Say You'll Stay: A Second Chance, Small Town Hennington Brothers Romance

Corinne Michaels

Jun 2016 · BAAE Publishing

About this ebook

A New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller.

One word.

Stay.

It was all he had to do. Instead, he got on that bus and took my heart with him.

That was seventeen years ago.

I moved on. Marriage. Kids. White picket fence. Everything I ever wanted, but my husband betrayed me and I was left once again.

Alone, penniless, and with two boys, I had no choice but to return to Tennessee. He wasn’t supposed to be there. I should’ve been safe. However, fate has a way of stepping in.

This time around, the tables are turned. It’s my decision. Second chances do exist, but I don’t know if we can repair what’s already been broken . . .

Author's Note: This book may contain sensitive subject matter and is recommended for readers 17+ only. For possible CW’s please check the author’s website.

Read what others are saying about New York Times bestselling author, Corinne Michaels:

"Corinne Michaels shredded me and put me back together in the best possible way with Say You'll Stay. Incredible read and a passionate start to what promises to be one of my new favorite series.” - Meredith Wild - #1 NYT Bestselling Author

"Every book just gets better from Corinne Michaels. She shreds my heart into a million tiny pieces and then magically manages to put it all back together." - Vi Keeland - #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"With every new book, Corinne keeps reclaiming her throne as the queen of hope, heartbreak, and epic ever afters." -- Violet Duke, NYT bestselling author

"5 brilliant stars for Trent and Grace's story. No one does sexy, swoony romance like Corinne Michaels." - Sawyer Bennett - NYT Bestselling Author

“I dare you not to fall in love with the world Corinne Michaels has created.” – Meghan March, NYT Bestselling Author

"Corinne Michaels is a master storyteller and this book held my heart hostage!” - Penny Reid, NYT Bestselling Author

"This book doesn't just tug at your heartstrings -- it pulls your soul all the way in." -- Julia Kent, NYT Bestselling Author

"A gorgeous blend of heartbreak and hope. Michaels' writes unputdownable romance." - Helena Hunting, NYT Bestselling Author

“Michaels draws her readers in on an emotional level with the finesse and skill of a more seasoned author. Beloved is a debut not to be missed.”– Laurelin Paige, NYT Bestselling Author

“Corinne does a masterful job of immersing her readers in this world of trust, friendship, honor, loyalty, and love.” ~ Aleatha Romig – NYT Bestselling Author

“Sexy. Heartwarming. Addictive. Michaels is at the top of her game.”~K. Bromberg, NYT Bestselling Author

Topics: contemporary romance, small town, second chance, friends to lovers, series, romantic series, women’s fiction, romance saga, romantic small town, series starter, first in series, romance series, romance saga, romantic family saga, new york times bestseller romance, NYT romance, new york times romance, sexy, heartwarming, heart-warming, family, love, love books, kissing books, emotional journey, captivating romance, emotional, healing, hot, hot romance, forbidden love, sparks, loyalty, swoon, Corinne Michaels romance, funny romance, modern romance, new release, office romance, forbidden romance, boy band, older in life, childhood crush, friends to lovers, one night stand, second chance romance, hidden romance, strong alpha, alpha hero, family business, strong female lead, strong heroine, family secrets, top romance reads, best seller, 

Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Nicholas Sparks, Maya Banks, Penelope Sky, Kendall Ryan, Kennedy Fox, Lexi Blake, Carrie Ann Ryan, Lani Lynn Vale, Chelle Bliss, Sarina Bowen, Penelope Ward, Nora Roberts, Marie Force, Melissa Foster, Kristen Proby, Devney Perry, Susan Stoker, Tessa Bailey, Jana Aston, Sally Thorne, Christina Lauren, Kristan Higgins, Elle Kennedy, Anna Todd, Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr, Julia Kent, Sylvia Day, K.A. Linde, Catherine Cowles, Jill Shalvis, J. Daniels, Jessica Hawkins, Rachel VanDyken, Jodi Ellen Malpas, L.J. Shen, Natasha Madison, Emily Henry, Kylie Scott, Kennedy Ryan, Lauren Blakely

