Forever We Fall

Pieces of Us #2

by Meg Everly

A love worth dying for.

Hotaru Kido

Leaving Japan was bad. Leaving sh*tty London is worse. Why? My destination. Willoughby Ridge Boarding School.

It smells as old as it is. No one can find the place on a map. And it’s boys only. Did you hear that last bit? No. F*cking. Girls.

Even the teachers. Male. The only pair of t*ts for kilometers belong to the headmaster’s hot little secretary. That’s why I got myself in trouble and am sitting in the office when he walks in.

This guy is new. He’s gaunt and terrified of the big man behind him. No one seems to notice the wince when he sits or the way he catalogs the guy’s every move. I do.

If I’d stayed in class that day, my life would have been a billion times easier. If given the chance, would I have chosen to keep it simple or put myself between him and his tormentor?

Arlo Judge

When your parents and brother die in a freak accident, you certainly think that’s the worst that could happen. It’s not. I’ve seen the depth of h*ll. Felt the burn. Lived the agony.

When I’m deposited in the middle of nowhere boarding school, I’m relieved for the first time in a long time. Only my suitemate sees too much. He gives me hope when I know there is none.

In him, I find comfort and friendship that can’t last. My tormentor won’t allow it.

With his care and kindness, I see a way out. I have to finish my journey through h*ll to get there. I don’t know what will be left of me, of us, when I get to the other side.

Willoughby Ridge is accepting new students now!

Forever We Fall is the second in the polyamorous Pieces of Us Trilogy. Book 2 is an MM, three jalapeño, HFN novel with graphic depictions of s*x and k*nk. Trigger warning for talks of ab*se, death by s*icide, self-harm, and m*rder.

Genres: Dark Romance, M M Romance, Friends To Lovers

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 26, 2024

Reviews

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 3 out of 5]

MM Coming of Age
Book 2 of a MMF trilogy
NOT a stand-alone
3 stars ⭐️


This book is NOT a stand-alone but part of a MMF trilogy that needs to be read in order. Book one is MF, takes place in present day and starts the romance between Hailey and Arlo. Book two is MM but it goes back to the past when Arlo and his best friend Hota are 15-18 years old. It’s a coming of age story and it DOES NOT have a happy ending. The happy ending will be in book three which is MMF with Hailey, Arlo and Hota.

All that said I’m super torn about this book. In book one we learn about Arlo’s traumatic past because Hailey is his therapist and in this book we experience all that trauma firsthand, watching it play out in real time. I liked how this was done and it explained why Hota and Arlo are such close friends in the present. This was pretty devastating to read at times and the ending made me super teary eyed seeing Arlo overcome his demons for just one touch. I also saw how it tied into book one and made some of the moments in that book feel even deeper.

However, I did struggle with the underage graphic sex scenes, some of them when Hota was 15-16. While I understand they are there to show us how their dynamic in the present could even happen, they made me uncomfortable to read. I also found this book kind of boring because I knew the majority of what was going to happen from reading book one and I questioned multiple times if this book was even necessary in the trilogy. I wondered if this could have been a short novella or if this trilogy could have been all one book with the relevant parts of this one included. I just cared about seeing how Hota & Arlo came to be so close but didn’t need all the high school drama that was happening around them.

My other problem now is Hailey. I loved Hailey in book one and thought she and Arlo were perfect for each other but I could also see that Hota was going to be a part of their relationship because from what Arlo said in therapy it was obvious that Hota was his guy. By the end of that book, I could see them as a throuple and I was excited to read about them together. However, after reading this one, I feel incredibly bad for Hota having to watch the love of his life be with Hailey and hear some of the things he told her. This book had sexual proxies in place of who Hota really wanted and I realize now that in book one, Hota and Arlo still had that same dynamic happening. There is sharing in book one between Hailey and Hota and now that scene takes on a whole different meaning. Arlo wasn’t only talking to Hailey but to Hota and Hota showed in this book that he’d put his life on the line for Arlo, do anything and everything even at his own detriment.

That makes it a bit devastating to me, but probably confusing to anyone else reading this. My problem now is that this MMF conclusion I couldn’t wait to read feels tainted. I hate that Hota couldn’t fix Arlo and it took Hailey to do it but I know that Arlo and Hota had no chance without Hailey. After reading this book I wish the conclusion was just going to be Hota and Arlo and I don’t know what to think about that. They’ve waited so long to be together, pining for one another, never thinking it would be an option and here it is but with another person. I knew that going in of course and loved Hailey and I really enjoy MMF sometimes but now I’m super torn but I have the arc so fingers crossed I don’t hate it!

