When I Should've Stayed

Red Bridge, Book 2

De: Max Monroe

Narrado por: Ryan West, Mindy Kennedy

Josie: Before The Moment

There are ghosts at every corner. In the stolen kisses while I waitressed at the diner, in the town festivals in the square, in the many jokes about Betty Bagley and her pie at the Fall Farmer’s Market, and in countless nights spent watching Clay make drinks with that handsome smile of his plastered on his face while I sat on a stool at the bar.

It should all feel familiar and comforting, and yet, it makes it hard for the person I am now to breathe at all.

I wish I’d been stronger. I wish I’d been wiser. I wish I didn’t have to do this.

I wish.

Tonight will be a defining moment for the rest of my life.

I have to end it now …

… before it ends me.

Clay: After The Moment

When Josie and I said, ‘I do’, I thought it’d be us against the world forever. But I wasn’t expecting the world to be so against us.

I know I should’ve stayed that night, and I should have gone back a heck of a lot sooner.

Because I don’t know how to be here. I don’t know how to be anywhere.

Truth is, I don’t know how to be without Josie at all.

She might think we’re done, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure we’re not.

©2025 Max Monroe (P)2025 Recorded Books

So bad

I gave 5 stars because everything being judged did deserve 5 stars. What I don’t like here or in any story is bouncing back and forth in the storyline. Not only is the story years apart but also broken up like it was in categories. That’s extremely annoying to try to follow the story. Great story but I believe it could have been delivered smoother and easier to follow.

Josie and Clay

When I Should've Stayed is the second book in the Red Bridge series. Although it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading this story after experiencing What I Should've Said. We met Josie and Clay in the first book, and are given more details about how they are connected in this one. Told in dual timeline format, we learn the events that happened before and after Josie and Clay's breakup. This story takes place during the same time as book one, but from Josie and Clay’s point of view. When Josie walked into Clay's bar, he was instantly drawn to her, but didn't know what he was in for. Their second-chance romance is full of ups and downs, and it all leads to a painful divorce. Josie is strong and does what she thinks is right, even when it hurts her and those around her. Clay is loyal and has a lot of love to give. Even while they are apart, he never stops caring about Josie. Their love is deeply rooted, and their journey is powerful and emotional. There’s pain, but there’s also hope and healing. When I Should've Stayed is a great read that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even believe in second chances.

Narration:
Mindy Kennedy & Ryan West perform this audiobook in dual-style narration. They did a wonderful job bringing Josie and Clay to life, and I was easily pulled into the story. This story is an emotional journey, and Mindy and Ryan made me feel every moment.

Wonderful Book

So much emotion. I laughed and cried so much throughout the whole story. It’s a wonderful book.

Wrecked in the best ways!

4.5 stars - Listen, the Red Bridge series has absolutely wrecked my heart in the best possible way, and I knew going into this one it would do the same. I was right. That's why I always choose the audiobook, cuz I know I'll end up crying too hard to read the words on a page.

Told through a dual timeline, this story leans into miscommunication, but in a way that feels honest to the characters' pain and growth. It's an emotional journey that makes you reflect on love, what you have, what you've lost, and what's still worth fighting for.

If anyone can make me believe in second chances, it's Max and Monroe. Their story telling is beautiful and heartbreaking, but it's the steady thread of hope that pulls you through. A stunning reminder that love, even broken, is never beyond repair.

Great Narration

I adore Max Monroe books. This one was very sweet and heart warming. Miscommunication trope for sure. Found family. Missing the humor I've come to know from these two so not a 5 star for me, but at least 4 or 4.5