As I age, I am finding that I am becoming extremely picky about the novels I read. I don't seem to enjoy many of them anymore. Usually the first few pages are enough is to inform whether I should continue reading or not. Maybe I need books with older protagonists?

Unfortunately I found that Staying for Good is one of those that did not grab me.

Perhaps younger readers would enjoy it.

A small hobunk town where everyone knows everyone’s business and your business isn’t all good, of course you want to escape and leave it all behind.   That is exactly what Zoe wanted/needed to do.   She had to escape, she had to put it all behind, even if that means the love of her life.  

I love Zoe.    She has spunk, respect, and love.   She takes what could be a dead end life with an abusive dad who is in jail and a mom who can’t get over him and escapes into a life of excitement, fulfillment, and loving what she does.     The only hold up is that she can’t find love.     I love when someone is so in love with someone that they can’t move past.    They try, they have short meaningless relationships trying to find that happen ending they want, yet they can’t do it.     They can’t give themselves to anyone other than the man who is meant to be theirs.   

Catherine Bybee did it again with Staying for Good.     She wrote a book I could not put down with characters that I could not help caring about.      I was invested in the story, the characters, and the outcome.      I certainly recommend picking up your own copy.

A solid contemporary romance-a 2nd in a series. I believe I would have appreciated it more if I had read the first one. Still a good read for a lazy afternoon.

I loved this book! Zoe and Luke are amazing. A second chance, family difficulties...real conflicts with a resolution that isn't fanciful, but real.

Loved the second installment of this series and the second chance for Zoe and Luke. Zoe has struggled mightily to overcome a past of violence and fear that is not totally in the past. Zoe in particular must make some difficult decisions about what is truly important in her life and where and how she can compromise. I love that this series has not only romance but strong female friendships. Zoe must make some difficult decisions about what is truly important in her life.

Luke and Zoe were high school sweethearts who each had different goals for their lives and so they broke up to achieve their dreams. As time has passed, they both realize the other person is still an important part of their life and they are better together than apart. Their friends, Jo, Watt and Melanie, as well as others in the town, will do anything they can to help them find their way to each other. Just as you think it’ll work out, something happen that will shock them (as well as the reader - I can’t blow it!). This is a great book in the series and I can’t wait to read the next one!

I just love Catherine Bybee's books and her characters.  They feel like family by the time i finish a book/series and this one is the same way.

Zoe Brown may have been voted Most Likely to Never Leave River Bend, but the paper-thin walls and suffocating air of her family’s double-wide trailer were not what she wanted for her life. Other than BFFs Melanie and Jo, the only thing that kept Zoe sane during high school was her boyfriend, Luke.

She didn’t just leave, she escaped—turning her back on the shame of her black-sheep siblings and imprisoned dad. Now a celebrity chef in Dallas, she can afford all the things she never could have growing up. But when she returns to rustic, ruggedly beautiful River Bend, Zoe has to face all that she abandoned—including Luke.

While Luke was a refuge for Zoe in the past, he knows they inhabit totally different worlds now. Anchored by his parents and his job as a mechanic in his father’s shop, Luke never felt the urge to leave River Bend—until Zoe’s return.

But when the two rekindle their old flame, Zoe is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: remain in River Bend and confront her past before it destroys her, or say good-bye to everyone she’s ever loved…again, this time for good. (

The second being offered to Zoe and Luke is wonderfully portrayed by Catherine Bybee.  Like always, she delivers with great character development and chemistry!

**My thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

I REALLY enjoyed reading Zoe and Luke's second chance romance, but even in book one we knew that forces were really strong between them and it would not be long before they ended up together.

We get some dramatic events in this book, just like the first and again it keeps you in suspense as you never quite know how events are going to collide until in happens.

Zoe has a lot of sass and ambition, but it is only when Luke finally shows up in Texas she realises just how much she has missed him and finds her choices and wants changing.

Although the past catches up with Zoe, it is Luke and her friends that pull her through it all and keep her the strong person that she is.

I loved how Luke decided that he was finally willing to up his roots to find a home wherever Zoe was and that he made sure that he was sure and steady and just what she needed.

Another brilliant and must read from Catherine Bybee.

I loved it, I really enjoyed the storyline and characters can't wait to see what comes next from the author!

