It's been a while since I've read a book by Brittainy Cherry and this sounded like the emotional read that I was looking for. However, it wasn't quite what I was hoping for and didn't feel like I was the target audience for this one. I appreciated the content warnings before I started because I knew what to expect a little before going in.

I thought the writing was great and the pacing wasn't too bad as well. I was just kind of hoping that the FMCs abusive relationship with her husband didn't overpower the entire store. It really hindered me from enjoying the romance we did get with the MMC. And I wanted her to have so much more of that because she 100% deserved it. And it all wrapped up a bit too quickly, I think would have loved to see her healing process a bit more. And just being in a better environment. I loved the huge support system she had around her, but I didn't come away from this book feeling happy and light like I have with previous books.

I know this book will hold a strong message for many and it is a powerful story, the strength of a character that continues to push through. Just not sure if I would have put this one into the romance category.

Please check out the content warnings and I will say the domestic abuse takes place for a big chunk of the book.

If You Stayed is a phenomenal story of first love & second chances but also of breaking the cycle of abuse.

Kierra and Gabriel suffered immensely as teens- Kierra was forced to walk away from her first love & Gabriel lost all memories of his childhood & Kierra. Years later, they meet again when Gabriel is tasked with building Kierras new home. Kierra is trapped in a loveless marriage and Gabriel has this deep gut instinct that draws him closer to her. As Kierra tries to weather her storm this time she cant help but wonder what if she stayed and what if Gabriel stayed.

I loved everything about this book. I love the romance & the flashbacks. I love seeing Kierra and Gabriel friendship grow (both times). I especially loved Kierras daughter, Ava.

This book, along with all of her other books, absolutely guts you. She has way with words when weaving her stories. This story was so much more than a love story- it was a story about choosing yourself and your own happiness. It is a story of choices - to stay or not to stay.

**An Emotional Rollercoaster – 5 Stars!**

*If You Stayed* by Brittainy Cherry left me completely speechless. This book is a beautiful, gut-wrenching love story that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. From the moment I started reading, I could feel the depth of emotion woven into every chapter, and I found myself hooked, not just by the romance, but by the raw vulnerability of the characters.

The story follows two deeply complex people, each carrying their own pain and struggles. What really got me was how real and relatable their emotions felt—Cherry doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff, and that made every moment of their journey together feel earned. The way their relationship grows from a place of mutual understanding and healing was just so heartwarming, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.

What struck me most was how this book didn’t just focus on romance. It’s about loss, healing, and finding the strength to move forward when life seems impossible. The emotional depth in this book is intense, and there were moments when I found myself wiping away tears. But it’s also hopeful, with a message about the power of love and second chances.

*If You Stayed* is a beautifully written book that will tug at your heartstrings and stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re looking for a story that’s as emotional as it is powerful, I can’t recommend this one enough. Brittainy Cherry has truly outdone herself.

I love this book, but my goodness I can’t stop crying when I reached the last part, I was heartbroken throughout most part but managed to hold the tears, but nop,Miss Cherry made it again 😭

Right at the beginning we can see that this story is going to be hard and painful.
Kierra is not only deals with grief and guilt, she also looses her first love because he doesn’t remember her. And when Gabriel reappears and is not other then the architect hired by her husband to be in charge of her new house, her not so perfect life would reach a point of no return.
A big warning and recommendation for y’all is to check and read the trigger warning at the beginning of the book, there’s a very sensitive subject matter that may bring back memories to some readers.
But even with all that I love the way this author caught me with every and each story she writes, she has a way to make you connect and feel her words on a way that breaks you and fixed you with her happy endings.
Theres is something that I wish would not be so rushing and is probably the last two or three chapters, things happen to fast and that leave a little down because I want to see Henry deals with more then he got.
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely, not just because Kierra is a beautiful soul who at some point was or seems herself broken, but because Gabriel is the perfect man who I think only exists in the books 😁

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC on exchange of my honest review.

“I love you, too. You know what’s crazy about that?” “What’s that?” “I knew I loved you before I even knew your name.”

