**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my personal opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Stay a Little Longer by Dawn Lanuza
Release Date: May 28, 2019
My Rating: 3.75 stars
Summary: They were perfect strangers—all perks, no strings. Until they weren't.
Elan wasn’t supposed to meet Caty. She lived halfway around the world, and he barely left Manila. Yet here he was, giving her a ride to the airport. Convinced that they would never have to see each other again after that day, Elan and Caty started to bond over truths, dares, stolen kisses, and games in hotel rooms and bars.
With brief encounters that turned them from acquaintances to friends — tipping to the point of lovers, always — will Elan and Caty keep settling for a day, or will someone finally dare to stay long enough to discover: Is this love?
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He was kidding of course, but she was laughing with him now, and he was mesmerized by the sound of it, loved that it was because of him.I requested this book on a whim because I've heard good things from this author (and I've read some #romanceclass novels before), and I was intrigued by the summary. It definitely lived up to my expectations and then some. Stay a Little Longer tells a tale of a different kind of love, soft and modern and lovely.
From the time Elan and Caty meet, something special forms between them. Yes, this book was a bit insta-lovey, but that's the point! They don't expect to meet each other again, or even if they do, it'll be far into the future, but both form a healthy infatuation with each other that eventually turns into love. I loved this slow-burn because it just felt right for the two of them.
No offense, but isn't it always something when it comes to us?The romance and the plot felt akin to Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi (although this book would be classified as adult), in that it's centered around really getting to know someone through text because there's less pressure than seeing the person actually IN PERSON. The nuances between physically talking to someone and texting them are real, okay, and I loved how Elan and Caty keep up a long-distance relationship, even if it's just a friendship at first.
I haven't read Lanuza's Hometown Hazard yet, but this book features some of the same characters. However, you don't need to have read the predecessor because this book is firmly centered on our main couple. I assume there are some allusions and inside jokes that went over my head, and I liked this book so much that I should really get on reading the first one.
The sibling relationships between the two main characters and their siblings were wonderful. You all know that I love a good sibling relationship, and this book depicted two really great ones.
The only thing that I didn't like about this book was that it was hard to tell who was talking. This was mainly due to one character's dialogue being on the same line as the description for the other character's actions. For example, it would be Caty's words but the action described right after is Elan's. I kept getting confused, and it's easy to think the other person is talking when they're not if you're not paying close attention.
"I feel a certain calm when I'm with him. It's a strange feeling. My heart is . . . I don't know, settled. Full. When I'm with him, it's quiet. I feel . . . " "Safe?"Stay a Little Longer was a lovely, beautifully written story. If you're looking for a new romance to read, I totally recommend this book. In fact, it's out today, so you can pick it up right now! I do think the book was a bit short, but that's probably because I wish I could have stayed a little longer with these characters.
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About the Author: Dawn Lanuza writes contemporary romance, young adult fiction and prose poetry. She has two first loves – music and writing – and is lucky enough to surround herself with them. She currently lives with her family and a very loved cream toy poodle.
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