Book Review: Stay with Me by Becky Wade
Backstory: My mom and I found Becky Wade’s books in our local Barnes and Noble about five or six years ago when “My Stubborn Heart” debuted. We were perusing the aisles of the store, waiting for one of the covers to jump out at us. “My Stubborn Heart” was clearly the winner. Now, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read that book, as well as her other releases that followed. I always wonder how Becky is going to top the last book of hers I’ve read, and somehow, she always manages to find a way. And I believe she’s done it again with her swoon worthy couples, her themes of faith and restoration, as well as dreamy settings, mixed with a bit of research and mystery to tie all of the storylines and characters together. Her books are like a cozy, oversized sweater or blanket in the fall. It just feels like you feel better, like you’re home when you curl up with it. So, I was beyond excited to receive an advanced copy of her latest, “Stay with Me” from the publishing company to give a review. Synopsis: When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents’ past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains to chase down her family’s secret. However, it’s Genevieve’s own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of a historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she’s worked so hard to hide. Sam has embraced his sorrow, his isolation and his identity as an outsider. He’s spent years carving out both career success and peace of mind. The last thing he wants is to rent the cottage on his property to a woman whose struggles stir his worst failure back to life. Yet can he bear to turn her away right when she needs him the most? My review: First of all...WOW. I just finished this book a few nights ago and had so many thoughts reeling in my mind when I went to sleep and even when I woke up the next morning. That’s how good it was. While many of Becky’s books have twists and turns along the way, I think this might be the most complex in terms of characters and plot - explaining so many details, but staying coherent and making it flow as well it does. Not only does she take so many of the regrets and shame that the two leads deal with, but she brings along other supporting characters, and intertwines it with the challenges they are facing in the present day and why they are the way they are now. “Stay with Me” does a great job of showing the ‘not-so-Instagrammable’ moments and the ‘not-so-pretty’ parts of Christianity that most people might shy away from. All of her books do, but this one especially shows the real struggles of her characters having to choose to get up again and not let moments or instances of the past define their futures and how God can use those to help and bless others. It also shows that God is still in the business of doing miracles. Regardless of the past, the secrets, the shame...He redeems those who love Him and surrender their will to His own plans. The thing I love most about Becky’s books is that, while she knows how to tell an excellent story, she makes it about the characters, the people. She really dives into their behaviors, their mannerisms, their backgrounds and ultimately, who they are. They are three-dimensional and you feel like you know them. I'm so excited to read the rest of the series, but sad that I'll have to wait awhile to get it. I guess I'll just have to keep rereading the others to keep me company until then.
That's all for now,
Shelby