Staying for Good by Catherine Bybee is a contemporary love story set in a small town called River Bend.  Zoe could not wait to leave her home town.  She grew up in a home where life was hard and she was not considered special.  Only she managed to get herself out and into a new life.  She is a famous chef looking to finally settle in Dallas. Only her best friend Melanie is getting married and Zoe’s coming home for the wedding.  

Luke was her boyfriend in high school and the only other friend Zoe had.  She broke off with him when she left and he has never really gotten over her leaving. He works in his Dad’s garage and lately has started to think more might be more in the world for him and maybe Zoe.  Together they realize what is really important for them, but there are a few problems, most related to her family.  

Catherine Bybee writes stories that stick with you.  Characters that seem real and hometowns that celebrate small town life.  Staying for Good is a great read.  I am sorry I didn’t read the first book in the series first (only because I like to read books in order).  I didn’t feel I was missing anything by not reading them in order.  I have enjoyed reading the books I have read by Catherine Bybee and really need to put her on my love to read list.

This is the second book in the series. This author has an amazing talent for bringing you stories that will touch your heart. You will fall in love with the characters from the first page. I will definitely be going back to read the first book in the series. I cant wait to read more from this author in the future. 

Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

Loved this book, by first time reading Catherine Bybee, I will definitely be looking for more by this author. Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. Great story about Zoe, raised in a poor, broken family who's father is now in jail. She leaves the small town to escape and does well for herself in her cooking career, however she has left behind an old boyfriend Luke. During a visit home to see her girlfriends, they re-aquaint. A story of supportive girlfriends,high school sweethearts,  love and friendship helps Zoe get through the emotional  struggle of her father being released from jail.  Great story, well developed characters, a love story with just enough suspense and a happy ending.

4.5 Stars
Book 2 in the Most Likely To Series and this is Luke and Zoe's story, but we also get to catch up with Jo, Mel, Wyatt as well as the adorable Hope. 
Zoe ran from Luke and her home town of River Bend many years ago but now it's time to visit because  her best friend Mel is getting engaged to Luke's best friend Wyatt. Luke has never gotten over Zoe and now is his time to win her back.
But life doesn't always run to plan and Zoe's father who is in jail is up for parole, will she run again.....
What I loved  about this second chance romance was the indepth history we got about Zoe's life and past in River Bend. As always this author gives you characters that you can't help falling in love with, friends and lovers who go out of their way to protect each other. I love this series and if you love small town romances this is a must read.

The Most Likely series features three best friends ~ Mel, Jo and Zoe. Their enduring bond of friendship made a spectacular foundation for the other relationships within the story. Luke and Zoe’s childhood experiences varied greatly, this makes their obstinate history more pronounced. Of course, the author handles the blending of that history with the personalities they have grown into – without diminishing the motivations of two complex, real characters.

Well, my fellow romance book-loving friends, this is one of those times I’m struggling to put my thoughts in order to adequately describe my feelings about this book. Let me start off by sharing some basic facts to get this literary ball rolling. 

FACT:  Zoe grew up in a rundown trailer park situated in a small Oregon town in poverty and abuse, mainly due to her violent/hot tempered, currently incarcerated father who taught life lessons using his fists. Upon graduating high school, Zoe decides she wants more for herself that what her mom and siblings are settling for.  She abruptly breaks things off with her high school, good guy mechanic boyfriend of two years, Luke, packs her bags, and amazingly finds fame and fortune as a celebrity chef.  After attending a ten year high school reunion, Luke ultimately decides he wants to do whatever it takes to give them a second chance. With mutual friends and circumstances that seem to lead them back to one another, the romantic plot starts to unfold featuring a determined, still head over heels in love hero, lots of chemistry/steamy scenes, and a mostly receptive to the idea heroine, who is also worried things won’t work out.

When Zoe’s family drama gets stirred up again and enters the mix, the romance portion seems to take a backseat to her dysfunctional family, her friend’s wedding, and Zoe’s business dealings. With an ambiance that reminded me of Robert DeNiro’s character in Cape Fear, I must admit I became completely captivated by the inevitable storm of violence that was brewing and especially to Jo, the cool, calm, protective female sheriff. I’m keeping my fingers crossed the next book will be about her, folks. 

