Forever Ago

by J. Rose

Pick up this dark romance standalone novel, packed full of soul-destroying love, sizzling tension and guaranteed to break your heart one page at a time!

HALLIE

I’m alone in the sea of my grief until I meet Zeke, a tornado of complications who leaves destruction in his wake. I fall hard and fast, despite all the warning signs.

Our love story is far from a fairy-tale. But if it hurts, then it’s real.

There’s a monster hiding beneath his tattooed skin, an addiction that will tear us apart. I can’t lose him, but I’m powerless to fix wounds that simply run too deep.

How do you save someone who doesn’t want to be saved?

ZEKE

I’ve been a shadow of my former self ever since the crash, consumed by guilt. A chance encounter in bereavement therapy changes everything.

Hallie invades my life with her soft smiles and fiery passion. She becomes my whole world and for the first time in so long, I have a reason to live.

My demons aren’t so easily beaten. I should walk away, yet I can’t bring myself to leave the woman who took my broken pieces and brought me back to life, one kiss at a time.

I’ll fight this addiction to my very last breath for her, but the road to recovery is never simple. If I’m not careful, I might just drag her to hell with me.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Forever Ago is a dark, standalone college M/F romance. Full trigger warning is available inside the book.

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Romance, Emotional, College, New Adult, Addiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2023

About the author

J Rose is an independent dark romance author from the United Kingdom. She writes challenging, plot-driven stories packed full of angst, heartbreak and broken characters fighting for their happily ever afters.

She’s an introverted bookworm at heart with a caffeine addiction, penchant for cursing and an unhealthy attachment to fictional characters.

Feel free to reach out on social media, J Rose loves talking to her readers!

Enquiries: j_roseauthor@yahoo.com

Stalk J Rose here:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials

Newsletter sign up:
www.jroseauthor.com/socials

Buy J Rose's books:
www.jroseauthor.com/books

Reviews

[Jessica ❥Chatterbooks Book Blog❥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love books that come with warnings. Give me all the dark, violent, fucked up shit, the torturous angst, and morally bankrupt characters! Push my limits, and make me question my sanity. I'm here for it all!



Tell me emotions might leak out of my eyes though, and you'll have my ass running in the opposite direction! I realized quickly that this was going to be one of those books I typically react to like a vampire in the sun, but alas, I already agreed to read it. I'm nothing if not a woman of my word, so I put on my steel-plated armor and went into this book determined to protect my heart from sadness and pain.  



I steeled myself to numb the emotions as best as I could, and you know what? None of that shit worked! This author sliced through my emotional chain mail like a hot knife through butter. I couldn't help being affected by this story and these characters. Hallie Burns and Ezekiel Rhodes are two characters I won't soon forget. Their story is one my heart will remember forever. 



J Rose is a new to me author, and though I want to curse her out right now, I'll pick up her work from now on without a second thought. This woman can write, y'all! She pulled me into this story immediately and forced me to become invested in the lives of Hallie and Zeke. 

I tried my best not to get too emotionally attached, but resistance was futile! I loved both characters despite their faults. I wanted so badly to make everything better for them. 



I understood Hallie's optimism. I fell as hard for Zeke as she did, and when she helped him when he didn't deserve it, I got it. I wanted to slap her upside the head, but I don't know that I could have resisted if it had been me. Seeing someone you care for in pain isn't for the faint of heart.

Zeke is obviously broken and struggling from the moment we meet him, and his battle roars on until the bitter end. His struggle is as heartbreaking to witness as it is frustrating. I wanted to strangle him so many times, but only because I wanted him to get his happily ever after. 



I wanted him to stop hurting himself and Hallie and see that he was worthy of love and forgiveness. I needed him to stop running and to think things out a little more, but you know what? I'm okay with the fact that he didn't.

Forever Ago is gritty, raw, real, and so incredibly and beautifully fucking human. The author doesn't give us a fantasy from beginning to end. Sure, we get to enjoy ourselves and indulge in happiness along the way, but this book gives it to us straight. 



Sometimes, people don't do what you want them to do. Sometimes, they don't react in the best way. Sometimes, they are self-destructive. Sometimes, they don't take the help they could so easily receive. Sometimes, they don't believe they deserve redemption. I could go on all day!

In the real world, we react without thinking. We punish ourselves. We say things we shouldn't. We do things we shouldn't. We're human beings, and we're fallible as fuck. 



