Book Review: Stay by Allie Larkin
Have you seen it yet? That novel with the cute, black dog on the cover?
When I first started reading Stay by Allie Larkin, I began a friendship with Van. But as I read, I kept thinking where is this dog?? Then Joe came along in a most hilarious way. Studly, adorable, lovable Joe. After meeting Joe, who needs Scooby Doo?
Van has grown up living in her best friend’s guest house along with her mother who worked as the family’s housekeeper. After college, Van is maid of honor in the wedding of her best friend and the boy she has loved since freshman year in college. You know the one boy that you are secretly and madly in love with yet he meets your best friend and falls for her.
Van has lost people in her life that she loves. How does she cope? Well, by getting a dog! (This part is hilarious, especially at the vet’s office!) Throughout many struggles and learning how to cope with them, Joe is her constant companion, her rock, and her pathway to love.
I just loved this book! Did the adorable dog help with my evaluation? You bet cha’! Larkin is able to connect the reader to all the characters in Stay – the dog included. You care for them, understand their pain, and want true love to conquer. Believe it or not, I felt the yearning for love in this book as I did in Twilight. I grew to love Van as a friend. You see her mistakes that aren’t made by a stupid character like in horror movies, but real mistakes that we all could make. She freaks out like we do, gets annoyed by people, has self doubt, and finds friendship just like us. Could she be me? Sure. I love Van because she could be one of us. I love real characters. And this book is filled with them. Just wait until you meet the vet! I can’t stop thinking of the characters that just have to be real. It just makes me smile!
Stay doesn’t seem like a debut novel. Larkin’s descriptions and character development had me from the beginning. I get her sense of humor and sarcasm. Every action the characters made was done so with a purpose. I literally didn’t want it to end.
I just couldn’t be happier that I had the pleasure to read Stay. I want MORE!! More, I tell you! I will be singing the praises of this novel and encourage anyone to pick it up and be in for a treat! (No pun intended!)
I give Stay 5 STACKS! Now, do you hear me?? PICK THIS BOOK UP AND READ IT!
Love,
STACKGirl Shannan who just gave her dog, Chewbacca, a big ole’ hug!
Is there a romance in it too?
yes!!!!
Awesome. Thanks!
I just love how the variety of books with dogs written in the story keeps growing…♥
I’ll definitely check it out! I love that dog on the cover, and the story sounds right up my alley
It is pure awesomeness!! Let me know what you all think of it!
I’m not a big animal lover so the cover doesn’t really pull me in, but you’ve convinced me to give it a shot!
PS – Still no Empire Records watching? o_O! I’m telling you it’s full of crazy epic moments!
@amber I dont like the cover either, so I would have never picked the book up.
It sounds great! I haven’t read a good dog book in ages (since Winn-Dixie, maybe…). Will have to check it out. Thanks!
@amber…it is next on Netflix!!
[...] I love Nothing Bundt Cake (not from Southlake!!). And I love STAY by Allie Larkin. Read my review here. It was one of my very favorite books of 2010!! Go buy it. You won’t regret it! Read her [...]
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