In Stay with Me, author Griffin uses alternating voices to tell the story of doomed love between Mack Morse and Cece Vaccuccia. Mack is a 15-year-old high school dropout with a record; he also suffers from learning disabilities and anger management issues. What he can do is train dogs, and he has made a practice of rescuing and rehabilitating pit bulls. Cece is a girl with ambition; she wants to transfer to a gifted and talented school (by acing the G and T exam) and leave her past, including an alcoholic mother, behind. Mack and Cece are drawn to each other and their relationship deepens, but suspense builds, because you know it can't last. There are too many instances when Mack almost loses control and becomes violent. He is as devoted to his recently adopted pit bull as he is to girlfriend, but can he keep the dog safe? There is also the question of what will happen to Anthony, Cece's brother. He has enlisted in the army and will be sent to Afghanistan. Cece is convinced that he will not come back.
Griffin has idealized some of the characters, such as Vic, the owner of the Italian restaurant that employs Mack, Cece and Cece's mom. Yet the main characters are complex and seem real. As more of the characters' back stories are revealed, the reader better understands them and their challenges. Their fates are marked with tragedy and hope. Recommended for older teens (language and sexual situations). ``
