Ask Me to Stay is a story about tragedies, love and a very dark hidden secret. Ethan returns to his very small, close-knit hometown for his sister-in-law's funeral. Everyone expects him to leave before the day ends, but he stays, slowly working his way back into a community that had effectively shunned him when he abruptly left over a decade ago. In the process, he reconnects with Sam, the girlfriend he left behind and her brother; his old friend Cal. Ethan also works his way into the hearts of his niece and nephew as they also work their way into his heart. In the end, the secret is revealed during a passionate argument, which leads to a healing of the rift between Ethan and his brother Dean and ultimately a full welcome back into the community he had tried to protect.
This book was full of dark emotions, but even at it's darkest these was always a glint of hope. There were several things that I really loved about this book. First, I immediately loved Ethan's character. The reader immediately sees that he is not the bad boy everyone wants to believe and that he has a soft and protective side. From the very beginning, I was rooting for him to have a happy ending. Second, I loved the depth of friendship between Dean, Cal, Sam and Ethan. They were the portrayal of the true meaning of friendship. Although this book was labeled a romance, it was much more than that. I believe it would also be enjoyed by a much wider audience that enjoys stories about overcoming the lemons life throws us and joining together as a family and community. I do wish it was longer, so I could read more about Sam and Ethan once they were back together, but hopefully I will see more of them in the next book.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a review.
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