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Yes, Forever #1
Yes, Forever Part 1
Part one in the Yes, Forever serial
Just when John Weston thinks he’s got it all together, he learns he’s really just buried his head in the sand.
John Weston has been using his past behaviour as a weapon against himself. He’s not wanted to fall back into old habits and ways that nearly destroyed him. That’s why he’s kept to himself for the past two years.Little by little, things happen that begin to make him see what he’s really done—wall himself off in such a way that he no longer knows how to be around people outside of his job and his family.
One man will come along and rattle John’s self-imposed cage, and start John on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance he didn’t even know he needed. John will have to take risks instead of hide away, and learn that making mistakes doesn’t mean he’s a lost cause. It simply means he’s a man who can feel more than he’d ever thought he could.
Just when John Weston thinks he’s got it all together, he learns he’s really just buried his head in the sand.
John Weston has been using his past behaviour as a weapon against himself. He’s not wanted to fall back into old habits and ways that nearly destroyed him. That’s why he’s kept to himself for the past two years.Little by little, things happen that begin to make him see what he’s really done—wall himself off in such a way that he no longer knows how to be around people outside of his job and his family.
One man will come along and rattle John’s self-imposed cage, and start John on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance he didn’t even know he needed. John will have to take risks instead of hide away, and learn that making mistakes doesn’t mean he’s a lost cause. It simply means he’s a man who can feel more than he’d ever thought he could.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2013
25 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Bailey Bradford
190 books552 followersA few things about me...
I am a married mom of four who spends most of the day writing, either on stories or at the blog. I love to write as much as I love to read. I am generally quiet and laid back, choosing to let things slide off me rather than stick and irritate me.
And it's really hard trying to think of descriptives for myself, so I'll just let y'all e-mail me or comment at the blog if there's something specific you'd like to know, and spare you from reading a boring bio:D
I am a married mom of four who spends most of the day writing, either on stories or at the blog. I love to write as much as I love to read. I am generally quiet and laid back, choosing to let things slide off me rather than stick and irritate me.
And it's really hard trying to think of descriptives for myself, so I'll just let y'all e-mail me or comment at the blog if there's something specific you'd like to know, and spare you from reading a boring bio:D
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 15, 2013
A very interesting start to a serial that I think I'm going to really like. It's nice reading a story about characters that don't fall in love the minute they see each other. I really like John. I like his determination, character, and strength. What really made this story stand out for me was how it dealt with John's depression. I like how it was treated a serious illness, not some cute quirk, or a personality flaw, but the disease it is. I love how supportive his family, and friend Henry are. I like how John had to struggle with accepting his depression, and it was nice seeing him in therapy, and having it treated as a normal, and accepted thing.
I'm not really sure about Benji. He comes across as very abrasive, and I have to admit I haven't been all that impressed with him from what I've seen so far. He is very quick to jump to conclusions, and judgments, and acts almost like a small and petulant child at times. It will be interesting to see how his character develops, or if we ever see events from his point of view.
I really look forward to reading more of this story, and can't wait for the next chapters.
This and other reviews from Elspeth and I are avaible at our blog A Shared Brain Cell
I'm not really sure about Benji. He comes across as very abrasive, and I have to admit I haven't been all that impressed with him from what I've seen so far. He is very quick to jump to conclusions, and judgments, and acts almost like a small and petulant child at times. It will be interesting to see how his character develops, or if we ever see events from his point of view.
I really look forward to reading more of this story, and can't wait for the next chapters.
This and other reviews from Elspeth and I are avaible at our blog A Shared Brain Cell
February 3, 2015
This was a mildly interesting start of a m/m romance. It merely sets up the rest of the story. Apparently part two is only a couple chapters. I do not relish paying for a story a chunk at a time so I will not be reading further.
In this introduction, the main character is lonely and suffers from depression. He does not date or do much of anything except meet with his therapist, have dinner with his family, work, and hang out occasionally with his friend. Then he meets the grandson of a neighbor who is very pushy. Apparently the two will hook up more in the remainder of the book and I predict theybwill live together happily ever after.
