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Even After Always

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Can we ever rediscover the lost pieces of ourselves that time and tragedy have stolen?

Midcoast Maine, 1992. A fragile veil separates a seemingly idyllic small town from dark secrets lying just beneath. After his sister’s untimely death, life holds little meaning for teenaged CJ Slater. Numb, withdrawn, and plagued with self-doubt, CJ finds himself drawn into a dangerous mystery when he meets the enigmatic Izzy.

Izzy believes the birthmark over her heart is a scar from when she was killed in a previous life. After a cataclysmically traumatic childhood, she ran away from home and dedicated herself to finding the person she believes to have brutally murdered her previous incarnation. While CJ does not believe in reincarnation, he believes in Izzy. Convinced she has tracked the killer to CJ’s town, the two slowly start to unravel the mystery and unwittingly unearth insidious and perilous secrets.

At once a gripping mystery, a moving coming-of-age tale, and a philosophical examination of the human condition, Even After Always explores how we can recover what time takes away. It is an affirmation of the redemptive power of love and the belief in ourselves and each other.

Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

17 people are currently reading
4059 people want to read

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Steven Ives

2 books20 followers

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5 stars
56 (53%)
4 stars
34 (32%)
3 stars
10 (9%)
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3 (2%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Jk.
369 reviews6 followers
January 1, 2025
I received a free kindle copy of this book via a Goodreads Giveaways win and am grateful to anyone who had a hand in making that happen!

This is such a fun, heartfelt, exciting and beautifully written coming of age story! This turned out to be a much deeper and more engaging read than I was expecting and I enjoyed every second I spent with it. I really cared about all the characters and loved how everything turned out in the end. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to read this!
1 review1 follower
September 26, 2024
Reading has been a challenge for me now for years. I was once a voracious reader - devouring worlds and characters with the appetite of a spiritually derived, but deeply Romantic soul. My job requires that I read a lot of things, in great detail, and oftentimes the last thing I want to do when I have moments to myself is read more things.

Steven Ives’ “Even After Always” has reignited a love of reading in me that I thought was lost. The novel is simultaneously a mysterious adventure that turns the next page, and a reflecting mirror that reminds you to look at yourself and think about the years when you were a teenager interacting with what it means to be a real person and associate with others for the first time.

It is rare for a book to strike you in such a way - to make you want to consume the next chapter as quickly as you can, but at the same time, set it aside for a day and mull it over. In that sense, it is challenging. But it’s challenging in the way that a good novel should be, and it never insists upon itself - the author’s organic voice shines through at every page turn.
Profile Image for Trey Godley.
31 reviews14 followers
January 8, 2025
4.5. Wasn’t expecting much from a Goodreads giveaway I’d never heard of, but like most of the other reviews, I really enjoyed it. Well written and a good story.
Profile Image for Kyle Dubiel.
159 reviews
November 7, 2024
I have known my cousin Steven my entire life. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a filmmaker. From that same young age, Steven devoted countless hours to reading, critiquing, and developing my writing, my art, my filmmaking, myself. Along the way, I had the privilege to be able to read what I have long considered a genius's writing. Every time I shot a film using Steven's apartment, whether it's filming not one but two separate sex scenes in his bed or having a couple scream at each other in his kitchen, I always bragged to everyone involved that my cousin is a writer and he's a genius and I can't wait for the world to finally know just how great of a writer he is.

Well now, the world will know.

Even After Always is delightfully quirky, funny, and thrilling all at the same time. Quintessentially Steven, it is a powerhouse of a YA novel that not only leans into its genre but subverts it as well. Masterfully written with heart all over it (perhaps even ripped out of a chest or two), the characters of CJ and Izzy are a joy to follow and discover.

I can't wait for the world to see what Steven's got baking next.

(I also can't wait to see the EAA movie adaptation.)
Profile Image for Susan.
427 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2025
Great story!

This is a unique story about two teens who have dealt with a lot in their lives. CJ is trying to cope with his sister dying, his mother leaving shortly afterward, and writing a science paper about time travel for Physics. When he cuts school on the anniversary of his sister’s death, he meets Izzy, a mysterious girl who appears out of no where. Together, they try to track down a serial killer all while slowly learning about each other and forming a friendship. This is a very simplified synopsis and the story is much more interesting than I just made it sound.

