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Into Forever Series #1
Fall into Forever
Some girls may find guys like Jon exciting and charming. Some are even naive enough to want to date them. But guys like him can harbor dark, dangerous secrets. Secrets you don’t want to know or be involved in. How do you think they got this way in the first place? It’s best to follow your head and stay as far away from them as possible.
Trust me when I say this: Guys like Jon Priestly are nothing but trouble.
Ivy McAllister had it all. Perfect boyfriend. Perfect life. Perfect future. Or so they tell her. Because one night, on a dark country road, a fiery crash changed everything…and Ivy can’t remember what happened.
Now, two years later, at a new college far from home, she tries to regain control of her life, but her plans don’t include a tattooed, motorcycle-riding, indie music-obsessed guy with his own sorority girl fan club.
Jon Priestly is the hottest guy at Pacific State University. Just ask his groupies. But with a dark past he must keep hidden, he shuts himself off emotionally and trusts no one. That is…until he meets a broken girl with haunting green eyes and secrets of her own.
Ivy shouldn’t be attracted to Jon. They’re wrong for each other in every possible way. Yet as they spend time together, something about him—everything about him—feels so right.
But when threats from her past make her question what little she does remember, Ivy must decide whether to run again or trust the one person she can’t live without.
Trust me when I say this: Guys like Jon Priestly are nothing but trouble.
Ivy McAllister had it all. Perfect boyfriend. Perfect life. Perfect future. Or so they tell her. Because one night, on a dark country road, a fiery crash changed everything…and Ivy can’t remember what happened.
Now, two years later, at a new college far from home, she tries to regain control of her life, but her plans don’t include a tattooed, motorcycle-riding, indie music-obsessed guy with his own sorority girl fan club.
Jon Priestly is the hottest guy at Pacific State University. Just ask his groupies. But with a dark past he must keep hidden, he shuts himself off emotionally and trusts no one. That is…until he meets a broken girl with haunting green eyes and secrets of her own.
Ivy shouldn’t be attracted to Jon. They’re wrong for each other in every possible way. Yet as they spend time together, something about him—everything about him—feels so right.
But when threats from her past make her question what little she does remember, Ivy must decide whether to run again or trust the one person she can’t live without.
244 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2014
55 people are currently reading
1676 people want to read
About the author
Beth Hyland
2 books67 followersI'm the author of the upcoming New Adult romance FALL INTO FOREVER, releasing March 10, 2014. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my family and a cat who takes selfies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
August 26, 2016
4 I fell for Jon stars
If you're a fan of the New Adult genre, then this book is a must read. For a debut novel, it was fantastic. I read this practically in one sitting and enjoyed every page. It may not have been perfect, but I have definitely found myself a new author to watch out for.
Two years ago something happened to Ivy that changed everything. Now she's at a new college, in a new town, starting over. If only her past would stay there....
Jon Priestly is the college bad boy that every girl wants. He's hot, tatted, motorcycle riding enigma. He's the host of the college radio show and is certainly not lacking for female attention. But when he catches Ivy trying to climb out the window of a party at his house, he can't seem to shake the beautiful girl from his mind.
I have to admit, this is not quite what I expected from reading the blurb. I imagined Jon as this brooding bad boy with a dark past, but that wasn't exactly how it was. Jon has had a tough life and there is a secret from his past that he keeps hidden, it just wasn't that dark.
The author did a fantastic job weaving a believable connection between the two characters. There was no insta-love or any ridiculously drawn out 'I want you but I can't have you' scenario. As much as Ivy believes that Jon is wrong for her in every way, the attraction and connection between them is undeniable.
But Ivy is hiding some secrets of her own. After a car crash that kills her boyfriend and she herself barely survives, she ran to a new town to escape. Now if only she remembered how and why it happened?
Ivy was a very broken heroine. My heart broke for what she had to go through after the accident. There's this air of mystery about how and why it happened that leaves the reader guessing until the very last page. I liked the additional suspense of it.
So why not 5 stars? Well, there was some odd terminology that was used that didn't fit the age of the characters using it. There were also a few somewhat cheesy lines I couldn't help but slightly roll my eyes at. I'll admit, I'm a bit of a smut slut (uhem....a lot...uhem) so when I read something like this:
"the broad tip of his penis probes my inner thigh. After a few tries, he finds my center"
It will have that effect on me.
But then again, in reading a NA book, I suppose I can't complain that much :)
It was a bit slow paced at parts, and I found myself skimming a bit. There were also a few other minor things in the story that I wasn't sure were necessary
But this was pretty minor and it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
I was glad that the author didn't make Ivy some virginal and naive heroine. She had issues, and her struggle with them was extremely believable. And while Jon may not have been quite the brooding bad boy that I prefer, I still fell for him.
The super sweet epilogue was the perfect cherry on top to this story. And now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed to get Zack and Cassidy's book next.
***ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review***
For more reviews visit
Jon Priestly isn't exactly knight-in-shining-armor material, so the fact that he was blatantly staring at my chest shouldn't surprise me. I watched him beat the crap out of a dude, learned that he sells weed, and if I'm not mistaken, I accidentally barged in on him having sex with some chick upstairs when I was looking for the bathroom. He's no hero. Not even close. He's more like a villain with a few redeeming qualities.
If you're a fan of the New Adult genre, then this book is a must read. For a debut novel, it was fantastic. I read this practically in one sitting and enjoyed every page. It may not have been perfect, but I have definitely found myself a new author to watch out for.
Two years ago something happened to Ivy that changed everything. Now she's at a new college, in a new town, starting over. If only her past would stay there....
Jon Priestly is the college bad boy that every girl wants. He's hot, tatted, motorcycle riding enigma. He's the host of the college radio show and is certainly not lacking for female attention. But when he catches Ivy trying to climb out the window of a party at his house, he can't seem to shake the beautiful girl from his mind.
I have to admit, this is not quite what I expected from reading the blurb. I imagined Jon as this brooding bad boy with a dark past, but that wasn't exactly how it was. Jon has had a tough life and there is a secret from his past that he keeps hidden, it just wasn't that dark.
The author did a fantastic job weaving a believable connection between the two characters. There was no insta-love or any ridiculously drawn out 'I want you but I can't have you' scenario. As much as Ivy believes that Jon is wrong for her in every way, the attraction and connection between them is undeniable.
But Ivy is hiding some secrets of her own. After a car crash that kills her boyfriend and she herself barely survives, she ran to a new town to escape. Now if only she remembered how and why it happened?
Ivy was a very broken heroine. My heart broke for what she had to go through after the accident. There's this air of mystery about how and why it happened that leaves the reader guessing until the very last page. I liked the additional suspense of it.
So why not 5 stars? Well, there was some odd terminology that was used that didn't fit the age of the characters using it. There were also a few somewhat cheesy lines I couldn't help but slightly roll my eyes at. I'll admit, I'm a bit of a smut slut (uhem....a lot...uhem) so when I read something like this:
"the broad tip of his penis probes my inner thigh. After a few tries, he finds my center"
It will have that effect on me.
But then again, in reading a NA book, I suppose I can't complain that much :)
It was a bit slow paced at parts, and I found myself skimming a bit. There were also a few other minor things in the story that I wasn't sure were necessary
But this was pretty minor and it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
I was glad that the author didn't make Ivy some virginal and naive heroine. She had issues, and her struggle with them was extremely believable. And while Jon may not have been quite the brooding bad boy that I prefer, I still fell for him.
The super sweet epilogue was the perfect cherry on top to this story. And now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed to get Zack and Cassidy's book next.
***ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review***
For more reviews visit
dnf
May 11, 2017I just wasn't feeling this one...
First: it has insta-love. Really it does. At least that's what I felt, because after like two days, they were already 'feeling' it..
Second: The characters? Couldn't connect. I felt like Ivy McAllister opened up, or said things too quickly. No, she didn't tell Jon Priestly everything, but she kinda destroyed the...mystery Jon would have had.
Third: So far, the story was 'boring as fuck', sorry my language. I started skimming pretty fast, and I realized that this was a lost cause.
DNF at 40%.
First: it has insta-love. Really it does. At least that's what I felt, because after like two days, they were already 'feeling' it..
Second: The characters? Couldn't connect. I felt like Ivy McAllister opened up, or said things too quickly. No, she didn't tell Jon Priestly everything, but she kinda destroyed the...mystery Jon would have had.
Third: So far, the story was 'boring as fuck', sorry my language. I started skimming pretty fast, and I realized that this was a lost cause.
DNF at 40%.
Read
March 27, 2014Updated buy links for FALL INTO FOREVER:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ekHGpP
BN: http://bit.ly/1ncYjxg
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/fall...
This was me when I got online this morning.
OMG!!! My book has only been out for one week and its Amazon ranking is already in the 300s!!!!
Holy crap!!! It's in the Barnes and Noble top 50, too!
It's made a bunch of Amazon best seller lists!!!
Thank you, readers, for taking a chance on this book!
*******
FALL INTO FOREVER comes out tomorrow. This is me tonight.
Be sure to click the Read Excerpt button to read the first scene without leaving Goodreads. (I'm excited I figured out how to get it to work!)
If you're a blogger, you can sign up for the promo event happening late March/early April: http://www.wordsmithpublicity.com/201...
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ekHGpP
BN: http://bit.ly/1ncYjxg
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/fall...
This was me when I got online this morning.
OMG!!! My book has only been out for one week and its Amazon ranking is already in the 300s!!!!
Holy crap!!! It's in the Barnes and Noble top 50, too!
It's made a bunch of Amazon best seller lists!!!
Thank you, readers, for taking a chance on this book!
*******
FALL INTO FOREVER comes out tomorrow. This is me tonight.
Be sure to click the Read Excerpt button to read the first scene without leaving Goodreads. (I'm excited I figured out how to get it to work!)
If you're a blogger, you can sign up for the promo event happening late March/early April: http://www.wordsmithpublicity.com/201...
March 12, 2014
4 Stars for Ivy on the Roof!
I really enjoyed this book by Beth Hyland!
Ivy is a junior? kind of, but technically a freshman who transfer schools after being harassed by her dead ex boyfriends brother. Two years before transferring Ivy was in a horrible car accident that left her in a coma with no recollection of the accident and a dead boyfriend.
Haunted with the lack of memories from her past, Ivy is very reserved. She also suffers from horrible migraines from the incident. So when her best friend drags her to "The White House" for a frat party she reluctantly agrees only to see the brother there. Hiding Ivy finds herself on the roof of the house only to meet Jon Priestly, local motorcycle driving bad boy who works for the school's radio show and has his own "Parishioners"
Something about Ivy draws him in, he wants to know her and why she seems to withdrawn at times. Together they face their own demons and come to terms with their lives.
I really enjoyed this book! It was really really good. I just felt like it was missing something. We missed some pivotal aspects of their relationship like him asking her out. One minute they're friends then a few weeks have passed and she's calling him her boyfriend? I wanted to see it!! Jon has all these groupies and nothing every comes of it. I had questions that didn't get answered
Overall it was a really great story! I would definitely recommend
*ARC provided by NetGallery
I really enjoyed this book by Beth Hyland!
