Synopsis:~
A mysterious letter alluding to a secret in her parents’ past brings Genevieve Woodward back to her Blue Ridge Mountains hometown, but she’s also in need of a break from a high-profile career that has left her dangerously burned out and concealing a powerful secret of her own. When she wakes inside an unfamiliar cottage to find the confused owner staring down at her, she can no longer ignore the fact that she needs help.
Sam Turner has embraced his sorrow and his identity as an outsider. The solitary, disciplined life he lives on his historic farm is the life he’s chosen for himself. The last thing he wants is to rent his cottage to a woman as troubled as she is talkative. Yet, he can’t force himself to turn her away right when she needs him most.
As Genevieve researches her family’s history and her and Sam’s emotions deepen, they will have to let go of the facades and loneliness they’ve clung to and allow light to illuminate every hidden truth.
Necee’s take:~
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.
NOTE FROM REL ON SAM TURNER:~ I’m a bit too close to this story to provide a review! I had the honour of reading Stay with Me early at Becky’s request, tweaking a few aspects of the excellent character Becky created in Sam Turner, to ensure he was authentically Australian. I hope I have done Becky and Sam justice. So many books written by authors who aren’t born or raised in my country provide caricatures of Australians, often over the top stereotypes that too often make me cringe. Becky’s desire to make Sam real and authentic by seeking additional input, despite the fact that she lived in Australia for a short period of time, reflects the wonderful person and author she is. I hope you enjoy Sam as much as I did!
With thanks to Bethany House for the giveaway below.
Becky Wade is a California native who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and settled in Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market before putting her career on hold for several years to care for her three children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. She loves writing funny, modern, and inspirational contemporary romance! She’s the Christy and Carol award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, the Porter Family series, and the Bradford Sisters Romance series.
Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Wade @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Becky’s website
Buy at Amazon: Stay with Me or Koorong
You Might Also Like...
Turn to Me by Becky Wade (with giveaway)
The Christmas Heirloom by Kristi Ann Hunter, Karen Witemeyer, Sarah Loudin Thomas, and Becky Wade (with giveaway)
Let It Be Me by Becky Wade (with giveaway)
Character Spotlight: Becky Wade’s Jake & Lyndie with a giveaway
Becky Wade: The Writer & her Book (with giveaway)
May 7, 2020 at 1:04 pm
This book looks great!
May 9, 2020 at 6:13 am
Thank you for stopping by Holly and yes, it was a fascinating read!
May 7, 2020 at 1:15 pm
sounds good. nice cover
May 9, 2020 at 6:16 am
The story is as beautiful the cover, Lynn!
May 7, 2020 at 1:15 pm
I like their accent
May 7, 2020 at 1:33 pm
It is totally the fun way the different words they have for things & the accent 🙂
May 7, 2020 at 6:50 pm
I’m fascinated by the accent (as all Americans are, I’m sure 🙂) but also intrigued how we speak the same language but there are so many subtle differences.
May 9, 2020 at 6:02 am
It really is interesting how many subtle differences there are in the English language from different countries.
May 7, 2020 at 11:33 pm
Perhaps it’s a stereotype, but it feels like Australians are more laid back than those who live in other countries.
Also, I really appreciate the friendship that Australia offers America and how their nation often prays for ours.
May 7, 2020 at 11:37 pm
Chris. Hemsworth. Rel and her lovely Sherlock 🙂 <3 <3 <3
May 9, 2020 at 6:02 am
I agree with you, totally, Amy!
May 8, 2020 at 12:07 am
Bruce Rowland’s score for The Man from Snowy River. That alone could make anyone fall in love with the country.
May 9, 2020 at 6:03 am
Yes, I think we all lost our hearts to that one!
May 8, 2020 at 12:17 am
I love listening to their accents!
May 9, 2020 at 6:12 am
It is a beautiful accent for sure, Elizabeth!
May 8, 2020 at 1:22 am
Beautiful country and lovely accent! Handsome Sherlock too! *wink*
May 9, 2020 at 6:04 am
I’m in complete agreement with you, Caryl!
May 15, 2020 at 10:12 am
Caryl Kane » Ha! He is a star attraction 😉
May 8, 2020 at 2:45 am
I like their accent plus the country is incredibly gorgeous.
May 9, 2020 at 6:04 am
Yes, Perrianne, I totally agree with you!
May 8, 2020 at 3:53 am
Australia is one of my dream destinations–the variety of nature you have is something I just really hope to explore someday.
