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Stay

by Allie Larkin (Goodreads Author)

3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 · rating details · 2,133 ratings · 477 reviews

Read Allie Larkin's posts on the Penguin Blog.

Something Borrowed meets Must Love Dogs in this big- hearted debut about friendship, love, and a German Shepherd named Joe.

Savannah "Van" Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she literally fell head over heels in front of him on the first day of college. Now, six years later, instead of standing across from hi...more

Hardcover, 308 pages

Published June 10th 2010 by Dutton Adult

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Lists with This Book

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Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Great "Dog" Books

45th out of 396 books — 946 voters

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Best Debut Chick Lit

22nd out of 105 books — 455 voters

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Community Reviews

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May 16, 2013 Reynolds Galiban gumpau rated it 2 of 5 stars

When I was reading the book, "CHEESY!" was what echoed in my mind all the time!
I love romantic and pet stories; and I bought this book hoping I can read more lovely stories about some dogs, but I was disappointed on how the story was structured: there is a dog in the story, but the story is more centered on the poor pitiful girl - Van.
I'm not saying all stories should centered only on the dogs, but "Stay" can just dispose the idea of the dog and still progresses fine.
I mean, there is just so lit...more

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Aug 24, 2010 Kristi (Passion for the Page) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: src-summer-2010, rrrc-monthly

What a wonderful story. I don't read reviews of books before I read them and, somehow, (I guess from the book's description) I'd gotten it into my head that Stay was going to be a light, fluffy romance. But really isn't. There is romance, that's true. But Stay is also about friends and how we sometimes take them for granted and how sometimes we don't know them like we think we do. It's about family, the biological and the family-of-the-heart, and about the good times and the bad. And it's about...more

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May 16, 2013 Lois rated it 1 of 5 stars

I wanted to like it. Honest, I did. The cover is cute as all get out, for pete's sake.

But what we have is a Savannah, known to her friends as Van, a woman who puts her romantic life on hold over a crush--for seven years! Ack.

And when the crush, Peter, finally ties the knot with Van's best friend, Janie (cliche alert), he immediately realizes that the girl he got was incredibly high-maintenance, putting him in the "too dumb to live" category. Nonetheless, he goes off with new wife--on a honeymoo...more

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May 03, 2013 Olga Godim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mainstream

One of the best novels I’ve read in a while, Stay is about loneliness and love, forgiveness and disillusionment, and of course, a dog. The tale encompasses drama, comedy, and farce into a seamless whole, in which the dog Joe plays an extremely important part: he is the epitome of affection and friendship, the guiding star on the heroine’s road to recovery.
In the beginning, the protagonist Van is drowning in despair. She feels utterly alone. Her mother is dead. Her best friend Janie has just mar...more One of the best novels I’ve read in a while, Stay is about loneliness and love, forgiveness and disillusionment, and of course, a dog. The tale encompasses drama, comedy, and farce into a seamless whole, in which the dog Joe plays an extremely important part: he is the epitome of affection and friendship, the guiding star on the heroine’s road to recovery.
In the beginning, the protagonist Van is drowning in despair. She feels utterly alone. Her mother is dead. Her best friend Janie has just married Peter, the man Van has secretly loved for years. As the newly-wed fly to their European honeymoon, Van hits the bottle. In a drunken fog, she orders a dog from the internet. He would never marry her best friend. He would always love her.
From this point on, the story starts rolling, dragging the reader along through an emotional wringer. I cried with Van, as she bemoaned her desolation. I laughed uproariously at Joe’s antics and Van’s initial clumsy attempts at dog ownership. I sympathized with Van’s self-doubts. I wished with all my heart for her to find her true mate.
And all the time, Joe, a hundred-pound German Shepherd puppy, ploughs stalwartly alongside his beloved mistress, healing her wounded soul with his goofy barking, his adolescent escapades, and his boundless devotion… unless someone else offers to rub behind his ears.
Dry humor conceals underlying tragedy in this tale of unrequited love and shattered illusions. Although the plot is not very original, the characters more than make up for it. They live and breathe: starting from Van and Joe and ending with the people who appear only in a couple of pages.
Heartwarming and poignant, this novel would’ve deserved 5 stars, if not for one big flaw, a flaw that forced me to drop a star from the rating: Van is a slob, a huge one. The author made it her paramount task to emphasize Van’s slovenly habits. Practically on every page, she has coffee splashing on her jeans, sauce staining her dress, bread crumbs littering her couch, vomit stench in her bathroom, and filth in every nook of her home.
Sometimes it got so repulsive that it took an effort for me not to swear. I got angry: at the writer or at her heroine, I wasn’t sure. I wanted to enter the book, mop up the mess, and do laundry. I wanted to grab the author’s shoulders and yell at her: why did you have to make Van such a frump? I wanted to like Van but I didn’t. Even when my heart strained with compassion for her, my brain screamed at me: keep your distance, she’s a slattern, she stinks! It seems no less than a miracle that in the end, despite reeking constantly of stale sweat and dog poo (I’m not exaggerating, at least not by much), Van found her heart’s desire. Maybe because the guy was a vet and as such inured to unpleasant odors?
Recommended to dog lovers as well as lovers of good literature.
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Feb 21, 2013 Rachna R rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this from around 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., straight through, and I mention this because I don't know if it was lateness and sleep deprivation alone, or the effectiveness of writing, or how easy it was for me to empathise with the lead character of this book - but wow, I cried. I cried three chapters in, and then every once in a while something would happen and my heart would sink all over again.

