I really wanted to like it bit No I felt Kierra was not strong character that she was weak i get it she stay marry for her daughter but really stay in her marriage her husband is a control freak and put her down left to right and cheat on her and then she was a therapist to was helping other patient and she is reunited with Gabriel who loss his memory and he doesnt remember he knew Kierra and that he had a brother that his mom hadnt told him. Kierra spend time with Gabriel. Check for T W and it kind of reminds me of 50 first date with drew barrymore and adam Sandler.

5 stars
This is my first Brittainy book and I can see the hype! Reading the blurb, you expect angst, but you don't expect complex characters.

First of all, who knew penguins would be romantic.

If I were to wrap up one moral to be taken, it's "HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE YOUR FIERCIEST LOVER."

*spoilers ahead*
Henry is the villain of the story, and yes, he is still a jerk, and his actions are not excusable, but his actions has layers. In the pursuit of not wanting to become his dad, he became him. The sentence "At least he never hit me" hits hard. He hit you; it doesn't matter if it's once.

I'm reading while writing this review. Wow, the plot twist! This book is heavy and reminds me of Coleen Hoover's It Ends With Us.

Oh my gosh! I DEVOURED this book in just a few hours! It was amazing, like every Brittainy Cherry book always is… I felt every emotion that Kierra felt as I was reading. Gabriel is the man every woman wishes she had. I loved him from the very beginning & wanted him to find his forever after so bad. This is one of those books that Im still going to be thinking about for days & days. I am recommending it to everyone I know because it is an amazing book. Brittainy Cherry books never let me down!

Gabriel Sinclair is the fairytale man, that every woman deserves. He’s kind, gentle, loving, caring, funny, romantic. He’s just perfect.

Kierra Hughes is in an unhappy marriage with Henry. He’s cold, controlling and manipulative. He’s basically the opposite of Gabriel. But from her marriage, she gained the love of her life, her step-daughter Ava. There is nothing she wouldn’t do for Ava, even if that means staying with Henry.

Gabriel and Kierra were childhood friends but tragedy separated them and Gabriel has no memories before the age of 20. Although his mind doesn’t remember her, it’s like his heart never forgot.

No-one, man or woman, should have to go through appalling treatment at the hands of the person who is supposed to love them. But sadly, the world is full of bullies, and thank the Lord, for people like Gabriel who rise up against the bullies.

My heart was in my mouth reading this book. I was prepared for the hurt and pain ( I don’t have any triggers), so desperate for Kierra and Gabriel to reconnect and find love.

Really good read.

She does it again! Queen of spicy AF contemporary romance. I will read all of Brittainy Cherrys books

Beautiful and emotional journey. I loved the book and read it in one sitting. Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange!

This book had me intrigued from the beginning you have Gabriel and Keirra who are childhood sweethearts and after tragedy strikes and Gabriel experiences the loss of his memory, Kierra drags through life. You go through lots of emotions, including loss, spousal abuse, belittling, gaslighting from her husband. And Gabriel and Keirra reconnecting their once love. I do wish the book gave us a longer experience of Gabriel and keirra together I felt like i didn’t get much of their experience together because most of the book she was still dealing with her marriage. I overall enjoyed the book and read it in less than a day. Thank you #netgalley for the arc read.

If You Stayed by Brittainy Cherry is a beautifully crafted, emotionally charged story that captivates your heart and soul from the first page. This novel is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the deep impact of memory, and it’s impossible not to be drawn into the raw emotions that run throughout the narrative.

The story centers on Gabriel Sinclair and the woman he once loved, who has been forced to live without him for years after an accident stole his memories of her. What follows is a tender, heart-wrenching journey of rediscovery as Gabriel re-enters her life unexpectedly, not remembering their past, but stirring up feelings she thought were long buried. The heroine, now trapped in a loveless marriage, is torn between the guilt she feels over the past and the hope that blooms within her as Gabriel begins to return to her. Their reconnection is both painful and beautiful, and the emotional complexity of their relationship is expertly portrayed.

Brittainy’s writing is masterful and full of heart and depth, and she effortlessly brings these characters to life. Gabriel’s emotional journey is especially moving as he grapples with the pieces of a past he can no longer recall, while the heroine’s struggle with her guilt and desires creates a strong emotional tension that keeps you hooked. The themes of second chances and the fragility of love are explored so that you feel every triumph and setback alongside the characters.

What makes If You Stayed stand out is its tender examination of memory, fate, and the scars left by past love. It’s a story that will make you reflect on the power of connections and the resilience needed to rebuild them, even when everything seems lost. The slow-burn romance and the push and pull between the characters will keep you invested from beginning to end.

If you enjoy deeply emotional romances that are as thought-provoking as they are heartwarming, If You Stayed is a must-read. Brittainy Cherry once again delivers a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. It’s a love story that resonates with the complexities of life and love, and it’s impossible not to fall in love with it.

