I absolutely loved the first book in this series, the second installment was a swing and a miss. In general the "insta-love" trope is a hard sell but add all of these other circumstances to the mix and it was a bit of a hot mess to me.
First and foremost, I could not get over the fact that Josie kept a secret of that magnitude for five years, it made me dislike her character.
I also was often confused with the timeline and at times felt like it gave me whiplash!
I liked how they were able to bring in the first story, but it's been awhile since I read it, if I had just finished it I think I might have a different opinion.
I loved all the side characters and really hope the authors can put this series in the win column with Breezy's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy.

When I Should've Stayed is heartbreaking love story. It follows Josie and her relationship with Clay in the past and present. Lots of time jumps but they were easy to follow. I loved the characters and enjoyed the book. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

I absolutely adore this side of Max Monroe. Of course I love everything that I have read by them, but their Red Bridge series just hit me so differently. Be forewarned , if you read What I Should Have Said, the first book in this series, you get to relive all of the beautiful tragedies, but from Clay and Josie’s POVs. Both of these books are so genuine and raw, with a few quirky situations and perfectly timed banter to balance the storyline. This is just one of those unforgettable books that will always have a special place in your heart.

What a perfect follow up from the first book, What I Should've Said! So definitely read that first.

I loved Clay and Josie's story. Getting their history while also jumping forward to the present really made the story that much more fun. Clay is the ultimate golden retriever while Josie was outwardly the town grump, although she was secretly so warm hearted. Josie had a lot of past trauma and continues to go through rough patches but Clay was so patient and wanted to just be with her and be there for her. While I adored the book as a whole, Josie keeping so much to herself was a little much for me. I get the point behind it but the more the story went on I felt like some could have been dimmed a little. Then also, Clay could have been a little less openly pushy about a few things without consulting her. But then also, I suppose that would have taken away from the drama of the story so that's just me being nitpicky.

I loved getting glimpses of the past story mixed in with this as well. I cried like a baby all over again with Summer being involved. This story was full of drama, emotion, humor, and lots of tears. But Josie and Clay finally get their HEA and I loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

A new to me author. I missed the first book but the strings between Clay and Josie feel strong. This is emotional and at times melodramatic but I know Monroe's fans will appreciate it. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good summer read.

I enjoyed going back to Red Bridge and exploring Josie's and Clay's relationship from when they were a couple, when they were not and all the times Clay tries to get Josie back because he's down bad for her. Novel is told from a dual POV and a dual timeline. It is interesting to see Norah's and Bennett's relationship from Josie's and Clay's perspectives. Once again, found family is one of the major themes of the book. Moreover, it touches on dealing with grief in multiple forms. Because of the dual timeline, we see vignettes of moments between Clay and little Summer-some of my favorite moments. It is a journey of highs and lows, humorous and somber moments. Highly recommend the second book of the Red Bridge series.

Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. When I Should've Stayed will publish on July 1, 2025!

Oh how I loved being back in the Red Bridge series! I couldn’t wait for this one once I heard it announced. Max’s writing flows so wonderfully and I enjoy the complex relationships she writes. Clay was the show stopper here, Josie at times was frustrating. I did fall for them together and was invested throughout the book! She wrote the side characters super well in this and they only added to the enjoyment of this story. I LOVED What I Should’ve Said so much, that this one didn’t top that for me. I did really enjoy it still.

Josie and Clay's story—first introduced in the series’ debut—finally takes center stage. While this book can stand alone, read the first book before this one or it really won't make sense. This second-chance romance is heartbreakingly raw, filled with grief, longing, and unresolved pain that will tear your heart apart before carefully stitching it back together.

The reason for their estrangement is authentically painful and believable, but I’ll admit the sheer amount of angst sometimes made me want to scream at them to just talk. Josie, in particular, puts Clay through an emotional wringer that could’ve been avoided with better communication. Still, the payoff is worth it. Their connection is deep, the writing is lovely, and the emotional journey—though intense—is ultimately satisfying. Keep tissues nearby.

3.5 stars

This was one of those books that I had been eagerly waiting for after reading the first in the series. There was so much potential with the characters and the premise. I am torn on how I feel about it because while it did keep me reading, I still found myself frustrated numerous times. This is largely because I felt like it was telling me rather than showing me, if that makes sense. I struggled with the back and forth, and so much of the past being the focus. I wanted to be in the moment, and unfortunately, that was not the case with this book.

