Forever Red

by Harvey Oliver Baxter

In the beginning, there was a band. A band of kids who had the world at their fingertips.

Follow Ben and Casper throughout their lives as they rise to fame as the goth icons of the band Forever Red, and watch through interviews and their own narration as they navigate their passions, relationships, and eventually, their undead lives.

The rockstar life is not always as it seems, but some bonds were never meant to be broken.

{Forever Red is a prequel companion novel to Fallen Thorns and can be read as a standalone or as a prequel, however it will spoil the ending of Fallen Thorns.}

Genres: Fantasy, Queer, LGBT, Adult

288 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2024

About the author

Harvey Oliver Baxter is the author of dark queer fiction, their debut series Fallen Thorns out now.

Reviews

[hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to harvey for sending me an e-arc in exchange of an honest review!

this is a story about ben and casper who are characters from “fallen thorns.” even though this is technically a prequel, i would definitely recommend reading it after fallen thorns! as part 5 & 6 spoils the ending of fallen thorns!

the story is divided into 6 parts that set out between dual pov and with interview snippets telling us the origin of the band and the story of ben and casper. forever red explores the struggles that come with fame, the fear that comes with being queer, questions surrounding your gender identity and what it means to be you, and how to be yourself/ love yourself without hurting others in the process, friendships and queer happiness. harvey explored anxiety and depression through ben quite authentically! they also perfectly captured an eery atmosphere of something bad going to happen.

i loved getting to know ben and casper’s story and i knew i would love this since they are literally perfect. i love seeing how their relationship developed and how they came above their ups and downs while loving and supporting each other so purely. i also think all the side characters were vital and added to the story in some way. i feel like their wasn't anything wasted narratively and all parts of this story had a purpose. it’s a perfectly packed novella.

almost everyone is queer, there are vampires, so much love for music, goths running the world, what are you waiting for?

[Syd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved Fallen Thorns when I read it early this year, so when I got the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book I was overjoyed! Ben and Casper’s story, both with their individual arcs as well as their arc as partners, was beautiful and heartbreaking to read all at the same time. The flow of this story was I think very well done, covering a very large amount of time and such a vast array of events (forming a band? falling in love?? vampires??? so much!!!) without it ever feeling jarring or not tackling things with the depth they needed. I felt so many feelings during this, an entire full range of emotions all within a pretty short page count!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book a lot and I was very happy to see this background of two characters who I loved very dearly in Fallen Thorns. I think especially if you’re already a fan of this world, this will be a real treat!

(My review comes with the caveat that I have read Fallen Thorns prior to this, and know all of the events which happen in that book which are shown here but definitely not with the same amount of detail found in Fallen Thorns. I think that this book works as a standalone, however the last two chapters will definitely not hit the same without the added background. You won’t get anywhere near as much emotion out of it in my opinion, because of how quickly an entire book of time is covered in just 1.5 chapters. Definitely not to knock on this book, I just think you’re better off reading this whole series in publication order to get the best experience!)

[Lozzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way.

Forever Red is extremely tender in such a heartbreakingly emotional way. Harvey has the ability to take on very difficult, complex and heavy feelings and make them sing on a page in a way that we can all relate to them. In addition to this, Harvey brings to life characters in a way that is so reflective, we get to experience their struggles with them but we also get to witness them grow as they go through the motions as people. I personally thing that's quite a wonderful thing to witness in character development.

Forever Red explores questions around identity and queerness, and what it really means to 'become' yourself and truly be who you want to be and accept the person you are. It's about giving the love to yourself that others give to you. It's much more than just the backstory of Casper, Ben and how Forever Red the band came to be. We learn all about the other people that played impactful roles in their life, their family relationships, and friendship dynamics. I'm not going to say to0 much on the basis that I do feel this will be a treat for people to read when it's finally released.

The story is set out between POV's of Ben and Casper, Interview snippets of stages and experiences that Forever Red have together as a band, and some personal home recorded video diaries. I really enjoyed all of these points, and I liked the way they sandwiched between each other. I also felt that this could be read as a standalone, however one thing I WILL say is that it may spoil some elements of Fallen thorns if you haven't read it yet. I'd personally recommend to read Fallen Thorns first, as I did think it was more cohesive if you read it that way.

Thank you for the opportunity to be a Beta reader, Harvey!

**please note there are some trigger warnings in this for blood play, slight gore, intimate relationships etc. It's important as always to check the trigger warnings before you go ahead and read. Your mental health is always important.