I must admit around 30% into, I wasn’t sure I was going to finish it. Mainly because my impression of Zoe, the heroine, wasn’t that favorable. It bothered me she choose herself over Luke and their relationship ten years ago and dang if this good guy hero didn’t deserve better than that. I got she wanted to break the cycle of poverty and despair that plagues her family, but she did break Luke’s heart in the process. Fortunately, as I got to know her full history and the hot mess she was returning to, I better understood her character’s rationale. I still bugged me though why years later she didn’t attempt a compromise. 

Yes, Luke picked up the pieces of his heart but no woman he’s been with has ever measured up to his Zoe. Likewise, she’s been with other men but never committed her heart. When Luke makes a bold move a decade later to give them a second chance, her indecisiveness made it difficult for me at first to root for them as a couple. Fortunately, I did get past it. 

So even though I had issues at first with the slow paced plot and somewhat reluctant heroine, I’m glad I stuck it out. Not only did this couple grow on me but the side plot became very engaging and the inevitable explosive showdown made it worth it. Not to worry, there is still more drama to be solved. For example, who killed Jo’s father, the former sheriff, and why does she feel something else is about to  happen. I’m now really looking forward to the next sequel. 

Romance Safety Gang: <spoiler>As mentioned earlier, the main couple obviously were not celibate during their ten year separation. Wyatt and Mel’s bachelor/bachelorette parties happened the same time/separate locations in Vegas. The guys went to a strip club and the girls had some male stripper entertainment, as well. Until they were officially a couple again, the main couple would go out with their friends with the intent of possibly having one night stands with people they met in bars.</spoiler> 

Title: Staying For Good, Series: Most Likely To (Book 2), Author: Catherine Bybee, Pages: 322, stand-alone put part of a series, some violence, disturbing wife abuse, references to past child abuse, crude/evil dad drama, some very smexy scenes with lusty language, good guy hero, great cast of sub-characters.

Book 1 - Doing It Over, Pages: 317, 4/19/16 (Melanie & Wyatt)
Book 2 - Staying For Good, Pages: 322, 1/24/17 (Zoe & Luke)

(This review is based on advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased, fair review. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley. It will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, and Barnes & Noble.)

Getting voted most likely to never leave your hometown - would it make you stay, or even more determined to leave?


For Zoe, that title made her even more determined to get out of dodge, leaving her high school sweetheart Luke behind.


And boy do I love how they have proved the town wrong!  But as amazing as her life looks from the outside, she still has her demons, her cross to bear, those who want to drag her down.


And Luke... omg that guy is all kinds of swoonworthy.


I loved the character growth in Zoe as the story progressed, from a character that I liked to a character that I really adored.


I love love love the banter between Zoe, Mel (from book 1) and Jo, the wit and snark that can only come from being best friends.


There were some times that the story just made me want to throw my kindle - not from the writing, just things that characters did!


There is a bit of drama, a bit of suspense and a whole lotta love in Staying For Good.  And great build up to Jo's story - Please  don't leave us waiting too long Ms Bybee!

Staying For Good is the second book in the Most Likely To series, and focuses on Zoe. Back in high school, the year book read:
Zoe Brown: Most likely to never leave River Bend.

Well, not only did Zoe Brown leave River Bend, she also took the world by storm and had risen to fame as a celebrity chef. She thought she had it all and was living the life she always wanted, but after spending time in River Bend for the reunion, she realized that something was missing. At the same time, it was brought to the attention of her high school sweetheart and first love, Luke, that he had not been the same since the reunion either. 
You may have been over it, but after the reunion, you stopped being over it.

With encouragement from Wyatt and a ticket in his hand, he set off for Dallas in an effort to get out of this "limbo" and figure out if there is anything left between Zoe and himself. 
First, he shows up like fog on the beach, and then he kisses me. Who does that?

