Stay Here with Me

The Wilder Brothers, Book 5

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Narrated by: Aiden Snow, Meg Sylvan, Marni Penning

Includes all new songs and music. Written by Carrie Ann Ryan and sung by Meg Sylvan

The Wilder Brothers from New York Times best-selling author Carrie Ann Ryan continues with a secret romance that East and Lark never saw coming.

The world thinks I only write songs about my ex-boyfriends.

They study each lyric to point a finger at which man broke my heart—even if I’ve never met him.

Only the man I refuse to write about is the one who is so tangled in my mind that I know I can never be with him.

I had one night with East Wilder, and I know that’s all there will ever be.

He broke my heart without even trying.

Yet now I can’t seem to write a single verse, and I need a place to hide while I figure out who I am. The Wilder Retreat will have to be my refuge as the Wilders prepare for my best friend’s wedding.

And when I’m there, I refuse to fall for East again.

Even if the dark shadows in his eyes draw me in and the dangers of his past might be the one thing that forces us to finally give in.

©2023 Carrie Ann Ryan (P)2023 Carrie Ann Ryan

East and Lark

It's the turn of the loner East Wilder to have his shot at a happy future after witnessing most of his siblings find happiness with their perfect partner. East has been featured in all the books so far as the quiet surly man to fix everything that needs fixing whilst never opening up, not even to Everett his twin. None of the Wilder brothers escaped their time in the military unscathed but for East, it's particularly hard settling back into civilian life; When he left the military he had no idea what he would do with his life. He'd lived through and witnessed some horrific things, he's not alone in that, so did all of his brothers, but he's been left with feelings of guilt for surviving when so many of his team didn't and PTSD. When his eldest brother Eli suggested that all six of them should purchase a hotel, winery, and event venue, he agreed basically because his brothers did although he didn't believe he would be bringing anything of value to the team. But he has found his niche as their Mr Fix It, their handyman.

He and Lark met because she's the best friend of Bethany his future sister-in-law, both were attracted to the other and they shared an incredible night together after which he asked her not to write about him. But when her next number-one hit came out he believed that she had broken that promise.

Lark may be a celebrity but she is so down-to-earth and easy to like, there's nothing she likes more than enjoying a good night of drinking and karaoke with Bethany her best friend. She accepts that because of her fame, she is going to be constantly in the spotlight and that stories will be published about her that are totally untrue and hates that aspect of her life. She's been a songwriter/singer since she was in her teens and loves what she does and is extremely successful now, all her hard work has paid off. But recently she's been struggling with writing new songs for her next album. But when she goes to the Wilder estate to prepare for Everett and Bethany's wedding she and East hook up again, it was just supposed to be one night. no strings attached, no feelings involved just enjoy the great sex and being together but neither of them expected the impact the other would have in their lives.

Things seem to be going well and she dares to hope for a future with East. When the inspiration for a really great song finally comes she can't use it because she has promised East she'd never write a song about him. Lark, despite what the press says has only once used one real person for inspiration in a song and that someone was someone who hurt her. But when East sees her notebook, and reads the song he believes the worst and it leads to him walking away from her.

Their breakup coincides with someone from East's past trying to hurt East through her, will that be enough to open up East's eyes to what he's throwing away?

There is one Wilder brother left whose story still has to be told and I can't wait to listen to Elliot's book it's looking like he's going to be with Trace, but Carrie Ann could surprise us.

The narration of this book by Aiden Snow, Meg Sylvan and Marni Penning is excellent, each character is brought to vivid life and all the emotions felt by the characters can be heard in their voices - and believe me this book is one big emotional rollercoaster ride.

I did love the Epilogue!

So many questions in this book

Enemies to Lovers - check
Best Friend's Brother In Law - check
Public figure and private person - check
Best Friends marry brothers - check

Bethany is marrying Everett. Bethany is Lark's best friend and Everett is East's brother. Will this work out? They hate each other, but have an itch that needs to be scratched. Is that all it is? Is Lark going to write a song about her time with East in one of her songs? Will East come to terms with his past? So many questions, so few answers. The mention of the Wilder cousins dropped in this book has my curiosity piqued. Will it be a continuation of this series or will it be its own series? Only time will tell.

Aiden Snow is my absolute favorite male narrator. I mostly listen to him in PNR books, but it was a nice change of pace to listen to him in this story. His portrayal of East is gruff but loving. Meg Sylvan is new to me. I enjoyed her voice and she did good with Lark. I really enjoyed her singing in this book.

Stay Here with Me

Another Wilder brother finds love when he lasts expects it. I enjoyed seeing East and Lark find their way. The two have a hard journey to finding happiness. East is going through so much pain and trauma from his time as a soldier. Something in Lark calls to him but he does not know how to deal with the emotions running through him. Lark may be famous but people never see the truth when it comes to her. Lark knows pain and she tries to let it all go but when East believes the lies that are told about her it cuts deep for Lark. The two cannot deny the fierce attraction between them but emotions begin to blossom and the two find it all too much. It was nice to see the two fight for their happy ever after. The author does a good job of giving listeners another Wilder brother’s journey to love. Narrators Aiden Snow, Meg Sylvan and Marni Penning do a nice job of bringing these characters and their emotions to life.

cliff hanger

I love the Wilder Brothers and I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Oh those Wilders!

Oh these Wilders are so good at keeping you on your toes, driving you a little batty, and stressing you out a bit. Also at stealing your heart and breaking it in more ways than one. But you just can’t get enough of them. East is the grumpiest of the Wilder men, but somehow Lark still finds a way to find his soft spot. Though he’s going through a lot, and there are definitely some moments that have you on edge. And that ending! Let’s just say, I spoke my piece lol. Thankfully, we get another book soon! I also very much enjoyed listening to Aiden Snow and Meg Sylvan narrate this. Was quite enjoyable.