Say You'll Stay: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Southport Love Stories Book 1)

Honestly, where the heck have I been?!? If I could’ve stayed on my couch reading the whole day, that’s EXACTLY what I would’ve done with this book (but, sadly, I need to work)!!!I am a SUCKER for enemies-to-lovers romance, and then to add in a “second-chance” trope- uffff, I’m SOLD! So when I came across this book, I couldn’t wait to dive in. And, man, am I GLAD I did! (And just a little pissed at myself for not reading Sarah’s books sooner).Meg and Adam were best friends, inseparable, the kind of friends that could finish each other’s sentences, knew each other’s secrets and understood what the other one needed. They made sense, they connected and it was amazing- to the point where people wondered if they would ever move past that invisible line. Until one night, Adam choose to be with Meg’s bully, her nemesis, the girl that made fun of Meg publicly- *sneer* Chelsea. And not just on any night, oh noooo, on THE night that Meg finally admitted to herself that she wanted to move past that line, that she wanted Adam as more than just her best friend (because he had given her signals that he was interested in more as well). Homecoming... the beginning of their senior year and the beginning of the end of their friendship... and what a sad, heartbreaking thing to see happen. The betrayal ran deep- I felt it in my bones (thank you Sarah for allowing me to feel everything they’re feeling- which told me that I knew this was going to be an epic read!). Senior year marked the end of Meg/Adam.10 years later, Sarah returns to their hometown to help her mother get their house ready to sell. Her father passed away 10 months before and, unfortunately, left them in debt (because insurance coverage when someone is dying is a joke- but I digress). The town she grew up in is small; she knows this, everyone knows this, but nothing could prepare her to come face-to-face with the one boy/man that she trusted and relied on more than anyone else in the world and now HATED- and it was EXPLOSIVE! ( it doesn’t help that Adam’s and Meg’s moms are best friends, but anyway...). The tension was THICCCCC, and, for some reason, I felt that chemistry deep in my soul- I couldn’t wait for the enemies part of the book to come alive (and, oh man, did it ever 😋😉). When Adam asks Meg to paint the bicentennial mural on the side of his building, I knew I couldn’t wait to read what happens next.I loooooved how the story was laid out, how we see both their perspectives, both their hurts, both their struggles and questions, because it allowed me to FEEL and HURT like they were. I was IMMERSED and GUTTED just like they were. I actually started tearing up when Meg (ahem, Sarah lol) tells us why she felt that way when the betrayal happened and why she STILL feels that way. It was raw, emotional, VISCERAL and barebones ( so, OF COURSE, I sided with her, even though I UNDERSTOOD Adam’s side as well).Can I just say that I LOVED that their inner monologues, their questions, their thoughts while doing/saying things were ON POINT!! It’s like I was reading my own train of thought. It was beautiful!!! This sold me even more! I mean, I couldn’t love this book more and then add their inner turmoils? *chef’s kiss* perfection.Yes, it has an HEA so we know it ends well, but the journey, the self-discovery, the growing up that these characters have to do is an artwork in itself. You are left realizing that holding grudges isn’t good for anyone, and life is short, so live your life to the fullest.I CANNOT wait to read the next book (Adam’s sister Lena and Jeremy). The little interaction that we saw in this one was enough of a taste that I’m excited to read it next. I REALLY want to know what happens with Whit (Meg’s sister) and Kyle and, shoot, I wouldn’t mind a book on Sky as well. I can’t wait to continue this series and discover other ones by Sarah.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

I was apprehensive because of the cover. But I’m glad that I gave it a chance. The book was good,easy to read and funny. I didn’t mind the OW that added to the angst. I was OK she was a caricature - I didn’t want to like her.I liked also “ The player next door “. That was a different story but both was about teenage mistakes and second chances.The finale of the story was typical with a misunderstanding and that was a bit frustrating. The OW suddenly was not an issue. Maybe I had expected too much. Overall I enjoyed the book.

I always love reading a Sarah J. Brooks book. The rollercoaster ride you get is exhilarating, bumpy, fearful and sometimes it feels like your stomach flutters. Adam and Meg are best friends, and Meg is secretly in love with Adam. What she doesn't know is he also has feelings for her. On the night Meg decides to finally confess her feelings things go to hell in a hand basket when she catches him with her worst enemy, Chelsea. Adam figures if he can't have Meg he'll settle for her total opposite but then again Chelsea only shows him the side she wants him to see. Now ten years after Meg fled to New York, she's back to help her mom get ready to sell her childhood home. Adam is going through his divorce...yes he married Chelsea and caught her cheating. Note if Me g can avoid Adam all will be well. Fate doesn't play that game though. Thrown together through painting a mural on Adam's office building no less, what could have been is happening now. Until Chelsea happens again. Will Adam finally figure out what he did wrong ten years ago?? What happens when he realizes Meg is the one he truly loves and can't live without??? Will Meg lose her best friend again or will she give him a chance?? Find the answers that only Sarah J. Brooks can provide inside this heartfelt story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and purchased a copy for my favorites collection. Looking forward to the next story!!!

I almost gave up on this book as the main characters were just pissing me off. **Spoilers ahead** I get they were just friends at first but there were moments between them that hinted at more. Then Adam starts dating Meg's nemesis behind her back and expects her to be ok with it. He traded in his bf who he was in love with and marries the girl who hurt her in high school. Ten years passes and we open up Adam's POV with him having sex with his soon to be ex-wife who cheated on him. All I thought was karma! He's successful and rich and Meg is struggling in NY. He never even reached out to her all these years because he felt like she wronged him too. Honey no! You chose someone who you never loved over her. Meg really pissed me off when she decided to start a friend's with benefit relationship with home when she comes back. He acted like a total a$$ when they first saw each other listing off how well he is doing. What planet would make anyone want to be with an a$$hat like that?? I just found Adam irredeemable. He hurt her and honestly never was sorry about it. Meg is weak for taking him back after all this time. I don't think the author did a good job of really explaining their past. It comes up but in snippets during present day. I would've liked to have understood their past more to maybe have more sympathy for them in the present.

If only they had told each other they wanted more than friends, wouldn’t have wasted 10 years. Nice that Chelsea finally gave up!

First book by this author.An enjoyable read, great characters.The chemistry was fire. Can't wait to dig into other character stories

It's a good secondes chance story. The characters are funny and the chemistry is very good I love the seconds characters.

Even though it seems that the book is super long, it is not. The reading is quick and entertaining.The characters’ story was nice! I wouldn’t be so blasé about some of the things that were mentioned in the book but HEA stories always make me smile.

Es una historia fácil de leer pero esperable.