This is a story about finding your way back to yourself, enduring friendships, and belief in someone else even if you aren’t sure you believe what they say.

“Time doesn’t define us. Instead, time gives us a window in which we can define ourselves.”
7 reviews
January 21, 2025
Such a good story. I wish we got to hear of their meeting at the left eye but maybe that is book 2???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Aidan McDonnell.
16 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2025
Great thriller/mystery that kept me engaged and enthralled throughout! Loved the local references, being from Boston myself. Great teen growing up story mixed with a season one of true detective style mystery!

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
Profile Image for Scott Kier.
5 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2025
An effervescent and heartfelt read

If you're looking for a beach/vacation read that grips you while not making you work too hard, you've found it. Imagine putting True Detective, a Judy Blume novel, and Don DeLillo's "White Noise" into the machine from "The Fly". That's "Even After Always".

Ives balances spelunking in people's turbulent psyches and an increasingly sinister story with some characters that, through all the static, are indefatigable and pure of heart, and brings them to life with prose that is rich, vibrant and at times uproariously funny. And it’s all paced for a refreshing summer read that you'll tear through in a few days.
4 reviews
March 17, 2025
great book

Easy read with lots of twists and turns! I highly recommend reading this one. A good mystery and good writing.
27 reviews7 followers
July 7, 2025
Great read!

Great book! Always something new happening. CJ and Izzy are great characters always looking for their next adventure! I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Katelyn.
325 reviews2 followers
August 12, 2025
I couldn’t put this down! Loved the way it was written - I was drawn in immediately. Ending was kind of crazy … maybe would have ended it differently.
44 reviews
April 13, 2025
wonderfully written

From the first page to the last this was a great well written story.

My only complaint is I didn’t want to stop reading which had me staying up late! Great characters and a story which made you think about life, death and relationships. A wonderful book!
Profile Image for Andrea Picard.
4 reviews
January 13, 2025
Phenomenal!

I was so excited to win a copy of this book when I saw it takes place in Midcoast Maine, which holds a special place in my heart, and can be categorized as thrilling; currebtly my favorite genre to read.

Even After Always has you feeling all the feelings. A wonderful coming of age book with expeceptionally beautiful writing. This will be one of the books you never forget.
355 reviews42 followers
January 4, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway!

So, I'd probably put this at 3.5 stars, but rounded up because....well, it deserved the higher mark. Admittedly, I felt this was a bit slow at times, felt it dragged a little. But man could it pick up! It wasn't really a love story, wasn't horror or thriller or anything I tend to lean towards. Mostly, it was a kid trying to survive his life after tragedy. It seemed to me CJ was just so lost, so empty and he wanted to feel again. Also, he wanted to help, wanted to stop feeling helpless due to what happened to his sister and later his mother. Everything kind of crashed around him and he was just kind of floating through life and along comes Izzy. Izzy with her wild story and crazy mission. I think, more than anything, CJ just did not want someone else leaving him.

It was sad, it was funny, it was entertaining. Like I said, it could be slow at parts, but it could also capture your attention. I'd recommend this to someone looking for a coming of age story, looking for something that can get the emotions flowing.
Profile Image for Emma.
28 reviews
January 13, 2025
Looking for Alaska vibes<3 couldn’t put it down
112 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2025
This was a book I won from goodreads. It was an excellent read. Beautifully written, full of adventure between two teenagers. There was mystery and suspense. I couldn't put it down. The ending had me on the edge of my seat.
Profile Image for Joanne Bandfield-Freeman.
420 reviews7 followers
November 6, 2024
Amazing

I absolutely loved this book. Such an amazing story and very interesting characters. I loved getting to know them all. This is one of the best books I've read this year.
Profile Image for Purple Reads.
18 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2024
My unrestrained thoughts: I picked this book primarily because of the cover – and loved it. So, the moral of the story is, always judge a book by its cover because it might end up becoming your favorite read. xD

Now, onto a little sophisticated review – it may contain tiny spoilers!


Steven Ives’ Even After Always is a mix of many things. You might say it’s a mystery, but I will counter you by saying it’s more about dealing with grief. There’s a little bit of everything… and I love it!

