If You Stayed by Brittainy C Cherry: A Heartfelt Journey of Second Chances

Synopsis

There once was a man who loved me, until he forgot every memory we’ve ever shared…

Gabriel Sinclair would forever be my first. My first best friend, my first kiss, my first love…and my first heartbreak. The accident that nearly took his life ripped the memory of me from his grasp—and for the last decades, I’ve let the guilt of that one terrible night keep us apart.

It took me years to make peace with the fact that he would no longer be in my life, so when he shows up as the architect for my new home, my world’s tossed upside down. Now, I’m trapped in a loveless marriage, raising a child, while Gabriel stirs up feelings I thought long buried. It feels like my soul is waking up after years of being in a deep slumber—and my controlling husband will do whatever it takes to keep us apart.

I know I should push Gabriel away to protect him from the shadows surrounding me. Yet, I can’t deny the hope that blooms whenever he’s near—the chance that he might remember me, that we could reclaim the chapters of our story that we’ve lost. 

Nothing good could come from us, but I can’t help but wonder what would happen if this time…he stayed. 

There once was a man who loved me… And now he’s my only hope for tomorrow.

Review

4,5 stars

I love Brittainy’s stories because she writes emotional, warm, wholesome stories with some or a lot of angst to keep us invested.

I always fall hard for her characters and that happened in If You Stayed.

If You Stayed is an emotional second chance story on a background of grief, guilt and abuse.

And yet, it doesn’t feel dark thanks to Kierra’s solar personality and Gabriel whole support for Kierra.

The trope is pretty straightforward: after being childhood sweetheart, Gabriel and Kierra separated after a horrible accident. Said accident left sequels for Gabriel and a huge guilt for Kierra.

She never was the same and bore a profound feeling of guilt, something that will lead her to live in a toxic relationship because she doesn’t think she deserves something perfect.

Years later, they will reunite and… you will have to read to know what happens!

Going back and forth between present and past, between Kierra and Gabriel’s point of view, Brittainy weaves a deeply emotional story with wonderful characters.

You also have an evil villain, Henry and a sweet girl, Ava.

Kierra is a strong yet fragile heroine who will have a whole journey in the book. I would love to count her as my friend!

And Gabriel is the strong, handsome and supportive type, my favorite kind of hero!

I read that story very quickly, totally invested in the romance and the drama, with heart pounding at some part of the story. A very good Brittainy Cherry and a very good contemporary romance!

Thanks for reading.

Sophie