This book was absolutely beautiful! Brittainy is one of those authors that just makes you feel all the feels when reading their books. I don’t think I’ve ever not ugly cried in one of her books, but as some of you know, I love to break apart and put back together, and that’s exactly what her books do!

Kierra and Gabriel were best friends growing up. He was her first love and her first heartbreak. One night, there was a terrible accident that nearly took his life but instead took his memories. Years later, Kierra still holds guilt from that night. Now, she’s trapped in a loveless marriage, raising a child. Until one day, Gabriel shows up as the architect on her new home and has no idea who she is. Gabriel was seriously the sweetest man! He never blinked an eye when Kierra or her daughter needed him, and I loved that about him! I highly recommend this one if you want to feel all the feels!

Brittainy has such an incredible way with words. This book had my heart in shambles only to be restored in the most lovely way. After being separated for decades due to tragedy, our main characters are thrust back into each other’s lives. The only problem is that one is an a very dark marriage and the other has no memory of their previous love.

Gabriel is the most incredible man and my heart aches for everything he had to overcome. The fact that he comes out of everything being a wonderful human is a true testament to his character. Kierra is stronger than any woman should have to be. After living with guilt for years, she finds herself in a bad marriage that she continues to stay in solely to protect her step-daughter. When these two slowly come back into each other’s lives, it is a breath of fresh air. One they both desperately need and deserve.

This story is one of hope and perseverance. It will crush your heart, more than once, only to mend you back together in the end. Definitely a great read when you need to feel all of the feelings.

Thank you so much to Brittainy, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

Synopsis: As teenagers, Gabriel and Kierra thought they would be together forever. But when a tragic accident leaves Gabriel with no memories, Kierra is forced to leave town, never planning to see him again. Fast forward to today, Kierra is stuck in a loveless marriage that she only stays in for her step daughter, and Gabriel is a sought-after architect. When Gabriel is hired for a project by Kierra’s husband, the forced proximity brings back old feelings.

Thoughts: If you are in the mood for an angsty romance, look no further! This story really packs an emotional punch. I thought it was a very unique take on second chance romance and the amnesia trope, and I found myself binging the story to find out more about what happened in the past. Despite the crazy circumstances, Gabriel and Kierra’s relationship is written in a way that feels really genuine. I recommend picking this one up when you’re ready for a messy, complicated and emotional love story.

Read this if you like:
✨ second chance romance
✨ amnesia
✨ dual pov
✨ dual timelines
✨ forced proximity

ARC Review
If you stayed
By Brittany Cherry

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

– A deeply emotional, beautifully healing love story

If You Stayed by Brittany Cherry is the kind of book that doesn’t just tug at your heart—it grabs it with both hands and doesn’t let go. It’s a story of pain, healing, and the quiet bravery it takes to start over.

Kierra is a standout heroine. Her decision to leave an abusive relationship is written with honesty and care, and her strength shines in every page. But what makes her even more powerful is her role as a mother. Her love for her daughter Ava is fierce, selfless, and unwavering. You feel the way every decision Kierra makes is rooted in protecting Ava and creating a better life for her. Their bond is tender and pure, and it adds such emotional depth to the story.

Gabriel’s story is just as moving. Struggling with memory loss and emotional trauma, he’s broken in ways he can’t quite articulate—but his vulnerability makes him all the more real. Watching him connect with Kierra and slowly build trust again is both heartbreaking and beautiful.

Leaving Henry was survival. Loving Gabriel was freedom.

This isn’t just a romance—it’s about second chances, choosing yourself, and the strength it takes to stay when everything in you wants to run. Kierra, Gabriel, and Ava will stay with me for a long time.

Keirra is unexpectedly reunited with her first love and best friend, Gabriel when she least expects it. She’s married to someone else and to make matters more complicated Gabriel has no idea who she is or that they share a history.

“If you stayed” deals with many heavy subject matters and I would advise to read your triggers before starting this book. It is detailed and on page. I did appreciate how accurate the details were and truly felt everything these characters endured.

