Forever Then by Rachae Stevens Purchase on: Amazon
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Synopsis:
We were almost forever…
Gretchen
It’s been three years since the kiss. The one I can’t seem to forget.
Judging by the girl on his arm, Connor Vining has no such problem.I guess I misunderstood the look in his eyes that night.
I guess his best friend’s kid sister was never really in the running for Love of His Life.But I’m not a kid anymore. I’ve graduated college and I’m about to fly interstate, in hopes of meeting my birth mother.
I was never going to face her alone, but when a twist of fate puts Connor by my side, I’m blindsided. And our tangled past is threatening to come undone...
Connor
I’m not sure whose heart is more broken: Gretchen’s or mine. All I know is it took everything in me to walk away from that kiss. I kept a promise, and I lost a friend.
And I think I made a mistake.
The problem is, now is not the right time to break down the walls Gretchen built to keep me out.
But now is the only time we’ve got.
Forever Then is a childhood friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, second chance adult romance.
Review:
Forever Then was an emotional powerhouse that took my breath away. It quickly pulled me in and held me in the palm of its hand. I loved the characters and the journey they took us on. It wasn’t always easy, but watching the growth and the struggles they went through hit me so hard. If you’re looking for an older brother’s best friend, second chance, forced proximity romance, then definitely add this one to your tbr!
He looks exactly the same as the day he left me alone on that balcony. It’s infuriating. Devastating.
Right from the beginning I adored Gretchen and her family. Her parents, brother, and sister-in-law were a breath of fresh air with the love they felt for each other. Gretchen had just graduated college, was back home, and it put her in the crossfire of Connor. Her older brother’s best friend. Seeing him made my heart ache for her. He was everything to her, until he had broken her heart. With an out of state trip to hopefully meet her birth mom, and Connor now taking the place of her brother, emotions were about to get messy and twisted together in the most beautiful of ways.
“I know I didn’t ask to be here.” Her eyes lift to mine. “But of all the people who could be here with you, I’m glad it’s me.”
Gretchen was someone I clicked with right away. I loved how her words and actions rang true. And that she didn’t hold back. Her nervousness, excitement, and heartbreak all bled from the pages. It felt like I was going on this journey right along with her. The adversity and struggles she faced, but also the joy too, felt consuming. But one of my favorite things about Gretchen was her forgiving heart, it was awe inspiring.
It’s not lost on me that the one person who probably shouldn’t trust me around his sister is the one who’s put all of his trust in me.
This story alternated with Connor’s POV, and I’m so thankful we got it. He had a lot of growing up to do. From how he was stringing along his girlfriend, to how he royally messed up with Gretchen years ago, I desperately needed him to make things right. And for him to learn from his mistakes. Personally, and this may sound bad haha, but I wanted to stay mad at Connor. For his past and current choices. But as the story unfolded, he wiggled his way into my heart. We got to understand why he did the things he did, and I fell in love with him right along with Gretchen.
He runs his gaze over every inch of my face like he’s committing me to memory— or getting lost in a memory— and I don’t miss when he pauses on my lips for a moment too long. “I missed you.”
So much of Connor and Gretchen’s story was from before, so I loved how we got to witness moments from their past. Forever Then wove the past and the present together so seamlessly. From their first meeting 13 years ago, to watching their friendship form throughout the years. It was heartwarming and so sweet. Especially with the book! But in the present, the tension was simmering between them. Along with little moments here and there that had me cracking up with laughter. I loved how even though there was so much going on, they were able to talk things out. It may take a while, but that was definitely one of my favorite things about this book!
He’s always had me.
Forever Then was filled with redemption, loyalty, struggles with family, and all the heart. This story made me cry multiple times from joy and sadness. And it had the most beautiful epilogue, and I cried during that too. This steamy, only one bed romance was incredible. And I love how things like a special book, Diet Coke, and peanut butter M&Ms now make me think of this story! I definitely recommend and can’t wait to read whatever Rachae Stevens writes next!
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