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From Now Until Forever
From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Memory Book , an unforgettable, beautiful novel about what it means to live to the fullest and to love forever, for fans of The Time Traveler's Wife , Me Before You and Outlander .
He's running out of time.
Ben Church has never done anything extraordinary in his life - until now.
Now, he needs to fulfil as many of his dreams as possible while he still can.
Time is all she has.
Vita Ambrose's life of parties and fabulous clothes looks wildly glamorous but in reality it has no meaning.
She's seen too much, lived too much and lost too much.
Together, can they make time stand still?
Ben and Vita's connection is immediate, spontaneous and passionate. But the clock is ticking.
Can they find a way to make their love live forever? Because every moment matters when it might be your last . . .
He's running out of time.
Ben Church has never done anything extraordinary in his life - until now.
Now, he needs to fulfil as many of his dreams as possible while he still can.
Time is all she has.
Vita Ambrose's life of parties and fabulous clothes looks wildly glamorous but in reality it has no meaning.
She's seen too much, lived too much and lost too much.
Together, can they make time stand still?
Ben and Vita's connection is immediate, spontaneous and passionate. But the clock is ticking.
Can they find a way to make their love live forever? Because every moment matters when it might be your last . . .
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2023
24 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Rowan Coleman
49 books852 followersRowan Coleman lives with her husband, and five children in a very full house in Hertfordshire. She juggles writing novels with raising her family which includes a very lively set of toddler twins whose main hobby is going in the opposite directions. When she gets the chance, Rowan enjoys sleeping, sitting and loves watching films; she is also attempting to learn how to bake.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
August 30, 2023
This is a general fiction/romance book, which I loved. It was so well written, and the story about Ben and Vita was just amazing, heartwarming, emotional and touching. Ben has a brain problem which means he doesn't have much time left on the earth, and he meets Vita, who is an art curator. Together they have the perfect romance, which is so deep and loving. As we go through their story, there are many sad and uplifting moments which will make you feel emotional and perhaps cry, but you will really enjoy it. With many layers and beautiful writing, this book will open your heart and touch your soul. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
July 3, 2023
Ben has had some bad news during his hospital appointment and decides to go to London the clear his head and think about how he can pass on this news to his family.
By chance he meets Vita in a London Street and is instantly attracted to her.
A story about hope and dreams.
I always enjoy Rowan Coleman’s books and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review
By chance he meets Vita in a London Street and is instantly attracted to her.
A story about hope and dreams.
I always enjoy Rowan Coleman’s books and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review
June 14, 2023
I received a free copy of, From Now Until Forever, by Rowan Coleman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ben is told he does not have long to live, no hope given. Ben meets Vida, is so full of life, but is already a widow. I could not get into this book, no spoilers but not a story line that I liked. I did not care for Vida, though I liked Ben and his family, especially Kitty.
November 17, 2024
(Het is dat ik zelf zo walgelijk verliefd ben en deze van mijn vriend kreeg. Anders..)
April 30, 2024
Such a good book! Absolutely nothing like I was expecting.
October 11, 2024
Bij het zien van dit boek in de catalogus was direct mijn interesse en nieuwsgierigheid gewekt. Het boek heeft een intrigerende cover en aangezien ik zelf een liefde voor kunst en schilderen heb, trekt deze cover me erg aan. De gouden krullen geven de cover een nostalgisch en sfeervol tintje. Het is het eerste boek van Rowan Coleman dat ik ga lezen.
Vita Ambrose is de muze van de schilder Leonardo da Vinci. Haar portret werd op magische wijze vereeuwigd op het doek én in het echt. Hierdoor blijft Vita eeuwig leven en moet ze constant afscheid nemen van iedereen die haar lief is. Hierdoor verliest haar leven betekenis. Ze heeft door de vele jaren heen teveel gezien, gedaan en bovenal verloren. Ben Church heeft een veilig leven geleid en nooit iets bijzonders gedaan, tot nu. Wanneer hij net te horen krijgt dat hij ongeneeslijk ziek is en zijn dagen geteld zijn, besluit hij dat de tijd daar is om zijn dromen werkelijkheid te laten worden. Het is een bijzonder slecht moment om de liefde van zijn leven te ontmoeten en halsoverkop verliefd te worden. Vita's ontmoeting zet Ben op scherp om op zoek te gaan naar het geheim achter het magische portret van da Vinci. Zal hierin ook de oplossing voor Ben liggen? De klok tikt. Zal het Vita en Ben lukken om hun liefde te vereeuwigen en Ben te redden?
Bijzonder, aangrijpend en intens. Dit pareltje is echt een pakkend, origineel en mooi verhaal. Rowan Coleman heeft een meeslepende, levendige en vlotte schrijfstijl, waarmee ze je meeneemt in het verhaal van Vita en Ben.
De personages in het verhaal zijn erg divers, realistisch en puur uitgewerkt. Hierdoor ervaar je als lezer ook alle gevoelens, emoties en kwesties die Vita en Ben tijdens dit verhaal voor hun kiezen krijgen. Ondanks dat het een fantasierijk verhaal is, is het zo geschreven dat het erg geloofwaardig en goed in elkaar zit, waardoor je zonder moeite dit prachtige verhaal tot je neemt.
Het verhaal kent prachtige thema's waaronder de zin van het leven, de kracht om te overleven, wilskracht en liefde. Het verhaal start op een heftig moment, namelijk het moment waarop Ben te horen krijgt dat zijn dagen geteld zijn en hij niet met een behandeling te helpen is. Ondanks dat voor Ben heftig nieuws is, zet dit zijn leven in een ander daglicht en is hij vastbesloten om nog voor zijn dromen te leven. Hierdoor sloot ik Ben daarom ook gelijk in mijn hart. Het verhaal van Vita begint mysterieus en Rowan Coleman weet rondom het personage dingen in het ongewisse te laten, wat de nieuwsgierigheid vergroot.
Het verhaal kent prachtige, ontroerende, aangrijpende en mooie wendingen en gebeurtenissen. Al naargelang het verhaal volgt komt er een fantasierijke twist in het verhaal, maar dit is zo kloppend in de verhaallijn, dat je hier gemakkelijk in mee gaat. Het verhaal zit dan ook bijzonder goed in elkaar en weet me echt te pakken en aan te grijpen. Het plot was choquerend en verrassend, maar ik wil niet te veel vertellen, want dit moet je echt zelf gaan ervaren. Het is een verhaal dat je met een brok in je keel dicht slaat.