In this introduction, the main character is lonely and suffers from depression. He does not date or do much of anything except meet with his therapist, have dinner with his family, work, and hang out occasionally with his friend. Then he meets the grandson of a neighbor who is very pushy. Apparently the two will hook up more in the remainder of the book and I predict theybwill live together happily ever after.
February 14, 2015
It was ok.
May 25, 2017
That wasn't good, I couldn't get a Connection to the characters, there is a kind of plotline, but there are unnecessary curves and missdirections.
September 26, 2014
This review will be for all stories in this series although I may refer to something from each individual one. All of them make one whole.
John is a gay man who happens to suffer from clinical depression. Do not link one with the other. The treatment of his disease feels real as it has no easy or quick fix. It is a real disease that he must deal with for the entirety of his life. The problem is he is letting his fear of a recurring episode rule his life. He lives in Texas, not a friendly place for a gay man.
San Antonio was home, but there were some days when John Weston wished he lived somewhere else. Somewhere cooler, with less humidity and perhaps not governed by a man determined to stomp all over John's rights. when work was stressful, or on the nights he was so lonely he couldn't sleep, John often fantasised about moving to a different city...
John wasn't stupid - he knew the difference between fantasy and reality, but they were his fantasies. If he wanted to imagine himself lusted after by innumerable sexy men while he spent a restless night in bed, then that's what he would do. Besides, when it came down to it, he wouldn't leave San Antonio. His family was her, his parents, sisters and brother. Without their love and support, he'd have been lot a long time ago in the morass of depression and hopelessness that had once claimed him.
It was with their help that he'd been dragged, at first unwillingly but then gratefully, out of the mess in his head. It was with their love that he'd come to accept, as much as he could, that he had bouts of depression and likely always would...
without his family, John was sure he'd have been so very lost. Perhaps not a stereotype, but still lost.
John had one friend, Henry, who really knew him, knew about the depression that had at times knocked John on his ass. Henry is also gay, but only and always a friend to John, a friend without benefits. John's family is supportive. His Mom wants him to find a nice guy to love and settle down. All of her other kids are married and she wants the same for her son. No matter that Texas does not allow same sex marriages, to her the commitment and love is what is important.
John's apartment neighbors are delightful characters. One has his grandson, Benji, staying with him. The senior citizen neighbors are matchmakers.
Maybe I shouldn't answer. He'll go away soon if I ignore him.
Of course, he wasn't going to do that. John called out, "Just a sec." He unfastened the chain lock, the dead bolt, and the knob lock, then opened the door. "Hi." He'd intended to say more, but the little guy was on the stunning side, and those dark eyes John had noticed through the peephole were something else. Stunning, really, framed as they were with thick lashes that curled up at the tips, and features that all in all should have had the guy on magazine covers. John was tongue-tied in the face of the attractive man.
Of course, John and Benji hit it off beautifully - NOT! Sparks flew but not all of them lustful. John hasn't had even a hook-up in two years. Benji has issues with commitment and anger and just being a nice human being. Misunderstandings and miscommunications abound, yet an interesting short. Read all of them one after the other.
John is a gay man who happens to suffer from clinical depression. Do not link one with the other. The treatment of his disease feels real as it has no easy or quick fix. It is a real disease that he must deal with for the entirety of his life. The problem is he is letting his fear of a recurring episode rule his life. He lives in Texas, not a friendly place for a gay man.
San Antonio was home, but there were some days when John Weston wished he lived somewhere else. Somewhere cooler, with less humidity and perhaps not governed by a man determined to stomp all over John's rights. when work was stressful, or on the nights he was so lonely he couldn't sleep, John often fantasised about moving to a different city...
