- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Dial Books (8 Sep 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0803734484
- ISBN-13: 978-0803734487
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14.7 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,116,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
In Short
- Stay With Me has two strong characters that are put in numerous difficult situations.
- The characters actions are never predictable but are also very real.
- What brings the characters together also rips them apart - I loved this!
- Paul took this book in different directions with other authors would never think about, let alone do.
Stay With Me was a book I wanted to read as soon as I saw the cover. I can't really tell you why, maybe it's because I love relationships which are based in the `real world' aka a place where they are actual problems instead of petty little things. Anyway, as soon as I read the blurb I couldn't wait to read this one. Thanks Lesley [...] for letting me borrow this one!
When I picked this book up I had made some assumptions and I kind of got what I was expecting, kind off. The writing was the sort of writing which I can never explain but I am finding this in more and more books and slowly liking the style of writing more. It's kind of from the point of view from the characters while also being a bit more distant and letting the reader see properly into the characters world. By that I mean both the main characters feelings are always clear, whether it's because of their actions or feelings but it's not simple and clear, you have to actually think and judge how the character is feeling, like you need to with a real person. Sometimes I found this sort of writing really suited this book whereas other times I just wanted their feelings laid out `on a plate' for me instead of all the mumble jumble.
Stay With Me then took a big turn which I never saw coming. I never saw it coming because Paul took a risk which a lot of authors don't do. I tend to think that sort of thing would put an ending to the book and if it didn't then the book would be boring from then on it. Well it wasn't. Paul did a great job of keeping the relationship between the two main characters both interesting and also intriguing. I never knew what either of the two main characters were going to do or think next.
After about ¾ way through the book I could see what was going to come next, I felt like this was done on purpose by Paul though and I was meant to see it coming. What I didn't know is how the characters were going to react; the characters actions were never predictable. The unpredictability of the characters was made even better with how they were always real. I never felt like a real person wouldn't act in that way. In fact I thought all actions were justified (well nearly all) and possible!
Final Thoughts
Paul is a talented author who has written a thought provoking book with meaningful characters and an intriguing story line that is both heart warming and real.
- Stay With Me has two strong characters that are put in numerous difficult situations.
- The characters actions are never predictable but are also very real.
- What brings the characters together also rips them apart - I loved this!
- Paul took this book in different directions with other authors would never think about, let alone do.
Stay With Me was a book I wanted to read as soon as I saw the cover. I can't really tell you why, maybe it's because I love relationships which are based in the `real world' aka a place where they are actual problems instead of petty little things. Anyway, as soon as I read the blurb I couldn't wait to read this one. Thanks Lesley [...] for letting me borrow this one!
When I picked this book up I had made some assumptions and I kind of got what I was expecting, kind off. The writing was the sort of writing which I can never explain but I am finding this in more and more books and slowly liking the style of writing more. It's kind of from the point of view from the characters while also being a bit more distant and letting the reader see properly into the characters world. By that I mean both the main characters feelings are always clear, whether it's because of their actions or feelings but it's not simple and clear, you have to actually think and judge how the character is feeling, like you need to with a real person. Sometimes I found this sort of writing really suited this book whereas other times I just wanted their feelings laid out `on a plate' for me instead of all the mumble jumble.
Stay With Me then took a big turn which I never saw coming. I never saw it coming because Paul took a risk which a lot of authors don't do. I tend to think that sort of thing would put an ending to the book and if it didn't then the book would be boring from then on it. Well it wasn't. Paul did a great job of keeping the relationship between the two main characters both interesting and also intriguing. I never knew what either of the two main characters were going to do or think next.
After about ¾ way through the book I could see what was going to come next, I felt like this was done on purpose by Paul though and I was meant to see it coming. What I didn't know is how the characters were going to react; the characters actions were never predictable. The unpredictability of the characters was made even better with how they were always real. I never felt like a real person wouldn't act in that way. In fact I thought all actions were justified (well nearly all) and possible!