I loved Clay. Numerous times throughout this book, I kept picturing in my head the "green flag" guy from TT. He loved with every ounce of his being, which is a huge part of why I felt a disconnect with this book, as it didn't give me the perspective of how he was with Josie in the present. Josie took a little bit for me to appreciate, but once she did, I was all in.

While this wasn't my favorite that this author duo has written, I still enjoyed it. Rounding up to 4 stars because overall, it did keep me involved and wanting to see this book to completion.

“Love, in fact, can be the very thing that hurts us the most.”

After reading What I Should Have Said, I needed to read this book and to get Josie and Clay’s backstory along with their future.

Josie and Clay were married 5 years ago and divorced shortly after… or so Josie thought. It comes out Clay never filed the divorce papers and has not so secretly been holding out hope that Josie would come back to him. But Josie is holding in secrets, secrets that no one else knows. Secrets she has been holding to keep Clay away in hopes he moves on with his life and gets everything he wants, even if it isn’t her.

From the very beginning of this book, Josie and Clay’s start had me hooked. This man was so charismatic and had blinders on for everyone but Josie. The love he has for her, past and present, was indescribable. And Josie loved this man just as much. She was so strong, holding out on him thinking he needed more. Their back and forth was cute and the dual timeline was amazing.

I feel like the whole town is in on this love story too. I love a good small down romance where everyone is in each other’s business. I loved that we got to see Grandma Rose and little baby Summer. Reading about her never gets easier.

This story is also about grief and how it can weigh you down. How you can’t just bottle things up and let them fester bc your life is just going to pass you by.

I will be reviewing on Amazon and Instagram on release day.

When I Should’ve Stayed - Max Monroe
Red Ridge Book 2

Thank you @authormaxmonroe for the ARC ebook.

My Review:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages: 352
Genre: Romance
Tropes:

💘Small Town
💘Second Chance Romance
💘Buried Heartbreak
💘Deep Secrets
💘Burning Tension
💘Forced Proximity
💘Pining

This is Clay and Josie’s story. We met them in What I Should’ve Said (Red Bridge Book 1)

The roller coaster continues. This book held me hostage once more. I was so very vested in Clay and Josie.

I’ve never rooted for a couple as hard as I’ve rooted for this one. Clay in my opinion is a Saint for holding out for Josie for FIVE years. He is the perfect example of what true love looks like.

This book is written in a dual timeline showing us from start to finish what happened. It is heartbreaking so have tissues handy. Each of them motivated by a deep all encompassing love for the other. Decisions made so the other wouldn’t have to change life’s goals and withholding their own tragedy and heartbreak from the other.

This book is definitely a home run and a must read book! Pining, true love, tragedy, heartbreak and angst cover to cover perfection.

I highly recommend!

#bookstagram #romance #maxmonroe #whatishouldvesaid #booktok #whenishouldvestayed #smalltown #forcedproximity #secondchance #secondchanceromance

Anything Max Monroe writes I love from cover to cover and this was no exception. They just know how to write characters I fall so in love with and story that I fall even more in love with. I love their words and just want to hug their books since I can't pull their stories out and make them a reality,

I did enjoy this book but I didn't love how the timeline was done. It also felt like it was mainly in the past but I'm not sure because there were a lot of flashbacks. Clay never stopped loving her and I love him for that. The fact that he never filed the divorce paperwork is so funny, he knew he would get her back one day.

I received an arc through netgalley.

This story was good, but not great. I enjoyed the storyline but I also was very annoyed with a few things. The time jumps were a bit confusing for me. Also I feel like this story just told everything that happened in book 1 but from a different POV. Unfortunately it just fell flat for me. I would continue reading from this author, I just don’t think I would recommend this book, respectfully in my opinion.

I really loved Josie and Clay’s story. This story does jump back and forth between the past and present and in doing so we get to see the build up of their relationship as well and the fallout and the rebuilding.

Josie and Clay start out with such chemistry and instant love. But you also get to see the way their relationship breaks down. You see communication issues, secrets, and real life issues. I didn’t agree with some of the decisions that Josie made, but I can see why she made them at the same time. Honestly it made me like her more because she has flaws and eventually realizes them. Clay was such an amazing ray of sunshine. He truly was perfect for her.
You also get to see characters from the previous book which brought me happiness and more tears.

I rate this book a 5/5 another amazing story!

Ohhh this had me feelings things. While I wished I had read the first book, I still felt like I should have started there to get a better understanding but it was still readable as a standalone.

I’m a sucker for angst. Everytime. And the timelines was a nice touch to their story, but took a little more mental work.

Watching them fall in love all over again had me swooning. I love the tension and yearning. I did start skimming though through some of it, it became frustrating watching their struggle and it felt prolonged and repetitive.

But overall it was enjoyable. I might go back and start from the beginning at a different time for a fresh take.

This book centers around Clay, who is utterly, unabashedly, and beautifully smitten with Josie. He’s the kind of hero who makes you swoon—steady, sweet, and steadfast in his love. Josie, on the other hand, is more reserved, carrying the weight of grief and secrets that made it hard for her to embrace their love the first time around. Their split was painful, but Clay’s attempt to win her back five years later is heartfelt, patient, and completely satisfying.

Where the book really shines is in Clay’s unwavering devotion. Watching him gently break down Josie’s walls again made me fall even harder for him—and them as a couple. Their chemistry, even after years apart, was palpable and tender, and the second-chance aspect was packed with all the emotion I was hoping for.

That said, the emotional depth—especially surrounding grief and healing—was handled with care. Josie’s internal struggle was heartbreaking but believable, and while I wish we got to spend more time watching her and Clay rebuild their relationship day by day, their reunion still delivered the feels.

This is a touching and emotional addition to the Red Bridge series. While the pacing and timeline didn’t quite work for me, the characters—especially Clay—absolutely stole my heart.

I absolutely loved this second-chance romance! It was such an emotionally raw read that left me wanting to keep reading. There were many times in the book that I was left in tears but it was so worth it. I got a little confused on some of the timelines but I really enjoyed this ARC read. I loved Mac Monroe's writing style and I will definitely be reading more by her!

4.25 ⭐️

I absolutely loved What I Should’ve Said, and I couldn’t wait for Josie and Clay’s story after reading it. And I did love their second-chance romance, but the timeline execution of this book was a little off for me.

Clay was the most smitten man I can imagine, and he wasn’t afraid to show it. He was earnest, sweet, and loving, and he fit into Josie’s life perfectly. Josie was reluctantly and less-publicly smitten with Clay, but she still loved him. Unfortunately, grief got in the way of their new relationship, and the burden of keeping life-altering secrets was too much for Josie to handle. Watching Clay win her back after 5 years was so satisfying and cute, and I swooned hard at how head-over-heels he still was after all their time apart.

The main reason this wasn’t 5 stars for me was the timeline. There was A LOT of repeated scenes from What I Should’ve Said. I understand wanting these two books to be considered interconnected standalones, but they would be a lot better as a duet with the expectation that you read them in order. If they were, then we could’ve jumped past Norah arriving in Red Bridge again and saying goodbye to sweet Summblebee, and straight to Clay trying to win back Josie in the present day. Instead, we got their backstory (which I loved and was all new) layered in with the same book again, just from different POVs, until ~80%. Then we finally got to see the second-chance part of the romance come in, but because it was so late in the story by that point, it was a lot of months-long time jumps and we didn’t actually get to see Clay and Josie live in their new relationship much. I just really wanted to spend more time with them building each other back up, and less time crying for Summer again.

Overall, I still really liked the book and the characters, I just wanted more newness and less recap. I’ll still be reading future books in this series - Breezy better be up next with the world’s worst sheep farmer, Tad!

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Amara for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Another masterpiece from Max Monroe!
I was anxiously waiting for Clay & Josie’s story and this exceeded my expectations.

This book is emotional, angsty, and beautiful.

Clay & Josie's story was filled with love, angst, secrets, and past traumas that made them separate for years, The way this man loved his wife was breathtaking, beautiful, and inspiring.
The roller coaster of emotions that this book brings is truly incredible. I couldn’t stop reading this story.

I am always amazed by Max Monroe's writing, The way this story develops is natural, well executed, and brilliant.
The plot, the characters, and the spice were just perfect.

I can’t wait for the next book, I just know that I will love it too.