Another Brittainy Cherry read I adored. I'm a sucker for second chance and this one had me by the throat.

What an emotional and heartbreaking story. The author has a way of twisting at your heart strings and pulling at your emotions. If you stayed is such a powerful second chance romance story with a few twists along the way.

Definitely my favourite book of 2025 so far!

If Brittainy Cherry writes it, I will read it. I have read and LOVED every single one of her books that I have read. I was excited to be granted access to If You Stayed by the publisher- so thank you to the publisher for my early digital copy. I also went out and bought a physical copy of this book so that I can read it in both formats. It's been a minute since BC has released a new book, so to say I was excited when I saw this one is an understatement. BC has a way of writing amazing characters and emotional stories. She is the queen of breaking your heart and putting it back together. I loved every bit of this story in a way that I cannot even begin to explain. If you haven't read a BC book yet, you are truly missing out!!

’ve read a few Brittainy Cherry books so I knew what I was getting myself into. She writes such emotional, heart wrenching, soul crushing romance. I always cry-always. This book was no exception. Gabriel and Kierra were the epitome of best friends to lovers until an accident t tore them apart. Cut to years later where Kierra is in a loveless marriage full of emotional and physical abuse. One day a man shows up working with her husband and guess who? Yup - Gabriel. Unfortunately, because of the accident he does not have any recollection or memory of Kierra. Their painfully emotional journey is one I will never forget. Brittainy had a way of imprinting her stories in your soul so you will forever think about them.

I love Brittainy Cherry’s books and her newest novel If You Stayed is one that hits you right in the feels. Kierra and Gabriel have known each other since they were neighbors as kids until a tragedy happened and they lost all contact.
 
Kierra is such a raw and real character who shows herself at vulnerable points and I feel like a lot of people can relate to her. From the outside she looks like the perfect trophy wife with a career as a therapist, a successful husband, and a daughter. But in reality, she is very unhappy and only stays for her daughter. I really liked how this book showed a toxic marriage and how it’s so difficult to move on a different path when you have others to think about as well. Kierra deserves everything and I loved how she slowly found her happiness again.
 
After the tragedy Gabriel lost all his memories and it’s really tragic what he has forgotten. He’s an architect who designs Kierra‘s new house and that’s how they meet again. Gabriel is such a supportive and loving partner and I love how they have the chance to find out what would have happened if he stayed. The title also fits perfectly, and this story is just bittersweet and such a rollercoaster of emotions. I felt so much while reading this book and the author also does such a fantastic job with her stories and this was no different.
 
If You Stayed is a romance with a powerful message that you won’t forget anytime soon and I loved following along Kierra and Gabriel‘s journey. 5 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

4.5/5 stars

If You Stayed is an emotional second chance romance.

The book has both the male and female POVs. Kierra and Gabriel are both 40 years old. They knew each other as kids, but have been apart for many years.

The book goes back and forth between the present and different times in the past. The flashbacks to the past were not my favorite. Although I do understand why they were necessary to help us understand what happened between Kierra and Gabriel.

Kierra is now married with a daughter. She's a therapist, although she still struggles with events from her past. I adored her daughter Ava. And I loved the therapist that she worked with, Joseph. However her husband Henry was not a nice man. I was shocked by this relationship dynamic.

There once was a man who loved me, until he forgot every memory we've ever shared… is honestly one of the most heartbreaking premises that I've ever read. But it is also one of the most interesting ones. This story was beautiful and profound. It was so moving and unexpected. It brought me to tears.

Gabriel is an architect. He is definitely one of my favorite characters ever. So kind. So generous. My heart broke for him. He is such a good man.

This is a very slow burn romance. And a main part of the story does not happen until halfway. It was very difficult to read. But completely worthwhile. I was very impressed with the last part of the book. I went into this book blind. The book definitely got so much more intense than I was expecting. It is a beautiful love story. But it's not an easy read. It's heartbreaking and will make you cry.

4.5 Stars! Brittainy Cherry delivers a deeply emotional love story in If You Stayed, exploring loss, grief, and the difficult journey of regaining self-worth after an unhealthy relationship. It’s a story about surviving your demons and learning to love again.

"I met Henry Hughes during the hardest chapter of my life. I had many regrets in life. Choosing Henry as my husband might’ve been among my top three worst decisions. I didn’t love Henry anymore. Most days, I debated if I even liked him. I’d seen his red flags from the beginning, yet I’d chosen to quietly ignore them. A part of me at the time probably thought that was the love I deserved. A part of me believed I was lucky that anyone would want me—scars and all.”