J. Rose showcased that perfectly from start to finish. She didn't try to create perfect, cookie cutter characters. Hallie and Zeke are layered, complex, and three dimensional. They felt like real people to me. My heart sure as hell couldn't tell the difference. 



The imperfection of us all. The inevitablity of life. The journey to find our way. The battle wounds and scars that are left to show us that it was all worth it no matter the outcome. It's all there. The author did a phenomenal job with Hallie and Zeke's story, and I would argue anyone that says otherwise. 




If you're looking for something a little different, a little less sunshine and roses, and you don't need a typical happily ever after, check this one out!  

[desiree(finally back) · Rating 5 out of 5]

˗ˏ∞/5 ࿐

⇢ ˗ “𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧. 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺. 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴… 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴.
𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨; 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥” ᯓᡣ𐭩

Hallie Burns ⇢ high achieving, talented art student, grieving after losing her beloved father
Zeke Rhodes ⇢ drug addict and fellow sufferer

a love story far from a fairy tale, that sometimes the most profound love stories are the ones without a perfect ending, a testament to the strength it takes to love someone through their darkest days and the power of grief.
the messiness of life or the toxicity that can arise from such deep connections. it's heartbreakingly tragic, yet beautifully real, reminding you that love is not always neat or easy, but it is always powerful.


╰┈➤ 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

FOREVER AGO Is a full length romance book by new to me author J. Rose. In this you'll meet Hallie Burns & Ezekiel Rhodes aka just Zeke. 'Spoken in dual perspectives'.

I’m sitting here after closing the last page with a snotty blocked nose and leaky eyes that won’t stop running! Go into this with tissues on the ready!

Hallie: is a twenty three year old, had just recently lost the only other person she could call her own, her dad passed away after the cancer claimed him leaving her all alone. Her dream was to pursue a degree in art. She regularly attends a bereavement group every week. She keeps to herself, doesn't party or have a big group of friends, prefers to lose herself in her painting.

Zeke: has also lost someone close to him, he's struggling on a whole new different level, anything to get his hands on to numb the pain is his for the taking, drugs have always had their grip on him, but lately it's spiralling into a dangerous territory. Bender after bender hurting the ones that stand by his side. Even the one girl who won't turn her back on him.

Even though these two attend the same university they had never laid eyes on each other until the day he walks into group therapy.

Their tale is heartbreaking, emotional and gritty, when these two come together it's like their souls mashed as one.



I went into this with no expectations, new author to me, so I truly didn’t know what to expect, what I didn’t expect was how freely the tears would come, how heartbroken I would become. How immersed in the storyline I would become, life was put on hold for the day as I sat there inhaling this, devouring it at a speed which I normally don't read, hoping, praying that a HEA would come.



These two were so strong in some circumstances but weak in others, their story had my emotions all over the place like a yo-yo out of control, I felt everything that was thrown at me, the angst nearly did my head in as I screamed at her to harden up and walk away, but love had its hooks in her deep, this story packs a hard punch, it shows exactly what addiction can be like for the ones left on the sidelines fighting for the ones chasing their addiction, I think the author did an amazing job with the delivery of this story.

* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *

                  

[Crystal (Crystalreads2) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to stay with me for a long time. It was a very emotional, raw read and a personal one on top of it. This is Zekiel, aka Zeke and Hallie’s story. If you’re looking for flowers and unicorns; this book is not for you as the plot based on heavy subjects; take the trigger warning seriously.


Hallie and Zeke meet at grief group therapy; Hallie lost both her parents and, most recently, her father. Zeke lost his brother. Both are handling it in different ways. Zeke with handling with more extreme measures to make himself numb from the pain. Zeke jas continued to hurt his loved ones, including Hallie, who never gave up or turn her back on him.

Forever ago ruined me. Loving an addict is far from easy, and I had to keep reminding myself this is a fictional book. The author’s writing made the book very realistic, and you feel every emotion. I went in with an open mind, and, Let me tell you, the author set the bar high, and my flood gates opened up, and I couldn't stop. This is the first and not the last book I have read from the author. I am screaming from the rooftops. I recommend this book.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Keep the light on for me." 😭😭

Without spoiling a thing... this book broke me. I am still crying...

Coming from someone who has had a loved one face addiction, this one was ROUGH. I felt so broken in so many scenes. I don't think I will ever get over it. It's emotional as fuck. I am a mess.

CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!

[Zoe_isreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when people say there's a book that has stayed with them forever after reading it?
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲.

I don't even know where to begin for a review of this book, because how do you review something that's just so emotionally raw, heartbreaking and has left an everlasting impression on you?

