I loved book 1 but this is the before about Clay a man obsessed with Josie.
It took me a minute to realize what was going on with book2
in this series because I’d made book 1 an all time favorite read of 2024.
This story is all about second chances and heartache. Grab the tissues because this is quite emotional.
Josie is the strongest woman ever getting through what’s learned in this book.
I do wish she didn’t run from her problems but that’s what most of us do in not wanting to burden those we love right?

This book tore my heart out and continued to stomp on it over and over and I said “Thank you, may I have some more?” because even though it was DEVASTATING it was also brilliant and beautiful. I loved Clay and Josie’s story and the emotional trauma was worth it. But also how dare you make me re-live Summer’s storyline *insert crying emoji here*

When I Should’ve Stayed- Great read! It was so good to read Clay and Josie’s story, and to be able to see the Norah and Bennett and Summer’s story from another point of view. The struggles that Josie went through with what happened in their past were real and raw. Clay’s steadfastness in their love was heartwarming! Can’t wait to read more books about the people in this quaint town!

When I should've stayed is the follow up to what i should've said. I would help the reader to understand the characters if they have read what i should've said. Josie is the older sister of Nora from the previous book. Josie is mentioned a little bit in the previous book but the readers learns more about josie's background in this book. Josie didn't have a good childhood and left her old life behind to get a fresh start. This book goes back and forth between past and present. It starts with the end of Josie's relationship with her love interest clay. I did enjoy reading the love story of Josie and clay. It was a little to follow the stories at time with the constant back and forth from past and present. I look forward to see what happens next in the series.

This book was different from the usual Max Monroe content and I devoured it. I couldn’t put this book down, but there were a few parts when I was a little confused. Since the book is heavy on flashbacks, having a year with the dates would’ve been helpful. I also feel like the trigger warnings could’ve been a little more descriptive. As someone who recently when through a miscarriage, I didn’t really want to read about one. I know the TW mentioned child loss, but I don’t think it said anything about a miscarriage. All in all, this was a great book!

I can not get enough of the small town of Red Bridge and all of the people in it. The dual timeline with What I Should've Said makes When I Should've Stayed just that much more meaningful, heartbreaking, funny, and just downright swoony. This is a book (and series) to read over and over again and get all up in the feels. "I promise, if you let me love you the way I want to love you, you don't have anything to be afraid of."

Max Monroe’s “Cluelessly Yours” was one of my favorite reads last year. It was a sleeper hit for sure. So when I saw Max Monroe had put out another book I was excited. I missed the first book in The Red Bridge series, “ What I Should've Said”, where Clay and Josie were introduced. This was a hard read as a lot of emotional downfall hit Clay and Josie and broke up their marriage. The book goes back and forth between before the break up and after, until we eventually find out the reason that tore them apart. This wasn’t one my favorite of this author’s books and not because the writing or the plot but because I prefer happy romance over the sadder stuff. That’s just me. This is a gut wrenching romance. Hence why I preferred Max Monroe’s “Cluelessly Yours” and “ Accidental Attachment“ from the “It’s a Funny Story” series.

Wow. Just WOW! I have been anxiously awaiting Josie and Clay’s story. A beautiful, yet complicated love story filled with immense love, grief and loss. I would highly suggest reading What I Should’ve Said before devouring this one. Have your tissues handy!

I feel like this book was a hug after the first one.
It's emotional but doesn't rip your heart out.

5 stars
This book gave me all the feels. The journey Josie and Clay went through to come back to each other was beautiful to witness. It was a perfect second chance romance and Clay was the perfect MMC, he never gave up on Josie and the two of them together had the best chemistry. I laughed, I cried, I loved it.

Max Monroe titles are must-reads for me. I enjoy the stories so much. When I Should've Stayed was no exception - it's entertaining, has well-developed characters, romance, conflict, and much more! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

When I Should've Stayed brings you back to the small town of Red Bridge, VT first brought to life in What I Should've Said and the town of characters who captured our hearts the first time around. Josie and Clay have a history...they were in love, they were married and now they are divorced but why? The only person who seems to know why is Josie and she is holding her reasons to herself. This story takes you on a whirlwind of emotions and makes sure that you feel ALL the feels. Josie and Clay are REAL and FLAWED and the love they share is palpable. I would say this was a book that I couldn't put down but that would not be true; I had to put it down a time or two to allow myself to work through all of the emotions I was feeling. Take a trip to Red Bridge yourself, you won't regret it.

The second book in the Red Bridge series. It's a small town romance. Josie and Clay have a complicated relationship.... Clay tries to win her back....