Ivy is a junior? kind of, but technically a freshman who transfer schools after being harassed by her dead ex boyfriends brother. Two years before transferring Ivy was in a horrible car accident that left her in a coma with no recollection of the accident and a dead boyfriend.
Haunted with the lack of memories from her past, Ivy is very reserved. She also suffers from horrible migraines from the incident. So when her best friend drags her to "The White House" for a frat party she reluctantly agrees only to see the brother there. Hiding Ivy finds herself on the roof of the house only to meet Jon Priestly, local motorcycle driving bad boy who works for the school's radio show and has his own "Parishioners"
Something about Ivy draws him in, he wants to know her and why she seems to withdrawn at times. Together they face their own demons and come to terms with their lives.
I really enjoyed this book! It was really really good. I just felt like it was missing something. We missed some pivotal aspects of their relationship like him asking her out. One minute they're friends then a few weeks have passed and she's calling him her boyfriend? I wanted to see it!! Jon has all these groupies and nothing every comes of it. I had questions that didn't get answered
Overall it was a really great story! I would definitely recommend
*ARC provided by NetGallery
August 30, 2016
5 great stars to this fabulous couple. Ivy is one of my all time favorite heroines and Jon, well… "he's no hero. Not even close. He's more like a villain with a few redeeming qualities." And together they're perfect in this overwhelmingly intriguing and romantic book. I finished it in nearly one sitting because once I started it was hard to put it down. With her debut book, Beth Hyland is on my radar and staying there.
This book is about Ivy, an in the closet demoiselle in distress who won’t let her past rule her future. She’s in a new town, in a different school, she’s focused on her studies and together with her strong character is determined to rebuild her life avoiding the mistakes of her past, and not letting overconfident guys with a temper back into her life. That is until she locks eyes with Jon Priestly.
With his magnetic and sexy presence, appealing and protective attitude he includes himself in her life because she fascinates him, she deals away with his cocky self leaving him unsure.
Even though the beginning seemed a bit slow paced in terms of Ivy and Jon getting to know each other, it also made for a believable development of their relationship and introduction to other characters in the book. It still felt like the pages flew by especially every time I reached a new chapter with its wonderful quote that Beth took from multiple and diverse sources giving a sort of prelude to it.
His caring, smart, sensitive and gorgeous awesomeness made it hard not to fall hard for Jon. And like I said before, even with her fears, Ivy was surprisingly mature, no nonsense, that upheld truth and honesty as “the cornerstones of a healthy relationship” with a funny side that saw beyond Jon’s external beauty putting his doubts at ease. And in return Jon picked up on her need to be supported and protected. They both know when to push and when to be patient and were the perfect combination.
Another thing I really liked was that even though Jon had his own fears and insecurities, there was no doubt of his love and devotion to Ivy despite the fact that he pushed her away. He was there for her when she needed it most.
Between the steamy and swoony romance, and the intrigue of not knowing what happened to Ivy, this book is a scrumptious combination of a delicious bad boy and a resilient, but damaged heroine. A definite must read YA novel.
This book is about Ivy, an in the closet demoiselle in distress who won’t let her past rule her future. She’s in a new town, in a different school, she’s focused on her studies and together with her strong character is determined to rebuild her life avoiding the mistakes of her past, and not letting overconfident guys with a temper back into her life. That is until she locks eyes with Jon Priestly.
“He steals my breath, my energy, my very essence.”
With his magnetic and sexy presence, appealing and protective attitude he includes himself in her life because she fascinates him, she deals away with his cocky self leaving him unsure.
“With Ivy, it’s like I’m walking in uncharted territory. Everything is new, different.”
Even though the beginning seemed a bit slow paced in terms of Ivy and Jon getting to know each other, it also made for a believable development of their relationship and introduction to other characters in the book. It still felt like the pages flew by especially every time I reached a new chapter with its wonderful quote that Beth took from multiple and diverse sources giving a sort of prelude to it.
His caring, smart, sensitive and gorgeous awesomeness made it hard not to fall hard for Jon. And like I said before, even with her fears, Ivy was surprisingly mature, no nonsense, that upheld truth and honesty as “the cornerstones of a healthy relationship” with a funny side that saw beyond Jon’s external beauty putting his doubts at ease. And in return Jon picked up on her need to be supported and protected. They both know when to push and when to be patient and were the perfect combination.
Another thing I really liked was that even though Jon had his own fears and insecurities, there was no doubt of his love and devotion to Ivy despite the fact that he pushed her away. He was there for her when she needed it most.
“Trust, it’s the core of everything.”
Between the steamy and swoony romance, and the intrigue of not knowing what happened to Ivy, this book is a scrumptious combination of a delicious bad boy and a resilient, but damaged heroine. A definite must read YA novel.
March 12, 2014
I received this ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review for the author.
"When I am with him, my jumbled up parts aren't the jagged pieces they usually are."
I came across this book by chance and as I read the synopsis, I wanted to read it so I was very excited that it was approved from the Publisher. This story is in Ivy McCallister and Jon Priestly's POV.
A couple of years ago, Ivy went through something that changed her life but the catch is, she can't remember what happened that night. Ivy leaves her hometown far away from where the accident occurred and tries to start over leaving her past behind and going to a new University to try to regain control of her life.
Ivy runs into Jon at a party on more than one occasion. First, she watched him beat the crap out of a dude who she then learned was selling weed, then she realizes she walked in while he was having sex with one of his groupies upstairs looking for a bathroom, then of all times when she needs an escape before she has a panic attack, she gets stuck on a roof. Guess who is her knight and shining armor to come rescue her? The one and only Jon Priestly. She cannot help that he is the hottest guy on campus at Pacific State University but she knows his type and she needs to stay away from him.
Ivy and Jon are both wrong in several ways and both have secrets from their past that could hinder them if ever brought up. Will Ivy finally trust Jon to let him in and will she see past the bad boy exterior he holds? Will Jon see there is more to Ivy than what she is leading on? Two lost souls that seem to be wrong for each other but when they spend more time with one another, will they get past the sea of darkness to reach the light?
"When I am with him, my jumbled up parts aren't the jagged pieces they usually are."
I came across this book by chance and as I read the synopsis, I wanted to read it so I was very excited that it was approved from the Publisher. This story is in Ivy McCallister and Jon Priestly's POV.
A couple of years ago, Ivy went through something that changed her life but the catch is, she can't remember what happened that night. Ivy leaves her hometown far away from where the accident occurred and tries to start over leaving her past behind and going to a new University to try to regain control of her life.
Ivy runs into Jon at a party on more than one occasion. First, she watched him beat the crap out of a dude who she then learned was selling weed, then she realizes she walked in while he was having sex with one of his groupies upstairs looking for a bathroom, then of all times when she needs an escape before she has a panic attack, she gets stuck on a roof. Guess who is her knight and shining armor to come rescue her? The one and only Jon Priestly. She cannot help that he is the hottest guy on campus at Pacific State University but she knows his type and she needs to stay away from him.
Ivy and Jon are both wrong in several ways and both have secrets from their past that could hinder them if ever brought up. Will Ivy finally trust Jon to let him in and will she see past the bad boy exterior he holds? Will Jon see there is more to Ivy than what she is leading on? Two lost souls that seem to be wrong for each other but when they spend more time with one another, will they get past the sea of darkness to reach the light?
March 26, 2014
Initial reaction: I need a little bit of time to reflect on this because I'm not sure what to rate it. The story had a really hard time hooking me because it's full of cliche after cliche and I really didn't identify with the leads to start. It gets a little more tolerable as the story moves along, but I don't think that makes up for how difficult it was to get into. Somewhere between 1 and 2 stars, and I'll decide that when I up the final review.
Full review:
Okay, I'll bite, this gets 1.5 stars from me. To be honest, I was not captivated by Beth Hyland's "Fall into Forever." Whenever I read New Adult books, it seems like when I pick up a romance title it falls into one of two camps: either there's so much going on in the way of melodrama that it has my blood pressure rising from frustration at the characters and scenarios, or I couldn't give two cents about the characters and nothing seems to be going on despite the purported scenarios. This book fell into the latter category. It started on an interesting note when Ivy's trying to scale a roof to get away from someone at a party, but then the story dragged like no-one's business. I struggled through this book. I didn't really like Jon's character either because he's the typical abrasive bad boy with family issues, but somehow ends up instaloving the heroine and I'm supposed to buy their relationship while discovering that Ivy's running from a past that was both tragic and abusive. It's the same script, different cast type of story, only I couldn't really identify with either character because it seemed like they were both lacking in the identity department. Very stilted presentation on behalf of both characterizations.
There were a few quirks and references in here that I recognized, but that didn't help the narrative for structure or pacing as far as I was concerned. I just couldn't feel the depth of events here and largely I was bored for the larger part of the narrative. The story attempts to come together in the end for events and I saw it happening, but found it very hard to care. It just didn't connect with me in terms of intimacy and I found it really unfortunate because the overarching story (for events, in any case) had potential and promise.
I'll read another of Beth Hyland's works, but this really didn't work for me.
Overall score: 1.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
Full review:
Okay, I'll bite, this gets 1.5 stars from me. To be honest, I was not captivated by Beth Hyland's "Fall into Forever." Whenever I read New Adult books, it seems like when I pick up a romance title it falls into one of two camps: either there's so much going on in the way of melodrama that it has my blood pressure rising from frustration at the characters and scenarios, or I couldn't give two cents about the characters and nothing seems to be going on despite the purported scenarios. This book fell into the latter category. It started on an interesting note when Ivy's trying to scale a roof to get away from someone at a party, but then the story dragged like no-one's business. I struggled through this book. I didn't really like Jon's character either because he's the typical abrasive bad boy with family issues, but somehow ends up instaloving the heroine and I'm supposed to buy their relationship while discovering that Ivy's running from a past that was both tragic and abusive. It's the same script, different cast type of story, only I couldn't really identify with either character because it seemed like they were both lacking in the identity department. Very stilted presentation on behalf of both characterizations.
There were a few quirks and references in here that I recognized, but that didn't help the narrative for structure or pacing as far as I was concerned. I just couldn't feel the depth of events here and largely I was bored for the larger part of the narrative. The story attempts to come together in the end for events and I saw it happening, but found it very hard to care. It just didn't connect with me in terms of intimacy and I found it really unfortunate because the overarching story (for events, in any case) had potential and promise.
I'll read another of Beth Hyland's works, but this really didn't work for me.
Overall score: 1.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
March 26, 2014
I found this book while browsing Amazon and for the price of $0.99, I couldn’t resist it.
And I’m glad I didn’t resist it because I couldn’t put it down. Ivy and Jon were enjoyable to read. And they had an interesting dynamic because there wasn’t a character that really romantically chased the other person. They were in each other’s orbit and their paths crossed multiple times, throwing them together. And that was refreshing. Because as much as I like books where one character is pursuing the other, there are also times where the pursuing character can come off as desperate.
