Stay by Deb Caletti

Stay by Deb Caletti

Release Date: April 5, 2011

Publisher: Simon Pulse 

Age Group: Young Adult 

Pages: 320

Summary: 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....

My Thoughts: Whoa! I'll be honest, I haven't read much Caletti because the few books of hers I have tried, I just couldn't get into. When I saw the description show up for Stay, I knew I had to at least give it a chance, even if there was a chance I wouldn't like it. What can I say? I loved it! Stay was a beautiful book. 

We are introduced to Clara who is a teenage girl who lives with her father. Her mother died when she was young and all she has ever known is living in the big city with her father. Clara meets a boy named Christian. She falls in love with him and he is very very sweet at first. He later becomes controlling. He starts checking up on her, he wants to know where she is going at all times, he makes Clara his world. 

First off, I want to address a few things. This book is told in two perspectives. Current time Clara and past time Clara and Christian. It jumps back and forth so we know what Clara is doing now (she's on the run from Christian) and than we are in a flash back to a time with her and Christian together. We get to see their relationship unfold right in front of our eyes.

Second, Caletti described everything so beautifully. We truly understand what Clara is feeling. We understand how she loved Christian but she was also scared of him. What he was capable of. He was obsessive. We understand the abuse and pain she is going through. We understand all of her feelings. Its as if we are living them. We become Clara.

Third, we see Clara grow up. We see what a real relationship is supposed to be like. We see how understanding, loving, caring it can be.

I also loved the relationship between Clara and her father. He defended her to his core. He wasn't perfect but he wanted to protect his daughter. When he knew she was in trouble, he took her away so she could finally feel at ease. 

Honestly, I loved Stay. It was beautiful; brilliant. At times I wanted to cry for Clara while other times I wanted to give her props because she was a brave girl who wanted better things for herself.

Overall: Amazing book. It is amazing how Caletti can take this subject and explain it so perfectly.If you haven't read any of Caletti's books before, be sure to pick up Stay. 

Cover: This cover is adorable.  I'm totally into covers I know. I love how she is standing in the water and it feels like she is gaining independence.

What I'd Give It: