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Pebble Brook Falls #1
If I Asked You to Stay
For readers of Elsie Silver, Laura Pavlov and Catherine Cowles, fall head over heels for this binge-worthy read of two hearts who have always been destined to come together...even after twelve years of being apart.
*****************
We were both orphans.
While Johnny Moore was the product of alcohol and bad decisions, he never let his family define him. And me? Well, let's just say that my mother's unwanted pregnancy almost destroyed her family name and leaving me behind was the best decision she ever made.
Johnny and I made a pact all those years ago--never leave. Two simple words that always gave me hope. Something solid to lean on when things got tough.
But I guess promises are meant to be broken. The memory of Johnny walking away on his eighteenth birthday will forever be burned into my heart like a brand.
Ten years of forgetting him. Ten long years of forging my own path and trying to make my dreams come true...without him.
Nothing could have prepared me for the series of events that brought me back to Pebble Brook Falls and face-to-face with Johnny Moore. The very man I wanted nothing more than to forget...forever.
And nothing could have prepared me for the man that was the embodiment of my weaknesses. With his towering height, southern accent, and a smile that made me weak in the knees, I was completely helpless against him.
He had been my first for everything, and I mean everything. And even though I knew he was the only person who could break my heart, the moment I laid my eyes on him after ten years, I knew I wanted him to be my last--my forever.
The only question was, would he even want me to stay?
The companion novel, If You Stayed, told in Johnny's point of view will be releasing later this year!
*****************
We were both orphans.
While Johnny Moore was the product of alcohol and bad decisions, he never let his family define him. And me? Well, let's just say that my mother's unwanted pregnancy almost destroyed her family name and leaving me behind was the best decision she ever made.
Johnny and I made a pact all those years ago--never leave. Two simple words that always gave me hope. Something solid to lean on when things got tough.
But I guess promises are meant to be broken. The memory of Johnny walking away on his eighteenth birthday will forever be burned into my heart like a brand.
Ten years of forgetting him. Ten long years of forging my own path and trying to make my dreams come true...without him.
Nothing could have prepared me for the series of events that brought me back to Pebble Brook Falls and face-to-face with Johnny Moore. The very man I wanted nothing more than to forget...forever.
And nothing could have prepared me for the man that was the embodiment of my weaknesses. With his towering height, southern accent, and a smile that made me weak in the knees, I was completely helpless against him.
He had been my first for everything, and I mean everything. And even though I knew he was the only person who could break my heart, the moment I laid my eyes on him after ten years, I knew I wanted him to be my last--my forever.
The only question was, would he even want me to stay?
The companion novel, If You Stayed, told in Johnny's point of view will be releasing later this year!
364 pages, Paperback
Published June 6, 2023
134 people are currently reading
1422 people want to read
About the author
Brianna Remus
9 books291 followersBrianna Remus is a Florida-based author who lives with her husband, three pups, and terrorizing cat. She started her writing journey in 2016 to ward off the woes of graduate school. The light-hearted hobby quickly turned into a passion filled dream that consistently distracts her from the real world.
When Brianna isn't working as a psychology resident or writing books, you can find her getting lost in the worlds created by others (through writing and movies), spending a day at the ocean, or taking a walk in the forest. She loves to spend her days outdoors surrounded by the beauties of nature.
A true Tolkien nerd, she also spends a lot of her time immersed in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, as well as praying that Amazon doesn't completely fuck up the new LOTR series.
When Brianna isn't working as a psychology resident or writing books, you can find her getting lost in the worlds created by others (through writing and movies), spending a day at the ocean, or taking a walk in the forest. She loves to spend her days outdoors surrounded by the beauties of nature.
A true Tolkien nerd, she also spends a lot of her time immersed in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, as well as praying that Amazon doesn't completely fuck up the new LOTR series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
November 7, 2024
I absolutely loved Johnny and Willow! The story takes you through so many twists and turns!
June 8, 2023
5 ⭐️
Thank you Brianna for reaching out and sending me this ARC of your book. I appreciate it so much.
Tropes:
- Second chance
- Small town filled with secrets
- Soulmates
- Slow burn
- Marines veteran hero
- Secret heiress heroine
- Stand-alone
If I Asked You to Stay was such a sweet, heartfelt, emotional and loving book that was a whirlwind of a love story. It’s a second chance romance that just makes your heart burst with joy. It was definitely emotional at a lot of points but I truly enjoyed that because it revolved around the origin story of Willow and Johnny’s love story and the mystery about Willow’s mom.
Willow Mae is back at Pebble Brook Falls after she finds out she’s the sole heir to the Baxley family estate after the grandma she never knew dies and leaves WIllow everything. But going back to the little small town may be harder than anticipated because she runs into her childhood love Johnny Moore, who left her more than a decade ago without ever contacting her again.
This book was everything and more and I was so happy how much If I Asked You to Stay touched me to my very core. I can’t wait to read whatever Brianna has up her sleeve next. 🤍
Thank you Brianna for reaching out and sending me this ARC of your book. I appreciate it so much.
Tropes:
- Second chance
- Small town filled with secrets
- Soulmates
- Slow burn
- Marines veteran hero
- Secret heiress heroine
- Stand-alone
If I Asked You to Stay was such a sweet, heartfelt, emotional and loving book that was a whirlwind of a love story. It’s a second chance romance that just makes your heart burst with joy. It was definitely emotional at a lot of points but I truly enjoyed that because it revolved around the origin story of Willow and Johnny’s love story and the mystery about Willow’s mom.
Willow Mae is back at Pebble Brook Falls after she finds out she’s the sole heir to the Baxley family estate after the grandma she never knew dies and leaves WIllow everything. But going back to the little small town may be harder than anticipated because she runs into her childhood love Johnny Moore, who left her more than a decade ago without ever contacting her again.
