Forever Inn Love

Freedom Valley #5

by Erin Branscom

SJ Reid isn’t the same bad-boy high school football player who abruptly left for the Army after graduation. He’s back, and he’s the hot new high school coach. 

I’m back in Freedom Valley after twelve years, ready to start my new career. As the new doctor in town, it’s my job to fix people, and fixing is what I do best, for other people that is. I have one simple rule: protect my heart at all costs. I’ve worked hard to heal the broken heart he shattered twelve years ago.

I want to say I’ve moved on, but the truth is, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love SJ. He’s always been my soulmate and the one I haven’t been able to let go.

A second chance means facing family secrets and drama that threatens to break us apart again.

I survived SJ leaving me once. I’m not sure my heart can survive it again.
​​​​​​​
So we don’t stand a chance when Freedom Valley’s past friends and family conspire to push us back together again.
Can the town that broke us up put us back together again?


*Forever Inn Love is a small town, second chance, first love romance. Forever Inn Love is a complete standalone, but if you prefer to read them in order, start with Falling Inn Love as the characters and families are interconnected.*

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Fiction

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2023

About the author

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Erin Branscom is a creator of happily-ever-afters, crafting spicy, Hallmark-like romances that make readers fall head over heels for charming small towns. When she's not writing heart warming stories, Erin can be found anywhere there are dogs, with a cup of coffee in hand, or lost in a good book. As a passionate Scorpio, she brings intensity and heart to everything she does. Dive into her world and discover love, warmth, and a touch of spice in every story.

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Reviews

[Laura Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of BETA reading this book.
This is SO CUTE!
The Freedom Valley Series holds a special place in my heart. Each book is better than the last, in my opinion, which is rare to see in a series. I have high hopes for the last book!

[Brianna Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first ever ARC review!

I really enjoyed this wholesome, heartwarming story. I always love diving back into the small town of Freedom Valley. It’s become a comfort series for me. The strong sense of found family is prominent in these stories and one of my favorite aspects of this one particularly. Callie was a strong character and I really enjoyed her growth as the story progressed. SJ was the perfect MMC and match for Callie. I loved how patient and understanding they were with each other. They’re an adorable couple and you will find yourself rooting for them from the beginning. Side characters can sometimes be just as important as the MCs and in this book, Goldie was my favorite. The ending will really pull on your heartstrings 🥹 This wasn’t my favorite book of this series but still a good read overall.

Forever Inn Love can be read as a stand-alone, but it mentions characters and scenarios from the other books so I would recommend reading the entire series which are all equally great reads!

[Denise Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another GREAT story!!!!! I love that the characters are so real! I feel like I know these people! I want to move to Freedom Valley! To have friends and family like that… what a dream! Erin did a terrific job on this book! I can’t wait for the next one! I’m very happy I got to be one of the ARC readers!

[MikaylasBookNook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so wholesome and good.

Erin writes characters that’s are real and go through real struggles. I loved that Callie and SJ had such a beautiful second chance story. They went through a lot to be able to get that happy ending and they so deserved it. Plus them being each others otters. ~Swoons~

This book can be read as a stand alone but the whole series of Freedom Valley are interconnected so you get to see other couples appear in this book as well.

Can’t wait for the next one!

[Raymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Freedom Valley series. This book will tug on your heart strings.

Callie has just came back from Freedom Valley after 12 years of being away. Now she is back to be a doctor at the local hospital but her boyfriend who left without a word is also back.

Freedom Valley is the hometown that you want to live in. I love every single book in this series. Every one has their own personal and unique story to go along with this.

This book in the series doesn’t have much spice as it is a second chance romance and has more fade to black scenes then spice.

This book is more about them fixing and building their relationship after 12 years of being apart. I love seeing all the past characters and how they connect with the main characters.

Also Erin.. girl Sam needs his own loves story. Just saying….

If you love:
🔺2nd Chance Romance
🔺Found Family
🔺Fade to Black

Genre: Small Town Romance
APK: Ebook
Pages: 318
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️
Series or Standalone: Book 5 of the Freedom Valley Series

[Sabrina Dierickx-Gamboa · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS WAS MY FIRST ARC EVER! Omg i really liked this book a lot! I am a sucker for small town second chance romance! I forever love Otters now 😭 if you get it you get it hahaha. But SJ is such a cinnamon roll lover boy and he was amazing throughout the book. This is no ordinary romance story, this book brought every emotion out and every twist and turn you can think of!