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan ;༊ (slump) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:
Rating: ★★★★★
Spice: ♡♡♡

Finished it minutes ago 10 Oct '24
I can talk about this book forever. I can go on and on about every single detail for hours.
BUT right now? I am speechless.
I'll probably be adding my thoughts bit by bit. I've got a bunch of thoughts to sort out

12 Oct '24
I had high expectations for this book. Like, the bar was so high, I was afraid I would be disappointed.
Did it meet those expectations? hell yeah! This was so different from the first book but still had the same effect on me - I was hooked✋

24 Oct '24
Idk if I finished the book or the book finished me. I can't stop thinking about Arlo & Hota.
Whenever they called each other 'my guy', my heart fluttered, the butterflies in my stomach did a happy dance.
Their feelings for each other go beyond 'Love'; it's deeper, an obsession, something indescribable.
AAAHHSGFKDHFUDJKD I LOOOOVE THEM! I can't wait for the next book. I need it.

19 Nov '24

"I release the blade. It clinks onto the tile, making a sound disproportionate to its impact on my life. People should hear it for kilometers. Hell, countries away clutch their hearts and beg to know what that sound was.
It's the sound of me giving my heart and my life over to Arlo Judge."

27 Nov '24
Yesterday was pub day!!! If you enjoy dark romance and stories about overcoming trauma with love, give this book a try!

Thank you, BookSirens and Meg, for the e-ARC❤️

TROPES:
Dark Romance
MM Romance
Boarding School
Roommates
Trauma
K!nks
CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS TWICE!!

[Louise ❀ (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, a huge thank you to Meg Everly and Booksirens for providing an advance reader copy of Forever We Fall to read and give my thoughts. All opinions are entirely my own, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I got an ARC of the first book in this trilogy, Look, Don’t Touch: A Dark Billionaire Romance, which was Meg Everly’s debut novel and I LOVED IT. I couldn’t believe it was a debut, and I absolutely ate it up. When the opportunity to read the second book early arose, I was thrilled! Let me tell you, I was not disappointed - much like the first, this book sucked me in and didn’t let me go.

The Plot
This book focuses on Arlo and Hotaru (Hota), and how they met at boarding school when they were 15. Hota was the new kid at school, and wasn’t at all happy about it. He gets into a confrontation with his mathematics professor and is sent to the headteacher’s office. While waiting for the head, Arlo enters the office with his uncle and the headmaster. Hota immediately picks up on Arlo’s fearful, hyper vigilant behaviour around his uncle and is shocked that the staff at the school don’t seem to have noticed. Arlo’s uncle and the headmaster go into his office to talk, and Hota tries to check if Arlo is okay.

Hota is asked to show Arlo to his new room, which will be joined with his via their shared bathroom. When Arlo’s uncle attempts to follow them to “see Arlo’s new room”, Hota is quick to step in and get Arlo away. Hota initially tries to befriend Arlo, concerned by his appearance and behaviour, and Arlo initially seems receptive. On their way to the school seamstress for Arlo’s new uniform, Arlo’s uncle finds them on school grounds and approaches. Tensions run high and Arlo manages to push Hota away and get him to run. Hota realises Arlo isn’t following and quickly turns around and intervenes, much to his uncle’s anger. After threats are exchanged, Arlo’s uncle leaves and Arlo turns on Hota, upset that he put them both at risk. After that, the boys do what they can to avoid one another for a while, but inevitably become friends again, each confiding in the other about their heartbreaking pasts and how they wound up at the school.

Arlo and Hota are attracted to each other and tensions run high, with the two of them sleeping in the same bed at night and spending all of their time together. Hota returns to his room one evening to find the door to the bathroom locked, which is completely out of the ordinary. He knocks on the door and receives a concerning response, or lack thereof, from Arlo. Crouching down to peer under the door, Hota sees blood and forces his way inside. He finds Arlo sitting on the ground with a razor blade in his hand, and cuts on his thighs. This is the first time Hota touches Arlo, and is the start of their relationship shifting from friends to more.

Things are going reasonably well for the boys, until a school break comes around, and Arlo is forced to go back to his uncle’s home despite Hota trying to get him out of it. Hota spends this time worrying about Arlo and slips into depression. When Arlo returns, he puts distance between himself and Hota, and is even more touch-averse than he had been - essentially resetting their relationship to the very beginning. We follow their relationship throughout this time, throughout the series of events that shape the ups and downs of their relationship. We see them through a murder, an attempted murder, and the pair trying to navigate their relationship with each other, as well as with classmates, teachers, family and police.