'𝐾𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦.'

I don't want to give too much of this story away because so much happens. I will say this book perfectly shows different stages of grief throughout, how all consuming addiction can be and different struggles with mental health issues. Which is what makes this book so real, you're frustrated/happy/sad for Hallie and Zeke because they seem so real with their real problems and issues.

'𝑃𝑎𝑙𝑚 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑑, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑓 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑒.'

I know this book will be on my mind for a while, and like I said at the start of my review - this will stay with me forever. I honestly can't fault it in anyway. J Rose had completely out done herself with this book. I will recommend this to everyone - and yes, I ugly cried while reading this.

'𝐼𝑓 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙.'

[dais · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a beautifully tragic love story. my heart hurts.
this story meant so much to me that I got
‘if it hurts, then it’s real’ tattooed on me.
the story of Hallie and Zeke is one that will stay with me forever. even 5 months after reading, it makes me cry just thinking about what happens in this book 🥹
one night I read the last chapter to tommy and oh boy did I sob, I tried to explain to him what happened in the story and why it made me cry so much. I ended up just reading the last chapter and epilogue to him… it took me a lot longer to read the epilogue due to the fact that I was a blubbery mess. i will never not cry over this story.
if you haven’t read this incredible story yet, go onto Amazon and get it on KU or paperback and read it asap.
check tw before reading as it does mention things that some might find distressing.. also grab some tissues and remove all makeup before reading. I don’t recommend reading while wearing mascara as your eyes will be very sore after crying like mine were 🥺

[.*•. ☾ sephia ☾ .•*. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book was a punch to the heart. 😢 I liked reading a story that showed the realistic ups and downs about someone with addiction and that it doesn’t always end happily. I just loved Hallie and Zeke’s story, and I truly felt for Zeke and his demons. Quite a heavy read, but I thought was written well.

[warhawke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Pers0n - Dual
Rating:




Grief had been following Hallie Burns around for months. When she met the volatile Ezekiel (Zeke) Rhodes, they both found a new purpose in life. But his demons threatened to destroy everything they built together.



This book ticked every box that could destroy my feelings. Unfortunately, I struggled to feel things. I couldn’t connect with the characters, which made me apathetic towards them. I couldn’t feel their connection as a couple either.

Their relationship progressed too quickly with missing pieces that would establish the characters better. There were also cliche and untidy plot points. Even the ending couldn’t save it for me. In the end this book left me feeling sad because it had so much potential but didn’t live up to it.

Forever Ago is a story of battling inner demons and self-worthiness. It might appeal to readers looking for a love story with toxic characters.






For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:



For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝐼𝑓 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙."

This is a story that hits you hard and fast, like a sucker punch to the gut that you feel in your heart  and didn't see coming. It's a fast-paced messy whirlwind of chaotic and emotional love. The suffocating grief that is absolute full circle for Hallie and Zeke. Their story is more about the journey than the ending destination. It's about the struggle between right and wrong, living and dying, love and addiction, and oh man, does it fucking hurt. You can feel the truths and emotions that are laid bare with each word absorbed that was written so beautifully. Pass the tissues please, because I am ugly crying while writing this after finishing this heartbreaking read.  

[queen_of_the_books_18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it hurts then it’s real.

Well that one hurt 😭

I went into Forever ago blind. I knew after reading some other books by J Rose that she doesn’t pull any punches with her stories. She writes flawed relatable characters which is the thing I love most about her writing. So I thought I was ready for this book. I can assure you I wasn’t.

My North fucking star 🥺

Not all love stories end the way we want them to and Hallie and Zeke’s was no exception. J Rose had me feeling sick to my stomach. Watching Hallie and Zeke’s love story play out was like watching someone stand on the train tracks with a train approaching at full speed and you’re screaming at them to move but they can’t hear you. That’s how I felt reading Forever Ago. Screaming at Hallie, knowing what’s going to happen but knowing she can’t hear me. Then BAM. Train. Or in this case me sobbing my heart out not being able to see the words.

Anyway, my broken heart is going to stop rambling now. J Rose, you broke me. Again! I’ve definitely found myself a new 1-click author!

[Nicole*bookaholic* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm ok with some books ending with a death of one of the main characters. But not with this one. This book was everything. I don't know how no one talks about it. There are a lot of trigger warnings. Drugs, addiction, suicide. But I feel this is a must read.

