Review: Stay - Deb Caletti

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (April 5, 2011)

Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.
Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....

This book was way outside my normal genres, and I've heard a few people say they have a love/hate relationship with Deb Caletti's Book.  So as nervous as I was about starting this one I did it anyway, and I'm glad I did.  This book could have been a work of non-fiction.  The struggles we watch Clara go through to at first manage a troubled relationship with Christian, then her struggles to end things and get away.  I really connected with Clara and this story.  I felt her guild, grief, and anxiety, but I also felt her happiness, shyness and hopefulness when Finn came into the picture.  I really believe the author nailed this one as far as conveying the emotions of the story.  And I was so thankful for Finn he seemed so genuine and just what Clara needed to see that how things were with Christian wasn't how it was suppose to be.  There was a far amount of cussing in this book but I really feel this is a must read for girls 15-16 and up.  A cautionary tale or the story that might open someones eyes and help them get there way out of a bad situation.  I give this one a solid 4 stars.