My Thoughts
Overall, this book was an excellent insight into the relationship dynamic between Arlo and Hotaru, and gives us important insight into their shared history and their formative years. Their stories, both individually and together, are harrowing yet hopeful and this book provided lots of context for matters discussed in the first book. I was seriously rooting for these boys (I had been since the first book anyway) but Forever We Fall has truly cemented my love for them and their relationship. Hota is truly a ride or die and I’m excited to see them finally get their happily ever after (I hope) with Hailey in book 3!

This book managed to be both a prequel to Look, Don’t Touch, and a perfect setup for the next book. Serious props to Meg Everly for this truly masterful storytelling which, while heartbreaking, gives us the foundations of a truly beautiful relationship that I cannot wait to continue reading about. As in the first book, the way traumatic events and their consequences are handled is truly remarkable; written sensitively but by no means skirting around the topic, ensuring that the reader truly understands the serious nature of the subject matter without romanticising it. It’s gritty and raw and, most importantly, real.

I could honestly go on gushing about this book for hours, but I won’t put you through all of that, instead I urge you to read for yourself. You won’t be disappointed. In fact, I’d bet that your only regret after reading this book is devouring it so quickly you have to wait for the third book’s release. I know I’ll be keeping a close eye on this author’s work and will be first in line for the third ARC, as well as the physical copies of all three books so I can have them on both my digital and physical bookshelves.

Trigger and Content Warnings
Child abuse (off page, discussed)
Financial abuse (theft and misuse of inheritance, off page, discussed)
Rape of a minor (off page, discussed)
Murder
Bullying
Racism (mostly off page but mentioned, toward character of Japanese descent, one comment made on page about Japanese character’s eyes)
Self harm (act off page, aftermath on page with mild injury detail)
Physical assault
Attempted murder
Sexual encounter and flirting between 15 y/o student and a staff member in their 20s at school
Sexual content
Suicide (off page, historic, discussed)
Death of parents (off page, discussed)
Strained family relationships, disowning
Violence, injury detail (mild detail)

**Please check trigger warnings before reading. Look after yourself, your mental health is important. You are loved and you matter**

[Katerina Paus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the polyamorous trilogy and it tells Arlo&Hota’s story.
Even though I hate going back in the story here I welcomed it and asked for more. First two books are written in a way that you can read them in any order actually.

Their story is touching, heartbreaking but also sweet. I don’t think I ever saw a connection as strong as Arlo and Hota have. They both went through so much but still stayed truthful to their feelings.

I love Hota’s personality. He’s so chill and confident on the outside but has purest and kindest of hearts. If you ask me to show you unconditional love I’ll tell you to read this book.

’Love is not convenient. Love is not equitable. People say love is a choice, but with Arlo, loving him seems to be knitted into my genetic material. My hair is black. My eyes are so dark brown that they appear black too. I love Arlo Becker Judge.🖤

’Arlo’s fingertips touch the center of my chest over my heart and spread wide until his palm calls to my most protected organ. I’d cut it out and give it to him. He wouldn't even need to ask.’🖤

Arlo’s story is more focused on his black past and trauma. It was very hard to read through some scenes. Reading scenes like that always makes me think that there are real people who go through smth like that. I have no idea how they find strengh and will to cope with it…..💔

Arlo also has strong feelings but they are tainted by his guilt, trama, and fears. But he loves Hota and gives him everything he has.

’He feels like my guy. Whatever that means. My friend. My person. Integral to the beating of my heart.’🖤

I think MM romances have a different dynamic between main characters which I like. A lot. I think I gave a piece of my heart to them and I don't even mind it.

[Arleny · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: This book follows Arlo, who is a new student at an all boys’ boarding school, and he meets Hota, who was also recently enrolled in the boarding school, and they become suite mates.

As the second book in the Pieces of Us trilogy, this is the story of Arlo and Hota’s beginning, and it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. The intimacy between them went beyond physical, and that much was very clear. Reading their progression from strangers to best friends to basically soulmates felt completely intimate. Getting more perspective of Arlo’s trauma, and learning about Hota’s trauma, and the two finding comfort in each other also felt very intimate and healing.

This is not your typical romance, mostly because this book is not a standalone, and it should not be read as a standalone. These two are essentially pining and lusting after each other for the entirety of the book. And it’s understandable that for some people, that may be frustrating, but I think that was the point 😩 Though this book is Arlo and Hota’s beginning, it’s also setting us up for the third and final book in this trilogy. And after all the pining in this book, I am VERY ready for book 3 🫣

What to expect:
🤎MM Romance
🤎Forced Proximity
🤎Pining + Angst
🤎Boarding School Setting

***I received a digital ARC of this book and this review contains my honest thoughts/opinions***

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-5 ⭐️
Forever We Fall (FFW) is the second book in the Pieces of Us trilogy, and you must read book one Look, Don't Touch first. I came across the latter by accident last year, probably from some kind of new releases newsletter, and when reading the sample (I often read samples before purchasing books, especially when the author is new to me like this one was) I was so into it I bought it and kept reading despite the series being unfinished.

