4⭐️ Kierra’s world is thrown off its axis when the first man she ever loved suddenly appears in her life again. Unable to remember his past and the fateful event that changed their lives forever, Kierra is determined to keep him at a distance. But when her controlling husband hires Gabriel’s architecture firm to build their new home, close proximity leads both Kierra and Gabe to question newfound feelings.

If you are ever in search of an angsty romance, look no further than indie romance author Brittainy Cherry, who writes some of the best angst in the business. I always prepare myself to be emotionally wrecked (in the best way) and am never disappointed.

I found this story to be fresh and unique, and also completely engaging. I was desperate to learn more about what event had occurred in the past to get these characters to where they are when we start the book. We move forward both in the past, and in the present, bringing us to a pivotal inflection point in both as these characters are forced to make life-altering decisions.

While I enjoyed it overall, I did not necessarily love how everything wrapped up so neat and tidy in the end. Given the complex, emotional nature of the story, I would have thought a little messiness to end the story, even with an HEA, would have been preferable. That said, I still appreciate the story as a whole and how memorable these characters are. I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about them for a long time to come.

Read if you like:
▪️second chance
▪️forced proximity
▪️friends to more
▪️cinnamon roll hero
▪️dual POV and timelines

CW: This story has quite a few triggers, particularly around the subject of abuse. Please, please check your triggers prior to reading if you are sensitive to them.

Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advanced copy.

From the very first page, If You Stayed pulls you into a whirlwind of heartbreak, loss, and second chances. This book is raw, emotional, and deeply affecting—the kind of story that gets under your skin and refuses to let go. Brittainy C. Cherry does not hold back. She isn’t afraid to tackle difficult, messy, and painful topics, and she does it with grace and honesty, making every emotion feel achingly real.

This story is everything I hoped it would be and more. It’s beautifully written, immersive, and deeply consuming. One moment, you’ll feel frustrated and heartbroken, and the next, you’ll be overwhelmed by the sheer depth of love on these pages. It’s a book that makes you feel everything—from pain and regret to hope and redemption.

At its core, If You Stayed is about first love and second chances, about loss and forgiveness, and about the sacrifices we make for the people who matter most. The characters are flawed and real, their struggles cutting deep, and their journey is one you won’t soon forget.

This is the kind of book that stays with you long after the last page, lingering in your heart and mind. If You Stayed is powerful, unforgettable, and an absolute must-read for anyone who loves a romance that is as heart-wrenching as it is beautiful.

Five stars! BCC has always brought romance perfection and continues to do so. What an emotional and beautiful story she has given us. This story isn’t light and fluffy. It’s dark yet it brings so much light. I would definitely read the TW in the beginning because this story is heartbreaking. Tough topics for some.

Kierra is in a loveless marriage the only reason she’s still in it is because of her daughter, Ava. Kierra is just going through the motions. She doesn’t really shine like she should, until Gabriel shows back up in her life. But Gabriel doesn’t remember her and that is heartbreaking enough.

Gabriel feels the connection to Kierra yet he can’t figure out why it’s so strong. We follow along as these two figure out how to move forward. When truths are told everything changes. This story is full of emotions. You literally go through all of them while reading. As always BCC gives us a HEA after the storm.

Highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are those of my own.

4.5 stars

I went into this one blind, and I don't regret it. That said, if you are a reader who is sensitive to domestic violence, this book is not for you.

While I enjoyed this book on the whole, there was one "flashback" chapter (21) that really made me grow fully invested in the story. Gabriel is the hero we all need, and his kindness and love for Kierra was absolutely swoon-worthy. In the same vein as It Ends with Us, this is a story about breaking the cycle of abuse and the complexities that involves. Cherry does such a fantastic job of exposing the layers of abuse in what I would imagine is a realistic way. Still, some of the pacing toward the end was a bit off-- I wish there had been a bit more story on the back end (I don't want to get too specific in an effort not to spoil it for other readers!). I absolutely devoured this book, and if you liked It Ends With Us, you should absolutely pick this one up!

I don’t have many words to say on this one but it was such a beautifully written story! I really enjoyed how the characters were a more mature age and how emotional the story was. I truly went through a roller coaster ride and still wanted more!

