ForNever Mine: A Friends With Benefits ErotiCom

by Irene Bahrd

If you’re drunk, typically enjoy dark romance, but need a good laugh, I have just the book for you...

This year's hottest ErotiCom is ForNever Mine.

It’s a short AF novella, that starts as an Erotica, but turns into a RomCom, then becomes an Erotica again. It will feel familiar, like your favorite sitcom, but with smut.

This story has everything:

Friends with benefits, a love triangle, a woman super into butt stuff, a man into feet stuff, getting handsy at a wedding, grocery store sexytime…

Plus, you get to play the game, “Who is Beth going to hook up with next?”

**Blurb Inspired by ‘Stefon’ from Saturday Night Live**

ForNever Mine is a deliciously spicy, friends with benefits romantic comedy novella. An unpublished version of this book contained cameos from characters in the Fourteen Shades of Red series. Cameos were removed prior to publication.

Genres: Novella, Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2024

About the author

Irene Bahrd is a feisty Capricorn and one of the most avid readers you will ever meet. Her favorite genres to read or write include romantic comedies, political romance, romantasy, and the occasional contemporary dark romance.

She started her writing journey as a dare from a friend, after recounting dating stories from her early twenties. They inspired her to write spicy romantic comedies and parodies that feature a variety of book boyfriends—though most are cinnamon roll golden retrievers. Many of her stories contain LGBTQIA+, disabled, and neurodivergent characters.

Irene can be found on Instagram and TikTok under @irenebahrdauthor

Reviews

[Laura Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have many words for this and that doesn't happen often. 😅 It's a friends with benefits ErotiCom, and I got just that! I laughed quite a few times, and it was definitely spicy. I'd never read some of the "experiences" in this novella - it's unhinged and chaotic. 🤭

As the author states, "Plot? There's none. Will you laugh? Sure. Will you be turned on? Probably. Do NOT expect a typical romcom or even erotica, it is neither." And I really appreciated the honesty. 😂

Please check TWs on this one!

Read if you love:
❤️ Friends with benefits
❤️ Friends to lovers
❤️ Open door romance
❤️ He falls first
❤️ Eroticom

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ForNever Mine is 1 of 14 novellas in the limited edition Fourteen Shades of Red - Valentine’s Day romance collection.

Thank you to @happilybookedpr and @irenebahrdauthor for the arc in exchange for an honest review. ❤️

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

I love how it says in the beginning (like a warning) that "moist" is used once in the book.. that had me giggling. This Novella was the cutest and hottest thing.. I loved how it added in one of the previous books (it overlapped) that was such a brilliant idea. These characters were great!! Would definitely recommend for a short smutty read!

[BookishRaquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

ForNever Mine
By: Irene Bahrd

My Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐
My Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️

ForNever Mine by Irene Bahrd is part of The Fourteen Shades of Red series.

Fourteen Shades of Red includes books by:
→Maia Terry
→Bella Leigh Michaels
→Eliza Anne
→Dani Elias
→Amanda Bentley
→Elliot Ason
→Luna Knight
→Kelsey Woods
→K.M. Gillis
→Effie Campbell
→Valerie Pepper
→J.L. Quick
→Irene Bahrd
→Lexi Gray

What you’ll find:
❤️Dual POVs
❤️Friends with Benefits
❤️Friends to Lovers
❤️Small Town
❤️He Falls First

Beth and Axl have been friends for a long time. Beth is a master's student in Calgary. Axl has an engineering degree but works in a local lodge in Coal's Lake, their hometown. Axl has always wanted more with Beth, but she doesn't want anything serious. Beth has enjoyed their friends-with-benefits arrangement, but after spending some extra time together during the Christmas/New Year's holiday, Beth is wondering if she might want something more with Axl.

This novella is so good! I loved every second of Axl and Beth's story! The chemistry, the spice...everything was perfect. This story had me giggling and smiling so much. I've read several novellas from this series and love the little connections made among the stories. This is probably the best novella I've read in a long time. It is quick, cute and fun. The spicy scenes are perfect! This was definitely worth reading! Highly recommended!

