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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I’ve read several books about abusive or just unhealthy relationships and some were good, but none of them ever felt completely believable. Stay by Deb Caletti is the exception. This is a breathtaking book in so many ways. It’s realistic and beautifully written. It’s not just about a unhealthy relationship. It’s also about family and forgiveness.
The way the story is told was one of my favorite parts. The chapters alternate between what is happening now and what happened in the past with Clara and Christian. This makes it feel like the story is building to a slow fever pitch. You know that eventually Christian is going to catch up with them, but you just have to read faster to see what happens. In the mean time there are lots of other elements to the story. Clara and her father have some very important things to work out and they both need to forgive themselves for things that were outside their control. There might also be a chance of new love.
I really, really liked Clara. Sure, she had a skewed view of her relationship, but I resonated so well with that. I had a really bad relationship once. It took me a long time to figure out just how unhealthy it was. It was very much like Clara and Christian’s, just without the creepy factor. It never escalated that far, but their dynamic felt like reading my own past. I also really enjoyed the other characters. Her Dad was great and all of the secondary characters played a big role. They were all really fleshed out.
This was my first Deb Caletti book and I have no idea why I waited so long. Her writing is gorgeous! Stay is the most poignant and well written contemporaries I have read in a very long time. I can’t wait to dive into Caletti’s other books.
The way the story is told was one of my favorite parts. The chapters alternate between what is happening now and what happened in the past with Clara and Christian. This makes it feel like the story is building to a slow fever pitch. You know that eventually Christian is going to catch up with them, but you just have to read faster to see what happens. In the mean time there are lots of other elements to the story. Clara and her father have some very important things to work out and they both need to forgive themselves for things that were outside their control. There might also be a chance of new love.
I really, really liked Clara. Sure, she had a skewed view of her relationship, but I resonated so well with that. I had a really bad relationship once. It took me a long time to figure out just how unhealthy it was. It was very much like Clara and Christian’s, just without the creepy factor. It never escalated that far, but their dynamic felt like reading my own past. I also really enjoyed the other characters. Her Dad was great and all of the secondary characters played a big role. They were all really fleshed out.
This was my first Deb Caletti book and I have no idea why I waited so long. Her writing is gorgeous! Stay is the most poignant and well written contemporaries I have read in a very long time. I can’t wait to dive into Caletti’s other books.
I had heard nonstop raving reviews for this book and could not resist picking it up myself. So, I ordered it and picked it up right away once it arrived on my doorstep.
I was very disappointed with this book. After all of the wonderful reviews I expected something really good. I expected to be captured from the start and my emotions played with with every page turn. In reality I got okay characters and not much connection.
The characters in this book are not very likeable. In all honesty I forgot what their names were until I re-read the summary just minutes ago. I don't know if it was because they weren't characterized or just that they were not likeable to me. Usually I will connect with at least one character, but I didn't.
The whole plot idea was creative. I had not read a book about this topic before and that is another reason why I decided to pick this one up. I feel like I should have been constantly worrying like the main character and had somewhat of an interest. I really and honestly did not though. This book was very forgettable and I cannot imagine what others saw so interesting.
I don't like writing bad reviews, honestly. I know that someday the author might read this and I feel awful because if I was them I would be somewhat sad. Even so, I always promise to write my honest reviews and honestly this one was not good to me.
Overall I do not recommend this book.
I was very disappointed with this book. After all of the wonderful reviews I expected something really good. I expected to be captured from the start and my emotions played with with every page turn. In reality I got okay characters and not much connection.
The characters in this book are not very likeable. In all honesty I forgot what their names were until I re-read the summary just minutes ago. I don't know if it was because they weren't characterized or just that they were not likeable to me. Usually I will connect with at least one character, but I didn't.
The whole plot idea was creative. I had not read a book about this topic before and that is another reason why I decided to pick this one up. I feel like I should have been constantly worrying like the main character and had somewhat of an interest. I really and honestly did not though. This book was very forgettable and I cannot imagine what others saw so interesting.
I don't like writing bad reviews, honestly. I know that someday the author might read this and I feel awful because if I was them I would be somewhat sad. Even so, I always promise to write my honest reviews and honestly this one was not good to me.
Overall I do not recommend this book.