The story opens with the aftermath of a tragic accident that had me bawling within the first few pages. Brittainy portrays raw emotion so vividly that I knew immediately I wouldn’t be able to put the book down.

We follow the FMC years later, now an adult trapped in a loveless marriage, believing it’s all she deserves—her penance for the accident. At a dinner party, she meets the MMC, a man she knows intimately—but he looks at her like she’s a stranger. The accident had taken all his memories from before the accident.

If You Stayed felt incredibly relatable, especially for anyone who’s stayed too long in a toxic relationship, lost a relationship they fought hard to keep, or stayed for the sake of a child. Brittainy Cherry does an exceptional job depicting Henry as a true wolf in sheep’s clothing—he was so easy to dislike, and his red flags had me raging at my Kindle.

A small side note: the MMC’s reputation as a “player” wasn’t strongly shown in the story. Although we’re told he had no trouble dating, his behavior didn’t reflect that typical ladies' man persona. Honestly, it would've felt more in tune with his character if he were an "occasional hookup/dater."

Overall, If You Stayed is a beautiful, slow-burn romance with minimal spice, heartwarming flashbacks of the main characters' prior relationship, and a slow, genuine reconnection. I would absolutely recommend it!

There are some heavy triggers, and I would double-check them before diving in.

Thank you to Brittainy Cherry, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for this arc!

This book got me out of my slump. I LOVE Brittainy Cherry because she never fails to keep me sucked in and this story was literally a lifetime movie like omg Passionflix!!! We got another one for ya🙂‍↕️

I usually don’t like memory loss tropes, but this one was SO good because they are literal soulmates and no matter WHAT they were going to be together!! Gabriel 🥹 what a sweet sweet man… the representation in this book was incredible. A successful Black architect and a Black therapist !!! I love to see it and i loved even more their story. No matter how HEART BREAKING it truly was 😭

To be honest, there was more pain than happiness in this book 🤣 and that’s why i took off half a star because I did want more romance and spice between the MC’s. Overall this was a super emotional and dramatic read (which i’ve been loving lately) and if you like that, this is for you!

Brittainy doesn't miss! Nobody writes a tragic romance with happy endings quite like her. Kierra and Gabriek were childhood friends turned sweethearts until one fatal night where he losing his memory and she loses him for ever. 20 years later, Keirra is in a loveless marriage to a very successful man who treats her terribly. Then one day, Gabriel walks back into her life but he doesn't remember her. We get to go along for the ride as they fall back in love, Kierra fights (literally) for her freedom and they both get their happy even if its 20 years later. this was such a sweet, touching and emotional story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you Stayed by Brittainy Cherry

If Brittainy Cherry writes it, I will read it!

I love a Brittainy Cherry book! Her beautiful and emotional writing sucks you in from the first page and never fails to disappoint her readers. If you Stayed, is no exception! It's the story of a first love lost between Keirra and Gabriel. It pulls all the right emotional heartstrings and leaves you with hope in the darkness. If you love an emotionally tender second chance romance, you will love this book.

"I can’t deny the hope that blooms whenever he’s near — the chance that he might remember me, that we could reclaim the chapters of our story that we’ve lost."

5 stars!!!!

This was my first Brittainy Cherry book—and wow. I’m seriously blown away. I couldn’t put If You Stayed down. From the first page, I was hooked, and I just kept thinking, “How have I never read her before?!”

Her writing is so beautiful and emotional. It felt like every sentence had meaning, and I was fully wrapped up in the story and the characters. I felt everything—the heartbreak, the healing, the love, the surprises... all of it.

The story itself was amazing. It had depth, it had twists I didn’t see coming, and the characters felt so real. I laughed, I cried, I highlighted so many lines because they just hit me right in the heart.

This book reminded me why I love reading. I’m officially a Brittainy Cherry fan now, and I can’t wait to dive into more of her books. If you’re looking for an emotional, beautifully written story that sticks with you, read this one!

If You Stayed is a second chance romance centering around Kierra, who is in a failing marriage and Gabriel, who has no recollection of his former love.

This book was an emotional roller coaster. There was trauma and grief.
Gabriel was a wonderful MMC. Ava is such a bright, intelligent child.

I would recommend to anyone who enjoys second chance romances.

I really enjoyed this second chance storyline with a twist. What a journey for Gabriel and Kierra, it’ll captivate you from the beginning to the end. I highly recommend this book.

Gabriel and Kierra's story took me on an emotional rollercoaster. It's a captivating mix of second chances, forced proximity, and the transition from friends to lovers. Be sure to check the trigger warnings, as the story delves into some heavy themes. I couldn't put this book down!