Een eeuwigheid met jou is een prachtige, aangrijpende en erg originele roman. Het verhaal wist me door de heftigheid aan het begin direct te grijpen. Het verhaal kent prachtig en realistisch uitgewerkte personage, waarbij ik Ben direct in mijn hart sloot. Het verhaal kent bijzondere, ontroerende en mooie wendingen, maar bovenal een verrassend plot dat het boek op bijzondere wijze afsluit. Echt een aanrader!
Vita Ambrose is de muze van de schilder Leonardo da Vinci. Haar portret werd op magische wijze vereeuwigd op het doek én in het echt. Hierdoor blijft Vita eeuwig leven en moet ze constant afscheid nemen van iedereen die haar lief is. Hierdoor verliest haar leven betekenis. Ze heeft door de vele jaren heen teveel gezien, gedaan en bovenal verloren. Ben Church heeft een veilig leven geleid en nooit iets bijzonders gedaan, tot nu. Wanneer hij net te horen krijgt dat hij ongeneeslijk ziek is en zijn dagen geteld zijn, besluit hij dat de tijd daar is om zijn dromen werkelijkheid te laten worden. Het is een bijzonder slecht moment om de liefde van zijn leven te ontmoeten en halsoverkop verliefd te worden. Vita's ontmoeting zet Ben op scherp om op zoek te gaan naar het geheim achter het magische portret van da Vinci. Zal hierin ook de oplossing voor Ben liggen? De klok tikt. Zal het Vita en Ben lukken om hun liefde te vereeuwigen en Ben te redden?
Bijzonder, aangrijpend en intens. Dit pareltje is echt een pakkend, origineel en mooi verhaal. Rowan Coleman heeft een meeslepende, levendige en vlotte schrijfstijl, waarmee ze je meeneemt in het verhaal van Vita en Ben.
De personages in het verhaal zijn erg divers, realistisch en puur uitgewerkt. Hierdoor ervaar je als lezer ook alle gevoelens, emoties en kwesties die Vita en Ben tijdens dit verhaal voor hun kiezen krijgen. Ondanks dat het een fantasierijk verhaal is, is het zo geschreven dat het erg geloofwaardig en goed in elkaar zit, waardoor je zonder moeite dit prachtige verhaal tot je neemt.
Het verhaal kent prachtige thema's waaronder de zin van het leven, de kracht om te overleven, wilskracht en liefde. Het verhaal start op een heftig moment, namelijk het moment waarop Ben te horen krijgt dat zijn dagen geteld zijn en hij niet met een behandeling te helpen is. Ondanks dat voor Ben heftig nieuws is, zet dit zijn leven in een ander daglicht en is hij vastbesloten om nog voor zijn dromen te leven. Hierdoor sloot ik Ben daarom ook gelijk in mijn hart. Het verhaal van Vita begint mysterieus en Rowan Coleman weet rondom het personage dingen in het ongewisse te laten, wat de nieuwsgierigheid vergroot.
Het verhaal kent prachtige, ontroerende, aangrijpende en mooie wendingen en gebeurtenissen. Al naargelang het verhaal volgt komt er een fantasierijke twist in het verhaal, maar dit is zo kloppend in de verhaallijn, dat je hier gemakkelijk in mee gaat. Het verhaal zit dan ook bijzonder goed in elkaar en weet me echt te pakken en aan te grijpen. Het plot was choquerend en verrassend, maar ik wil niet te veel vertellen, want dit moet je echt zelf gaan ervaren. Het is een verhaal dat je met een brok in je keel dicht slaat.
Een eeuwigheid met jou is een prachtige, aangrijpende en erg originele roman. Het verhaal wist me door de heftigheid aan het begin direct te grijpen. Het verhaal kent prachtig en realistisch uitgewerkte personage, waarbij ik Ben direct in mijn hart sloot. Het verhaal kent bijzondere, ontroerende en mooie wendingen, maar bovenal een verrassend plot dat het boek op bijzondere wijze afsluit. Echt een aanrader!
July 15, 2023
What to say about this book? I really want to avoid giving anything away so you can discover this beautiful story for yourself.
The audiobook is narrated beautifully by Helen McAlpine reading Vita’s chapters and Nathaniel Priestley reading Ben’s chapters. They really captured the characters of both Vita and ben while also bringing the other characters to life. I particularly liked Helen McAlpine’s portrayal of Vita’s elderly neighbour Mariah. I looked up both the voice artists after I’d finished listening and I think they look exactly as I imagined the characters.
The connection between Ben and Vita is so immediate and so strong after their chance meeting in London. I don’t think it’s much of a spoiler to say that Ben has had bad news and it’s understandable that he needs time to come to terms with what he’s been told. It seems like the worse case of bad timing ever when he meets Vita and they fall in love. Like Ben, I was desperately hoping for a miracle so they could have their happy ever after.
It’s quite a talent to be able to write about something completely impossible and make it seem entirely plausible. This is a talent which Rowan Coleman possesses in spades. There is an element of magical realism woven into the story in a way which meant I completely believed every detail.
From Now Until Forever is a captivating book which is full of hope, love and life. It is a truly unforgettable story and the characters of Vita and Ben will stay with me. This novel shows Rowan Coleman at her best and is now my favourite of her novels. I just adored it and can’t recommend it highly enough.
The audiobook is narrated beautifully by Helen McAlpine reading Vita’s chapters and Nathaniel Priestley reading Ben’s chapters. They really captured the characters of both Vita and ben while also bringing the other characters to life. I particularly liked Helen McAlpine’s portrayal of Vita’s elderly neighbour Mariah. I looked up both the voice artists after I’d finished listening and I think they look exactly as I imagined the characters.
The connection between Ben and Vita is so immediate and so strong after their chance meeting in London. I don’t think it’s much of a spoiler to say that Ben has had bad news and it’s understandable that he needs time to come to terms with what he’s been told. It seems like the worse case of bad timing ever when he meets Vita and they fall in love. Like Ben, I was desperately hoping for a miracle so they could have their happy ever after.
It’s quite a talent to be able to write about something completely impossible and make it seem entirely plausible. This is a talent which Rowan Coleman possesses in spades. There is an element of magical realism woven into the story in a way which meant I completely believed every detail.
From Now Until Forever is a captivating book which is full of hope, love and life. It is a truly unforgettable story and the characters of Vita and Ben will stay with me. This novel shows Rowan Coleman at her best and is now my favourite of her novels. I just adored it and can’t recommend it highly enough.
July 7, 2023
Ben receives unexpected news that leaves him reeling but instead of retreating to his Yorkshire home he hops on a train and heads to London. It is there that he bumps in to the mysterious Vita and despite only knowing each for a short period of time both fall instantly in love. The connection between Ben and Vita leads them to search for the solution which will enable them to love each other forever.