In the end, that book was one of my favorites of 2024, and though there were some things I personally wished had happened or been different in the story, that didn't impact my rating because I respected the author's choices. What maybe gave it a round down instead of a round up (I believe I rated it 4-4.5 maybe?) was that I didn't quite feel the immense love the two leads stated they felt, which helped them overcome (mostly) such monumental years-long issues (in a nutshell: touch aversion for MMC Arlo and not becoming emotionally connected to sex partners FMC Hailey), at least not to the degree they proclaimed and that would be needed. It was somewhat there, and I knew what the author was going for so it wasn't enough of a detriment to lower my rating much, but it was one of the only downfalls of that book.

Let me tell you: FFW pack's the emotional wallop I felt was missing in book one. It goes back in time, and takes place entirely in an all-boys boarding school, showing us how Arlo's issues started and how he and BFF Hota fell deeply, deeply in love. I cut my teeth on angsty soap storylines that taught a young girl it wasn't a true, real love if it wasn't painful and tortured so those kinds of dynamics consequently mean the most to me even decades later. I was already highly intrigued by Hota and Arlo with the little bits we got in the present time in book one but reading their origin story, with all of the fraught emotions and extreme hormones of that age, has me extra excited to see them again in the present timeline. I'm glad these have been rapid release and that there are only about 5 weeks before the last book comes.

[Leslie La Fuente · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros:

•The story introduces us to Arlo, a student who has just arrived at a new school and who keeps many secrets. He wants to go unnoticed, but he doesn't count on his "roommate" being able to see more than the rest of the people.

•I feel that the writer has an exquisite and light pen. You feel like continuing to read and identify with the feelings of the characters at every moment.

•The novel proposes a complex and explosive plot. Arlo and Hota come from different worlds, but with many things in common and traumas that unite them. Their personalities and emotions are very well developed.

•From Hota's point of view, I like how she comes to the conclusion that what she feels is not, perhaps, the most normal and healthy. However, she does not justify herself in the past of both to continue that relationship. On the contrary, although it is not healthy, it works for him and he falls in love with Arlo's strength.

•It has lines that go straight to the readers' hearts and, at least for me, made me shed a few tears.

Cons:

•Although the novel proposes a brutal plot, I feel that it was declining for the second half of the story. I feel that things are very scattered and that perhaps the same line could have been used more in another way. Although, I understand the point, I think it could have been handled in another way, since it largely breaks the union and protection that the protagonists have from the beginning of the plot (especially in the room). I really felt that the ending was very scattered. There are events that I think could have been better presented within the situation and the time frame. But aside from that, it is not a bad read.

I would have loved for them to look for ways to fix things between them.

[Helen Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an unforgettable blend of spice, emotion, and angst. Arlo and Hotaru’s love story is raw, intense, and beautifully complex. It offers readers a deeper understanding of how these two became inseparable. The emotional depth of their bond makes this book impossible to put down.

Fans of the series will also love the insight into the villain from book one, adding even more intrigue to the overarching storyline.

Don’t miss this chance to fall head over heels for Arlo and Hatoru!

[Good Booking Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will alter your brain chemistry! It is so tragically beautiful, and it's the second book in the Pieces of Us trilogy.
We are taken back to when Arlo and Hota first met while in boarding school in the UK. They met when they were 15 years old, and although their lives were so different from each other's, their trauma experiences bonded them. They are best friends who fell in love - a deep, profound love, that most people could only dream about. Their love is messy, raw, tragic, pure, unfettered, selfless yet selfish. They way they both understand what the other needs is incredibly poetic.
They are both made up of broken pieces that can only be put back together by each other.
The author does an amazing job of describing the evolution of their relationship over a period of three years. Connections are made to times that were discussed in book 1, really threading it all together nicely. We come to really appreciate the depth of Arlo's trauma and his pain, as well as Hota and his devotion, loyalty and love for Arlo. I can't wait for book 3.

**Please check trigger warnings before reading. Look after yourself, your mental health is important.

I received a free ARC of this book, and this review is my opinion

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your heart is not completely SHATTERED by the time you finish this book, you need to go back and read it again. I could not put this book down, apparantly I enjoy torturing my heart and feelings 🙃

I thought book one was good but this —- THIS story is so full of love and sadness and beautiful people. Grab your tissues and whatever else you need when your heart gets obliterated and settle in.

Hota has that carefree, ‘don’t give an eff’ attitude that makes him dangerous because underneath his flirty, comical exterior, that poor boy has so much trauma that hides. Trauma that is not his to bear and yet, he still has SO much love to give and is still such a caring soul.

