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Stay by Hilary Wynne
(Alexa Reed #1)
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating 3 stars
Synopsis:
Set against the steamy and sultry world of South Beach, Florida, a modern romance unfolds in Stay.
Alexa is beautiful, independent and hard to resist for serially unattached Julian. Neither one is looking for a relationship, but their palpable chemistry and instant emotional connection is too strong to ignore. For the first time in years, Julian is interested in more than just sex. He wants a relationship with intoxicating Alexa, but it’s not that simple. Not only are Julian and Alexa struggling with the intensity of this new relationship, but they also have to contend with Luke, Alexa’s best friend, whose own love for her leaves him willing to do anything to convince her that Julian is not the man for her. Luke’s determination and Alexa’s secret past threaten to tear Julian and Alexa apart as she struggles to open her heart to love. Julian and Alexa embark upon a roller-coaster ride of emotional and physical passion that both pulls them apart and holds them together. Despite their affinity for each other, Alexa fears that Julian will leave when he learns about her past and Julian is unsure he can love a woman who in so many ways remains a mystery, a woman who keeps threatening to run, a woman who can’t decide if she is going to STAY.
Alexa is beautiful, independent and hard to resist for serially unattached Julian. Neither one is looking for a relationship, but their palpable chemistry and instant emotional connection is too strong to ignore. For the first time in years, Julian is interested in more than just sex. He wants a relationship with intoxicating Alexa, but it’s not that simple. Not only are Julian and Alexa struggling with the intensity of this new relationship, but they also have to contend with Luke, Alexa’s best friend, whose own love for her leaves him willing to do anything to convince her that Julian is not the man for her. Luke’s determination and Alexa’s secret past threaten to tear Julian and Alexa apart as she struggles to open her heart to love. Julian and Alexa embark upon a roller-coaster ride of emotional and physical passion that both pulls them apart and holds them together. Despite their affinity for each other, Alexa fears that Julian will leave when he learns about her past and Julian is unsure he can love a woman who in so many ways remains a mystery, a woman who keeps threatening to run, a woman who can’t decide if she is going to STAY.
Okay this was not what I was expecting. I ended up liking this story. Now, if you have been reading me for a bit you know that I am not a fan of building up suspense. I am not shy about issues. I am not ashamed to tell y'all that I have enough baggage to full a twenty car freight train. However, I found myself wanting the pace of the story line to pick up. I never really understood why I person who take the take to go to a therapist, pay hard earned money on said therapist, and then not tell the whole truth. For a person who grew up with limited funds I see it as a waste of money and as we all know you can't get wasted time back. So it annoyed me big time that Alexa saw a therapist for a year and was still unwilling to talk about why she was really there.
I did enjoy her relationship with Julian. I am not one who has that much of a problem with insta-love. If you have a really good memory you may remember that myself and an ex-boyfriend moved into together within hours of meeting each other (for those you are curious, it lasted 11 years). The attraction between Alexa and Julian is enviable. I mean, who doesn't want to be so attracted to a man that you climax without any actual sex.
While we are on Julian, ha ha what a delicious thought, how sexy is he?! A man who is sexual. A man who cares about pleasing his woman each and every time. A man who is in touch with his feelings enough to not be pushed away. We all want that, right? Even when we say go away, we want them say "no, baby I'm never leaving". Some times we just want to that the other person will stay even when we act our worse; Julian is that type of man.
*BTW this comment is graphic so skip to last paragraph. Also some of you may want things to unfold and though I don't think that this is a spoiler because the story is really about why she is going to the therapist you may want to skip to last paragraph.
Now on to another issue I want to address with this story. Again it has to do with Alexa. She refuses to have sex with Julian without a condom. What is wrong with that you ask? No, I am not against safe sex. I do find her reasoning for doing it erked me. She wanted to "protect" herself until she knew they both were clean. You are still probably wondering what me problem is. Well there is oral sex in this book. Yes, STDs and HIV/AIDS is passed through sexual intercourse but it also passed through oral sex. Not to get to details but there is still an exchanging of bodily fluids. If you can put it in your mouth without a condom, why be paranoid about putting it in your vagina? Ijs
Should you read it? Yes. Who should read it? Fans of romance and swoon worthy men. Oh and fans of clothes and shoes as she describes just about every outfit she wears in this book.
While we are on Julian, ha ha what a delicious thought, how sexy is he?! A man who is sexual. A man who cares about pleasing his woman each and every time. A man who is in touch with his feelings enough to not be pushed away. We all want that, right? Even when we say go away, we want them say "no, baby I'm never leaving". Some times we just want to that the other person will stay even when we act our worse; Julian is that type of man.
*BTW this comment is graphic so skip to last paragraph. Also some of you may want things to unfold and though I don't think that this is a spoiler because the story is really about why she is going to the therapist you may want to skip to last paragraph.
Now on to another issue I want to address with this story. Again it has to do with Alexa. She refuses to have sex with Julian without a condom. What is wrong with that you ask? No, I am not against safe sex. I do find her reasoning for doing it erked me. She wanted to "protect" herself until she knew they both were clean. You are still probably wondering what me problem is. Well there is oral sex in this book. Yes, STDs and HIV/AIDS is passed through sexual intercourse but it also passed through oral sex. Not to get to details but there is still an exchanging of bodily fluids. If you can put it in your mouth without a condom, why be paranoid about putting it in your vagina? Ijs
Should you read it? Yes. Who should read it? Fans of romance and swoon worthy men. Oh and fans of clothes and shoes as she describes just about every outfit she wears in this book.
Purchase:
AUTHOR BIO
Have you ever woken up one day and said, “Today’s the day I’m going to do (insert thing here)?” Well, I did, and the result is my first novel, Stay. I always thought of myself as a decent writer, and then a trip down memory lane through my ninth grade book of poetry confirmed it. I realize that I have always had a romantic side and a way with words. With support from my husband and kids (and an unspoken agreement to leave me alone for a few hours every night), I embarked on this incredible writing journey.
I’m originally from sunny Southern California and spent my summers in South Florida. I attended college at FSU and received my Masters in New Mexico. I finally settled in the Washington, DC area. My happy place has always been anywhere near the water.
When I’m not writing, I help run a business with my husband, watch an inordinate amount of sports (my kids play something 365 days a year), indulge my competitive spirit on the tennis court, and spend time with my awesome family and friends.
I am an avid reader, but find my characters feel neglected when I hang out with other author’s characters for too long. When I do read, historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love traveling and experiencing different cultures, places, and times.
I feel so blessed that my love of books inspired me to finally do something that I forgot I had always dreamed about doing.
My someday has arrived!
I’m originally from sunny Southern California and spent my summers in South Florida. I attended college at FSU and received my Masters in New Mexico. I finally settled in the Washington, DC area. My happy place has always been anywhere near the water.
When I’m not writing, I help run a business with my husband, watch an inordinate amount of sports (my kids play something 365 days a year), indulge my competitive spirit on the tennis court, and spend time with my awesome family and friends.
I am an avid reader, but find my characters feel neglected when I hang out with other author’s characters for too long. When I do read, historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love traveling and experiencing different cultures, places, and times.
I feel so blessed that my love of books inspired me to finally do something that I forgot I had always dreamed about doing.
My someday has arrived!
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Glad you liked it, Bunnita! Great review! :)
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