BOOK REVIEW: HOW TO STAY

Author Christina Mitchell has written a perfect friends-to-lovers romance with How to Stay.

What makes for a perfect friends-to-lovers romance novel, you ask? In this case, it’s simple (and oh so deliciously complicated)…

Mix two parts flawed, realistic characters with a character-driven narrative that makes you root for them without giving away all the backstory too early on. Oh, and add in plenty of sweet and snarky moments, evocative writing, a solid dash of sexy times, and the most perfectly rendered Boxer in the history of dogs in romance novels (at least the ones I’ve read).

Ms. Mitchell has managed to incorporate all of this and more into a story that sucked me in from the first page and didn’t let go.

Small town photographer Conor Ross is the kind of sweet, supportive man every woman deserves. But he’s got baggage. Rock star Adelia Winters is tough and scrappy and has her own baggage. Some of that baggage they created together years ago in that same small town. Neither is good at letting anybody get close — but it’s hard to keep your childhood best friend at arm’s length when you’re stuck together again.

This story has all the feels, and the kind of writing that swept me away and made me forget I was even reading a book. It’s so detailed and nuanced and thoughtful, it’s hard to believe this is a debut. I can’t wait for the next book in this series, and anything else Ms. Mitchell writes. Until then I’ll just have to read How to Stay again.

Buy this book now, but buyer beware… You will need to put your entire life on hold until you finish reading. Plus, you’ll need another day to deal with your book hangover.

So worth it, though.

About How to Stay by Christina Mitchell

It’s been fourteen years since rock singer Adelia Winters escaped the small town of Cherry Lake. But thanks to her father’s death (and punching the president of her record label #sorrynotsorry), she’s back and forced to face the secrets—and the best friend—she left behind.

Perfectionist Conor Ross doesn’t take chances. Not with his body, his photography career, and certainly not with relationships. One-hundred and sixty pounds ago, he’d taken a chance on love and it ended with his best friend breaking his heart on her way out of town. Never again.

Between whiskey hangovers and rock song sing-alongs, Adelia and Conor must confront their broken friendship and the passion still sizzling between them. If they can find a way to heal the wounds of the past, they might just have a second chance. But Adelia’s career is pulling her away, even as the town—and Conor—are calling her home.

From the Author:

How to Stay is an emotional, sexy, small town contemporary romance sprinkled with snark. This full length novel features a neurotic, beta in the streets/alpha in the sheets hero and a snarky, damaged rock star heroine. Oh, and a cute boxer dog, sarcastic diner waitress, funny teenager, and a swoon-y happily ever after.  

This book is the first in the Bad Girls of Cherry Lake series. 

WARNING: This steamy second chance romance will give you all the feels. Bring tissues.

The author isn’t kidding with that warning. Which is why you should buy, read and review How to Stay now.