And I thought Ivy’s history was interesting. And how she dealt with her migraines. Now, I’ve only ever had one (hope to never have another one) but I was amazed (and I’m not sure in a good way) that she kept putting off getting a new prescription because of fear. I’m not saying that fear can’t trump pain, but as a sissy, I would have been in there asking for a refill, knowing that I only had 1 pill left and a migraine could strike at any time. But that was my only complaint.
I really liked Jon and Ivy. I found them interesting and that they had a great relationship. It was also refreshing that Ivy had some great friends instead of “best friend” that was actually a jerk. I would love to see Cassidy get a book. After dealing with some jerks in this one, she deserves a HEA. This is a great book for anyone that enjoys New Adult and I would definitely read more from Beth Hyland in the future.
And I’m glad I didn’t resist it because I couldn’t put it down. Ivy and Jon were enjoyable to read. And they had an interesting dynamic because there wasn’t a character that really romantically chased the other person. They were in each other’s orbit and their paths crossed multiple times, throwing them together. And that was refreshing. Because as much as I like books where one character is pursuing the other, there are also times where the pursuing character can come off as desperate.
And I thought Ivy’s history was interesting. And how she dealt with her migraines. Now, I’ve only ever had one (hope to never have another one) but I was amazed (and I’m not sure in a good way) that she kept putting off getting a new prescription because of fear. I’m not saying that fear can’t trump pain, but as a sissy, I would have been in there asking for a refill, knowing that I only had 1 pill left and a migraine could strike at any time. But that was my only complaint.
I really liked Jon and Ivy. I found them interesting and that they had a great relationship. It was also refreshing that Ivy had some great friends instead of “best friend” that was actually a jerk. I would love to see Cassidy get a book. After dealing with some jerks in this one, she deserves a HEA. This is a great book for anyone that enjoys New Adult and I would definitely read more from Beth Hyland in the future.
July 18, 2015
I know I read this in 2014 but I forgot to put it into my read list on goodreads. I started reading it again not knowing I had already read it last year until a couple chapters in. I just decided to reread it. Not a bad book. I can't say it's one of my favorites but I liked it enough to read it twice.
March 28, 2014
Find This and Other Reviews At Craves The Angst.
I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4 Incredible, Ivy On The Roof Stars!
A Wonderful Tale of New Love and All It’s Possibilities with Lots of Smiles and Plenty of Angsts In Between!
The Review:
This book was an amazing read! From the very first page, I was instantly sucked in with our main characters first meet, reading the entire night through to the exciting conclusion. I loved both the hero and heroine and the story was sweet and cute with just enough angst to keep me turning the pages. I'm a huge fan of the New Adult genre and this book is a perfect example of that genre.
Characters/Story...
Fall Into Forever starts out with our heroine, Ivy McAllister attending college away from home. She’s out with her roommate at a party, waiting in line to get in, when a fight breaks out between two guys, one of which instantly captures her eye with his good looks and strong personality. But we sense right away that Ivy is a bit broken and has secrets as she swears no matter how striking Jon Priestly is, she’s not going to get involved with a guy like that, a bad boy with good looks and tows a grey line. Ivy’s past is a haunting memory that's buried deep within her, one thats out of her grasp as she can’t recall the events of the tragic night that changed everything for her. She’s got secrets and a past she’s running from but she’s also strong and a true survivor. I loved Ivy’s character. She was sad but she was also fun and had a light in her that really shined.
Jon Priestly has a well founded reputation. He has a sketchy past himself, titling him a hot, tatted up bad boy. He’s easy to look at, he’s charming, he’s a bit of a celebrity on campus and his personality just draws you right in, especially if you're of the female variety. He seems to have it all. But Jon’s got secrets of his own and he’s lived a hard life that’s taken him to some dark places... but he’s not a dark character. He has a light and fun personality for the most part and though some of it was a mask he rarely lowered, Ivy breaks through to the real Jon and the more we see of him, the more his reputation is contradicted and it was fun to sift through his many layers.
When these two collide, spark are instant but both are reserved. I loved how they originally met and the following scenes are fun and exciting. Their story isn’t the insta-love I'm tired of reading in so many stories out there, but rather a slow, draw-me-in romance that’s beautiful as they find out who they are as individuals as well as who they can be with each other. There’s plenty of angst as Ivy tries to remember the night that haunts her, she’s also being harassed by cyber bullies and she shy’s away from anything that might break down her walls. Jon’s secrets come exploding to the surface after years of keeping them buried and it causes some serious brooding moments which were heart-wrenching and kept me glued to my ereader.
Wish List...
There were some things in this books that kept me from giving it a full five stars. There’s an incident with a girl being attacked that Ivy happens upon and though the scenes added a bit of heroism to Ivy’s character and gave some intense moments as well as sweet moments when Jon takes on the protector role, it didn’t lead to anything. I kind of expected it to coincide with Ivy’s stalker issues but it didn’t. In fact, when all this came to a head, the big build up to Ivy’s stalker kind of fell flat.
But I will say one thing, I loved how the author handled the situation with Jon and what he said and how he acted when the confrontation with Ivys stalker happened. Though not overly dramatic, it was mature and made Jon even more swoon-worthy without him having to flex his muscles. I actually loved that part.
The Wrap Up:
This was a well rounded, sweet, fun, exciting read. I loved the story, I loved the characters and it was well written. Fall Into Forever was Beth Hyland’s debut novel and it was a wonderful start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic career. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more works by her.
I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4 Incredible, Ivy On The Roof Stars!
A Wonderful Tale of New Love and All It’s Possibilities with Lots of Smiles and Plenty of Angsts In Between!
The Review:
This book was an amazing read! From the very first page, I was instantly sucked in with our main characters first meet, reading the entire night through to the exciting conclusion. I loved both the hero and heroine and the story was sweet and cute with just enough angst to keep me turning the pages. I'm a huge fan of the New Adult genre and this book is a perfect example of that genre.
Characters/Story...
Fall Into Forever starts out with our heroine, Ivy McAllister attending college away from home. She’s out with her roommate at a party, waiting in line to get in, when a fight breaks out between two guys, one of which instantly captures her eye with his good looks and strong personality. But we sense right away that Ivy is a bit broken and has secrets as she swears no matter how striking Jon Priestly is, she’s not going to get involved with a guy like that, a bad boy with good looks and tows a grey line. Ivy’s past is a haunting memory that's buried deep within her, one thats out of her grasp as she can’t recall the events of the tragic night that changed everything for her. She’s got secrets and a past she’s running from but she’s also strong and a true survivor. I loved Ivy’s character. She was sad but she was also fun and had a light in her that really shined.
Jon Priestly has a well founded reputation. He has a sketchy past himself, titling him a hot, tatted up bad boy. He’s easy to look at, he’s charming, he’s a bit of a celebrity on campus and his personality just draws you right in, especially if you're of the female variety. He seems to have it all. But Jon’s got secrets of his own and he’s lived a hard life that’s taken him to some dark places... but he’s not a dark character. He has a light and fun personality for the most part and though some of it was a mask he rarely lowered, Ivy breaks through to the real Jon and the more we see of him, the more his reputation is contradicted and it was fun to sift through his many layers.
When these two collide, spark are instant but both are reserved. I loved how they originally met and the following scenes are fun and exciting. Their story isn’t the insta-love I'm tired of reading in so many stories out there, but rather a slow, draw-me-in romance that’s beautiful as they find out who they are as individuals as well as who they can be with each other. There’s plenty of angst as Ivy tries to remember the night that haunts her, she’s also being harassed by cyber bullies and she shy’s away from anything that might break down her walls. Jon’s secrets come exploding to the surface after years of keeping them buried and it causes some serious brooding moments which were heart-wrenching and kept me glued to my ereader.
Wish List...
There were some things in this books that kept me from giving it a full five stars. There’s an incident with a girl being attacked that Ivy happens upon and though the scenes added a bit of heroism to Ivy’s character and gave some intense moments as well as sweet moments when Jon takes on the protector role, it didn’t lead to anything. I kind of expected it to coincide with Ivy’s stalker issues but it didn’t. In fact, when all this came to a head, the big build up to Ivy’s stalker kind of fell flat.
But I will say one thing, I loved how the author handled the situation with Jon and what he said and how he acted when the confrontation with Ivys stalker happened. Though not overly dramatic, it was mature and made Jon even more swoon-worthy without him having to flex his muscles. I actually loved that part.
The Wrap Up:
This was a well rounded, sweet, fun, exciting read. I loved the story, I loved the characters and it was well written. Fall Into Forever was Beth Hyland’s debut novel and it was a wonderful start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic career. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more works by her.
April 8, 2014
really liked! very sweet romance. full review coming soon :)
This book was originally reviewed on The Book Hookup.
**Note: This book was provided to the Book Hookup by the author but that did not in any way influence this review!
First Thoughts: 4 stars I loved Ivy and Jon! These two had a chemistry that made me fall in love right along with them.
Plot/Pacing/Writing: This story was about 2 people each meeting that someone special, the one that gave them the courage and the freedom to bare their secrets. It warmed my heart as I watched Ivy and Jon fall for each other and also grow stronger as their own person too.
I’ll admit that the story started off a little slow for me…it took about 1/3 of the book for me to get into it…but then I couldn’t put it down. The ending on the other hand wrapped up pretty quickly, almost a little too fast, but I still loved every second of it. I would have liked just a little more after all the dust settled, so that I could bask in the love. What can I say, I’m greedy like that.
The writing here was a little different. It was alternating POVs, but at the same time, it was as if the person telling the story was talking to the reader directly. I’m actually on the fence whether or not I liked it, or if it is what made me stumble through the beginning a little bit.
Characters: I absolutely loved both Jon and Ivy. Both characters had baggage, but were still strong enough to keep going with their lives. They also both seemed to wear their hearts on their sleeves, which of course helped make the romance so much better. I think it was their honesty that made them survive in life, and then really flourish together.
I have to say, while I feel like I know what Jon looked like, I’m not as sure what Ivy looked like. I know men have different internal thoughts than women, but Ivy seemed to talk about Jon’s physical traits way more than he did. I feel like I know exactly all the reasons why Jon was so hot, but only that Jon saw Ivy as beautiful.
Romance: Jon and Ivy were almost both shells of themselves when they first met. However, that outer shell started to melt away immediately the second they laid eyes on each other. It truly was more than an instant attraction that pulled at them, telling them it was more, and not to let it go and I loved it. They never played any games either and I couldn’t get enough. They just kept giving more and more of themselves, it wasn’t like it was a tug of war of on and off, but a constant building. I couldn’t help but loved them fall fully in love step by step…it happened so naturally, with sweetness AND swooniness. Not only were they friends, but the smexy times were hot and real. All kinds of win!