[Lauryn Magie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the chance to ARC read this book and I want to start by saying…
Erin has done it again with the fifth installment of Freedom Valley.
If you like small town vibes, friends to lovers, second chance romances then this is the book for you!
This book is beautifully written and is a great addition to the Freedom Valley series as we also got to catch up with the rest of the group.
10/10 recommend this series.

[Sierra (shesgotstories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy returning back to Freedom Valley as not only does it have such a supportive community with the most wholesome characters, but also because the characters are so down to earth and relatable!

I love a good second chance romance story and this book delivered! While Callie wants an explanation from SJ after 12 years apart with no contact after he left her before college out the blue to join the military, she finds that returning to Freedom Valley to be a doctor in the local ER comes with its own problems as well.

Callie’s determination to be successful while learning to stand up for herself and learn that it’s okay to rely on others is such a relatable experience that I found myself connecting with. SJ’s dedication to winning her back as it’s always been Callie for him is adorable, especially when you get a glimpse inside his head and see just how hard he’s been working to get his life together for her. The dual POV and the alternating between the past and present not only lets you see inside both their heads but also relive their youth and their growth from friends to lovers before becoming strangers for years. You can’t help but root for them from page 1 and love the support that they not only have for each other but also that they have from their friends and family. SJ is a veteran and we see a part of his struggle with PTSD and the anxiety it causes him and how he learns to open up and find help.

If you like cozy found family stories with wholesome characters and vulnerable yet relatable stories, the Freedom Valley series is perfect for you! This book is a closed door romance with off the page spicy scenes, but you’ll definitely be feeling the chemistry between characters anyways!

Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in this series and one of the best. The original bad guy that tried to shut down the inn in the first book is back, and he turns out to be the heroine’s father. But this time, his wife and a doctor at the hospital are along for the ride and it’s hard to know who to hate the most. Callie McGraw has had a horrible childhood but despite her boyfriend dumping her twelve years ago, she always knew she would return to her hometown. She’s working in the local ER on probation, and the jerk in charge lets her know that he wants a relationship with her and that means bossing her around and manhandling her.
SJ has also returned from the army and is volunteering as a high school football coach. He hopes to be hired when the current coach retires. In the meantime, he works with his father at the auto shop. But he knows one thing for certain. Callie is his and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back. But will the past keep them from a future?
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to everyone.

[Janae McGinnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Inn Love is a story of second chances and coming clean with realities from personal choices and others' selfish choices. The book follows SJ and Callie, high school sweethearts who find support and love in each other that should stand for a lifetime. However, a choice SJ makes puts that connection to the test that lasted 12 years, and now they are put together again when Callie moves back into town as a new doctor. This story has all the drama you want that involves our MCs without it being solely about their romantic relationship. I appreciate this about the story. There is a lot of trauma and pain these characters are dealing with, and going through any moments of happiness is very deserved. I love that characters from past books appear and add a fun vibe to the story. This story has a HEA and is one of the most well-deserved HEA I’ve wanted for characters. I can’t wait to read on with this group of friends!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved every book of the Freedom Valley series, and because of that, it’s hard for me to pick which is my favorite!

Forever Inn Love was so good! I loved Callie & SJ and their relationship from high school to the current time. SJ was there for Callie through her hardest times and sacrificed so much for her. I think he’s my favorite male character from this series! Sorry Ty! (All Inn Thyme - Book 3).

Erin does an amazing job with her world building and I can picture Freedom Valley every time while I’m reading.

I cannot wait for the next book to come out in February!

Tropes:
Second chance romance
Found family
Small town romance
Military romance
Service dog 🐕‍🦺

Sensitive Content:
Anxiety
PTSD from Combat Veteran
Child Neglect/Abandonment from parents
Child Abuse
Loss of friend (off page)

Thank you Erin for allowing me to arc read for you throughout this whole series!!

Read Forever Inn Love on December 14!!

[Savannah Cherniwchan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
✅Small town romance
✅Second chance
✅Right person wrong time

Callie and SJ were high school sweethearts until one day out of nowhere he leaves her without a goodbye…12 years later and she still loves him but loves herself more.. how is she supposed to keep her heart safe when the town that tore them apart is trying to push them back together

I can see how things happened from both sides but I still think that Callie deserved more and that SJ should have done more groveling to make up for his past mistakes

[Katelyn Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad I got choosen as an ARC reading. I have absolutely fell in love with the Freedom Valley Series. This book is a small town romance and also a second chance. I love how this book makes the character feel so real. This books make me want to move to Freedom Valley. The MMC is so sweet and I love how he did every thing so Callie in mind. The FMC is so down to earth and I love her drive and dedication to SJ. If you want a fun cute small town romance then you definitely need to give this series a chance. 💜💜

[Cassie O · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Freedom Valley in the early books, but this felt like a stretch to me. A second-chance romance of childhood sweethearts, the book was very drawn out, felt almost like it could have been a novella. I struggled to relate to the characters and situations and didn't feel like the story sucked me in or made me care as much as past novels in the series. I also wanted more resolution at the end for what happened to Hamilton and Cheryl and whether they actually left. I felt that the Dr. Douchet situation was resolved a bit too easily as well considering how long it was drawn out.

