I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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We were both orphans.

While Johnny Moore was the product of alcohol and bad decisions, he never let his family define him. And me? Well, let’s just say that my mother’s unwanted pregnancy almost destroyed her family name and leaving me behind was the best decision she ever made.

Johnny and I made a pact all those years ago—never leave. Two simple words that always gave me hope. Something solid to lean on when things got tough.

But I guess promises are meant to be broken. The memory of Johnny walking away on his eighteenth birthday will forever be burned into my heart like a brand.

Ten years of forgetting him. Ten long years of forging my own path and trying to make my dreams come true…without him.

Nothing could have prepared me for the series of events that brought me back to Pebble Brook Falls and face-to-face with Johnny Moore. The very man I wanted nothing more than to forget…forever.

And nothing could have prepared me for the man that was the embodiment of my weaknesses. With his towering height, southern accent, and a smile that made me weak in the knees, I was completely helpless against him.

He had been my first for everything, and I mean everything. And even though I knew he was the only person who could break my heart, the moment I laid my eyes on him after ten years, I knew I wanted him to be my last—my forever.

The only question was, would he even want me to stay?

A few weeks ago I received a review request by the author herself to read ‘If I Asked You To Stay’. After reading the book description, and seeing that beautiful cover, I knew this was a book I needed to read. So when the time came for me to start reading, I dived right in.

In ‘If I Asked You To Stay’ we read the story of Willow and Johnny. Willow and Johnny grew up together in the small town of Pebble Brook Falls. They grew close early on and had each other’s back when things got rough. And growing up together in an orphanage definitely makes for a rough time. They promised each other forever, but unfortunately things change and Johnny ended up leaving Willow behind. When Willow turned eighteen herself, she moved away from the small town as fast as she could, and she never came back.

Now, ten years later, Willow is forced to come back to Pebble Brook Falls to sign some papers. Willow thought she was prepared to come face to face with the place she grew up in. What she didn’t expect was to come face to face with Johnny. And what she definitely didn’t expect was to find herself feeling things she thought she would never feel again. And leaving the small town again like she planned suddenly feels all wrong.

‘If I Asked You To Stay’ was definitely a story that kept me hooked right from the start. This book is written through Willow’s point of view, and I enjoyed getting to know her. She was definitely a tough lady, and she has been through a lot to get where she is today. Right from the beginning when Willow got back into her small home town, there is a lot going on in her life. Learning more about her past, and her birth mother. Getting reacquainted with her best friend who she hasn’t seen in years, although they always kept in touch. And then Johnny, te guy who broke her heart appears to have been living in her old town for years. It’s a lot! And I felt sorry for Willow for sure.

The romance in this book was fun, and I loved reading how Willow and Johnny reconnected after so many years apart. There where some fun, sexy moments between those two that definitely made me swoon. ( Sidenote, I kept seeing the Dirty Dancing ‘Johnny’ inside my head when I read his name.. LOL!! )

Although this book is a romance, it was also a lot about Willow learning more about her past and her birth mom. I didn’t expect that part at all, and I was a bit surprised by it. I expected a romance only through reading the book description, and it was so much more.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and the characters. I definitely hope to read more books by this author in the future.

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About Brianna Remus

Brianna Remus is a Florida-based author who lives with her husband, three pups, and terrorizing cat. She started her writing journey in 2016 to ward off the woes of graduate school. The light-hearted hobby quickly turned into a passion filled dream that consistently distracts her from the real world.
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When Brianna isn't working as a psychology resident or writing books, you can find her getting lost in the worlds created by others (through writing and movies), spending a day at the ocean, or taking a walk in the forest. She loves to spend her days outdoors surrounded by the beauties of nature.
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A true Tolkien nerd, she also spends a lot of her time immersed in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, as well as praying that Amazon doesn't completely fuck up the new LOTR series.

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Maureen Bakker

Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always!  Facebook | Instagram