“Kissing Gen would be like playing with a stick of lit dynamite.”

Stay with Me, the first installment in award-winning author Becky Wade’s Misty River Romance series, is guaranteed to be a hit with fans of contemporary romance. With powerful authenticity and deep realism, Becky Wade pens a heartwarming tale of unexpected love, while also tacking difficult topics that are extremely relevant in today’s society.

Genevieve Woodward returns to her hometown after receiving a disturbing letter hinting at secrets from her family’s past when she meets Sam Turner. Genevieve reminds Sam of all the pain he is trying to forget from his own past, but their lives continue to intersect as their relationship develops from “one notch above strangers” to possibly something more.

While becoming invested in Sam and Genevieve’s developing relationship, readers will also be introduced to the other members of the “Miracle Five” who, along with Genevieve, survived a devastating earthquake 18 years earlier while on a junior high mission trip. Their flashbacks bring an additional layer of authenticity to the present-day storyline. I was especially drawn to Luke’s heartbreaking story via the flashbacks, and I hope that readers will have the opportunity to learn more of his backstory as the series continues. “As always when she thought of Luke, sorrow, love and guilt knotted her stomach.”

Becky Wade shares the message of God’s grace and truth even when we feel undeserving of His incredible gifts. Stay with Me is highly recommended for readers of contemporary romance, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Denise Hunter, Courtney Walsh and Susan May Warren. Stay with Me will definitely be on my list of Top 10 Books of 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

“The things we’ve experienced are always a part of us.”

I'm sitting here in that happy/sad place when you've finished an amazing book like Stay with Me by Becky Wade. You're so satisfied with the ending, but also so sad that story has come to an end.

Stay With Me’s main characters are Genevieve, a Bible study writer and a person with secrets, and Sam, an Australian farmer living in Georgia. It's a beautiful love story with wonderful kisses, heartfelt moments, some mystery, and enough humor to keep you laughing and smiling. But most importantly, Becky Wade reminds us that our God is big, He loves us so very deeply, and that grace and redemption are part of His eternal plan. She encourages us to live in the light of God our Father and not in the shadows. My heart will never be the same.

I've so enjoyed my time in Misty River, Georgia reading Stay with Me. My only consolation to finishing the book is knowing that I will get to revisit Misty River in future books by Becky Wade.

I highly highly recommend Stay With Me and promise you that your faith will grow and your heart will be happy when you read it.
I was given a copy of this book by publisher and not required to write a review

I’m sitting here with tears, trying to process all the layers of this amazing story.
So much pain. Hope. Redemption. Forgiveness. Love.

This story pretty much had me hooked from page 1. (I had already read the prequel novella, Take a Chance on Me, and knew that I loved this series, so I didn't really have a chance... :) )

Gen is thrown into Sam's life in a most unconventional way. He does what he can to get rid of her. Because he's sure she's everything he doesn't need to be involved in.

But she keeps popping up.
And they get to know each other.

Gen is convinced that his little cottage is the perfect living space for her.

I really enjoyed all the tension that happens between these two. So much going on.

Gen was a very intriguing character. I wanted to dislike her and all that she'd been doing. But, in spite of myself, I found myself rooting for her.

She was living proof that there is always hope.

This book, this story, is full of hope. Of love coming after deep pain.

I also liked the bit of mystery, suspense, that was woven into this story. Rather unsurprising, some of the turn of events. It kept me reading until the end.

I can't wait to get to know more of the people from this delightful town.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Stay with Me is the first book in Becky Wade’s Misty River series and it is not to be missed!
The story begins with Gen (who I really didn’t like until later) and the odd but true way she meets Sam. She is a Christian author and speaker whose secret life is spiraling out of control. “she’d misplaced God somehow”. Sam is a man who had experienced great sorrow and is living in self-protect mode. But “Regardless of weakness, in God’s strength he could do the one thing within his ability. He could stay.”
The book is filled with romance, self-examination, realizations, faith and intrigue. Becky did a superb job of intertwining them all. I love how she writes! It is a beautiful lesson in faith and the romantic tension builds wonderfully sprinkled with spine tingling kisses and deep longing.
There are secrets, lies, shame and past history. It is often real and raw. There is wrestling with trying to be perfect, feeling undeserving of God’s gifts and wondering what He expects of us. It is a great beginning to this series which makes me anxious for more! I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Regardless of his weakness, in God's strength he could do the one thing within his ability.
He could stay.

Becky Wade's Misty River series kicks off with a magnificent story of faith, grace, and love. "Stay With Me" tackles major issues facing our society today, primarily addiction and its aftermath, in a way that is so astoundingly eloquent it is nearly impossible to put the book down.

Wade knows just how to intertwine elements of faith, romance, and intrigue it is almost painfully beautiful. The reader is completely entranced by the story from the first pages, and it is difficult to see it end.

Genevieve and Sam are achingly irresistible protagonists, with struggles and emotions any reader can relate to. Their journeys are portrayed so the reader is constantly engaged and, by the end, is infinitely inspired.

It is going to be so hard to wait for the rest of the series to release, as Wade has already set up impossibly absorbing storylines, including a love triangle and an imprisoned hero. The background of the main characters as natural disaster survivors weaves a complex web of guilt, gratefulness, and hope that already sets this series up as one you absolutely cannot miss.

"Stay With Me" is tear-jerking, inspirational, and unmissable. Grab a copy as soon as you're able!