Thank you Irene Bahrd and Happily Booked PR for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[jenniferlea · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Beth & Axl

After reading Merry In Spite I was excited Beth was getting her own novella

Beth & Axl are definitely the “friends with benefits” that should have skipped that phase & just dated from the get go…both wanted to be with the other but weren’t sure if they should speak up first….uh note to self: ALWAYS speak up

I love their relationship…they can talk to each other about anything…her kinks….his side hustle….the 5 gallon bucket of lube
Maybe Marissa & Fboy Troy need to give it a go

This novella is part of the 14 Shades of Red but is a standalone-ish….I would read Merry In Spite first…Beth is Tristan’s sister so we get a little more of Tristan & Myles….there was also mention of Beth in their novella

So check the trigger warnings…it’s more like a wishlist or a bucket list but be sure to check it out

[Kylie ve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a quick spicy novella and I loved the crossovers from the other books!

[Beatriz Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Review✨ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ForNever Mine
By Irene Bahrd

Had I mentioned that I love books with TW as grocery lists? Well I do it. I liked this book from the author's dedication, then with the TW list it completely had me.

This novel, although short, had all the tropes that I like, it is one of those books that is really a pleasure to read as a dark romance reader.

I don't like the friends-to-lovers trope so much but I really liked it in this story and that slow burn with the spicy scenes awww it's nice to read good hot scenes.

This novel is part of the multi-author Collection Fourteen Shades of Red, I thank @irenebahrd and @happilybookedpr for the opportunity provided, for having received the eARC and for being able to give my opinion on this reading.

What if I recommend it?
Absolutely but check before reading the TWs.

•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈

[Spicy BookNook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. I cannot say this enough, I absolutely loved this one!!!!!

The crossover between characters and situations from Smutmas and characters from the other Fourteen Shades books, ahhhh I loveeeee it! Like seriously, these little crossovers make me fall head over heels in love with these series so much! And a huge kudos for having an entire portion tie into @bella book! Eeek. That dance floor challenge?! 👀 uhm yes please!

Everything about Axl and Beth is 🔥 seriously, everything! From friends with benefits to this insanely hot relationship, my god. I could read about these two forever!

"Beth's fornever mine."

[Megneto♓️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved it! Irene never disappoints with spicy books 🌶🥵

5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I loved the chemistry between Beth and Axl, and I thought the book was going to have a different ending! Won't spoil it for you other readers 😂
Those smexy scenes though 🥵 The one in the store was my favourite though!

I also loved the play on fornever..I was dead confused by the title, but once you read the book, it makes more sense 😊

10000% recommend!❤️

Thank you to both Irene and Happily Booked PR for allowing me to read this Novella. Even though I received this as an ARC, this review is of my own and left voluntarily

[TheeBeezKnees Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book as an ALC listener and holy spice! I don’t normally like spicy books on Audible, I find it super awkward 🤣 but these audible narrators did a great job! This is a slim to no plot novella packed with spice. So if you’re looking for something spicyyyyyy this book is for you! I normally find this authors books to be 5 star reads but I have to give this one 3 stars just because it lacked plot in my opinion. I love a spicy novella but I personally need plot or it falls short - a cute, fun, mysterious, adventurous or even emotional - any plot will do lol!

[Dani (criesinanxiety) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot? Smut. Perfect for those looking for a short and spicy read 🥰!
The grocery store scene 🤭 you have to read omg


Favorite Quote: “Fornever?”

Definitely recommend if you love
~ Friends with benefits
~ Friends to lovers
~ He falls first
~ Dual POVs

(I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!)

[Ashley R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super sexy, quick read novella. I absolutely loved Axl, but Beth was not my favorite character I've read by Irene. Some enjoyable spicy scenes but also some that were a bit cringy (no kink shaming here, just weren't for me)

3.5 star rating, thanks to Irene for an advanced copy for my honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the Fourteen Shades of Red limited Valentine’s series.

This was a hilarious friends with benefits novella with plenty of spice!

I loved the crossover with characters from The Fake Wedding Date!

I did skip the epilogue because I don’t do male b stuff..

Enter at your own peril with this one! A quick very fun spicy read.

[Candace P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Oh gosh.. this is probably the first time the "m" word has made me laugh! I was dying laughing almost the whole time while reading this one and want more! Axl was amazing (and sweet) and Beth was totally a firecracker! So much fun!

[Bria Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

My god yes 🫠👌 this was just oh my word...

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite novella in the fourteen shades of red series! I love Axl and Beth

[Summie Bookstagram · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts on ForNever Mine by Irene Bahrd

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🎧

Thank you to Irene Bahrd and High Gravity Audiobooks for the ALC copy.