Arlo — I cried for this man throughout book 1, I cried RIVERS for him throughout this book. Life had taken his heart and soul and shattered it repeatedly, and then shattered those pieces into tiny nothingness and yet, he STILL found a way to open up and learned to trust, learned to love (in his own way) and find ‘his guy’. What broke me in this story is how Arlo felt he was unworthy of Hota, because of horrid things beyond his control. Not to mention he had to become a survivor merely as a kid.

By the end of this book, I looked like a raccoon that had been run over with my snot and tears but the love and heartache that was written between these pages was so BEAUTIFUL, that I felt like the main MC was breaking my heart, and it was my pain to bear right along with him. I wanted to jump through the pages to help this beautifully broken man and heal together.

12/10, a perfect heartbreaking story🖤

[Vonn Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Pieces of Us trilogy.

It’s a prequel and explains Arlo’s and Hotaru’s story in England at a boarding school from age 15-18.

This story broke my heart for both Arlo and Hota. I’m still an emotional mess after reading this book and I really need book 3 to make me whole again! 🫠

I loved book one about Hailey and Arlo and we get glimpses of Hota and his relationship with Arlo. So reading the “how it all started” in this book between Arlo and Hota, made me understand why Arlo is the way he is.

Arlo. His life turned into a nightmare when his parents and older brother die in a car accident. His uncle takes him in. I won’t write in my review about the horrid abuse that went on. Going to a boarding school will take him away from his uncle, but the adults there can’t see he’s broken. Only Hotaru can.

Hotaru. Oh he is the hero that we all want in our lives and I’m so glad he’s in Arlo’s life. He’s the one good (forbidden) thing for Arlo. Hota puts his needs on the back burner, so that Arlo can come out of his shell and feel comfortable enough to talk. Love this character.

I can’t wait for book 3 and am hoping all three, Hailey, Arlo and Hota can find their happy endings. With each other. 🥰

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Meg Everly and Booksirens for providing me with an ARC for this book for an honest review!

I love this series and these characters. I have been on an MM kick for most of the fall and this just was a perfect read. I cannot wait for the last book for everyone one to get their happy ending that they all deserve SO badly!

My only, only complaint really was the pacing. It started well but it felt like the same pace throughout the book, with things happening that furthered the plot either in a good way or bad way, but the pace just never changed if that makes sense. There didn’t really feel like a climax simply bc the event that we are expecting based on stuff that happened in Look, Dont Touch (re: Arlo’s Uncle)and it happened earlier in the book than I was expecting. And then it just sort of ended. I assume more about the time Arlo and Hota are apart in college will be talked about in the final book, but it felt odd to just end there with them.

All that being said, I love them. So much. Everything about their relationship and their love for each other just made my heart melt and break. Hota was everything and i can really see his devotion to Arlo from the beginning. And poor Arlo :( there was a moment there where they really could have had it all. I am so so looking forward to Arlo and Hota having their moment together in the last book with Hailey’s help.

Thank you Meg! I love these characters so much!

[Emelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read of 2025.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had to pause for a few days while reading this book, it had some really heavy, emotional moments.

I really want to reread the first book now. So that will happen before the third book releases

[Megan LaMarche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so far. Meg Everly knows how to write an impactful, emotional story with strong character development and relationships while including spice that adds to the plot rather than overpowers.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy the story, but it was pretty heavy and not a easy read as it tackled hard subjects.

[Lyrical · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Look, Don't Touch (Book 1 in the series), I knew that I wanted to continue the series. I was lucky enough to read an ARC for Forever We Fall, and I took my time reading it. I wanted to spend as much time with Arlo and Haruto as I could. This book is painful and beautiful. I loved it.

