Stay

By: Allie Larkin

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Savannah “Van” Leone has loved Peter since the day they met. The problem is, Peter has loved Van’s best friend, Janie, since the moment they met. And now they’re walking down the aisle, with Van standing nearby in a Halloween-orange bridesmaid dress, her smile as hollow as one on a jack-o’-lantern. After the wedding Van drowns her sorrows in Kool-Aid-vodka cocktails and reruns of Rin Tin Tin, and does what any woman in her situation would do: She buys a German Shepherd over the Internet.

The pocket-size puppy Van is expecting turns out to be a clumsy, hundred-pound beast that only responds to Slovak. Van is at the end of her rope – until she realizes that this quirky giant may be the only living being who will always be loyal to her, no matter what. Van affectionately names the dog Joe, and thus begins a friendship that will alter Van’s life in ways she never imagined.

Joe leads Van to Dr. Alex Brandt, a rugged vet with floppy blond hair and a winning smile. But just as things are starting to heat up, the newlyweds return from their honeymoon, forcing Van to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to have everything she ever wanted.

Warm and witty, poignant and funny, Stay marks the arrival of an irresistible new voice.

©2010 Allie Larkin (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

I think most of us have been there

There can't be that many people who haven't made absolute fools of ourselves over a boy or a girl when we were young. That's Savannah to a T.

On the first day of college she (the housekeeper's daughter) meets and falls for the rich boy (Peter) in her first class. Literally and figuratively falls for him. Then Peter meets her best friend, Janie, and they fall in love and get married. Of course, Savannah (Van) is the maid of honor and after all the festivities are over and Van has a big fight with the bride's mother, Van goes home, gets drunk, and buys a puppy over the internet from Slovakia.

This book is both funny and heart wrenching. The characters seemed real to me, like they were neighbors, friends, people you meet that you don't like, people you meet that you don't want to like but will end up liking. Just like real life.

And Joe, the Slovakian born German Shepherd who only answers to Slovakian words, will steal your heart and make you want to run to your nearest kennel and get a Joe of your own.

More dog - less people

Allie Larkin has talent, especially for humorous dialogue. I liked her quirky sense of humor but the main character "Van" was too wimpy to be truly interesting to me.

2 greats

A good story by a great author, performed by a talented narrator. I laughed--I cried-- it became a part of me.

Romantic, cute, funny, love the big dog!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes it s a very romantic novel and great book for any dog love. 'I cry and laugh right there what else is there to say!!!

What other book might you compare Stay to and why?

Any book that main character is a dog, lol

What does Julia Whelan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

More life to the story

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cry, laugh and got upset and mostly I love the big dog

Any additional comments?

Alex is my dream ma

good book if you are looking for something light

Where does Stay rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

this book is good if you are looking for something light. The dog in the book is more of a side story. This book is about relationships so if you are looking for a book from a dogs perspective I would suggest the art of racing in the rain by Garth Stein.

What other book might you compare Stay to and why?

The art of racing in the rain by Garth Stein & Marley & Me John Grogan

So much warm fuzzy fun!

I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh, it made me cry, I LOVED the dog, I loved the main character... honestly it was just wonderful and exactly what I was craving.

Loved the dog!

Joe the dog was a wonderful character. Unfortunately, it took about two hours of whining and self pity before we got to meet him. I enjoyed the new characters she met and the story when she went about getting on with her life. The other 80% of the story was a bit boring and irritating.

Stay: A Novel

Thank you for making me burst out loud laughing during an eye rolling PTO (Parent-Teacher-Organization) meeting!
What's next?

I want this to be turned into a movie

Any additional comments?

Loved this audiobook and want to to be a movie! Love Larkin so much! Great stories you want to see come alive on the big screen! Can we make that happen, please???

Good listen

The story was put together ok. The main character made plenty of bad choices but the dog was not one. The only flaw and for me it was a big one was the voice the reader gave Alex. All her other voices were fine but his voice was so bad I had a hard time liking his character.