ForNever Mine, Irene Bahrd's erotic-spicy tale, is yet another triumph! Both Leanne Woodward and Bradley Ford did an excellent job of bringing Beth, Axl, and Troy to life from Irene's imagination.

This novella featured emotional and honest interactions between Beth and Axl, despite the fact that Troy was present throughout. I thoroughly appreciated Beth and Axl's development, which played an important role in the conclusion of their love story. Overall, this novella emphasises the importance of open communication in maintaining a strong relationship with your significant other.

[XenyMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edited to include ALC review:
Leanne Woodward and Bradley Ford were the perfect casting for Beth and Axl. They did a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life and made the story all the more enjoyable.

---------

“You’re a dąmn tornado, but you’re mine.”

ForNever Mine was a super fun, fast spicy read filled with all sort of unique kınks.

This novella shows the different complications that can come from having a friends with benefits situationship, but it also shows how it can grow into something more. I really enjoyed being inside Beth's head and seeing her come to terms with what she did and did not want and how far she was willing to go with her partner(s). I liked the fact that when she had her "aha" moment things weren't magically resolved between her and Axl and loved the fact that they took time away from each other to come to terms with their feelings and what the wanted from the other.

I loved that Beth and Axl have no boundaries when it comes to səxƴtime, but communication is the most important thing when trying new things.

Quote: “If we get caught, I’ll gladly be banned from the store, or worse. It’s fùçƙing worth it to have my girl—mine—who is up for anything I want to try, even if I’ll never look at a loaf of bread the same.”

[Brittney Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Rating: 5/5
Spicy Rating: 4/5
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance

Trope(s): He falls first, Friends with benefits, eroticom

Main Character(s): Beth & Axl

Beth and Axl were friends for the longest time…and then they weren’t. During a Christmas break, they quickly moved from ‘friends’ to a ‘friends with benefits’ situation.

Axl has his engineering degree, but he decides to move back to his hometown (Coal’s Lake), where he is working at the local Ski Resort and Lodge.

Beth is finishing her master’s thesis (and will hopefully progress on to her doctorate) in Calgary, which is a couple towns away from Coal’s Lake (her hometown and where Axl lives).

Axl and Beth have a good ‘friends with benefits’ situation, BUT Axl can’t stop thinking about Beth and while Beth is back at college (after Christmas break), she is surprised to discover that she really can’t stop thinking about Axl either. HOWEVER, there are two little kinks in the chain. 1. Beth is relationship & feelings adverse AND 2. She has a friends with benefits situation with someone on her thesis advisory committee named Troy.

Will Beth’s feelings toward either Troy or Axl progress into something more? Will Axl admit that he loves Beth? Will Beth choose Axl? Will Beth chose Troy You will HAVE to read to find out!

This was SUCH a good and spicy novella to get into Valentines Day! I actually wish this was longer because I loved it so much! It can be found in the Fourteen Shades of Red Novella Anthologies!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

_______________
❤️ As much as I hate to admit it, I want her, even if she was never supposed to be mine.
________________

ForNever Mine is a novella in the Fourteen Shades of Red series. This was short and spicy! I absolutely love Axl and Beth. They start as friends with benefits, and Beth actually has another person she's messing with as well. Typically I don't really like when there's other people outside of the couple but Troy fcking killed me. 🤣🤣🤣 And, he's just who she needed to make her realize how much Axl meant to her and how she should have been his all along. Plus there was also a cameo with Quinn and Mark from The Fake Wedding Date by Bella Leigh Michaels (another book in this series) at Emory and Ben's wedding. And a little Voyear spice (IYKYK.)

Axl... is such an attentive lover. and holy shit the grocery store. 🤤
_______________
🔥 “Hands back on the headboard, baby. Since you didn’t come on my cock, you’re sure as fuck coming all over my face while I devour your pussy.”
_______________

All in all this was an adorable book, and I'd recommend if it if you're looking for a quick HEA read for the holidays. I loved the characters, the spice was perfect.
_______________
❤️ “Fine, then will you fornever be mine?”
“Yeah, but only if you’ll fornever be mine,”
________________

[Erin Stapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio Review:
Want a super spicy pallet cleanser that will get you in the mood to have your own friend with benefits, then this audio is for you. It's not all spice it adds some comedy in the story having you enjoying the short novella by laughing and fanning the heat that you will feel when reading. Beth and Axl both may be friends, but both are looking at what a look like with a possibility of more. I absolutely devoured this story. Narrators Leanne Woodward and Bradley Ford did a perfect job giving us the heat and the laughs. Their voices are smooth and fantastic to listen to really making this an enjoyable audio.