[Lynn Mullan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the trio and my fave read of this series.
It's quite a harrowing, heart wrenching read at times and brought me to tears on several occasions.
The friendship/love in this book is completely overwhelming.
Warning: may be a trigger for those who have suffered abuse.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I don’t usually read MM romances. Not because there’s anything wrong with them, they’re just not my usual go-to. But skipping Arlo and Hotaru’s story? That would be like flipping to the last page of War and Peace just to see how it ends—an absolute crime against storytelling. From the very first page, this book plunges you into darkness. It doesn’t just flirt with heavy themes; it fully embraces them. The villain? Pure, undiluted evil. And the setting—oh, the setting! Willoughby Ridge exudes that deliciously gothic atmosphere, so vividly unsettling that it sent shivers down my spine. The cruelty of some of the boys only added to the suffocating sense of dread, making me grateful that we (supposedly) live in better times. Or do we? And then there’s Hotaru—Hota—who practically burns through the pages. A firecracker, a rebel, a young man/boy (this story spans three years, from the age of 15 onward) who charges headfirst into the abyss without a second thought for the consequences. From his very first encounter with Arlo, it’s clear that there’s more than meets the eye. He immediately recognizes the guarded wariness in Arlo, a sign of unspeakable trauma. While the first book in this trilogy hinted at Arlo’s past, nothing could have prepared me for the visceral, gut-wrenching experience of living it alongside him in this installment. Reading about Arlo and Hota, I couldn’t help but compare their bond to the unbreakable connection soldiers forge in the trenches of war. They find solace in one another, seeking comfort, understanding, and—most profoundly—love. As their friendship deepens into something far more intimate, it’s devastating to witness Arlo grapple with feelings of unworthiness. Hota, by contrast, is unapologetically himself, (seemingly) unbothered by societal norms, willing to give whatever he can to help Arlo heal. Some of the kinkier scenes, where Arlo simply watches, were scorching hot, but at the core of it all was something far deeper—an aching need for connection. And yet, no matter how much Hota gives, it’s ultimately not enough. Not yet. I was utterly captivated by the way this book weaves revelations that tie back to what we learned in the first installment, building toward what promises to be an explosive final book in the trilogy. Arlo, Hota, and Hailey deserve their happily ever after—and I can only hope they find it.
Beautiful. Haunting. Brutal. And absolutely worth every painful, breathtaking moment.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dawn 🫶 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Willoughby Ridge Boarding School: a bleak, testosterone-filled hellscape that smells like despair and bad decisions. If you thought your high school experience was rough, try being Hotaru Kido, a sarcastic rebel who manages to land himself in the middle of an all-boys boarding school and a moral crisis. Add Arlo Judge, the walking embodiment of “hurt/comfort,” and you’ve got yourself a broody, emotional rollercoaster that will leave your heart simultaneously broken and full.

Hotaru is everything you want in a protagonist: witty, bold, and just self-destructive enough to be interesting. When he notices that Arlo is clearly not okay—and that no one else seems to care—he does what any good morally gray hero would do: dives headfirst into the drama, consequences be damned. The dynamic between them is intense, raw, and painfully tender, making every interaction feel like a lifeline in the middle of chaos.

Arlo, meanwhile, has “tragic backstory” practically tattooed on his forehead, but it’s impossible not to root for him. His journey through trauma is gut-wrenching and all too real, and the moments where he dares to hope—thanks to Hotaru’s stubborn compassion—are like tiny, beautiful cracks in the darkness.

Let’s not forget the setting: Willoughby Ridge is a Gothic nightmare of a school where the vibes are 80% Dickensian misery and 20% “boys being terrible to each other.” The headmaster? Creepy. The teachers? Useless. The tormentor? An absolute monster you’ll want to personally yeet into oblivion.

Forever We Fall is not a light read. It’s heavy, it’s dark, and it doesn’t pull punches. But beneath the weight of its themes is a story about resilience, connection, and the quiet strength of finding someone who sees you when the rest of the world turns a blind eye.

Final verdict? 9/10 for raw emotion, gut-punching moments, and a hero who just can’t help saving the day—even if it costs him everything. It’s angsty, it’s beautiful, and it’ll stick with you long after the last page. Just bring tissues—and maybe a punching bag.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy. Freaking. Hot.

I read this is one sitting, and I need book 3… like yesterday….

This story did not go the way I thought book 2 would go at all - I thought we would get a continuation of Arlo, Hailey, and Hota's story, but instead we got Arlo and Hota's beginning in boarding school and it was freaking fantastic.

Just a heads up too, check your trigger warnings as this does have very dark tones, and it absolutely advises you of these things before you begin, so take them seriously ❤️

I really enjoyed getting that depth that I think I definitely personally needed to connect to Hota, because I was a bit confused I think by the sudden direction change in book 1 with the ending going from FM to FMM. This absolutely bridged that gap that I had toward Hota and good lord. I freaking adore him and Arlo… to the point I forgot Hailey even existed tbh (whoops!)

The only thing I struggled with in this book was their ages. These boys (and yes the word BOYS is used intentionally here) are only 15/16 when they first start having sexual interactions together and that is just personally off-putting to me so in my mind they were in college and that 100% made me enjoy it more just because I didn't feel uncomfortable or uneasy about young they were doing what they were. And on that topic, this was easily a 🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 - just with the exception that these were again fully fledged adults in my mind, contrary to their actual ages in the book.