Final Thoughts
Paul is a talented author who has written a thought provoking book with meaningful characters and an intriguing story line that is both heart warming and real.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
18 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
A moving and inspiring read
10 Oct 2011
Format:Hardcover
A well written and touching story, Stay With Me tugged at my heartstrings. This realistic coming of age book has a compelling story, vivid characters, and lovable rescue dogs. I was hooked on this emotional story immediately and found it to be a moving and inspiring read.
Our protagonists' story is told over 102 days. Céce (pronounced Chee Chee) and Mack are 15 and in the throes of first love. Even though they are from different worlds, they are drawn to each other and spend every moment they can together. Mack has a big heart but a troubled past. He comes from a broken home and struggles with anger management. Spending time with Céce and her brother Anthony, and working and training rescue dogs have helped him to stay out of trouble. His problems come back in a big way though and he and Céce must try to cope through it.
This author has a great way with writing characters. There is a wonderful cast of imperfect characters written with colorful details that make them come alive. My heart ached for Mack and I was rooting for him to succeed. His gifted way with training dogs is a treat to read. Mack struggles with anger, family drama, and a learning disability but has dreams to someday work training dogs professionally. Céce is an A-student who studies her vocabulary for the gifted and talented exam, indulges by sneaking pieces of cheesecake at her workplace, loves The Outsiders movie, and thinks she may have ESP. Together they have chemistry and mesh well together. I like that the story is told in alternating perspectives and I enjoyed each of their character voices equally.
The secondary characters are well drawn and help bring the story to life. Anthony is Céce's perfect beloved older brother and Mack's friend. He enlists in the military and she worries about him constantly. Céce's mother changes her hair color as often as she comes up with new holiday themed cornbread recipes. She worries about her son and is drinking to soothe the pain. Vic is the restaurant owner with the heart of gold that is the glue that keeps them together. All of the characters are endearingly flawed and won me over with their quirky character traits.
I think many readers will relate to insecure Céce and her embarking on first love, dealing with family difficulties, and striving to succeed academically. She is written in a sweet, sensitive and flawed way that is endearing. Although Mack has some big problems, readers can relate to his struggles, his good heart and his love for dogs.
Although the story is heartbreaking in many ways, there are some rays of hope that keep it from being too dark. The conclusion is satisfying, yet bittersweet and a perfect end to the story. This emotional read hit me in the gut with the realistic story and wonderful cast of characters. Recommended for older teens due to mature situations, this realistic book is an emotional and beautiful read.
Our protagonists' story is told over 102 days. Céce (pronounced Chee Chee) and Mack are 15 and in the throes of first love. Even though they are from different worlds, they are drawn to each other and spend every moment they can together. Mack has a big heart but a troubled past. He comes from a broken home and struggles with anger management. Spending time with Céce and her brother Anthony, and working and training rescue dogs have helped him to stay out of trouble. His problems come back in a big way though and he and Céce must try to cope through it.
This author has a great way with writing characters. There is a wonderful cast of imperfect characters written with colorful details that make them come alive. My heart ached for Mack and I was rooting for him to succeed. His gifted way with training dogs is a treat to read. Mack struggles with anger, family drama, and a learning disability but has dreams to someday work training dogs professionally. Céce is an A-student who studies her vocabulary for the gifted and talented exam, indulges by sneaking pieces of cheesecake at her workplace, loves The Outsiders movie, and thinks she may have ESP. Together they have chemistry and mesh well together. I like that the story is told in alternating perspectives and I enjoyed each of their character voices equally.
The secondary characters are well drawn and help bring the story to life. Anthony is Céce's perfect beloved older brother and Mack's friend. He enlists in the military and she worries about him constantly. Céce's mother changes her hair color as often as she comes up with new holiday themed cornbread recipes. She worries about her son and is drinking to soothe the pain. Vic is the restaurant owner with the heart of gold that is the glue that keeps them together. All of the characters are endearingly flawed and won me over with their quirky character traits.
I think many readers will relate to insecure Céce and her embarking on first love, dealing with family difficulties, and striving to succeed academically. She is written in a sweet, sensitive and flawed way that is endearing. Although Mack has some big problems, readers can relate to his struggles, his good heart and his love for dogs.
