Sandy M’s review of Ask Me to Stay by Terri Osburn
Contemporary Romance published by Montlake Romance 5 Mar 19
This is my first book by Terri Osburn. I had no expectations at all, so I was quite happy with the story line and all the twists and turns thrown in to keep readers and the characters off balance until all secrets are revealed.
Liza is a best-selling author from New York, but she’s currently suffering from writer’s block. Thus, she’s taken on the job of ghostwriting the life story of Ray Wallis, whom she discovers is quite an interesting person at ninety years of age. He’s lived through a lot and experienced more during his lifetime. She becomes a bit ruffled with the attitude of Kendall James, the ex-military jack of all trades who sees to Ray’s needs on their isolated island off the coast of South Carolina.
Kendall doesn’t want Ray’s life put out in the ether for all to know. He’s taken over where his father left off in Ray’s life. Therefore, in his mind, there’s no need for this big-city gal to be in their midst and he does his best to talk both Ray and Liza out of the whole thing. It’s not to be, however, so his only choice is to give in, and that leads to getting to know Liza better, and surprisingly he likes what he discovers. Their banter goes from cynical and sarcastic to fun and teasing. And you can’t help but love Kendall’s pit bull, who takes a huge liking to Liza, much to Kendall’s consternation.
As Liza digs deeper into Ray’s past, the sparks between her and Kendall get hotter. Of course, everything has to come tumbling down, and the catalyst for that is a huge bombshell for Liza. And, really, that’s not the biggest twist of them all. It’s Ray’s revelations of the past that throws everyone for a loop, enough to send Liza running back to New York, despite the feelings she and Kendall now have for one another. And that’s my only nitpick. I realize Ray’s past and link to Liza tumbles everything she’s ever known, but to lump Kendall in with it all doesn’t work for me, along with the fact she takes much too long to work through it all. Kendall is my favorite character in the story, and love should be treated better, so Liza loses points for her treatment of Kendall, even though it’s only temporary.
But for a first foray into this author’s work, I’m thinking I will check out her other books. All in all, I enjoyed this one quite a bit.
Grade: B
Summary:
Author Liza Teller’s new book is something of a mystery. She’s been hired to ghostwrite the memoir of Ray Wallis, an elderly stranger eager to share a very personal and surprising life story. The moment Liza arrives on beautiful Haven Island off the South Carolina coast, she has to ask: Out of all the semi-successful writers with stalled careers in the world, why her?
Kendall James, the dedicated ex-military man in Ray’s employ, has the same question. Why is this New Yorker in a frilly blue dress so important to Ray? But as protective and suspicious as he is, Kendall can’t help falling for the tempting outsider. And he isn’t falling alone.
As Ray’s life story unfolds, Liza and Kendall’s chemistry ignites. And all of it could be explosive. On an island this small, Liza soon discovers that there isn’t much room to hide—from the secrets of Ray’s past or from her desire for a man unwilling to give her the one thing she truly wants.
Read an excerpt.