Rec it? Oh yes, yes, yes. I love my characters to be “damaged goods” and find their way to happiness through love. This was exactly that scenario and I loved it. A great debut novel and I can’t wait to see more of Ms. Hyland’s writing.
This book was originally reviewed on The Book Hookup.
**Note: This book was provided to the Book Hookup by the author but that did not in any way influence this review!
First Thoughts: 4 stars I loved Ivy and Jon! These two had a chemistry that made me fall in love right along with them.
Plot/Pacing/Writing: This story was about 2 people each meeting that someone special, the one that gave them the courage and the freedom to bare their secrets. It warmed my heart as I watched Ivy and Jon fall for each other and also grow stronger as their own person too.
I’ll admit that the story started off a little slow for me…it took about 1/3 of the book for me to get into it…but then I couldn’t put it down. The ending on the other hand wrapped up pretty quickly, almost a little too fast, but I still loved every second of it. I would have liked just a little more after all the dust settled, so that I could bask in the love. What can I say, I’m greedy like that.
The writing here was a little different. It was alternating POVs, but at the same time, it was as if the person telling the story was talking to the reader directly. I’m actually on the fence whether or not I liked it, or if it is what made me stumble through the beginning a little bit.
Characters: I absolutely loved both Jon and Ivy. Both characters had baggage, but were still strong enough to keep going with their lives. They also both seemed to wear their hearts on their sleeves, which of course helped make the romance so much better. I think it was their honesty that made them survive in life, and then really flourish together.
I have to say, while I feel like I know what Jon looked like, I’m not as sure what Ivy looked like. I know men have different internal thoughts than women, but Ivy seemed to talk about Jon’s physical traits way more than he did. I feel like I know exactly all the reasons why Jon was so hot, but only that Jon saw Ivy as beautiful.
Romance: Jon and Ivy were almost both shells of themselves when they first met. However, that outer shell started to melt away immediately the second they laid eyes on each other. It truly was more than an instant attraction that pulled at them, telling them it was more, and not to let it go and I loved it. They never played any games either and I couldn’t get enough. They just kept giving more and more of themselves, it wasn’t like it was a tug of war of on and off, but a constant building. I couldn’t help but loved them fall fully in love step by step…it happened so naturally, with sweetness AND swooniness. Not only were they friends, but the smexy times were hot and real. All kinds of win!
Rec it? Oh yes, yes, yes. I love my characters to be “damaged goods” and find their way to happiness through love. This was exactly that scenario and I loved it. A great debut novel and I can’t wait to see more of Ms. Hyland’s writing.
March 13, 2014
I love dual POV books.
I love books about women looking toward new beginnings.
I love books with tough men that have a soft spot for only a few people.
I love strong sidekicks and interesting prefaces.
And although Fall into Forever has all that good stuff, I didn’t fall in love with this book.
There are books that you can read in one sitting. Sometimes that’s a bad thing, other times it’s the best feeling in the world. To be so connected and interested in a story that it takes over your life as you sink into someone else’s. And that is how this reading experience started out, but about halfway through (somewhere between Ivy freaking the hell out about “this Gretchen chick” in Jon’s friend requests and that tent scene) it lost traction with me. (And I didn’t read it in one sitting, either. A few nights actually).
And I’m pretty sure the reason I did not fall in love with this book is solely Ivy’s fault. I just couldn’t connect with her. She is just trying to start over after a traumatic experience, and apparently all is better once her knight is shining armor shows up. (Which let’s face it, we all want, but he won’t solve all your problems).
Jon is that rugged, fucked up kinda sexy. With a soft heart and anger issues that conflict with one another. “He’s got black gauges in his earlobes the size of a medium-tipped Sharpie. A bruise is starting to form under his left eye.” (Every guy I’ve ever let buy me a drink anywhere. I have a type apparently). His story is interesting and made me teary-eyed a few times!
Also, I’ve read a few books dealing with amnesia, and this is the first where it just randomly blocks out a one particular moment. (I think that’s called selective memory, but whatevs). The amnesia didn’t really add anything to the story, just a background layer.
Little tid-bits I absolutely loved: Arctic Monkey’s mention, glimpses of Jon’s lyrics, Jon’s tattoo (!!omg!!), and the zombie run.
There has to be nothing that cuts deeper than when someone who should protect and care for you denies something you’re having issues with. In this case, I mean Ivy’s bitch mom. I can’t even with her.
Fall into Forever is an overall cute story that I would love to see made into a movie!
It wasn’t my favorite, but it could be yours. I'll definitely keep an eye out for this author in the future!
p.s. is that Zayn Malik on the cover?! Totally looks like him.
I love books about women looking toward new beginnings.
I love books with tough men that have a soft spot for only a few people.
I love strong sidekicks and interesting prefaces.
And although Fall into Forever has all that good stuff, I didn’t fall in love with this book.
There are books that you can read in one sitting. Sometimes that’s a bad thing, other times it’s the best feeling in the world. To be so connected and interested in a story that it takes over your life as you sink into someone else’s. And that is how this reading experience started out, but about halfway through (somewhere between Ivy freaking the hell out about “this Gretchen chick” in Jon’s friend requests and that tent scene) it lost traction with me. (And I didn’t read it in one sitting, either. A few nights actually).
And I’m pretty sure the reason I did not fall in love with this book is solely Ivy’s fault. I just couldn’t connect with her. She is just trying to start over after a traumatic experience, and apparently all is better once her knight is shining armor shows up. (Which let’s face it, we all want, but he won’t solve all your problems).
Jon is that rugged, fucked up kinda sexy. With a soft heart and anger issues that conflict with one another. “He’s got black gauges in his earlobes the size of a medium-tipped Sharpie. A bruise is starting to form under his left eye.” (Every guy I’ve ever let buy me a drink anywhere. I have a type apparently). His story is interesting and made me teary-eyed a few times!
Also, I’ve read a few books dealing with amnesia, and this is the first where it just randomly blocks out a one particular moment. (I think that’s called selective memory, but whatevs). The amnesia didn’t really add anything to the story, just a background layer.
Little tid-bits I absolutely loved: Arctic Monkey’s mention, glimpses of Jon’s lyrics, Jon’s tattoo (!!omg!!), and the zombie run.
There has to be nothing that cuts deeper than when someone who should protect and care for you denies something you’re having issues with. In this case, I mean Ivy’s bitch mom. I can’t even with her.
Fall into Forever is an overall cute story that I would love to see made into a movie!
It wasn’t my favorite, but it could be yours. I'll definitely keep an eye out for this author in the future!
p.s. is that Zayn Malik on the cover?! Totally looks like him.
March 7, 2014
ARC Generously provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ivy McAllister had it all, at least from the outside. Ivy had her high school boyfriend whom wanted to be with her forever, the only problem is that she didn't feel the same. Then there was a car accident killing him and leaving her with no memory of that evening. Now two years later Ivy is trying to move on, get away from her home town (whom blame her), and get on with her life. She is concentrating on school and her grades, no room for boys or relationships.
Then enters Jon Priestly the exact type of boy that Ivy should stay away from.
Jon is a known player on campus, the local DJ star, and even has his own fan club. But there is something about Ivy that speaks to him. He feels like she sees more of him then anyone else. However, Jon has his own screwed up past and having a relationship is not part of his plans.
Ivy and Jon fall into a very comfortable friendship and then relationship. Each must deal with their demons and learn to move on to realize they are more then what they believe about themselves. Through each other the learn to love themselves and see themselves as the other sees them.
This is a story of learning to love yourself and trust another, especially with your heart.
Jon is a great male lead, everyone thinks he is this bad boy, but in reality he is a big sweetheart. Ivy has been running for so long she doesn't realize that if she faces her issues she may actually solve them. Ivy is willing to jump head first with Jon but that scares Jon and he spends quite a bit of time running, it takes her love to break down his defenses and vice versa.
This is a fast read and I really enjoyed it, I will say that I felt like everything was tied up really quickly in the end, kind of rushed, I would have liked a little more, but still a good book.
Ivy McAllister had it all, at least from the outside. Ivy had her high school boyfriend whom wanted to be with her forever, the only problem is that she didn't feel the same. Then there was a car accident killing him and leaving her with no memory of that evening. Now two years later Ivy is trying to move on, get away from her home town (whom blame her), and get on with her life. She is concentrating on school and her grades, no room for boys or relationships.
Then enters Jon Priestly the exact type of boy that Ivy should stay away from.
Jon is a known player on campus, the local DJ star, and even has his own fan club. But there is something about Ivy that speaks to him. He feels like she sees more of him then anyone else. However, Jon has his own screwed up past and having a relationship is not part of his plans.
Ivy and Jon fall into a very comfortable friendship and then relationship. Each must deal with their demons and learn to move on to realize they are more then what they believe about themselves. Through each other the learn to love themselves and see themselves as the other sees them.
This is a story of learning to love yourself and trust another, especially with your heart.
Jon is a great male lead, everyone thinks he is this bad boy, but in reality he is a big sweetheart. Ivy has been running for so long she doesn't realize that if she faces her issues she may actually solve them. Ivy is willing to jump head first with Jon but that scares Jon and he spends quite a bit of time running, it takes her love to break down his defenses and vice versa.
This is a fast read and I really enjoyed it, I will say that I felt like everything was tied up really quickly in the end, kind of rushed, I would have liked a little more, but still a good book.
considering-2
March 5, 2014Love the summary, cover and it's a debut author! Must check it out
Some girls may find guys like Jon exciting and charming. Some are even naive enough to want to date them. But guys like him can harbor dark, dangerous secrets. Secrets you don’t want to know or be involved in. How do you think they got this way in the first place? It’s best to follow your head and stay as far away from them as possible.
Trust me when I say this: Guys like Jon Priestly are nothing but trouble.
Ivy McAllister had it all. Perfect boyfriend. Perfect life. Perfect future. Or so they tell her. Because one night, on a dark country road, a fiery crash changed everything…and Ivy can’t remember what happened.
Now, two years later, at a new college far from home, she tries to regain control of her life, but her plans don’t include a tattooed, motorcycle-riding, indie music-obsessed guy with his own sorority girl fan club.
Jon Priestly is the hottest guy at Pacific State University. Just ask his groupies. But with a dark past he must keep hidden, he shuts himself off emotionally and trusts no one. That is…until he meets a broken girl with haunting green eyes and secrets of her own.
Ivy shouldn’t be attracted to Jon. They’re wrong for each other in every possible way. Yet as they spend time together, something about him—everything about him—feels so right.
But when threats from her past make her question what little she does remember, Ivy must decide whether to run again or trust the one person she can’t live without
Some girls may find guys like Jon exciting and charming. Some are even naive enough to want to date them. But guys like him can harbor dark, dangerous secrets. Secrets you don’t want to know or be involved in. How do you think they got this way in the first place? It’s best to follow your head and stay as far away from them as possible.
Trust me when I say this: Guys like Jon Priestly are nothing but trouble.
