natalie intihar

Publication Date: July 14, 2026

Hannah and Jude’s journey back together in All You Had To Do Was Stay was such a great instance of how timing in love truly is everything. The tension between them as a result of their history was so powerful. Seeing their brothers meddling in getting Hannah and Jude in a room together was so real, and totally something I would have done in this situation. 

I especially loved the forced proximity aspects of this book and how it led to the important conversations and moments between Hannah and Jude. The love in this story truly goes so much farther than just the romantic arc between Hannah and Jude! Being brought back together as a result of their brothers getting married is a unique premise that really emphasized the importance of family to both characters.

This book combined the nostalgia and power of a second-chance romance with the importance of healing and growing from the past. Hannah and Jude serve as such a reminder of the way that two people can have such different memories of the same experience. I was so happy that they were able to come back together and find that happy middle ground where the past no longer dictated their present and future.  

Thank you to Embla Books for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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