[𝓢]

would buy a physical copy of this book just to burn it

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I stare at a blank screen blurred with tears trying to come up with the perfect words to begin this review for this heartbreakingly beautiful story. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the this beautifully talented author wouldn’t want the perfect words. So here I go -

J Rose is a rare diamond hidden in the sea gems, this book she wrote shows a talent so rare that I just want to stand and shout to all to take a moment to read Hallie and Zeke’s tale. Their story is gritty, painful, and heart wrenching…the beautiful moments that appear, it’s like seeing the sun after surviving a tornado. Hallie is such a beautiful soul with more love inside her than she could ever realize even if she’s a little broken. She refuses to give up and just keeps fighting, not only for herself but for those that she loves. Zeke is this moody, broken, and lost young man that is fighting his demons and you can’t help but hope for the best for. When these two come together, it is like Romeo and Juliet with a twist of Requiem for a Dream. J Rose doesn’t romanticize their story, she makes it real. Addiction is a painful and ugly affliction that hurts everyone in its path. This story is perfect representation of that, it gripped me and hit me like semi repeatedly - I have never cried as much (and as often) while reading a story but I did with this one. J Rose has woven a tale with characters that will stick with my heart, buried in my bones and woven in my soul. It reminds me that pain makes me realize I am alive, it’s okay to hurt and lean on others, and love doesn’t always conquer all but it does survive chaos and tragedy - life itself is messy and painful but it does has it’s beautiful moments along with memories to cherish and hold on to. This story is a journey and I will be cherishing it for a long time to come.

[S.A. Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart hurts after reading this. I’m writing this review with tears flowing. The story of Hallie and Zeke had so much angst, there was so much love and sadness. They meet at a bereavement group, and their story follows the ups and downs of their relationship. Battling through life, loss, and addiction; all while trying to live with heartache and loss. While there is a HEA, it isn’t your usual one. This book will take you through your emotions and leave you wrecked. So worth the read.

[⋆˖⁺‧₊𓆩𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖆𝖍𓆪₊‧⁺˖⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen I started to read Blackwood institute by J Rose and at the beginning of it there was a recommended reading order and forever ago was recommended to read before you start it so I went into this book completely blind and now im sitting here sobbing.. what the hell. I devoured this book because I just had to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. When I tell you this book was full of highs and lows, I mean it. It gave me whiplash and i genuinely didn’t know what to expect with these characters. this story was heartbreaking, emotional, raw, and angsty. Hallie and Ezekiel. wow, idk where to begin. I don’t want to say too much and give anything away but I got so emotionally involved with them. It’s hard not to because their story sucks you in from the beginning! J rose’s writing made this book feel very realistic! It shows the different stages of grief, difficulties of someone’s mental health, and just how all consuming addiction can be. I wanted to hug and punch both of these characters at the same time but mainly just hug them. gosh, my heart hurts. Idk why this book isnt talked about more but it definitely needs a spot on your TBR!! Please have the tissues ready for this one though and don’t say i didn’t warn you!

🩶 college romance
🖤 grumpy/sunshine
🩶 very broken mmc
🖤 virgin fmc
🩶 unconditional love
🖤 mental health rep
🩶 high angst
🖤 fast burn
🩶 emotional rollercoaster
🖤 drug addiction
🩶 overcoming grief
🖤 no guaranteed HEA

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is broken but also full

J Rose is one of the most talented authors I've had the pleasure of reading. It might not always be happy, and full of sunshine but that's life. And that is what the book is ultimately about how to live when life isn't perfect and you just want to give up. Was this a hard book to read, yes but it's also so beautifully written that even in the most painful moments you can still feel hope and love. This book will forever have a special place in heart. Thank you J for being brave enough to share this book with us.

[scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not okay. This book was just… wow. Deep on so many levels—emotionally, mentally. It hit so close to home. This one really dives into that toxic love mixed with addiction and shows the impact on everyone around them. I’m actually crying. Definitely don’t go into this expecting your typical romance. It’s not that. Check your triggers, for sure, but if you’re looking for something raw and emotional, this one is a must-read.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m coming home. I love you, Hallie Burns. Keep the light on for me.”

And just like that, I am bawling my eyes out

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had all the ingredients for a winner but for me it lacked in execution. The writing style felt abit off. Like it needed a good polish. It left me feeling disconnected from the characters.

[Vee x · Rating 4 out of 5]

"keep the light on for me."

I'm broken 💔

[Tamarra Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for a voluntary review

This book comes with trigger warning, please head authors advice.

The author took realistic issues and intersected them into a story that will pull at your hear strings.