Ivy McAllister had it all. Perfect boyfriend. Perfect life. Perfect future. Or so they tell her. Because one night, on a dark country road, a fiery crash changed everything…and Ivy can’t remember what happened.
Now, two years later, at a new college far from home, she tries to regain control of her life, but her plans don’t include a tattooed, motorcycle-riding, indie music-obsessed guy with his own sorority girl fan club.
Jon Priestly is the hottest guy at Pacific State University. Just ask his groupies. But with a dark past he must keep hidden, he shuts himself off emotionally and trusts no one. That is…until he meets a broken girl with haunting green eyes and secrets of her own.
Ivy shouldn’t be attracted to Jon. They’re wrong for each other in every possible way. Yet as they spend time together, something about him—everything about him—feels so right.
But when threats from her past make her question what little she does remember, Ivy must decide whether to run again or trust the one person she can’t live without
March 6, 2014
All Ivy wanted to do was get away from her hometown - a small town and start new , have a fresh start where no-one knew her and no-one knew her past or her as the girl whose boyfriend died in a car crash which left her in a coma. That doesn't exactly go to plan though, as while out at a frat party with her new roommate Cassidy , she sees Aaron - the brother of her ex-boyfriend and all the memories come flashing back. She tries to escape and is soon rescued by Jon Priestley, one of the hottest guys on campus and is rarely seen without his entourage of girls. There is something in Ivy's eyes and the way she carries herself that captures Jon's attention and he needs to know more about her. As we all can guess the story goes along with Jon and Ivy getting closer and closer and eventually seeing each other. The clinch in this novel is that readers discover Aaron has been stalking Ivy and blames her for his death and will do anything to make her pay for it. The other side is Jon's biological father comes back into the picture and hurtful words are slung. Are Ivy and Jon what they need for each other or are they both too damaged to let anyone into their hearts and trust them with the secrets that are hiding deep within ?
Find out in this March release of Beth Hyland's New Adult novel "Fall into Forever"
Find out in this March release of Beth Hyland's New Adult novel "Fall into Forever"
February 28, 2015
Awalnya saya gak terlalu punya ekspektasi tinggi sama novel ini. Soal beberapa hari terakhir selalu ketemu novel yang gak pas. Apalagi ide ceritanya pasaran. Cowok manwhore populer dengan masa lalu buruk dan cewek dengan masa lalu yang masih menghantuinya. Ternyata saya menikmati novel ini. Ceritanya mengalir dengan mulus. Gak ada tarik ulur masalah. Tokoh utamanya Ivy dan Jon gak suka bikin game soal hubungan mereka. Memang mereka secara berkala mau membuka masa lalu masing2, dan itu bagus karena ceritanya jadi runut. Ketika mereka ada masalah juga gak lama2 dipendam. Ivy bukan tipe gadis yang sok jual mahal ketika pacarnya bersalah terus minta maaf, dia malah mengkhawatirkan Jon ketika mengerti kenapa Jon bersikap dingin padanya. Jon walaupun suka ngelotor kalau bahasa Jawanya, khas cowok banget, tapi gak lama2. Dia menyadari kesalahannya dan minta maaf. Dan novel ini juga bebas dari kesalah pahaman klise dimana cowoknya ketahuan sama cewek lain. Mengingat sebelum pacaran sama Ivy, Jon itu termasuk manwhore, tapi penulis gak masukin adegan klise nan klasik nan nyebelin itu. Yang tentu saja bikin novel ini asyik dibaca. Lebih pentingnya lagi hubunan Ivy dan Jon manis banget. Gak rugu deh bacanya.
March 12, 2014
Lily‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review
3.5 STARS
The story is about two people, both with dark secrets, and both trying to run from their pasts to start fresh. I found the book easy to read and I enjoyed the chemistry between the two characters. I wished that there was some more development between them and the other characters around them; as I wish the story could have been more angsty somehow if the author could have developed some of their relationships with their friends like Sara’s attraction to Jon and Aaron’s appearance at PSU and what ever happened with that incident that happened at the dorm, or was that a vehicle for other events in the book to happen? But having said that, I still liked Ivy from beginning to end and thoroughly enjoyed watching her relationship with hot Jon Priestly develop into a loving and trusting relationship.
Review copy provided for an honest review
3.5 STARS
The story is about two people, both with dark secrets, and both trying to run from their pasts to start fresh. I found the book easy to read and I enjoyed the chemistry between the two characters. I wished that there was some more development between them and the other characters around them; as I wish the story could have been more angsty somehow if the author could have developed some of their relationships with their friends like Sara’s attraction to Jon and Aaron’s appearance at PSU and what ever happened with that incident that happened at the dorm, or was that a vehicle for other events in the book to happen? But having said that, I still liked Ivy from beginning to end and thoroughly enjoyed watching her relationship with hot Jon Priestly develop into a loving and trusting relationship.
September 12, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed Fall into Forever. It had everything I want in a New Adult romance - great main characters, an interesting storyline, a little angst, and some great chemistry. I liked Ivy right away, and it didn't take me long to fall for bad boy Jon. I loved how protective Jon was toward Ivy from almost the start. I really enjoyed the way the point of view alternated between Ivy and Jon. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley, and will definitely be looking for more by this author.
March 23, 2014
A fairly enjoyable story that definitely fit the cookie-cutter mold for most of the New Adult books on the market. The author's voice is pleasingly well-written and the story was well paced. What I most found lacking was the character development between the two main characters. They had good chemistry but their relationship went from zero to ninety in an instant. Not bad but could have been much better.
March 30, 2014
Rating Clarification: 3.5 stars
I really enjoyed it an it was exactly what I wanted, a quick light read. The reason I gave it 3.5 stars was because I wanted a little more from the ending. I will definitely be looking at other stuff Beth Hyland publishes.
I really enjoyed it an it was exactly what I wanted, a quick light read. The reason I gave it 3.5 stars was because I wanted a little more from the ending. I will definitely be looking at other stuff Beth Hyland publishes.
April 1, 2014
3.5 Jon stole the show stars
August 22, 2014
Aahhh this was so cute!
I was in the mood for a good
new adult romance and this one
really did it for me!
full review to come!
I was in the mood for a good
new adult romance and this one
really did it for me!
full review to come!
July 13, 2017
3.8 stars
July 28, 2024
This was just okay.
July 12, 2014
3.5 stars!
This book was jointly reviewed by myself and my co-blogger, Becca!
Since we read this book together as a buddy book, we decided to review it together! Here are our thoughts on Fall in Forever. :)
THE STORY:
Becca: Fall into Forever was a cute but slightly predictable NA love story. Ivy is quiet, withdrawn and scarred from a tragic past. Jon is outrunning his own demons in a typical male way… parties and girls. They meet and are inexplicably drawn to one another. I see this as a usual format in NA writing. However, I was pleased that this story didn’t stray into the almost abrasive and raunchy zone that some NA has. This story had some very humorous parts (Ivy on the roof) and was kind of silly which I liked. It also had some very serious parts, Ivy deals with PTSD and I felt that Hyland did an excellent job dealing with this very real issue. I ultimately really liked both Ivy and Jon and was rooting for them! The end was a little cheesy and sappy for my taste, but I was happy with the outcome.
Lisa: I definitely have to agree that this was very similar to many other NA books I’ve read recently. And maybe that’s partly because I’ve been on somewhat of a NA binge and I’m reading so many of them that they’re all kind of merging together. I did think it had standout, unique qualities that made it different from other NA stories too though. I also enjoyed the “Ivy on the Roof” parts, which definitely kept me giggling. Since I tend to like my characters flawed, this story really did work well for me. I would agree that the romance aspects were, at times, over-the-top on the cheese-o-meter. After a few eye-rolls I was able to move on and still enjoy the story.
THE CHARACTERS:
Lisa: Ivy was the perfectly-flawed type of character that I really enjoy reading about. She didn’t have the easiest past, which left her struggling to cope with PTSD that brought on migraines and other anxiety issues. I think the fact that this is such a real issue in teens these days, it really helped to strengthen the story in my eyes. Jon was the stereotypical hot, popular guy at school that worked at the local college radio station, giving him somewhat of a celebrity status amongst his fellow peers. He was tattooed, with gauged ears, messy hair, and didn’t mind getting into a fight for good cause. Your typical at-first-glance bad boy, with a heart of gold.
The romance between Ivy and Jon did border on insta-love, which is one of my very biggest pet peeves in books, especially NA’s. At first sight they felt all the sparks and tried to deny their feelings, and so on. It was a bit much and I didn’t know if I would get past it. I’m so relieved that Beth Hyland took a step back and had the romance develop at a much more realistic level, rather than how I assumed it would go after their first meeting. Phew! Insta-love can really ruin a book for me, so I’m relieved it didn’t end up going that way as I had originally expected.
Becca: I am in agreement with Lisa on these characters, I feel very much the same. I liked Ivy a lot, she was sweet and kind and just trying to start over and move on with her life. I really connected with her and hoped that she could overcome her fears and her past. Although Jon was kind of a typical tattooed bad boy, I liked him a lot too. I am always good with a strong guy who makes his girl feel safe and loved. Hyland did a good job of making them lovable characters with some unique qualities.
OVERALL:
Becca: Overall, I liked this book. It was sort of predictable and the characters were similar to others that I have read, but it definitely had some unique parts as well. I agree with Lisa in that I also thought it was heading down an insta-love path and was surprised that it took a turn and didn’t ultimately go that way. It gave Ivy and Jon a chance to build a more serious (and somewhat cheesy) bond. As far as NA goes, I did like this one. Even though it was a little redundant, it definitely had some redeeming qualities. I will always give props to Authors who insert real life issues into their books and Hyland does that very well in this book.
Lisa: Simply put, Fall Into Forever was fun, full of the romance (and drama) that we all love, encompassing realistic and relatable characters, with a storyline sure to please. Aside from the sappy, over-the-top parts that I could have done without, I thought this story was really good, and I think most NA romance readers will really enjoy it. A great debut from Hyland. I’m definitely looking forward to what Hyland has in store for us next!
(Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy!)
Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!
This book was jointly reviewed by myself and my co-blogger, Becca!
Since we read this book together as a buddy book, we decided to review it together! Here are our thoughts on Fall in Forever. :)
THE STORY:
Becca: Fall into Forever was a cute but slightly predictable NA love story. Ivy is quiet, withdrawn and scarred from a tragic past. Jon is outrunning his own demons in a typical male way… parties and girls. They meet and are inexplicably drawn to one another. I see this as a usual format in NA writing. However, I was pleased that this story didn’t stray into the almost abrasive and raunchy zone that some NA has. This story had some very humorous parts (Ivy on the roof) and was kind of silly which I liked. It also had some very serious parts, Ivy deals with PTSD and I felt that Hyland did an excellent job dealing with this very real issue. I ultimately really liked both Ivy and Jon and was rooting for them! The end was a little cheesy and sappy for my taste, but I was happy with the outcome.