[Maddy McD. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this novella in a day because I couldn’t seem to put it down. Though you can read it before or after Fallen Thorns, I am definitely going to recommend reading it after. I think it packs a much more emotional punch and helps you be engaged in the story right from the beginning.

I love the style of the story and am a big sucker for audio/video transcripts as part of the narrative. I think including interview and video excerpts throughout the story really added to it. It certainly helped with the flow and I think picked up the pace so there weren’t any slow or boring points in the book.

I liked the ups and downs. How things got better and things got worse. Casper and Ben both had character growth individually and as a couple, and I think their characterization ultimately made the book. We get to see them explore their identity and the impacts of fame. And all the side characters added to the story and were vital in some way. I feel like their wasn’t anything wasted narratively and all parts of this story had it’s purpose.

The ending was fast-paced but it overlaps with Fallen Thorns, so it makes sense. And I liked it that way, no need to tell the same story twice - just take the time to add more layers to it. But yes, I will reiterate that I personally would recommend reading this after Fallen Thorns. And be prepared for some emotions.

[I was blessed to review this book as an eARC, but know my opinions in this review are my true thoughts.]

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was such an enjoyable read. I haven't read Fallen Thorns yet (I'm in the UK and my Fox & Wit copy is still in the US), so I thought I'd give this a go and read it as a standalone, not really knowing too much about the plot. And while I think it works just fine as a standalone, I think this is really going to be for fans of Fallen Thorns and will work really well for readers who already know Ben and Casper.

Despite not knowing much about them or having any initial investment, I could have easily read this in one sitting. The pacing is top tier, the story never lulls and the dual POV format is there to keep you engaged. The story is never a will they/won't they, it jumps in with Ben and Casper's devotion to each other (and that's the main theme of the story) and how that builds. The second half of the story is much darker in tone and I actually loved the shift.

Also: ouch???? I'm looking forward to the angst when I read Fallen Thorns. But ouch.

[J.M. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallen Thorns stole my mind.

This one stole my heart. Harvey Oliver Baxter has done it again with unforgettable characters, beautiful writing and incredible story-telling skills.

Knowing the ending made this no less exciting a read and I finished it in one sitting. Unputdownable is definitely an understatement.

Forever Red is a gift for Ben and Casper lovers. I could have read a book for every single year of their relationship and it would not have been enough. Incredible.

Can't wait to sink my teeth into Rising Ashes.

Forever Red is a MUST-READ for fans of Fallen Thorns.

[achilles]

beta read and oh god i am hurt (in a good way)

[everybookadoorway · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun fact: i actually want to die! harvey oliver baxter why would u do this to me xx

[Abigail Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by mentioning that I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, so here we go.

This book is a prequel to another one published by the author, called Fallen Thorns. I haven’t read that book yet, but I have to say that this prequel has it all. From how the main characters begin to form their own band to how they end up becoming vampires and developing their relationship. The story of Ben and Casper unfolds very naturally, and the best part is that we get to see it from both of their perspectives—a detail that I loved in the book.

I adored the romance between them; it’s very well-developed. Although the book includes time jumps between different years, something that usually confuses me, the author handled it so well that it was easy to follow the pace. Additionally, the inclusion of chapters in the form of interviews is a device that generally doesn’t appeal to me, but in this case, I was captivated. They grab your attention in a very effective way, and the truth is that the story flows very naturally.

I loved the characters and how each of them integrates into the plot in an organic way, without feeling forced. There is a significant representation of the LGBT community, with both homosexual and transgender characters. However, what I really liked is that this representation doesn’t become the focal point of the story. It’s there, part of the world the author creates, but the book doesn’t revolve around it exclusively. This felt refreshing to me because, in many other books, LGBT romances often feel very cliché. Here, the relationship between Ben and Casper goes much deeper; you can really feel the love between them. I was excited, laughed, and cried with them in a way I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Even though I haven’t read the first book, I came into this story with no prior knowledge and was completely fascinated. The author writes in a phenomenal way. There were moments when the phrases she used made me reflect deeply, like when she describes relationships, how the characters deal with traumas and emotions, and those moments when they just don’t know how to communicate. All of this kept me hooked and wanting to keep reading.

This book is exceptional. For a prequel, the story is very complete. I’m definitely going to read Fallen Thorns because I need to know more, and it really makes you want to explore more of the author’s work. I don’t think there’s a way I can recommend this book enough because I don’t even have the right words to describe how good it is.