It's has a little more angst than the usual max monroe books. But the characters are great... Clay and Josie are both very likable characters. It's so satisfying to see them work out their differences... a terrific romance

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for giving me an ARC of this book. If you’ve read book one, and fell in love with Josie and Clay there, this book is for you. Although it can be read as a standalone, I do highly recommend reading book one first – so go start there! This is an emotional read, so be prepared to get your heart a little trampled… but the emotional damage is worth it.

so this is going to be a gut wrenching review folks. sorry. this broke my heart, as a woman who lost a baby and also lost the ability to have children not all that long after this was brutal and so hard to read but also so validating. Listening to Josie tell a story of loss, that myself and so many others have experienced, was monumental. The loss of a child, is hard enough and then losing the ability to have children all together is painful and truly unexplainable. I felt so emotionally connected Josie during the entire story and I was so rooting for her and Clay. Clay reminds me of my own husband, who was never less than anything but my number one fan and my biggest support system. I had no doubt Clay would be that for Josie.

When I Shoud've Stayed by Max Monroe goes back and forth between the different time periods of Clay and Josie’s relationship. We quickly find out something went wrong in their relationship and they are no longer together.

To be honest Josie annoyed me when making her decisions. She made several stupid decisions that ended up effecting many people. The saving grace for this book was Clay. He was an absolute dream. The side characters also made this book, because if it was just about Josie, I would have been more annoyed. But there is also depth with the other characters too given their sad/ emotional stories. I knew Clay & Josie’s story was going to break my heart. But I wasn’t expecting for side characters to have me in my feels as well. As for Josie, she just annoyed me so much. It was heartbreaking though.

Josie is such a strong kick butt MFC. Her decisions and sacrifices she made are heartbreaking yet annoying. Honestly at times you will want to strangle her. But you love and relate to her anyway. Plus you have Clay, the adorable golden retriever MMC. This man is a swoon worthy hero and he deserves the world. You put these two together and they are electric. You can feel the strong and genuine love they have for each other.

This book was an emotional roller coaster that hooked me from the very beginning and never let go. If you can’t already tell I highly recommend this book. But please read “What I Should’ve Said” first. You 100% need to read book one to understand all the characters and back story. I had to stop and go read it then come back to this because I didn't realize it was part of a series.

Thank you Max for an amazing story and I can’t wait to read your next book.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Josie’s childhood was filled with loss. Clay’s was filled with neglect. As adults they meet and know they are each other’s true love. When sudden tragedy strikes it sets off a chain of events that push Josie and Clay apart. They have to navigate living in a small town, sharing friends, and seeing ghosts of their relationship around every corner. They both know they will never love anyone else. Has too much time passed or can they find their way back to each other?

This book covers some heavy themes so make sure you read through the warnings before starting. If you read their previous book, What I Should’ve Said, you know that Max Monroe handles the subjects of loss and grieving in a such a beautiful way and this book is no different. You will mourn with the characters but will also leave with so much hope. Make sure you keep the tissues close by as you will need them!

Although When I Should’ve Stayed can be read alone, it’s best read after What I Should’ve Said as they have overlapping timelines and the two stories weave together.

📖 Book Review 📖 The long anticipated return to Red Bridge is here and readers will rejoice in this emotionally cathartic journey. When I Should’ve Stayed brings the story of Carl and Josie, two strong New York personalities who fall in love in the biggest way in this small town. Max Monroe pens a love that is grand and sweeping in all aspects, even down to the heartache that follows. What follows is a story of love, loss, healing, and a hope that they find their second chance. As always, Max Monroe delivers a heartfelt roller coaster filled with tears, and leaving us all desperately absolutely rooting for a happily ever after!

I was extremely interested in getting this story. There was such a build up and mystery as to why Clay and Josie weren't together anymore and what happened between them in the first book. I needed to know. Now that I know, I hate to admit it, but I'm disappointed. It was quite the let down and the reason why they weren't together seemed stupid. Then the resolution happened in the blink of an eye. Plus the whole time line of going from before and after felt choppy and sometimes confusing. I really wanted to like this book, but it just fell flat for me. I didn't feel like they had much of a connection beyond physical. Maybe it's because they weren't together for much of the book. I don't know, I'm sure some, maybe even most will like this book, but it's a no for me. And I say that as a die hard Max Monroe fan.

Josie and Clay love story.

This book is full of emotions it had me in my feelings. Truly loved the ride though out their story.

Max Monroe delivers yet another great read. Emotional while being funny and the romance along the way. I enjoyed the trips back into the past. It gives you a full picture of their characters and story’s.
Looking forward to more in this series