I had heard nonstop raving reviews for this book and could not resist picking it up myself. So, I ordered it and picked it up right away once it arrived on my doorstep.
I was very disappointed with this book. After all of the wonderful reviews I expected something really good. I expected to be captured from the start and my emotions played with with every page turn. In reality I got okay characters and not much connection.
The characters in this book were not that great. In all honesty I forgot what their names were until I re-read the summary just minutes ago. I don't know if it was because they weren't characterized enough or just that they were not characters I personally like
The whole plot idea was creative. I had not read a book about this topic before and that is another reason why I decided to pick this one up. I feel like I should have been constantly worrying like the main character and had somewhat of an interest. I didn't really feel a connection with the characters or their story though.
I don't like writing bad reviews, honestly. I know that someday the author might read this and I feel awful because if I was them I would be somewhat sad. Even so, I always promise to write my honest reviews and honestly this one was not good to me.
Overall I do not recommend this book.
I was very disappointed with this book. After all of the wonderful reviews I expected something really good. I expected to be captured from the start and my emotions played with with every page turn. In reality I got okay characters and not much connection.
The characters in this book were not that great. In all honesty I forgot what their names were until I re-read the summary just minutes ago. I don't know if it was because they weren't characterized enough or just that they were not characters I personally like
The whole plot idea was creative. I had not read a book about this topic before and that is another reason why I decided to pick this one up. I feel like I should have been constantly worrying like the main character and had somewhat of an interest. I didn't really feel a connection with the characters or their story though.
I don't like writing bad reviews, honestly. I know that someday the author might read this and I feel awful because if I was them I would be somewhat sad. Even so, I always promise to write my honest reviews and honestly this one was not good to me.
Overall I do not recommend this book.
***Beware of mild spoilers, i.e. nothing that's going to really ruin it for you***
Here's what I thought:
Story - ★★★★★
Characters - ★★★★★
Writing - ★★★★★
Ending - ★★
The novel was absolutely wonderful until the ending that never happened. I mean, there was no resolution and there really needed to be when you're dealing with this kind of story. May I just say, [a:Deb Caletti|135786|Deb Caletti|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1208363352p2/135786.jpg] writes so beautifully; she makes each chapter read like poetry.
"I saw it as praise, falling down now like glittering snowflakes. But it was something else. A drop of poison on that gathering snow. That moment in the fairy tale when we know what just happened but the princess doesn't."
The lyrical flow of her writing was the first thing I noticed but the story was equally as strong, it was sad, moving and often creepy too. It's about how someone can find themselves gradually led into a controlling and unhealthy relationship, especially through carefully manipulated power dynamics within the relationship. Clara makes the first move with Christian, she sees from their first few meetings that she has captivated him... and she likes the powerful feeling this gives her. But it's this level of Christian's emotion that later becomes a danger to her when he starts to be jealous of every boy she speaks to.
It works as a gripping novel but also as a cautionary tale applicable to real life situations. You might judge someone who has allowed themselves to be caught up in a controlling or abusive relationship, but this book shows how subtly circumstances can change, leading to people who thought they were in a happy, loving relationship suddenly facing a partner they no longer recognise and are inable to escape.
The feeling of being trapped and having nowhere to run makes [b:Stay|8527904|Stay|Deb Caletti|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1301850508s/8527904.jpg|13394950] at times quite a frightening story to read. Christian, at first a charming Danish boy with pretty eyes and an accent to die for, turns into a stalker-ish did-something-just-move-outside-my-window kind of character. In my opinion, he was terrifying! But then, all of you who thought it was cute when Edward snuck into Bella's room at night might like this sort of thing (sorry, couldn't resist). I am actually thankful that a young adult novel has finally shown the creepy side of the boyfriend who is that dark shadow over there watching you.
While I'm here I'm going to be my usually awkward, picky self and point out the other small negative I found. And that was certain random side stories that didn't add anything to the overall plot. Like ghost stories and the amount of time spent on whats-her-face at the lighthouse. Yeah, that could have been cut out...
But otherwise, I really really loved this novel. If the ending had been better it would have been a full 5 star rating easily. But don't be put off: read this book!