This book was everything and more and I was so happy how much If I Asked You to Stay touched me to my very core. I can’t wait to read whatever Brianna has up her sleeve next. 🤍
May 23, 2023
Willow has come home to Pebble Brook Falls, but only long enough to complete her inheritance paperwork and leave. There are too many memories and too much pain in Pebble Brook Falls.
But secrets have a way of becoming unraveled; and Pebble Brook Falls is no stranger to secrets. From Willow's family history to her best friend turned sweetheart, Willow finds that she needs to understand the past, to be able to move forward into her future.
This was my first book from Brianna and the emotions of this book were strong. At her core, Willow was looking for her person who would love her and never leave her. Even her sweetheart Johnny did not fit that mold. And her struggles with processing these feelings lead to her actions in the first half of the book.
Johnny was such a great character. While he left long ago, his heart was always with Willow. I loved seeing Willow and Johnny discover each other again. Add in a great cast of friends that support Willow and Johnny and you have a story of redemption, discovery and love.
But secrets have a way of becoming unraveled; and Pebble Brook Falls is no stranger to secrets. From Willow's family history to her best friend turned sweetheart, Willow finds that she needs to understand the past, to be able to move forward into her future.
This was my first book from Brianna and the emotions of this book were strong. At her core, Willow was looking for her person who would love her and never leave her. Even her sweetheart Johnny did not fit that mold. And her struggles with processing these feelings lead to her actions in the first half of the book.
Johnny was such a great character. While he left long ago, his heart was always with Willow. I loved seeing Willow and Johnny discover each other again. Add in a great cast of friends that support Willow and Johnny and you have a story of redemption, discovery and love.
June 6, 2023
‘If I Asked You To Stay’ was definitely a story that kept me hooked right from the start. This book is written through Willow’s point of view, and I enjoyed getting to know her. She was definitely a tough lady, and she has been through a lot to get where she is today. Right from the beginning when Willow got back into her small home town, there is a lot going on in her life. Learning more about her past, and her birth mother. Getting reacquainted with her best friend who she hasn’t seen in years, although they always kept in touch. And then Johnny, the guy who broke her heart appears to have been living in her old town for years. It’s a lot! And I felt sorry for Willow for sure.
The romance in this book was fun, and I loved reading how Willow and Johnny reconnected after so many years apart. There where some fun, sexy moments between those two that definitely made me swoon. ( Sidenote, I kept seeing the Dirty Dancing ‘Johnny’ inside my head when I read his name.. LOL!! )
Although this book is a romance, it was also a lot about Willow learning more about her past and her birth mom. I didn’t expect that part at all, and I was a bit surprised by it. I expected a romance only through reading the book description, and it was so much more.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and the characters. I definitely hope to read more books by this author in the future.
The romance in this book was fun, and I loved reading how Willow and Johnny reconnected after so many years apart. There where some fun, sexy moments between those two that definitely made me swoon. ( Sidenote, I kept seeing the Dirty Dancing ‘Johnny’ inside my head when I read his name.. LOL!! )
Although this book is a romance, it was also a lot about Willow learning more about her past and her birth mom. I didn’t expect that part at all, and I was a bit surprised by it. I expected a romance only through reading the book description, and it was so much more.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and the characters. I definitely hope to read more books by this author in the future.
June 6, 2023
3.5 stars! This is a great second chance romance and interesting homecoming for Willow. She returns to her hometown to collect her inheritance and runs into the love of her life that she thought abandoned her.
I really enjoyed the special relationship between Willow and Johnny, but there were a couple of things that brought me out of the story. They met in an orphanage and these haven’t existed in the US for like 70 years. Also, a white infant would have very easily been adopted, so it’s unlikely that a child would have lived their entire life in an orphanage or what should have been the foster care system.
This was a slow burn as these two reconnect after so many years apart. And I really enjoyed the bit of mystery with Willow’s mother.
I really enjoyed the special relationship between Willow and Johnny, but there were a couple of things that brought me out of the story. They met in an orphanage and these haven’t existed in the US for like 70 years. Also, a white infant would have very easily been adopted, so it’s unlikely that a child would have lived their entire life in an orphanage or what should have been the foster care system.
This was a slow burn as these two reconnect after so many years apart. And I really enjoyed the bit of mystery with Willow’s mother.
May 20, 2023
Thank you to Brianna for sending me an arc of her book.
I wasn't expecting this book to be so good and entertaining. The slow-burn was burning but it was worth it. The small town vibes were there and of the scenes in the field between Johnny and the Willow were incredible. I also really liked the whole "mystery solving" part about Willow's mother past (I was very captivated by that whole plot and reading the letters was really fun). The spice aspect was done really well too (Johnny had a dirty mouth and we appreciate it 😌). Overall, I really liked this.
I wasn't expecting this book to be so good and entertaining. The slow-burn was burning but it was worth it. The small town vibes were there and of the scenes in the field between Johnny and the Willow were incredible. I also really liked the whole "mystery solving" part about Willow's mother past (I was very captivated by that whole plot and reading the letters was really fun). The spice aspect was done really well too (Johnny had a dirty mouth and we appreciate it 😌). Overall, I really liked this.
August 11, 2023
Title: If I Asked You to Stay (Pebble Brook Falls)
Author: Brianna Remus
Hero/Heroine: Johnny & Willow
Tropes: Second Chance, Small Town, Military Hero,
tw/cw: adoption, detailed description of PTSD, death of a parent, mention of drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence,
✨the good ✨
Southern sweetness with a fair bit of spice, If I Asked You to Stay was a wonderful surprise of a story.
Having grown up together in the local orphanage, Johnny and Willow end up separated for twelve years after he joins the military. When a surprise inheritance brings Willow back to Pebble Brook Falls, she’s determined to get in, speak to the lawyer and then escape as quickly as possible. Obviously that didn’t happen.
