I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.Stay for Me was an enjoyable read about two friends overcoming emotional and physical obstacles so that they could take that final step to move past friendship into more. Because Ms. Flores made it clear that Sam and Emma had been the closest of friends for over a decade and having spent a lot of the time living together as Emma’s parents took Sam in when he was 13, their history was built into the story so that the reader isn’t left with a feeling of insta-love between the two. In fact, their thoughts about one another make it quite clear that there is a significant depth of love between the two. It is because of their connection that Sam can read Emma so well when she makes a proposal for the night’s events. But because he’s unaware of certain events, he mistakenly assumes that his size and their previous botched attempt an intimacy are the cause of her discomfort. When Emma is finally able to explain to Sam why it is that the S room bothers her so much, he agrees to do as she asks and help her replace the bad memories with good one, with someone she loves and trusts completely.I have two main issues with Stay for Me, one of which kept it from being a 4-star read and the other did not. The latter issue being that this is a book that suffers from a bad blurb. It’s not so much that the blurb is badly written, but rather that it shortchanges the book by suggesting that it’s about a single night of passion between two friends when it is so much more. The blurb undercuts the significance of the emotional journey Sam and Emma experience during that night and relegates it to the depths of erotica. My other issue – the one that kept it from getting that fourth or possibly fifth star – is that the author jumps from one scene to the next with little warning, leaving the reader to fill in the blank as to how Sam and Emma moved from point A to point C. Based on the characters’ statements, the majority of the book takes place over a just a few hours (maybe three to five) and while I do not need every single detail of the night, there were a couple of times when one chapter ended and the next began that I felt like I had missed some pages – one that comes to mind is when Sam asks her to stay for him and the next thing we know, Emma is on her knees getting ready to embark on her first attempt to please Sam orally. I did page flips back and forth trying to figure out what I missed, and it wasn’t anything I missed but rather a lack of transition. Shoving those two complaints aside, Stay for Me is a well-written book that I enjoyed spending my time reading. My advice – if you’re looking for erotica, you’re probably not going to find what you’re looking for in Stay for Me. However, if you’re looking for a friends-to-lovers romance where the focus is on the emotional transition, then you may want to check it out. It’s hard for me to say the sex is hot because this was more about two people learning to adjust for a huge size difference so that they could make love – but Ms. Flores does write one seriously hot scene in the final chapter that demonstrates her ability to bring the heat. Stay for Me was a good book and left me looking forward to the next in the series.
Emma and Sam have been best friends since she brought him home one night after school. And since that day Emma has been in love with Sam. Both of been trying to keep their feelings hidden until they couldn’t anymore. Emma and Sam tried to cross the line but they jumped back over when Emma gets hurt when they try to be intimate. Now two years later Emma can feel Sam slip away and she doesn’t know if she can let him go. She still loves him and wants to try again.While I had some problems with this book, the characters were interesting. Both Emma and Sam have feelings for the other but both feel like they can’t do anything about it. Sam is a stripper and Emma manages the dancers. They are both comfortable with their arrangement. Usually it’s the girl who strips so that made the story unique in it’s own way. This book definitely focuses on what happens when you are perfect for another person but it might be physically impossible to be together. This is where I had some of my problems.Yes I know being too big for someone happens but they let that completely control their entire relationship instead of trying to fix the problem. The story just wasn’t something that really held my interest. I read it until the end and the writing was done well and I definitely want to know more about some of the other dancers but Emma and Sam’s relationship just didn’t do anything for me. Overall the book was good and I would recommend it to other romance readers, it just wasn’t for me.
What do You think about Stay For Me (2015)?
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**Emma and Sam have been friends for a long time, best friends. They tried to be more once but it didn't work out so well....in the sex department. He is working as a stripper at Club Mantasy, while she manages the dancers. They are constantly together and her feelings have never lessened for him, she still wants Sam but can they make it work physically between them? I liked the premise of the story, the execution was a little off for me. I understand the best friend aspect but the S room thing threw me off and Gabe what was his purpose? It was a weird interaction/situation I tried but couldn't get into the story. It was missing that chemistry for me. The best friends want to be lovers but there wasn't a whole lot between them as far as sparks go. Not a bad quick read just not the sexy steamy I think the author was after.
—S.M. Harshell
As I've mentioned before, I really enjoy Carlene Love Flores' work. Though Stay For Me is a quick read, there is good character development and it's intense. I will say though, I did not quite understand the role of Gabe in the S room. Was it to add a kink factor? Probably. I think I am just reading to much into that scene. Again, another quick read I recommend.
—Kate Hutchinson
In "Stay For Me", we meet Sam and Emma - best friends since they were young. At one time, they tried to move on from best friends to lovers but it didn't work out. However, that didn't diminish their feelings and both want to try again but are hesitant to tell the other. I liked both of the main characters - Sam was so sweet and protective and caring of Emma. Emma is kind and thoughtful and nurturing of others. I liked the two of them together. Unfortunately, the storyline itself was a bit of a stretch for me to get in to. There wasn't much in the way of background, although it was mentioned. If more of their history was told, it would have made for a better connection to them, I think. It would have been wonderful to have more details of their growing up together, times hanging out, etc. Of course, it's a novella, so I understand it can be tough to squeeze in all those details. The whole story takes place in a couple of hours but it just didn't flow for me. Often, I had to re-read a section because the thoughts jumped from one to the other or from one idea to another. I think this book and story has premise and would have just enjoyed a bit more from it. I did really enjoy Sam and Emma and hope that maybe there will be a more in depth story coming. (received copy for honest review)
—Cathy
