Book Review | Stay With Me – Brooke Montgomery (Sugarland Creek Series, Book Two)

Stay With Me
By: Brooke Montgomery

Series: Sugarland Creek
Book # in Series: 2 of 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Best Friend’s Brother, Secret Dating, It’s Always Been You, Cowboy, Roommates, Small Town.
Publisher: Brooke Writes Romance, LLC
Publication Date: February 7th, 2024
My Rating:
My Reading Format: Advanced Copy Received To Review Honestly

Synopsis:

A best friend’s brother stand-alone from small-town romance author Brooke Montgomery about a girl who falls pregnant by the wrong man and the cowboy who takes her in…

I’ve crushed on my best friend’s brother for years.

He’s a six-foot-three, dark-haired cowboy who works on his family’s ranch and sends butterflies to my stomach anytime he looks at me. But he’s never made a move, so I need to get over it.

Except, when he reads a text message about me liking a mysterious guy, he snaps and demands answers. Little does he know, it’s my code name for him.

When he finally confesses he likes me too, I find out I’m pregnant. With my ex-boyfriend’s baby.

After spending three weeks together in secret, my world turns upside down when that little white stick reveals a positive sign from the one-night stand I had before him.

Now everything’s a mess and my life’s spiraling out of control.

I can’t expect him to date me anymore, so I insist we return to being friends. The last thing he needs is a girl who’s carrying another man’s baby and about to be a first-time mom.

But when my apartment gets broken into, and there’s a suspected criminal on the loose, he insists I move in with him to keep me safe.

Staying platonic proves to be harder with each passing day as he goes with me to my appointments, takes me baby shopping, and stocks the kitchen with all my weird cravings. He’s so involved that everyone assumes he’s the father. And I don’t correct them.

But the truth always comes out in a Southern small town.

Stay With Me is book 2 in the Sugarland Creek series. Each book in this Southern, small town series is a stand-alone and ends in a happily ever after.

honey-script.light

Stay With Me is the second book in the Sugarland Creek Series by Brooke Montgomery. If you love the he falls first trope, playfully sexy back and forth banter, with a touch of angst you should give Magnolia and Tripp’s lust fueled romance a read! Believe me when I say, you won’t be sorry!

Magnolia’s dreams lie within her new coffee business and maybe one day getting her best friend Noah’s older brother to see her for the woman she is… With no boyfriend on her last nerve, the opportunities for Magnolia are endless.

Seven years ago, Tripp became a shell of a man he keeps hidden within. Suffering through anxiety attacks over his best friend’s death is something that he’s slowly working through. Which is the reason he can never have what he truly wants… that and the fact that Magnolia is on again off again with her ex boyfriend, Travis. And cheating is a hard line for Tripp.

The temptation is too much for the two of them. And when Magnolia calls it quits with her douche of an ex for the final time, Tripp sees it as his opportunity to step in and claim the home his heart has always resided in. But sometimes fate has a way of throwing wrenches in happily ever afters…. And that’s where I’ll be stopping this portion of my review.

My Thoughts:

Brooke Montgomery continues to raise the bar for small town romance novels! From the start to the finish, I was on the edge of my seat. Brooke Montgomery is making her way quickly up my push everything to the side and read this book list.

I’m currently at a loss for words.. So let’s start working through my initial thoughts. When I first read the blurb, I knew I was going to love Stay With Me by Brooke Montgomery… but there was always a pea sized notion in my brain that kept throwing in their own two cents. So I started second guessing if I was going to love this one as much as the other books in the series. Basically a debbie downer infiltrated my brain before I even picked up this book, because usually by the third book in a series, I tend to grow bored and my 5 stars ratings drop down to fours and threes…. But holy hell, Brooke Montgomery did the damn unexpected thing with this novel and here I am falling head over heels for another hero and heroine! Tripp and Magnolia’s story was exceptionally written. From the chemistry to the spice, everything was a win for me!!

Let’s start with all the things I loved about this novel…

First up: The My Girl references! OH MY GOD! I laughed so freaking hard, I had Mr. Man running up the stairs to see if I was okay. I read him the part where Magnolia had her freak out moment and Tripp mentioned there was a MY Girl 2 and she further freaked out…. Of course, Mr. Man didn’t understand why I was laughing so incredibly hard. It makes sense, he’s never seen the movie. But anyways, I laughed so hard! I loved the hilarity of this scene!! My heart felt so light after all the heavy. It was little moments like this that had me up all night reading this novel.

I also loved the fact that Magnolia is the perfect definition of a free spirit. She is a woman who dances to the beat of her own drum. She’s not afraid to be outspoken, or to be the person she was always meant to be. But beneath the surface, there’s a vulnerable vibe that flows from her. It’s easy to see this woman has been through an emotional journey. I loved how outspoken she is, especially when it comes to her back and forth banter/teasing with Tripp. My heart felt the connection between these two from their very first moment… and that connection continued to grow.

Now let’s talk about Tripp. Here is a man who’s also been on his own emotional journey through life. At eighteen years old, he lost his best friend in a tragic accident, and he’s lived the past seven years with guilt eating away at his soul. My heart ached for him throughout that first chapter. But I learned one thing about Tripp in these moments, this man is caring, kind, and considerate. He’ll go above and beyond to be there for those who need someone. I especially loved his love, devotion and dedication when it comes to Magnolia. He’ll do everything in his power to keep her safe and make sure she feels loved every day of her life. My heart loved this man and everything he stands for! I couldn’t get enough of Tripp Hollis!

Another thing I loved was the fact that Tripp and Magnolia couldn’t be any more opposite if they tried. Magnolia is an extrovert, always the life of the party, flirty, and has never met a stranger. While Tripp is more of an introvert, he keeps to his family and close friends, he doesn’t really party or drink, but is always seeing that the ones he holds near to his heart get home safe and sound. These two are hilarious together. There’s also a strong sensation that at any moment a spark is going to ignite and explode all around the two of them. I couldn’t get enough of these two!!

The last thing I adore about Stay With Me, and this series is the strong family unit! I love the brother/sister unit and how the siblings are always there for one another, come hell or high water they’ve got each other’s backs and it shows!!

I love my romance novels swoony with a hint of danger. Magnolia and Tripp’s story did not disappoint! Those suspense filled pages had me on the edge of my seat! I’m definitely anticipating Landen Hollis’ story next!! I have a feeling this one is going to be an angst-ridden masterpiece!

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