Johnny and Willow had so much history, which I felt helped build their relationship throughout the book. There was a pretty big miscommunication/misunderstanding between them, however I wasn’t put off by this as it was written so well. I loved the fact that, by Willow coming back to the small town where she grew up, it allowed her to lay some ghosts to rest and finally stand up for herself to the small minded townsfolk. At first I thought I’d struggle to relate to Willow, however I was proved massively wrong. She was a force to be reckoned with and I admired her courage, especially when it came to the whole situation with her mothers death.
All in all, I really enjoyed Johnny and Willow’s story, and I’m so hoping that Sarah is getting her own story, she bloody deserves it.
✨ the bad ✨
Adeline. What a vile woman.
Thank you to the author and @greyspromo for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
✨overall thoughts: heartfelt and beautiful
✨ heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Brianna Remus
Hero/Heroine: Johnny & Willow
Tropes: Second Chance, Small Town, Military Hero,
tw/cw: adoption, detailed description of PTSD, death of a parent, mention of drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence,
✨the good ✨
Southern sweetness with a fair bit of spice, If I Asked You to Stay was a wonderful surprise of a story.
Having grown up together in the local orphanage, Johnny and Willow end up separated for twelve years after he joins the military. When a surprise inheritance brings Willow back to Pebble Brook Falls, she’s determined to get in, speak to the lawyer and then escape as quickly as possible. Obviously that didn’t happen.
Johnny and Willow had so much history, which I felt helped build their relationship throughout the book. There was a pretty big miscommunication/misunderstanding between them, however I wasn’t put off by this as it was written so well. I loved the fact that, by Willow coming back to the small town where she grew up, it allowed her to lay some ghosts to rest and finally stand up for herself to the small minded townsfolk. At first I thought I’d struggle to relate to Willow, however I was proved massively wrong. She was a force to be reckoned with and I admired her courage, especially when it came to the whole situation with her mothers death.
All in all, I really enjoyed Johnny and Willow’s story, and I’m so hoping that Sarah is getting her own story, she bloody deserves it.
✨ the bad ✨
Adeline. What a vile woman.
Thank you to the author and @greyspromo for providing me with a copy of this to read. This is my honest review.
✨overall thoughts: heartfelt and beautiful
✨ heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 9, 2025
This follows Willow who was an orphan, not wanted by her mother and the love of her life walking out on her when he turned 18 to go to the Marines. It’s now 12 years later and Willow is taken back to the place she once called home Pebble Brook Falls due to family matters. Once she gets their memories, family secrets are revealed and the man who promised to never leave is right in front of her.
I enjoyed this book. The plot was great and kept me engaged but boy is Willow and Johnny soul mates. I felt their emotions on the page of them being drawn together and just loved their connection. You feel for Willow in this story as she is still discovering herself but also trying to make something of herself. I enjoyed the intimate spice as well.
Now just a few personal things that are my problem. Regarding the nicknames used (I’m just not a nickname fan in general depending) I felt Darlin was used a bit too much for my liking. Sweetheart and Baby Girl not as much but it’s just my personal taste and don’t enjoy it. Also one word in the spicy scene “seed” isn’t for me either.
If you love:
🔹 Soul Mate Energy
🔹 Digging Up Family Roots
🔹 Ex Marine / Archery Shop Owner
🔹 FMC Discovering Herself
🔹 Small Town Secrets
🔹 Intimate Love & Spice
Genre/Type: Small Town Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 332
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️
Series or Stand Alone: Series 1 In Pebble Brooke Falls Book 1
Release Date: 6th June 2023
Tropes or Themes: Small Town, Second Chance, Military, Soulmates & Mentions DV
Check Triggers ⚠️
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Scribd | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
I enjoyed this book. The plot was great and kept me engaged but boy is Willow and Johnny soul mates. I felt their emotions on the page of them being drawn together and just loved their connection. You feel for Willow in this story as she is still discovering herself but also trying to make something of herself. I enjoyed the intimate spice as well.
Now just a few personal things that are my problem. Regarding the nicknames used (I’m just not a nickname fan in general depending) I felt Darlin was used a bit too much for my liking. Sweetheart and Baby Girl not as much but it’s just my personal taste and don’t enjoy it. Also one word in the spicy scene “seed” isn’t for me either.
If you love:
🔹 Soul Mate Energy
🔹 Digging Up Family Roots
🔹 Ex Marine / Archery Shop Owner
🔹 FMC Discovering Herself
🔹 Small Town Secrets
🔹 Intimate Love & Spice
Genre/Type: Small Town Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 332
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️
Series or Stand Alone: Series 1 In Pebble Brooke Falls Book 1
Release Date: 6th June 2023
Tropes or Themes: Small Town, Second Chance, Military, Soulmates & Mentions DV
Check Triggers ⚠️
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Scribd | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
September 4, 2023
☆ 4/5 & 2/5 spice
This is a small town, slow burn, second chance, it’s always been you story following Willow and Johnny. Willow returns back to her hometown of Pebble Brook Falls to figure out why the Baxley, who are her estranged family that abandoned her when she was born. They left their estate to her and a large amount of money. Willow was abandoned in an orphanage where she became close with Johnny, who became her best friend and first love, until he left her as well.
When Willow returns back to her hometown she unexpectedly runs into a cute dog, who’s owner is someone from her past. Willow never planned on seeing Johnny again, but fate brings them back together to work through their problems and face their past.
I really enjoyed this heartfelt book that was filled with so much emotion. At times I wished we were able to see Johnny’s POV, but I understand that it makes sense to only have Willow’s POV since we’re seeing her re-discover herself through this new journey. Johnny and Willow’s story was so sweet and very heartwarming.