Lisa: I definitely have to agree that this was very similar to many other NA books I’ve read recently. And maybe that’s partly because I’ve been on somewhat of a NA binge and I’m reading so many of them that they’re all kind of merging together. I did think it had standout, unique qualities that made it different from other NA stories too though. I also enjoyed the “Ivy on the Roof” parts, which definitely kept me giggling. Since I tend to like my characters flawed, this story really did work well for me. I would agree that the romance aspects were, at times, over-the-top on the cheese-o-meter. After a few eye-rolls I was able to move on and still enjoy the story.
THE CHARACTERS:
Lisa: Ivy was the perfectly-flawed type of character that I really enjoy reading about. She didn’t have the easiest past, which left her struggling to cope with PTSD that brought on migraines and other anxiety issues. I think the fact that this is such a real issue in teens these days, it really helped to strengthen the story in my eyes. Jon was the stereotypical hot, popular guy at school that worked at the local college radio station, giving him somewhat of a celebrity status amongst his fellow peers. He was tattooed, with gauged ears, messy hair, and didn’t mind getting into a fight for good cause. Your typical at-first-glance bad boy, with a heart of gold.
The romance between Ivy and Jon did border on insta-love, which is one of my very biggest pet peeves in books, especially NA’s. At first sight they felt all the sparks and tried to deny their feelings, and so on. It was a bit much and I didn’t know if I would get past it. I’m so relieved that Beth Hyland took a step back and had the romance develop at a much more realistic level, rather than how I assumed it would go after their first meeting. Phew! Insta-love can really ruin a book for me, so I’m relieved it didn’t end up going that way as I had originally expected.
Becca: I am in agreement with Lisa on these characters, I feel very much the same. I liked Ivy a lot, she was sweet and kind and just trying to start over and move on with her life. I really connected with her and hoped that she could overcome her fears and her past. Although Jon was kind of a typical tattooed bad boy, I liked him a lot too. I am always good with a strong guy who makes his girl feel safe and loved. Hyland did a good job of making them lovable characters with some unique qualities.
OVERALL:
Becca: Overall, I liked this book. It was sort of predictable and the characters were similar to others that I have read, but it definitely had some unique parts as well. I agree with Lisa in that I also thought it was heading down an insta-love path and was surprised that it took a turn and didn’t ultimately go that way. It gave Ivy and Jon a chance to build a more serious (and somewhat cheesy) bond. As far as NA goes, I did like this one. Even though it was a little redundant, it definitely had some redeeming qualities. I will always give props to Authors who insert real life issues into their books and Hyland does that very well in this book.
Lisa: Simply put, Fall Into Forever was fun, full of the romance (and drama) that we all love, encompassing realistic and relatable characters, with a storyline sure to please. Aside from the sappy, over-the-top parts that I could have done without, I thought this story was really good, and I think most NA romance readers will really enjoy it. A great debut from Hyland. I’m definitely looking forward to what Hyland has in store for us next!
(Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy!)
Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!
March 5, 2014
This review can be found at The Book Hookup!
First Thoughts:
Ana: 4 stars! I love stories about broken people…people who’ve been through something big in their lives…people who need each other to heal. This was a great example of that!
Celeste: 4 stars I loved Ivy and Jon! These two had a chemistry that made me fall in love right along with them.
Plot/Pacing/Writing:
Celeste: This story was about 2 people each meeting that someone special, the one that gave them the courage and the freedom to bare their secrets. It warmed my heart as I watched Ivy and Jon fall for each other and also grow stronger as their own person too.
I’ll admit that the story started off a little slow for me…it took about 1/3 of the book for me to get into it…but then I couldn’t put it down. The ending on the other hand wrapped up pretty quickly, almost a little too fast, but I still loved every second of it. I would have liked just a little more after all the dust settled, so that I could bask in the love. What can I say, I’m greedy like that.
The writing here was a little different. It was alternating POVs, but at the same time, it was as if the person telling the story was talking to the reader directly. I’m actually on the fence whether or not I liked it, or if it is what made me stumble through the beginning a little bit.
Ana: I agree with Celeste! The beginning of this book felt a bit like a “been there, read that” kind of story and I was unsure about what to expect. However, without a doubt, that changed a few chapters in. The plot took different twists and the characters had unique personalities that I grew to love. It didn’t take long for me to forget the slow start and to begin devouring each page. I liked the dual POVs and I think it was done fairly well here. I always love experiencing character emotions in their own words.
Characters:
Ana: I loved Jon and Ivy. They were both strong and, even in unsure times, I never doubted they’d do the right thing. These two were perfectly matched and, as the reader, I believed that they could help each other heal and move forward. My heart went out to both of them for all they’d endured and I cheered as each grew to tackle their issues. As you may know, I’m a sucker for a bad boy hero with a soft heart! Jon, with his motocycle and groupies and guitar fit the bad boy vibe and, be still my heart, his feelings for Ivy threw me over the edge!
Celeste: I absolutely loved both Jon and Ivy. Both characters had baggage, but were still strong enough to keep going with their lives. They also both seemed to wear their hearts on their sleeves, which of course helped make the romance so much better. I think it was their honesty that made them survive in life, and then really flourish together.
I have to say, while I feel like I know what Jon looked like, I’m not as sure what Ivy looked like. I know men have different internal thoughts than women, but Ivy seemed to talk about Jon’s physical traits way more than he did. I feel like I know exactly all the reasons why Jon was so hot, but only that Jon saw Ivy as beautiful.
Romance:
Celeste: Jon and Ivy were almost both shells of themselves when they first met. However, that outer shell started to melt away immediately the second they laid eyes on each other. It truly was more than an instant attraction that pulled at them, telling them it was more, and not to let it go and I loved it. They never played any games either and I couldn’t get enough. They just kept giving more and more of themselves, it wasn’t like it was a tug of war of on and off, but a constant building. I couldn’t help but loved them fall fully in love step by step…it happened so naturally, with sweetness AND swooniness. Not only were they friends, but the smexy times were hot and real. All kinds of win!
Ana: Oh my…these two were great together. The story progressed in a very believable way and the fireworks they set off made me swoon! I really adored the fact that this wasn’t insta-love and that these characters both fought for and against this relationship. It made me cheer for them every step of the way! I love when the romance feels real…and this definitely did!
Rec it?:
Ana: Definitely. This was a great book with believable characters and a wonderful storyline. It’s the kind of read that touches your heart and I’m looking for more from this author!!
Celeste: Oh yes, yes, yes. I love my characters to be “damaged goods” and find their way to happiness through love. This was exactly that scenario and I loved it. A great debut novel and I can’t wait to see more of Ms. Hyland’s writing.
First Thoughts:
Ana: 4 stars! I love stories about broken people…people who’ve been through something big in their lives…people who need each other to heal. This was a great example of that!
Celeste: 4 stars I loved Ivy and Jon! These two had a chemistry that made me fall in love right along with them.
Plot/Pacing/Writing:
Celeste: This story was about 2 people each meeting that someone special, the one that gave them the courage and the freedom to bare their secrets. It warmed my heart as I watched Ivy and Jon fall for each other and also grow stronger as their own person too.
I’ll admit that the story started off a little slow for me…it took about 1/3 of the book for me to get into it…but then I couldn’t put it down. The ending on the other hand wrapped up pretty quickly, almost a little too fast, but I still loved every second of it. I would have liked just a little more after all the dust settled, so that I could bask in the love. What can I say, I’m greedy like that.
The writing here was a little different. It was alternating POVs, but at the same time, it was as if the person telling the story was talking to the reader directly. I’m actually on the fence whether or not I liked it, or if it is what made me stumble through the beginning a little bit.
Ana: I agree with Celeste! The beginning of this book felt a bit like a “been there, read that” kind of story and I was unsure about what to expect. However, without a doubt, that changed a few chapters in. The plot took different twists and the characters had unique personalities that I grew to love. It didn’t take long for me to forget the slow start and to begin devouring each page. I liked the dual POVs and I think it was done fairly well here. I always love experiencing character emotions in their own words.
Characters:
Ana: I loved Jon and Ivy. They were both strong and, even in unsure times, I never doubted they’d do the right thing. These two were perfectly matched and, as the reader, I believed that they could help each other heal and move forward. My heart went out to both of them for all they’d endured and I cheered as each grew to tackle their issues. As you may know, I’m a sucker for a bad boy hero with a soft heart! Jon, with his motocycle and groupies and guitar fit the bad boy vibe and, be still my heart, his feelings for Ivy threw me over the edge!
Celeste: I absolutely loved both Jon and Ivy. Both characters had baggage, but were still strong enough to keep going with their lives. They also both seemed to wear their hearts on their sleeves, which of course helped make the romance so much better. I think it was their honesty that made them survive in life, and then really flourish together.
I have to say, while I feel like I know what Jon looked like, I’m not as sure what Ivy looked like. I know men have different internal thoughts than women, but Ivy seemed to talk about Jon’s physical traits way more than he did. I feel like I know exactly all the reasons why Jon was so hot, but only that Jon saw Ivy as beautiful.
Romance:
Celeste: Jon and Ivy were almost both shells of themselves when they first met. However, that outer shell started to melt away immediately the second they laid eyes on each other. It truly was more than an instant attraction that pulled at them, telling them it was more, and not to let it go and I loved it. They never played any games either and I couldn’t get enough. They just kept giving more and more of themselves, it wasn’t like it was a tug of war of on and off, but a constant building. I couldn’t help but loved them fall fully in love step by step…it happened so naturally, with sweetness AND swooniness. Not only were they friends, but the smexy times were hot and real. All kinds of win!
Ana: Oh my…these two were great together. The story progressed in a very believable way and the fireworks they set off made me swoon! I really adored the fact that this wasn’t insta-love and that these characters both fought for and against this relationship. It made me cheer for them every step of the way! I love when the romance feels real…and this definitely did!
Rec it?:
Ana: Definitely. This was a great book with believable characters and a wonderful storyline. It’s the kind of read that touches your heart and I’m looking for more from this author!!
Celeste: Oh yes, yes, yes. I love my characters to be “damaged goods” and find their way to happiness through love. This was exactly that scenario and I loved it. A great debut novel and I can’t wait to see more of Ms. Hyland’s writing.
September 11, 2016
This review can be found at The Book Hookup!
First Thoughts:
Ana: 4 stars! I love stories about broken people…people who’ve been through something big in their lives…people who need each other to heal. This was a great example of that!
Celeste: 4 stars I loved Ivy and Jon! These two had a chemistry that made me fall in love right along with them.
Plot/Pacing/Writing:
Celeste: This story was about 2 people each meeting that someone special, the one that gave them the courage and the freedom to bare their secrets. It warmed my heart as I watched Ivy and Jon fall for each other and also grow stronger as their own person too.
I’ll admit that the story started off a little slow for me…it took about 1/3 of the book for me to get into it…but then I couldn’t put it down. The ending on the other hand wrapped up pretty quickly, almost a little too fast, but I still loved every second of it. I would have liked just a little more after all the dust settled, so that I could bask in the love. What can I say, I’m greedy like that.
