Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This was a really interesting read. I liked how this book was focused on Clara and her struggle with finding herself again, as well as her and her dad's relationship, and not all about boys. Christian and Clara's relationship was so toxic I felt so disgusted while reading some of the scenes between them. Finn was adorable, but I'm happy that his part in the story wasn't really about him, but all about Clara. I enjoyed some of the footnotes and the extras in the book, but some footnotes felt forced and didn't really seem to add to the story at all. Overall I would recommend this book!
Personally, when I started this novel, I found it absolutely gripping. There are so many parts that scared the shit out of me. Being in a relationship can be a difficult thing. And sometimes it can be scary. I really do think that Clara is brave for leaving and not letting the relationship with Christian define her life.
Clara becomes a very strong character who takes charge and starts to define her own fate instead of letting others use her. She has to deal with a lot of issues that are very difficult and I thought she did that with great finesse.
Clara becomes a very strong character who takes charge and starts to define her own fate instead of letting others use her. She has to deal with a lot of issues that are very difficult and I thought she did that with great finesse.
Wow. This is creepy creepy, and a book that I think would benefit most teen girls who are starting to date. A great look at how a seemingly innocuous relationship can turn dangerous and scary. Gives me shivers just thinking about it. Great suspenseful read.
Eh. This book was stupid. I found the main character to be moderately annoying the story to be awkward and it didn't really flow. There were too many random things going on between the back and forth of the time frames and the story of the dad and mom etc... I just kind of hated it.
For those who have ever criticized young adult romances for their unhealthy approach to relationships, Stay is exactly what the doctor ordered. Clara's relationship with Christian starts out in the traditional way that society has come to romanticize when it comes to young love - love at first sight, the idea of being soul mates, the constant need to be together or talk to one another, and the feeling of being complete when together. Yet, real life is never quite this amazing, and Ms. Caletti takes no prisoners with her story on abusive relationships.
The story comes together through Clara's authentic voice. She tells her story with stark honesty, recognizing moments that the reader may be most dubious and commenting on it. Even though the reader knows that the events being told happened in the past, the sense of guilt Clara felt at her supposed part in Christian's behavior still shines through her storytelling. This adds such an air of realism, that it feels as if the events are happening immediately rather than have already happened.
Even better, Clara tells her story in fits and starts, reflecting on her relationship with Christian and then focusing on her relationship with her father and burgeoning relationship with Finn. The reader knows something awful has happened but cannot tell exactly what it was until such time as Clara decides to unveil the full story. This building sense of doom keeps the reader turning the page, anxious to find out if Clara's fears about Christian come true.
Yet, Stay is not just about Clara's relationship with her former boyfriend; it also touches on her relationship with her father and the need for it to grow beyond protector and protected. It is about uncovering some hidden truths behind her parents' relationship and the consequences these have had upon her life. Ultimately, it is about Clara's ability to grow beyond her current relationships and rediscover herself again.
Stay is a wonderfully honest, refreshing look at damaging relationships, how easy it is to get into one and how difficult they are to end. Ms. Caletti showcases the psychological damage they instill on the victim and the tremendous strength it takes to overcome the damage. Growing up is never easy, and these obsessive relationships, as glamorized by certain movies and other novels, make it even more so. Stay is a great reminder of this while being an immensely enjoyable read.
The story comes together through Clara's authentic voice. She tells her story with stark honesty, recognizing moments that the reader may be most dubious and commenting on it. Even though the reader knows that the events being told happened in the past, the sense of guilt Clara felt at her supposed part in Christian's behavior still shines through her storytelling. This adds such an air of realism, that it feels as if the events are happening immediately rather than have already happened.
Even better, Clara tells her story in fits and starts, reflecting on her relationship with Christian and then focusing on her relationship with her father and burgeoning relationship with Finn. The reader knows something awful has happened but cannot tell exactly what it was until such time as Clara decides to unveil the full story. This building sense of doom keeps the reader turning the page, anxious to find out if Clara's fears about Christian come true.
Yet, Stay is not just about Clara's relationship with her former boyfriend; it also touches on her relationship with her father and the need for it to grow beyond protector and protected. It is about uncovering some hidden truths behind her parents' relationship and the consequences these have had upon her life. Ultimately, it is about Clara's ability to grow beyond her current relationships and rediscover herself again.
Stay is a wonderfully honest, refreshing look at damaging relationships, how easy it is to get into one and how difficult they are to end. Ms. Caletti showcases the psychological damage they instill on the victim and the tremendous strength it takes to overcome the damage. Growing up is never easy, and these obsessive relationships, as glamorized by certain movies and other novels, make it even more so. Stay is a great reminder of this while being an immensely enjoyable read.