Disclaimer: I received a free advance copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

STAY WITH ME is the first book in the Misty River Romance series by BECKY WADE. It is a beautifully told romance with a good Christian message, interesting characters and a bit of suspense to keep you guessing.
I love the way rhis author describes her characters' emotions and struggles, really drawing us into the story.
Genevieve Woodward is a highly successful Christian author and speaker, but she has never got over a traumatic experience when she was twelve and feels she has to work hard to show her gratitude to the Lord for saving her life. She is well known and well liked.
Sam Turner is also hurting and, although he runs a successful restaurant and farm, he keeps to himself by choice.
When he finds her asleep in his guesthouse all kinds of alarm bells start ringing.
Genevieve is close to her older sister, Natasha, and the two women work together to see what it is in their parents' past that has led to Genevieve being sent a threatening note.
I am not going to tell you any more of the story, except to say that there are some serious matters involved, but through it all we see the Lord at work bringing redemption out of chaos.
I really recommend Stay With Me as a most enjoyable and heartwarming read.
I am looking forward to the next novel in the series.
I was given a free copy of the book by Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own

In my humble opinion this is Wade's best work. I was riveted from the first page. I couldn't put it down. The characters are wonderful, the story-line is gripping and, the inspirational message is one every heart needs to hear. I laughed out loud. I cried tears of joy. The ending is beautiful and I am blessed to have read it.
*I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher and this is my honest opinion.

This book was gut wrenching in the best possible way. I love Becky Wade's books and once I get the email from amazon saying she has a new book coming out I immediately start stalking Netgalley to see when it will be available to read! So I was PUMPED when this book hit netgalley! I will say this is not your normal binge read book. It was more like a bible study for me, meaning that I felt like I needed to read some of it. Then put it down and think over what I had read. I needed to digest it a bit.. It wasn't just an entertaining book, but it gave me alot to think about. I applaud Ms.Wade for writing about things that maybe most Christians don't want to talk about. But drug addiction is real, and yes, even Christians face it. I really appreciated learning about what the character was going through with her addiction, how she got into it, and what it felt like to her, why she liked it, ect. It gave me insight that will hopefully make me be a more compassionate and helpful person to anyone I come in contact with that struggles with addiction.

Becky Wade crafts masterful characters who are truly hurting. In her latest novel, Stay With Me, which also happens to be the introduction to her new Misty River Series, Wade's heroine struggles with pain pill addiction throughout majority of the novel. Wade made her struggles realistic and haunting. As someone who has personally never seen someone go through withdrawal but read books and watched movies with this type of scene, I believe Wade did a good job at allowing Genevieve succeed but still crave the pills. The romance is enduring and formulaic for the fans of contemporary romance. The plot was different and captured my attention from the first page. I really liked the side story that Natasha and the heroine worked on. I was curious what the messages meant to. Overall, Stay with Me by Becky Wade has hauntingly realistic hurt characters who work through their struggles to find purpose and love for their loves. A definite must-read for fans of Wade's other works and contemporary romance fans.

I received a complimentary copy of Stay With Me by Becky Wade from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Becky Wade never disappoints! This book is one of her best in my opinion. It deals with super hard topics but is still has the fun elements that make her books great. As always the romance was superb and Sam was a heartthrob and will be at the top of my list of hero’s. Make sure to read this book. It is well worth it.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is a first by this author for me. I really enjoyed Genevieve and Sam’s story. They meet with a very strange first encounter and Sam’s property. The story takes off from there. Good read!!

In the first full-length novel in Becky Wade's new Misty River series, we get a look at characters who are flawed and struggling, dealing with real issues. I loved gruff Sam from the get-go; it took me a little longer to actually like Gen, but even while she grated on me a little, I did appreciate her journey. For both characters, I really enjoyed seeing how they had to apply their faith to real-life situations and figure out how they were getting in their own way and needed to trust God to truly help them. I also liked seeing their blossoming relationship; I love good banter between romantic leads, and there were some really great lines in this book.
Based on the cover, this might seem like a fluffy romance, but there's a lot of depth. There's also a lot of hope and great messages about introspection, forgiveness, redemption, and more--but without ever being preachy.
Great start to a new series!
4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

Wade tackles difficult subjects in this book and handles it beautifully. Sam was an amazing hero albeit often reluctantly. Gen might be the most flawed heroine I've ever read.

I think I loved this book because it was a romance, but not just between Sam and Gen - but also between God and Gen and God and Sam. I loved how they both grew closer to God throughout this book in spite of their flaws and struggles. But don't get me wrong, the romance between Sam and Gen was spectacular as well and there are some great kisses.

This book has a touch of mystery to it as well and as Gen searched for this secret it was neat to tag along and figure it out. It was also interesting to read how the past shaped so much of her life. I was really impressed with her ability to have hard conversations.

I don't feel like I've done this book justice with this review, but I don't want to give anything away! I highly recommend it!

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Stay with Me is one fantastic redemption story! I've read all Becky Wade's books and I consider this her finest book yet.

Genevieve Woodard has a cheerful effervescent personality and quite the unique job for a 30 year old as a well known Bible study teacher and speaker. She meets her polar opposite in brooding, no nonsense restaurant and farm owner Sam Turner. Both characters have serious issues to overcome and it makes for quite the story. As it all unfolds, I could not have been more mesmerized or captivated. The connection between the two was full of ups and downs, but the romantic tension sizzled.

"He wasn't built for superficial dating relationships. He was wired for serious love and commitment. Kissing Gen would be like playing with a stick of dynamite."

The questions surrounding the mysterious letters Gen has been receiving added another surprising dimension to the Woodward family dynamics. Readers get an amazing romance and an intriguing suspense all in one.

On a side note, I do wish a few references to rap and hip hop songs hadn't been called by specific title and artists, as it wasn't really believable a Bible study teacher would be listening to songs with such profanity.

I love Wade's sense of humor and her quick-witted banter between Gen and Sam was first class. The Grace and Truth inspirational element that was brought to light was nothing short of stunning. Stay with Me has been Becky Wade's strongest book when it comes to revealing divine truth and I just had to sit and let it soak in.

"She could not pay Him Back. And Praise God for that. Praise God! Because that meant she could stop trying so hard."

Stay with Me is on my Best Books of 2020 list. With several future book scenarios being introduced, I can't wait to read the next installment in the Misty River series. I appreciate Bethany House via Netgalley making a copy of Stay with Me available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

I really enjoyed this novel that digs into the felt need to maintain a facade that all is well, even when it isn't. Add in layers of sweet romance and a family mystery that could pull a family apart, and it was a book I couldn't stay away from. Another great read from one of my favorite contemporary romance authors.

Stay With Me by Becky Wade is an excellent tale of intrigue, romance, and faith to introduce her new series, Misty River Romance. I have read some of Ms. Wade's previous writings and have greatly enjoyed them.  The Bradford Sister Series by Ms. Wade was my first taste of her lively and wholesome writings, and when I had the opportunity to read Stay With Me, I was delighted and enjoyed it, of course!  Some of my favorite features of Ms. Wade's writings are her undeniably believable yet complex situations, her utterly human characters, as well as the depth of emotion, struggle, and growth that her characters deal with.
I particularly liked Stay With Me because of the very real and hard struggles that the two main characters endured--loss of a loved one to addiction and the struggle to overcome an addiction. I also greatly enjoyed the main character, Genevieve Woodward, not only a unique and perfect name for her personality, but a very relatable person for all readers. Genevieve had endured tragedy early on in her life, yet had overcome it and turned to God for help. However, after other events in her life, Genevieve turned to the dangerous but sly relief of pain medicine, leaving her months later completely unaware of her destructiveness. Genevieve returns to her hometown to deal with a very mysterious and threatening letter she received which makes her question her parents' perfect past.  On her way home to her parents' home, Genevieve finds herself waking up in a strange cabin with a highly suspicious and confused farm owner staring down at her. Sam Turner is shocked at the intruder sleeping in the worn-down farm cottage on his property, even more so when he realizes Genevieve's deeply held secret addiction. He has dealt with drug addicts in the past and clearly sees that Genevieve needs help. Sam doesn't want to get involved, but knows that if Genevieve doesn't seek help immediately, her destructive habits will become deadly to her or someone else. Sam Turner enjoys his solitude and his well-organized and disciplined life. When Genevieve sees this incident as a wake-up call, she turns to Sam for help, asking him to let her detox in his cabin away from her family and friends, keeping her addiction a secret. Sam doesn't want to add more sorrow and grief, not to mention, irritation and trouble to his life, but he cannot refuse to help someone in need.
Sam and Genevieve develop a terse bond of acquaintanceship (not quite friendship;) throughout Genevieve's detox, which shows Genevieve how truly giving, caring, and sweet Sam is as he checks in on her and holds her accountable.  Both Sam and Genevieve begin to care for one another, but are stubbornly opposed to each other for different reasons, leading them down a long road of friendship and comedic miscommunications.  Along with Genevieve's physical struggles, she also deals with sleuthing into her parents' past to discover the truth.  Can Genevieve overcome her addiction? Will Sam ever open up and allow himself to enjoy life?  Can Genevieve discover what really happened in her parents' early lives?  Will Genevieve and Sam be able to survive their friendship or romantic interest?  I would highly recommend Stay With Me if you are looking for a lighthearted, faith-filled, wholesome, intriguing, and adventurous read.

Disclaimer: Bethany House Publishers graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

Becky Wade is headed up there on my list of favorite contemporary romance authors! I picked this one up because the themes intrigued me, and for the most part, I was not disappointed!

The story starts out with one of Wade's iconic meet-cutes. Awkward, somewhat hilarious, altogether adorable yet cringe-worthy in the most realistic way. I greatly enjoyed the prequel novella to the series, so I already had a brief introduction to our main character, Sam Turner. From that brief introduction, I knew I was going to love his character, and I did! I love the way Genevieve was able to win him from his taciturn ways and his desire to help her. I love the contrast of his character--tough farmer dude, yet tenderhearted, a very talented cook, and a healthy-eating nerd.

Genevieve was a very realistic character and I found myself relating to her a lot. Her character had a myriad of dichotomies, which is what made her so fascinating--and still relatable. I appreciate how Wade didn't entirely gloss over her withdrawal process, but still didn't go deeply into it. I find it hard to empathize with the character when such a pivotal time in their life is completely glossed over and boom, she's just fine!

The mystery woven throughout the plot was fascinating and I didn't want to put the book down until I reached the conclusion. The themes of forgiveness and mercy and grace were absolutely beautiful and spun throughout without being shoehorned in or cliche. Wade is not afraid to shy away from deep themes, which is perhaps why I love her books so much.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed Becky Wade's newest contribution to the contemporary romance genre! Inspirational, realistic, and deeply moving, this isn't one you'll want to miss!


FTC Disclosure; I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Netgalley for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Sam Turner discovers a real-life Goldilocks sleeping on the bare bed in his guest cottage. When he finds pills in her purse, he immediately suspects she suffers from the same thing Kayden did—an opioid addiction. He wants nothing more than to get her off his property. A few days later she shows up again, this time, asking to rent and renovate his cottage. Reluctantly, he agrees—as long as she commits to his rules. No more Oxy, counseling, telling someone else, and not falling in love with him.

Genevieve Woodward came home to Misty River for two reasons—to ask her parents about a mysterious letter she received and to quit Oxy cold-turkey. Either thing could tank her career as a best-selling Bible study author and public speaker. When she wakes up in a stranger’s guest cottage, it only confirms her need to quit Oxy.

After spending a day with her overprotective mom, Genevieve knows she can’t keep her addiction secret while staying with her parents. She decides to convince the enigmatic Sam Turner to rent his cottage to her. He drives a hard bargain, but she senses he’ll hold her accountable—something she desperately needs. Once she makes it through the worst of withdrawal, she’ll tackle the other problem—uncovering the mystery behind the threatening letter.

Why I Love this Book

Wade has a beautiful way of crafting stories full of romance, deep spiritual truths, and humor. The well-developed characters have relatable struggles, and in Stay with Me, Wade tackles a problem that, statistically, thousands of Christians face. But no one wants to talk about—opioid drug addiction.