I want to liken this to a YA novel? not for any reason except for the way this book felt. it felt. it...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Elise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Just finished this sweet story about a young woman (Van) coming to terms with her life and her losses. Without spoiling it too much I will say that it begins at her best friends wedding (to each other) while she is Maid of Honor and in love with the groom. She drunkenly buys a German Shepard puppy on-line and from there her life begins to change.
I am a sucker for dog stories and loved this one. Joe (the puppy) is an engaging side character and delightfully helps Van move forward from what her l...more

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Nov 23, 2012 Oliver Schnusenberg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok, this has got to be a the book equivalent of a chick-flic :-) I bought it because I love dogs (have two) and thought the book was mostly about the dog. I started reading, and it is not about the dog, but mostly about the antagonist's personal life. Had I known that, I would have been unlikely to buy the book.

To make things weirder - I really liked this book :-) It was heartwarming, (minor spoiler alert), had a happy ending on all fronts and was well-written. We went to Thanksgiving dinner ye...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Lydia Laceby rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-star-must-read, hilarous, chick-lit, contemporary-women-s-fiction

Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes

If I could recommend only one book to read this summer, it might very well be Stay. There’s some stiff competition, but I adored this book from Joe’s doggie antics, to Van’s journey. This book captured my heart – so much so that I wanted to reach out and wrap my arms around Van at every turn. Stay is about unrequited love, finding oneself and starting over and was wrapped in warmth and humour. It’s touching, charming and full of laugh out loud moments along th...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Margaret rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 21, 2011 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit, dog

Craicky, I found a link to chick-lit novels that feature pets, mainly dogs. I am screwed! But if this book is any indication on what is to come, I might give up soon. It was cute, but lame at the same time and didn't really bring anything new to the table.

Girl is all sad that her best friend (whose parents employed her mother, so they are sort of more like sisters then anything) married the guy she had been crushing on in college (Something Blue, anyone??) and in a fit of drunkenness, buys a Ger...more

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Oct 24, 2011 Meg rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, women-s-fiction

Oh, how I loved Allie Larkin's Stay. Nevermind that I'm a total dog lover who thinks her golden retriever has human qualities and really "gets" her. Or that I'm a sucker for love triangles and tales of first love, especially when they're coupled with the struggles and triumphs of modern dating.

This is just a really great book.

Stay surprised me in the absolute best way possible. I'll admit that I accepted a review copy based solely on that adorable pup on the cover (don't judge) and expected a l...more Oh, how I loved Allie Larkin's Stay. Nevermind that I'm a total dog lover who thinks her golden retriever has human qualities and really "gets" her. Or that I'm a sucker for love triangles and tales of first love, especially when they're coupled with the struggles and triumphs of modern dating.

This is just a really great book.

Stay surprised me in the absolute best way possible. I'll admit that I accepted a review copy based solely on that adorable pup on the cover (don't judge) and expected a light romp filled with dog anecdotes. Though Joe is a central character in this novel, of course, he's not the novel; this is definitely Van's story. And Joe is one of many delightful, unexpected and warm characters in this heartfelt book.