A very real and touching portrayal of a toxic relationship and obsessive love. I think it is important to show the reader how it begins and how it can go wrong and what it looks like from the inside but also from afar as the main character judges herself looking back. . I appreciated that it wasn’t turned into some weird cliche slasher or thriller but instead increased the tension of a relationship about to snap and spill over.
I loved all the footnotes and the words the author chose to tell the story. Since I read a print version I couldn’t rely on Kindle to highlight and add my favorite lines to the review so my lazy self had to actually type them into my iPhone notes. But that is how moved I was by Deb Callenti’s words.
Some of my favorite lines:
“The way two people can end up in the same place, find each other on a crowd, and change their lives and the lives of the people around them forever...it makes you believe in fate. And fate gives love some extra authority. Like it’s been stamped from above, if you believe in above”
“My father...said that love at first sight send send you running, if you know what’s good for you. It’s your dark pieces having instant recognition with their dark pieces, he says”
“But like my father says, fate’s got a fucking sick sense of humor. Fate is a shape-shifter. It is the kindest and most generous entity imaginable, laying out more goodness than a person deserves, and then it shrinks and curls and forms into something grotesque. You think something is one thing, but then it’s another”
“You take care of the people you love, but it’s true, too that you take care of the things you own”
“Someone’s jealousy can make you feel good. Special. But it’s not even about you. It’s about a hand that is already gripping. It’s about their need, circling around your throat”.
“Nice isn’t the same as good”, he said. “People are ‘nice’ for a million reasons. ‘Nice’ is the outside. What people get to see. What you want people to see. ‘Good’ is the inside.
“Hurt people are very powerful people, C. Hurt is a weapon. Better weapon than most because it doesn’t look like one”
I loved all the footnotes and the words the author chose to tell the story. Since I read a print version I couldn’t rely on Kindle to highlight and add my favorite lines to the review so my lazy self had to actually type them into my iPhone notes. But that is how moved I was by Deb Callenti’s words.
Some of my favorite lines:
“The way two people can end up in the same place, find each other on a crowd, and change their lives and the lives of the people around them forever...it makes you believe in fate. And fate gives love some extra authority. Like it’s been stamped from above, if you believe in above”
“My father...said that love at first sight send send you running, if you know what’s good for you. It’s your dark pieces having instant recognition with their dark pieces, he says”
“But like my father says, fate’s got a fucking sick sense of humor. Fate is a shape-shifter. It is the kindest and most generous entity imaginable, laying out more goodness than a person deserves, and then it shrinks and curls and forms into something grotesque. You think something is one thing, but then it’s another”
“You take care of the people you love, but it’s true, too that you take care of the things you own”
“Someone’s jealousy can make you feel good. Special. But it’s not even about you. It’s about a hand that is already gripping. It’s about their need, circling around your throat”.
“Nice isn’t the same as good”, he said. “People are ‘nice’ for a million reasons. ‘Nice’ is the outside. What people get to see. What you want people to see. ‘Good’ is the inside.
“Hurt people are very powerful people, C. Hurt is a weapon. Better weapon than most because it doesn’t look like one”
Wow, is all that I can say about this book!
The book starts off with Clara and her father driving to their summer-house. They have decided to leave town for the summer due to an awful circumstance surrounding Clara and her ex boyfriend, Christian.
Clara had thought that she found her soul mate in Christian. He was everything that she had ever wanted. They spent all their time together until Clara started noticing certain changes in Christian. Clara blames herself for the way Christian acts, she believes that she made him need her and want her. It will take the whole summer for Clara to realize the truth.
This book is set up in a way that the main character is telling a story. I LOVE the little footnotes at the bottom of the pages to elaborate on some ideas. The only part that I found funny was how quickly Clara was to jump at another relationship. I thought it odd that a girl who was so messed up from a previous relationship would want to jump right into another?
This is a great summer read. I suggest all teenage girls should read a book like this to show that relationships are not always hugs and kisses! Beware though, there was an awful lot of fowl language.
The book starts off with Clara and her father driving to their summer-house. They have decided to leave town for the summer due to an awful circumstance surrounding Clara and her ex boyfriend, Christian.
Clara had thought that she found her soul mate in Christian. He was everything that she had ever wanted. They spent all their time together until Clara started noticing certain changes in Christian. Clara blames herself for the way Christian acts, she believes that she made him need her and want her. It will take the whole summer for Clara to realize the truth.
This book is set up in a way that the main character is telling a story. I LOVE the little footnotes at the bottom of the pages to elaborate on some ideas. The only part that I found funny was how quickly Clara was to jump at another relationship. I thought it odd that a girl who was so messed up from a previous relationship would want to jump right into another?
This is a great summer read. I suggest all teenage girls should read a book like this to show that relationships are not always hugs and kisses! Beware though, there was an awful lot of fowl language.