This is a closed-door, fade-to-black, second-chance romance with a military mmc and doctor fmc.

I received this ARC for free in exchange for my honest review.

[SIRIUSLY BOOKED · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been receiving an eArc for every book in this since from the very first one and adored every one of the MCs in them but this one has been my favorite out of all because I connected so much with SJ and Callie more than the others. There were so many moments my heart felt so heavy for both of them. And they've become my favorite couple in this series.
SJ and Callie had been best friends since they were 13 years old growing up in Freedom Valley and became a couple in high school been inseparable. They've even made plans to go to college together but then with no explanation at all SJ leaves breaking Callies heart. It's been 12 years since then. They are both 30 and back in Freedom Valley. Callie is a doctor now and SJ is temporary coaching the towns football team. When they run into each other at the game it's clear as day that they still love each other but a second chance means that they risk getting their hearts broken all over again. While SJ wants to give them a chance again Callie knows that her heart wouldn't survive a second time.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun to read. The emotions are thick and plentiful as Callie and SJ's second chance at love unfolds. I found it impossible not to fall in love with these characters and I was avidly rooting them on almost from the start. A swoon inducing and very moving romance.

[Bookishkayy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for choosing me as an ARC reader. I absolutely love the Freedom Valley series. This is the fifth book in the series and one of my favorites. It is a second chance romance and a small town romance. This book follows SJ and Callie who I absolutely adore! They both move back to their small hometown after being away 12 years. It tells the story of their love story in both the past and present. Both of the characters are so down to earth and relatable. This book was a quick and easy read but I didn’t want it to end.

[Briana Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Forever Inn Love by Erin Branscom and I rate it 5/5 stars! I absolutely loved this book. Forever Inn Love is book 5 in the Freedom Valley series. I have read every book in the series and I think this one just might be my favourite in the series. I do say that every time after I finish a Freedom Valley book but every book is just so good. This book is released December 14, 2023. Thank you so much to Erin Branscom for an advanced copy of this book.

[Daileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book done by Erin! I’ve had the honor of ARC reading all 5 books and I fall in love with each of these books every single time. Falling Inn Love was no exception to this!! Callie and SJ steal your heart from the beginning, each dealing with such a hard pack of cards that life has handed to them. Captivating you from start to finish this book will take you on such a moving story!! 5/5 stars from me every single time!!

[Krista Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbiased review: I love how easy it is to fall in love with Erin’s characters in every book she’s shared. I got this book as an ARC and honestly this author has captured my heart. The story line keeps you captured, the characters are relatable and easy to follow. The chance of second love is any girls dream when it’s the right one but wrong time and this second chance at love will capture your heart!

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed. Lots of melodramatic worn tropes and cartoon-like villains, so it was like I had read the story before. Not much heart energy or charm or lightness in the story except for the dog Harley.

[Paige Brearley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freedom Valley is honestly one of my favorite fictional places to return to. It gives me a sense of home and comfort in times when I need it and Forever Inn Love was no exception. It is always fun to see what new characters arrive in Freedom Valley and understand their stories, which are always relatable in someway or another.

Callie McGraw and SJ Reid were once high school sweethearts and madly in love. Right before they both go off to college things take a turn, Callie goes to med school and SJ joins the army. They both hold resentment and a lot of hurt towards each other for things they think (and were told) happened. Twelve years later they are both back in Freedom Valley, ready to start their next chapters.

I really enjoyed the dual POV of this book and the flashbacks that Erin included, felt like it gave us as the readers a more full picture of everything between Callie and SJ. They both went through a lot growing up, Callie especially had a pretty rough home life. She was extremely hurt by SJ leaving with no letter, no explanation, no goodbye. In the present day, SJ wants a chance to explain and tell Callie the parts of the story she is missing, but she isn’t fully ready to let him in.

Throughout the book, Callie tries to ignore and avoid her attraction and attachment to SJ, but of course that doesn’t work. Forever Inn Love is a wonderful second chance, found family book. It is worth checking out and joining the world of Freedom Valley. You could read this as a stand alone, but I would recommend reading the other four books first to get the full gist of the characters and dynamics.