The writing here was a little different. It was alternating POVs, but at the same time, it was as if the person telling the story was talking to the reader directly. I’m actually on the fence whether or not I liked it, or if it is what made me stumble through the beginning a little bit.
Ana: I agree with Celeste! The beginning of this book felt a bit like a “been there, read that” kind of story and I was unsure about what to expect. However, without a doubt, that changed a few chapters in. The plot took different twists and the characters had unique personalities that I grew to love. It didn’t take long for me to forget the slow start and to begin devouring each page. I liked the dual POVs and I think it was done fairly well here. I always love experiencing character emotions in their own words.
Characters:
Ana: I loved Jon and Ivy. They were both strong and, even in unsure times, I never doubted they’d do the right thing. These two were perfectly matched and, as the reader, I believed that they could help each other heal and move forward. My heart went out to both of them for all they’d endured and I cheered as each grew to tackle their issues. As you may know, I’m a sucker for a bad boy hero with a soft heart! Jon, with his motocycle and groupies and guitar fit the bad boy vibe and, be still my heart, his feelings for Ivy threw me over the edge!
Celeste: I absolutely loved both Jon and Ivy. Both characters had baggage, but were still strong enough to keep going with their lives. They also both seemed to wear their hearts on their sleeves, which of course helped make the romance so much better. I think it was their honesty that made them survive in life, and then really flourish together.
I have to say, while I feel like I know what Jon looked like, I’m not as sure what Ivy looked like. I know men have different internal thoughts than women, but Ivy seemed to talk about Jon’s physical traits way more than he did. I feel like I know exactly all the reasons why Jon was so hot, but only that Jon saw Ivy as beautiful.
Romance:
Celeste: Jon and Ivy were almost both shells of themselves when they first met. However, that outer shell started to melt away immediately the second they laid eyes on each other. It truly was more than an instant attraction that pulled at them, telling them it was more, and not to let it go and I loved it. They never played any games either and I couldn’t get enough. They just kept giving more and more of themselves, it wasn’t like it was a tug of war of on and off, but a constant building. I couldn’t help but loved them fall fully in love step by step…it happened so naturally, with sweetness AND swooniness. Not only were they friends, but the smexy times were hot and real. All kinds of win!
Ana: Oh my…these two were great together. The story progressed in a very believable way and the fireworks they set off made me swoon! I really adored the fact that this wasn’t insta-love and that these characters both fought for and against this relationship. It made me cheer for them every step of the way! I love when the romance feels real…and this definitely did!
Rec it?:
Ana: Definitely. This was a great book with believable characters and a wonderful storyline. It’s the kind of read that touches your heart and I’m looking for more from this author!!
Celeste: Oh yes, yes, yes. I love my characters to be “damaged goods” and find their way to happiness through love. This was exactly that scenario and I loved it. A great debut novel and I can’t wait to see more of Ms. Hyland’s writing.
First Thoughts:
Ana: 4 stars! I love stories about broken people…people who’ve been through something big in their lives…people who need each other to heal. This was a great example of that!
Celeste: 4 stars I loved Ivy and Jon! These two had a chemistry that made me fall in love right along with them.
Plot/Pacing/Writing:
Celeste: This story was about 2 people each meeting that someone special, the one that gave them the courage and the freedom to bare their secrets. It warmed my heart as I watched Ivy and Jon fall for each other and also grow stronger as their own person too.
I’ll admit that the story started off a little slow for me…it took about 1/3 of the book for me to get into it…but then I couldn’t put it down. The ending on the other hand wrapped up pretty quickly, almost a little too fast, but I still loved every second of it. I would have liked just a little more after all the dust settled, so that I could bask in the love. What can I say, I’m greedy like that.
The writing here was a little different. It was alternating POVs, but at the same time, it was as if the person telling the story was talking to the reader directly. I’m actually on the fence whether or not I liked it, or if it is what made me stumble through the beginning a little bit.
Ana: I agree with Celeste! The beginning of this book felt a bit like a “been there, read that” kind of story and I was unsure about what to expect. However, without a doubt, that changed a few chapters in. The plot took different twists and the characters had unique personalities that I grew to love. It didn’t take long for me to forget the slow start and to begin devouring each page. I liked the dual POVs and I think it was done fairly well here. I always love experiencing character emotions in their own words.
Characters:
Ana: I loved Jon and Ivy. They were both strong and, even in unsure times, I never doubted they’d do the right thing. These two were perfectly matched and, as the reader, I believed that they could help each other heal and move forward. My heart went out to both of them for all they’d endured and I cheered as each grew to tackle their issues. As you may know, I’m a sucker for a bad boy hero with a soft heart! Jon, with his motocycle and groupies and guitar fit the bad boy vibe and, be still my heart, his feelings for Ivy threw me over the edge!
Celeste: I absolutely loved both Jon and Ivy. Both characters had baggage, but were still strong enough to keep going with their lives. They also both seemed to wear their hearts on their sleeves, which of course helped make the romance so much better. I think it was their honesty that made them survive in life, and then really flourish together.
I have to say, while I feel like I know what Jon looked like, I’m not as sure what Ivy looked like. I know men have different internal thoughts than women, but Ivy seemed to talk about Jon’s physical traits way more than he did. I feel like I know exactly all the reasons why Jon was so hot, but only that Jon saw Ivy as beautiful.
Romance:
Celeste: Jon and Ivy were almost both shells of themselves when they first met. However, that outer shell started to melt away immediately the second they laid eyes on each other. It truly was more than an instant attraction that pulled at them, telling them it was more, and not to let it go and I loved it. They never played any games either and I couldn’t get enough. They just kept giving more and more of themselves, it wasn’t like it was a tug of war of on and off, but a constant building. I couldn’t help but loved them fall fully in love step by step…it happened so naturally, with sweetness AND swooniness. Not only were they friends, but the smexy times were hot and real. All kinds of win!
Ana: Oh my…these two were great together. The story progressed in a very believable way and the fireworks they set off made me swoon! I really adored the fact that this wasn’t insta-love and that these characters both fought for and against this relationship. It made me cheer for them every step of the way! I love when the romance feels real…and this definitely did!
Rec it?:
Ana: Definitely. This was a great book with believable characters and a wonderful storyline. It’s the kind of read that touches your heart and I’m looking for more from this author!!
Celeste: Oh yes, yes, yes. I love my characters to be “damaged goods” and find their way to happiness through love. This was exactly that scenario and I loved it. A great debut novel and I can’t wait to see more of Ms. Hyland’s writing.
April 5, 2014
Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Fabiola
Review Copy from the Publisher
Fall into forever is the first published book by Beth Hyland. At the moment, I don’t know if there will be a sequel. Even if, in my opinion, this book is self-sufficient, some secondary characters might have their book.
I saw this book on Netgalley and, even though I loved the cover, I didn’t request it because the plot was a little too dark for me. But Vanessa Kelly recommended it on her blog, so I changed my mind. And ultimately I loved the novel.
Before getting further into my review, I have to say that the summary was not well written; it’s not wrong but it contains some elements that should not be there. Indeed, while reading the last part of the plot, I was expecting the threats the heroine must face to be crucial in the novel, or even the reason the heroes get together. It’s not the case and it can be frustrating for readers who are expecting some action. However, I didn’t feel anything lacking while reading the book, because the author succeeded in drawing my attention to the most important part in a romance novel, i.e. the romantic relationship and the evolution of the heroes’ feelings.
I read Fall into forever in one seat after I started, because it was captivating, the characters were very nice and charismatic, and I found the author’s style very flowing and lively.
These are good points for Beth Hyland, but I would advise her to be very, very careful with her next summaries (or to ask her editorial team to be careful).
The novel also contains emotion and humour. Some dialogues and scenes were so hilarious that I laughed out laud while reading. I love that, in an author.
Fall into forever is a New Adult romance. So we have two students, with a typical NA hero, i.e. one who screws around, handsome, with a mysterious past. Our heroine had a car accident two years before the beginning of the story, and she doesn’t remember what happened. We know that she is threatened by her ex-boyfriend’s brother, the same ex-boyfriend who was in the car with her and is now dead. This mystery is resolved at the end of the novel, but the reader wonders a lot during the book. However, Beth Hyland carried the suspense right to the end. We also know that the heroine has a heavy past.
I loved the two heroes. However, I just had two little problems with Jon Priestley. First, I don’t have a lot of sympathy for heroes who criticize their parents’ behaviour and act in the same way. I would like sometimes to see a hero who is very different from what he hates in other people. My second problem is his name. Instead of reading Jon, I kept reading Jason Priestley LOL (I’m talking about the famous Brandon in Beverly Hills TV series).
Fortunately, I don’t have anything against the actor, otherwise it would have been difficult for me. Anyway, these two things didn’t stop me from loving the novel.
Ivy McAllister is a great heroine. Determined, she is aware of her flaws but tries not to let her past darken her present. I loved that she felt immediately safe with Jon, so much so that she tells him what happened to her and does not hide when she is threatened again. I particularly loved one scene: the heroine is confronted with danger and, instead of rushing headlong, she chooses to do something more logical. I won’t tell you more and will let you find out for yourself what I’m talking about. That was again a very, very good point for the author.
Ivy needs to evolve during the novel, because of her past. She has some inward-looking attitudes but that was logic and well explained by the author. So I didn’t want to shake her, I was just sorry for her. And when she raised her head, I just wanted to cheer. LOL An author rarely elicits this kind of feeling in me.
The couple has some friends, who are present and tight knit: some slutty girls gravitate around the hero, but they are nice, so the reader can’t hate them. Their biological parents are not supportive (Jon’s father and Ivy’s parents). The absence of support by one or both parents seems to be a regular element in NA; other adults are more sympathetic.
Despite the sexual tension between the heroes, Jon and Ivy take their time before sleeping together. The author chooses to concentrate on their encounter, their mutual discovery and the evolution of their feelings, which is very, very good. And there are not many sex scenes but they are well written.
I think that you now understand that I loved this novel, despite the negative points that I mentioned in my review. It means the author is very good. I can’t wait for the next Beth Hyland’s novel and wish it will be as good as this one.
Reviewed by Fabiola
Review Copy from the Publisher
Fall into forever is the first published book by Beth Hyland. At the moment, I don’t know if there will be a sequel. Even if, in my opinion, this book is self-sufficient, some secondary characters might have their book.
I saw this book on Netgalley and, even though I loved the cover, I didn’t request it because the plot was a little too dark for me. But Vanessa Kelly recommended it on her blog, so I changed my mind. And ultimately I loved the novel.
Before getting further into my review, I have to say that the summary was not well written; it’s not wrong but it contains some elements that should not be there. Indeed, while reading the last part of the plot, I was expecting the threats the heroine must face to be crucial in the novel, or even the reason the heroes get together. It’s not the case and it can be frustrating for readers who are expecting some action. However, I didn’t feel anything lacking while reading the book, because the author succeeded in drawing my attention to the most important part in a romance novel, i.e. the romantic relationship and the evolution of the heroes’ feelings.
