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.

Worth the listen

Believable main character and lovable dog element. Would have enjoyed it even more if the F-word had not been so popular.

Heartwarming

Loved the story line! The relationship with Joe tugs the heartstrings! The love story was simple and entertaining!

loved it

I love a happy ending
great narrator she did well changing chacters, was surprised d to see not much about a dog but I still enjoyed it

Wonderful book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story kept me listening. I’ve never heard anything by this narrator before but she was great.

Comfort food

I have legit listened to this audio book five times. There Is something captivating about Julia Whelan’s narration. Plus how it takes place over the holidays makes it a good listen. Van is our main character who is trying to get over a lost love and accidentally purchases a dog. It’s a silly premise but that’s not the point. Her character is warm and you really end up rooting for her. It’s a fun listen.

Just OK

A lot of this story did not make sense to me - some things dragged on forever (like after 7 years of Peter and Janie dating - it took a wedding and a dog for Van to get used to the idea?!). The characters were passive and spineless - one dimensional - hero or villain. And no 5 min old puppy who has been shipped 1/2 way around the world is that well behaved. Van vacillated to much between doormat and independent loner to be believable or likable. She is an adult with 2 friends. Really? Couldn’t get used to her descriptions of her unclean home and clothes - why does she have to be so gross to show that’s she’s at a crossroads? While I LOVE Julia Whelan - but I could not get used to the accent that popped up only on the word “coffee” which surprisingly came up a lot.

I liked the dog....

I never buy a book featuring dog characters unless I can find out, first, if the dog survives. There are too many things to be sad about, without weeping over fictional dead dogs. I saw this book, with a gorgeous dog on the cover and was tempted. Fortunately, some other compassionate reviewer hinted that yes, the dog was alive and wagging his tail at the end, so I clicked on "buy".

Well, okay. I liked the dog -- "Joe" -- whom she acquires in a totally hilarious situation, one of many parts of the book that are so funny I laughed till I cried. If you've ever owned a BIG dog, you'll love these tales -- they're very funny, and absolutely true. That was the good part.

But sad to say, the major focus of the book is Van's -- the protagonist -- life-long infatuation with a weak and shallow character named Peter, who, in the beginning of the book, is getting married to Van's best girlfriend. There's not much to recommend about Peter -- he has his moments, maybe, but really, he's not worth it -- so listening to Van mope over him for the better part of the book got a little silly.

If it hadn't been for the great 'dog' stories in this book -- and the promise of more, if I'd just keep listening -- I'd have given up on the love story, because indeed, a more worthy man came along. And as you might expect, there was all the traditional, tried and true, scenes of fighting and making up with this new guy -- but at least he was a more worthy human than Peter had been. No hot erotic scenes that I recall, just a lot of mental lust that really didn't interest me -- all I wanted was to hear more about the dog.

So? The parts about Joe, the dog, are really good. I'm still laughing at the memory of some of them -- they make the book itself well worth the credit. As for the rest? Eh.

Interestingly Honest ... I like the narrator.

This is my first book from this author and I was quite pleased. I like how she (the author) explores an awkward and heartbreaking love triangle. My only complaint (if that) is that it could have been longer!

Try this if you like dog books!

It was an interesting dog story and I am glad I listened to it. Had a good message too!

most enjoyable book

every once in awhile you pick up a book not expecting to much. It was a most pleasant surprise at how very much I enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to hearing from this author again. Highly recommend this listen.