If you're a fan of myths and love a time travel story then this novel will be right up your street. I struggled a bit with this book and it took me awhile to finish. I enjoyed the historical and scientific references but thought that the main device used for creating the time travel element was rather too supernatural for my tastes. The story is skillfully told through the eyes of each character in alternate chapters which does give a deeper insight in to their thoughts and feelings. Ultimately, this is a well written love story with all of the ingredients of a classic romance. With thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
If you're a fan of myths and love a time travel story then this novel will be right up your street. I struggled a bit with this book and it took me awhile to finish. I enjoyed the historical and scientific references but thought that the main device used for creating the time travel element was rather too supernatural for my tastes. The story is skillfully told through the eyes of each character in alternate chapters which does give a deeper insight in to their thoughts and feelings. Ultimately, this is a well written love story with all of the ingredients of a classic romance. With thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
August 31, 2023
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a book. It took me a bit to connect with the characters, but once I did, they had me by the heartstrings. As an artist myself, I loved how the author weaved not only the artworks of Leonardo Da Vinci into the story, but also the history surrounding the creation of the works, how those past events shaped the characters, and the affect they had into present day. This book was heartbreaking at times, but overall very hopeful.
This was a truly enjoyable read, and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Rowan Coleman in the future.
This was an emotional rollercoaster of a book. It took me a bit to connect with the characters, but once I did, they had me by the heartstrings. As an artist myself, I loved how the author weaved not only the artworks of Leonardo Da Vinci into the story, but also the history surrounding the creation of the works, how those past events shaped the characters, and the affect they had into present day. This book was heartbreaking at times, but overall very hopeful.
This was a truly enjoyable read, and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more books by Rowan Coleman in the future.
July 16, 2023
I listened to this on audio, and if I’m honest, only requested it because the premise sounded interesting and I’ve become a fan of listening to audiobooks while I’m running or doing the housework. I thought it would be a simple, touching love story (not my preferred genre but fine for what I needed), but there was a lot more to this story.
What I liked:
The male narrator was great and I really warmed to him.
I loved the twist early in the story (no spoilers!), which answered some questions I had, but never the less, I wasn’t expecting it and added another dimension that I enjoyed.
The historical/sciencey elements.
What I liked less:
I wasn’t so keen on the female narrator. But that’s just personal taste. I found her accent too high-brow and aloof, and disliked the way she portrayed the older female characters. Fortunately these didn’t feature very much.
All-in-all a captivating story. Five stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley, and Hodder and Stoughton for the opportunity to listen to an ARC. From now until Forever publishes on 3 August.
What I liked:
The male narrator was great and I really warmed to him.
I loved the twist early in the story (no spoilers!), which answered some questions I had, but never the less, I wasn’t expecting it and added another dimension that I enjoyed.
The historical/sciencey elements.
What I liked less:
I wasn’t so keen on the female narrator. But that’s just personal taste. I found her accent too high-brow and aloof, and disliked the way she portrayed the older female characters. Fortunately these didn’t feature very much.
All-in-all a captivating story. Five stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley, and Hodder and Stoughton for the opportunity to listen to an ARC. From now until Forever publishes on 3 August.
May 30, 2024
I took my time to read "From Now Until Forever" because I wanted to enjoy and savor every single chapter and I am happy I did.
Without spoiling the plot, I will say that it is a romantic story, a time-travel story with a dash of supernatural and a testament to the eternity of love and hope. Ben and Vita meet apparently by chance, but in reality destiny has been at work for a very long time and that made me wonder about all those events that we describe as "coincidences" but are probably anything but.
There are several elements of this book that I really loved - beside the plot and the style, of course. First of all, the psychological depth of the characters: they are all extremely believable and I could tell that the author not only knows the human soul, but she also made every effort to give Vita and Ben a well-rounded personality. I appreciate that there was no rush in delineating their feelings and emotions. I have read books where the characters' actions seemed to be totally detached from the story and there was no explanation whatsoever for them.
I also liked that fact that the novel is divided in chapters that are not too long. It was easy for me to read one chapter, put the book aside and then go back as soon as possible; I could nicely fit reading in the free slots of my daily schedule. This is just my personal preference, of course, but I felt it was an added value.
I loved the setting: London is not only one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, but it is also one of my favorite places to be. Same thing for Yorkshire, another "place of the heart" for me.
From the start, I felt an affinity for Vita and Ben, a desire to know what was going to happen to them and a strong wish for them to find happiness. Not many books can grip me like that and I think this is due to the fact that Rowan Coleman is a highly skilled story-teller.
I had already read "The Vanishing Bride" by her, written under the pseudonym of Bella Ellis, and had enjoyed that book immensely. She didn't disappoint with this novel, on the contrary, it was a treat to read it and be part of Ben and Vita's lives for a while.
Beautifully written, moving, funny, intriguing and so full of hope. This book is a balsam for the soul.
Without spoiling the plot, I will say that it is a romantic story, a time-travel story with a dash of supernatural and a testament to the eternity of love and hope. Ben and Vita meet apparently by chance, but in reality destiny has been at work for a very long time and that made me wonder about all those events that we describe as "coincidences" but are probably anything but.
There are several elements of this book that I really loved - beside the plot and the style, of course. First of all, the psychological depth of the characters: they are all extremely believable and I could tell that the author not only knows the human soul, but she also made every effort to give Vita and Ben a well-rounded personality. I appreciate that there was no rush in delineating their feelings and emotions. I have read books where the characters' actions seemed to be totally detached from the story and there was no explanation whatsoever for them.
I also liked that fact that the novel is divided in chapters that are not too long. It was easy for me to read one chapter, put the book aside and then go back as soon as possible; I could nicely fit reading in the free slots of my daily schedule. This is just my personal preference, of course, but I felt it was an added value.
I loved the setting: London is not only one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, but it is also one of my favorite places to be. Same thing for Yorkshire, another "place of the heart" for me.
From the start, I felt an affinity for Vita and Ben, a desire to know what was going to happen to them and a strong wish for them to find happiness. Not many books can grip me like that and I think this is due to the fact that Rowan Coleman is a highly skilled story-teller.
I had already read "The Vanishing Bride" by her, written under the pseudonym of Bella Ellis, and had enjoyed that book immensely. She didn't disappoint with this novel, on the contrary, it was a treat to read it and be part of Ben and Vita's lives for a while.
Beautifully written, moving, funny, intriguing and so full of hope. This book is a balsam for the soul.
May 9, 2023
An absolutely breathtaking read. This has got to be my favourite read of the year. Tones of The Time Travellers Wife x Addie LaRue x Life After Life x Me Before You. Unique and Unashamedly romantic- I adored every single word and even googled the paintings mentioned in the storyline so that I could be further immersed in the stunning prose.
