4.5 Stars! Brittainy Cherry delivers a deeply emotional love story in If You Stayed, exploring loss, grief, and the difficult journey of regaining self-worth after an unhealthy relationship. It’s a story about surviving your demons and learning to love again.

"I met Henry Hughes during the hardest chapter of my life. I had many regrets in life. Choosing Henry as my husband might’ve been among my top three worst decisions. I didn’t love Henry anymore. Most days, I debated if I even liked him. I’d seen his red flags from the beginning, yet I’d chosen to quietly ignore them. A part of me at the time probably thought that was the love I deserved. A part of me believed I was lucky that anyone would want me—scars and all.”

The story opens with the aftermath of a tragic accident that had me bawling within the first few pages. Brittainy portrays raw emotion so vividly that I knew immediately I wouldn’t be able to put the book down.

We follow the FMC years later, now an adult trapped in a loveless marriage, believing it’s all she deserves—her penance for the accident. At a dinner party, she meets the MMC, a man she knows intimately—but he looks at her like she’s a stranger. The accident had taken all his memories from before the accident.

If You Stayed felt incredibly relatable, especially for anyone who’s stayed too long in a toxic relationship, lost a relationship they fought hard to keep, or stayed for the sake of a child. Brittainy Cherry does an exceptional job depicting Henry as a true wolf in sheep’s clothing—he was so easy to dislike, and his red flags had me raging at my Kindle.

A small side note: the MMC’s reputation as a “player” wasn’t strongly shown in the story. Although we’re told he had no trouble dating, his behavior didn’t reflect that typical ladies' man persona. Honestly, it would've felt more in tune with his character if he were an "occasional hookup/dater."

Overall, If You Stayed is a beautiful, slow-burn romance with minimal spice, heartwarming flashbacks of the main characters' prior relationship, and a slow, genuine reconnection. I would absolutely recommend it!

There are some heavy triggers, and I would double-check them before diving in.

Thank you to Brittainy Cherry, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for this arc!

This book got me out of my slump. I LOVE Brittainy Cherry because she never fails to keep me sucked in and this story was literally a lifetime movie like omg Passionflix!!! We got another one for ya🙂‍↕️

I usually don’t like memory loss tropes, but this one was SO good because they are literal soulmates and no matter WHAT they were going to be together!! Gabriel 🥹 what a sweet sweet man… the representation in this book was incredible. A successful Black architect and a Black therapist !!! I love to see it and i loved even more their story. No matter how HEART BREAKING it truly was 😭

To be honest, there was more pain than happiness in this book 🤣 and that’s why i took off half a star because I did want more romance and spice between the MC’s. Overall this was a super emotional and dramatic read (which i’ve been loving lately) and if you like that, this is for you!

Brittainy doesn't miss! Nobody writes a tragic romance with happy endings quite like her. Kierra and Gabriek were childhood friends turned sweethearts until one fatal night where he losing his memory and she loses him for ever. 20 years later, Keirra is in a loveless marriage to a very successful man who treats her terribly. Then one day, Gabriel walks back into her life but he doesn't remember her. We get to go along for the ride as they fall back in love, Kierra fights (literally) for her freedom and they both get their happy even if its 20 years later. this was such a sweet, touching and emotional story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you Stayed by Brittainy Cherry

If Brittainy Cherry writes it, I will read it!

I love a Brittainy Cherry book! Her beautiful and emotional writing sucks you in from the first page and never fails to disappoint her readers. If you Stayed, is no exception! It's the story of a first love lost between Keirra and Gabriel. It pulls all the right emotional heartstrings and leaves you with hope in the darkness. If you love an emotionally tender second chance romance, you will love this book.

"I can’t deny the hope that blooms whenever he’s near — the chance that he might remember me, that we could reclaim the chapters of our story that we’ve lost."

5 stars!!!!

This was my first Brittainy Cherry book—and wow. I’m seriously blown away. I couldn’t put If You Stayed down. From the first page, I was hooked, and I just kept thinking, “How have I never read her before?!”

Her writing is so beautiful and emotional. It felt like every sentence had meaning, and I was fully wrapped up in the story and the characters. I felt everything—the heartbreak, the healing, the love, the surprises... all of it.

The story itself was amazing. It had depth, it had twists I didn’t see coming, and the characters felt so real. I laughed, I cried, I highlighted so many lines because they just hit me right in the heart.

This book reminded me why I love reading. I’m officially a Brittainy Cherry fan now, and I can’t wait to dive into more of her books. If you’re looking for an emotional, beautifully written story that sticks with you, read this one!

If You Stayed is a second chance romance centering around Kierra, who is in a failing marriage and Gabriel, who has no recollection of his former love.

This book was an emotional roller coaster. There was trauma and grief.
Gabriel was a wonderful MMC. Ava is such a bright, intelligent child.

I would recommend to anyone who enjoys second chance romances.