I received this arc and devoured it in one sitting. The story was beautiful and full of heartbreak and love. I loved the chemistry between the characters and the happily ever after. It was a moving story that I would definitely recommend.

It’s no secret that Brittainy is an author that I love. Her books always have a way of moving me and getting lost for a while.

Told in alternating POVs and dual timelines, we see Gabriel and Kierra find their way back to each other in the most unexpected way. Gabriel is…. Perfection. He’s a man that seeks Kierra without even knowing. His heart seeks her even when his mind doesn’t know her. You see, Gabriel forgot a large part of his memories…and in those memories is Kierra.

Trigger warnings:
Domestic Abuse
Mental/emotional abuse
Physical Abuse
Belittling
Amnesia

Brittainy Cherry can do no wrong. I've read almost her entire backlist and they are always amazing. I am such a sucker for the amnesia trope. And it was done in a different and unique way. I liked the way she wrote the husband. She made you hate him. Her love for Ava was so perfect. And the angst between her and Gabriel was phenomenal. Thank you netgally for the arc of this book.

Does B Cherry ever write a bad book? The answer would be NEVER!
I have been a huge fan for forever. This book was amazing 👏

4.5⭐️

Brittainy never disappoints. The emotional journey that you experience with her writing never fails.
Love all of this. I love a good second chance romance and Gabriel with the memory loss is like icing on the cake for this story. Very well written but I had no doubt that it would be.

I don't even know where to begin with this review. "If you Stayed" was an incredible read. It hit on some heavy topics (DV, Cheating) but the end was worth it. Kierra showed such strength and truly captured what it meant to be a mother, with or without DNA. The love between Gabriel and Kierra was truly something. They are picturesque soulmates.

Holy emotional roller coasters!!! Gosh, I am sort of at a loss for words. This book just took me through it ALL!!
Kierra and Gabriel were childhood friends and teenage lovers until life tore them apart. They meet again many years later much to Kierra’s shock. Gabriel has no clue who she is but he soul calls to her They become friends again but Gabriel doesn’t know everything and Kierra must come clean about the past. At the same time,
Kierra’s home life is a living hell. She knows it’s problematic but she thinks that she has to do what’s best for her daughter Ava. Ava and Kierra fall in love with Gabriel but they cannot be with him until they break free from their chains. Will Gabriel wait for Kierra? Will she take a chance on being loved correctly? Will Kierra recognize her worth? The answer is absolutely.

This was a very deep and emotional book. It’s about death, grief, regrets, emotional trauma, domestic violence and forgiveness. It’s about surviving all of that and still believing that you deserve better. It’s about “growing as you go”! I loved this book so much. It was real. I have to total book hangover. I give is 5 beautiful emotional heartwarming stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow. Wow. Wow. If angst tension and longing was a book this author just created the blueprint. I am a sucker for a good ankesia trope. I love to have my heart ripped out of my chest only to slowly watch it get put back together. While my heart ached and cried along with what these characters have been through and what tore them apart, I could have asked for a more stunning reconciliation and conclusion for them. Gabriel is just starting to figure out life again, an architect when Kierra falls back into his life again only with a husband. The years together has not dulled how Kierra sees Gabriel and suddenly all those years seem significant, if on KU he could remember her. Diving I to this story you’ll enter a world of heartbreak, longing, an emotionally gripping romance that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page at how hard earned this second chance was. We have two incredibly kind and gentle main characters who exude such strength that I can’t help but root for them together and individually. Tissues are a must for this one. This was so well written and executed I will be thinking of Kierra and Gabriel for a long time.

I really enjoyed this story. I liked the way the story progressed and gave each conflict an opportunity to be fully resolved. I also enjoyed how their relationship just naturally evolved into what it used to be without them really trying to make it that way. I thought the story line was different and I enjoyed a different take on a romance book. I found it refreshing.

Ce livre ne sors qu'en avril 2025 mais j'ai eu l'opportunité de le lire en avance!
Kierra et Gabriel sont inséparables depuis leur enfance mais un accident va les séparer. Des années plus tard, leurs chemins vont se recroiser et cela sera salvateur pour l'un comme pour l'autre...
Comme toujours avec Brittainy C Cherry, il faut s'attendre à une histoire forte en émotions, en drama et en rebondissements! J'ai adoré cette histoire qui est assez percutante mais aussi assez vraie. J'ai beaucoup aimé la psychologie du personnage de Kierra, elle est forte tout en laissant percevoir des faiblesses. J'ai eu un peu plus de mal à m'attacher à Gabriel. Leur relation est belle, forte et puissante car on sent qu'ils veulent s'aider mutuellement! En tout cas, j'espère que ce livre sera bientôt traduite en France!
En bref, une très belle histoire signée Brittainy C Cherry

I love an amnesia romance and this one was so angsty and sweet! These two truly were meant to be together and when they FINALLY got together, I was so happy for them.

Read this in one sitting. I am big fan of second chance romances and this was one had all the feels. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.