Caitlin is coming back home to the UK after being in Italy and France with her boyfriend Luke. She hitches a lift with a family. She is not looking forward to going back home - the family ask her to come to Gloucestershire and stay with them for a while.
She decides to take them up on their offer.

Caitlin slowly realises that all is not as it seems with the family and all of the different people that live in their house and it’s surrounding buildings- Marcus and Mimi call it a community.

She really bonds with the two children and becomes their tutor. One of the people there called Cliff warns her that she shouldn’t stay and she becomes more suspicious about what is actually going on. She suspects they are growing things they shouldn’t be and that Mimi isn’t really a doctor and that’s Mimi is the force behind whatever is happening.

The longer she stays there the more she uncovers and the more she realises she has to leave but Marcus and Mimi watch her every move.

This book has a ridiculously far-fetched story line. It actually stated off well but the plot soon became rather predictable. The characters appeared weak and I was left disappointed and disengaged.

Unfortunately I found this thriller to be very predictable and I found myself scan reading to get to the end. I enjoyed that it was set in lockdown so many of the things that were happening may have been missed due to the isolation, but the plot and characters did not keep me engrossed and on the whole was very unbelievable. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy but this one was just not for me.

I absolutely loved the author’s previous novel Sorry Isn’t Good Enough so was looking forward to reading Stay.
It’s set at the beginning of the first Covid lockdown when Caitlin returns from Italy and is invited to stay with a family who live off grid in the Gloucestershire countryside.
I really enjoyed the start of the novel , the author is excellent at characterisation and built up the initial tension well creating a tense and intriguing atmosphere. However I feel that the plot could have been tighter as there were moments when I lost interest in the plot and the outcome of the novel.
This was still an enjoyable novel and I’d definitely read more by the author.
3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Jane Bailey's "Stay" is a gripping psychological thriller that plunges readers into a suspenseful tale of deception and danger. Caitlin, betrayed and heartbroken, finds herself hitchhiking and accepting the help of a seemingly friendly family. As they offer her a place to stay, she becomes entangled in their web of secrets and manipulation.

Bailey's storytelling is engrossing, immersing readers in the escalating tension and uncertainty that surrounds Caitlin's stay with the family. The author expertly builds suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they question the true intentions of those who initially appeared trustworthy.

The characters are well-developed, each harboring their own dark secrets that gradually unravel throughout the narrative. Caitlin's vulnerability and resilience make her a compelling protagonist, and readers will find themselves invested in her journey to escape the dangerous situation she finds herself in.

The pacing is relentless, with the story unfolding at a brisk pace that propels readers forward. Bailey's prose is evocative, capturing the claustrophobic atmosphere and increasing sense of menace as Caitlin realizes the true nature of the family she thought she could trust.

"Stay" is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that will keep readers guessing until the final pages. Jane Bailey skillfully crafts a tale of suspense and betrayal, exploring themes of trust, survival, and the lengths one will go to protect themselves. This is a captivating read for fans of psychological thrillers craving a twisty and suspenseful narrative.

Great idea to set this during lockdown, where you legally have to stay in place.
The rules st the time work well for some of the plot too.

Caitlin was a character that from the beginning I wanted to give a good shake... just too foolish, and trusting.
The bond she grew with the girls was a nice touch, as we're the folk songs.
Everything ties up nicely at the end.