She was a planner that considered others' feelings before her own. This was not the typical spin the block plot. It really was a second chance romance that I could not put down.

Oh, the emotions this book gave me! All the feels as the story came together! Bookhearts, you will want to read this book in just one or two sittings. It is not spicy or steamy romance. It is what could happen IRL type romance. All sides of love are explored: the good, the bad and the ugly. Tension is built with suspense hanging at every chapter. And the writing is just beautiful.

I have not read many of Brittainy Cherry's books, but I will definitely add more to my shelf now. I recommend you do the same.

If You Stayed is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

What an emotional journey—intense, moving, and beautifully written. The author tackles some heavy themes, so I highly recommend reading the author’s notes and content warnings before diving in.

Gabriel was an incredible character—kind, and supportive of Kierra from the very beginning. Their relationship felt genuine, and it was heartwarming to see them navigate their challenges together. While Gabriel’s mother didn’t always make the best choices, I found myself feeling a lot of empathy for her as well.

There is a happy ending, but again, be sure to read the trigger warnings first.

Solid 4.5 stars from me!

Love wasn't always perfect. It often came with bends and cracks. The greatest heartbreaks always came from love more than they came from hatred.'

Brittainy Cherry never ever disappoints! I mean not ever! My heart was so torn! This was a mess but beautifully written!

Are you happy, Kierra?
No, but maybe some people aren't meant to be happy. Maybe some people are just meant to be heartbroken!

Run... Don't walk to pick this up!

This was such a beautiful second chance romance between Kierra and Gabriel that I just absolutely adored!!

The characters just pulled me in and fell head over heels with Kierra and Gabriel. This was my first book by Brittainy and I just fell in love with her writing and characterization.

This one made me smile, cry, and curl up with coziness. Cherry is a phenomenal storyteller and I can see why so many love her books. So heartwarming and heartbreaking but the best combination of both.

I highly recommend this one!!

5/5 stars

This was a good, emotional read. Brittainy Cherry really knows how to pull at your heartstrings, and the story definitely had its powerful moments. That said, it's important to go into this one knowing it deals with some really tough topics—especially domestic abuse, both physical and emotion also definitely check trigger warnings before starting.

I did find myself frustrated with some of the characters at times. The female main character’s hesitation to leave a bad situation was hard to understand, and the male lead’s mom got under my skin, too. But I also get that I haven’t lived their lives, so it’s not really fair to say what I’d do in their shoes.

Overall, it’s a solid read if you’re looking for something emotional, and it does show that love can sometimes survive anything even lost memories

Brittany Cherry does what she does best—shatters your heart and then painstakingly pieces it back together. If You Stayed is an emotional roller coaster that pulls you in with its raw, heartbreaking moments and keeps you hoping for a happy ending. The story of high school sweethearts who reunite after a life-changing tragedy is gripping, full of longing, pain, and the fragile beauty of second chances.

With poignant writing and deeply emotional scenes, this book will have you in tears, rooting for love to triumph over devastation. If you’re a fan of romance that makes you feel every emotion, this one is a must-read.

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If You Stayed by Brittainy Cherry? A total emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible.
This book wrecked me—in the best way. Brittainy Cherry’s writing is stunning; it’s beautiful, raw, and full of so much heart. The chemistry between the characters is electric, but the story itself is so much more than just romance—it’s about healing, family, and overcoming trauma.

The characters are so well-developed, with flaws and struggles that make them feel real. The love story is slow-burn perfection, and every twist and turn left me holding my breath. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel deeply and reflect long after finishing it.

4.5/5 stars. An emotional, beautifully written romance that will stay with you long after the last pagE.


❤️shaye.reads

I really enjoyed this book. Was very emotional and moving . I love a second chance of happiness and this was just delicious

This was my first Brittainy Cherry book, I really really enjoyed it. This was an emotional but beautiful read, there were also moments that had me laughing. It brought all of the emotions, making for a wonderful story.

Gabriel and Kierra went through so much, they’ve known each other since they were kids. An accident left Gabriel with memory loss, Kierra was told to stay away by his mother. So years later when Kierra’s husband hires Gabriel to design their new house, Kierra is shocked to see Gabriel again. Unfortunately Gabriel has no idea who she is…

This story was everything, Gabriel was the sweetest man. Even before he knew who Kierra was, he felt a connection to her. These two had chemistry like no other, they were truly soul mates. I loved Ava also, the love Kierra had for her and vice versa, she also grew the sweetest friendship with Gabriel. Kierra went through so much, but in the end she came out stronger than ever.

I love this book, I’ll definitely be reading more by this author!

Thank you NetGalley and Source Books for the ARC!