Tropes:
❥ Second chance
❥ Small town filled with secrets
❥ Soul mates
❥ Slow burn
❥ Marine veteran hero
❥ Secret heiress heroine
This is a small town, slow burn, second chance, it’s always been you story following Willow and Johnny. Willow returns back to her hometown of Pebble Brook Falls to figure out why the Baxley, who are her estranged family that abandoned her when she was born. They left their estate to her and a large amount of money. Willow was abandoned in an orphanage where she became close with Johnny, who became her best friend and first love, until he left her as well.
When Willow returns back to her hometown she unexpectedly runs into a cute dog, who’s owner is someone from her past. Willow never planned on seeing Johnny again, but fate brings them back together to work through their problems and face their past.
I really enjoyed this heartfelt book that was filled with so much emotion. At times I wished we were able to see Johnny’s POV, but I understand that it makes sense to only have Willow’s POV since we’re seeing her re-discover herself through this new journey. Johnny and Willow’s story was so sweet and very heartwarming.
Tropes:
❥ Second chance
❥ Small town filled with secrets
❥ Soul mates
❥ Slow burn
❥ Marine veteran hero
❥ Secret heiress heroine
June 3, 2023
⭐️⭐️💫
I wish I could give this book a higher review. I had the hardest time staying connected to any of the characters or the plot. I kept putting the book down and didn’t feel pulled to pick it up.
The concept of the book was there, I just believe it needed a little more fleshing out and a little more editing.
I was not convinced that Willow and Johnny had any chemistry besides her thinking he was hot. I am not sure if it was because it was only told from her POV, but there was a lack of emotional depth. Not to be confused with using childhood trauma (orphanages don’t exist anymore which was another weird choice). Her forgiving him immediately after 12 years of holding a grudge felt forced and unresolved.
I enjoyed the slight mystery aspect to the story which I think could have been given a little more limelight over some of the other plot.
Thank you Greys Promotion for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I wish I could give this book a higher review. I had the hardest time staying connected to any of the characters or the plot. I kept putting the book down and didn’t feel pulled to pick it up.
The concept of the book was there, I just believe it needed a little more fleshing out and a little more editing.
I was not convinced that Willow and Johnny had any chemistry besides her thinking he was hot. I am not sure if it was because it was only told from her POV, but there was a lack of emotional depth. Not to be confused with using childhood trauma (orphanages don’t exist anymore which was another weird choice). Her forgiving him immediately after 12 years of holding a grudge felt forced and unresolved.
I enjoyed the slight mystery aspect to the story which I think could have been given a little more limelight over some of the other plot.
Thank you Greys Promotion for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 3, 2023
I was given an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve got to say I really enjoy this book . I couldn’t put it down. This is my second book I’ve read from this author and it’s safe to say that it won’t be my last. Thank you Author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I’ve got to say I really enjoy this book . I couldn’t put it down. This is my second book I’ve read from this author and it’s safe to say that it won’t be my last. Thank you Author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
September 10, 2024
first ever book I DNF’d. it was so juvenile and immature I could not deal with it.
May 19, 2023
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
If I asked you to stay is a small-town, second chance romantic suspense novel!
Both orphans, Johnny and Willow Mae met in an orphanage and fell in love both promising to never leave each other , but when Johnny gets into the marines and heads to war never to be heard from again willow finds it hard to regain trust in anyone again so when old enough flees from her orphanage and home town to start fresh.
This plot is a completely different story line to what I’ve read before, what brings Willow Mae back to the hometown is bittersweet. I found it hard to relate to Willow Mae at the start of this book it’s like she never spoke a word to anyone & it was all inner dialogue speaking which had me imagining she was standing there in front of Johnny completely mute!
In saying that when she opens up you’re completely engaged through the whole book and has you feeling all the highs and lows, the poor girl has been through a lot so it is understandable she is how she is.
There are twists and turns through the whole book, secrets that get uncovered and a little bit of karma!
I love second chance romance I don’t know what it is about two people and fate bringing them back together in the end, but story has all those heartwarming emotions and more. Don’t we all wish there were more fictional men in this world 🤣
If you like
- second chance
- Small town filled with secrets
- Soul mates
- Slow burn
- Marines veteran/ secret heiress
then you will definitely enjoy this one!
If I asked you to stay is a small-town, second chance romantic suspense novel!
Both orphans, Johnny and Willow Mae met in an orphanage and fell in love both promising to never leave each other , but when Johnny gets into the marines and heads to war never to be heard from again willow finds it hard to regain trust in anyone again so when old enough flees from her orphanage and home town to start fresh.
This plot is a completely different story line to what I’ve read before, what brings Willow Mae back to the hometown is bittersweet. I found it hard to relate to Willow Mae at the start of this book it’s like she never spoke a word to anyone & it was all inner dialogue speaking which had me imagining she was standing there in front of Johnny completely mute!
In saying that when she opens up you’re completely engaged through the whole book and has you feeling all the highs and lows, the poor girl has been through a lot so it is understandable she is how she is.
There are twists and turns through the whole book, secrets that get uncovered and a little bit of karma!
I love second chance romance I don’t know what it is about two people and fate bringing them back together in the end, but story has all those heartwarming emotions and more. Don’t we all wish there were more fictional men in this world 🤣
If you like
- second chance
- Small town filled with secrets
- Soul mates
- Slow burn
- Marines veteran/ secret heiress
then you will definitely enjoy this one!
June 6, 2023
It is no secret that I love small towns and second chances, add in great characters with a good story, and I will usually finish the book in one sitting. If I Asked You to Stay is all the above and more.
Willow’s story will pull at your emotions, and revealing the layers and secrets had me wanting more. The touch of suspense is a bonus. My first time reading this author, but not the last.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Willow’s story will pull at your emotions, and revealing the layers and secrets had me wanting more. The touch of suspense is a bonus. My first time reading this author, but not the last.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
December 27, 2024
I really loved this book. It was so heartbreaking but also real. This author has a knack for bringing in good details. I just wish she would have brought the mystery/conflict in earlier, showing who Landon was in the end. I think Brianna is going to write some brilliant books, but I just wanted more from the storylines she introduced.