Another aspect I really enjoyed is how vampirism is approached. Unlike other stories where it’s presented in a more fantastical way, here it’s given a more scientific explanation, as if it were a parasite in the blood. I don’t want to give too many details because I want to leave you curious to read the book, but I loved this perspective. Although it’s not entirely new, it’s something that’s rarely seen, and those little details are what make it special.

Moreover, the author describes the settings and environments so precisely that they really transport you. I usually have trouble visualizing scenes when reading in a second language, as is the case here with English (my native language is Spanish). However, with this author, I didn’t have that problem—not because she made things simpler, but because she did it in just the right way, which simply immersed you in the story. I felt like I was right there, watching everything unfold like a movie.

In summary, the story is wonderful. I recommend it 80000%. I’m definitely going to read the next book. I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to read this ARC. If there’s one thing I might have liked a little more, it’s that the last chapter felt a bit short, but this makes sense because it really ties in with the ending of the author’s first book. Let’s remember that this book is like a 0.5, so it makes sense not to extend that final chapter too much. However, as a standalone read, it works perfectly and achieves the goal of leaving you wanting more. Soon, you’ll see a review from me on Fallen Thorns, the author’s first book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"For Eternity"
"My Eternal"

I was not surprised that this Novella ended up being a 5-star read considering how much I enjoyed "Fallen Thorns". I loved Marianne, Mars and especially Ben and Casper, so it was an absolute delight digging deeper into their story and getting to know them better. That being said, this was an insane rollercoaster of emotions.

The story is split into 6 parts, the first 4 taking place before "Fallen Thorns", the 5th taking place during primarily the ending, therefore spoiling it, and the 6th taking place after the events of the ending. It's also filled with interviews with the band and occasionally individual members, as well as home videos and other 'vlogs', which I really enjoyed. The writing was easily digestible, and at times more so felt like a narration, a person speaking and telling the story, almost like in the previously mentioned interviews. It is also dual P.O.V, so we get to hear from both Casper and Ben.

Speaking of Casper and Ben, I love these two so much, and I loved seeing their relationship develop, starting from their first meeting until the end of the story. Baxter managed to write them in such a way that made it clear just how much they adore each other. Yes, they had their ups and downs throughout the story, but they came out stronger on the other side each time. I truly believe they're soulmates, simply meant for each other. Seeing them do band stuff with their bandmates, getting used to their new life as vampires, joining The Thorns, and just being domestic and cute made forget about the inevitable, therefore making it hit me harder. If you know, you know. Certain scenes during the story made me cry, simply because they show, again, just how much they love and adore each other. Gosh.

Now, the other characters. It was super nice getting to know them better, as previously mentioned. They were already great in "FT", but this just added another layer to them, and made them more 3-dimensional. Many of their backstories was just a slap in the face, but in an enjoyable way, if that makes sense. Because, as I've said so many times already, it made them more real.

I honestly don't know what else to say. I loved this story and the silly little vampire band. If you enjoyed "Fallen Thorns" I'm begging you to give Ben and Caspers story a chance, you won't regret it.

And to you, Harvey Oliver Baxter, that ending was cruel, and I can't wait for more content from this universe.

[Lex Carlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone is queer, (mostly) everyone is goth, and there are vampires—what’s not to love?

Forever Red is not a cozy novella in the least, yet somehow it still feels like such a safe space. It oozes queer joy, consistently roots for the underdog, and has so much to say about love, friendship, and family--found or otherwise. It is a billet-doux to alternative culture that was clearly born from a deep love for everything goth, and I gobbled it right up.

This novella is full of the same lovable and diverse characters as its predecessor, Fallen Thorns, focusing particularly on the Thorns’ star couple, Casper Murphey and Ben Audley. It follows their love story from their goth band’s inception to their rise to fame to the events of Fallen Thorns, which you may or may not already be aware of before picking this one up (personally, I'd recommend starting with Fallen Thorns--I think this novella packs a bigger punch that way. Nonetheless, Harvey did a great job rendering this as a standalone for anyone new to the world). Forever Red is everything you could want in a tragic love story: Casper and Ben are so authentic, their chemistry is palpable, and their devotion to one another was a marvel to behold. Their journey will give you aaaall the feels, so prepare the tissues.