Wade takes the time to delve into the backstory of why a Christian leader (or anyone else), could turn to painkillers. Through Genevieve, Sam, and Kayden, she shows readers how best to tackle addiction or support someone who struggles. We have to trust God with our truth—no matter how sordid and tattered—in order to receive his grace.

The first book in the Misty River Romance series, Stay with Me will draw you in and keep you reading from the first page to the last.

Stay with Me tells the story of women's Bible study author Genevieve who is addicted to Oxycontin. When Genevieve receives a mysterious letter threatening her family, she returns to her Ridge Mountains hometown in hopes of solving the mystery. As she continues to struggle with her personal addiction, coffee-shop owner Sam forces her to face her addiction. Stay with Me shares not only Genevieve's struggle as she combats her addiction, but also the path to solve her family's mystery. Meanwhile, she & Sam develop an unusual friendship as they both battle memories from the past that have shaped each of them into the adult they have become. Great story. Very realistic, never sugarcoating the struggle of an addiction, but also providing hope and showing the value of truth against all odds. This is also an incredible story of God's grace and forgiveness in the midst of seemingly unapproachable obstacles. GREAT story!

Wow! This book took me on an emotional roller coaster-in a good way. This book had it all mystery, romance, personal struggles and an uplifting message. Gen is a successful Christian author and speaker but her life is out of balance and in the grip of opioid addiction. Sam is a loner trapped by guilt but a nurturer by nature. God brings Gen and Sam together--just like the caravan in Joseph's story--and the journey is such a wonderful gift to witness. The message of Grace was presented in such a beautiful, powerful way. I can't wait to read about the other Miracle Five!

This book has it all!!! Heartbreak, loss, healing, mystery, murder, miracles, love, swoon worthy moments, a hunk of an Australian man, and a beautiful message of grace from God. I love Becky Wade's books. She is fabulous! This book is no exception! It kept me reading and thinking and feeling. Can't wait for more books in the Misty River Series!!!

Oh how I love a good Becky Wade romance. They are absolutely swoon-worthy and irresistible. The character are always relatable and the plot flows beautifully.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Gen awakens in a cottage on Sam’s property, with no recollection of how she arrived there. Sam discovers Gen’s secret and from the get-go convinces himself to remain as he has, isolated and alone.

The two characters must work through their past, and attraction to each other causes sparks to fly. Their experiences have shaped them, but can they trust the Lord to guide their future?

This is a must read! Every year, I mark my calendar for Becky Wade’s newest release. And every year, I am so sad when I’ve finished reading her newest book, because they are SO GOOD! Stay With Me is a beautiful story that has the reader searching their heart and staying up past their bedtime!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Becky Wade's "Stay with Me" is a sweet story about two people who find a path to healing. Both are broken. Both are dealing with fallout and baggage in their lives. I enjoyed the characters who deal not only with past issues, but the ongoing issues of addiction. How does one convey their faith even through their brokenness? How does one choose to take a risk to love over being alone? Wade explores these themes through the eyes of her hero and heroine, Sam and Genevieve. I enjoyed the emotions, the story world, and the cautious relationship the two developed.

I love Becky Wade's writing, so I was thrilled to get the chance to read an early copy of Stay With Me. As usual, she didn't disappoint! Stay with Me tells the story of Genevieve, a bubbly Bible study writer and Oxytocin addict, and Sam Turner, a taciturn organic farmer. Their paths cross when Genevieve falls asleep in his guesthouse in an Oxy-fueled haze. At first, they clash but they eventually reach a deal that Genevieve can rent his guesthouse if she fights to stay clean of Oxy. Over the next few months, they grow closer as Gen fights her addiction and looks into her family's questionable past. Sam and Gen get closer and Gen learns about his past with an ex-girlfriend who died of a painkiller addiction. The story is full of hope and grace and honesty and shines a light into the flaws that we all share.

The good:
Becky Wade's writing is snappy and sweet and she knows how to write romance. I love the honesty that she showed about the characters' fallibility. I also absolutely loved Sam--he's the perfect love interest. Even though the book crosses into the preachy at times, the truths are eternal and for the most part presented in a way that's relatable.

The bad:
I didn't absolutely love Genevieve's personality. The whole Instagram star, southern Belle, interior designer character was not super relatable for me, but she was well written. I also found the mini-chapters dispersed throughout the story following the "Miracle Five" distracting. We didn't need those little snippets to follow what hpapened to them and I would have preferred if they hadn't been included.

This was a great book and a solid four star read--highly recommended to those who enjoy a sweet romance and relatable (and not preachy) Christian fiction.

The best way to describe Stay With Me is to say it’s a gloriously, lovely book. I’ve read all of Becky Wade’s books, but I can say this is one of her best if not the best. I refrain from saying it’s the best because I still think My Stubborn Heart and True to You are two of the best books ever written in the Christian Romance genre, so I’m going to put Stay With Me in a three-way tie. Wade has created these beautiful rich characters in her latest that will stay with you for a long time. I laughed out loud throughout, totally enjoyed the little mystery in the story, and fell in love with Sam Turner. At the end of the book, I literally wept, not because it was sad, but because it was such a beautiful story. Gracious, I still get a little choked up just thinking about it.  There aren’t enough stars for this book. It’s absolutely fantastic.

This is the first book in the Misty Rivers series and it sets up the series quite nicely! There is a difficult story line in this book and Becky Wade approaches it delicately and yet confidently. I will be honest and say that it took me a good bit to get into this story but I am glad that I kept going and got involved into the lives of these characters.
Sam is not your typical contemporary romance hero. In fact, just leave him alone and let him have order in his life. Gen is not your typical heroine in that she is Miss Perfect and full of life on the outside but harboring a deep secret on the inside. These 2 complete opposites make for a tough relationship. But oooh, parts of this relationship are totally swoon worthy!