John wasn't stupid - he knew the difference between fantasy and reality, but they were his fantasies. If he wanted to imagine himself lusted after by innumerable sexy men while he spent a restless night in bed, then that's what he would do. Besides, when it came down to it, he wouldn't leave San Antonio. His family was her, his parents, sisters and brother. Without their love and support, he'd have been lot a long time ago in the morass of depression and hopelessness that had once claimed him.
It was with their help that he'd been dragged, at first unwillingly but then gratefully, out of the mess in his head. It was with their love that he'd come to accept, as much as he could, that he had bouts of depression and likely always would...
without his family, John was sure he'd have been so very lost. Perhaps not a stereotype, but still lost.
John had one friend, Henry, who really knew him, knew about the depression that had at times knocked John on his ass. Henry is also gay, but only and always a friend to John, a friend without benefits. John's family is supportive. His Mom wants him to find a nice guy to love and settle down. All of her other kids are married and she wants the same for her son. No matter that Texas does not allow same sex marriages, to her the commitment and love is what is important.
John's apartment neighbors are delightful characters. One has his grandson, Benji, staying with him. The senior citizen neighbors are matchmakers.
Maybe I shouldn't answer. He'll go away soon if I ignore him.
Of course, he wasn't going to do that. John called out, "Just a sec." He unfastened the chain lock, the dead bolt, and the knob lock, then opened the door. "Hi." He'd intended to say more, but the little guy was on the stunning side, and those dark eyes John had noticed through the peephole were something else. Stunning, really, framed as they were with thick lashes that curled up at the tips, and features that all in all should have had the guy on magazine covers. John was tongue-tied in the face of the attractive man.
Of course, John and Benji hit it off beautifully - NOT! Sparks flew but not all of them lustful. John hasn't had even a hook-up in two years. Benji has issues with commitment and anger and just being a nice human being. Misunderstandings and miscommunications abound, yet an interesting short. Read all of them one after the other.
April 9, 2013
3 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
This short story is the first part of what probably promises a long series of installments. In this first one we get to meet John, a young man with a history of depression. His life prior is decision to change it was a long string of hook ups that left him dry and buried even deeper in his illness. In his attempt to change it though an get his life back on track and control John closes himself in a comfort zone where he doesn’t let anyone in except his family and his best friend Henry, whom we get to meet here briefly too. A new neighbor though will show up and his presence will shock John from his mundane life and challenge his way of thinking.
Truth is that this story did spark my interest. John is a nice character and his personality draws you in somehow. His friendship with Henry is another thing that is worth a deeper view, I thought at some point that this was going to be a “friends to lovers” story, but surprisingly it was not. It was Benji that made an impression to me with his behavior. His character was odd and I really didn’t get him in this first part. Beside the fact that he is the exact opposite of John, that character seemed on the verge of losing his balance between sane and insane. Scary one indeed.
Other than the fact that there is a promise that the next part will be more interesting, this one was somehow dull. Almost like a prologue for a book and the end was quite a cliffhanger if there ever was one. Sensuality wise though it wasn’t very interesting. Not much to be said other than wait and see and let’s hope the next one will raise the intensity and the appeal a notch or two.
Bottom end, while somehow weird, this story did make me want to read the next part.
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
This short story is the first part of what probably promises a long series of installments. In this first one we get to meet John, a young man with a history of depression. His life prior is decision to change it was a long string of hook ups that left him dry and buried even deeper in his illness. In his attempt to change it though an get his life back on track and control John closes himself in a comfort zone where he doesn’t let anyone in except his family and his best friend Henry, whom we get to meet here briefly too. A new neighbor though will show up and his presence will shock John from his mundane life and challenge his way of thinking.
Truth is that this story did spark my interest. John is a nice character and his personality draws you in somehow. His friendship with Henry is another thing that is worth a deeper view, I thought at some point that this was going to be a “friends to lovers” story, but surprisingly it was not. It was Benji that made an impression to me with his behavior. His character was odd and I really didn’t get him in this first part. Beside the fact that he is the exact opposite of John, that character seemed on the verge of losing his balance between sane and insane. Scary one indeed.
Other than the fact that there is a promise that the next part will be more interesting, this one was somehow dull. Almost like a prologue for a book and the end was quite a cliffhanger if there ever was one. Sensuality wise though it wasn’t very interesting. Not much to be said other than wait and see and let’s hope the next one will raise the intensity and the appeal a notch or two.
Bottom end, while somehow weird, this story did make me want to read the next part.
Thommie
April 6, 2013
As a complete fan of Bailey's work, when this first came out, I couldn't wait to grab my copy of it!!
Yes, the story is short, but it is a great start to a mini-series and I personally cannot wait for more. She gave you enough to keep you interested, without giving away too much of the future story line. I can't wait for the next in the series to come out so we can keep learning more about John and see the way his life is going to be changed.
Even though I was able to get this book while it was still free, I would have paid the $0.99 for it because it was worth it!
Another story well done Bailey!!
Yes, the story is short, but it is a great start to a mini-series and I personally cannot wait for more. She gave you enough to keep you interested, without giving away too much of the future story line. I can't wait for the next in the series to come out so we can keep learning more about John and see the way his life is going to be changed.
Even though I was able to get this book while it was still free, I would have paid the $0.99 for it because it was worth it!
Another story well done Bailey!!
January 7, 2020
This was just...I don't know...painful to read. It felt entirely too juvenile (even for NA-ish characters) and seemed to ramble on with no direction. So much detail about preparing to camp, and then nothing about the actual camping. Details about getting dinner, being upset at an interruption, then passing that off as inconsequential when someone needs to talk to them...someone who is ridiculously immature and not all personable. If that's the MC's love interest, then I have absolutely no intention of reading the rest of this series. I much rather him pursue something with the best friend.
April 26, 2013
John has been working to get himself together and to handle his depression without making poor choices. But other than his friendship with one friend and his family he really has no social life. An encounter with a new neighbor leaves him a bit rattled. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
April 2, 2016
Yes, Forever
Bailey Bradford
Yes, forever, is a serial! I am so not a fan of this kind of series.
Yes, Forever wasn’t what I was expecting. An interesting short story that I couldn’t really get into.
2 Stars
Arc provided by totally bound, Pride Publishing.
Reviewed by Ang, PNR Book Lover Review
Bailey Bradford
Yes, forever, is a serial! I am so not a fan of this kind of series.
Yes, Forever wasn’t what I was expecting. An interesting short story that I couldn’t really get into.
2 Stars
Arc provided by totally bound, Pride Publishing.
Reviewed by Ang, PNR Book Lover Review
Want to read
July 10, 2013Free again right now at total e bound!
http://www.total-e-bound.com/product....
http://www.total-e-bound.com/product....
April 13, 2013
This was a good start to a book, but I am glad it was free. Not sure I like these serials - 1 chapter at a time. Depends on how long and how much whether I continue or not.
May 5, 2013
3.25 stars
June 27, 2013
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this short story, but it's more like a few chapters....I just finished all 5 of these shorts and it's pretty much one continuous story.
I really enjoyed this short story, but it's more like a few chapters....I just finished all 5 of these shorts and it's pretty much one continuous story.
February 16, 2015
Not real sure how to rate this, it was just okay.
February 20, 2015
Yes,forever
Yes,forever is a great read a lit different but good all the same give it a read to see what you think
Yes,forever is a great read a lit different but good all the same give it a read to see what you think
Want to read
October 19, 2015FREE at Pride Publishing, the 'part one' makes me nervous of this being one book separated into 5 parts.
February 15, 2018
Left me desperate for the next book.
November 18, 2016
well, that was an unsatisfying tease. Part one for sure, and I'm glad I didn't pay for it. I didn't like Benji at all and am not interested in reading more.
Want to read
April 4, 2013Kindle freebie April 4, 2013
July 7, 2015
Just couldn't get into it or care about the characters.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews