I really enjoyed reading this book. I haven’t read many books by this author but I’m going to have to check out more of them.

This book was an emotional read! I feel in love with Kierra, Ava, and Gabriel. I really loved the connection between Kierra and Ava. I loved the bond those two formed! Ava deserved her as a mom.

Watching Kierra and Gabriel find their way back to each other was sweet and heartbreaking. I feel bad for everything they both had to endure. I feel like Kierra had it worse in one way, but Gabriel in another.

I enjoyed this book and am excited to read more Brittainy C. Cherry books!

If You Stayed is a standalone title written by Brittainy Cherry.

Expected release date of April 22, 2025

*Amnesia
*Marriage in crisis
*Second chance

When two souls are tangled in forever…

After reading the description of this book I was worried that it would be too much for me to handle. Cheating has, and will always be, one of my triggers. Spousal abuse is the other. I was so worried!

However, Brittainy Cherry is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I knew I could trust her to make me fall in love with this book, regardless of the triggers.

Gabriel and Kiera were childhood friends, and high school love interests, until a tragic accident ripped them apart. Gabriel was left with no memory of Keira, and she was pushed away by Gabriel’s mother due to the accident.

Twenty years later, Gabriel has been hired as an architect by Kiera’s husband. What transpires is a new friendship, recovered memories, and a reconnection of two soul mates.

If you have never given this author a chance before, read this book!! It will truly make you believe in the power of soul mates.

I listed the trigger warnings below, your mental health is more important than anything. Do not read if any of these will cause you to experience negative feelings.

TW: on page spousal physical, verbal, and mental abuse, cheating, death of a child

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read and review this title!

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️
Characters: Gabriel (MMC) & Kierra (FMC)

I read this book in less than 12 hours, and it's taken me about 48 to process. I loved this story. It's not a light-hearted romance, and I would recommend checking trigger warnings before going in, as the content may be sensitive to certain readers. It is well worth the emotional roller coaster you will go on though!

Kierra and Gabriel's love story developed over time when they were young and then a tragic accident forced them apart for nearly 20 years, We get brief flashbacks of how they first met at age 8, then some from their teenage years and finally we find out what happens to them at age 19 and why they went their separate ways. When they reunite in their adult years, Gabriel has no memory of Kierra and I was devastated right alongside of her to find that out. She is now married to her husband of 15 years who is an abusive narcissist, but stays for her daughter's sake and Gabriel is still single because he's looking for a woman that he just hasn't found yet. I don't want to give too much away because the journey is worth going in almost blind, but if you loved her earlier books (such as the Elements series) you will absolutely love this one. I can't wait to see more of her tear-jerker style writing as I think that's been missing in my reading life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and, of course, the wonderful and talented Brittainy C. Cherry for sending me an ARC of this book to review.

Brittainy Cherry writes a second chance at love again romance that is emotional, heartbreaking, and uplifting. If You Stayed is about Kierra Hughes, a therapist, and Gabriel Sinclair, an architect. Kierra is stuck in a loveless marriage to her husband Henry but stays for their daughter Ava. When Henry hires Gabriel as the head architect to build their new smart home, Kierra is reminded of the childhood she shared with Gabriel when she and Gabriel were friends, then lovers, then nothing after an accident forced her to leave everything she loved behind. Gabriel lost his memory as a result of the accident and doesn’t remember Kierra but feels a familiar connection to her. As Kierra struggles with her unresolved feelings and attraction to Gabriel, she has to choose whether or not to act on it or leave it behind again.
 
This book was tenderly written with such care and compassion. Kierra and Gabriel’s love story was gratifying and comforting. Kierra is a fighter, and her vulnerability and strength are so tragic yet promising. Their love for each other never wavered despite Gabriel’s memory loss and the years they have lost together. This was an evocative reading experience, and Brittainy did such an exceptional job writing a poignant and impactful story, and I can’t wait to read more from Brittainy.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Brittainy Cherry really knows how to write a book that tugs at the heartstrings! This book is up there with all of my other favourites from her. I was so invested in Kierra and Gabriel's love story that I devoured it. This story covers some heavy themes which made me feel for the characters while they were going through their trials. The only thing missing for me was seeing more of Kierra and Gabriel's relationship in the present.

Overall, this was a really good book and worth a read.

Thank you to Brittainy Cherry, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh, wow! What a story! This was deeply engaging and moving. It's raw and emotional and I just adored it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Cherry is a talented and crafty writer. I want more!