Becky Wade has done it again! This is a story about an Aussie farmer/restaurant owner named Sam and an American Bible study author Gen who both come to terms with their Own issues about themselves. The romance was super sweet and swoony (those kisses!) I loved how Sam wanted to help Gen with her issues even at the beginning when he hardly knew her. He was a great hero. Gen was a great heroine, too. Christian messages about forgiveness and God loving us unconditionally was nice, too. There’s also a mystery woven in this story that has a surprising twist.

I recommend this book!

“Like Papa Bear in the Goldilocks story, Sam Turner had discovered a strange woman sleeping in the bed of a house he owned.” - Opening line of “Stay with Me” by Becky Wade

Becky Wade strikes a beautiful balance in “Stay with Me”, book one of the Misty River Romance series, of serious discussion and laugh-out-loud humour, From the outset, Sam, our Australian leading man, struggles with Genevieve, our leading lady, inserting herself into his life, his farm and his head. Genevieve has no intention of creating such disruption but she can’t face living at home, alone in a big city or at her parents home with her mom hovering and smothering her whilst she endures her drug detox. Sam recognises her addiction problem within minutes of meeting her and so, she sees his farm cottage as the perfect space to recover.

Sam struggles with his past and bad memories haunt his relationship with Genevieve. His curiousity about her draws him to learn more about her bible teaching books and leads to one of my favourite lines from the book when he asks the shop assistant about her videos.

“DVD series? We do. It’s one hundred and twenty dollars for the set.” He blinked at her. What on earth? He could buy a top-of-the-line cordless drill for that price.” - Favourite line of “Stay with Me” by Becky Wade

Genevieve digs into the emotional pain and psychological trauma that led to her addiction. Having been through drug withdrawal, I can say Becky has captured the experience so well. The conversations Genevieve has with her counselor are powerful in growing one’s faith, whether or not you struggle with addiction, they discuss healthy rhythms and how to draw near to God in hard times.

“Trauma never disappears, Genevieve. The things we’ve experienced are always a part of us. When we’re stressed, old traumas like to rear their heads.” - Favourite line of “Stay with Me” by Becky Wade

I loved the novella that opened this series and “Stay with Me” is fabulous, I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! I highly recommend this one, it’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale!

Stay With Me is the first book in a new series by Becky Wade. As always, Becky Wade captures flawed characters in relatable situations and combines that with powerful messages of family, love and faith.

Genevieve is a popular and very successful bible study writer and speaker. But after an accident last year and a stressful schedule and deadlines, she found herself turning to prescription pain medication. When, after setting off for her parents’ house, she wakes to find herself in an empty guest cottage being regarded by the owner with some concern, she decides she finally has to kick her habit and get clean. She asks Sam, owner of the cottage, if she can rent the cottage from him as a place to hide while going through withdrawal and recovery. Sam has his own reasons for wanting to stay far away from the confusing woman he found asleep in his guest house, but he also feels a strong responsibility to help her.

I loved that this book considers a very serious topic of drug addiction. As Genevieve struggles to both admit she has a problem and faces the battle of overcoming her addiction, the very real possibility of how easy it is to fall into a prescription drug problem and the very serious fallouts are considered. But, more than that, the motivations behind Gen’s addiction are also regarded, both with understanding and grace. As a bible study presenter, Gen feels conflict over her addiction, her role as a speaker and her desire to keep everything under wraps.

I loved Sam. As a fellow Aussie, I appreciated his stoicism and down-to-earth manner. I also loved that while there a few mentions of his accent and a few Aussie words and slangs thrown in, Becky Wade doesn’t go overboard with stereotypes or ridiculous use of slang. Thank you! I loved Sam’s rugged, healthy eating, farm to table, restaurant-owner vibe. It is the perfect offset for Genevieve’s outgoing personality. While he wants to stay as far away from Gen as possible, his own history, that we readers slowly discover along with Gen as she prods him to open up to her, makes it hard for him to turn his back on her need. They really are two opposites and yet they compliment each other so well. I loved their little fights and how, even though their differences, they can’t help but connect.

While this is a book about overcoming personal challenges, about resetting and falling in love, I was surprised to discover it is also a bit of a mystery. There is a pretty detailed description of a murder and Gen and her sister find themselves on the footsteps of a serial killer. He’s already been imprisoned, so there isn’t any suspense or danger, but the mystery added an extra layer to the story. There are also some pretty big surprises in the plot, that I didn’t see coming. Along with that, each chapter is started with a flashback from when Gen and her sister were young teens and were caught in an earthquake. As two of only five survivors, the real-time play out of the earthquake disaster alongside Gen reliving it as she confronts her past is powerful. The end of the book also sets up a compelling situation for what I hope will feature in book two. Hearts will be broken, I can just tell.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Stay with Me is a fantastic novel and a wonderful beginning to Becky Wade's new Misty River Romance series. With each novel, Wade introduces a richly layered plot within a delightful setting. Stay with Me is no exception. The characters are so well crafted they're almost tangible. Misty River feels like a community I'd enjoy living in, and the relationship between Genevieve and her sister is lovely. Best of all, the slow-burn of Sam and Genevieve's developing relationship makes for an incredibly satisfying read.
Wade expertly weaves the emotional, spiritual and suspense-filled threads into a phenomenal story that is difficult to put down. Her courage in tackling the nuances of addiction is commendable. Readers will finish Stay with Me feeling inspired, hopeful and eager to read the next book in this series.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

While I have read one other novel by Becky Wade in the past and found it to be enjoyable, I must admit it wasn't one that for me pushed her into that status of one whose books could not be missed. Stay With Me, however,certainly has me rethinking that. This book absolutely is one NOT to be missed.

Right from the very beginning, this book drew me in. Let's be honest, it didn't start off like your typical Christian romance. In fact, we meet our leading lady, Genevieve as she's passed out in a stranger's cottage, having taken pills that left her more than a little hazy. Like I said, not your typical opening... but it certainly grabbed my attention!