The writing of this book was done very well and the author did a great job of keeping me invested enough to finish. That being said I did find myself wishing for more tension and chemistry between Kierra and Gabriel. I felt some emotions lacking and it took away from the overall connection to these characters. The last few chapters felt rushed in how perfectly it was wrapped up to get to the ending. With the heaviness of the entire book, the ending felt rather unrealistic.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advance copy.

ALL THE FEELS! I knew I loved a Brittainy Cherry book years ago so I gave this one a chance and boy, I couldn’t put it down! Kierra is so wonderfully complex and real. Gabriel is a total cinnamon roll, but also has scars from his past. This book was less of a romance but more of Kierra finding her strength and power. I loved that nothing was glossed over and it was gritty and authentic. While it wasn’t all about the romance, there was chemistry where I could feel the sparks! I typically am not a fan of second chance romance, but this was a perfect blend that didn’t have one ounce of cheesiness in it. Ava was delightfully written for a 14 year old, and I loved how everything really came full circle at the end. This is an emotional journey and those that can be triggered by any abuse should be cautious reading this. However, it is truly a beautiful story that is absolutely emotional and empowering. 5⭐️, 2🌶

What a beautiful story. One small moment can really change the trajectory of anyone’s life. What Kierra didn’t know is that not only did she have to walk away from the love of her life but that he wouldn’t even remember who she was let alone that they were ever in love when they crossed paths later in life. Please be sure to read your trigger warnings when it comes to this book. It has some heavy topics. I truly felt the emotion of the characters and the love, fear, bravery, courage, compassion, and kindness of the characters. Such a beautifully written story

4.5 stars

To everyone else, Kierra Hughes appeared to have an enviable life, but deep down, her soul was suffering. An unexpected reconnection with her long-lost first love, Gabriel Sinclair, could throw both of their lives into a tailspin.

Gabriel was practically an angel—perfection personified. I would have preferred to see some flaws and vulnerabilities. Kierra, on the other hand, carried the weight of her struggles with quiet strength. I was glad they found each other again.

The story was heartbreaking in more than one way. It was engaging, realistic, and at times enraging.

If You Stayed is a story of guilt and atonement. It would appeal to readers who enjoy an emotional second-chance romance.

Thank you to Brittainy Cherry, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

First, the cover of this book is gorgeous.

Second, this book was heartbreaking, but in a beautiful way. Gabriel was strong even after losing his memory. Kierra is staying in a horrible marriage for her stepdaughter. She obviously remembers Gabriel and all the times they had.

You will feel every emotion while reading this one, so prepare yourself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the e-ARC of IF YOU STAYED by Brittainy Cherry in exchange for my honest review.

CW: amnesia, domestic abuse, verbal abuse, infidelity, attempted sexual assault, child death, sizeism, death of a parent, panic attacks, bullying, misogyny, gaslighting, car accident

If you read romance books, this needs to be on your TBR. Immediately five stars. And will be one of my favourite books of the year, for sure. I can't believe this is my first Brittany Cherry book, but I can't wait to read more of her backlist.

It's been a long time since I had such a visceral reaction to a book. I was squealing and giggling and kicking my feet so many times while reading.

I adored Kierra and Gabriel. Their banter, chemistry, history, and tension were written so well. One minute I was laughing out loud and the next minute I was swooning so hard. And Ava kept reminding me of Luke's daughter April in Gilmore Girls, for whatever reason.

I couldn't even wait to finish before pre-ordering a finished copy from the bookstore and I can't wait to go back and transfer all my annotations from my Kindle to the physical copy.

Now, please excuse me while I find me some cinnamon muffins because damn, they sound amazing.

Protect Gabriel at all costs!

⚠️ If you or someone you know has been impacted by DV, please remember that your emotional and mental well-being comes first and approach this book accordingly.

I remember really enjoying Brittainy Cherry’s writing - so I had applied for this ARC with curiosity. But the writing was really jumbled, repetitive and rough to concentrate on. I got through 10% before putting it down, which says a lot because I’m a hard person to DNF. This just wasn’t my style at all.