I would be remiss not to shout out my new favourite character in this world: Lawrence Marigold. I liked him in Fallen Thorns, but he really shone in this, probably because I’m a sucker for unserious loners who use dry humour as a defence mechanism. I loved getting to know him better, and I will forever be trying to be as cool as him. 😔

Thank you to the author for the chance to read this tender, bloody, beautiful little story in advance. I’m so excited to dive further into this world with the upcoming Fallen Thorns sequel, and you can bet I'll be picking up anything else Harvey Oliver Baxter writes beyond it!

TO THE UNDEAD RED!!!!!

[TaylorWay · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I was chosen to walk to earth again, forever, if I so choose. It hit me like a gut punch how much I wanted to live.”

Firstly thank you so much Harvey for letting me read this early! I was so excited when I heard about this book. I adored Fallen Thorns so much it really resonated with me and of course, like many, I was curious to know more about Casper and Ben.

This is a prequel to Fallen Thorns, telling us the origin of the band Forever Red and how Ben and Casper met, became famous… oh and became vampires!
Told partly through interview and through dual pov, I loved the various ways we got to see each character and the different mediums used in telling the story made it such a unique experience.

Ben is my favourite character he has such real issues with anxiety and depression and his personality is perfectly balanced out with Caspers *soulmates!*. This is something this author does very well, exploring dark emotions in a raw and relatable way. That’s something I really respect and relate to in books and a big reason why I love these books so much.

Ben and Casper were meant to be together and seeing how their relationship developed from the very beginning was my favourite part. I love backstories on side characters especially when they were so enigmatic in another book that their presence demanded their story be told, which is exactly what happens here.

I did find this fast paced at times due to time jumps in places and going back and forth with the interviews. I understand that this is necessary as we’re covering such a big span of time. I just love to know all the details I’m greedy like that! But we still get all the important parts and character backstories so I’m happy.

I felt as though there was less horror vibes than in the sequel book, although there are some scenes (no spoilers) this was more of a music bio with beautiful romance and more subtle horror.

I’m my humble opinion I would recommend you read Fallen thorns first or the impact of deaths and relationships just don’t feel the same but it’s still a fantastic story either way. It’s hard to say as i am not reading this as a standalone.

Overall this is a beautifully told story that interweaves and adds depth to the characters we loved from Fallen Thorns but introducing them in a new way to readers who are discovering them for the first time. A gorgeously gothic musical biography with queer vampires, unpredictable twists and told in a unique and fresh way. Please pick this up! I highly recommend this book!

Now Harvey…. Where’s my Mars book?! Please and thank you!

[Jake Vanguard · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does it feel to have your heart ripped apart? Read Forever Red if you want to find out.

Forever Red follows the journey of Ben and Casper as they get to know each other and form the band later known as Forever Red. The dual POV, interviews and small home video snippets are a great mix to get an insight into their life. Loved that it sheds a light on the rockstar life - both the good sides, and the bad ones.
Meeting the characters, from Ben and Casper themselves, to eventually Lawrence, Mars and The Thorns, is such a bittersweet journey. I couldn't put the book down, despite knowing what end will await us.

That being said, I think it's better to read Fallen Thorns first, as the last 2 chapters of Forever Red cover the entire span of Fallen Thorns, and the emotional impact will be bigger if reading Fallen Thorns first.

I'm very excited to read more of the Fallen Thorns series - especially after the afterword.


Big thanks to the author for the eARC!

[nora 📖🩷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘i will always love you, ben. i will always love you. you just can’t hear me anymore.’

i was so excited to read this book as i really loved ben’s and casper’s characters in fallen thorns and this book just made my love stronger.

i really loved the way this book was laid out with the change of povs between casper and ben and with the interviews and home videos, it was so interesting! i just wish we could have gotten more of their domestic life, but that’s just me.

rereading what happened to ben was heartbreaking, and seeing how casper reacted hurt so very much, but it was so very beautiful. i love this book so much!

[Skylar C. R. Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

The way we get interview and dive into memories? It is chef’s kiss! How - if you have read previously Fallen Thorns - get to meet beloved characters again? Incredible!

But in serious tone, I think Harvey puts so much of their soul into their stories and I love it. I loved seeing Casper and Ben again and I just enjoyed it in total.

[Belle]

Where do I start? Harvey Oliver Baxter captured my heart. I was obsessed, clinging to my kindle as I turned from page to page to page. Forever Red was a heartbreakingly beautiful story with a notable message and meaning.

Final Rating: Starred

Full review to come

[shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll never recover from this thank you Harvey ❤️

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg???