::Post by Jackie Lindert::
Fifteen-year-olds Cece and Mack didn't expect to fall in love. She's a sensitive A student; he's a high school dropout. But soon they're spending every moment together, bonding over a rescued dog, telling their secrets, making plans for the future. Everything is perfect. Until. Until. Mack makes a horrible mistake, and in just a few minutes, the future they'd planned becomes impossible. In this stark new reality, both of them must find meaning and hope in the memories of what they had, to survive when the person they love can't stay.
From award-winning writer Paul Griffin, Stay with Me is both heartbreaking and uplifting, filled with characters (both dog and human) that will forever change the way you look at the world.
This book is beautiful. From the very beginning I was hooked into the honesty of Stay With Me. Paul Griffin's writing is just fantastic. The language of the book make the characters so real and authentic, you're just sure this is an actual story about real people. The two kids in the story come from some pretty messed up homes, but they find each other and every seems less bleak. I LOVE Mack and Cece together. Love. Love. Love!
If you are an animal lover (so basically, in my opinion, if you have a soul), you will fall hard for this book. Mack rehabilitates pit bulls that were abused and used for dog fights. Hello, Mr. Amazing. He helps the dogs, but the dogs also help him--I can't say any more, so you'll just have to find out for yourself!
Stay With Me isn't just about dogs, obviously. Cece is such an interesting character to me. She's a tough girl, yet very self conscious and sensitive. The things she is able to get through are unbelievable, and you will adore her family, especially her brother.
The end of the book was not what I was expecting, and I was so nervous about what was going to happen. I I feared I might not have a heart afterward, depending on how things turned out. Although it wasn't what I expected, I think it was a great ending. It really leaves you thinking about life and growth. A lot of books about teen love are really romanced up and glamorized, so it was refreshing to read about something that seemed more real. My heart felt healthier after reading this book.
It's not easy to keep spoilers from pouring out, which makes reviewing this book a little difficult, so I'm going to have to avoid some of my favorite parts of the book :( Trust me that there is more too it, though, that will make your heart wrench and your tears fall (both in good ways and sad).