Grief has a resounding effect. How one deals with it, is their choice alone. It is not the journey, but the destination, a path that can only be taken by those who walk it. In the end it’s what we hold dear that helps us get through.

Hallie and Zeke met in the most unlikely place. They didn’t exactly get off on the right foot.

Zeke is hardened by the choices he has made in his life, leading to him making decisions that have lasting consequences.

Hallie risks everything, including her heart, giving all of herself to Zeke. Hurting her time an again, his behaviour destructive, causing him to fall out with his friends and fall back onto bad habits. Hallie has no choice but to put herself first.

There relationship is not easy or perfect, they have there ups and downs, the challenges are not always the same but they have to work together to overcome them, there love for each other unyielding, but will it be enough for the both of them.

Zeke gets so low, that he finally gets the help that he needs. He’s in a good place for a short while, they live life, make plans, forging new memories. But choices, yet again lead to unfathomable outcomes. Ones they can’t come back from, not when they’re meant to be planning their future together with their unborn child.

Without her friends and family, Hallie got through it, taking all that pain, all that loss, she chose to find joy in her work, using her own personal experience to help others through their own difficulties for the sake of there daughter Erin.

She kept Zeke’s memory alive, living a fulfilling and purposeful life, even though Hallie didn’t get her happily ever after, she got to witness her greatest achievement, her daughter Erin, get her happily ever after.

The last few chapters for me were emotional, I was fighting back tears, yet the ending was so perfect.

Yet, despite there toxic emotions, when they came together, it was nothing short of being downright dirty and wicked. It had a beautiful mix of pleasure and pain, one that would not be denied with every chance they got.

Highly recommend both author and book!

[gena_bookish_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️

I don't even know where to start because this book literally destroyed me. Like the way I bawled my eyes out y'all.

Hallie and Zeke’s story might be painful, toxic and messy but it's also so powerful, emotional and yes full of love. Because you cannot convince me that what Zeke sacrificed wasn't love.

Like this is not just dark romance, it's tragedy. You will find nothing gentle or sweet. It grabs you by the throat from chapter one and never lets go. Everything these two go through you feel it in your chest and when they hurt, you hurt.

Hallie my beautiful, quiet, hurting girl! You finally found someone who sees you. If only I could give you the happiness you deserved.

And Zeke! My broken, chaotic boy. You only wanted to be loved and to not be abandoned. My angel boy you also needed to make better choices. In another world, you did. In another world, you got your HEA. 🥹

The ending hurt so much.
I was literally crying.
Because it wasn’t just the twist. It wasn't the shock.

I realized that all this time I was reading about two people who never had a chance. That broke me even more. It made me feel like they were doomed from the start.

*sigh*
This book hurt me but I don't regret a single second. It's one of the most emotional dark romances I've ever read, and it will definitely be among my top reads for this year. This is a story I'm never going to forget.

What to expect:

🖤 Dark romance
🖤 Hurt/Comfort
🖤 No HEA
🖤 Damaged MMC
🖤 Soulmates turned to tragedy
🖤 Grief,pain, and guilt
🖤 Spice

[Victoria Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark romance book that will have your emotions all over the place. It's a very raw heartbreaking read that the demons these two characters carry with them you will want to jump inside this book and help them both.


Zeke is a guy that right now needs his soul healing. He is struggling seems to be self destructing at an unstoppable rate. Hallie and Zeke meet at a grief group and even though they attend the same uni this is where they first meet.
Hallie is also struggling with the things in her life and she is trying to handle it the best she can but she is struggling too, but the fight she has inside is very powerful.

Hallie and Zeke story was a heartbreaking emotional read that had me reaching for the tissues and turning the pages so fast as I needed to see what would happen to these two broken souls and I wasn't disappointed. The struggle is real for these two with addiction and deep mental health issues. ( Check Trigger warnings )

I love the way that this author writes and her words always pull me in and grip my heart until the very end. This author brought this story to life so brilliantly that it felt do real that you will feel it deep inside your heart and you'll be thinking about this book for days afterwards. The battle this author takes these characters on is absolutely amazing to see and I highly recommend that everyone reads this book.

[ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as I finish reading this entire book, literally the SECOND after I finish the last word, prepared to just sob - my phone buzzes (guys, it's 3:19 am my time) - it's a notification from J Rose's IG group saying that she has an announcement specifically for Forever Ago fans. That timing?! Epic.

I read Blackwood Institute before this, so I was just ITCHING to figure out how they connect since it's all in the same universe and I read there are connections. Throughout the majority I made several guesses, all incorrect but best believe me I SQUEALED when I finally found out how. Just, weird excitement.

J Rose has just a wonderful talent of writing, reading her books I feel like I'm just seeing it all in my head, and the topics that are in these books are HEAVY but somehow, my heart just swells with the near poetry of her words soothing the wounds with such just.. hope? acceptance? It's hard to describe at this moment because I just finished this book about ten minutes ago, I'm still processing, but it's grief and then it's comfort.

I cannot say more than simply, I feel I'll always be a fan of J Rose's work and hope she continues writing forever. This universe of hers just has a chokehold on me.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thing is, we don't always get what we want. Loss is unavoidable. Life ends, whether we like it or not."

Wow, my heart physically hurts after this book. What a journey we went on with Hallie and Zeke.

Please check your triggers before going in as this book is very heavy on grief, addiction, and facing your demons.

I read most of this book in one sitting. It can only really be described by seeing a crash happen in slow motion - you're shouting at them to get out the way, but they just don't hear, and all you can do is watch.

Hallie and Zeke are so toxic - I got whiplash trying to keep up with their emotions. I sobbed my way through the last 20% or so of this book, it's so well written and feels so raw and just real. This is real life, Zeke is not a prince charming at all, hell through most of the book, I absolutely hated him and was shouting at Hallie to leave.

This was my first J Rose book, and I don't see it talked about at all. I picked this one to read first as it comes first in her suggested reading order - I can't wait to read the other series now!

What a cracker of a read to end 2024 on! Here's to 2025 and lots more books to be read and enjoyed!

[Kendra Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ x♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

“𝕀’𝕞 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕠𝕞𝕖. 𝕀 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦, ℍ𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕖 𝔹𝕦𝕣𝕟𝕤. 𝕂𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕠𝕟 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕞𝕖.”

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Can we go back to Paris.....

@the_booknook_books strikes again with another HEARTBREAKER. I absolutely binged this book and finished it in a day (that's including working a 12 hour shift too 😅). I don't know what it is with these sad books but man I love them so much.

From the very beginning I knew this was gonna completely wreck me and I knew this was gonna be toxic. Both Hallie and Zeke are so codependent on each other and it's heartbreaking because on one hand, you want to scream at them that they need to stay away from each other but then on the other hand, they have kinda bonded through the shared grief of losing people very close to them and feel that no one else understands (at least how I interpreted it!).

There are so many moments throughout that are so lighthearted and you think that everything will be okay, but then one slip up happens and it's back to where they were before and it's like a merry-go-round and it never really ends even though they say it will.

Then we have the ending, which had me in shambles. In a way, I saw it coming from a mile away but that didn't lessen the blow of it and the writing was so well done that it just shattered your heart.

[Megan Glatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, just wow... this book was amazing.

I will never ever get over the love and trauma that Zeke and Hallie shared. Zeke was already so broken and suffering so badly from addiction and self harm when he meets Hallie but she does become the light for him, even if only for a short amount of time. Zeke fights hard but the demons, they always find a way of winning. Hallie Burn, the girl who has suffered so much loss and tragedy. My heart went out to her from start to finish, she's on of those characters you instantly connect with if you've ever gone through trauma yourself. Hallie loves hard and doesn't ever give up on her love for Zeke, no matter all the warning signs telling her she should. This story is tragic but also healing if you can find the peace in it.

As someone who is a recovering addict and has loved and lost friends/my first real love to addiction this book hit home so so hard. It felt good to read how real and raw addiction is and having it captured into a book was amazing to read. Please be sure to check the trigger warnings on this book as it does touch on some very heavy subject 🩷

[Ari Loves All The Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazingly tragic story for Zeke && Hallie.. This portrays the life of an addict that fell in love and what it means for Hallie. What a great depiction of addiction and how it can affect your loved ones.

[Alysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Leave the light on for me”
God this book destroyed me. I’m not gonna lie, I avoided reading this book for this exact reason. But I’m so glad I finally read it. It’s heartbreaking and gut wrenching and an emotional journey. It’s meant to make you feel. And boy does it do that.
Hallie lost both her parents, her dad more recently.
Zeke lost his brother.
They meet in group therapy.
Zeke is angry at himself and the world, spiraling out of control in his drugs and grief.
Hallie gives him everything she can, and he promises her the world.
But can 2 broken people really heal each other?

Please check the triggers before reading. This book is heavy. Heavy on the grief, heavy on the drug use, and heavy on the subject matter. It is dark. It is raw. It is real. And I loved every minute of it.