October 30, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for providing access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I'll start by saying that this book surprised me time and time again, and I am incredibly glad I went in blindly. A lovely combination of contemporary romance, art history and a subtle dose of time travel, the story progressed smoothly, never feeling dragged-on or anything other but charming. I expected to roll my eyes at the ending, but that might've actually been the best decision the author made - I smiled and felt a lot of joy at the direction taken, gaining a lot of respect for the way things got wrapped-up. The love the author and the characters had for Leonardo's work, which I also appreciate intensively, has been amazing to see as well. And really enjoyed the voice actors chosen, both feeling like a great fit and really easy to follow.
My only complaint would be the fact that Vita didn't feel like an eternal being, who's seen entire lifetimes already, at all in the book. At least not her current version. We hear about her as being extraordinary, but we never quite get to experience it ourselves. Her infatuation with Ben felt unexpected as well considering the centuries she's supposed to have lived, since he felt like an other good guy you'd expect in a romance book. He's a great character, but not a rare soul in any shape or form. Still, I enjoyed their story a lot.
I'll start by saying that this book surprised me time and time again, and I am incredibly glad I went in blindly. A lovely combination of contemporary romance, art history and a subtle dose of time travel, the story progressed smoothly, never feeling dragged-on or anything other but charming. I expected to roll my eyes at the ending, but that might've actually been the best decision the author made - I smiled and felt a lot of joy at the direction taken, gaining a lot of respect for the way things got wrapped-up. The love the author and the characters had for Leonardo's work, which I also appreciate intensively, has been amazing to see as well. And really enjoyed the voice actors chosen, both feeling like a great fit and really easy to follow.
My only complaint would be the fact that Vita didn't feel like an eternal being, who's seen entire lifetimes already, at all in the book. At least not her current version. We hear about her as being extraordinary, but we never quite get to experience it ourselves. Her infatuation with Ben felt unexpected as well considering the centuries she's supposed to have lived, since he felt like an other good guy you'd expect in a romance book. He's a great character, but not a rare soul in any shape or form. Still, I enjoyed their story a lot.
July 18, 2023
If you could have forever, would you take it at the risk of losing all that is dear to you. This is the basis of this bittersweet story and what a delightful story it is.
Ben is given a devastating diagnosis and flees to London on an unplanned last chance at life. There he meets the mysterious Vita, who's experienced the best and worst of life. They embark on a relationship knowing that for Ben any day could be his last, or will it, as Vita thinks by discovering a hidden message in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci could give the secret to immortality.
All the characters were likeable and relatable but I think my favourite was Mariah.
Heartwarming novel
Ben is given a devastating diagnosis and flees to London on an unplanned last chance at life. There he meets the mysterious Vita, who's experienced the best and worst of life. They embark on a relationship knowing that for Ben any day could be his last, or will it, as Vita thinks by discovering a hidden message in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci could give the secret to immortality.
All the characters were likeable and relatable but I think my favourite was Mariah.
Heartwarming novel
July 31, 2023
4.5⭐️
How much time does one need to live life well?
Ben and Vita have a chance meeting and instant connection just when one of them is running out of time, and the other has too much time. As the care they have for one another grows, they rush to try to solve a centuries-long mystery in hopes of bridging the gap between them.
This is a lovely story told lovingly, and I enjoyed every minute of its hope and devastation.
The audiobook was nicely narrated by Helen McAlpine and Nathaniel Priestley.
Thank you Rowan Coleman, Hodder & Stoughton Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
How much time does one need to live life well?
Ben and Vita have a chance meeting and instant connection just when one of them is running out of time, and the other has too much time. As the care they have for one another grows, they rush to try to solve a centuries-long mystery in hopes of bridging the gap between them.
This is a lovely story told lovingly, and I enjoyed every minute of its hope and devastation.
The audiobook was nicely narrated by Helen McAlpine and Nathaniel Priestley.
Thank you Rowan Coleman, Hodder & Stoughton Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 23, 2023
Rowan Coleman takes you with her on an amazing journey - beautifully written, believable characters and a totally imaginative story. For lovers of Time Traveller's Wife and A Picture of Dorian Gray, with a little Me Before You thrown in for good measure. I loved, loved, loved this book.
I don't want to say too much about this amazing story, as it's better to find things out as the story progresses, but just to say that it is the story of Ben and Vita, who when they meet have an instantaneous connection that seems to be their destiny. The only problem is that Ben is living with a ticking time bomb which could kill him at any time and Vita has done so much, and until she met Ben thought she was done with life.
Rowan expertly weaves together reality with fantan y to taken us on an amazing adventure that you won't want to end. This is pure magic.
I don't want to say too much about this amazing story, as it's better to find things out as the story progresses, but just to say that it is the story of Ben and Vita, who when they meet have an instantaneous connection that seems to be their destiny. The only problem is that Ben is living with a ticking time bomb which could kill him at any time and Vita has done so much, and until she met Ben thought she was done with life.
Rowan expertly weaves together reality with fantan y to taken us on an amazing adventure that you won't want to end. This is pure magic.
August 5, 2023
FROM NOW UNTIL FOREVER is a love story with a difference. It follows Ben, who after finding out some life altering news, jumps on a train to London in a bid to ‘experience life’ while he still can. It’s there that he bumps into Vita, a woman with a tragic past whom he instantly connects with. Knowing that every day could be Ben’s last, they enter into a relationship whilst racing against time to search for a solution to prolong Ben’s life.
I absolutely adored this story. It’s engaging, unusual, achingly romantic and beautifully written and I flew through it. Everything about the premise, characters and the art gallery setting captured my imagination. I was fascinated by the artistic, historical and alchemic references and enjoyed googling Vita’s beloved da Vinci paintings to help me visualise them.
Ben and Vita are intriguing, complex characters who I cared deeply for. They’re both battling different forms of grief and hearing the story from their alternative POVs was both insightful and heart breaking. Their love story is tragically romantic, and underwritten with currents of raw grief, desperation, hope and fear that were both tangible and incredibly moving. I sniffled my way through large parts of it!
Without giving any spoilers, I really enjoyed the direction the story took and I was desperate for Vita and Ben’s quest to succeed.
FROM NOW UNTIL FOREVER is a devastatingly beautiful and unforgettable love story about fate, hope and making every second of life count. I’d highly recommend it to all romance fans.
I absolutely adored this story. It’s engaging, unusual, achingly romantic and beautifully written and I flew through it. Everything about the premise, characters and the art gallery setting captured my imagination. I was fascinated by the artistic, historical and alchemic references and enjoyed googling Vita’s beloved da Vinci paintings to help me visualise them.
Ben and Vita are intriguing, complex characters who I cared deeply for. They’re both battling different forms of grief and hearing the story from their alternative POVs was both insightful and heart breaking. Their love story is tragically romantic, and underwritten with currents of raw grief, desperation, hope and fear that were both tangible and incredibly moving. I sniffled my way through large parts of it!
Without giving any spoilers, I really enjoyed the direction the story took and I was desperate for Vita and Ben’s quest to succeed.
FROM NOW UNTIL FOREVER is a devastatingly beautiful and unforgettable love story about fate, hope and making every second of life count. I’d highly recommend it to all romance fans.
June 13, 2025
thiis is a romance with a twist.full of of mystery.hope.love.historical backstories.ben as found out he doesnt have long to live.so wants to live life to the full.then he meets vita who early on her story is revealed.it follows their story with hope and emotional times trying to save ben .
August 26, 2024
A love story with an unexpected twist. So without adding any spoilers all I can say is it is emotional and easy flowing aside from that.
September 28, 2024
Absolutely devoured the latest release by Rowan Coleman, From Now Until Forever. I adore this quote, which also encapsulates the heart of this gorgeous, uniquely brilliant story.
'Leonardo hid so many of his secrets in his artwork. My very last hope is that he hid the secret to setting me free inside the image he painted of me, an immortal woman, looking for a way to die on the day she meets a dying man who only wants to live.'
Five stars to this one. Rowan is incomparable and I love everything she writes.
'Leonardo hid so many of his secrets in his artwork. My very last hope is that he hid the secret to setting me free inside the image he painted of me, an immortal woman, looking for a way to die on the day she meets a dying man who only wants to live.'
Five stars to this one. Rowan is incomparable and I love everything she writes.
June 29, 2023
What a fascinating premise! I remember wondering what it’d be like to have access to a museum/gallery after hours, away from the crowds. Immersing in that kind of space without having to add a layer of social awareness… it still feels like magic to me. The slowness of that experience combined with the speed of a ticking bomb that could go off at any moment can be disorientating, but it works. What would you do if you were told you could die at any moment and this one person kept showing up in your life in the most random ways? It must be a sign! That is the story of Vita and Ben, and all the other extraordinary people in their lives - past (!!!) and present. It’s tender, joyous, mind-blowing and also heartbreaking. A book for the romance lovers. Thanks for inviting me to read this ahead of its publication, Hodder!
July 3, 2023
I am so excited that Rowan has a new book coming out! And I am so, so glad I was lucky enough to get an early review copy.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Helen McAlpine, and I have to say, it was perfection.
This story is SO much more than you could ever imagine from the synopsis. It's full of mystery and intrigue, love and romance, drama, and tension. It is genuinely one of the most unique books I have ever read!
I absolutely adored Vita, Ben, Jack, Kitty, and Sarah. I loved the historical aspects of the story, too.
I smiled, I laughed, and I cried. Boy, did I cry! This is an absolutely spectacular example of why I love Rowan Coleman books!
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Helen McAlpine, and I have to say, it was perfection.
This story is SO much more than you could ever imagine from the synopsis. It's full of mystery and intrigue, love and romance, drama, and tension. It is genuinely one of the most unique books I have ever read!
I absolutely adored Vita, Ben, Jack, Kitty, and Sarah. I loved the historical aspects of the story, too.
I smiled, I laughed, and I cried. Boy, did I cry! This is an absolutely spectacular example of why I love Rowan Coleman books!
August 3, 2023
Wow what an amazing story!
I do love books that are magical themed, and this one was absolutely delightful. An emotional story, I did feel for Ben and his family, his terminal illness was like a ticking time bomb.
Vita was an interesting character, it was engaging learning about her life throughout the story.
I found it very suspenseful, despite to know if the secrets would be revealed in time to save Ben.
A brilliant book that captured my imagination on every page.
I do love books that are magical themed, and this one was absolutely delightful. An emotional story, I did feel for Ben and his family, his terminal illness was like a ticking time bomb.
Vita was an interesting character, it was engaging learning about her life throughout the story.
I found it very suspenseful, despite to know if the secrets would be revealed in time to save Ben.
A brilliant book that captured my imagination on every page.
August 1, 2023
From Now Until Forever by Rowan Coleman examines what happens when someone running out of time collides with someone who has nothing but time.
The book opens with Ben Church living the worst day of his life. He learns a previously dormant medical issue will now take his life in days, weeks, maybe months. Knowing this, he travels to London to make the most of the time he has left. Standing on a street corner, he meets a woman who will change the time he has remaining.
Vita Ambrose is a widow and art curator at a museum where she is trying to uncover the secrets of everlasting life she believes is hidden in a VanGogh painting. Taking a walk near the museum, she boldly steps into traffic to save a child from being hit. This is the moment where Ben and Vita’s life intersect, changing the two of them forever.
This was an excellent novel that merges life with death, friendship with love, strangers and lovers, and the past with the present and future. It allows the reader to travel through space and time pondering if everlasting life is worth the pain and loss of watching those around you die.
Do yourself a favor and settle in with this engaging story! The expected release date is August 3rd!
Thank you NetGalley, Rowan Coleman, and Hodder & Stoughton for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The book opens with Ben Church living the worst day of his life. He learns a previously dormant medical issue will now take his life in days, weeks, maybe months. Knowing this, he travels to London to make the most of the time he has left. Standing on a street corner, he meets a woman who will change the time he has remaining.
Vita Ambrose is a widow and art curator at a museum where she is trying to uncover the secrets of everlasting life she believes is hidden in a VanGogh painting. Taking a walk near the museum, she boldly steps into traffic to save a child from being hit. This is the moment where Ben and Vita’s life intersect, changing the two of them forever.
This was an excellent novel that merges life with death, friendship with love, strangers and lovers, and the past with the present and future. It allows the reader to travel through space and time pondering if everlasting life is worth the pain and loss of watching those around you die.
Do yourself a favor and settle in with this engaging story! The expected release date is August 3rd!
Thank you NetGalley, Rowan Coleman, and Hodder & Stoughton for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2023
There’s content in this one that is connected to the big twist (more on that later) that some readers might want to be aware of. Check out at the end for more info.
Now that’s over with, back to the book. As a fan of Coleman’s, I was keen to read this one (and a bonus for me is that it’s on audiobook). This starts m off as a doomed love story, and you can see this is going to hit you where it hurts, and then bam! There’s a twist. And I did not see that twist coming. That is all I will say about the twist.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting with this one (other than doomed love) but the facts about da Vinci and his art were completely unexpected and so fascinating. And Vita’s interactions with her elderly neighbour were just so beautiful. Particularly as you see the extent of her dementia - it was so heartbreaking as her story plays out (her last time in the book - blimey that brought a tear to my eye). I loved how much Vita loves her and does all she can to support her.