I read Fall into forever in one seat after I started, because it was captivating, the characters were very nice and charismatic, and I found the author’s style very flowing and lively.
These are good points for Beth Hyland, but I would advise her to be very, very careful with her next summaries (or to ask her editorial team to be careful).
The novel also contains emotion and humour. Some dialogues and scenes were so hilarious that I laughed out laud while reading. I love that, in an author.
Fall into forever is a New Adult romance. So we have two students, with a typical NA hero, i.e. one who screws around, handsome, with a mysterious past. Our heroine had a car accident two years before the beginning of the story, and she doesn’t remember what happened. We know that she is threatened by her ex-boyfriend’s brother, the same ex-boyfriend who was in the car with her and is now dead. This mystery is resolved at the end of the novel, but the reader wonders a lot during the book. However, Beth Hyland carried the suspense right to the end. We also know that the heroine has a heavy past.
I loved the two heroes. However, I just had two little problems with Jon Priestley. First, I don’t have a lot of sympathy for heroes who criticize their parents’ behaviour and act in the same way. I would like sometimes to see a hero who is very different from what he hates in other people. My second problem is his name. Instead of reading Jon, I kept reading Jason Priestley LOL (I’m talking about the famous Brandon in Beverly Hills TV series).
Fortunately, I don’t have anything against the actor, otherwise it would have been difficult for me. Anyway, these two things didn’t stop me from loving the novel.
Ivy McAllister is a great heroine. Determined, she is aware of her flaws but tries not to let her past darken her present. I loved that she felt immediately safe with Jon, so much so that she tells him what happened to her and does not hide when she is threatened again. I particularly loved one scene: the heroine is confronted with danger and, instead of rushing headlong, she chooses to do something more logical. I won’t tell you more and will let you find out for yourself what I’m talking about. That was again a very, very good point for the author.
Ivy needs to evolve during the novel, because of her past. She has some inward-looking attitudes but that was logic and well explained by the author. So I didn’t want to shake her, I was just sorry for her. And when she raised her head, I just wanted to cheer. LOL An author rarely elicits this kind of feeling in me.
The couple has some friends, who are present and tight knit: some slutty girls gravitate around the hero, but they are nice, so the reader can’t hate them. Their biological parents are not supportive (Jon’s father and Ivy’s parents). The absence of support by one or both parents seems to be a regular element in NA; other adults are more sympathetic.
Despite the sexual tension between the heroes, Jon and Ivy take their time before sleeping together. The author chooses to concentrate on their encounter, their mutual discovery and the evolution of their feelings, which is very, very good. And there are not many sex scenes but they are well written.
I think that you now understand that I loved this novel, despite the negative points that I mentioned in my review. It means the author is very good. I can’t wait for the next Beth Hyland’s novel and wish it will be as good as this one.
April 26, 2014
3.5 Stars Buddy Book with Lisa Lost in Lit
Since we read this book together as a buddy book, we decided to review it together! Here are our thoughts on Fall in Forever. :)
THE STORY:
Becca: Fall into Forever was a cute but slightly predictable NA love story. Ivy is quiet, withdrawn and scarred from a tragic past. Jon is outrunning his own demons in a typical male way… parties and girls. They meet and are inexplicably drawn to one another. I see this as a usual format in NA writing. However, I was pleased that this story didn’t stray into the almost abrasive and raunchy zone that some NA has. This story had some very humorous parts (Ivy on the roof) and was kind of silly which I liked. It also had some very serious parts, Ivy deals with PTSD and I felt that Hyland did an excellent job dealing with this very real issue. I ultimately really liked both Ivy and Jon and was rooting for them! The end was a little cheesy and sappy for my taste, but I was happy with the outcome.
Lisa: I definitely have to agree that this was very similar to many other NA books I’ve read recently. And maybe that’s partly because I’ve been on somewhat of a NA binge and I’m reading so many of them that they’re all kind of merging together. I did think it had standout, unique qualities that made it different from other NA stories too though. I also enjoyed the “Ivy on the Roof” parts, which definitely kept me giggling. Since I tend to like my characters flawed, this story really did work well for me. I would agree that the romance aspects were, at times, over-the-top on the cheese-o-meter. After a few eye-rolls I was able to move on and still enjoy the story.
THE CHARACTERS:
Lisa: Ivy was the perfectly-flawed type of character that I really enjoy reading about. She didn’t have the easiest past, which left her struggling to cope with PTSD that brought on migraines and other anxiety issues. I think the fact that this is such a real issue in teens these days, it really helped to strengthen the story in my eyes. Jon was the stereotypical hot, popular guy at school that worked at the local college radio station, giving him somewhat of a celebrity status amongst his fellow peers. He was tattooed, with gauged ears, messy hair, and didn’t mind getting into a fight for good cause. Your typical at-first-glance bad boy, with a heart of gold.
The romance between Ivy and Jon did border on insta-love, which is one of my very biggest pet peeves in books, especially NA’s. At first sight they felt all the sparks and tried to deny their feelings, and so on. It was a bit much and I didn’t know if I would get past it. I’m so relieved that Beth Hyland took a step back and had the romance develop at a much more realistic level, rather than how I assumed it would go after their first meeting. Phew! Insta-love can really ruin a book for me, so I’m relieved it didn’t end up going that way as I had originally expected.
Becca: I am in agreement with Lisa on these characters, I feel very much the same. I liked Ivy a lot, she was sweet and kind and just trying to start over and move on with her life. I really connected with her and hoped that she could overcome her fears and her past. Although Jon was kind of a typical tattooed bad boy, I liked him a lot too. I am always good with a strong guy who makes his girl feel safe and loved. Hyland did a good job of making them lovable characters with some unique qualities.
OVERALL:
Becca: Overall, I liked this book. It was sort of predictable and the characters were similar to others that I have read, but it definitely had some unique parts as well. I agree with Lisa in that I also thought it was heading down an insta-love path and was surprised that it took a turn and didn’t ultimately go that way. It gave Ivy and Jon a chance to build a more serious (and somewhat cheesy) bond. As far as NA goes, I did like this one. Even though it was a little redundant, it definitely had some redeeming qualities. I will always give props to Authors who insert real life issues into their books and Hyland does that very well in this book.
Lisa: Simply put, Fall Into Forever was fun, full of the romance (and drama) that we all love, encompassing realistic and relatable characters, with a storyline sure to please. Aside from the sappy, over-the-top parts that I could have done without, I thought this story was really good, and I think most NA romance readers will really enjoy it. A great debut from Hyland. I’m definitely looking forward to what Hyland has in store for us next!
Since we read this book together as a buddy book, we decided to review it together! Here are our thoughts on Fall in Forever. :)
THE STORY:
Becca: Fall into Forever was a cute but slightly predictable NA love story. Ivy is quiet, withdrawn and scarred from a tragic past. Jon is outrunning his own demons in a typical male way… parties and girls. They meet and are inexplicably drawn to one another. I see this as a usual format in NA writing. However, I was pleased that this story didn’t stray into the almost abrasive and raunchy zone that some NA has. This story had some very humorous parts (Ivy on the roof) and was kind of silly which I liked. It also had some very serious parts, Ivy deals with PTSD and I felt that Hyland did an excellent job dealing with this very real issue. I ultimately really liked both Ivy and Jon and was rooting for them! The end was a little cheesy and sappy for my taste, but I was happy with the outcome.
Lisa: I definitely have to agree that this was very similar to many other NA books I’ve read recently. And maybe that’s partly because I’ve been on somewhat of a NA binge and I’m reading so many of them that they’re all kind of merging together. I did think it had standout, unique qualities that made it different from other NA stories too though. I also enjoyed the “Ivy on the Roof” parts, which definitely kept me giggling. Since I tend to like my characters flawed, this story really did work well for me. I would agree that the romance aspects were, at times, over-the-top on the cheese-o-meter. After a few eye-rolls I was able to move on and still enjoy the story.
THE CHARACTERS:
Lisa: Ivy was the perfectly-flawed type of character that I really enjoy reading about. She didn’t have the easiest past, which left her struggling to cope with PTSD that brought on migraines and other anxiety issues. I think the fact that this is such a real issue in teens these days, it really helped to strengthen the story in my eyes. Jon was the stereotypical hot, popular guy at school that worked at the local college radio station, giving him somewhat of a celebrity status amongst his fellow peers. He was tattooed, with gauged ears, messy hair, and didn’t mind getting into a fight for good cause. Your typical at-first-glance bad boy, with a heart of gold.
The romance between Ivy and Jon did border on insta-love, which is one of my very biggest pet peeves in books, especially NA’s. At first sight they felt all the sparks and tried to deny their feelings, and so on. It was a bit much and I didn’t know if I would get past it. I’m so relieved that Beth Hyland took a step back and had the romance develop at a much more realistic level, rather than how I assumed it would go after their first meeting. Phew! Insta-love can really ruin a book for me, so I’m relieved it didn’t end up going that way as I had originally expected.
Becca: I am in agreement with Lisa on these characters, I feel very much the same. I liked Ivy a lot, she was sweet and kind and just trying to start over and move on with her life. I really connected with her and hoped that she could overcome her fears and her past. Although Jon was kind of a typical tattooed bad boy, I liked him a lot too. I am always good with a strong guy who makes his girl feel safe and loved. Hyland did a good job of making them lovable characters with some unique qualities.
OVERALL:
Becca: Overall, I liked this book. It was sort of predictable and the characters were similar to others that I have read, but it definitely had some unique parts as well. I agree with Lisa in that I also thought it was heading down an insta-love path and was surprised that it took a turn and didn’t ultimately go that way. It gave Ivy and Jon a chance to build a more serious (and somewhat cheesy) bond. As far as NA goes, I did like this one. Even though it was a little redundant, it definitely had some redeeming qualities. I will always give props to Authors who insert real life issues into their books and Hyland does that very well in this book.
Lisa: Simply put, Fall Into Forever was fun, full of the romance (and drama) that we all love, encompassing realistic and relatable characters, with a storyline sure to please. Aside from the sappy, over-the-top parts that I could have done without, I thought this story was really good, and I think most NA romance readers will really enjoy it. A great debut from Hyland. I’m definitely looking forward to what Hyland has in store for us next!
March 14, 2017
Amazing!
Who doesn't love a story about falling in love with a bad boy? Ivy and Jon meet in an unconventional way, but I love the relationship between them. Both are not what they appear on the outside and they soon find that out about each other. They definitely hit some rocks along the way, but I loved the ending.
Who doesn't love a story about falling in love with a bad boy? Ivy and Jon meet in an unconventional way, but I love the relationship between them. Both are not what they appear on the outside and they soon find that out about each other. They definitely hit some rocks along the way, but I loved the ending.
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