Blurb:
If you’re drunk, typically enjoy dark romance, but need a good laugh, I have just the book for you...This year's hottest ErotiCom is ForNever Mine. It’s a short AF novella, that starts as an Erotica, but turns into a RomCom, then becomes an Erotica again. It will feel familiar, like your favorite sitcom, but with smut.

This story has everything: Friends with benefits, a love triangle, a woman super into butt stuff, a man into feet stuff, getting handsy at a wedding, a rogue vibrator, grocery store sexytime…Plus, you get to play the game, “Who is Beth going to hook up with next?”

[mama_reads24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧 - ALC
🧠 4
✨️ 4.5
🌶 2 - 2.5

" I’ll try anything once, but I should really reconsider my life choices that led me to this point; I’m about to dry hump a man’s shoe. "

Do you need a fun, but spicy read for Valentine's Day? You should definitely add this to your TBR if you want a little Friends With Benefits ErotiCom!

Irene may be a newer to me author but she is quickly moving up to be one of my favorites!

I absolutely LOVED this one so much! It was fun, it was HOT, it was awkward and it was hilarious!!

Dual Narration by Bradley Ford and Leanne Woodward! I loved them both and I felt like I was right there with them in the book!

• Or@l sexytime - it's an Irene Bahrd trademark, you knew it was coming
• Butt stuff for both the FMC and MMC
• Love triangle
• Boot fvcking
• Almost feet stuff
• Creepy neighbor (briefly mentioned)
• V0yeurism/exhibitionism
• Grocery store sexytime
• Twelve mentions of "devour"
• The word "moist" used once
• The term "snatch juice" used once

“ Hands back on the headboard, baby. Since you didn’t come on my c0ck, you’re sure as fvck coming all over my face while I devour your pvssy. ”

[Elisabeth Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another novella that is part of the Fourteen Shades of Red Valentine’s Day romance collection. This is the story of Beth and Axl who have a friends with benefits situation. Axl wants more and Beth does not want commitment. Axl is who she sees when she comes home and there is another she sees when she as at school. Beth soon realizes Axl is who she wants but is it too late? Axl is done being second choice.

There is a lot of smexy times between these two, but things do not really heat up until Beth decides he is who she wants. Once they commit to each other the heat turns up 100%.

This quick read is a twist on the friends with benefits trope as it is the FMC who wants to play the field and who is more adventurous. I enjoyed this so much more once she pulled her head out. This is an easy read and the author’s writing style keeps my interest and makes me want to read more of her work.

There are several kinks in this story so please read warnings before enjoying this book.

[Linda Dominick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axl and Beth were friends that hooked up whenever she came back to her hometown. She wasn’t interested in anything serious about him because she was also seeing Troy back in Calgary. Beth was most concerned with being accepted into a doctorate program.
After spending a lot of time with Axl through the holidays, she realized that she missed him once she returned to her home. She also didn’t care to be around Troy anymore because he was 1. Acting weird and 2. Wasn’t Axl.
This eroticom turned rom com is steamy and funny and short. I enjoyed everything about it and liked Axl more than Troy. Axl was funny and sweet and didn’t want to be just friends with benefits, he wanted more. Living a few hours away from him and having Troy in her life, how could she give Axl what he wanted? She wanted him, but thought her life was too messy for a serious relationship. Is there ever a perfect time for love?

[Tiffany Ewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fast-paced extra extra spicy holiday romcom. From friends to casual lovers to more you get it all here! Beth is an ambitious college girl with a very wild and kinky side. Her friend (with benefits) Axl is down to play, but needs to keep his heart at bay. Enter in Troy, he's also down to play casually with Beth, but how far is too far? Just so happens that Beth's brother is getting married and she needs a plus one. Who better to ask then Axl - someone she'll be comfortable in all the right ways with, but finding out he works that day puts a her in a tight spot so she asks Troy. Things get a little crazy though and she needs to figure stuff out quick and learn who's really there to save the day! Realistic situations that are relatable and wild with all the right on page extra spicy spicy scenes that will inspire you! You can't go wrong with this novella and I love the extra tie in with Emory, Ben, Quinn & Mark!! Would love to explore more from Irene Bahrd!

