I stumbled upon Becky Wade's debut years ago and have followed her ever since. Her romance is always chemistry-filled, she writes fabulously complex characters, and the stories themselves are genuine and heartfelt. I think I've cried and laughed and swooned while reading each of her books. She's starting a new series and I'm already in love. Check out my review and a giveaway below...
Stay with Me
(A Misty River Romance #1)
By Becky Wade
Christian Contemporary Romance
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
May 5th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers
Loving her is a risk he can’t afford . . . and can’t resist.
When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents’ past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge mountains to chase down her family’s secret. However, it’s Genevieve’s own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of an historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she’s worked so hard to hide.
Sam has embraced his sorrow, his isolation, and his identity as an outsider. He’s spent years carving out both career success and peace of mind. The last thing he wants is to rent the cottage on his property to a woman whose struggles stir his worst failure back to life. Yet, can he bear to turn her away right when she needs him most?
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My Review
STAY WITH ME is a story of dealing with trauma and the pressure of perfection.
It's a story of vulnerability, forgiveness, family, and romance. Readers will love these characters and cheer them on as they try to overcome what life has thrown at them and their own poor choices, while opening up to others and reaching out to God's grace. Definitely recommended to Christian contemporary romance fans and fans of the author!
This is a story that is so prevalent to the time we live in with all the pressures of the world, to be perfect and successful. Prescription drug addiction is such a huge issue in our society. I've been lucky to not have to face it personally, but I could still relate to Gen and Sam and their situations. They were each imperfect and flawed, but were trying to do the right things and trust in God.
I loved their interactions with all the banter and sizzling chemistry! They really were a perfect match in how they balanced each other.
Here's one favorite quote from this story:
Relationships were painful and messy and beautiful and important. The mess came with the beauty. The pain came with the importance.
That was life. And God was calling him to live it.
Of course, there was more going on in this story than just Gen and Sam. I also loved Gen's relationship with her sister. Gen's mom was a little crazy and very controlling, but I know she had her reasons for her smothering and being overly positive. Then there was a bit of a mystery mixed in too that was an interesting and a unique aspect of this story.
There was a strong element of faith, but it never came across as preachy or forced. It was an interesting focus to see how these characters thought they could somehow "pay" God back for saving them or redeem themselves when they couldn't. I'm sure the messages of forgiveness and mercy will resonate with many readers.
Just a few very minor complaints... The Austen references were fun as I'm a fan, although a bit over the top in places. Gen and her sister were part of the Miracle Five, five kids who miraculously survived an earthquake in their teens while on a mission trip. I don't know that I loved the sections from that, but it did act as a set up for future stories in this series. I'm definitely curious to see what happens with Sebastian, Ben and Luke (even though it's going to test Sebastian's and Ben's friendship). At least I hope the series will tell their stories!
In the end, was it what I wished for? I really enjoyed reading this story! There were lots of connections to struggles many face with drug addiction and feeling "enough." The romance was fantastic as were these characters! If you're a fan of small-town charm, great characters, family, faith and romance then definitely give this new series from Wade a try.
Content: Prescription drug addiction, a reference to abuse and a murder.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Other Books in the Series
Take a Chance on Me
(A Misty River Romance #0.5)
By Becky Wade
Christian Contemporary Romance, Novella
ebook, 97 Pages
February 25th 2020
Summary
When baker Penelope Quinn steps in to help her brother’s family through a medical crisis, she’s forced into close proximity with charming Air Force fighter pilot Eli Price.
Penelope has one iron-clad dating rule—she does not date airmen. Months ago, she relaxed her rule with Eli and immediately lived to regret it. After a long deployment, he’s now back in Misty River and, to her dismay, she finds him just as tempting as always.
Eli’s spent months thinking about funny, feisty, creative Penelope. He once leveraged his focus and drive to become a pilot, his childhood dream. Now he's set on leveraging that same focus and drive in order to convince Penelope to give him one more chance.
This romantic prequel novella introduces readers to the quaint mountain town of Misty River and a brand-new series from Christy-winning author Becky Wade!
Read my 5-star review HERE.
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Becky Wade is the 2018 Christy Award Book of the Year winner for
True to You. She is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. Her humorous, heart-pounding contemporary romance novels have won three Christy Awards, the Carol Award, the INSPY Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award for Romance. Becky lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children.
One winner will receive:
- A $100 gift card
- A paperback copy of
Stay with Me
- A hand-knit scarf
- A pair of earrings
- A package of “Georgia Blues” coffee
- A package of apple oatmeal muffin mix
ENTER HERE
Will you be reading this one?