And now to the real love story - Ben and Vita. I loved these two as a couple. When they first meet and then keep bumping into each other. Coleman wrote their journey really well, and I became so invested in them both. But I will say that how their journey ended didn’t hit as hard as what I thought it would - but it was a beautiful ending.
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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: repeated reference to suicide
Now that’s over with, back to the book. As a fan of Coleman’s, I was keen to read this one (and a bonus for me is that it’s on audiobook). This starts m off as a doomed love story, and you can see this is going to hit you where it hurts, and then bam! There’s a twist. And I did not see that twist coming. That is all I will say about the twist.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting with this one (other than doomed love) but the facts about da Vinci and his art were completely unexpected and so fascinating. And Vita’s interactions with her elderly neighbour were just so beautiful. Particularly as you see the extent of her dementia - it was so heartbreaking as her story plays out (her last time in the book - blimey that brought a tear to my eye). I loved how much Vita loves her and does all she can to support her.
And now to the real love story - Ben and Vita. I loved these two as a couple. When they first meet and then keep bumping into each other. Coleman wrote their journey really well, and I became so invested in them both. But I will say that how their journey ended didn’t hit as hard as what I thought it would - but it was a beautiful ending.
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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: repeated reference to suicide
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2023
Ben Church has lived with Marfan syndrome since he was diagnosed at sixteen years old, but has just received the devastating news that a new aneurysm has formed next to the brain stem. An operation is not an option and the aneurysm could rupture at any time in the next few months, weeks, or even days. Shocked to discover that he might only have a few days left to live, he leaves Yorkshire and travels to London, determined to live life to the full. He is an optical engineer and has designed a revolutionary high spectrum lens which can separate out image layers of a subject and separate individual elements on a molecular level.
Vita Ambrose is an art curator for the Bianchi Collection, she has been working for years to bring together a collection of Leonardo Da Vinci's portraits and all her hard work has paid off, finally the Louvre has agreed to lend the exhibition La Belle Ferronnière, Da Vinci's portrait of an unknown woman. Vita believes that the portrait contains one of Da Vinci's greatest secrets and she is determined to uncover it.
Ben and Vita meet by chance when Vita saves a small child from being run over by a bus and Ben pulls her to safety, he catches sight of the brochure in Vita's hand for the exhibition and asks her if she's been - he intended to go because La Belle Ferronnière was on the cover of one of his mother's books when he was a child and Ben used to try to copy Leonardo's drawings of his inventions.
What future can there be for a man with only days to live and a woman who is tired of living?
I found this confusing to get into. Told from alternate POVs of Vita and Ben, there is no indication of who is narrating and so I wasn't sure who was talking, especially when they went somewhere new or talked to someone new.
So ... I wasn't really feeling it and TBH I was inclined to DNF but decided to give it at least until I had read a quarter of the book before making a decision. And it suddenly got good, as in I can't tell you because its a spoiler good. I really liked where it seemed to be going and it reminded me vaguely of a cross between The Da Vinci Code and one of my favourite books of all time The Eight. Of course Vita and Ben meet up, his lens could help her decode the painting.
Then it seemed to get mired down in insta-lurve and visits to Ben's mother in Yorkshire and chats to Vita's neighbour etc rather than the Da Vinci secret which is what I was interested in. There was a lot of wafty language about rooftops and feelings.
Overall, I was left with the feeling that this was a book written in a way which didn't suit the plot, I don't think we needed to hear Ben's POV, it didn't add anything. The arty descriptive language didn't gel with the idea of deciphering the Da Vinci which (to me) feels like it should be more of a detective style prose.
Anyway, I felt it dragged in the middle then had a rushed ending.
I was given an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Vita Ambrose is an art curator for the Bianchi Collection, she has been working for years to bring together a collection of Leonardo Da Vinci's portraits and all her hard work has paid off, finally the Louvre has agreed to lend the exhibition La Belle Ferronnière, Da Vinci's portrait of an unknown woman. Vita believes that the portrait contains one of Da Vinci's greatest secrets and she is determined to uncover it.
Ben and Vita meet by chance when Vita saves a small child from being run over by a bus and Ben pulls her to safety, he catches sight of the brochure in Vita's hand for the exhibition and asks her if she's been - he intended to go because La Belle Ferronnière was on the cover of one of his mother's books when he was a child and Ben used to try to copy Leonardo's drawings of his inventions.
What future can there be for a man with only days to live and a woman who is tired of living?
I found this confusing to get into. Told from alternate POVs of Vita and Ben, there is no indication of who is narrating and so I wasn't sure who was talking, especially when they went somewhere new or talked to someone new.
So ... I wasn't really feeling it and TBH I was inclined to DNF but decided to give it at least until I had read a quarter of the book before making a decision. And it suddenly got good, as in I can't tell you because its a spoiler good. I really liked where it seemed to be going and it reminded me vaguely of a cross between The Da Vinci Code and one of my favourite books of all time The Eight. Of course Vita and Ben meet up, his lens could help her decode the painting.
Then it seemed to get mired down in insta-lurve and visits to Ben's mother in Yorkshire and chats to Vita's neighbour etc rather than the Da Vinci secret which is what I was interested in. There was a lot of wafty language about rooftops and feelings.
Overall, I was left with the feeling that this was a book written in a way which didn't suit the plot, I don't think we needed to hear Ben's POV, it didn't add anything. The arty descriptive language didn't gel with the idea of deciphering the Da Vinci which (to me) feels like it should be more of a detective style prose.
Anyway, I felt it dragged in the middle then had a rushed ending.
I was given an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
August 17, 2023
My usual genre is crime and indeed I have very much enjoyed Rowan Coleman’s Bronte Sisters investigations written under her Bella Ellis pen name. But one of my long-time favourite books is Coleman’s The Summer of Impossible Things so I knew I had to read her latest romantic novel, From Now Until Forever.
It is a fantastic book, epic in scale and sweeping in its historical provenance. What Rowan Coleman can do is to make me believe in her world and her characters; she can make me care about them even though I know she’s writing about the impossible. But she gathers you in, makes you love her characters and then charms you into believing it all. It’s like being wrapped in a fluffy cloud and wafted away to a land of infinite possibilities.
Ben has come to London to get away from the pressure of all his problems. A good man who is trying to process bad news, he wants to get his thoughts clear before he returns to his mother and sister. While he wanders, he bumps into Vita – a chance meeting that changes everything.
Vita is everything that Ben needs right now. She is beautiful, charming, intelligent and caring and there is an immediate attraction between the pair.