Ratings and reviews

I don't know about you, but when it comes to a Second Chance Romance, I get beyond super excited. The fact of the matter is, love comes and goes, but with the Second Chance Romance, we lose some and we WIN SOME. Or most importantly, we see two people overcome and grow. If you have been a faithful follower of Author Corinne Michaels, you are familiar with her interconnecting series. Whereas each of those books are packed full of OMG and WOW moments, SYS, is pumped full of ALL THE FEELS and EVERY OTHER EMOTION YOU COULD IMAGINE. I wasn't sure if my heart could take everything that was thrown at it. There were times where I wishing for a Speed Bump or even a Caution While Reading sign, but mostly I was biting my nails wondering what would come next. In true Michaels fashion, she gives us a beautiful heart stopping story of redemption and flawless love. The way she crafted this story was not only gut-wrenching but breathtaking as well. She gives us two characters who have a deeply passionate history. Presley and Zachary show us what the meaning of true unbridled love is. Of course, with Say You'll Stay not everything comes neatly packaged with a huge bow on top. This is a story where this couple must fight for what they love and battle their own insecurities, while holding the weight of the world on their shoulders. I absolutely loved Zachary and Presley. Their connection was unreal; it wasn't forced or too perfect. It made their story feel real to me. And that is what I love most about this story....this love, their love, was everything I had hoped for. If you are looking to read a book that is a roller coaster of emotions, than SYS is definitely the book for you. I can definitely say that I am dying for book two in this series. The secondary characters are a huge part of this story, because they help Zachary and Presley in too many ways to state. This is another wonderful story from Ms, Michaels! I give Say You'll Stay 4.5 Stars!!

Usually and considering that's the logical process, I wait till the end to review, but so far I want to slap the girl silly. Personally, it gets old for me when in books someone, namely the girl in this case, seems to be heading (mentally) a certain direction and then takes a sudden turn again. It's one thing to have conflicting emotions. I mean that's realistic, but covering every moment of the book with internal insecurities and constant mind changing drives me nuts. I hate it. There's just this dose of relentless what's going through their mind when more actions and conversation would be better. I don't want to be in her brain the entire story. I want to ride along with the characters and get to know them. I want to be a part of the activities and with that get a general idea of the emotion between the two coming together. To me, the entire story shouldn't reside on what the character feels internally so much. It's exhausting and just pulls away from the story. Actions truly speak louder than words which is no different, in my opinion, when telling a story. I also hate how the thoughts are on repeat throughout the book. It's like the author can't constantly remind you enough of what the person is thinking. I hate when authors do that. I get it. Maybe once or twice, depending on the length of the story so it's in our minds, but end it there. I don't want to keep thinking to myself, "Ok. Yea you said this already. Yes we know he did what he did. Yea we get that your mad/hurt for what he did and you feel this way and that. Yep...for the millionth time. Can we move on?" I hate reading the back story and opinion of the characters over and over. "He did this and that and left me with a broken heart. I love him and am going to ravage him. Oh, wait. I can't. I have kids and my husband left us high and dry. Have I told you this enough. Let me say it again so you don't forget. I still hurt and let me repeat why and what happened again as if I haven't repeated it on every page of the story so then I'll slap him one minute then climb him again. I still love you. Wait. no I don't. Let me tell you again why and what happened." I can't be the only one that feels this way. It's a bad writing habit for some, I have found. In addition, I find Presley's issues with Zach to be stupid. As a young girl, I could see there would be immaturity and with that, her insecurities then would have made sense. As a grown woman however, surely she could better understand why he made the decision he did and quit acting like that stupid young girl and berating him about it. She's been married and raising two kids. How the heck has she not matured and seen things in an adult manner by this time. It's overdone how she is hanging on to it. She left the poor guy for following a dream she already knew he had and should have stood by him as he would have no doubt done for her. Seriously? He jumped for them...knowing he would be able to take care of her. That's a pretty sweet move for a young guy. Things change and sorry if you can't be notified when something has to be jumped on. Life doesn't just go by a strict schedule and her parents should have told her she was a dumb A. Go with it because you know you love him and he would do the same for you. How is that an issue? This chic is just way overboard to me. Of course I have to admit, there are women like this out there in the real world. Uggh...I'll give it a chance and keep reading. Poor Zach. I'd take him in a heartbeat :-P. FINAL THOUGHTS: I finished the story and couldn't get past all the repetitive thoughts and dialogu. There were cute moments, emotional moments, and I did enjoy the end. Honestly, the best part of the story which had me in tears, was the beginning. I can only imagine how going through something like that would be. I would be a mess and could just imagine her pain. I feel that was well written.

I never write book reviews but this book touched my soul where nothing has touched me before. More than a love story I found this to be a story of great loss, a story of renewal, a story of hope, a story of love and living again after immense loss. Todd was such a solid background character that I found myself balling my eyes out for Pres and the twins loss. However Pres and Zach's love story is timeless (literally the whole town has been rooting for them since they were kids) and rebuilt me. They showed us that what is lost can always be found again. They showed us humanbeings can always find something to thether themselves to and when it's true love boy are we lucky. Let love win.

About the author

Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed—reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.