Gabriel struggles with memory loss, including the bond he once had with Kierra following a devastating accident. Years later, fate brings them together again at just the right moment. The emotional depth of this narrative resonates profoundly. I was eagerly anticipating their happily ever after, cherishing every heart-wrenching moment of their journey. This book is an absolute must-read, and I loved it!

Thank you @bcherryauthor & @sourcebookscasa for the advanced copy!

Brittainy has this way of writing that feels like she’s reaching into your chest and holding your heart in her hands. This story is raw and tender, messy and beautiful, and so painfully real in all the best ways.

It’s a story about love, yes, but also about survival—about the weight of mental illness, the scars we carry, and the healing power of connection. Gabriel is not your typical romantic lead. He’s broken in ways that aren’t romanticized, and that’s what makes his journey so compelling. And Kierra… she’s the kind of character you root for with your whole soul. The strength in her vulnerability is breathtaking.

The way Brittainy explores trauma, depression, and healing is deeply respectful and authentic. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is sugar-coated. It's heavy at times, but it’s also full of hope, quiet moments of grace, and a love that feels earned, not handed out.

By the end, this book isn’t just a story of romance—it’s a testament to the bravery it takes to rebuild trust in yourself and another person. Kierra’s strength and Gabriel’s quiet determination taught me that true healing isn’t a destination but a series of choices: to stay when it’s hard, to forgive when it hurts, and to love when it’s the riskiest gamble of all. This book broke me in the best way possible—and reminded me how powerful it is to find someone who holds your hand through the darkest parts of your story.

If you’ve ever struggled, or loved someone who has, this book will hit you hard. It’s not just about staying for someone else—it’s about learning how to stay for yourself.

i devoured this book in less than a day! i could not stop reading it. the story was captivating and made you want to keep reading. was it as emotional as expected? for me, no. but i can see how others would get to that point. there were a few specific scenes that made my chest ache, a few that made me gasp, and some that made me feel just like Ava did when describing Gabriel as written by a woman. i loved the reader aspect for the FMC and her daughter, and how they bonded over that. i loved watching Gabriel find his home.

Note: This book deals with sensitive issues, so I suggest you look into any trigger warnings if that could be an issue for you.

I love that Gabriel was able to find his way back to Kierra and that the connection they shared never went away.

The book takes place in present time along with flashbacks to times when they were kids. We know from the synopsis that there was an accident, and I really wish we learned more about what happened after the accident during the prologue. I actually feel like it would have been even more impactful, and I would have felt even more of the heartbreak that Kierra felt.

I also wish something was mentioned about Ava’s mother from the beginning. It was very odd to me that she was never mentioned – just that Henry was a single father. Was he divorced or a widower? I just wanted some little mention of her.

This book was very good, don’t get me wrong. I definitely still recommend the book. I just felt it needed a little bit more for it to be a five-star read for me.

If you stayed is a second chance romance, best friends to lovers, childhood romance, forced proximity, love triangle, amnesia, angst-y tropes all rolled into one and Brittainy Cherry sure does deliver. Throughout the story there are several times jumps that show you Gabriel and Kierra when they were children as their relationship blossomed and then as they are now. There is a certain accident that causes them to lose touch for 2 decades and the entire time you're trying to figure it out in the book, and it's finally discussed.

This book was written beautifully as only Brittainy Cherry knows how to. It is definitely a bingeable book and the plot twist towards the end you definitely don't see coming.

This book has several trigger warnings that you should look at before diving in headfirst because they are heavily discussed even though they are handled with care.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, as always, all words are my own.

Enemies to best friends to lovers to…worse than nothing. An accident rips two decades of his past from Gabriel Sinclair, including every memory of the one girl who was so special to him, Kierra Hughes. If you love an angsty, emotional amnesia trope, you’ll love this one. If there's anything this gifted storyteller does well, it's bring all the heart.

Her writing is poetic, profound, evocative and powerful, and I know whenever I pick up one of her romances, a part of me will be forever changed. She leaves pieces of her heart and soul scattered throughout the pages, making me feel like an active participant rather than a casual observer of the story. Sagaciously wise and enchanted with magic, this touching, emotional story is worthy of far more than a mere five stars. Run to the 1-Click and start reading this phenomenal story now. Your romantic heart will be eternally grateful.

I simply cannot with this book. The writing is atrocious, the characters are flat and I am, quite simply, bored out of my mind. I had this experience with another one of Cherry’s books so I won’t be requesting them any longer.