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loverulesall_books 's review for:
When I Should've Stayed
by Max Monroe
4.5⭐
1.5🌶️
Although this is the second book in series, you don't necessarily have to read book one to enjoy this one. My gosh... Max & Monroe seriously did the dirty in this one. I was seriously expecting for my heart to break reading Clay and Josie's story. How they seemingly had everything and then when life dealt them consecutive bad hands, it seems even the strongest love couldn't withstand the heartbreak involved.
I really did feel for Josie, who repeatedly loses those closest to her. If that wasn't enough, she has a manipulative and malicious mother who tries to make her life a living hell. The only really family she has left is Grandma Rose and her younger sister, Norah... And eventually, Clay.
I loved Clay, who since the moment got down on one knee (pretty much in front of all the residents of Red Bridge) to ask Josie for a date until the very end, his love for Josie unconditional. He was a literal cinnamon roll MMC who loved hard and gave his all.
Josie on the other hand never thought she could feel this way about Clay... Loving him so much it hurt. I did feel frustrated with her at times - how she took the choice away from Clay and still went and divorced him thinking it would be the end of that. I felt like because of the grief and regret she was holding onto pushed her into making bad decisions which weren't necessarily the best cause of action. If only she had communicated with Clay it would have saved a lot of heartbreak. Ultimately, I still adored their second chance romance like no other!
I enjoyed the layout of the book which was told in two halves - before and after the moment. It's also dual POV, in which we gain insight from both Josie and Clay retrospectively. Although the story does tend to jump around regarding time frames, it wasn't hard to follow the story at all.
Let's just say, this story will undoubtedly stay with me for some time and Summer will always be the one I think about 💗💗🥹
Get your tissues ready because you're in for one heck of an emotional ride!
Thank you Max & Monroe, Entangled Amara and Netgalley for the eARC, in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏻
1.5🌶️
Although this is the second book in series, you don't necessarily have to read book one to enjoy this one. My gosh... Max & Monroe seriously did the dirty in this one. I was seriously expecting for my heart to break reading Clay and Josie's story. How they seemingly had everything and then when life dealt them consecutive bad hands, it seems even the strongest love couldn't withstand the heartbreak involved.
I really did feel for Josie, who repeatedly loses those closest to her. If that wasn't enough, she has a manipulative and malicious mother who tries to make her life a living hell. The only really family she has left is Grandma Rose and her younger sister, Norah... And eventually, Clay.
I loved Clay, who since the moment got down on one knee (pretty much in front of all the residents of Red Bridge) to ask Josie for a date until the very end, his love for Josie unconditional. He was a literal cinnamon roll MMC who loved hard and gave his all.
Josie on the other hand never thought she could feel this way about Clay... Loving him so much it hurt. I did feel frustrated with her at times - how she took the choice away from Clay and still went and divorced him thinking it would be the end of that. I felt like because of the grief and regret she was holding onto pushed her into making bad decisions which weren't necessarily the best cause of action. If only she had communicated with Clay it would have saved a lot of heartbreak. Ultimately, I still adored their second chance romance like no other!
I enjoyed the layout of the book which was told in two halves - before and after the moment. It's also dual POV, in which we gain insight from both Josie and Clay retrospectively. Although the story does tend to jump around regarding time frames, it wasn't hard to follow the story at all.
Let's just say, this story will undoubtedly stay with me for some time and Summer will always be the one I think about 💗💗🥹
Get your tissues ready because you're in for one heck of an emotional ride!
Thank you Max & Monroe, Entangled Amara and Netgalley for the eARC, in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏻