Writing a solid yet honest book review can be challenging and daunting. A review should be more than just a few sentences that are haphazardly jotted down. I am a voracious reader and have often recommended books to others but never ventured to write an actual review. The night before her latest book went live on Amazon I noticed Emily Goodwin had posted a request for readers and reviewers. Being familiar with her work and loving her strong female characters I emailed her with my interest. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the novel Stay by Emily Goodwin. The story pulled me in and made me forget I was safe in my own home. At times I became so immersed in the story that the world around me ceased to exist. For me one of the tests of a great story comes not during the actual reading but in the days that follow. If either the characters or the storyline begin renting space in the reader's head it is definitely a winner. In the case of Stay both of those have been haunting my thoughts.

This novel delves into the dark and brutal arena of the sex trafficking industry. If anyone has experienced sexual trauma this may not be the best book for them. While the main storyline is indeed dark the author focuses on the idea of a person enduring evils yet never giving up. The protagonist stumbles across a situation that she can not turn her back on. Her involvement catapults her into being taken and forced to become a participant in the lurid underworld of forced prostitution. Her resistance earns her horrific physical abuse and drugging. Despite everything she endures she refuses to give up on her hope of escaping. Through all the darkness her perseverance makes this more a story of victory than one of hopelessness. Her determination lends a spark of hope to the other captives and strengthens them. During the course of her imprisonment she becomes drawn to the male victim and they form a tight bond. We discover that two shattered individuals can help each other heal and become whole.

I highly recommend adding Stay to your must read lists. It is a story that will stay with you long after the final word has been read.


***** I was given a copy of Stay in exchange for an honest review ( )

I was intrigued by the description of this book and thought before I'd go the whole hog I'd just download a sample. I couldnt put the book down and abandoned the sample to one click the full book.

This book might not be for everyone, in some places its quite harrowing, in others you want to shake Addie and say get a grip, and then lots of awww's too.

Some of the characters are odd - especially the clients... Miss Molly springs to mind, other's are plain mean!

I'm glad I read this book and glad it was a standalone because I don't think my nerves could stand a sequel!

If you're not easily disturbed and the content warning hasn't scared you off, then I would give this one a go! ( )

I received a free copy through Goodreads.
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Wow that was definitely NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART! It was an intense read for sure!

I was eager and mortified to read what happened to Addie next. It was such a ride, I wanted to know if Addie finally escaped from this nightmare, but things kept getting worse for her at every turn and unfortunately she wasn't successful with her escape attempts.

The book tries to highlights the underbelly of underage prostitution and it does a decent job at it. I'm sure things are much worse than we could ever imagine and it's saddening to hear that thousands of children are being forced into this on an annual basis. Not everyone is lucky enough to make it out alive or even able to recover from their "experiences", just like poor Phoebe or brainwashed Lily.

People like Addie are definitely the exception. Who, despite the circumstances and oppression, continues to fight back and try their best to keep the flame of hope alive, even as time flies by and it seems like they will never be rescued. I am glad Addie held onto the hope of making it out alive, thanks to Phoebe and Jackson, who helped motivate her and in turn sparked something they have long forgotten in themselves.

It was horrifying to read what was done to Addie and all the other captives/slaves. I could barely get through the parts where Addie was assaulted and hurt, but I'm sure that's only a fraction of what happens in real life! I shudder at the thought.

I liked how this ended, with everyone involved in trafficking got charged and put away. Plus Addie and Jackson are slowly finding their way through the darkness, thanks to the loving support of Addie's family and friends. They might have a long road to recovery ahead but at least they have support, each other and sharing their stories to others to let everyone know that no one is alone.

Trafficking is such a huge crime and will not go away without a lot of help and cooperation from people. I hope that through education, awareness and what not, we can eventually stop people from being trafficked into awful situations like this. ( )

*****I received this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review****

This book is most definitely a must read.

It is dark, emotional ( it had me in tears at one point), harrowing, thought provoking read.

It brings up the taboo subject of kidnapping and sex slavery to life and shows us that it can really happen.

Adeline Miller never loses her spark, she is a survivor through and through.

There are quite a few twists and turns in this book and you will be rooting at one point, in tears the next and celebrating at another.

This is my first read by this author and if they are anything like this well they are a must read. ( )

*****I received this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review****

This book is most definitely a must read.

It is dark, emotional ( it had me in tears at one point), harrowing, thought provoking read.

It brings up the taboo subject of kidnapping and sex slavery to life and shows us that it can really happen.

Adeline Miller never loses her spark, she is a survivor through and through.

There are quite a few twists and turns in this book and you will be rooting at one point, in tears the next and celebrating at another.

This is my first read by this author and if they are anything like this well they are a must read. ( )