Staying for Good is second-chance romance that appears not to have any hope of a happy ending.  Zoe is a successful chef with a nationwide reputation and a successful TV show; Luke is a hometown boy, committed to staying in his home town with his parents and close-knit group of friends, and running the family garage with his dad.  When Zoe returns home for a friend's wedding, her past catches up to her in the form of her dysfunctional family, who serve as a powerful reminder of why she left and never wants to return.   But she and Luke have never gotten over one another, and their friends conspire to help push them back together.  This is a beautifully written story with a well earned happy ending.

Nice easy read!  Love Bybee and her great writing.

Staying for Good is the second book in the Most Likely To series by Catherine Bybee. This is Zoe's story. You could feel the tension in the first book between Luke and Zoe, and they weren't even the focus of that book. Now, the is tension all over the place with Luke and Zoe seeing each other more and more. These two have some definite chemistry, but they also have very different lives across the country from each other. This was an addictive second chance romance with some side drama thrown in to keep things that much more interesting. I'm truly enjoying this series so far. This author knows how to keep her audience on their toes.

Staying For Good is the 2nd book in the Most Likely To series from Catherine Bybee. I was really excited to see we would get Zoe's story next and even happier to find it was a second chance romance for Zoe and Luke. 

I absolutely adore the strength of the friendship between, Melanie, Zoe, and Jo. I'm lucky enough to have just a close a relationship with my friends and know that type of friendship can help you through anything. Zoe Brown is such a strong woman. I knew she grew up in an abusive home before her father was sent to prison, but I had no idea of the magnitude until I was reading her story. I loved that her friends were always there to support her decisions and completely understood her need to leave River Bend. I did hate that she had to leave Luke behind, but knew Zoe had to leave to reach her full potential. The more time Zoe was back in River Bend the more the attraction between Luke and Zoe was growing. They had great chemistry from the moment they saw each other again, and it only grew stronger the more time they spent together.

I love when Luke showed up at Zoe's house when Jo was there for a visit and kept staying in touch with Zoe after that trip. I love a good reunion romance and Zoe and Luke's was done absolutely perfectly. There was both sweet and super hot moments between Zoe and Luke. I loved even after 10 years apart, they pretty much picked up where they had left off when Zoe left town. Luke totally and completely understood why Zoe needed to not be in River Bend, and even more so after Zoe opened up with more details of her home life as a child. Zoe sharing her past with Luke had me in tears and I just wanted to shake her mother for not protecting her children.

I honestly didn't think I could be any angrier at Zoe's mom, and then he dad got out of prison and was welcomed home with open arms. My heart absolutely broke for Zoe when no one in her family supported her and accepted her father back into their lives. Luckily, Jo, who is now the town sheriff, knew Zoe was being truthful, plus she had all the notes from her dad's files. I knew Zoe's dad Ziggy hadn't changed and as he slowly started to show his true colors, I knew he would go back to his old ways soon, and he didn't surprise me at all with his actions.

Staying For Good was a very emotional, strong and beautiful story. Zoe's story shows people can rise above a bad beginning as long as that person is willing to work hard. I loved that Zoe always had the support of her best friends Melanie and Jo, and the fact that Luke never stopped loving her was evident from he moment they got back together. I loved that the love and support from Zoe's friends and Luke helped her get through her time back in River Bend. Staying For Good was a wonderful addition to the Most Likely To series and only made me want to spend more time with the characters. I can't wait to read Jo's book when it is released.

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

Source:  eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Montlake Romance
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Part 2 of 3


My Staying For Good Review . . .


Zoe, Melanie and Jo have been best friends forever.   They started as kids but their friendship has survived the end of time.  Through heartbreak, loss, death, stress, etc... these three can count on each other.   Even though these three have been best friends they didn't see each other for many years but their ten year reunion brought them back together forcing Zoe and Melanie back to town.   In Doing it Over book one we found out about Melanie and Wyatt while the reunion happened.

In Staying for Good this book focuses on Zoe and her old high school sweetheart, Luke.  Everyone thought Zoe would be the one to stay in town but when she got the opportunity to leave she did.  Even though she left her heart behind.   After coming back for the reunion Luke and Zoe realize there is still something there but how does it all work with Zoe in Texas and Luke back home?

After breaking the absence, Zoe finds herself coming back more and more but we all know that has something to do with the hunky Luke.   After 11 years Luke realizes what he wants and this time around he won't let Zoe go, even if that mean he follows her this time around.

One of the reasons Zoe leaves town is because of her dysfunctional family and this time around they are making her life even more hell then they did when she was a kid.

