Book Review: Stay by Deb Caletti

Title: Stay

Author: Deb Caletti

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publishing Date: April 2011

Length: 320 pages

Genre: YA, romance

Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab

~ The Story ~

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 has any idea 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....

Summary by Goodreads 

STAY is a contemporary novel that is different to many other YA prototypes. It has romance and at the same time suspenseful elements.

The title STAY is really appropriate, because this story is all about the balance of right and wrong decisions, leaving and staying (safe), being with someone or leaving that one you once loved so you can become the person you really are.

This novel talks about the serious topic of a love that turns into an obsession and the consequences of making the decision to end it. Chapters of real-time actions alternate with flashbacks, so that the origin to our current situation is revealed piece by piece. We are given the info that our heroine is headed to a place she shouldn't leave unless she doesn’t want to stay safe. It are mostly the flashbacks that keep feeding us with more background information about characters and story.

It's a fast read thanks to this narrative technique and a really good writing. STAY is made up of only a few relevant characters, which was totally ok since this type of story doesn't need that many to convey meaning.

Caletti did a good job in constructing the characters, because they appear real. I noticed that I didn't care that much about the characters itself, but more about the outcome of the story in general. I was surprised how easily Clara, our protagonist, throws herself into another romance, considering that she is still followed by her ex-boyfriend. Still I liked to see her opening up for a new love. Clara was ok, but her dad was just a bit rough and with his cussing all the time very inconvenient.

Caletti also included footnotes to mention some random extra facts, further ideas and explanations. What could be a funny and original idea, really bothered me, because the additional notes were often useless blather and reminded me too much of a scientific work.

1) living in a light-house can be fun

2) we love the sea

3) sailors are sexy

4) of a good mix between current situation and flashbacks
5) of that cute little Roger

 

3,5/5 ***/* STAY offers a frighteningly realistic concept of a young love whose end reveals the deeply hidden and dark feelings accompanying it!

This is a serious novel about the delicate balance between love and hate, staying and leaving. STAY is a book that definitely promises a high emotional involvement. 

 * Have a look at Deb’s other books. Lovely covers! 

 

* Read an excerpt of STAY here. 

* Visit www.debcaletti.com for more information about the author and her books.

* Thanks to Simon & Schuster and their Galley Grab programme for allowing me access to the galley of STAY.