Limecello’s review of Stay With Me by Maya Banks
Contemporary erotic romance released by Samhain Publishing 6 May 08
Maybe it’s my mood, or my brain has melted, but this book just didn’t do it for me. I’m one of those readers that always wants more, more, more emotion. I wouldn’t mind if 90% of a book was just the characters developing their relationship. In fact, I prefer it. It’s why I read romance. I don’t need a sub-plot, no thriller or mystery, precocious child or serial killer. (Yes, an interesting list there.) While this book is all about Catherine’s angst and her relationship with her husbands – it didn’t grip me. The first 21 pages just said the same thing. A lot. Catherine is sad. She’s pregnant. She’s lonely.
I didn’t really relate to her, and I’m afraid I didn’t much like her. (Mind you I didn’t dislike her.) I expected Cat to be a “stands up for herself and knows her own worth” character. After all, she leaves her husbands on their fifth anniversary. However, a third of the way through the book, I realized… Catherine was flat. In fact, all of the characters were static. Cat’s neglected, the men are overworked, and they have really hot sex. Their personalities, quirks, mannerisms, all seem underdeveloped.
There was a distinct lack of depth, and I remain skeptical. The entire book – once the Cat Rhys and Logan meet up, is about them proving their love for Cat, and her believing they do. The words “I love you” are bandied about in what should be an extremely satisfying manner (I’m all for characters admitting their feelings). But… they felt a little empty to me. They were just words. In the most literal sense.
Inane things, such as actual procedure for an ultrasound, distracted me. Additionally, there were some minor gaps within the plot. The three characters would be together, then one would inexplicably disappear. There was one instance, however, that I clicked around to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I didn’t. He just vanished. For about 15 pages.
I love the premise of this story – a couple (group?) realizing their marriage has fallen apart, and working to make it succeed. The very heart and soul of romance. There’s also the added bonus of two men and one woman. What gal wouldn’t love to have two sexy and successful guys madly in love with her – enough to share her? What could be more exciting to read about? Sadly, this book was merely passable for me.
Grade: C-
Summary:
Getting her back will be the toughest deal they’ve ever negotiated.
On the night of her fifth anniversary, Catherine Cullen-Wellesley intends to break the news to the two men in her life. She’s pregnant with their child. It’ll be the perfect preamble to the vacation they’ve promised her: Two weeks on a Jamaican beach. No cell phones, no emails, no business.
But when Logan and Rhys blow off the trip for yet another “business emergency”, Catherine faces some difficult truths. She hasn’t come first in her busy husbands’ lives in a long time. Defiantly, she packs her bags for her long-awaited vacation-alone. It’ll give her a chance to figure out what the hell she’s going to do with the rest of her life.
When Logan and Rhys come home to an empty house, they realize two things: One, it was a mistake to take Catherine for granted. Two, they’re not willing to just let her walk out of their lives.
Winning her back will be the most difficult battle of their lives-more important than any business deal they’ve ever negotiated.
Warning: This title contains explicit sex, ménage a trois, a polyamorous relationship, graphic language, and sex near a beach (and in the shower).
Read an excerpt.
I was really interested in this one, because I have liked me some Maya Banks in the past and I was interested in reading about a polyandrous marriage gone sour. All I can say is it’s a good thing Catherine spent most of the book lying down, because she sure didn’t have a spine. I think I might be giving up on Banks, because her women have officially gotten too weak for me to stand.
LOL Laura you are wicked! But… while I didn’t dislike Catherine as much as you did, I was unfortunately unimpressed.
Hm, I also just noticed that some punctuation went missing in this post… don’t know how that happened but just ignore that, everyone!
Lime – I looked at it again, and all I saw that were needed were some commas in the “more, more, more”. Holler if I missed something else.
Hmmm, I iz confused – are they both really ‘husbands’ or is it just sort of an unofficial title? If the two of them are married to Catherine isn’t that illegal and is it explained? Maybe I’m just being pedantic but the premise is kinda bugging me 😉
Hi Josie!
Good call – Maya Banks has a few 1 woman 2 men groupings- here, Catherine legally changes her last name to Rhys’s, and then she marries Logan and hyphenates her name. So, legally, she’s only married to Logan, but they live as husband(s) and wife, and if she could marry them both, she would.
Got it! Thanks for that.
I’ve never read any of her books but I’ve had Colter’s Woman sitting in the TBR for months so I think I might start with that one. One of these days…
OH! Laura D I think you should read Be With Me tis her name book that comes out from Berkley Heat. I really liked the heroine.
hmmm maybe I need to reread it…
LOL I am sure I will pick this one up cuz I tend to hit more with Maya than I miss. Of course I liked Colter’s Woman *g* so there you go.
I’ve actually never read Colter’s Woman… not sure if I should buy that one or not. Still deciding.
Maya Banks is one of my favorite authors. I have read every single book that she has written and Stay With Me is my absolute favorite and in my opinion her best yet.
I cried through the whole book and the emotion was so real my heart was breaking right along with Catherine. I felt Logan’s & Rhys frustration & guilt when they couldn’t see Catherine while she was in the hospital.
It has become an automatic re-read for me.
I’m glad you liked it, Greta. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the same connection with the characters. I thought I’d feel how you did from the excerpts, but the book itself, not so much. I’ve heard good things about her upcoming books, however, and I’m awaiting their release.