[Jordan Schutte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course Irene does it again, she never fails to deliver on anything especially the spice! I absolutely loved this quick spicy valentines read! We know a man that loves to each is an Irene staple and I am all here for it! Beth and Axl may have just started out as a friends with benefits situation but so glad it ended as something more. Beth was stuck in a love triangle she created for herself but she has no desire to experiment with Troy anymore and Axl is all she can think about. After a misunderstanding Beth decided to return home and fight for Axl cause she is the one she wants to be chaotic and unhinged with. Axl has wanted out of the friend zone since before Christmas and Beth has finally choose him and he would do anything for her! This books does have some dark themes in it so please read content warning before you start to devour this one! If you choose to read I promise you will not regret it!

[Sharey · Rating 5 out of 5]

ForNever Mine by Irene Bahrd is a delightful and heartwarming novella that will leave you laughing and swooning at the same time. The chemistry between Beth and Axl is undeniable and their interactions are equal parts funny and steamy. The friends-to-lovers trope is expertly woven into the storyline, keeping readers engaged and rooting for these two characters to find their happily ever after. Bahrd's writing style is engaging and her ability to create relatable and likable characters makes this novella a standout in the romance genre.

The novella is a quick read but packs a punch with its romantic elements and well-developed characters. The friends-with-benefits aspect adds an extra layer of tension and emotion to the story, making it an enjoyable and addictive read. Fans of romantic comedies and steamy romances will not be disappointed with ForNever Mine. Bahrd has crafted a wonderful and entertaining novella that is sure to leave readers wanting more from this talented author.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth and Axl are friends with benefits. Axl wants to be more, but he is afraid to push Beth in case she does not want the same and their friendship ends. After a disastrous encounter with another guy, Beth realizes what she wants and that is Axl.

I loved when Beth and Axl told each other that they loved each other "ForNever Mine". After what they went through and for them to express their true feelings for one another by saying "ForNever Mine", made the saying that much more special.

You have to experience this book via the audio version. Narrators, Leanne Woodward & Bradley Ford both did great jobs of providing the voices to Beth and Axl. Listening to all of the spicy moments between Axl and Beth are pure gold. You will want to play this audio book on high volume as to not miss anything. I had my husband even listening to some of the book and she was repeating some of the parts. He had a good laugh.

[Nicole Zarut · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re a damn tornado, but you’re mine.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Oh La la!!! This one was a HOT read, and I couldn’t get enough of it, like seriously. Everything from their friends with benefits to their hot as f… relationship! I couldn’t get enough of Axl & Beth! Their story was so steamy, hot and Irene threw a bit of funny comments in there. An amazing short novella just in time for valentine’s day - Beth realizing that Axl is all she wants and needs, and Axl been crazy about her from day 0 is just so beautiful and hot, his sexy mouth MY GOD will have you 💦 from the very beginning, and what I like the most is that he will try anything to make her happy 😜🥵 If you know what I mean.

PS: I love Beth’s craziness and her curiosity to try new things 😜! Irene please give me more on this 2 sexy a$$ characters.

[Dea Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth and Axl were friends who decided to take their relationship to friends with benefits when Beth was home from college over Christmas break. After going back to school, Beth started back to her fling with her normal guy, but realized she couldn't stop thinking about Axl. Beth realizes that she wants more than just friends with benefits with Axl, so she packs up and heads home to see where things lead.

ForNever Mine is a short, hot novella. Axl and Beth decided to make friends with benefits arrangement, but the last thing they expected was to catch feelings for each other. Beth has bedroom kinks, and she thought Axl wouldn't be able to understand or handle those needs, but it turns out that she was completely wrong about that. This is one of my favorite books from the six I have read from the Fourteen Shades of Red novella collection.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not sure what I just read exactly. It was like the author had bits and pieces of a story and threw it together and said good enough. But I want to throw it in a dumpster and set fire to it.

Not sure where all the glowing reviews are coming from for this novella, friends maybe? Cause this was trash. The flow was terrible. The fmc unlikeable. The “spice” was… something else.. as in mediocre at best and that’s being generous. If you don’t want to get on your knees and gr!nd on his boot, then don’t, saying no is not k!nk shaming!! It was awkward and had me saying wtf after every page.

I ended skimming most of this and not even sure why I made it as far as I did before saying I’m out!

Would not recommend this to anyone. Even if you are super into the k!nky stuff, this isn't for you either.