Stay by Deb Caletti

Clara thought her relationship with Christian would be perfect, because he seemed perfect. He seemed the perfect gentleman, the perfect boyfriend. But the intensity of their relationship may be too much for the both of them. The longer that they are together, the more that Clara realizes that there is a darker side to Christian that drives him into jealous rages. And while Clara undoubtedly still cares for him, she’s also a little afraid. She can’t stay with Christian forever, but she may be underestimating how far he will go to make sure she won’t leave him. Even after she leaves for the summer without telling anyone where she is, she can’t shake the feeling that it’s only a matter of time before he finds her again.

Stay is a chilling and deeply emotional story about a girl who is the object of an obsession. This isn’t really a story that you read for the plot, because it’s pretty clear what will happen throughout the course of the story.  This does not take away from the masterpiece of Caletti’s writing, though. There is just something so detailed and almost lyrical about Caletti’s style that draws the reader in and emphasizes the underlying emotion of Clara’s story. The joy, the pain, and, most of all, the fear that Clara experiences are so powerfully conveyed. There were times that I really didn’t want to keep reading, because Christian’s character was just so disturbing, yet I did, because of the writing and the strength of Clara’s character. This is one of those books that tears you apart and then heals you; it’s a vicarious experience that is painful and difficult but so important for the scarier human traits it exposes. Stay is one of the more jarring but still beautiful works by Caletti, and I hope its darker nature will not discourage readers from delving into its complexities.

Fans of Caletti’s writing in Wild Roses and The Nature of Jade will appreciate Stay, as will readers who also enjoyed This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas and Stolen by Lucy Christopher.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from Simon & Schuster Galley Grab