If You Stay by Barbara Meyers – Dual Review

Description:
A runaway daughter. An unforgiving father. A reluctant artist.

At 18, Joy Laurence took off with the local bad boy who left her widowed, broke and pregnant. Back then her formidable minister father hung up on her when she called home. Now that she’s back, he slams the door in her face. But for her adult daughter’s sake, she is determined to make peace with her family.

Although romance isn’t even on her radar, Joy can’t resist troubled and talented Granger Sullivan’s rough edges and skilled hands. And in his rebellious teenage daughter she sees her own reflection.

Joy’s excitement dies when reconnecting with her past results not only in broken hearts, but broken lives. Including hers.
She could admit defeat and walk away a second time.

But if she stays, can she find a way to reconcile with her loved ones and build the life she wants?

Julie’s Review:
If You Stay by Barbara Meyers is the 3rd book in her Red Bud, Iowa series. This is not an author I’d read before, but it’s good to swap things up once in a while (and I’d been read a lot of dark romance,) so with that in mind I grabed the book…..

Joy took off with her boyfriend against the wishes of her father. Never thinking or looking back…..But happiness isn’t always promised, and when Joy is left a young mum and widow, she reaches out to her father.

After telling her what he thinks of her, he hangs up, poor Joy is on her own…..

Future Joy and her daughter have grown up and Joy has returned back to her by home town. She hopes that enough time has passed and that her father will finally forgive her and make room in his heart for his daughter and granddaughter.

But it’s not going to be that easy, her father still wants nothing to do with her!!

But with her mother on her side, Joy hopes to melt her fathers hard heart, but that comes with it’s own set of issues. Maybe Joy shouldn’t have come back! It’s only causing friction between her parents.

Granger is a struggling single father with a stroppy teenager. He has his own issues, one of abandonment (his wife left without looking back) and of inadequacy! (He blames himself for his wife leaving) so trust is a big issue with him.

Granger knows of Joy from his youth, he had a crush on her as a kid. But can he let his guard down and let another woman in? Or will his insecurities and lack of trust ruin what could be a second chance at happiness for Granger and Joy?

I had tears as I read this book, both with happiness and sadness. There is families at war, sullen teenager angst, trust issues, condemnation and misunderstandings.

We also get tender moments, funny moments and moments where bridges are trying to be mended. We get points of views from a lot of people, at first it was a little too much information being thrown at you.

But the further into the book we get, then more sense all the voices make. They all need to have a say. it’s not just about a second chance romance, it’s about forgiveness, about families mending themselves and each other. But when doors are shut in your face time after time, doesn’t that tell you something? Isn’t it time to admit defeat and move on…..

Joy could, but I get that she’s a fighter. She’s had to be. Granger is a little antisocial, but I get why.

There are so many characters that you’ll identify and sympathize with. I read it in one sitting, and I’d highly recommended the book.

Kim’s Review:
Joy Laurence has just returned to her hometown after 25 years away. She’s come home to reconnect and reconcile with her parents. Joy wants to forgive and be forgiven but it’ll be harder than she expects. Granger Sullivan is a divorced father of two. He’s dealing with a moody difficult fifteen year old daughter. Granger to get away from his problems makes art out of junk in his garage. When Joy and Granger reconnect, and sparks fly. Will attraction be enough to become love If You Stay?

If You Stay the third book in the Red Bud, Iowa series by Barbara Meyers and takes a detour from small town Iowa to relocate and concentrate on a hometown in. As time progresses and she settles into her life in her hometown attraction and reconnecting with an old friend occupy her time. An unexpected romance with her landlord just may turn to love and figuring out what they both want.

If You Stay takes a man who is unhappy and not looking for romance and finds that he still has a crush on since he was nine years old comes back into his life. He’ll face his feelings about his divorce and how things have gone with his teenage daughter. The reconciliation doesn’t go as planned and secrets are revealed.

Barbara Meyers’ If You Stay takes a side trip in her Red Bud, Iowa series by taking the mother of a new citizen of Red Bud and taking her home to try and reconcile with her family after leaving when she was eighteen and returns in her early forties to find that the town hasn’t changed much but reconciliation will be more complicated than expected.