December 31, 2024
I got this book and finished it the same day. I couldn’t put it down. It was so so sweet you have first love second chance romance. The notebook vibes. The relationship between willow and Jonny is oh so sweet and special I found myself laughing, crying and in shock at the suspenseful moments this book had. I’m already diving into the second book!
July 24, 2025
So Sweet
This was a very sweet romance. Limited spice but definitely a feel good warm fuzzy vibe! A FMC who you can't help but cheer for
This was a very sweet romance. Limited spice but definitely a feel good warm fuzzy vibe! A FMC who you can't help but cheer for
August 5, 2023
The actions of Willow in assuming that Johnny walked away from her when she was 16 resonate clearly with her upbringing in this storyline. However, orphanages have not been around for many decades so this negates the belief in this story.
The story is in Willow's POV and the story could have been so much better if it was in both POVs. If you suspend the fact orphanages have not been around for decades, then the emotions and growing up and coming into yourself and having a second chance at love resonate.
The mystery surrounding her mother could have been given more attention.
The story didn't hold my attention completely as there were areas that dragged.
If this is the first book by the author, learning to hone her writing skills I feel she will have better stories in the future. Research is so important in creating believable stories.
The story is in Willow's POV and the story could have been so much better if it was in both POVs. If you suspend the fact orphanages have not been around for decades, then the emotions and growing up and coming into yourself and having a second chance at love resonate.
The mystery surrounding her mother could have been given more attention.
The story didn't hold my attention completely as there were areas that dragged.
If this is the first book by the author, learning to hone her writing skills I feel she will have better stories in the future. Research is so important in creating believable stories.
May 21, 2023
A small town, second chance romance that will steal your heart.
Willow returns to her hometown of Pebble Brook Falls after being away for 10 years because she discovers some astounding news about the family she never knew. Willow grew up in the town’s orphanage alongside her childhood sweetheart, Johnny. She never knew her parents and was terribly bullied in school. Then. Johnny broke her heart by leaving Willow the moment he turned 18 and joined the Marines. She hasn’t heard from him or seen him since. And now, Willow wants to spend as little time in Pebble Brook Falls as possible to quickly take care of family business, reunite with her childhood best friend Sarah for a few days and then return to Nashville and her new life. But Willow doesn’t expect to run into Johnny and discovers life has a way of changing the best laid plans.
Willow and best friend Sarah are beautifully written and their banter is exactly how best girlfriends would chat. I loved their relationship, their support when they each needed a shoulder, and their realistic advice to each other.
Johnny, the marine who has returned to his hometown to run an archery range, is easy to fall for right away. And it doesn’t hurt that he has an adorable dog named Asher. Johnny has been dealing with PTSD, hoping to reunite with Willow some day, and I could totally picture him in my mind, southern drawl and all. He’s hurt that Willow has never reached out but doesn’t know she never received any of his letters. Finding their way back to each other is relatively slow, but it’s worth the wait. This isn’t a particularly steamy story, it’s more a romantic, slow burn, but when Johnny and Willow do finally get together, they definitely turn up the heat.
There’s a lot more to Willow’s story, some of it heartbreaking, including surprising revelations from her family history, which I won’t spoil. There’s an awful lot going on in this small, southern town!
I would have enjoyed some of this book from Johnny’s point of view too. It’s definitely Willow’s tale to tell, but hearing Johnny’s thoughts would have added nicely to the story. There’s also open storylines not yet resolved, hopefully leading to more from the town of Pebble Brook Falls in book 2!
I am grateful to have received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Willow returns to her hometown of Pebble Brook Falls after being away for 10 years because she discovers some astounding news about the family she never knew. Willow grew up in the town’s orphanage alongside her childhood sweetheart, Johnny. She never knew her parents and was terribly bullied in school. Then. Johnny broke her heart by leaving Willow the moment he turned 18 and joined the Marines. She hasn’t heard from him or seen him since. And now, Willow wants to spend as little time in Pebble Brook Falls as possible to quickly take care of family business, reunite with her childhood best friend Sarah for a few days and then return to Nashville and her new life. But Willow doesn’t expect to run into Johnny and discovers life has a way of changing the best laid plans.
Willow and best friend Sarah are beautifully written and their banter is exactly how best girlfriends would chat. I loved their relationship, their support when they each needed a shoulder, and their realistic advice to each other.
Johnny, the marine who has returned to his hometown to run an archery range, is easy to fall for right away. And it doesn’t hurt that he has an adorable dog named Asher. Johnny has been dealing with PTSD, hoping to reunite with Willow some day, and I could totally picture him in my mind, southern drawl and all. He’s hurt that Willow has never reached out but doesn’t know she never received any of his letters. Finding their way back to each other is relatively slow, but it’s worth the wait. This isn’t a particularly steamy story, it’s more a romantic, slow burn, but when Johnny and Willow do finally get together, they definitely turn up the heat.
There’s a lot more to Willow’s story, some of it heartbreaking, including surprising revelations from her family history, which I won’t spoil. There’s an awful lot going on in this small, southern town!
I would have enjoyed some of this book from Johnny’s point of view too. It’s definitely Willow’s tale to tell, but hearing Johnny’s thoughts would have added nicely to the story. There’s also open storylines not yet resolved, hopefully leading to more from the town of Pebble Brook Falls in book 2!
I am grateful to have received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2023
"I'm staying forever to see... if I might have a chance of you loving me again.
Second chance romance
Small town romance
Terrible families
Friends to strangers to lovers
Found family within a small town
A little bit of mystery
Willow left Pebble Brook Falls ten years ago and has never looked back. She left behind a sad childhood, a lost love, and so many bad memories. She never expected to return, until one day she received a call that she is entitled to a lifechanging inheritance from a family member who has never wanted anything to do with her.