I did receive an ARC copy of this book last month and these are my honest opinions. <3

[Meg (thyme.for.books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving back to Freedom Valley after being away for twelve years means Callie will be forced to confront her painful past. She’s unsure whether she is more afraid to deal with her neglectful parents or her former boyfriend, SJ, who walked away and never looked back. SJ always knew he’d end up back in Freedom Valley. Now that he’s finally in a place to settle down he’s hoping for a life-changing second chance.

Forever Inn Love is the fifth book in the Freedom Valley series. It could be read as a stand-alone but I highly suggest reading the rest of the series first. This book is more mild than the other books in the series (so far) and I would consider it fade to black as opposed to strictly closed-door. There are trigger/content warnings listed at the beginning of the book which is always appreciated.

This book is quite the emotional rollercoaster. I don’t think I’ve ever loved and hated so many different characters all in one book. The MCs are fantastic. I enjoyed the quick glimpses at the past so we can see just how far they have come. Callie and SJ ooze chemistry which isn’t difficult to believe considering their history. Sam surprised me the most out of all the side characters and really turned out to be an outstanding guy from the very beginning of the book.

Forever Inn Love is a great addition to an already fantastic series. I cannot recommend the Freedom Valley series enough. Each book has a unique storyline with memorable MCs. I can't wait for book six!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Heather Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re back at Freedom Valley! Oh how I wish this place was real and I could visit! Freedom Valley goes hand in hand with love and friendship. Everyone may know everything about everyone but the love they have for each other is amazing.

SJ and Callie thought they would be together forever. What started out as best friends quickly turned into the cutest couple. But when SJ left without a word, Callie’s world turned upside down and she was heartbroken. Now it’s 12 years later and she moved back to Freedom Valley to not only have to deal with her neglectful parents but SJ as well. Love and hate walk a thin line and Callie learns just how thin that line is.

Callie and SJ both have to deal with a lot in their lives and I love how strong and determined they were. Neither of them let what happened to define who they really are. Callie’s parents never cared and only broke her down. And SJ was always known as the “town trash” or “the bad boy” just because his dad was a biker and ran an auto shop. My heart broke for SJ because he never felt like he was good enough. He went to war, came back with PTSD, got better and became an awesome mentor to kids as a football coach and he still wasn’t good enough for Callie’s parents. They each changed who they were after high school but their love for one another never did.

This has to be my favorite book in the series. I do love Pancake the most but Callie and SJ’s story was just raw and true. It broke me and put me back together again. I can’t wait to see what Erin has coming up next. I kinda hope it’s Ophelia’s story because she deserves love and happiness.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Second chance
- Small town romance

"You're my otter, Callie." Such a simple phrase, but my goodness how this one made my heart clench.

First of all, I love the town of Freedom Valley and would move there in a heartbeat. The way this author has described the town and its residents (Yes, I'm talking about you, Goldie!) is nothing short of perfection.

In this book, high school sweethearts SJ and Callie had made plans for the future where they would be together - going to the same college, well out of town. Instead, SJ leaves and Callie's heart is shattered.

Twelve years have passed. Callie has become a doctor as planned and has moved back to Freedom Valley with the hopes of getting a full time position at the hospital. She has heard that SJ has moved back as well and she is doing her best to avoid him. She is still hurt and confused over their breakup. But she can't help feeling so attracted to him still..

"It's safe to say my heart, mind, and lady parts are at total war."

SJ has been back in town for about a year, rebuilding his life after the military. He wants to make amends for the past, but Callie isn't going to make that easy... Oh, my word, I loved SJ. He is vulnerable, yet strong. He knows he messed up in an epic way and wants to make things right.

Told in dual POV with just the right amount of flashbacks to catch us up on the couple's history, this story is possibly my favorite in the series so far..

[Melanie Knickerbocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 5⭐️
Tropes: small town, second chance romance, military hero, first love

Callie McGraw and SJ Reid were once high school sweethearts, right before they both go off to college things take a turn that shatters my heart, Callie goes to med school and SJ joins the army.

They both hold resentment and a lot of hurt towards each other for things they think (and were told) happened. Twelve years later they are both back in Freedom Valley, for a fresh start.

I really enjoyed the dual POV of this book and the flashbacks of then and now chapters, I feel like it gave a full picture of everything that has happened between Callie and SJ.

