Thursday, January 12, 2012

Stay by Allie Larkin


Recently Becky was raving about a book called Stay, when one of my friends raves about a book I almost immediately add it to my TBR pile - which is virtual, btw. Are you on Goodreads? (If you're not and you're a reader, you're seriously missing out).

When I first read the synopsis, I thought, "Anoooooother dog book?!"

Not that I am not a dog person. Or not an animal person in general. I am! My sister is studying to be a vet tech - with aspirations of becoming an actual veterinarian someday. My aunt takes in abandoned dogs and rescues dogs sentenced to be euthanized. We currently have five pets. FIVE. Which? Is why I call it The Animal Kingdom. I cannot remember a time when I did not have a pet.

Long story short. I'm an animal lover.

But the books? They make me cry. The Sarah McLaughlin commercials? They make me cry. Anything about animals doing extraordinary things? They make me CRY!

Stay wasn't just about the dog though. It was about so much more! Somewhere I read it described as Something Borrowed meets the movie, Must Love Dogs - which is COMPLETELY accurate!

In Stay the main character is in love with her best friend, who at the beginning of the book marries her other best friend. (See? Something Borrowed!)

To comfort herself and take her mind off her two best friends honeymooning together, she buys a $6,000 German Shephard from Slovakia off the Internet. If you're wondering if she was under the influence of alcohol, you would probably be correct...

Before I give anything else away, I will stop. I will say that I absolutely loved this book and flew through it. It was a light, fun read and definitely what I needed after the heavy topics I have been tackling lately (The Book Thief, The Invisible Bridge, State of Wonder...). If you're not a fan of chick lit, don't shy away from this book. I wouldn't classify it as chick lit at all. The main character is smart, honest and hilarious, my only problem with her is I wanted her to stand up for herself more - but that's easier said than done for us all, right?!

Do yourself a favor and put this one on hold at the library or buy it soon. You won't regret it! I borrowed it from the library and got it right away!

Are you a fan of chick lit? Do make sure to alternate genres or do you read the same genre all the time?

16 comments:

Jenn @ Bliss to Bean said...

I cry at every.little.thing. But this sounds good... :( Darn you!

Taylor @ Pink Heels Pink Truck said...

ohh, I'll have to add it to my TBR pile too! Although mine aren't virtual, well I guess you could say the ones I don't own are still virtual...but I have 3 sacks full and a stack of books growing on the floor. I receive them faster than I can read them, but I wouldn't change that part for the world. Because I'm a book-a-holic!!! If you are an avid reader, you need to check out booksfreeswap.com This is where I get most all of my books!

Heather said...

Okay, I'm torn. I ALWAYS cry in animal movies/books...and now I'm hormonal...but this one sounds awesome!

Victoria said...

this book sounds great!! i love animals too,those commercials always make me sad...

Wiz said...

Ok, Im not going to lie, when I saw the dog, I thought I probably would skip this one, but you have me sold :) I am putting this one on my tbr. And I alternate genres. So much to read, so little time :)

Melissa said...

This sounds good, i loved something borrowed and i am an animal lover and we just adore our dog :) I have added it to my Nook wishlist :)

Lindsay said...

Aw! I love dogs and this sounds like a great book! I'm definitely going to add it to my reading list. Thanks for sharing!

Kara said...

I loved this book! I bought it when it first came out and it's one of my faves.

Generally I read a lot of chick lit, but I try to branch out to other genres when I get a good recommendation. The Millenium Trilogy was a big step for me, but I loved the books!

Alyssa said...

LOVE Chick Lit! I tend to stay with the same few authors but I love getting suggestions from others too!

Snitz said...

i HATE those commercials too.... i read this book a while back and i absolutely LOVED it!

Becky said...

Yay yay! I'm so glad you read and liked this! I flew through it too and it impacted me on so many levels! Can't wait to see what you review next!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I am putting in on my TBR on Goodreads RIGHT NOW!

Heather said...

I'm putting this on my to-read list right away!!

I'm also a huge animal lover. I have to turn the channel when the Sarah McLaughlin commercials air...I can't handle it!

Mandy said...

This book has been on my list for ages. I really need to get it and read it.

Janie said...

Does the dog die in the book? Because if it does, I probably won't read it. Yesterday, I was watching Animal Planet for like 2 hours and then an episode of animal cops came on about puppy mills and I immediately turned up and frantically found my remote to change the channel. My poor heart can't take it when I see animals hurt.

Allie said...

Amber! Thank you so much for your kind words about STAY! I'm thrilled that you loved it so much! The dog on the hardcover, btw, is my German Shepherd, Argo. But I didn't order him from Slovakia. I swear!