One more quote:
"But if fate is a shape-shifter, then love is too. It can be, anyway, in its most dangerous form. It's your best day, and then your worst. It's your most hope and then your most despair. Lightness, darkness, it can swing between extremes at lightning speed - a boat upon the water on the most gorgeous day, and then the clouds crawl in and the sky turns black and the sea rages and the boat is lost."
Here's what I thought:
Story - ★★★★★
Characters - ★★★★★
Writing - ★★★★★
Ending - ★★
The novel was absolutely wonderful until the ending that never happened. I mean, there was no resolution and there really needed to be when you're dealing with this kind of story. May I just say, [a:Deb Caletti|135786|Deb Caletti|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1208363352p2/135786.jpg] writes so beautifully; she makes each chapter read like poetry.
"I saw it as praise, falling down now like glittering snowflakes. But it was something else. A drop of poison on that gathering snow. That moment in the fairy tale when we know what just happened but the princess doesn't."
The lyrical flow of her writing was the first thing I noticed but the story was equally as strong, it was sad, moving and often creepy too. It's about how someone can find themselves gradually led into a controlling and unhealthy relationship, especially through carefully manipulated power dynamics within the relationship. Clara makes the first move with Christian, she sees from their first few meetings that she has captivated him... and she likes the powerful feeling this gives her. But it's this level of Christian's emotion that later becomes a danger to her when he starts to be jealous of every boy she speaks to.
It works as a gripping novel but also as a cautionary tale applicable to real life situations. You might judge someone who has allowed themselves to be caught up in a controlling or abusive relationship, but this book shows how subtly circumstances can change, leading to people who thought they were in a happy, loving relationship suddenly facing a partner they no longer recognise and are inable to escape.
The feeling of being trapped and having nowhere to run makes [b:Stay|8527904|Stay|Deb Caletti|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1301850508s/8527904.jpg|13394950] at times quite a frightening story to read. Christian, at first a charming Danish boy with pretty eyes and an accent to die for, turns into a stalker-ish did-something-just-move-outside-my-window kind of character. In my opinion, he was terrifying! But then, all of you who thought it was cute when Edward snuck into Bella's room at night might like this sort of thing (sorry, couldn't resist). I am actually thankful that a young adult novel has finally shown the creepy side of the boyfriend who is that dark shadow over there watching you.
While I'm here I'm going to be my usually awkward, picky self and point out the other small negative I found. And that was certain random side stories that didn't add anything to the overall plot. Like ghost stories and the amount of time spent on whats-her-face at the lighthouse. Yeah, that could have been cut out...
But otherwise, I really really loved this novel. If the ending had been better it would have been a full 5 star rating easily. But don't be put off: read this book!
One more quote:
"But if fate is a shape-shifter, then love is too. It can be, anyway, in its most dangerous form. It's your best day, and then your worst. It's your most hope and then your most despair. Lightness, darkness, it can swing between extremes at lightning speed - a boat upon the water on the most gorgeous day, and then the clouds crawl in and the sky turns black and the sea rages and the boat is lost."
Great book! It really makes you think about being more careful when it comes to relationships.
This sat on my shelf forever and I’m so glad I finally picked it up. The summery on the back of the book does not do it justice at all. A very real portrayal of obsessive relationships, the characters were flawed and the ending wasn’t a cookie cutter solution like I was assuming it would be. Really enjoyed this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a great book! I don't think that I've read a book before this that deals with the issue of controlling, possessive, obsessive boyfriends so well.
Clara is a normal girl. She's not an idiot. She doesn't have self esteem issues. She isn't desperately seeking attention or approval from others. She's none of these things that might come to mind when one is trying to picture a girl who would put up with an emotionally abusive relationship. I feel like this is really important. It could happen to anyone and he/she may not even notice that it's happening. She's an easily sympathetic character, telling us her story. Her voice makes you want to listen.
Clara's friends reside mostly on the periphery in this story, but from what we do see of them they are quality friends who are really supportive and defensive of Clara. Her father is mostly awesome. Though he is not without his flaws, he is a good parent to Clara. He recognizes her needs and gives them to her. He has a real relationship with her. He's protective of her without being over protective. It's good to see a quality father-daughter relationship. Finn, the boy that Clara meets while in hiding from Christian, helps to remind Clara what normal looks like and what it is to be able to talk to a person without having to censor what you say or do around him. It is refreshing to see a nice, normal guy portrayed in such a positive light.