I read about 80 pages of this one before realizing I was completely hooked, and then? This was a stay-up-until-you're-done and grab-whenever-you-have-30-free-seconds read for me. I absolutely fell head over paws for Joe, sure, but who wouldn't? The real hero here was Alex, who I thought just walked on water. His friendship with Louis, an 80-year-old charmer, just clinched it all for me. Louis himself was a warm, funny and charismatic character I just wanted to squeeze, and the affection between the two of them was awesome. Alex is a man's man, yes, but he's also a sweet soul who takes care of injured animals all day.

And their owners, too.

Van is just the sort of real character we all know and love. She's strong in many ways but weak in others. Bereft of any true family after her beloved mother's passing, she's very lonely but unsure of how to change that. Her propensity for alcohol keeps her from making smart decisions, but time and experience shape her into a new woman. She realizes her limitations and is vulnerable, but she's not afraid to go after what she wants.

Exploring grief, loss, friendship, the nature of family and love itself, Stay was a book I adored from start to finish. I've heard it described as a cross between Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed and Claire Cook's Must Love Dogs, and I would heartily second that nomination. A warm read for more than just the women's fiction or dog lover -- a spirited, unique debut that definitely caught my attention.(less)

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Sep 20, 2011 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Savannah “Van” Leone’s life is not turning out the way she intended. Her best friend, Janie, is marrying the man Van has been in love with for six years. To make matters worse, she is the maid of honor and has to silently endure her heartbreak, while wishing both of her friends happiness. So she does the only rational thing while drunk, order a loyal companion in the shape of a German Shepherd puppy from the internet.

Van’s narration was very witty and filled with tons of dry humor that I loved.

...more

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Sep 03, 2011 Jan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, chick-lit

I'm borrowing parts of this review from another one of my chick-lit book reviews, largely because, on some level, all of these chick-lit books are basically the same.

Okay, let's be honest here. If you're anything like me, you don't read a book like this because it's a lyrical masterpiece or because you expect to get a lot out of it. You read it for entertainment, and because you like things that wrap up in nice boxes with happy endings. You read it because it's fun. Like candy for the brain.

In t...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Mandy rated it 5 of 5 stars

The protagonist of Stay, by Allie Larkin, Savannah “Van” Leone has a problem – the man (Peter) that she’s in love with just married her best friend, Janie. It’s more complicated than that however, not only is Janie from a privileged family, but Van grew up in her carriage house. Her late mother, Natalie, was the housekeeper for Janie’s family (and also Diane, Janie’s mother’s best friend.) Yes. Her life is complex and not free of drama.

And it didn’t help any when, rather than drunk-dialing or dr...more

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May 20, 2011 Cyndy Aleo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Most of the books I pick up are things that look interesting at the library or a friend recommends. I'm never one to read bestseller lists or New York Times reviews, but I started hearing some pre-release buzz about Allie Larkin's Stay, and added it to my Amazon wishlist to track it. When I realized she was from the same city I am and an alum of my college, it bumped up to a must-read, and I ordered it right after it was released.

::: The Plot :::

Savanannah Leone has lost everything. Her father t...more Most of the books I pick up are things that look interesting at the library or a friend recommends. I'm never one to read bestseller lists or New York Times reviews, but I started hearing some pre-release buzz about Allie Larkin's Stay, and added it to my Amazon wishlist to track it. When I realized she was from the same city I am and an alum of my college, it bumped up to a must-read, and I ordered it right after it was released.

::: The Plot :::

Savanannah Leone has lost everything. Her father took off when she was a toddler. Her mother died of breast cancer right before Van graduated from college. And now her best friend from back home in Westchester has married the guy Van was in love with through four years of college and beyond. Life sucks.

Then right after the wedding, Savannah gets drunk and orders a dog online from a Web site in Slovakia. This far-fetched Internet purchase leads Van to a whole new group of people, and a realization that what she wanted may not be what she needs.

::: Just a Brilliant Debut :::

I'll be honest; I wanted to hate this book. I really did. The author is younger than me. She's published. And the book has so much great buzz you hope that it's another Twilight, a book that's okay, but just not as great as the hype. I'm happily disappointed to tell you that Stay is even better than the buzz.

So many stories that involve the best friend being left behind when the guy marries a girl who's prettier or more accomplished fall into the realm of cliche, but Stay surpasses it. Larkin has made Savannah a sympathetic character that the reader will be rooting for. The sections about Van's mother are enough to get you teary without being maudlin, and there were actually times I found myself shouting at the characters, something I rarely do with a book. The funny sections will make you laugh without veering into the dreaded "zany" territory, and the characters have enough dimension to keep you turning pages well after bedtime.

