Stay with Me (Misty River Romance, A Book #1)

Becky Wade

May 2020 · Misty River Romance, A Book 1 · Baker Books

About this eBook

Winner of the Contemporary Romance category of the Christy Award

Winner of the Romance Category of the Kipp Book Award

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 a 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?

"Wade launches the Misty River Romance series with this crafty mix of tragedy, intrigue, and romance. . . . Wade's endearing love story will appeal to readers of Susan May Warren."--Publishers Weekly

Ratings and reviews

Stay With Me is such a unique story. It’s not often that an author writes something that seems so relatable. Becky Wade has a way with words, and seems proficient at taking my breath away. I first met Sam in the prequel novella Take a Chance On Me. I couldn’t wait to get to know him more, and was so excited to find out he was getting his own story. I could tell Sam had gone through some stuff, and knew it would take a one of a kind woman to break through his walls. Lucky for him Genevieve is just that. I loved getting to know them, and watch as they both learned more about themselves and each other. They had great chemistry together and I enjoyed seeing Sam’s sweet “caretaker” side. I couldn’t imagine being so addicted to something that it easily controls your life, and yet that’s just where Genevieve found herself the day she met Sam. Genevieve has seen her share of trials, and all have led her to where she believes God wants her. Knowing she was destined to do great things has often caused her to push condemning thoughts away for another time. Until she wakes up in a stranger's house with no clue how she got there or where she is. Knowing she has no other choice but to quit, and succeed this time, Genevieve starts the journey to stop taking Oxy. If that wasn’t enough on her plate, she also needs to discover what a letter she received could possibly mean. Genevieve embarks on a journey to learn not only more about herself, but also about the parents she feels would never hide anything from her. Being a part of the miracle five, a group of kids who survived a tragedy, has caused her mom to hang on a little tighter than most parents. Can she figure out what her parents might be hiding before it’s too late? And what about Sam and all the feelings he brings out of her? Now isn’t the time to start a relationship, but how can she not? This book made me feel such a wide range of emotions. It’s definitely a story that is going to stay with me. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Contemporary Fiction. I receieved a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK Wow!! Becky Wade’s books just keep getting better and better. Genevieve Woodward has life altogether, as a very successful Bible Study author, she is famous, sought after, people love her. Her loving family, her mom, dad and sister, the perfect family in everyone’s eyes. But with one note, it all comes crashing down. How would Genevieve ever find the peace of God she has been writing about again? This book is so very good, I don’t know where to start! The characters are so well crafted, and well developed they actually began to feel like part of my family. So realistic throughout the entire book that it makes the story so real. My heart was captured from the very first page. I wanted to read it slowly in order to grasp every word, but yet I didn’t want to put the book down because I couldn’t stop reading Genevieve and Sam’s story. I love Genevieve because she has the personality that you just have to love. Yet she has flaws just like the rest of us. And I love Sam, he is a man of few words, but what he says is profound and sticks with you. The emotions between these two had me in tears a lot of the time I was reading this book, yet the humor between them had me laughing much of the time. And there was just enough mystery there to balance the entire story out to make it one of the best stories I have read. I also love the way author Becky Wade weaves the Christian life into the lives of her characters. But shows their flaws just as most people have. And she does it in such a subtle way. This story is truly one of being honest about your failures, letting go, love, forgiveness, grace, hope and second chances. I’d you enjoy Contemporary Romance that is good, clean and oh so enjoyable and entertaining, Stay With Me is one you definitely do not want to miss. I highly recommend this sweet story to everyone! I have only touched the surface of what this story is about. You have to read it for yourself. This book well deserves many more than 5 stars!! A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Stay With Me is Becky Wade’s first full-length novel in the Misty River romance series, and it has set the bar high for the rest of the series! Everything within the covers is beautifully crafted. Amazing, quirky, memorable characters--and not just the hero, Sam, (swoon) or the bubbly heroine, Genevieve. In fact, one of my favorites is Gen’s sister, Natasha. I loved all her nutty Jane Austen-obsessed antics. Sam. Is. Amazing. I could hear the melodic tune of his Aussie accent and see his manly profile, but the best parts of him were on the inside. What a loving and serving heart he has! And such courage rests in him! He was such a warrior for the people he cared about, and that instantly drew me to him. I just love Genevieve, too. She is so bubbly and bright. And I think the contrast between the darkness of her addiction and this shiny facade of her personality really emphasizes how we can deny the sin in our lives until it threatens to overcome us. I loved every minute of the interactions between Gen and Sam. How they went from abysmal acquaintances to rocky friends to soul-touching partners in her recovery. And those kisses! Whew! This novel is layered with depth and sub-plots that grip your attention and add such a fullness to the story. From Genevieve being part of The Miracle Five (I’ll let you discover the meaning to this on your own.) to Gen and Natasha secretly researching her parents’ past, this story will capture and hold your attention and your heart from beginning to finish. This book addresses some very real and timely issues-- addiction, grief, anxiety, forgiveness-- and how we often turn to the wrong source for comfort. One of the reasons I read inspirational fiction, is I like being challenged in my faith--even if that means taking a closer look at myself. I thought Becky Wade brought important points to light about how we often lie to ourselves and others about the sin in our lives and consequently grow farther and farther from God. Stay with Me will put you through the emotional wringer, but it is so worth it! You will be crying tears of joy and relief by the end. I promise! Any fan of contemporary Christian fiction/romance will love this book. I was provided a copy of this book by the author/publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the author

Becky Wade is a bestselling author of heart-pounding and faith-filled contemporary romance novels and the winner of the 2018 Christy Award Book of the Year. She's a native of California who married a Texan and now lives in Dallas with her husband and three children. To find out more about Becky and her books, visit www.beckywade.com.