Vita Ambrose is a curator of the Bianchi Collection, and she is on the eve of unveiling a new exhibition – a collection of Leonardo Da Vinci’s portraits. Vita has worked long and hard to pull this exhibition together and her motivation is driven by her need to discover a secret that she has longed to uncover for a very long time.
In one of those strange twists of fate, it seems that Ben, an optical engineer, may just have developed the specialist tool that will help her to do that. In the meantime, Vita introduces Ben to Jack, a long-time friend and to Maria, an elderly woman with elderly onset dementia.
Coleman’s story is told from both Ben and Vita’s perspectives in alternating chapters and so the reader is carried along by their developing attraction and by understanding that they both have secrets that they are withholding from each other.
Ben is down to earth and loving; Vita is beautiful, but like a flitting butterfly, always on the move, forever seeking the secret that she knows can define her life.
As the two fall more deeply in love, Ben only wants to help Vita and Vita realises that Ben’s love is everything she has ever wanted or needed.
As Ben and Vita embark on a bit of a dangerous adventure, you find yourself hoping that love really can conquer all and Rowan Coleman’s achingly beautiful writing carries you through some difficult moments to an ending that is executed perfectly.
This is an unashamedly dazzling, magical, romantic story that sweeps you up and carries you with it, weeping copiously as you go. It is tragic, beautiful, full of affirmation and just what I needed after a diet of serial killers and crime.
It is a fantastic book, epic in scale and sweeping in its historical provenance. What Rowan Coleman can do is to make me believe in her world and her characters; she can make me care about them even though I know she’s writing about the impossible. But she gathers you in, makes you love her characters and then charms you into believing it all. It’s like being wrapped in a fluffy cloud and wafted away to a land of infinite possibilities.
Ben has come to London to get away from the pressure of all his problems. A good man who is trying to process bad news, he wants to get his thoughts clear before he returns to his mother and sister. While he wanders, he bumps into Vita – a chance meeting that changes everything.
Vita is everything that Ben needs right now. She is beautiful, charming, intelligent and caring and there is an immediate attraction between the pair.
Vita Ambrose is a curator of the Bianchi Collection, and she is on the eve of unveiling a new exhibition – a collection of Leonardo Da Vinci’s portraits. Vita has worked long and hard to pull this exhibition together and her motivation is driven by her need to discover a secret that she has longed to uncover for a very long time.
In one of those strange twists of fate, it seems that Ben, an optical engineer, may just have developed the specialist tool that will help her to do that. In the meantime, Vita introduces Ben to Jack, a long-time friend and to Maria, an elderly woman with elderly onset dementia.
Coleman’s story is told from both Ben and Vita’s perspectives in alternating chapters and so the reader is carried along by their developing attraction and by understanding that they both have secrets that they are withholding from each other.
Ben is down to earth and loving; Vita is beautiful, but like a flitting butterfly, always on the move, forever seeking the secret that she knows can define her life.
As the two fall more deeply in love, Ben only wants to help Vita and Vita realises that Ben’s love is everything she has ever wanted or needed.
As Ben and Vita embark on a bit of a dangerous adventure, you find yourself hoping that love really can conquer all and Rowan Coleman’s achingly beautiful writing carries you through some difficult moments to an ending that is executed perfectly.
This is an unashamedly dazzling, magical, romantic story that sweeps you up and carries you with it, weeping copiously as you go. It is tragic, beautiful, full of affirmation and just what I needed after a diet of serial killers and crime.
December 9, 2023
4.5 (paperback edition)
From Now Until Forever by Rowan Coleman is a novel that explores the themes of love, life, death, and immortality. It tells the story of Ben and Vita, two people who are drawn to each other by fate, but face an impossible obstacle: Ben is dying, and Vita is immortal.
Ben Church is a young scientist who has a rare genetic condition that causes his blood vessels to rupture. He knows he has only a few months left to live, so he decides to travel to London and enjoy his remaining time. There, he meets Vita, a mysterious woman who seems to know a lot about history, art, and alchemy. They feel an instant connection, and soon fall in love. But Vita has a secret: she was made immortal by Leonardo da Vinci, the legendary artist and inventor, who also left behind clues to the philosopher's stone, the alchemical elixir of life. Together, they embark on a quest to find the stone and save Ben's life, while also uncovering the truth about Vita's past and the dangers of living forever.
The impromptu, intense, and sincere romance between Ben and Vita appealed to me. As they attempted to make the most of their time together, I could feel their feelings and challenges I enjoyed the intrigue and adventure that the book provided as Ben and Vita searched for the philosopher's stone, the alchemical key to eternal life, by following the hints left by Leonardo da Vinci. The mysteries and secrets they discovered along the road piqued my interest. The book's historical and cultural references, which crossed several periods and locations—from Renaissance Italy to contemporary London—were interesting to me. I gained a great deal of knowledge about the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci in addition to global and European history.
The book's exploration of subjects like life, death, and immortality as well as the moral and psychological ramifications of eternal life, struck me as interesting. The book, in my opinion, posed some intriguing queries and got me to reflect on the purpose and worth of life.
The novel is a mix of romance, adventure, mystery, and historical fiction. It is well-written, with engaging characters and a fast-paced plot. The author did a great job of researching the details of Leonardo da Vinci's life and works, as well as the history of Europe and the world.
The ending felt a bit abrupt and left me with a lot of unanswered questions though. Hoping for a sequel, maybe?
Overall, From Now Until Forever is a novel that will appeal to fans of romance, history, and fantasy. It is a novel that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, from hope to devastation, from now until forever. Looking at the cover, it was not what I expected at all, it is so much more than a romance. It is pure escapism.
From Now Until Forever by Rowan Coleman is a novel that explores the themes of love, life, death, and immortality. It tells the story of Ben and Vita, two people who are drawn to each other by fate, but face an impossible obstacle: Ben is dying, and Vita is immortal.
Ben Church is a young scientist who has a rare genetic condition that causes his blood vessels to rupture. He knows he has only a few months left to live, so he decides to travel to London and enjoy his remaining time. There, he meets Vita, a mysterious woman who seems to know a lot about history, art, and alchemy. They feel an instant connection, and soon fall in love. But Vita has a secret: she was made immortal by Leonardo da Vinci, the legendary artist and inventor, who also left behind clues to the philosopher's stone, the alchemical elixir of life. Together, they embark on a quest to find the stone and save Ben's life, while also uncovering the truth about Vita's past and the dangers of living forever.
The impromptu, intense, and sincere romance between Ben and Vita appealed to me. As they attempted to make the most of their time together, I could feel their feelings and challenges I enjoyed the intrigue and adventure that the book provided as Ben and Vita searched for the philosopher's stone, the alchemical key to eternal life, by following the hints left by Leonardo da Vinci. The mysteries and secrets they discovered along the road piqued my interest. The book's historical and cultural references, which crossed several periods and locations—from Renaissance Italy to contemporary London—were interesting to me. I gained a great deal of knowledge about the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci in addition to global and European history.