The novel is set in the early 90s, where we meet CJ, a smart, self-critical, and withdrawn teenager. He has recently lost his sister… ., so you can imagine his state of mind. In simple words, he wants to be as invisible as possible. In his school, in his house… in life too.

But his world soon topples over when he meets Izzy, a beautiful, brave, and carefree enigma. She believes she is a reincarnation of a girl whose heart was ripped out by a serial killer. There is somewhat of a proof to her theory, in the shape of a birthmark, the same as the scar the killer had made. While CJ doesn’t necessarily believe this theory, he believes her Izzy, even though they first met not more than 48 hours earlier. What follows is a chain of shocking events that only make sense once you shut the book and sit with the story.

For me, the best part of this book was CJ. I identified with him, not just for his grief but also for the way he approached everything. . CJ echoed my own thoughts on multiple instances, which I was absolutely thrilled about.

Even with all the mystery and drama, there was a realistic quality to the story that stayed even during the climax. Because, under it all, the book was about how people process grief, the dynamics between bullies and the bullied, self-hatred, and the importance of (silent) support. It is a delicately crafted bildungsroman that’ll leave you wanting more!


What I liked

The mystery:
Izzy’s… mission, so to speak, was absolutely cool, the morbidity of the situation aside. If I was in CJ’s place, I’d be hooked to Izzy too – she had one of the most fascinating lives I’ve ever come across, fictional or otherwise.

The entire mystery was not revealed – but there were enough clues to piece together the entire picture of this crime. Though, I must admit that I wanted some more insight into the killer’s mind… but never mind.

Wacky storylines:
The story started out as one thing – a boy losing his sister to cancer. But then, the author took it to a wholly different place, involving reincarnation, serial killers, and murder by police. The author threw curveballs over curveballs and I was not ready for any of them (in a pleasantly surprised way, okay?). And yet, everything just fit in beside each other – it felt like a natural progression of things. The epilogue left me with a relieved feeling because the author took care of tying all loose ends together perfectly.

Mr. Walker:
Out of all the side characters I saw, I would choose Mr. Walker over everyone else. He was understanding and kind but also stern when needed. . His presence just reinforced how important it is to have someone stand in your corner unfalteringly. Oh, what I would do to have a Mr. Walker in my life!


What I wasn’t impressed with:
I guess the difficult part for me to digest was the overlapping plotlines. It goes without saying that I loved them all, but in the initial pages, I was overwhelmed. Like, is this about CJ making peace with Carina’s death? Or is this about his fight with the bullies? Or is it about his friendship/romance with Izzy? Or is it about the serial killer? But then, it struck me that it is like real life – everything happening all at once, instead of one by one. And that helped me adjust my perspective a lot.

Another thing that bothered me (mildly) is how the life of the serial killer was not explored. As I’ve already mentioned above, I would’ve loved to know more about the psychology behind his killings and why he kept collecting hearts. I do have an idea, but mentioning the backstory would’ve been even better, as the protagonists spend a better part of the book hunting him.


Final Words
I have read many books but only some have left me with a cathartic feeling after reading – and one of them is Even After Always. It is filled with grief, philosophic musings, reincarnation talks, and tender love, all covered by the eerie but enticing shroud of high-tension mystery.

PS: A prequel focusing on Izzy’s life before she met CJ… Please… Or a pre-prequel on the serial killer… There are so many avenues…


Thanks to NetGalley and River Grove Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
#netgalley #arcreview
Profile Image for Lynne.
15 reviews
April 20, 2025
Strong 4 Stars (4.5)

This is a coming-of-age story. I wasn’t sure what I was heading into with this YA story. The characters suck you in, then the multiple parts of the thriller and mystery take hold. I am so grateful to have won a kindle copy but this book is worth your time.
Trigger warning for sexual assault.
Profile Image for Harmonie.
36 reviews
October 18, 2024
I really enjoyed this novel - I honestly feel like I haven't torn through a book as quickly as I have with Ever After Always in YEARS. I love coming-of-age novels, especially as a young person myself, but I think that this story was exceptional. The story building is great - the main characters had really nuanced and well-thought-out backgrounds. Many novels of this genre let the romantic interest/relationship take the front seat, but in this, it felt less in-your-face and more just a natural part of the characters' lives.