    "I know that.  But it hurt.  When will her words no longer hurt, Luke? I'm a grown woman."


The power to be hurt by our mothers is so large, and for poor Zoe she's not exempt to this hurt.  Zoe has now started to realize that family is more than blood and she can survive anything, even her family with her friends by her side.

    "You're not a lone, baby, I have you."

I absolutely love the banter between them all, but especially with their token adopted mom, Miss Gina.

    "What happened to Mr. Eugene?"
    "He petered out."  Miss Gina didn't sound too upset.
    "He got involved with someone else?"
    "No, I mean his peter petered out.  What can I do with a man if that doesn't work?"


As Zoe and Luke are find their second chance we're also starting to get to see more about the town sheriff, and are left wanting to know so much more about Jo.  I can't NOT wait for Jo's book and in Staying for Good there was such a good lead up to it.

    "He told me the only way I was going to change was if I joined the military or lost something so precious it gutted me."  

 I adore Catherine Bybee.  Every book I have ever read of hers has nothing but heart and sweetness with a bit of suspense thrown in.    She knows how to write feel good stories and Staying for Good is another feel good story about the power of love, loyalty and friendship.

3. 75 Second Chances Thumbs up!

Having enjoyed the first book in the Most Likely To series, Doing It Over, I was excited to revisit River Bend in Staying for Good. In this installment, we get Zoe’s story. Zoe, the one voted most likely to, “Never Leave River Bend,” is the one that hightailed it out of there and never looked back. However, after her brief visits that forced her to face everything she left behind, she starts question if she made the right decision in leaving all those years ago. In addition, someone from her past returns that could turn everything she built upside down.

Zoe is an easy character to like and admire. I loved that she was willing to leave and go make something of herself. It takes guts. Luke, being one of the good guys, is perfect for Zoe. Luke’s determined to win her back, and his level of patience and support is nothing short of amazing. I just adore them together!

What I love about this series is the close, tight-knit community, and we get to revisit characters introduced in the first book, as well as getting to know more about others and the stories progress. Since the story is told in several different POV’s, it adds an additional layer to the depth of each character.

As with the first book, there’s a level of suspense throughout the story. The ending was a perfect set up for the final book, Making It Right.

Overall – I liked it! If you’re looking for a new adult contemporary series to start, I highly recommend it!

Book 2 of this series was as good as book one. Three high school friends reunite. Mel is getting married and Zoe returns for various wedding activities. She reunites with her high school sweetheart, Luke. The story is full of turmoil and family drama. Loved watching Zoe and Luke reunite. And there's a little cliff hanger to make us anticipate Jo's story next. 

Thanks to NetGalley for a pre-release copy. I've enjoyed many Cathrine Bybee stories and look forward to more.

This is the first book I have read by this author,  It won't be the last.  I need to go out an buy the 1st book in this series although you don't need to read them in any order.  I loved how Zoe faced her fears to return home and was brave enough to stay.  She wants to take care of her family and they won't let her.  Luke is willing to go anywhere that Zoe is going to be once they rekindle there high school romance. This is a good read and you will want to read it.

Staying for Good, the second book in Catherine Bybee's Most Likely To series, continues with the lives of Melanie, Zoe, and Jo - three high school friends that didn't quite live up to those pesky senior superlatives. Although Zoe was voted Most Likely to Never Leave, she had to escape before her family could strangle the fight out of her, even if it meant leaving her two best friends and her high school sweetheart. Luke always knew something was missing from his life and when Zoe returns to River Bend for their friend's wedding, he knows they were meant to be together. Even if he has to leave the only place he's called home if it means being with her.

I can't tell you how much I adore Catherine Bybee. Not only can she create sweet and sexy romances, Catherine also gives her characters the best supporting casts. That has never been more evident than in this series. For Zoe, family is more than those she's related to by blood. Her family includes Mel and Jo, two friends that stood by her through thick and thin. And now her family includes Luke. Knowing that they are on her side, Zoe is finally able to move on from her tormented childhood. She's able to stand up for herself and put her future before others, something she's never been able to do. I loved watching her growth throughout Staying for Good. With Luke and gang by her side, Zoe blossoms and is finally open to love. Luke was perfect, of course. Patient and kind when need be, forceful and persistent when times called for a bit of tough love. I also love how Catherine adds just the tiniest bit of suspense in her books, just enough to get you hooked. And that ending... Wow! As if I couldn't wait for Jo's book before. Now I'll be counting down the months. Hopefully it won't be too far away.