The book's exploration of subjects like life, death, and immortality as well as the moral and psychological ramifications of eternal life, struck me as interesting. The book, in my opinion, posed some intriguing queries and got me to reflect on the purpose and worth of life.
The novel is a mix of romance, adventure, mystery, and historical fiction. It is well-written, with engaging characters and a fast-paced plot. The author did a great job of researching the details of Leonardo da Vinci's life and works, as well as the history of Europe and the world.
The ending felt a bit abrupt and left me with a lot of unanswered questions though. Hoping for a sequel, maybe?
Overall, From Now Until Forever is a novel that will appeal to fans of romance, history, and fantasy. It is a novel that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, from hope to devastation, from now until forever. Looking at the cover, it was not what I expected at all, it is so much more than a romance. It is pure escapism.
June 9, 2023
When Ben Church receives devastating news about his life expectancy he flees Yorkshire and heads to London where he meets the enigmatic Vita Ambrose. Vita is an expert on Leonardo da Vinci and believes his works contain the secret to everlasting life. Has fate brought them together so that Vita can help Ben, or does she have another motive?
From Now Until Forever from Rowan Coleman is a love story with a twist featuring two engaging characters, and some lovely minor characters too. Ben is a no nonsense Yorkshire man who has devoted his life to engineering. When he discovers that he has months to live he feels cheated. Ben has never had any great ambitions but when he is told that he only has a limited time let he feels that he should have experienced more from life. My heart went out to Ben, it's easy to assume we have all the time in the world, seeing things from the point of view of this character really brings you up short and makes you reassess things.
Vita's voice is completely different to Ben's, you get a sense that she is ethereal, mystical, of another era or universe. Vita's obsession with unearthing the secret to everlasting life she believes da Vinci has hidden in his paintings could be just what Ben needs. Pure chance, or fate, brings the pair together and the spark between them is immediate.
The historical details are fascinating and you become immersed in the quest to discover the hidden secrets. I enjoyed the descriptions of the age old connections between science and alchemy and how they could have a bearing on the information Vita was seeking.
There aren't many additional characters in the story as Ben and Vita are the focus, but those that do appear really add depth and some humour. Ben's sister and mother want to wrap him in cotton wool but accept that he needs to follow his own path. Vita's neighbour, Mariah, offers some light relief but also shows how heartbreaking it is to grow old when those we love die.
As we reach the conclusion there is an intensity, I felt that everything was a constant race against time, a desperation, a hope that fate would deal the couple a winning hand. I certainly felt bereft by the end of this bittersweet love story.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
From Now Until Forever from Rowan Coleman is a love story with a twist featuring two engaging characters, and some lovely minor characters too. Ben is a no nonsense Yorkshire man who has devoted his life to engineering. When he discovers that he has months to live he feels cheated. Ben has never had any great ambitions but when he is told that he only has a limited time let he feels that he should have experienced more from life. My heart went out to Ben, it's easy to assume we have all the time in the world, seeing things from the point of view of this character really brings you up short and makes you reassess things.
Vita's voice is completely different to Ben's, you get a sense that she is ethereal, mystical, of another era or universe. Vita's obsession with unearthing the secret to everlasting life she believes da Vinci has hidden in his paintings could be just what Ben needs. Pure chance, or fate, brings the pair together and the spark between them is immediate.
The historical details are fascinating and you become immersed in the quest to discover the hidden secrets. I enjoyed the descriptions of the age old connections between science and alchemy and how they could have a bearing on the information Vita was seeking.
There aren't many additional characters in the story as Ben and Vita are the focus, but those that do appear really add depth and some humour. Ben's sister and mother want to wrap him in cotton wool but accept that he needs to follow his own path. Vita's neighbour, Mariah, offers some light relief but also shows how heartbreaking it is to grow old when those we love die.
As we reach the conclusion there is an intensity, I felt that everything was a constant race against time, a desperation, a hope that fate would deal the couple a winning hand. I certainly felt bereft by the end of this bittersweet love story.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
July 26, 2023
FROM NOW UNTIL FOREVER is the breath taking read of 2023 for me. I have read this kind of story after a while. Its’s characters, plot, mysteries, adventure almost everything is superb.
The story is about Ben Church who is on the verge of dying because of an aneurysm in the brain stem. He only has a few months left so he decides to live to the fullest. In London, he met Vita accidentally. After several encounters, they get to know each other and decide to chase after the alchemist’s favorite secret the philosopher’s stone so that Ben can save his life. But Vita is not actually a simple London girl. She carries thrilling centuries old secrets.
The plot hooked me from the start. There wasn’t a time when I was bored or skipping through the pages. The writer did an awesome research for writing this novel. The intricate details of history, about wars, ancient cities of Europe all are great.
The story is told from Ben and Vita’s perspective. Their characters are interesting. I like how they cared for each other despite knowing each other’s flaws. Plus I liked the characters of Ben’s Mom and sister. They were so supportive and always there for each other.
The ancient references from Sundial mottos are a great addition to the novel. Plus there are so many heart touching lines.
Now, I’ll talk about my reasons for the 4 star rating. There are some ideas and themes that I don’t want to agree with, like Vita and Sarah’s views and some other things.
In the end, it’s a heart felt novel which will take you on an emotional ride.
Thank you so much Hodderscape for an e-ARC of this title.
The story is about Ben Church who is on the verge of dying because of an aneurysm in the brain stem. He only has a few months left so he decides to live to the fullest. In London, he met Vita accidentally. After several encounters, they get to know each other and decide to chase after the alchemist’s favorite secret the philosopher’s stone so that Ben can save his life. But Vita is not actually a simple London girl. She carries thrilling centuries old secrets.
The plot hooked me from the start. There wasn’t a time when I was bored or skipping through the pages. The writer did an awesome research for writing this novel. The intricate details of history, about wars, ancient cities of Europe all are great.
The story is told from Ben and Vita’s perspective. Their characters are interesting. I like how they cared for each other despite knowing each other’s flaws. Plus I liked the characters of Ben’s Mom and sister. They were so supportive and always there for each other.
The ancient references from Sundial mottos are a great addition to the novel. Plus there are so many heart touching lines.
Now, I’ll talk about my reasons for the 4 star rating. There are some ideas and themes that I don’t want to agree with, like Vita and Sarah’s views and some other things.
In the end, it’s a heart felt novel which will take you on an emotional ride.
Thank you so much Hodderscape for an e-ARC of this title.
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