I am so ready for book 3 already and the reintroduction to Hailey and how these 3 all work together as a unit! 😍

Thank you so much to BookSirens and Meg Everly, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stacey T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book (3.5*) of a trilogy that reveals how two individuals meet and soon become everything to each other. Arlo is finally free from his abuser, even if only for a little while, as he is enrolled in boarding school. Here, he sets about becoming physically stronger and healthier, but his suitemate is getting under his skin and soon becomes his lifeline. Hotaru is stuck in a boarding school after losing his mother and hates that this is an all-boys school. His suitemate is confusing to him but beautiful, and he senses his trauma. As the two reveal their pasts, feelings develop, but the past is waiting to tear them apart. As they take steps to move beyond painful memories, new temptations and an unknown future threaten to rip them from each other’s lives.
This was another well-written book in this trilogy. How these two characters met, and their struggles were revealed in detail, as-well-as, the bonding and love that developed between them. Although it was great to get their backstory, I don’t feel like it warranted a whole book. The most important moments could have been revealed through memories or flashbacks woven throughout the story, leaving out the minutiae of their day-to-day school years. Especially since the book only covered 3 years and without knowing what’s yet to come, it still leaves questions unanswered. Overall, a good read and a deeper look at 2 of the 3 MCs, but I’m not sure it’s critical to the present-day story. Guess we will see in the final installment. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[TrishSparklerReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advance Copy Review - Book Releases November 26, 2024.

“Forever We Fall” by Meg Everly
Series: Pieces of Us Trilogy Book 2 (ends in a TBC)
Genre: Dark MM Romance

Rating:5⭐️
Spice: 2🌶️
Darkness:4🩶
POV: Dual

Highlights:
🖤Traumatized American MC
🖤Spunky Japanese MC
🖤Hurt/Comfort
🖤MM Academia
🖤Coming of Age
🖤K!nk
🖤Doms/sub

Thoughts:
The setting is at an all boys boarding school where both boys start their 11th year (15yrs old) and ends when the go to college.The development of their relationship is a slow burn, with a setback midway through the first year. This book got really dark with the trauma that Arlo goes through and his inability to touch or be touched. Expect a slow burn love story and some spicy times as Hotaru shares others while Arlo watches. I was so invested in these characters, especially as it was backstory to the characters we met in book 1. Hotaru was my favourite as he was bold, brash, built and k!nky as f*ck. I really liked that there was no bi or gay stigma/phobia/ predjudice in the story- it’s kind of a love is love perspective.

🛑Please read all the author warnings as there are themes and events that could be triggering, including: Ongoing child abuse and SA (not on page) and murder. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amelia Blackmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever We Fall is the second book in the Pieces of Us series written by Meg Everly.

Expected publication date is November 26, 2024.

*Extreme child abuse
*Boarding school
*Coming of Age

While this is the second book in the series, this book takes the readers back to when the two main characters first met at school.

This book is so heartbreaking and difficult to read. Arlo did not deserve to suffer through the torture that was administered to him by his uncle. My heart hurt so much for him throughout this book.

Hota tried his best to be there for Arlo, he did everything that a young man could do to help heal Arlo. It just wasn’t enough. I truly hope in the next book they can find their happily ever after with each other.

This book does end on a cliffhanger. Hopefully in the final book of the series we will get to see some happiness between the throuple! I was hoping for just a little bit more of a physical connection between Arlo and Hota but I understand why it never transpired due to the traumatic experiences that Arlo suffered through.

Even though this series is heartbreaking, it is extremely well written and definitely spicy!

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: Arlo (MMC) & Hota (MMC)

[The Dragon Den Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of Forever We Fall by Meg Everly
* * * * *
I am so happy I dove into this series. Book One had me hooked, but with this second edition to the trilogy, I am now craving for the third installement. We reach further back into Arlo's history with Hotaru, and how Arlo dealt with one of is demon that still haunt him years later.

Hotaru was shunned by his family, and troubled by one mistake that had him lose his mother forever. It was a twist of fate and ticking off his teacher that had him meeting Arlo, his new roomie, a supposed mute.
Hotaru saw past the silence.
He saw the pain Arlo was in and the monster that hurt him.
A bond is formed between them. Nothing of just physical craving but sealed by a secret both would carry with them.

Loved it! It was dark and dirty and erotic.
Hotaru is snarky and charming loves to sexually explore. Before boy's school it was strictly girls, now with his new experience he's opening up himself to more and getting into some kinky stuff. Arlo as introduced in the first book, is not comfortable with touching. However, thanks to Hotaru, he's not shutting down and still letting him in.
How much I wish to explain but cannot because it would spoil! I only seriously recommend you start with the first book, then go with this one. Very eager for the third book to come out and see what happens next.