If I had a single complaint, it's that the beginning of the novel was a little bit of a struggle for me. While I loved the Rochester references (I often found myself trying to guess what parts of the city the characters lived in and looking up names of places to see what might be imagined versus real) right away, the beginning had me a bit worried that Stay was going to be too formulaic, bringing to mind movies like My Best Friend's Wedding and Must Love Dogs. Instead, Larkin has done what every writer dreams of doing successfully: teaching an old dog a new trick, and she does it brilliantly. Stay is a must-read.

This review was originally published on Epinions: http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_S...(less)

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Feb 15, 2011 Paul Pessolano rated it 4 of 5 stars

Savannah "Van" Leone is having a bad day. She is attending the marriage of her lover, only she is the Maid of Honor. Her only true love, Peter, is marrying her best friend, Janie.

After the ceremony, Van goes home and finds herself drowning her sorrows in drink and a "Rin Tin Tin" TV series marathon. She decides she needs companionship and feels that a German Shepherd (Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd) is the answer to her problems.

She orders a German Shepherd puppy off the internet, not realizi...more

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Feb 04, 2011 J.Elle rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked this, although it reminded me an awful lot of the movie "Sabrina". I did like that movie though, so it’s easy to understand why I enjoyed this book. Van has been in love with Peter since she first met him in college. Unfortunately, he comes from money and she is the daughter of a housekeeper. His parents disapprove of the class difference and he lacks the balls to stand up to them. Instead, he ends up meeting, falling in love with, and marrying Van’s best friend, Janie (who is the daught...more

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Jan 04, 2011 Carolyn Hill rated it 2 of 5 stars

OK, I get it that characters are supposed to be flawed like the rest of us and show some kind of growth by the end of the book, but I almost did not get past the opening chapters of "Stay". Savannah, 'Van', Leone is not very sympathetic -- a foul-mouthed drunken slob who still carries a torch for her college crush who just married her best friend. Peter, the object of her crush, seems hardly worth it. He's cute and wealthy with nice manners, but is happy to follow the lures of a cushy job and ni...more

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Nov 02, 2010 Rachel Carr rated it 4 of 5 stars

To read more reviews check out Reading Rendezvous on MISS at http://www.missomnimedia.com/tag/read...

In the new novel Stay by Allie Larkin we are presented with the same age-old question, do you swoon and lust after a man who doesn’t want you or fall hard for the new man who wants you? Savannah ‘Van’ Leone is presented with this question when her best friend-Jane- steals the man of her dreams, or at least this is how she sees it. Savannah has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she set her...more To read more reviews check out Reading Rendezvous on MISS at http://www.missomnimedia.com/tag/read...

In the new novel Stay by Allie Larkin we are presented with the same age-old question, do you swoon and lust after a man who doesn’t want you or fall hard for the new man who wants you? Savannah ‘Van’ Leone is presented with this question when her best friend-Jane- steals the man of her dreams, or at least this is how she sees it. Savannah has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she set her eyes on his boat shoes, yet she plays the role as best friend rather than companion. Only to further her subservient behavior Van agrees to be Jane’s maid of honor in the only wedding she wants to run away from. Van feels hopelessly alone, her mother died of cancer, Peter leaves her for Jane, and all she has is Jane’s mother who pays her to leave Jane and Peter alone.

Confused by her own feelings and the loneliness she feels Savannah chooses to get ferociously drunk and order a puppy from Slovakia after an inspirational viewing of Rin Tin Tin. As if the situation couldn’t get any worse the puppy arrives as a large German Shepherd who has yet to reach his full growth. Unaccustomed to her dog she rush’s him to the vet after he gets sick and is confronted by a beautiful doctor- Dr. Alex Brandt- who wants nothing more than to swoon over Savannah. Quickly she falls head over heels in love with Dr. Brandt, that is until Peter calls her and shows up drunk on her doorstep. Van is forced to make a decision between her new and old life, which not only affects herself but the only people she has ever loved. Together with her new companion Joe (oh yeah did I forget to mention Joe only understands Slovakian commands) they embark on a new life determined to grow and change with each other.

“You cannot stay with the wrong person. I guess the trick is finding the right one to begin with. Right?”
Allie Larkin’s new book is ripe with unpredictable behaviors and passion. When the characters go through turmoil the reader goes along with them feeling hope, shame, and love. This novel is truly unforgettable and no one can turn away from the warm friendship that evolves between Van and Joe. With Joe’s help Van’s character transforms into powerful and interesting individual who is forced to make the same decisions that we fear to make everyday.

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Aug 08, 2010 Kira Stann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Book Review: Stay, by Allie Larkin
The characters spring to life from the first sentence in Allie Larkin’s debut novel, Stay. Savannah “Van” Leone has sacrificed other possible relationships and put all her hopes and dreams in one basket. She is devastated when her ultimate love blindsides her, begins a romance with her best friend, and marrying Janie instead of Van. There are always consequences to alcohol consumption, as Savannah soon finds out. She orders a dog from the internet to assuage her...more Book Review: Stay, by Allie Larkin
The characters spring to life from the first sentence in Allie Larkin’s debut novel, Stay. Savannah “Van” Leone has sacrificed other possible relationships and put all her hopes and dreams in one basket. She is devastated when her ultimate love blindsides her, begins a romance with her best friend, and marrying Janie instead of Van. There are always consequences to alcohol consumption, as Savannah soon finds out. She orders a dog from the internet to assuage her loneliness and heartbreak. Though she does not realize it at first, her vodka blunder may have been the catalyst to the most wonderful moments of her life.

Van is a typical college graduate, a pretty girl who enjoys a party, and has a close relationship with her mother and her best friend Janie. She is fun loving and a bit on the snarky side, at least in her own head, though sometimes she gives voice to it. She is somewhat insecure about ho w she appears compared to her ultra-perfect best friend. This feeling only intensifies as Van alternates between wanting to be happy for her best friend, and her heart breaking because Janie stole Peter away from her.
Peter is a narcissistic confused man who is dissatisfied with his life, and influenced by his rich parents. He is a handsome college graduate who has his life all planned out to step into his father’s business shoes. Peter is so self-absorbed; he does not see what is right in front of him. He passes over Van, who believes she is head over heels in love with him, for Janie, who is more appropriate since she also comes from a wealthy background.
Joe is a plush coated purebred German Shepherd. He is large for a puppy and his youthful exuberance leads to troublesome escapades. Joe is one perceptive dog, even though he is in a strange environment. He is sweet, funny and kind, traits that we all wish our own animals possessed. He helps give a reader insight as to what it is like to own a large breed of dog and the situations an owner might encounter.
Alex is a handsome caring veterinarian who has made a niche for himself in the community and his neighborhood. He exhibits patience and kindness, and even though he is experiencing hurt feelings himself, he is able to set that aside to help others. He is the epitome of a small town rugged outdoorsman. He also has a past to deal with that very nearly overcomes his ability to take a chance and trust again.
I joined Van’s roller coaster ride of life with the first page and never looked back. I had a definite connection to the characters in this novel. They were familiar to me because though they were quirky, they were the type of people I know and speak to every day. This immediately gave me a comfort zone, and I felt like I was reading a favorite, relaxing book I had known my whole life. Allie creates a well rounded character in Van, and voices through Van’s internal dialogue, the mental wavering and questioning we ask ourselves when we have a situation we are trying to repair. Van speaks to the reader, opening her mind and heart to us and to her new dog, Joe, who may or may not understand a word his new owner says. Van reaches the pinnacle of disparagement, realizes the way her life is going and tries an improvement. I was compelled to cheer Van on through her tribulations and anyone would wish for a dog as kind and patient as Joe. I identified with the portion of the book that describes Van’s little “shopping spree.” It is human nature to try to compensate for what we have lost, sometimes culminating with the most unexpected items. The message behind Stay is one of fortitude, survival and fulfillment of dreams. Stay grabs you by the collar and drags you right through the story with no lull in the middle, which I often find in books. You cannot possibly experience life’s highs, if you have not delved into the lows. This book represents so beautifully the knowledge that a person cannot possibly experience life’s highs, if they have not delved into the lows.
I have read quite a number of books, and this is one of those novels that will have a reader speculating if the author had possibly experienced some of the trials and tribulations in the story herself, because of the realistically detailed descriptions. I have recommended this book to teenagers as well as adults, as it usurps the spectrum of age. Stay is my choice pick of all the novels I have read this summer. The novel is available in several formats such as audio, e-book, hardcover and paperback.
Source:
Stay, by Allie Larkin
Available at:
http://www.amazon.com/Stay-All ie-Larkin/dp/0525951717/ref=sr _1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280094710&sr=1-1