I really enjoyed this second chance storyline with a twist. What a journey for Gabriel and Kierra, it’ll captivate you from the beginning to the end. I highly recommend this book.

Gabriel and Kierra's story took me on an emotional rollercoaster. It's a captivating mix of second chances, forced proximity, and the transition from friends to lovers. Be sure to check the trigger warnings, as the story delves into some heavy themes. I couldn't put this book down!

Gabriel struggles with memory loss, including the bond he once had with Kierra following a devastating accident. Years later, fate brings them together again at just the right moment. The emotional depth of this narrative resonates profoundly. I was eagerly anticipating their happily ever after, cherishing every heart-wrenching moment of their journey. This book is an absolute must-read, and I loved it!

Thank you @bcherryauthor & @sourcebookscasa for the advanced copy!

Brittainy has this way of writing that feels like she’s reaching into your chest and holding your heart in her hands. This story is raw and tender, messy and beautiful, and so painfully real in all the best ways.

It’s a story about love, yes, but also about survival—about the weight of mental illness, the scars we carry, and the healing power of connection. Gabriel is not your typical romantic lead. He’s broken in ways that aren’t romanticized, and that’s what makes his journey so compelling. And Kierra… she’s the kind of character you root for with your whole soul. The strength in her vulnerability is breathtaking.

The way Brittainy explores trauma, depression, and healing is deeply respectful and authentic. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is sugar-coated. It's heavy at times, but it’s also full of hope, quiet moments of grace, and a love that feels earned, not handed out.

By the end, this book isn’t just a story of romance—it’s a testament to the bravery it takes to rebuild trust in yourself and another person. Kierra’s strength and Gabriel’s quiet determination taught me that true healing isn’t a destination but a series of choices: to stay when it’s hard, to forgive when it hurts, and to love when it’s the riskiest gamble of all. This book broke me in the best way possible—and reminded me how powerful it is to find someone who holds your hand through the darkest parts of your story.

If you’ve ever struggled, or loved someone who has, this book will hit you hard. It’s not just about staying for someone else—it’s about learning how to stay for yourself.

i devoured this book in less than a day! i could not stop reading it. the story was captivating and made you want to keep reading. was it as emotional as expected? for me, no. but i can see how others would get to that point. there were a few specific scenes that made my chest ache, a few that made me gasp, and some that made me feel just like Ava did when describing Gabriel as written by a woman. i loved the reader aspect for the FMC and her daughter, and how they bonded over that. i loved watching Gabriel find his home.

Note: This book deals with sensitive issues, so I suggest you look into any trigger warnings if that could be an issue for you.

I love that Gabriel was able to find his way back to Kierra and that the connection they shared never went away.

The book takes place in present time along with flashbacks to times when they were kids. We know from the synopsis that there was an accident, and I really wish we learned more about what happened after the accident during the prologue. I actually feel like it would have been even more impactful, and I would have felt even more of the heartbreak that Kierra felt.

I also wish something was mentioned about Ava’s mother from the beginning. It was very odd to me that she was never mentioned – just that Henry was a single father. Was he divorced or a widower? I just wanted some little mention of her.

This book was very good, don’t get me wrong. I definitely still recommend the book. I just felt it needed a little bit more for it to be a five-star read for me.

If you stayed is a second chance romance, best friends to lovers, childhood romance, forced proximity, love triangle, amnesia, angst-y tropes all rolled into one and Brittainy Cherry sure does deliver. Throughout the story there are several times jumps that show you Gabriel and Kierra when they were children as their relationship blossomed and then as they are now. There is a certain accident that causes them to lose touch for 2 decades and the entire time you're trying to figure it out in the book, and it's finally discussed.

This book was written beautifully as only Brittainy Cherry knows how to. It is definitely a bingeable book and the plot twist towards the end you definitely don't see coming.

This book has several trigger warnings that you should look at before diving in headfirst because they are heavily discussed even though they are handled with care.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, as always, all words are my own.

Enemies to best friends to lovers to…worse than nothing. An accident rips two decades of his past from Gabriel Sinclair, including every memory of the one girl who was so special to him, Kierra Hughes. If you love an angsty, emotional amnesia trope, you’ll love this one. If there's anything this gifted storyteller does well, it's bring all the heart.

Her writing is poetic, profound, evocative and powerful, and I know whenever I pick up one of her romances, a part of me will be forever changed. She leaves pieces of her heart and soul scattered throughout the pages, making me feel like an active participant rather than a casual observer of the story. Sagaciously wise and enchanted with magic, this touching, emotional story is worthy of far more than a mere five stars. Run to the 1-Click and start reading this phenomenal story now. Your romantic heart will be eternally grateful.

I simply cannot with this book. The writing is atrocious, the characters are flat and I am, quite simply, bored out of my mind. I had this experience with another one of Cherry’s books so I won’t be requesting them any longer.