Although the story is heartbreaking in many ways, there are some rays of hope that keep it from being too dark. The conclusion is satisfying, yet bittersweet and a perfect end to the story. This emotional read hit me in the gut with the realistic story and wonderful cast of characters. Recommended for older teens due to mature situations, this realistic book is an emotional and beautiful read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Not what I had expected
26 Feb 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
What first interested me in this book is the synopsis. Looking for a great romance, I thought I had found the perfect one. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I don't think the synopsis fit the book well. If I had a better inclination of what it was about before reading, I might have a different thought perspective.
Mack lives with his father who could really care less about what goes on with him, unless he's been drinking and feels the need to let out a good rant. He has dropped out of school, has a bit of a criminal record along with a short temper when set off, and the only thing he has going for him is that he is crazy about dogs, and seems to have a rare skill where he connects on a whole other level with dogs. Everyone has told him that he can get paid much more than what he does if he would just go to training school. Sadly, Mack is lacking in self confidence. I mean, growing up the way he did and with a father who doesn't care, I can't say I don't blame him. Shoot, the boy feels like there is nothing left out there for him. Scrounging up a delivery job to work, along with the dog walking, yep, that's Mack's sad life.
Then there is Cece. This girl has set her head high, and aimed her goals there too. For a girl like Cece, this can be done, but with an alcoholic for a mother it just sucks sometimes. It's when Mack and Cece meet, and meet again, and then meet yet again that they finally get the idea that they really like each other. Hmmm, maybe if they would've listened to Cece's brother, who happens to be Macks best friend by the way, this could've happened a long time ago! But, I guess sometimes we have hard heads and things just take time.
The one thing that is different about Cece and Mack is that Cece does not like dogs. Can't say I don't blame her, seeing as which she was attacked when she was younger. Over time, Mack insists that he will win over her heart with a rescued dog that he found in a fight on the streets. The deal is made, and things are looking great for the both of them. That's until Mack finds the unexpected and his anger flares like never before. Things go too far. Now it's too late.
In the end, I feel like it was a little too much about Mack bonding with his dogs and not enough about the romance that was supposed to take place.
Mack lives with his father who could really care less about what goes on with him, unless he's been drinking and feels the need to let out a good rant. He has dropped out of school, has a bit of a criminal record along with a short temper when set off, and the only thing he has going for him is that he is crazy about dogs, and seems to have a rare skill where he connects on a whole other level with dogs. Everyone has told him that he can get paid much more than what he does if he would just go to training school. Sadly, Mack is lacking in self confidence. I mean, growing up the way he did and with a father who doesn't care, I can't say I don't blame him. Shoot, the boy feels like there is nothing left out there for him. Scrounging up a delivery job to work, along with the dog walking, yep, that's Mack's sad life.
Then there is Cece. This girl has set her head high, and aimed her goals there too. For a girl like Cece, this can be done, but with an alcoholic for a mother it just sucks sometimes. It's when Mack and Cece meet, and meet again, and then meet yet again that they finally get the idea that they really like each other. Hmmm, maybe if they would've listened to Cece's brother, who happens to be Macks best friend by the way, this could've happened a long time ago! But, I guess sometimes we have hard heads and things just take time.
The one thing that is different about Cece and Mack is that Cece does not like dogs. Can't say I don't blame her, seeing as which she was attacked when she was younger. Over time, Mack insists that he will win over her heart with a rescued dog that he found in a fight on the streets. The deal is made, and things are looking great for the both of them. That's until Mack finds the unexpected and his anger flares like never before. Things go too far. Now it's too late.