They both went through a lot growing up, Callie especially had a pretty rough home life. She was extremely hurt by SJ leaving with no letter, no explanation, no goodbye. In the present day, SJ wants a chance to explain and tell Callie the parts of the story she is missing, but she isn't fully ready to let him in. Throughout the book, Callie tries to ignore and avoid her attraction and attachment to SJ, but of course that doesn't work.

This book had me in so many feelings. My love for SJ and the hard decisions he made for what he thought was best, to my hatred and disgust for Hamilton and Cheryl for being so awful, to my love of Goldie and Sam for being the MVPs and providing unconditional love.

I’m definitely reading these out of order, but it doesn’t have to be read in order, these are perfect as standalones.

[Kristensbookkorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are returning to one of my favorite small towns for the fifth installment in the Freedom Valley series. This can be read in order or as a standalone.

The story follows SJ and Callie who both move back to town, after being away for 12 years.

They both have a long history together. They were in love and planned to move to NYC for college and spend forever together. However, SJ leaves right before they go to NYC without telling Callie anything, which breaks her heart. We learn all about why he left without telling her.

The story goes back and forth between the past and present. I loved learning about how they were in the past just as much as the present time.

SJ is determined to make Callie understand that he is and always was in love with her. She is just having a hard time trusting him and is afraid he may leave again. I love that SJ never gave up on her.

All of the characters are so likable, especially Goldie. Goldie is beloved around town and used to work at the library. She easily became one of my favorite characters. I love how she cared for Callie and SJ. She looked out for Callie since she was young and her parents were never there for her. She made sure she was cared for, especially after SJ left.

I loved this book so much that I didn’t want it to end!

This is a perfect second-chance romance with a found family story.


Thank you so much Erin Branscom for an eARC!

[The Cajun Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Erin for an eARC copy of this book! Here is my honest review!

Y'alllll, when I say this story is probably the most emotional for me in the Freedom Valley series, it absolutely was!

I cried, I laughed, I cheered, I got mad. My heart broke and was put back together.

Callie is a doctor who is back in Freedom Valley working at the local hospital after having been gone for college and her residencies. She's loving living in the cottage behind sweet Goldie's house and being out of the eyes of her neglectful, demanding parents. The only thing that would make it easier is if she can avoid SJ, her former high school best friend and sweetheart who broke her heart and left her 12 years prior for the military without even a goodbye.

SJ knows Callie is back in town. He hasn't stopped loving her no matter what she thinks. The town has treated him differently his whole life and now he's trying to redefine himself and get his girl back.

Can Callie forgive SJ, can SJ let Callie in and show her that he never stopped loving her?

If you love second chance romance, a lotta tension, closed door romance, a broken alpha hero and some tearing down of mental health stigmas. This is your book!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read other books in the Freedom Valley series, and was happy to read the newest, Forever Inn Love! This can be read as a standalone or in connection with the other books in the series.

This is a touching love story of SJ and Callie who fell in love as teens. After years of being apart, they both return to Freedom Valley to see if they can trust, and eventually continue their love story. It wasn't easy for SJ and Callie as teens as they dealt with some heavy issues. It isn't easy as adults either, as issues from the past still have a hold on them.

The story is told from both SJ and Callie's points of view and with dual timelines. This really helps to learn about the characters, and why they made certain decisions. The author kindly added content warnings at the beginning of the book.

The author can really tell a story that makes me feel for the characters. This story has a lot of joyful moments, but also moments where I felt for the unfairness that the characters experienced. The themes of belonging, community, and found family are woven throughout the story.

Thank you to the author for the gifted digital review copy, and for letting me share my early thoughts on Forever Inn Love!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callie and SJ are my new favorite Freedom Valley Couple!

SJ and Callie were inseparable in high school. First loves and planning forever, but Callie’s father threatens SJ. SJ leaves without warning. Twelve years later they are both back in Freedom Valley fighting for their place in their community and for each other.

This story has wonderful characters. I enjoyed how the characters came from different walks of life and showed a side to them that society may not see.

SJ deals with PTSD due to his time in service. To me the author doesn’t go in depth, but gives just enough to show what the character is going through. She handled it well.

The main characters from previous books are not mentioned as much in this story as previous stories. While I adore those characters I enjoyed getting to know new characters such as Goldie and Sam in this story.

The author keeps these stories lighthearted and closed doors, but I can still feel the heartbreak and happiness through her writing. It isn’t fluff.

This is book five in the series, but can be read as a standalone. This is my favorite from the series.

Check TW. Book deals with abuse and the author puts a disclaimer at the beginning of the book.

Thank you to the author for the ARC.

Read for FREE in KU here: https://books2read.com/FVS5