Johnny left Peddle Brook Falls twelve years ago - he left for the military once he turned 18 in hopes of returning to be deserving of the love from his girlfriend Willow. Both Johnny and Willow grew up orphans and had a bond that most others cannot relate to. When Johnny left, he promised to write Willow and he did; every week for two years. But he never got a response back.
So now we are in the present and Willow is back in the last place she wants to be and runs into Johnny, who is the last person she ever wants to see. Both Johnny and Willow hold residual feelings for each other, and not just love, both still have anger in their bones that they have carried for the last decade. But now that they are in the same place at the same time, will their love overcome their anger and will they be able to finally have their HEA?
"I would give you all of eternity if you never let my arms again."
I really enjoyed this small town, second chance romance. I am all about the friends to lovers trope nowadays and the author really made us believe that these two have never fallen out of love with each other. You can see the struggles that both were having with holding onto anger, but also wanting to just wrap their arms around each other.
I am hoping that we get to see more of Pebble Brook Falls in the future and especially a story for Sarah!
Second chance romance
Small town romance
Terrible families
Friends to strangers to lovers
Found family within a small town
A little bit of mystery
Willow left Pebble Brook Falls ten years ago and has never looked back. She left behind a sad childhood, a lost love, and so many bad memories. She never expected to return, until one day she received a call that she is entitled to a lifechanging inheritance from a family member who has never wanted anything to do with her.
Johnny left Peddle Brook Falls twelve years ago - he left for the military once he turned 18 in hopes of returning to be deserving of the love from his girlfriend Willow. Both Johnny and Willow grew up orphans and had a bond that most others cannot relate to. When Johnny left, he promised to write Willow and he did; every week for two years. But he never got a response back.
So now we are in the present and Willow is back in the last place she wants to be and runs into Johnny, who is the last person she ever wants to see. Both Johnny and Willow hold residual feelings for each other, and not just love, both still have anger in their bones that they have carried for the last decade. But now that they are in the same place at the same time, will their love overcome their anger and will they be able to finally have their HEA?
"I would give you all of eternity if you never let my arms again."
I really enjoyed this small town, second chance romance. I am all about the friends to lovers trope nowadays and the author really made us believe that these two have never fallen out of love with each other. You can see the struggles that both were having with holding onto anger, but also wanting to just wrap their arms around each other.
I am hoping that we get to see more of Pebble Brook Falls in the future and especially a story for Sarah!
August 26, 2024
Finishing this book was a struggle. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and they all just fell flat for me. One noted, no dimension. It was too long for what little happened. The way she wrote it felt like an essay she couldn’t hit word count for so she took a 5 word sentence and turned it into a paragraph. At least once in every chapter my eyes rolled so hard I’m surprised they didn’t get stuck.
They’ve both waited forever for each other but why is she the one that has to sacrifice? At no point was him moving to Nashville ever an option. The ‘conflict’ wasn’t a conflict at all and I was irritated how quickly they fell into their HEA which sounds dumb but there was zero tension. Nothing to keep me interested. I walked away from this book and read three others because I simply didn’t care about the story. I only finished because I once again fell into the TT trap and bought a copy before I checked to see if it was on KU.
And honestly? The thing that makes me the most annoyed is that the author included the chapter about her mom and dad at the beginning and the FMC never, not once, tried to find him. I kept thinking she’d run into him in town or someone would mention the guy her mom loved but nope. She spent her entire life thinking she was abandoned and unwanted but only ever cared about her mom. Came back and read the journal about how much her mom loved her dad and still never gave him a second thought. Solved her mom’s murder and still nothing. She could have a living parent out in the world and it’s like he was invisible to her. He may as well have just been a sperm donor by the way he was so forgettable. Such a small thing but it annoyed me so much that I rushed to the end because it felt like she read a book half way through and didn’t care to finish it. Ugh.
They’ve both waited forever for each other but why is she the one that has to sacrifice? At no point was him moving to Nashville ever an option. The ‘conflict’ wasn’t a conflict at all and I was irritated how quickly they fell into their HEA which sounds dumb but there was zero tension. Nothing to keep me interested. I walked away from this book and read three others because I simply didn’t care about the story. I only finished because I once again fell into the TT trap and bought a copy before I checked to see if it was on KU.
And honestly? The thing that makes me the most annoyed is that the author included the chapter about her mom and dad at the beginning and the FMC never, not once, tried to find him. I kept thinking she’d run into him in town or someone would mention the guy her mom loved but nope. She spent her entire life thinking she was abandoned and unwanted but only ever cared about her mom. Came back and read the journal about how much her mom loved her dad and still never gave him a second thought. Solved her mom’s murder and still nothing. She could have a living parent out in the world and it’s like he was invisible to her. He may as well have just been a sperm donor by the way he was so forgettable. Such a small thing but it annoyed me so much that I rushed to the end because it felt like she read a book half way through and didn’t care to finish it. Ugh.
May 23, 2023
Everybody Agrees….
“If You Asked Me to Stay” by Brianna Remus is a small-town, second-chance, low-spice, slow-burn romance with a bit of a mystery to solve.
Willow (FMC) has returned to the small town she thought she would never see again after learning she had inherited a large fortune from her estranged grandmother. A grandmother she didn’t know was hers since she was given up as a baby. Throughout the story, Willow learns more about her birth mother, her birth family, and the love Willow has left behind. Unfortunately, some issues about her mother don’t add up as she obtains information. All the while, she struggles with anxious feelings about her past and present.
A few things I recognize are likely a “me problem” that you may or may not share: this is a single POV. First person but single POV. I miss knowing what Johnny’s thoughts and feelings are. I wouldn’t have minded that if it switched to him at the book’s halfway mark. Also, Willow’s anxiety and negativity made me feel those things while reading about them for so long.