The novel takes place as Clara and her father leave town for the summer without telling anyone where they're going. And, though it is clear from the beginning that they are leaving with the purpose of getting Clara away from Christian's stalker-like behavior, the reader doesn't know the details of what happened between Clara and Christian right away. Chapters alternate between the summer beach trip and flashbacks that explain the course of Clara's relationship with Christian. I thought it was particularly smart to do it this way. The events and red flags of their relationship carry more weight when the reader knows that the result is that Clara had to leave town without letting anyone know where she went and that she basically must hide from this guy. It works to point out all of the places that Clara should have accepted that something was off, which can be particularly beneficial to anyone who might find themselves in a similar predicament.
There are books about physically abusive relationships, drug abuse, eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy, cutting, suicide, rape, and a vast assortment of other issues. There aren't a lot of books about how easy it is to fall happily into a relationship that becomes a cage in which one must walk on eggshells to avoid being battered with unreasonable guilt and shame. This is one of those books that should be a must-read, particularly for teenage girls.
Clara is a normal girl. She's not an idiot. She doesn't have self esteem issues. She isn't desperately seeking attention or approval from others. She's none of these things that might come to mind when one is trying to picture a girl who would put up with an emotionally abusive relationship. I feel like this is really important. It could happen to anyone and he/she may not even notice that it's happening. She's an easily sympathetic character, telling us her story. Her voice makes you want to listen.
Clara's friends reside mostly on the periphery in this story, but from what we do see of them they are quality friends who are really supportive and defensive of Clara. Her father is mostly awesome. Though he is not without his flaws, he is a good parent to Clara. He recognizes her needs and gives them to her. He has a real relationship with her. He's protective of her without being over protective. It's good to see a quality father-daughter relationship. Finn, the boy that Clara meets while in hiding from Christian, helps to remind Clara what normal looks like and what it is to be able to talk to a person without having to censor what you say or do around him. It is refreshing to see a nice, normal guy portrayed in such a positive light.
The novel takes place as Clara and her father leave town for the summer without telling anyone where they're going. And, though it is clear from the beginning that they are leaving with the purpose of getting Clara away from Christian's stalker-like behavior, the reader doesn't know the details of what happened between Clara and Christian right away. Chapters alternate between the summer beach trip and flashbacks that explain the course of Clara's relationship with Christian. I thought it was particularly smart to do it this way. The events and red flags of their relationship carry more weight when the reader knows that the result is that Clara had to leave town without letting anyone know where she went and that she basically must hide from this guy. It works to point out all of the places that Clara should have accepted that something was off, which can be particularly beneficial to anyone who might find themselves in a similar predicament.
There are books about physically abusive relationships, drug abuse, eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy, cutting, suicide, rape, and a vast assortment of other issues. There aren't a lot of books about how easy it is to fall happily into a relationship that becomes a cage in which one must walk on eggshells to avoid being battered with unreasonable guilt and shame. This is one of those books that should be a must-read, particularly for teenage girls.
4.5 stars
Damn this one.
It's so good.
Really, really good.
Time to read more Deb Caletti books.
Damn this one.
It's so good.
Really, really good.
Time to read more Deb Caletti books.
Like all of Deb's books, [i]stay[/i] had me entranced from the start. at first I was a bit uneasy about the way the chapters bounced from past, to present, but then I got my barring and slipped into the book. It was terrifying, her relationship with christian, and just reading about it made my skin crawl. The metaphors and relationships had me hooked, and like with all of her books, I learned a ton of lessons that I hope to never forget. a must read for everyone.
Emotionally difficult read, but written perfectly - many deep thoughts, reflections, interesting observations. The story of obsession, stalking, dark secrets about parents, possibility of new beginning and love in spite of the negative experience. I loved Finn - he was very warm and real, I liked Clara - especially her ability to take part of the guilt on herself, I adored the stalker-seagull and despite everything I felt sorry for Christian - his obsession was tragic and difficult first of all for himself. I enjoyed the scenery of the book, coast, water, lighthouse, marina - it was beautifully depicted. Great book!!!