If You Stay for this reader wasn’t what was expected. Being from Iowa myself I was intrigued by the idea of a book set in my home state unfortunately that wasn’t the case. There was a couple of surprises but overall, the story kept me engaged and entertained.

Copies supplied for review

If You Knew by Barbara Meyers – Review & Giveaway

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

Description:
In a town filled with lies, is there room for one more?

When widow Devonny Campbell arrives in tiny Red Bud, Iowa, she is determined to make a new life for herself and the child she carries. But when her former career in adult films is uncovered, she becomes the catalyst for a nasty political campaign which creates a tornado of controversy.

High school coach and guidance counselor Luke Bradshaw knows one strong wind will collapse the house of cards he’s built to contain his demons. He’s falling hard for Devonny in spite of her past. And she might be what trips him up and exposes everything he’s kept hidden.

But Devonny and Luke aren’t the only citizens of Red Bud forced to face the judgment of their peers. As the campaign turns vicious, deeply-buried truths are revealed and lifelong relationships are shattered. Can Devonny and Luke stick together? Or will too much truth tear them apart?

Review:

After the first couple of chapters, I was reminded of the movie Safe Haven with Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel, *swoon*, and I knew it was going to be a great book. Devonny is leaving Los Angeles, and her past, behind. Luke goes with the flow, though mired in denial, but he faces his fears when his path crosses with Devonny. While their journeys are unique, the objectives are so life-affirming, it’s obvious these two are kindred spirits. If You Knew, by Barbara Meyers, is about rebuilding hope in the quaint town of Red Bud, Iowa. But don’t be misled. The cover’s catchphrase reads: In a town full of lies, is there room for one more? Make room! 😉

Right off the bat, the storyline flowed beautifully. Devonny is suffering from a loss, she’s recently widowed, but her will is mightier than she believed and there was comfort in a reassuring voice. Luke is clearly interested, but Devonny is too distraught to invest her energy in romance — she’s pregnant! The ensuing advance-and-retreat was enjoyable, nevertheless. I followed along comfortably, the unfolding story (and the writing style) guiding me blissfully. Devonny’s resolve was finally weakening, she was adjusting to small town affairs, when things got a little harder to swallow. Secrets were going to have to be revealed sooner than later. This is where the waters got muddied for me.

I’m baffled, frankly, by Devonny and Luke’s lack of urgency to reveal their pasts. Yes, the details are not for the faint of heart, addiction and the adult industry tend to evoke second thoughts, but they’re simultaneously too big to keep on the down low, especially when our H/H are moving towards intimacy. People are always going to judge and we shouldn’t measure our self-worth based on their validation, but honesty, and reaction, were notably missing. Then again, Luke is so even-keeled, so unflappable, news of Devonny’s pregnancy garnered only mere surprise. He might be the most perfect beta character you’ll ever read! And yet…what of his own reveal? I didn’t think he was facing the wrath of the community like Devonny, but he exposed his demons to take the attention off of the woman who didn’t deserve so much contempt, off of the woman he loved. Risky as hell, but honorable and healing to be sure.

I’m at odds with my review because there were equal parts amazing and superfluous. Someone discovered Devonny’s film and a dirty plan went into action, a crotchety neighbor becomes a lifeline for Devonny’s integration into town, Devonny’s mom harangues and invades, there’s a confused blackmailer, etc… I think another neutral editor should have gone over the book a final time to heighten the impact There were interesting fronts to pursue, vendettas and harmony, I loved Devonny’s empowered stance against bias, even Luke’s unwavering support, but they stretched too far, encompassing much that didn’t advance or tie up loose storylines. Hence my consternation.

If You Knew by Barbara Meyers inspires people not to hide; to shed their skin and try again. It’s a book full of hope even when you’re at your lowest. I enjoyed the main plot. Devonny and Luke are forging a new space, fighting for their place together. I would read more by this author.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy supplied for review

Barbara Meyers is graciously offering an e-copy of IF YOU KNEW to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Tag Archives: Red Bud Iowa

If You Stay by Barbara Meyers – Dual Review

If You Stay by Barbara Meyers – Dual Review

If You Knew by Barbara Meyers – Review & Giveaway

If You Knew by Barbara Meyers – Review & Giveaway