In the end, I feel like it was a little too much about Mack bonding with his dogs and not enough about the romance that was supposed to take place.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Emotional, moving, just beautiful
10 Oct 2011
Format:Hardcover
A hundred and two days is the time Céce and Mack have together. Being a journey about heartbreak, passionate love, friendship and trust, where Stay With Me will take us, we don't know. Mack Morse works at Vic's Too with his good friend, Anthony, and when Tony prepares to leave for the army, he enlists Mack with the job of taking care of his smart, younger sister, Céce. Sparks fly, but it's a shame that Mack is a high school dropout with anger management issues, a criminal record and a problem with looking people in the eye... This novel is incredibly emotional, realistic and moving, and I have no doubt that this emotion will stay with you for a very long time.
Mack has always had a gift with dogs and can render them harmless in a matter of seconds. Being bitten on the face as a little girl, Céce is terrified of them until Mack rescues a battered pitbull and teaches both girls how to love. While both are hesitant to be involved with each other in the beginning, a mutual understanding quickly escalates into full blown love. They understand each other in a way no one else can and know just what to do to comfort the other. I found their relationship to be so beautiful. Whether Mack is buying Céce cheap but thoughtful gifts, whether they're making love or whether their hearts are breaking because of terrible circumstances, it all hit me like a ton of bricks in the very best way. Griffin's writing is superb and always conveys all of the emotion he intends to. Just stunning.
One of the novel's best attributes is the surrounding air of mystery. Things that may seem insignificant or that don't make sense are explained as the story progresses through flashbacks. These revelations are extremely powerful and meaningful, no matter how minor the subject matter, and I enjoyed going on this learning curve immensely. The characters are developed very well and each revealed layer of their background only makes us more sympathetic or adoring. One moment can change your life forever, but despite that, you can move on and become a better person with these experiences - that is the main message of the novel, and the plot in which this message is conveyed is heartbreaking. Plot wise, I refuse to divulge anything! I will only give you some sound advice: Grab some tissues and prepare to cry for most of the novel's second half.
For days after finishing this book my heart ached, and it continues to do so every single time I think about it. While the conclusion is in no way tragic or horrible, it is open-ended, bittersweet and will make you cry bucket loads anyway. Perhaps it's the genuine love and sacrifice? Or perhaps anger at the unjustness of the situation? Either way, Stay With Me will move you and you will hopefully take something away from this truly magnificent story. These characters will embed themselves in your heart and stay in your thoughts for a long time to come. An absolutely brilliant novel by Paul Griffins, Stay With Me is a must read.
Mack has always had a gift with dogs and can render them harmless in a matter of seconds. Being bitten on the face as a little girl, Céce is terrified of them until Mack rescues a battered pitbull and teaches both girls how to love. While both are hesitant to be involved with each other in the beginning, a mutual understanding quickly escalates into full blown love. They understand each other in a way no one else can and know just what to do to comfort the other. I found their relationship to be so beautiful. Whether Mack is buying Céce cheap but thoughtful gifts, whether they're making love or whether their hearts are breaking because of terrible circumstances, it all hit me like a ton of bricks in the very best way. Griffin's writing is superb and always conveys all of the emotion he intends to. Just stunning.
One of the novel's best attributes is the surrounding air of mystery. Things that may seem insignificant or that don't make sense are explained as the story progresses through flashbacks. These revelations are extremely powerful and meaningful, no matter how minor the subject matter, and I enjoyed going on this learning curve immensely. The characters are developed very well and each revealed layer of their background only makes us more sympathetic or adoring. One moment can change your life forever, but despite that, you can move on and become a better person with these experiences - that is the main message of the novel, and the plot in which this message is conveyed is heartbreaking. Plot wise, I refuse to divulge anything! I will only give you some sound advice: Grab some tissues and prepare to cry for most of the novel's second half.
For days after finishing this book my heart ached, and it continues to do so every single time I think about it. While the conclusion is in no way tragic or horrible, it is open-ended, bittersweet and will make you cry bucket loads anyway. Perhaps it's the genuine love and sacrifice? Or perhaps anger at the unjustness of the situation? Either way, Stay With Me will move you and you will hopefully take something away from this truly magnificent story. These characters will embed themselves in your heart and stay in your thoughts for a long time to come. An absolutely brilliant novel by Paul Griffins, Stay With Me is a must read.
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