Gabriel Sinclair was Kierra's best friend and her first love but he also was her first heartbreak when a tragic accident took his memory and someone he loved dearly.
Keirra rebuilt her life, trying to come to terms with the fact that he would no longer be part of her life. Trapped in a loveless marriage, only made tolerable because of the love she has for her step-daughter Ava. Almost 20 years after the accident her life changes when Gabriel comes back into her life, he just so happened to be the architect for her new home. His mother warned her again to stay away but she knows this time she can't. Gabriel doesn't understand how drawn he is to her and soon becomes her only hope of surviving her controlling husband.

Wow what a beautifully written story, this literally broke my heart and pulled it back together and healed it.
I loved that it was old in dual POV, you could really understand both Gabriel and Keirra's emotions as the were navigating their feelings. the pacing was perfection, slowly building up the picture of the tragedy when they were teens, Kierra clearly carried so much guilt and I was praying that once Gabriel knew the whole truth that he could find it in his heart to forgive her.
Kierra's husband Henry is a controlling, cheating evil man, the way he gaslights her is awful, even their pre-nup means she will loose access to Ava should they divorce, something Kierra can't risk.
As the story develops the bonds between Gabriel and Kierra naturally develop again, in such a beautiful way, a glimpse into what her life could have looked like is she has stayed.
Gabriel is an absolute sweetheart, not only when it comes to Kierra but also to Ava. He takes her under his wing when he offers her a work experience at his firm, she has a natural talent which he helps to nurture but more than that he give her the strength to believe in her self worth and to escape the bullies who taunted her.
Love is a four letter word, easy to throw around but its those who show up and prove their worth that are truly capable of showing love, Keirra and Ava deserve Gabriel.
It's not often I read a book that I could re-read in the future but this is one of those. A true 5 star for me.
The tropes are: Amnesia, Childhood friends and Second chance.
Thank you NetGalley, Brittainy Cherry and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely adored this book and am not the slightest bit surprised it was my first 5 star read of the year. Brittainy really never disappoints; I went into this with high expectations and she met every single one of them. Kierra and Gabriel's story is such an emotional whirlwind. I was rooting for them from the first couple of chapters and blew through this entire book in a sitting because I NEEDED to know what happens.
I really don't have a single bad thing to say about this one. I loved their relationship, the way Kierra fought to keep her stepdaughter in her life, and how easily they seemed to fit. The way they take care of each other is just precious, and it was so sweet to watch them reconnect and find their way back together after so many years apart.
Overall this was a beautiful story and I can't recommend it enough. Always in for Brittainy's brand of breaking your heart and putting it back together again.

Anything Brittany Cherry touches turns to gold! I ate this book up and yes I cried. Gabriel the MMC was everything I never knew I needed. Kierra and her husband was a bit annoying, but not too much that I didn’t want to finish the read. I liked that the characters were a little older, usually romance is centered around very young characters. Once again this book had me in my feels!

Brittainy C. Cherry once again proves her mastery of emotionally resonant storytelling with 'If You Stayed.' This second-chance romance immediately pulls you into a world of heartbreak and difficult choices. The central question—what would you sacrifice for love?—propels a narrative of profound loss and the possibility of second chances. Cherry's unflinching exploration of challenging themes makes this book a truly impactful read. 'If You Stayed' is a testament to her talent, delivering a well-crafted and absorbing story of pain, forgiveness, and the enduring nature of love. Prepare for an emotional journey that will stay with you long after you've finished.

Please read trigger warnings before picking this book.

This was a very heavy emotional read. While can some what relate to Kierra, and I had a hard time relating to Gabriel. With this was a more intense read, i think it would of been better if the spice scene was closed door or slightly rewritten. Brittany Cherry is one or my auto read authors, unfortunately, this one fell short of being one of my favorite

3.5 stars

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts are my own.

Known for her heartwrenching and emotional stories, Brittainy C Cherry brings you an unforgettable and heartbreaking second chance romance.

If You Stayed is a compelling romance that sucks you in immediately and presents the question, when tragedy strikes, what would you do for the one you loved? And so begins an unforgettable journey of heartbreak, loss and second chances. Author Brittainy C. Cherry does not hold back and isn't afraid to tackle difficult and tough issues.

If You Stayed was everything I hoped it would be. This story was well written and consuming. It's a story of pain, heartache, and forgiveness. It's a story of first love and second chances. It's a story that will frustrate you one moment and leave you with all the feels the next. It's a powerful story that will stay with you long after you've reached the end.

I was worried I wasn't going to love the tropes in this book, however, Brittainy Cherry did a wonderful job taking my least favorite trope and making it enjoyable.

I will admit that this book took me awhile to get into. I felt like I wasn't able to really connect with the characters easily. The further into the story I got, the more I was able to enjoy it.