Overall though, this was an entertaining and enjoyable read.
I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“If You Asked Me to Stay” by Brianna Remus is a small-town, second-chance, low-spice, slow-burn romance with a bit of a mystery to solve.
Willow (FMC) has returned to the small town she thought she would never see again after learning she had inherited a large fortune from her estranged grandmother. A grandmother she didn’t know was hers since she was given up as a baby. Throughout the story, Willow learns more about her birth mother, her birth family, and the love Willow has left behind. Unfortunately, some issues about her mother don’t add up as she obtains information. All the while, she struggles with anxious feelings about her past and present.
A few things I recognize are likely a “me problem” that you may or may not share: this is a single POV. First person but single POV. I miss knowing what Johnny’s thoughts and feelings are. I wouldn’t have minded that if it switched to him at the book’s halfway mark. Also, Willow’s anxiety and negativity made me feel those things while reading about them for so long.
Overall though, this was an entertaining and enjoyable read.
I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 6, 2023
At a young age, Willow and Johnny were each other's world. Unfortunately, their love took a turn when Johnny ends up leaving for the military. Willow is forced to face her history when she returns to Pebble Brook Falls to accept an inheritance left in her name.
Pebble Brook Falls is a town based on tradition and secrets. However, secrets never stay hidden forever.
Willow has never stopped loving Johnny, but she has spent the entire time after Johnny left denying those feelings and avoiding them. She struggles to process the actions of the past, but she can't avoid them any longer.
Seeing Johnny and Willow reconnect was so special. They have so many special memories that I loved hearing about. Johnny is so patient with her as she struggles to process her own feelings and a lot of new information. He would do anything for Willow - think strong The Notebook vibes. You will swoon for this man.
I'm interested in seeing what is in store for this series in the future!
Thanks for the ARC Brianna!
Pebble Brook Falls is a town based on tradition and secrets. However, secrets never stay hidden forever.
Willow has never stopped loving Johnny, but she has spent the entire time after Johnny left denying those feelings and avoiding them. She struggles to process the actions of the past, but she can't avoid them any longer.
Seeing Johnny and Willow reconnect was so special. They have so many special memories that I loved hearing about. Johnny is so patient with her as she struggles to process her own feelings and a lot of new information. He would do anything for Willow - think strong The Notebook vibes. You will swoon for this man.
I'm interested in seeing what is in store for this series in the future!
Thanks for the ARC Brianna!
June 8, 2023
Thank you so much to the author for sending me this wonderful book to read, I absolutely devoured it.
I absolutely adored this book, as I was reading it all I could imagine was it as a movie, it would be perfect for the big screen and let’s cast Scott Eastwood as Johnny 🩷
I loved Willow and Johnny so much, though every time I read Johnny I heard it in the voice of Baby from Dirty Dancing haha.
🩵 Small Town
🩵 Second Chance
🩵 Childhood Sweethearts
I feel like I could listen to Johnny call me darlin all day long 🔥
I really enjoyed the storyline, I thought it was a little bit different and something you could really get stuck into. It is such a quick easy read, in fact I’d read 60% of it before even realising I’d done it.
I am really looking forward to reading Sarah’s story next and hopefully we get more of this pair in that too.
Definitely go grab this one.
I absolutely adored this book, as I was reading it all I could imagine was it as a movie, it would be perfect for the big screen and let’s cast Scott Eastwood as Johnny 🩷
I loved Willow and Johnny so much, though every time I read Johnny I heard it in the voice of Baby from Dirty Dancing haha.
🩵 Small Town
🩵 Second Chance
🩵 Childhood Sweethearts
I feel like I could listen to Johnny call me darlin all day long 🔥
I really enjoyed the storyline, I thought it was a little bit different and something you could really get stuck into. It is such a quick easy read, in fact I’d read 60% of it before even realising I’d done it.
I am really looking forward to reading Sarah’s story next and hopefully we get more of this pair in that too.
Definitely go grab this one.
June 8, 2023
I like reading my second chance romances, but sadly, with this one I couldn't really feel the love.
The story was definitely interesting with Willow returning to her hometown after 10 years to take her rightful inheritance and meet her first love. But it got kind of confusing for me at one point. It felt like the scenes were jumping quite fast from one to another. The other thing for me was Willow. She knew what she had to do when she arrived at Pebble Brook Falls, but when she met Johnny again, things started going downhill for me. She was really confused about what to do and she took some rushed decisions. Everything was happy and good in the end, but the story just didn't get to me completely.
I received an ARC from Grey's Promotions and this is my voluntary review.
The story was definitely interesting with Willow returning to her hometown after 10 years to take her rightful inheritance and meet her first love. But it got kind of confusing for me at one point. It felt like the scenes were jumping quite fast from one to another. The other thing for me was Willow. She knew what she had to do when she arrived at Pebble Brook Falls, but when she met Johnny again, things started going downhill for me. She was really confused about what to do and she took some rushed decisions. Everything was happy and good in the end, but the story just didn't get to me completely.
I received an ARC from Grey's Promotions and this is my voluntary review.
June 9, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ This is a heartbreaking second chance romance. I loved that Johnny just fell right back with Willow Mae, like zero time had passed. It took willow Mae a bit more time but I did wish she had TALKED to him in the beginning, I wish she had stopped running away from him and let him speak.
But otherwise I enjoyed the story, it was different to what I’ve read recently but I found myself desperate to know what happened. Especially within those pages of the diary.
Overall I did like this book, thank you so much to the author for sending me this ARC is exchange for a review
But otherwise I enjoyed the story, it was different to what I’ve read recently but I found myself desperate to know what happened. Especially within those pages of the diary.