I loved that the author took on such a heavy and even taboo topic in this book. We often think of addiction as being something that non-Christians struggle with, but that's not always the reality--- especially with a prescription drug addiction that can start from a valid need for pain management that eventually leads to dependency, as is the case for Gen. While this may be a work of fiction, I still believe it can open our eyes to that very real issue in our world today.

Still, despite that uneasy topic, there was a lightness and sense of hope about this book that kept it from being too heavy. The romance played a big part in that. I loved the banter between Gen and Sam, bringing lightness to a book with many darker themes. I truly felt the chemistry leap off the page, and found myself rooting for them to overcome the obstacles in their way... as this is the first in the series, I hope to be able to catch up with them again in later books in the series because I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye. (I feel like we also got a glimpse of what will be the start of a story line for a future book, and I must say, I am READY for it!) Of course, a great mystery added in and a beautiful message of God's grace makes this all together a fantastic read, and one that I would certainly recommend!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

Stay with me is such an amazing story ! It forces you to re-examine your own life, to check if you are hiding behind a facade because you are too scared to face the truth. It's also a sweet love story with realistic and amazing characters.

Becky has done it again with another excellent novel! Full of romance and family drama, you will not want to put this book down. With one of the main characters Australian, there's plenty of Australian lingo, themes, and cuisine. A must read to all who love romance novels.

This could easily be considered one of Becky Wade's best. It's certainly one of the richest with emotional and spiritual struggles. Ms. Wade sets the stage for "The Miracle Five," who I hope to read more about as the Misty River series continues.

Genevieve Woodward, the youngest survivor of the Miracle Five, has built a very public life as an author of Bible studies and Christian speaker. But while her public life is successful, her private life is a mess of secrets and stress. And never has she felt so closed off from the active presence of God in her life.

Enter Sam Turner, a man who's both farmer and restaurateur. He's all too familiar with the pitfalls of Genevieve's particular secret and wants nothing to do with repeating history. Yet, there are significant differences between his past and Gen, who's clearly fighting to win her battle.

Both Gen and Sam's issues are handled with grace and sensitivity, without excusing their choices. As they each find answers and healing in Christ, the friendship and love developing between them gives them the strength to keep moving toward Him. I loved how everything was addressed so beautifully and compassionately. Definitely an encouraging, emotional read worth picking up!

I was given a copy by the publisher through NetGalley, without expectation or influence. All opinions are my own and expressed willingly in my own words.

Wow, oh wow. Let's call this another home run, slam dunk by Becky Wade. The Misty River Romance series is now the 3rd series I'm reading by her, having read about the Porter family and the Bradford sisters already. Since I adored those series (plus a standalone novel) so much, I knew I had to keep an eye out for anything new that may be coming out. So I followed Becky Wade on Instagram and book stalked. I was not disappointed. I judge books by their covers (despite people saying not to) and I was so hooked on the idea of this book from the moment I saw the cover. Then I read the novella (Take a Chance on Me, which I've also reviewed on Goodreads) and was officially interested in this series.

Overall, there is such a powerful message of about love, forgiveness and redemption. Both between other people and with God.I absolutely loved reading about and watching the relationship between Sam and Genevieve unfold. They really helped to bring out other sides of each other with Sam being more serious and Gen being more outgoing and spontaneous. Both fight through past and current struggles in a way that draws them together, but also helps to heal them. Genevieve works to overcome a struggle in her current life, while Sam works to heal from past hurts. There are other aspects of the story that help bring in suspense, but I won't share anymore so there's no spoilers!

I felt like this book started off slower for me than other books I've read by Becky Wade and I'm not sure why. That's why I went with 4 stars instead of 5. I personally may have had a hard time transition from one author's style to another, but I will tell you that once I got to a certain point in the story, I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed learning about the "Miracle Five" and can't wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds!

Thank you to Becky Wade and Bethany House Publishing for giving me a chance to be on the launch team for this book. I did receive a free copy of this book, but am leaving an honest review of this book voluntarily.

Transparency. Learning to be transparent is hard, that is what Genevieve Woodward and Sam Turner discover when Genevieve shows up unexpectedly on Sam's doorstep and he agrees to rent her his cottage for the summer. They help each other deal with past and present wounds and work together to find the secret that Gen's parents have been hiding for generations. A beautiful story of God's love, forgiveness, renewal, and redemption. I am anxiously awaiting the second book in the series.

There’s a reason I read every Becky Wade book as soon as possible … LOL! She’s such an incredible author; I feel every new release is better than the last, and my next favorite.

Stay With Me has a different feel to it than other Wade books; at times it read almost more like Beth Vogt’s. (Not a bad thing, because, well, have you read Vogt’s Thatcher Sisters series? Incredible!)

The mystery of Genevieve’s parents’ past plays a larger role in Stay With Me than I expected — and I loved it. Wade could easily write a solely mystery book/series and be very successful!

Sam and Genevieve are both very relatable characters. Sam maintains Wade’s swoonworthy-hero norm (yay), and shows excellent character development, as does Genevieve. Stay With Me deals with some challenging topics, and invites the reader to ask questions about truth, forgiveness, and going public with weakness (and, frankly, sizable failure). While I’ve not gone through similar situations myself, I felt both Genevieve’s and her parents’ struggles were dealt with authentically, graciously, and tastefully. Same with Sam’s past and the Miracle 5 stories interspersed between chapters.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Becky wade is the contemporary author that I keep on coming back to for stories that are romantic, characters that are realistic and relatable and a message that is seamlessly woven into the story.
Stay with me is definitely one of those stories.
Becky wade has once again crafted a beautiful story around some thought topics without becoming too heavy.
Sam and Genevieve's story is just so touching, so well written and brings you through the range of emotions.
My one tiny complaint.
I am disheartened to see so many Christians participating in Halloween. I understand that some don't hold the same view. It didn't detract that much from the story.
I can't say too much without wandering into spoiler territory, but I truly hope that this book reaches out to many who have the same struggles as these characters, and I hope that it starts some conversations that need to happen.
That is one of the reasons I love Becky wade books, there is always something that goes beyond the surface, something that stays with you.
And there are heroes like Sam............enough said!
I recieved a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, all the opinions in this review are my own.