The books is overall a quick read, its emotional, and can be triggering to certain people, so PLEASE check your trigger warnings prior to reaching for this book. I loved the duel timeline. We got to see how the character's were while growing up and also while they are older and further into their lives.

The way the last 20% of this book saved it for me. I had such high anxiety while reading the last few chapters that I had to stop and walk away three times before trying to continue. The ending was so well written. I loved the way she wrapped the book up. It was beautiful.

If you haven't read a Brittainy Cherry book yet, I highly suggest you do. She is a queen at pulling at your heart strings and I'm forever thankful she always gives me an HEA!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Publishing for the early access in exchange for a review. Forever thankful!

📖 Book Review 📖 The final job I had as a social worker was as a therapist for adult and childhood survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. It was what I envisioned my dream career to be and it was emotionally draining and I had a difficult time leaving it at the office at the end of the day. I continued my work as an advocate but the day to day grind took its toll. Kudos to Brittainy Cherry for taking on this topic in such a poignant and relevant manner.

Kierra has spent most of her adult life trying to heal from a traumatic car accident as a young adult that not only injured her boyfriend but took his memories and the life of his brother in the backseat. She has found success as a therapist and a bonus mother to her stepdaughter but lacks love in her marriage and atonement for her past mistakes with Gabriel, her first love. When he enters her life again as the architect hired by her husband, Kierra must face the past again, even if Gabriel cannot remember her. Is it possible that their connection is so strong that even if his memories have forgotten, his soul has not? If You Stayed is a compelling second chance story about finding love and forgiveness and delicately demonstrates the escalation of intimate partner violence. While the content is raw and real, the characters are beautifully written and the story unfolds in a hopefully resilient tone that shines brightly.

If I Stayed by Brittainy Cherry
4.5-5 stars
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥/5

As a mom of two, it has been hard to keep up with my reading. However, with this book, I couldn’t put it down. Luckily, I was reading it on my phone so I was able to attempt to read while bottle feeding, cooking, and doing random things because I could not put this book down. I think this was my second book by Brittainy Cherry. I remember liking whatever book it was previously, but not devouring it like I did with If I Stayed.

Brittainy Cherry got me in the feels with this one. It was so heartfelt, full of emotional up and downs, and so much angst. I don’t know why but I love when my chest feels heavy with angst and emotion when reading books. She hit the nail on the head perfectly with that.

There was so much sexual tension and slow burn too. There are triggers in this book – domestic violence, cheating, and maybe something I haven’t thought of while writing this review so make sure to check your triggers if you need them. I know some people have a hard limit on cheating, BUT I think this one deserves a read despite that rule. I personally don’t have that limit myself, so I was all for it, in this instance, but you’ll have to read yourself to make that determination yourself.

Gabriel was swoon-worthy. He was the perfect best friend and book boyfriend. I could not get enough of him, and their backstory. I think Brittainy did a great job with creating their history with past scenes and filling in gaps during their present day. On a random side note, I loved that these characters were older. As a 35-year-old mother, it was nice to read about people closer to my age range. Although, I would love to think my age range is still low myself LOL

Despite a lot of the narrative of Kierra being weak, I found Kierra to be a strong female character. She’s aware of what is happening, doesn’t provoke the situation to keep herself and daughter safe so I see that as protective instincts, not weakness, and full of determination. I did feel we lost some of her therapist self during the middle of the book, but she found herself again.

#avidreaderbookblog #readingislife #bookblogger #bookworm #bookaddiction #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #romance #romancebookstagram #romancebookblogger #romancebookbloggerofinstagram #romancebookaddiction #bookstagrammer #romancebookstagrammer #brittainycherry #brittainycherrybooks #angst #triggers

ᨳ᭬ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ࿐ྂ

„I was finally home again, because of Gabriel Ayodele Sinclair. My joy had come home.“

- If you want to read this, please check the trigger warnings!! -

As always, it was absolutely painful and yet so beautiful. I can't describe how beautifully Brittainy writes and how amazing her books are. She has never disappointed me, she always makes me absolutely fall in love with her characters or even see myself reflected in them.

This book was difficult for me to read, but I am still glad I finished it because many of the statements were so great and actually help me a lot.

“He was my hero for the longest time. How could my hero be my other hero’s worst nightmare?”

If i could i would immediately hug Kierra and Ava.

- A huge thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me this e-arc in exchange for an honest Review. -

I absolutely DEVOURED this book! Read it in one day. This book brought out so many emotions in me! This is my hands down favorite read so far this year.