Author Bibliography
http://www.amazon.com/Allie-La rkin/e/B002T3TWGE/ref=sr_tc_im g_2_0?qid=1280094489&sr=1-2-ent
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Jul 14, 2010 Alea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-for-review

From the cover you might think to yourself that Stay is a dog book. Well sorry, but no. Yes there is a dog, that is a character and he shows up as much as other characters but the book is by no means solely focused on him. I wouldn't call myself a dog person so for me this was great, but strangely enough Joe (the dog) had such a great presence and personality you can't help but love him! He helps pull Van out of her funk and for that he's completely lovable.

Van, I loved Van's story. With one foo...more

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Oct 04, 2010 Amy rated it 1 of 5 stars

This book was really disappointing. I chose it because it got good reviews in People magazine. Clearly the reviewer and I have different opinions of good books.

The concept was good but the execution poor. It was so predictable and cheesy. Plus, Van (Savannah) was so messy. This shouldn't matter but it really grossed me out. When she got back from her best friend Janie's wedding, she got drunk, since Janie married the man she'd always wanted to marry, Peter.

She ended up over the toilet and it s...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Molly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone who loves canines and a good laugh

Recommended to Molly by: PUYB

Shelves: book-review

Allie Larkin is a talented young author, there is no doubt about that. She captured me instantly with her witty humor and characters that pull you into the story, making you one of them. Allie Larkin is a new author who will rise to the top if she continues with captivating novels such as this one!

Stay is a story that will do one of three things: make you laugh, make you cry, or both. I did both. I laughed at all the humorous thoughts and antics that Allie added to Van's life. I cried when I sa...more Allie Larkin is a talented young author, there is no doubt about that. She captured me instantly with her witty humor and characters that pull you into the story, making you one of them. Allie Larkin is a new author who will rise to the top if she continues with captivating novels such as this one!

Stay is a story that will do one of three things: make you laugh, make you cry, or both. I did both. I laughed at all the humorous thoughts and antics that Allie added to Van's life. I cried when I saw what Van was going through-being in love with a man who married her best friend. I see myself in Van when she feels she's not good enough for anyone. I just wanted to reach out and hug her! That's how I feel lots of the time. The laughing came at all of Van's thoughts through out the story, especially when she was upset at someone. Boy could she think up some thoughts! Allie added the flavor of the story with the laugh out loud humor. The climax of the story came when Van decided, on a drunken internet search, to purchase a German Shepard "puppy" off the internet to be her companion. She felt it was the only one that would be loyal and faithful to her no matter what. So, when Joe arrived, she thought there was a mistake, as this wasn't the size of a puppy, but he certainly filled her void! The story got even better when Joe, the adorable "puppy" bound into the scenes, and helped Van meet Alex, the veterinarian. Alex was such a dear man and one that anyone woman would love! He really added the spice to this novel.

I recommend this fabulous story with 4 stars...I must warn you about the language though, as there is use of some language....this novel wouldn't be good for everyone if you don't like stories that have language. But, if you are a canine lover like me, you fall in love with this story about Van and her cuddly&cute, adorable&fluffy 4 legged companion! Allie Larkin's Stay is the perfect read for animal lovers and those looking for a good laugh. I'll definitely be looking for more novels by Allie, especially if they all have that laugh out loud humor to unwind at the end of the day!

*This book was provided for review by PUYB Promotions*(less)

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Jul 01, 2010 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars

Man, I loooved this book!

Though I am a couple of decades older than the protagonist of Stay, I can remember how it felt to be a few years past college and a few years shy of what I considered "adulthood". Van is floundering in this particular gray zone, without the support of parents or siblings. Her two best friends, one her secret crush for years, have found each other and gotten married, and Van feels like her world has come to an end.

It is against this backdrop of unfairness and emotional t...more

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Apr 19, 2013 Sarah Bautista added it

Stay by Allie Larkin is an amazing story with many plot twist. I liked this book because it kept me on my toes throughout the whole story never leaving me bored, wondering what would happen next. The main characters decisions were shocking and mind bobbing. Keeping me from ever wanting to put the book down. I would often find myself giggling at the pages of the book because of the humorous dialogue through conversations of two characters, or through the thoughts of the main character.