What happens if that one person you loved from your past comes back into your life, but has no memory of you? Kierra experiences this when suddenly the first man she ever loved appears back into her life, but he has no memory of her.

If you Stayed is a slow burn romance about second chance love. Written as a dual POV going back and forth between past and present, it was fun to read. Readers are introduced to Kierra who is a therapist and is married with a daughter. Her husband, Henry is a controlling manipulative husband and as unhappy as she is in the marriage, she stays because of her step daughter Ava. Readers are introduced to Gabriel, the first person Kierra ever loved. Despite not remembering Kierra, Gabriel's heart never forgot her.

Reading this book I was just glued. I fell in love with Gabriel and how every woman wishes to find a man like him. His funny, gentle, loving, warm heartedness is what I fell in love with. Be prepared when reading this book, it will wreck you and you will cry. You'll be rooting for Kierra and Gabriel, but also on the tip of your toes hoping things work out between them.

Loved this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC and this is my honest review.

The pretty cover pulled me in but I stayed for this emotional moving story.
“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚, 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙚'𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙…”
Gabriel and Kierra were childhood friends and after a tragedy in their teenager years they have not spoken in almost two decades. They were each others first loves. Gabriel has no memories of his past. Keirra is in an unhappy marriage with a daughter. The story is told in alternate timelines to build to what happened in the past and also get to know the characters now. This was such a rollercoaster read of emotions that I could feel from the pages.

Gabriel and Kierra were childhood friends whose bond was shattered by tragedy. 20 years later, fate brings them back together, stirring up buried feelings.

Gabriel was such a sweetheart! His kindness and the way he treated Ava had me swooning!!

Kierra, oh my goddess, I just wanted to give her the biggest hug.

This book shattered my heart and then lovingly pieced it back together!

Such an amazing!!

Je suis tellement fan de la plume de l'autrice qu'évidemment je lis tous ses romans sans même lire les résumés. Ce roman est une fois de plus une pépite pleine d'émotions et de thèmes vraiment très forts. J'ai adoré ces deux héros, découvrir leur passé, leur présent et leur avenir.

Kierra a, d'un point de vue extérieur, la vie idéale. Psychologue réputée, elle est à l'écoute de ses patients mais elle devrait aussi s'écouter. Son passé a fait qu'elle s'est interdit d'être heureuse et elle s'est enlisée dans une relation des plus toxiques. Son mari Henry Hugues est adulé de tous pour son talent , son génie mais si vous fermez les portes, le découvrir dans l'intimité n'est pas joli à voir. Elle est donc enfermée dans ce piège qui se referme sans cesse sur elle car elle a "adopté" dans son coeur Ava, la fille de son mari. Entre chantage affectif et violence physique, elle survit pour la jeune fille. Quand son passé lui renvient en pleine face, elle n'a d'autres choix que de l'accepter et de vivre cette bulle hors du temps. Mais le destin pourrait bien la rattraper et causer encore plus de souffrances.

Gabriel Sinclair est un architecte de talent qui ne vit que pour le travail. Victime d'un accident assez grave, il a été amputé d'une partie de sa mémoire. Vous verrez que le revers de la médaille cache bien des choses. Nous savons, mais pas lui. J'ai adoré voir se personnage entrer dans la vie de notre héroîne car il va déceler chez elle ce mal être. Avec lui, elle pourra lâcher prise et être elle-même. Loin du joug de son mari, elle va se révéler. Nous aurons évidemment des flashbacks, ce qui permet de dynamiser l'intrigue et rendre le dénouement final inévitable. Les émotions seront fortes mais c'est ce qu'on adora avec cette plume: voir des gens imparfaits affronter leurs failles pour en ressentir grandis.

Bref, je me suis régalée. La magie opère et nous allons vivre des tas d'émotions, sans pour autant tomber dans le drama. C'est réaliste, poignant avec des trigger warnings mis au début pour ne pas heurter la sensibilité de certain(e)s.

When I read the blurb for If You Stayed by Brittainy Cherry, I knew I had to read it. I love anything this author writes and this sounded like something I just needed to read and I am so glad I did. This was an emotional and angst-filled second chance romance with friends to lovers, forced proximity and amnesia tropes and I was here for all of it. Gabriel and Kierra were once friends and so much more. Then everything changed and Kierra walked away, but she never forgot. Now years later, he is back in her life but does not remember her. She is in an unhappy marriage and Gabriel still pulls her towards him.

I absolutely loved Gabriel. He was caring, patient and an amazing book boyfriend. I could not love him more if I tried. Kierra was kind and compassionate. Both of them broke my heart through everything they have been through. We get their story through the past and present and be ready to be in your feels. I do suggest you check your triggers before starting this book. I loved this story. I devoured it. It was heartbreaking, emotional and compelling and I highly recommend it.

Happy reading!

Brittainy Cherry can do no wrong in my book! This was deeply emotional and so raw. I love how easy it is to relate to these characters! I absolutely loved every word and page! Go read this now!