I am a fan of Ms. Bybee, having read all the Weekday Bride and Not Quite Perfect books, and I was very excited when I first heard about this series. I really enjoyed Mel's story, and was looking forward to more from this trio. Zoe's was a story I really wanted to read, because I knew it would be a second chance romance. There is just something about the possibility that all is not lost, and that which you loved may be your's again. It's hopeful. I also love second chance romances for all the history that is there. There were a few flashbacks that made me misty, and it was wonderful watching these two re-kindle the flame that was never fully extinguished. 

Zoe and Luke getting back together is like Sandy and Danny from Grease. It's epic and wonderful.

Zoe and Luke really were epic together. He worked so hard to show Zoe how much he cared. He supported her, and did not ask her to change her life for him, rather, he was willing to change his life for her. He was not letting her slip through his fingers again. Their time apart had only intensified what they always knew was true - they were made for each other. 
You're good for my ego, Miller.

So, great hero and heroine, as always, and can we talk about #squadgoals. This tight knit group of lifelong friends is absolutely enviable. I love how they are different, but similar, and how they balance each other out. They know when to push, and when to hold back. That sort of understanding takes many years of dedication to perfect. I loved that Bybee played up the bromance between Wyatt and Luke in this book. They were quite the pair. I really enjoyed every interaction between the two, and cannot wait to see what develops when a new mister is added to the group. And can we talk about the cameo! It was fun to see a character from the Weekday Brides series showing up at the inn. Nicely done, Ms. Bybee. 

Michael Wolfe...action flicks. Totally hot.

As with many of her other books, Bybee includes a suspense element in this book too. There was some serious drama and chaos at one point, and a seed was planted for Jo's book which left me a little worried, but I will not fear, because Bybee always does right by me. 

Overall: A wonderful second chance romance filled with love and friendship, which has left me beyond excited for Jo's book.

*This book does contain scenes of domestic violence. *

Staying for Good is the standalone second book in Catherine Bybee’s Most Likely To Series. This is a second chance love story focusing on Zoe Brown and Luke Miller. Zoe and Luke were high school sweethearts who came from opposites worlds. Luke has always been the pride and joy of his parents. His father owns the automotive repair shop in Red River and his mother takes care of the family. Zoe’s father was abusive and went to prison. Her mother worked several jobs and was barely able to take care of the family. Where Luke found comfort and security within his home, Zoe had to look elsewhere. She found safety with Gina, owner of the B&B who became like a second mother to her. She also found a motherly figure in Luke’s mother, who helped cultivate her cooking skills. But above everything else, she found true friendship with Melanie Bartlett, Jo Ward, and Luke Miller.

Everyone assumed Zoe and Luke would get married and have a family of their own. That’s why Zoe was voted most likely to Never Leave Red River. But with Zoe’s abusive upbringing, she refused to have something bad happen to Luke and wake up one morning and find herself living like her mother, with three kids to take care of and living in a trailer that barely kept the cold out. This fear caused Zoe to bolt from Red River right after graduation and only make a handful of sporadic visits.

All of this changes with their ten year high school reunion. Melanie returned, bringing unwanted drama with her. But she also met someone and fell in love. Now, Zoe finds herself returning often to help plan a wedding. She soon discovers that no matter how much she wanted to leave Red River behind, her heart always remained.

Luke spent ten years trying to get over Zoe, but his heart refused to move on. When Zoe returned for the reunion and then kept returning, he knew he had to try to convince Zoe they deserved another chance. As the two start to get closer, Zoe finds herself in family drama. Luke reverts back to being her support system and knows there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her, even leave Red River.

Get your tissues ready. Catherine Bybee has written a second chance love story of a love that's never gone away. Staying for Good is also a story of survival and overcoming your past. Of course, Catherine puts in a little suspense, which has you on the edge of your seat. Catherine Bybee is simply a master at what she does.

I’m on pins and needles waiting for the third and final book in the series, Making it Right. The story is surely to answer some questions brought up in Doing it Over.

I love Catherine's writing, the character's of Zoe and Luke fit so perfectly well together. I also love that Catherine brings some very hard topics forward in her writing. All the characters just melted together making this an awesome book to read, This is the second book of this series I have read within days of picking them up.