Becky Wade's Misty River Romance series starts off with this amazing book. You know those books that you can't put down, yet you don't want it to end? Yeah, this is one of those.

Genevieve is a Bible study author who receives an anonymous letter suggesting her family has a terrible secret. She goes home to uncover the truth but didn't expect to come clean about secrets of her own. Sam is a farmer and coffee shop owner who is also forced to work through issues he has kept hidden for years.

The author did a wonderful job weaving in difficult topics and struggles throughout this emotional love story. I laughed. I cried. I felt the Spirit in the words about forgiveness and redemption. This will definitely be one of my top five books of the year. I highly recommend it!

*I received a free advanced copy from the author. All opinions expressed were my own.

Stunningly beautiful. Heartwarming. Romantic. Richly inspired with God’s grace, love, and forgiveness.

Stay With Me was so beautifully written and the characters were deep and inspiring. The issues were very real and even heart wrenching at times, and yet so filled with God’s redeeming love and hope. There were multiple storylines that might seem distracting at times, but this really set up the series. Wade shines with this contemporary romance in the midst of real life struggles and a great mystery, too.

“The woman who’d slept in his guesthouse like Goldilocks had frightening power over him.” I love Sam and his view of Genevieve. He’s this strong, quiet, and yet determined man with a heart of gold. He has held his heart close, not allowing anyone in. However, Genevieve just seems to be crumbling his reserves. She brings a color and vitality to a world he didn’t realize lacked luster. I think he may have just knocked out the Porter boys as my favorite hero in a Wade story, and that’s tough competition. Of course, his Aussie bearing and accent may have had a little to do with that.

“The kiss tasted like destiny . . . as if she’d been waiting, without knowing she’d been waiting. For him. For this. It felt more right than anything had felt in forever and a day.” Genevieve has been so busy and stressed for so long that she doesn’t know how to deal with it. She doesn’t understand why she can’t hear God’s voice, which is so important as a Bible teacher and leader. However, as her own secrets and family mysteries are revealed, she has tough choices to make. In the midst of it all, Sam becomes a lifeline for her.

“Why was it so hard for Christians to come clean to one another about the sins that had them by their throats? Because of pride? Because every Christian wanted every other Christian to think they were doing it right? That they were strong and good? If so, that was idiotic.”

Honestly, I wish I could shout this message from the roof tops! Our world would be such a better place if we as Christians truly accepted and gave forgiveness. Showing compassion and love is key to our faith, and yet we struggle with true authenticity. This is often because of our own fear of acceptance and judgement from others. I thought Wade did an amazing job sharing this authenticity and compassion through others in the midst of hardships. In a nutshell, that is the crux of the message of “Stay With Me.” Accepting one another with all our faults, sins, and frailties. Loving one another through the good and bad. Focusing on one another’s positives and gifts and truly seeing one another as Jesus sees us.

If you want divinely inspired, the love story between Sam and Genevieve made it truly captivating. There was such depth and devotion in their growing love. And wow, Sam, what an amazing leading hero to Gen’s bubbly, outgoing personality. He is a true heartthrob and I loved all the references to him being an Australia-American. A big heart, but caution in showing it. He’s very authentic down to earth and yearning for something he doesn’t yet realize. He would give the shirt off his back and yet, has a hard time with relationships. Gen is like color and sunshine wrapping around him and yet letting his fears go is difficult. Gen has so much to give, but is burning out, stressed and making choices that just make it worse. The romance and electricity between them will have you begging for their happy ending. Another contemporary romance must read from Becky Wade.

I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley by the publisher. All opinions in this review are given honestly.

As we’ve come to love Becky Wade as a leading author of inspirational contemporary fiction, Stay with Me, her soon to be released novel, pulls no punches when it comes to the delivery of a relevant and moving tale. Permeated with real-life struggles, family secrets, and a scintillating romance, this newest title conveys all you would expect and more.

Tackling tricky issues like the balance of public image and faith, addiction, family secrets, and old wounds, Stay with Me is a poignant and compelling work of contemporary fiction. Well-developed characters, strong emotional ties, dynamic chemistry, and threads of intrigue furnish a well-written novel in a beautiful setting. Sam and Genevieve are soulful and real as the hero and heroine struggling with facades. Both must fight their own demons while learning to heal and trust in this touching gem of inspiration.

Stay with Me will be released on May 5th and is the keystone to what should be an engaging new series (Misty River.) Wade delivers hope and redemption wrapped in a charming and artful package you won’t want to put down. Elements of humour (hello, nod to Goldilocks), a lively romance, and tugs to the heartstrings make this title work for me!

My thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this title via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own. Full review scheduled to publish April 16/20 at https://lifelovelaughterlinds.ca/?p=1071

Good gracious. This book was PHENOMENAL. Gen and Sam’s story is one that has left me with the biggest book hangover I’ve ever experienced. Becky Wade doesn’t shy away from tackling real issues prevalent in these times. But she handles them with care and honesty. And she always finds the perfect way to knit in hilarity and chemistry-packed romance. This is a novel that transcends genres. I can’t wait to read it again.

I don’t want to spoil Genevieve’s secret for you. But let me say, her struggle is something we can all relate with. Trying to act perfect is exhausting, and sometimes we need to be reminded that we are human and make mistakes. That’s what makes God’s grace so amazing. Most of all, it’s what makes His grace so freeing.

Wade weaves this lesson through both Genevieve and Sam’s struggles. And those struggles made me identify with the characters and root for them even more. I didn’t always agree with the decisions the characters made, or even their conclusions, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this novel.