[Shelby Seal(Allen) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever We Fall is absolutely a stunning and insightful look at Hota and Arlo's relationship. After reading Look, Don't Touch: A Dark Billionaire Romance through BookSirens, I knew I needed to get my hands on book 2 in the Pieces of Us Trilogy.

I was absolutely right in my assumption that Hota was going to become a new favorite character for me after getting his backstory.

Seeing both him and Arlo as 15 year old boys just trying to figure themselves out at boarding school was both sweet and tragic. The things Arlo had to deal with from his uncle were already talked about in book 1, but expanded upon in book 2. And that guy SUCKS. I'm glad Arlo got the vengeance he needed against him.

Hota truly loves Arlo deeply and it hurt to see how hard it was for Arlo to accept that love. And to see the family struggles Hota went through while trying to be there for Arlo. Neither of them came from easy backgrounds and I feel for my boys.

I cannot WAIT to dive into book 3, and to see Hailey and these two come together to heal their pasts and move forward together. Thank you Meg Everly and BookSirens for the opportunity to continue reading this wonderful series. 💛

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off all I read this book before reading the first book. But I think that doesn't matter too much. This story just broke my heart. What Arlo went through was horrible and I cried so much during my read. Seeing the aftermath and how it affected the relationship he and Hota had was so sad. I think it was written well.

But for me it lacked a bit of plot sometimes I had the feeling we are reading things over snd over without getting further. But it was still a solid book. I'm not sure if I'm continuing this series when I'm honest even though I love poly stories. But am not sure if I could get into the story of the first book after this.

Especially the ending completely shattered me. We had so much hope and then everything turned bad again. These boys never had a time to catch their breath and that makes me feel so terribly sorry for them. I think that's also something I didn't like in this book. I love emotional reads but I wished there were a few more happy moments.

The writing style and the chapter length and everything around the storyline was good though.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Celine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Meg for the ARC of this book! I can't wait to purchase my physical copy because I loved this book so much!

This book was fantastic and I just wanted to dive in and stay in the pages.

The book hurt, but I found myself wanting so badly for it to not end. I wanted to stay.

These two are electric and toxic, but it's so beautiful. And sometimes you love someone so much that you do become toxic to each other. Where it feels like you're doing more harm than good, but you can't bring yourself to stop either.

This book hits me in my heart. And it broke my heart.

Arlo and Hotaru were so beautiful together. They were there when they needed each other. It was sad and beautiful and it makes me long for their happily ever after because they fuckin deserve it.

These are two of my favourite characters ever and this and the first book will go down in my reading history as one of my favourites and I will never stop recommending it.

I feel for these two. It's so hard to love someone that doesn't believe they deserve love. And it's much harder to convince them they are worthy of it and of you.

[Bria 🌼 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

ARC Review! Thank you so much to Meg Everly and BookSirens!!

Synopsis

Arlo Judge and Hotaru Kido are both attending Willoughby Ridge Boarding School. It’s boys only. Arlo has come to the school after his parents and brother died in a car accident and his uncle has gained custody of him. Hota is his suitemate and only true friend.

My thoughts

After having read Look Don’t Touch, I needed this backstory of Arlo soooooooo badly! Reading about his trauma as it was happening and how Hota helped him through it really made me feel for him.
I loved seeing the relationship development between Hota and Arlo throughout the book as they went through different things.
I think since reading this book, Hota might be my favorite character in the series! He would do anything for Arlo to make sure that he is okay because of his love for him, and it just makes him into such an amazing character!

Trigger warnings
-child abuse mentioned
-murder
-self harm
-rape off page
-assault

[Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed getting to explore Hota and Arlo in more depth, you could already tell that they had so much rich history in the first book and through their interactions, but getting to really explore it and to dive so deep into their past and what makes their relationship was so interesting. They have a bond like no other and it is strengthened by such triggering events, but the love they have through it all, really shines through even in the smallest of acts. The writing again was so smooth and I flew through this book and was at the end before I knew it. Please check your trigger warnings before picking this book up, as there are some tough topics discussed. I’m so eager to see what happens in the last book and how the author brings the first two together to give us our big conclusion to this story.

[Precociousp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg Everly’s Forever We Fall, the second book in the polyamorous Pieces of Us Trilogy, is a gripping entry that deepens the story of Arlo and Hotaru. Their emotional journey, both as individuals and as a couple, is explored with nuance and depth, revealing motivations and philosophies that enrich the series. Everly’s skillful storytelling balances heartbreak with hope, crafting a love story that is as raw as it is beautiful.
This installment sets a strong foundation for the trilogy’s conclusion, leaving me eager to see how their relationship evolves in the final book.
Note to readers: As an ARC reader, I’m writing brief reviews for each entry in the series, reserving a more comprehensive analysis for the final installment.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.