Always hop...more

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Oct 05, 2011 Rashmi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

I saw this book on the shelf in the library and thought ‘Oh, that is one cute dog’ and though being a cat person, I thought I should probably read it. I loved the story!!! It was kind of chick-lit book, but it was a ‘feel good after reading’ feeling. I couldn’t put the book down during the last 20 chapters and after I was done, I thought seriously about getting a dog! The book deals with the unconditional love you get from man’s best friend.

Allie Larkin has an art keeping the reader curious till...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, 2013-a-z-author-ch

Allie Larkin won my heart with Stay! When you read Stay, you jump jolting ride of laughter and tears.

I was a little leery about reading a story that starts out with a young woman who lets her best friend marry the one she loved. The relationships are very tangled. Her mother was best friends with her best friend’s mother and housekeeper for them until she died from cancer. Savannah is grieving for her mother. Instead of taking care of her, her friend, her old boyfriend and her friend’s mother a...more

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Jul 19, 2011 LORI CASWELL rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Janie is Savannah's (Van's) best friend since childhood. Peter is the man she literally fell for her first day of college. Her biggest mistake was introducing them to each other. That is why as this book starts she is dressed up looking like a satin orange pumpkin as maid of honor at their wedding.

After the wedding hoopla she decides to drown her sorrows with a little Vodka and a Rin-Tin-Tin movie marathon. During the night she drunk orders a puppy off the internet. When the puppy arrives she f...more

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Jul 13, 2011 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

Stay is about Savannah "Van" Leone, who just watched her two best friends Peter and Janie get married. The problem is that Van's been in love with Peter since they first met about 6 years ago. After the newlyweds take off for their honeymoon, Van drowns her sorrows in Kool-Aid & vodka and watched reruns of Rin Tin Tin, and accidentally (drunkenly) orders a German Shepherd puppy online. Though he's bigger than she was counting on, she names him Joe and starts to get over her heartbreak.

Joe is...more Stay is about Savannah "Van" Leone, who just watched her two best friends Peter and Janie get married. The problem is that Van's been in love with Peter since they first met about 6 years ago. After the newlyweds take off for their honeymoon, Van drowns her sorrows in Kool-Aid & vodka and watched reruns of Rin Tin Tin, and accidentally (drunkenly) orders a German Shepherd puppy online. Though he's bigger than she was counting on, she names him Joe and starts to get over her heartbreak.

Joe is an adorable puppy, and my favorite parts of the book were about him. He only responds to commands in Slovak, he's big and goofy, and he's instantly fills the role of girl's best friend.

Van on the other hand... she's not my favorite character. At first, I really liked her. I sympathized with her and her night of getting smashed on Kool-Aid vodka was kind of hilarious. But throughout the book it became obvious that she kind of causes her own problems, and I didn't see any character growth from her during the book. And here's why she didn't grow as a character...

(view spoiler)

Anyways, I would have been happier if the book focused more on her relationship with Joe and dealing with his crazy puppy antics. Van and her personal life were just a little too frustrating for my taste.

I did overall like the book. I enjoyed the references to Rochester, my home town (YAY Wegmans!). And the book was a really quick read. I'll gladly try out the next book that Larkin publishes, because I really did enjoy her writing. And the characters she creates were really memorable. There's a secondary character named Louis that just cracked me up. If you're a fan of chick-lit (I'm thinking along the lines of the Shopaholic series), then you'll probably enjoy this. If you're considering this because you're a dog-lover or pet-owner, you might want to take a pass.

3.5 stars(less)

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Mar 20, 2011 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was one of those lovely browsing accidents at the public library. Basically if there is an animal on the cover I am hooked but this one turned out to be surprisingly wonderful. It struck me as incredibly realistic. I could identify with the character so much as I am relatively in the same life stage and all the uncertainty that follows graduation from college and trying to find a place where you belong. This character hopelessly misconstrued almost everything anybody said to her and it was...more

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About Allie Larkin

Allie Larkin is the internationally bestselling author of the novel Stay, and the upcoming novel Why Can’t I Be You (2013). She has never ordered a dog off the internet or assumed a new identity to attend a high school reunion. When Allie writes, she wears an oversized circa 1980’s acrylic sweater that is a crime against fashion and good taste in general. She loves Boston. The band, not the city....more

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