Now let me talk about the setting for a moment. I have been so excited about Becky Wade’s newest release ever since I heard it would be based in the North Georgia Mountains. As a North Georgia native, seeing my home mentioned in a book is always exciting. Stay with Me is set in Rabun County, which is right next to my county, Habersham. And the mention of Habersham, seeing it in print, may have made me a little too giddy. But I think Wade did a great job of highlighting the beauty of the mountains and the charm of small-town life.

I also love how she incorporated the story of the Miracle Five throughout the novel. Wade intersperses bits and pieces of flashbacks from the perspective of all five children, and she does this in a way that it highlights the main story. I don’t even know how to explain the way she does it and the impact it has on the story as a whole. All I can say is that it’s phenomenal and you’d have to read the novel and see for yourself.

Overall, Stay with Me provides a heartwarming romance mixed in with a timeless spiritual lesson. The perfect read for a cozy afternoon, this novel will keep you engaged as you experience the ups and downs with the main characters.

(Review will go on the blog on April 17 at 5 PM)

Oh my word! I would give a thousand ❤️s to this book because 5 stars and a 👍🏻 like won’t do it justice. I LOVED the Bradford sisters series, but wow, I have a new favorite already. This book is powerful. The Holy Spirit is all over this message, and I love it! The writing here is simply beautiful. So much depth to these words. (I also already devoured Take A Chance On Me and loved it!)

Favorite lines: “Relationships were painful and messy and beautiful and important. The mess came with the beauty. The pain came with the importance. That was life. And God was calling him to live it.”

“Sam was a gift that God had dropped in her lap at one of the lowest moments of her life, right when she’d deserved a gift the least. She was grateful, simply and deeply grateful, for the gift.”

Stay With Me by Becky Wade is a cute romance. This is the third book I'm reading written by Becky Wade. After reading Falling For You and Sweet On You by this Christy Award Wimming author, I couldn't wait to read Stay With me.

Genevieve Woodword who is a Christian author and motivational speaker inspiring thousands of women with her writings and speeches, one day receives a letter from a mysterious sender blaming her parents of some crime. Gen immediately comes to her hometown to find out about the facts behind the letter. She also needs a get away from her tight schedule and time to recover from a dangerous addiction no one knows about.
She meets Sam Turner in strange circumstances. Sam who is a loner by choice doesn't receive Gen immediately but eventually caves in and rents her his cottage on a condition that she never falls for him. Gen finds strength and support in Sam during her recovery. 

The story is about unraveling family secrets, finding strength in love and the importance  of trust in relationships. The book is releasing on 5th May, 2020. I received the advance reviewers copy for an honest review. There is an ease in the writing style if Becky Wade. A tender and beautiful story totally engaging the reader. A cool read for the quarantine summer.

In Stay with Me, Becky Wade has crafted a beautiful story of grace, redemption, and the courage needed to be honest with others, with ourselves, and with God. Realistically drawn characters grapple with real-life problems—and find that the answers lie not within themselves, but in accepting the grace of the One who loves them most.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Becky Wade starts a new series centered in Misty River.

The series begins with Genevieve and Sam. After God has saved Genevieve’s life, she grew up to become a Bible study author and speaker. To say she was good at her job was an understatement as she had an anointing and a gift to teach the Word of God.

But Genevieve has a secret. And it’s a secret that can ruin her reputation and the career she has sacrificed so hard to build. She’s not quite the polished Christian she appears to be. Her secret has her doing things she wouldn’t normally have done…which is how she ended up letting herself into the cottage on Sam’s property and falling asleep in the bed.

Know God--Stay With Me is a commentary on how we sometimes feel as Christians. We know we are saved by grace but still act as though our actions can save us. We know that God never leaves us but we wonder why he’s absent when we’re going through difficult times.

Know yourself--Sam and Genevieve had to really look into themselves to see their own flaws in order for them to appreciate the tasks God had given them.

Run your race--Genevieve and Sam each ad to make the choice to steward the gifts God had given them.

Be prepared to have your emotions tugged all over the place with this one. Genevieve is a very relatable character. She wrestles with her identity in Christ and the sense that it feels like when you need him, God is absent as we sometimes do.

I liked how the two were a perfect foil for each other. They completed each other even when they were unwilling to accept how much they needed each other.

I love how Becky Wade uses flawed characters to showcase the love of God, His grace and all the ways he uses our messy brokenness to share a message of hope to others.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of Stay With Me from the publishers through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

Stay with Me by Becky Wade will go down as one of my all-time favorites of 2020. It's been a while since I've read one of her books but this one blew me away! Becky tackles hard subjects (not feeling worthy, addiction to prescription drugs, relationship issues) in such a transparent way, I loved the realness of Gen and Sam's relationship, the struggles they faced that we also face at times. I loved reading about Gen's family and the mystery that surrounds her parents. In fact, I just love this one so much I might just go read it again while I wait for the next book in the series! This book is definitely a gem!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.

"Fine" and "normal" are two heavy words we like to toss around. Mostly because we don't admit how much weight they carry. The weight of expectations, of perfection, and morale. How those two simple words can cramp our lives and take away our breathing room.

In this fallen world they are not attainable and Becky Wade explores this in her newest release.
Genevieve Woodward is an accomplished Bible teacher. People gather around her wherever she goes because of her wisdom, kindness, and beauty. Though Sam Turner only sees these attributes bringing the end of his peace, especially the last one ;-)

But Genevieve has a secret she keeps tight. A secret that can ruin her career and the pedestal she has been put. However, when "fine" and "normal" prove to not be the strongest foundation, she will have to be brave to face her deepest and darkest parts, because some parts of our stories can come again to haunt us no matter how many years have passed. This book is about recognizing the broken but finding steadfastness, honor, and healing through the vulnerability of admitting you are far, so far from being well.