Overall I did like this book, thank you so much to the author for sending me this ARC is exchange for a review
April 6, 2024
I picked this up because I am an ARC reader for PBF #2 and I wanted to know what to expect. This was a sweet childhood romance rekindling. I liked the addition of a murder mystery but I felt like it was a bit rushed, maybe tacked on? And my goodness, Willow has her mind in the GUTTER literally staring at Johnny's crotch constantly! There was a lot of repeating of thought and rehashing of events that I feel were a bit unnecessary. It felt like a decent Hallmark movie. In fact, if it WERE one, I'd definitely watch it.
August 3, 2023
One thing missing.
I was honestly hoping that Willow would have found her father and been able to have a relationship with him. And that would have been an amazing way for her to learn more about her mom. I was hoping Michael would have been her father. But I’m sure the author had her reasons for writing the story as she did. It was a fantastic story, a must read!
I was honestly hoping that Willow would have found her father and been able to have a relationship with him. And that would have been an amazing way for her to learn more about her mom. I was hoping Michael would have been her father. But I’m sure the author had her reasons for writing the story as she did. It was a fantastic story, a must read!
September 24, 2023
This is a darling book about childhood sweethearts that find themselves facing each other again after a long separation.
I was drawn to a story of a girl returning back home despite her rough childhood with a chance to show the town the woman she has become. This has so much to enjoy - a small town romance, a chance at redemption and possible reunited love. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and was rooting for them to find some happiness after all they had endured. There was certainly some fire and spice here and this book was on the more explicit side in terms of MF sex.
What I didn’t enjoy was that some of the internal struggle faced by the main female character, Willow, seemed to drag in places - she offered the same story to explain her motivations a few more times than may have been necessary - but maybe I was too impatient to see how it all worked out. The dialogue in places seemed a bit more clipped than might be natural as a result of Willow explaining her motivations to herself again and again.
Overall there are some twists and turns that may not have been surprising but made for an enjoyable read.
If you are looking for a sweet, small town MF romance about long lost love and want to see if it all works out for two kids from the school of hard knocks, this book is for you and I recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving honest this review voluntarily.
⏰ short read 2-3 days
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⚠️Potential Triggers: war veteran, PTSD, child abandonment, bullying
🏷️
#SmallTownRomance
#MFRomance
#RedemtionOutofAbandonment
#IfIAskedYouToStay
#BookSirens
#ARCReaderBookSirens
I was drawn to a story of a girl returning back home despite her rough childhood with a chance to show the town the woman she has become. This has so much to enjoy - a small town romance, a chance at redemption and possible reunited love. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and was rooting for them to find some happiness after all they had endured. There was certainly some fire and spice here and this book was on the more explicit side in terms of MF sex.
What I didn’t enjoy was that some of the internal struggle faced by the main female character, Willow, seemed to drag in places - she offered the same story to explain her motivations a few more times than may have been necessary - but maybe I was too impatient to see how it all worked out. The dialogue in places seemed a bit more clipped than might be natural as a result of Willow explaining her motivations to herself again and again.
Overall there are some twists and turns that may not have been surprising but made for an enjoyable read.
If you are looking for a sweet, small town MF romance about long lost love and want to see if it all works out for two kids from the school of hard knocks, this book is for you and I recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving honest this review voluntarily.
⏰ short read 2-3 days
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⚠️Potential Triggers: war veteran, PTSD, child abandonment, bullying
🏷️
#SmallTownRomance
#MFRomance
#RedemtionOutofAbandonment
#IfIAskedYouToStay
#BookSirens
#ARCReaderBookSirens
November 27, 2023
The prologue was confusing. I started chapter one expecting Melanie and Landon to meet again and fall back in love, and initially thought Willow was Melanie with a different name to hide from her mother.
Once I figured out what was going on, my author, suspicious, soap-loving brain started working overtime.
I feel like it's a rule of thumb with any creative endeavor - no body means possibly alive - and I so hoped Melanie faked her death until her mother died.
I also hoped Michael had been Landon and he and Willow could have had a father daughter moment and relationship.
The orphanage element struck me as odd considering they have been gone for a long time and I wondered if the author meant a foster care group home.
What is the set up of Pebble Brook Falls? A small town of rich families? Sometimes it feels like a small town with a few McMansions and sometimes it felt like it was mostly uber wealthy families all competing for top status. It's small enough to be considered a small town, but large enough for an orphanage/group home?
Sarah I adored. I felt bad for her that her parents were horrible, but this seemed to be a running theme in this book. I hope she gets with Deacon.
There seemed to be a disconnect between Willow and Johnny and this couple and the reader. Willow was all over the place emotionally and I have to wonder if they were genuinely in love as teens or situationally in love because they both needed to be wanted.
Either way, the romantic/lust connection didn't quite hit home for me.
Basically, this is a good book. It's engaging and kept me turning pages even if my own imagination took off on tangents..
Once I figured out what was going on, my author, suspicious, soap-loving brain started working overtime.
I feel like it's a rule of thumb with any creative endeavor - no body means possibly alive - and I so hoped Melanie faked her death until her mother died.
I also hoped Michael had been Landon and he and Willow could have had a father daughter moment and relationship.
The orphanage element struck me as odd considering they have been gone for a long time and I wondered if the author meant a foster care group home.
What is the set up of Pebble Brook Falls? A small town of rich families? Sometimes it feels like a small town with a few McMansions and sometimes it felt like it was mostly uber wealthy families all competing for top status. It's small enough to be considered a small town, but large enough for an orphanage/group home?
Sarah I adored. I felt bad for her that her parents were horrible, but this seemed to be a running theme in this book. I hope she gets with Deacon.
There seemed to be a disconnect between Willow and Johnny and this couple and the reader. Willow was all over the place emotionally and I have to wonder if they were genuinely in love as teens or situationally in love because they both needed to be wanted.
Either way, the romantic/lust connection didn't quite hit home for me.
Basically, this is a good book. It's engaging and kept me turning pages even if my own imagination took off on tangents..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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