Review - Stay by Deb Caletti

Title and Author: Stay by Deb Caletti

Publisher:  Simon Pulse

Publication Date: April 5, 2011

Paperback/Hardcover: 320

Genre: Young Adult

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....

Review:

Stay by Deb Caletti is a wonderful book. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. It surprised me and the story and characters stayed with me even after I finished the book.

The story is told in alternating chapters from the present and the past and is about Clara and Christian and their relationship. It deals with subjects and emotions such as obsession, guilt and terror but also with hope and the strength to move forward.

Clara is a wonderful main character. Right from the start of the book you can tell she has gone through a lot and is still learning how to deal with the turmoil of her emotions. When her life was a mess due to Christian she found the strength to move to Deception Pass with her father so she could have the time to think.

I immediately felt connected to Clara and wanted her to be able to heal and go on with her life. Even though she was clearly hurt she managed to look on the bright side of things.

Christian is a hard character to talk about.  He might seem like a regular guy in the beginning but he eventually becomes obsessed with Clara. He manages to be both pathetic and creepy at the same time sometimes. He was definitely emotionally unbalanced.

All the secondary characters were great as well and all of them contributed to the story.  Clara’s dad was very interesting.

Finn was a good match for Clara. He was the perfect opposite of Christian. He was very understanding and caring.

All in all I really enjoyed this book. Deb Caletti’s writing style is wonderful. She was able to make Clara’s love for Christian, her fear of him and the guilt she felt seem real. I didn’t know how I thought the book would end but I have to say I was surprised.

Stay is a captivating book, I would recommend to anyone. I think the story and the characters will stay with you for a while.

Rating: Somewhere between Worth Your Time and Must Read (4 ½ Stars)

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