Good Golly Miss Holly: Review: Stay by Deb Caletti

Review: Stay by Deb Caletti

May

2011

ONCE again, Deb Caletti has failed to live up to the hype. I constantly find myself comparing her contemporary style to the great Sarah Dessen and wonder how she manages to miss the mark each and every time yet I still end up adding her books to my wish list in the hopes of something brilliant.

STAY; April 2011 is based on the life of CLARA and her father as they venture into a beach side town for the summer before she goes off to college in the hopes of warding off her obsessive boyfriend. In alternating chapters of past and present, we learn how the whirlwind romance with CHRISTIAN began with eyes being met across the room at a basketball game to Christian eventually asking more and more intrusive questions and getting all too controlling for Clara.

I did find it quite curious that Clara fell into a new relationship while escaping Christian's over-protective style in BISHOP ROCK. And while FINN is a regular nice guy, it didn't really make sense for her to start dating after such a tremendous relationship but I'm sure a Caletti novel would lack without a fresh romance woven through the tale.

Overall, I found it interesting and frustrating to work through the depths of an abusive relationship from the safe distance of a teen novel without any real violence to shock us. If you've read a Caletti novel before this, you'll know what to expect as I don't think she really strays from her usual path. I just hope the author receives a little push in the right direction for her next novel as I believe she has great potential to be one of my favourites but I can easily understand why many would deem contemporary as a rather boring genre with this effort.

THREE OUT OF FIVE STARS

Comments (8)

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Meredith · 723 weeks ago

I've actually never read a Deb Caletti book, but Stay and The Nature of Jade are on my TBR pile. I really enjoy the covers of her books.

-Meredith
Mint Tea and A Good Book

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Shirley · 723 weeks ago

I picked up this novel today at the store and almost bought it. Maybe I will someday but I won't rush out. Sounds like it is a bit disappointing of a read.

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Robby · 723 weeks ago

I'm surprised. I really loved this book, and Deb Caletti is one of my favorites. I do like reading reviews that aren't entirely postive, though, to see the different perspective another reader can have on a story I enjoyed.

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Maura · 723 weeks ago

That kind of suck that you been thrilled for it and then it kind of a downer. Some books aren't for everyone :)

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@StalkintheBooks · 723 weeks ago

I've never read a Deb Caletti book and I've heard mixed things about her novels. People generally like them but always find their lacking something. I certainly won't be rushing out to read one after reading your review. Thanks for your honesty, some contemps just don't live up to their hype.

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jillian · 723 weeks ago

Hmm interesting. This does sound rather like a Sarah Dessen novel. I don't know.

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Erin · 723 weeks ago

STAY is a beautiful, powerful book. Too bad you are turning readers away by what's just your own opinion. Look at goodreads where almost everyone is loving it. I wish reviewers would say its their own opinion instead of saying a book is bad and having people not read it.

1 reply · active 723 weeks ago