“Did I love you?”
“Yes.”
“Did you love me, too?”
“More than words.”

Kierra and Gabriel are two people who found the soul clenching, earth shattering kind of love at a young age. And then tragedy strikes and they don’t see or speak to each other for two decades.

Until fate intervenes and they are now in each other’s lives. Things have happened; their lives have been completely upended, but their love still shines through.

This is a book about love, loss, grief, soulmates, hurt, and family. This was not an easy read, but one of those reads that will stick with you for a long time.

I adored both of our MCs plus Kierra’s daughter. They are all such complex and loving characters. Gabriel will burn the earth down for those that he loves and Kierra will do anything to keep her daughter safe. I loved the tough journey that we were on and I loved when they finally got the ending that they deserve.

Thank you to Brittainy, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Kierra and Gabriel's story was a reminder of why I can't read a Brittainy Cherry book without sobbing like a baby. This book was so heartbreakingly beautiful and when people say that a book gives you 'all the feels', this is definitely what they are talking about. IF YOU STAYED is going to be up there in my top books of this year.

Rate: 4.5

It's been a while since I read a Brittainy Cherry novel, and let me tell you, "If You Stayed" reminded me exactly why I adore her writing.

This book is a tragically beautiful and heartbreakingly emotional journey of love, loss, and second chances.

This is a story about Kierra and Gabriel, two soulmates whose lives are forever changed by a tragic accident. Gabriel loses his memory of her and the accident sets them on separate paths.

But fate has a funny way of bringing people back together, and when Gabriel reappears as the architect for Kierra's new home, old feelings resurface. The chemistry between them is palpable. Kierra is trapped in a loveless marriage, yet Gabriel's presence ignites a spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, they can reclaim their lost story.

Gabriel is every bit the swoon-worthy hero. He's gentle, caring, and understanding.
Kierra, on the other hand, is a complex mix of strength and vulnerability. Her journey is one that broke my heart but also filled me with admiration for her resilience.

I loved how the author seamlessly weaves past and present scenes. These glimpses into their shared history fill in the gaps and add depth to their current relationship.

Brittainy Cherry is known for tackling heavy themes with sensitivity and grace, and this book is no exception. It touches on guilt, love, and the struggle to break free from controlling circumstances.

Tropes :

Second chance
Childhood friends to lovers
Amnesia


Check TW

Thank you so much Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an ARC in exchange of my honest review.

If You Stayed is an emotional and beautifully written second-chance romance that completely pulled me in. Brittainy Cherry has a way of writing love stories that feel raw and real, and this one was no exception.

Kierra and Gabriel’s story is filled with heartbreak, hope, and healing. Their connection felt so natural, and I loved seeing them find their way back to each other after everything they had been through. Gabriel was such a swoon-worthy book boyfriend, and Kierra’s journey—especially as she navigated her marriage and her past with Gabriel—made her an easy character to root for.

“Passing by people and places that felt so black and white. But Kierra felt like color. Not just any color, either. The most vibrant of tones, which made my heart pound wildly in my chest.”

Kierra’s daughter, Ava, was such a great addition to the story. She brought warmth and lightness to the book, and her interactions with Kierra and Gabriel made me smile. One of the things I loved most was how much the characters grew throughout the book. The emotions felt real, the pacing was just right, and I never wanted to put it down.

If you’re a fan of emotional second-chance romances, If You Stayed is definitely worth reading. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you long after you finish.

Read if you like: second chance romance, amnesia, angst, childhood friends, failing marriage, then and now chapters
Check the TW - heavy themes of DV

I wish the TW was included in the ARC sign up because I would not have picked up this book if I knew.
Did I read the same book as everyone else?

There were so many things I didn’t like in this book 🥲
- I needed Kierra to take her own advice as a therapist
- Usually I love kids in stories but I found Ava very annoying, sometimes she was too mature for her age and other times very childish
- I found this story inconsistent, in an earlier chapter Kierra tells Gabriel that she doesn’t love Henry and she isn’t happy. In a later chapter, Gabriel is saying how Kierra isn’t lonely like he is because she’s got Henry. Like what??
- Amma’s apology was forced by Gabriel and I hated that. I wish she came to the realisation herself and apologised
- Romance was meh
- In theory it is an angsty plot, but I didn’t shed a single tear or even tear up? I cry at EVERYTHING so I am shocked

This was not a book for me, but if you like angst then maybe give this book a go