May 9, 2020 at 6:06 am
Danielle, I only saw a fraction of it on our trip and was totally entranced! It really is a dream destination worth exploring.
May 8, 2020 at 6:21 am
I love learning about different countries, so I enjoy reading books set in other countries. I have learned a lot about Australia from my FB friends and authors. Different accents and different word meanings are fun!
May 9, 2020 at 6:08 am
Isn’t that the best thing about books, Winnie?! I love exploring new places and books are an incredible way to do that. It has been so much fun getting to know authors and new friends from around the world through social media for sure!
May 8, 2020 at 9:53 am
From what I’ve reaa/heard Australia has some very diverse landscape. I’m sure it is beautiful. I would be fun to see.
May 15, 2020 at 10:07 am
Patty » Very diverse, Patty. We have desert, rainforests, mountains, bush, high country snowfields, rugged coastline, beautiful beaches, an arid centre, and everything in between!
May 8, 2020 at 10:47 am
As has been stated above, I love the accent! I’m a big fan of accents in general (British, Scottish, Irish, Kiwi/Maori, Canadian, as well as those who speak English as a second language and lend some of their mother tongue to English, like Russians or Germans) as well as lingo from other cultures. Excited to see if Sam shares any of those fun words. 🙂 Australia also looks like it has amazing scenery! It’s on my bucket to see some of it for myself someday. Thanks for the great review and the giveaway!
May 9, 2020 at 6:09 am
Gretchen, thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, I adore all the accents given to English. Hope you enjoy the book. I know I did!
May 15, 2020 at 10:05 am
Gretchen » Come on over!!
May 8, 2020 at 11:20 am
I would love to visit and see the beautiful scenery and listen to that accent.
May 9, 2020 at 6:10 am
Both are incredibly beautiful : )
May 15, 2020 at 10:05 am
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds » We think our accent sounds dumb!!
May 8, 2020 at 9:09 pm
Koalas! Actually, there seems to be so much wildlife unique to Australia – I think that is very special. 🙂
May 9, 2020 at 6:11 am
Ellie, you are so right! The wildlife is so diverse and unique.
May 15, 2020 at 10:04 am
Ellie » Our wildlife is pretty spectacular – it’s fun to see visitors get excited about seeing them.
May 10, 2020 at 6:17 am
I’ve seen pictures of Australia and it’s definitely a place I want to visit someday! Our pastor & his wife went for the first time last year and was able to go to a concert for Hillsong at the famous Sydney Opera House. I think that’s the place I would love to see in person!
I love your review Necee. I just recently “discovered” Becky Wade’s writing with her Bradford Sisters series (I don’t read much contemporary) and was immediately hooked! I need more, lol! Thank you for the giveaway chance to win a copy of “Stay With Me”!
May 14, 2020 at 7:41 am
Seeing Hillsong at the Sydney Opera House would be amazing! We loved seeing it, but missed any concerts. Australia was really amazing. We loved it and can’t wait to go back.
Thank you, Trixi! If you love this book, you should check out The Porter family by Becky Wade. The first book is Undeniably Yours and it’s one of my absolute favorites. Good luck on the giveaway!
May 15, 2020 at 10:03 am
Trixi » It’s funny how so many people want to see the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. I prefer our natural attractions – they outshine all the man made ones 🙂
May 11, 2020 at 9:31 am
I love their accent.
May 14, 2020 at 7:41 am
Me too, Nancy!
May 15, 2020 at 10:02 am
NANCY » Good to hear!
May 13, 2020 at 9:14 am
I like the beauty of the country, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House etc.
May 15, 2020 at 10:02 am
Sonnetta Jones » It’s so BIG and so beautiful!
May 13, 2020 at 12:38 pm
Sounds great!!
May 14, 2020 at 2:27 am
As a teen, I always wanted to visit Australia (probably the accent) – until I found out I wasn’t fond of flying. But your photos depict such beauty I’ve decided I might be able to overcome that ☺
May 15, 2020 at 10:00 am
Sara Derscheid » It’s worth the plane trip, Sara, I can assure you!
May 14, 2020 at 4:01 am
What appeals to me about Australia is the beauty of the country and the accents.
We have been watching McLeod’s Daughters. Very interesting!
May 15, 2020 at 10:01 am
Paula Shreckhise » A show I’ve never watched – haha! But we have excellent television here, I have to say. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Mystery Road, Water Rats, The Flying Doctors, The Man from Snowy River…I could go on!