“If You Stayed” is one of those stories that sneaks up on you—gentle in its tone, but heavy in its truths.
It follows Kierra, a woman who’s been through far more than most. Years ago, she was in love with Gabriel—her first love, her everything—until tragedy tore them apart in the most gut-wrenching way. Now, she’s trapped in a cold, controlling marriage, holding on for the sake of her teenage stepdaughter, Ava, who’s become her whole world.
And just when she thinks she’s buried the past for good, guess who walks back into her life? Gabriel. But there’s a twist—he doesn’t remember her. Not the accident. Not their love. Not even the pain they both still carry like ghosts.
From there, the story gently unravels their history, weaving in pieces of what was, with the raw, painful reality of what is. It doesn’t shy away from hard topics—abuse, guilt, trauma—but it handles them with so much care. It’s not about shock value. It’s about truth, healing, and the slow, steady climb back to yourself.
Kierra is the kind of heroine who stays with you—quietly strong, deeply compassionate, and fiercely protective of the people she loves. She’s not perfect, but she’s real. And Gabriel, even with the gaps in his memory, has this calm warmth that makes you believe he was always her safe place.
The pacing does shift a bit—some moments linger longer than others—but overall, it works. Life, especially after trauma, isn’t linear. And neither is healing. There were parts I flew through, and others I sat with, just taking in the weight of it all.
If you’re someone who appreciates second chances, emotionally layered characters, and stories that deal with difficult topics without romanticizing them—this one’s for you. It's tender. It's messy. And it’s ultimately hopeful in the best kind of way.
Just maybe have tissues nearby.

This story was truly messy. The angst, heartbreak, devastation, confusion and powerful reconnection over the pages of this book pulled my emotions in so many directions and it was absolutely worth reading until the very last page. Thank you so much Brittany Cherry for this beautiful second chance romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Whoa Nellie, this book was a rollercoaster of emotions. Major CWs: domestic violence, abuse, gaslighting, death of a parent, death of a child. The depth of this book was incredible, the pacing was right, the connection between the FMC and MMC felt natural.

I wasn't sure how the amnesia would play out, if the author would force an emotional connection. However, it felt seamless despite Kierra keeping her distance as promised. She and Gabriel keep interacting by chance and then intentionally. I was rooting for them all the way.

This book was challenging to read at times because of the domestic abuse and gaslighting. But it made it all the more satisfying to read the end. Cherry demonstrates the psyche of someone in a domestic violence situation and why they stay, even when they're a therapist themselves and knows logically what is happening and what they should do but do not for the longest time (or ever).

If You Stayed was a sweet, poignant and beautiful story. It was also a sad and at times difficult to read. I loved that it didn’t shy away from abuse or the factors that would lead someone to stay in an abusive relationship. It kept my attention but I wasn’t fully immersed in it or all the way sold on the characters or their connection. The pacing was a little off for me. There were parts that I found moved slowly while other parts I couldn’t read fast enough. I enjoyed this story. I think the author did a great job with it, a great job of portraying the struggles, angst, blame and feelings of unworthiness that someone in an abusive situation goes through. She also did a great job with making the abuser not just the sum total of his abusive parts. It was an interesting read, one that I definitely recommend.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is an absolutely beautiful (and heartbreaking) second chance romance that will truly have you all up in your feels. The chemistry, the love, the pride for each other... Gabriel and Kierra are so beautiful together and their story is so raw. A serious accident in their youth almost takes Gabriel's life and allows his love - Kierra to run away - she just had to escape the guilt. She ended up in a very toxic, very abusive marriage full of a messy ride to break free - there are a lot of really intense triggers in this book, and Brittainy does a fantastic job at making sure that you are very aware of what you're walking into which I am grateful for! The entire first half of the book is just so messy and complicated - Gabriel doesn't remember Kierra but how they come back together is so incredibly beautiful and worth all the tears.