Stay

Stay by Deb Caletti

Pages: 213
Some secrets are strong enough to pull you under . . .
Everything had changed, and everything would stay changed because that's what happens when the fear gets in.
Clara's relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she's ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it's almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is -- and what he's willing to do to make her stay.
Now Clara has left the city -- and Christian -- behind. No one back home knows where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won't let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough . . .

I was nervous when I bought this book because with Deb Caletti I either hate the book, or I just love it. I've never really found a middle yet. And I'm very proud to say that I loved this book -- every word of it.

The story starts out with the first time Clara meets Christian. Then, in the second chapter, it switches to the present tense which is over a year later. The third chapter continues the relationship with Christian in the past, filling in small details, until the next chapter showing her life in the present. It is an odd angle that wouldn't work in a lot of books, but Caletti manages to balance it out perfectly. So, after her terrible relationship with Christian, Clara and her father move out to a small town in Washington to hide for the summer. And that's where she meets Finn. Finn and his brother Jack own a boat named Obsession which they take tourists out on for money. Finn is the exact opposite of Christian. He is layed-back and easy going, able to joke around, and comfortable and confident with himself. After the treacherous relationship with Christian, Clara needs that. Clara finally starts to feel safe with Finn, and her world comes crashing to a stop. Christian calls her cell phone - after she changed the number and didn't tell anyone. Her fears of Christian finding her are growing, and to top it off, her dad is falling in love again and Clara is uncovering a hidden secret about her mom's death.

 I just absolutely love Deb Caletti's books for their similes and metaphors. They complete the book and give you a whole different perspective on things. They are so unique and they constant throughout the book, but not so constant that they get in the way of the actual story.

Clara is a wonderful character too. She is small and frightened and not 100% confident in herself and she is always afraid Christian will come back. At some points in the book she seems as fragile as a little girl. It was beautiful watching her grow strong again and gain back that strength and confidence in herself.

 I highly recomend everyone to read this book. I really touched my heart and it's a very good book to read about how you should feel in a relationship and when you need to get out. I just loved it!

Overall Rating: 4 Stars