4.5 Stars
This is book two in the 'Most Likely To' series. Not only do we get a great romance in each book, but we are also following the interweaving lives of best friends Zoe, Melanie, and Jo, and the goings-ons in small town River Bend.

I'm loving being enveloped in life in River Bend. Not only is there so much going on with Zoe, Melanie, and Jo, but there is a cast of characters and circumstances that add so much to the continuity of this series. I took special enjoyment from Miss Gina and Zane's involvement in this story.

I also love the relationship between Zoe, Melanie, and Jo. These gals are so different, yet their bond has only grown stronger. I also love that each of their stories is important in each book. It makes me that much more attached and invested in this series.

But let's not forget the romance. A second chance romance. Now, I'm not always a fan of second chance romances, especially when they revolve around stupid misunderstandings and wasted years. But this one was completely understandable. Zoe left 10 years ago, and Luke stayed. But as we learn in this story, Zoe really had to leave. And Luke and Zoe talked before she left. There was no misunderstanding. But there was lost love, because as much as they loved each other, Zoe simply could not continue in River Bend. But life has given them a second chance, and now it's up to them if they are going to take it and handle the many obstacles in their way to get it.

I really enjoyed taking this journey with Zoe and Luke. They were really made for each other, they just had to discover themselves and find their way back to each other. Now getting to the end had a lot of crazy from Zoe's parents. I have to say, her father is despicable and her mother frustrated me to no end. With all that drama, I loved Zoe and Luke and knew things had to work out for them. 

Now give me Jo's book. We've been getting bits and pieces about her, and I cannot wait to see how her story turns out.

Staying For Good is the second in the “Most Likely To” series, and while it could stand alone, it really shouldn't. If you read the first book it will add a lot of depth and emotion to the characters in this one.  (Also because Wyatt is a fantastic book boyfriend.)

*slight SPOILERS throughout this review*

I'll confess, I wasn't as excited about this book as I should have been. Zoe was fine, but she wasn't my favorite character in the first book, but she absolutely won me over in this book. At the beginning she came off as shallow and judgmental – especially regarding other people's appearances (mentally bodyshaming her sister who had just had a baby was a particular low point), that thankfully stopped for the most part after she started spending more time in River Bend with people who don't care as much about that kind of thing. I got teary-eyed as she re-lived and recounted her childhood, and it made me root even harder for her to have her HEA. And the relationship between Zoe, Jo, and Mel is exactly the kind of friendship that we all strive for. 

Luke was exactly what I want in a book hero. He was just an incredibly good guy who loves his friends and family unconditionally, and he conveyed his strength without being overly-macho or “alpha”. Instead of holding Zoe back or throwing a ton of guilt at her for her choices, he had grown up enough to realize what she had done was for the best for both of them. Luke supported her and was happy to change his life to be with her – that's so rare in romance novels these days because usually the woman is the one who has to make all the changes in order to save a relationship. Luke Miller is definitely 'book boyfriend' worthy. 

Zoe's personal back story that ran through this book was not easy to read. The effects of a difficult childhood can resonate through a person's life, and seeing the three Brown children and their varied reactions to that childhood was both sad and very realistic. I loved the way things played out for Zane, and I hope that in the next book we get to see more from him. I also hope that we get to find out how Zanya is doing.  On the downside, there were things that happened while in her father's POV that made me VERY uncomfortable as a reader. I'm not sure if the author thought they were necessary in order to make the reader dislike Ziggy more than we already did, but it made me skim whenever his POV popped up to avoid being subjected to the gross things he thought and did. I was not at all sad about the ending to his story – something that was handled perfectly by the author. 

If you like a sweet love story that makes you think as well as feel, you should definitely read this book.

I am so looking forward to Jo's book. The little teases we got of her story have been intriguing and I can't wait to find out how everything plays out with regards to her father's death and her seeming indifference to being a police officer. I am looking forward to it so much that I have already pre-ordered it.

I requested and was generously granted an ARC copy of this book through NetGalley and wrote a review because I very much enjoyed it. I will be buying this book the next time that my book budget builds back up.

Famous words, "You can never go home again".  Or can you?  This book sets out to answer that very question.  The telling is a very interesting story filled with angst and passion along with a yearning to find the place where you truly belong.  Accompanying the "feels" is just enough suspense to keep you turning the pages quickly.  Vety quickly, I might add. The end of this book raises questions I am assuming will be answered in the next book.

Staying for Good is book two in the Most Likely To series and this series just continues to surprise me. The characters have had a piece of my heart since the first book and had me aching for the next book in this series.

Zoe Brown escaped her small town life and suffocating family after graduation, leaving her two best friends, the sisters of her heart, and her loving boyfriend Luke. Now a celebrity chef, she has everything she could ever dream of except for those she left behind. When she returns to Bend for her 10-year reunion, the love that she has for her friend's and Luke, begin to remind her of the good things she left behind. But with her family drama that continues to make her want to run back to Texas, will she ever want to come home?

“I don’t want to hurt you again, Luke.”
“I was a boy when you left. I’m a grown man now.”
“I live in Texas. My life is there.” He nudged her closer with a slight tug of his fingertips.
“I know where you live.”
Zoe looked up at him; the tip of her tongue moistened her bottom lip. The teasing smile she often wore was all but gone.
The moment he felt her hand find his waist, his world came into focus.
“This isn’t smart,” she uttered, her lips reaching toward his.

Luke has been in a sort of limbo since Zoe left 10 years ago. While he's never had a desire to leave River Bend, a second chance with Zoe has him reconsidering his path. Especially since the possibility of losing her again may just destroy him. The fire between the two never died, and they can't deny that the feelings they had for one another as teenagers have only grown into more. Luke is sweet and has the sexy boy next door feel that you can't help root for him to win Zoe's heart again.

…she ran a fingernail over his bare hip in hopes of tickling him enough to roll off.
His chest rumbled. “Starting something?”
She flattened her hand. “You’re awake?”
Luke shifted his hips, and a warm part of his anatomy told her just how awake he was. “A warm, wiggling, naked woman in my bed has a way of getting me up early.”
Her hand brushed his erection. “You’re insatiable.”
Caging her hips in his hands, he pulled her on top of him.

The friendship between these three ladies, the family drama, the small town feels, everything clicked so beautifully in this book. I don't remember the last time I loved a small town series like I have this one. And that ending! I can not flipping wait for the next book. It's not a cliffhanger but it is a fantastic lead way to the next book that will whet the appetite.

5/5 for this small town contemporary romance.

I was so excited to return to River Bend to read Zoe's story and I loved every minute of it. A second chance romance with her high school boyfriend. Zoe left River Bend , more like escaped her dysfunctional  family  to never return. She has become a successful  chef. She now returns home for Melanie's wedding when she rekindles her romance with Luke, her high school flame. Now she needs to decide to face her family or once again leave the love of her life.

 Great characters, that you will surely fall in love with. Kept me turning the pages. Can't wait to read Joe's story. Girl friends are the best. My favorite quote from the book, "Hard to move on with someone new when you're still in love with someone else."

Many, many thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this via Netgalley! Before reading this I bought and read the first in this series. I'm glad I did. Event though it's completely fine as a standalone, it will mean more having read the first one. I love Zoe and Luke - Zoe had to leave River Bend after high school to find a better life and finally she and Luke choose to find a way to be together no matter what. I love Catherine Bybee's writing and this book is no exception. 

That said - I can't wait for Jo's story!! This book left me with some questions, but I have a feeling they will be answered in her book. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger - I think the series has been building up to Jo's story, but when I was done I realized I couldn't find the real purpose of one character so either it comes out in book three or I'm reading way too much into things...

Also, is this series only a trilogy? I really want Zane to get his own HEA!

Highly recommend this book and the entire series. And when you are done with that, I recommend her Weekday Brides and Not Quite series also. All are fabulous!