The only thing I will say is that Izzy does take the form of a stereotypic "manic pixie dream girl," but CJ's thoughts/narrative manage to balance that out. In the context of the story, CJ's description of her and her overall characterization makes a lot of sense. However, I think she could have been developed a little further. I would have loved to hear from her perspective (I just finished One Day, and that novel incorporates the perspectives of both main characters, which I LOVE, so maybe I am a bit biased). So, really, I didn't even mind that, though that is a criticism a lot of novels like this, especially from the perspective of a young man, may receive. The story flows so well. Everything made sense, and there weren't really any holes I could think of, even though the entire plot was SO developed and very complicated. I am excited to hear more about CJ and Izzy!
1 review
September 10, 2024
This novel is impossible to put down! I picked it up thinking I would read a few chapters before bed, and I wound up staying up late and reading all the way through to the end. I agree with Jodi Picoult's blurb on the back--it's hard to believe that this is Ives' debut novel! The way Ives writes across multiple genres is impressive and I particularly loved his tender approach to a bildungsroman. Teenage boys are not narrators that I'm normally interested in, but I've been missing out. Ives has written CJ with so much heart that I was reminded of how viscerally we all feel that first love. This novel was beautifully written and I actually missed the characters when I was done with it. I can't wait to read what this author comes out with next!
374 reviews4 followers
December 6, 2024
Izzy and CJ are wonderful characters. You really feel like you get to know them as well as they know each other in the short time that they spend together finding a serial killer. Izzy is a character with real life problems but a huge capacity to creativity and love. CJ has a wonderful mind and wonderful quotes and insights.

The book touches may deeper subjects including time travel, reincarnation, bullies, death, and suicide. In the end good triumphs and you have several heroes.

This book is hard to put down. Thanks goodreads.
29 reviews
December 8, 2024
This is a strong 4 stars. It was a well-written combination of suspense, romance, thriller, and real-world teenage and adult drama. It was entertaining but reflective at the same time. I found myself thinking deeply while simultaneously thinking the story was ridiculous. A worthy read for sure! I got so into the characters that part of me wants to know what happens next, but I think it is a great standalone story and I like just imagining how life turns out after this epic tale. Super grateful to have won it in a Goodreads giveaway!
450 reviews
January 27, 2025
This was recommended by a friend and soon after I received it in a Goodreads giveaway! Thank you, Goodreads and the publisher/author for offering it!

This novel was well-done and the pacing was good. I enjoyed the characters, Izzy and CJ, two young teens who happen to meet and end up working together on a mystery. Izzy believes that she is the reincarnated soul of a murder victim of a serial killer who was never caught.

The writing was elegant and most of the main characters' actions were logical. The ending was a little formulaic, but overall, I really enjoyed the book.
Profile Image for George Stenger.
685 reviews51 followers
April 30, 2025
This was a Goodreads giveaway book and was a quick and interesting read.

A quiet and bullied high school student finds that he does have friends that care about him. With the backdrop of a potential serial killer, a teenage girl appears on the scene as she is chasing the serial killer. The unlikely pair form an interesting team.
253 reviews
October 20, 2024
*I won this Kindle book from Goodreads. Thank You!
This book was great! A story of young love, bullies in school and the search for a murderer. Kept you wanting to know what was going to happen next.
Sequel? Could be fun!
Profile Image for Shesani.
23 reviews2 followers
December 1, 2024
I won this book off GoodReads…Thank You! It was a wonderful read. The coming of age, murder mystery, and self reflective story that unravels was heartfelt, empathetic and sincere. I enjoyed this read with every turn of the page.
1 review
December 2, 2024
This fictional story has characters that are actually real. Every character is someone you know, with a plot that is adventurous and unpredictable. This is a return to adolescence and a reminder that we should all live life to the fullest.
Profile Image for Karen.
208 reviews8 followers
December 11, 2024
This was a Goodreads giveaway win - Thank you!

This is not the kind of story I usually read, however, I found it very captivating. I liked characters and seeing their development within the story. One just had to keep reading to see how the story would end. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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