STAY (Bleeding Stars #5) by A.L. JACKSON

‘We bled with the stars. Where they streaked and wept across the endless sky. Infinite. Burning bright right before they quickly burned out. Ashes.’

So we have to admit this book is our first in this series, gasp! Something which is in dire need of rectifying. We were told Stay can be read as a standalone and yes we agree, however, we did feel like we were missing out on Sunder’s backstory and the bond between the lads. That’s not saying we didn’t enjoy it, we did, in fact, we loved this story, we just think we would have had a more complete connection and understanding of relationships. On the flipside, we’re now excited to go 1Click the entire series because we have a feeling we will fall in love. We need more reading hours!!!! Who do we need to see about that?  We loved how AL Jackson made us disappear into her love story. We were completely drawn in and swept away on a current of emotions and beauty.

“Sometimes our greatest gifts are found in our darkest hour.”

Stay had everything we love to see in this type of romance, it literally ticked all the boxes. It was sweet, sexy, emotional, reflective, vulnerable, passionate and so very beautiful. A sweet heroine whose heart is so big it literally just embraces everyone and everything with heartfelt love whilst seeking that very thing out to fulfill her own dream and wishes. Willow was a beautiful character, she endeared herself to us as she was so genuine and caring whilst having a feisty streak when needed. Nothing seemed over the top nor false. She was just a wonderful heroine.

“Sometimes we get so comfortable behind the protection of our walls, we forget we need to step out from behind them to actually live.”

Willow meets the bad boy serial philanderer, Ash- from the high profile band Sunder, under distressing and violent circumstances. An immediate connection and intriguing recognition is formed, for both Willow and Ash. Why is this connection so strong?

“Just…let me feel something. Something different. Something better. Something good.”

Now, we’ve not been privy to Ash’s rock star lifestyle until now but we soon got the idea, this man is hiding a tragic secret which is the root cause as to why he acts the way he does. Despite his cad-ish ways, it was clear to us from the start that this man was about so much more. We could tell from his inner voice, his friendships and his extremely protective side. Not only is this man a sight to behold, but he also has the heart to match.

“Even if I wanted to hold you…keep you…it’s all wrong, baby. It’s all wrong because I’m wrong. I’m ugly in all those places people can’t see. That’s the place I can’t let you go. Won’t let you go. You deserve so much better than what’s waiting there.”

The journey of Ash and Willow is a twisted path of tragedy, loss, hope, despair, dreams, and love. If you wish upon a dream you must act upon your heart. We loved it! And we’re not pretending…..