Staying for Good is the second book in the Most Likely To series. I love Catherine Bybee and her books. She always knows the perfect way to show emotion with laughter, sexiness, heartfelt plots and outstanding characters. I love the dynamic between Zoe, Jo and Mel. I've been a big fan of Luke's since Doing it Over and Luke and Zoe's story is the ultimate second chance romance, my favorite kind. Zoe had a horrible life growing up with an alcoholic, abusive father. She didn't want to get stuck in their small town and she vowed to get out leaving her one true love behind. It's now eleven years later and with the exception of seeing him last year, she hasn't seen or spoken to Luke. When Zoe has to come back to town, Luke can't stay hidden in the shadows forever. He wants his woman back and he's not going to let her get away again. Zoe doesn’t know what the right thing to do it. She got out, she's successful and has enough money to do what she wants, but Texas no longer feels like home. Can she go back to the one place that made her feel worthless? Will Luke convince her that River Bend and he are her home? I loved Luke and Zoe! Zoe is strong, beautiful, smart and knows what she wants out of life. Luke is sexy, funny and never got over his first love. He's just been waiting for her without really knowing it. I love how fierce Luke is. He's not going to let Zoe run anymore! I can't wait for Jo's story!

"What if I want to get laid," Wyatt said.
"Then you sneak out like me and hook up with your woman without telling me."

"Right now I think we should try."
"We never had to try very hard."
"No, we didn't."

Staying for Good is a wonderful love story that also deals with some rather unpleasant aspects of life. Zoe didn't grow up in the picture perfect home. He father was abusive and eventually wound up in jail. Her family struggled with him in the home, but things continued to be difficult with him locked up as well. Fortunately, Zoe had her best friends Jo and Mel to help her get through the angsty years of middle school and high school. Her boyfriend, Luke, was another safe harbor. But she knew she had to escape the small town of River Bend, OR if she truly wanted to break free from her difficult upbringing.

Fast forward eleven years past high school graduation when Zoe broke up with Luke and left for greener pastures. Zoe is now a renowned chef with her own cooking show and opportunities abound. With Mel's upcoming wedding, Zoe finds herself back in Riverbend and Luke's arms. What could be a story of rekindled love and the two figuring out the details of a long-distance relationship, is complicated by Zoe's father being released on parole. Baffled doesn't even begin to describe Zoe's feelings when her mom, sister, and brother welcome her abusive father home with open arms.

While a beautiful story of rekindled love, Staying for Good exposes psychological and emotional scars that result from abusive relationships. Ziggy Brown, Zoe's father, is not a pleasant person and his presence brings a darkness to the story that adds depth and a cold dose of reality. Life isn't all sunshine and lollipops and Zoe knows this first hand. Her support system including Luke, Mel, Jo, and Miss Gina (not to mention Luke's parents) help Zoe make it through some very difficult times. While Zoe's family doesn't seem to want help , Jo is able to reach out to Zane in a way that allows him to come to see "reality" on his own. 

Staying for good is one of those stories that you love but kind of hate as well. No one really likes to read about the dark, ugly parts of life. Topics like abuse can be uncomfortable to read about - especially when entwined with a sunny love story. But I think we need to get used to being uncomfortable once in a while. That's where we learn and grown. And this story shows beautifully how everyone needs a support system to get through the tough times. Some people are blessed to have that support system built into their family, some find it in friendships, some people have it almost forced on them, like Zane, but far too many don't have it or refuse it when it's offered.

Catherine Bybee's Most Likely Series is about three friends who reunite again ten years after high school with a different reality from the one their yearbooks have predicted.  In Staying for Good, Zoe and Luke former high school sweethearts find themselves once again rekindling the old flame.  In high school Zoe and Luke were voted most likely to get married and stay in town, with Luke set to take over his dad's auto shop.  But Zoe had different dreams and despite her feelings for Luke decided to pursue her dreams and leave River Bend and Luke behind.  Now ten years later, it seems that Luke and Zoe's feelings have rekindled but the circumstances before seems wider and never about to close the gap at all.  Can they make their relationship work at all?  

Staying For Good is a great take on a second chance at love plot line with a dose of real life scenarios and of course sizzling chemistry thrown in.  Readers will get to sympathise with both Luke and Zoe's take on their rekindled romance and the effort to make it work.  Its a great read that will make you cheer for this couple to make it work because they simply are meant to be <3