When I Should've Stayed - (Red Bridge) by Max Monroe (Paperback)

About the Book

"Josie: Before the Moment -- There are ghosts at every corner. In the stolen kisses while I waitressed at the diner, in the town festivals at the square, in the many jokes about Betty Bagley and her pie at the Fall Farmer's Market, and in the countless nights watching Clay make drinks with that handsome smile of his while I sat on a stool at his bar. It should all feel familiar and comforting, and yet, it just makes it hard to breathe. Tonight will be a defining moment for the rest of my life. I have to end it now...before it ends me. Clay: After The Moment -- When Josie and I said 'I do, ' I thought it'd be us against the world forever. But I wasn't expecting the world to be so against us. I know I should've stayed that night. And I definitely should have gone back sooner. Because I don't know how to be here. I don't know how to be anywhere. I don't know how to be without Josie at all. She's fun and fiery and strong-willed and stands up for the people she loves -- even when it borders on reckless. She's everything good about humanity -- my perfect person. She might say we're done, but it's not over. We'll never be over."--

Book Synopsis

Order now and receive the stunning DELUXE FIRST PRINT RUN while supplies last―featuring gorgeous sprayed edges with stenciled artwork. This breathtaking collectible is only available as part of a LIMITED FIRST PRINT RUN in the US and Canada only, a must-have for any book lover.

She thought they were divorced. He never filed the papers.
Now he's determined to prove their love story isn't over.

Josie: Before The Moment
There are ghosts at every corner. In the stolen kisses while I waitressed at the diner, in the town festivals in the square, in the many jokes about Betty Bagley and her pie at the Fall Farmer's Market, and in countless nights spent watching Clay make drinks with that handsome smile of his plastered on his face while I sat on a stool at the bar.

It should all feel familiar and comforting, and yet, it makes it hard for the person I am now to breathe at all.

I wish I'd been stronger. I wish I'd been wiser. I wish I didn't have to do this.
I wish.

Tonight will be a defining moment for the rest of my life.

I have to end it now...
...before it ends me.

Clay: After The Moment
When Josie and I said, 'I do', I thought it'd be us against the world forever. But I wasn't expecting the world to be so against us.

I know I should've stayed that night, and I should have gone back a heck of a lot sooner.

Because I don't know how to be here. I don't know how to be anywhere.

Truth is, I don't know how to be without Josie at all.

She might think we're done, but I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure we're not.

Review Quotes

★★★★★ "This story wrecked me in the best possible way." -Amy Daws, USA Today Bestselling Author

★★★★★ "Max Monroe writes books that make you feel alive. Some of the best talents out there!" -Brittainy Cherry, USA Today Bestselling Author

★★★★★ "[...] This story is all about second chances and heartache. Grab the tissues because this is quite emotional."

★★★★★ "[...] My heart is full with this emotional journey for Clay & Josie. Simply Beautiful! A Top Read of 2025."

★★★★★ "Max Monroe has officially become an auto-buy author for me. This book, closely tied to What I Should've Said, is a beautiful, heavy, emotional second chance romance.

★★★★★ "This book=emotional damage 😭 (in a good way) Absolutely wonderful! Clay and Josie ugh my heart. These two went through hell to find their way back to each other!"

★★★★★ "This book was a wild ride with all the ups and downs. There is so much love between Josie and Clay that it just envelops you...I highly recommend this book!"

★★★★★ "[...] This book definitely broke my heart over and over again but also put it completely back together and is an ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!!!!"

★★★★★ "* 5 phenomenal stars *"

★★★★★ "[R]ead this if you like: second chances, he falls first, small town, dual timeline and more."

★★★★★ "My heart is full after reading this heartfelt roller coaster, and I would absolutely recommend reading!"

★★★★★ "Another 5-star read that left me desperately wanting more from this world!"

★★★★★ "Josie and Clay are REAL and FLAWED and the love they share is palpable. I would say this was a book that I couldn't put down but that would not be true; I had to put it down a time or two to allow myself to work through all of the emotions I was feeling. Take a trip to Red Bridge yourself, you won't regret it."

★★★★★ "[...] This book will make you laugh and cry and ache in all the ways only a truly memorable love story can."

★★★★★ "[...] Max Monroe pens a love that is grand and sweeping in all aspects, even down to the heartache that follows. What follows is a story of love, loss, healing, and a hope that they find their second chance. As always, Max Monroe delivers a heartfelt roller coaster filled with tears, and leaving us all desperately absolutely rooting for a happily ever after!"

★★★★★ "[...] This couple is everything and it was so nice to see how their story played out. If you do not get into this series you are missing out. The characters and the stories are just amazing."

★★★★★ "Max Monroe books for me are just 5 stars. That's it, I always love them."

★★★★★ "[...] This book is one you don't want to miss!"

★★★★★ "[...] This was another emotional rollercoaster but I did love the ride."

★★★★★ "[...] This book left me in tears and I absolutely loved it. I knew what was coming and yet the emotions it left me with were still so raw. If you're looking for a book with romance and family in it and need a good cry then this book is one you just need to read."

About the Author

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty contemporary romance titles (with Romantic Comedy being their jam), Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they've found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.