Counting On Forever

Topaz Falls #5

by Taryn Nikolic

First is the worst.
Second is supposed to be the best.
I’m counting on this truth, as our first try ended miserably.

Julia. In the span of six months, I’ve lost my Paris patisserie, my fiancé, and my self-confidence. My only choice is to return to Topaz Falls, Montana and fulfill the requirements of my aunt’s will. After ninety days, I can return to Paris and never look back. This year will become a bad and distant memory. One thing I didn’t take into account was the tight-knit community and how often I’d run into my first love, Declan Ambarsan. I forced myself to leave him when we were eighteen. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it was necessary for him to have what mattered the most. I’ll keep my heart locked up tight because although some people were meant to have second chances—I’m not one of them. I did what needed to be done, and I’ll do it again when the ninety days are up.

Declan. Eight years ago, the only woman I’ve ever loved left without saying goodbye. I wear her promise ring on a chain around my neck as a reminder to never let my heart fall in love again. That is until Julia Fournier returns to my small hometown and turns my world upside down. It takes one touch, a single whispered breath, and her smile to remind me why I fell in love with her. This time around, it doesn’t matter where she goes. When she leaves Topaz Falls this time, I’ll be by her side. I might be the only Ambarsan sibling who wants to continue the family orchard, but my heart belongs to Julia. In my parents’ absence, running the orchard and preparing for the apple harvest festival falls on my shoulders. I’ll try my best until my parents can return, then I’ll put in my notice. This time around, I’m choosing us above all else. This is the second chance I’ve always wanted.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

390 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2024

About the author

My Topaz Falls series is almost complete, which is set in a small town in northwest Montana near Glacier National Park.

I am from the Pacific Northwest, where my family loves to have our own adventures.

I love to read and was a reader long before I was a writer. I am easily entertained and will read pretty much everything. I strongly believe that collecting books and reading books are two separate hobbies ;).

You can find me on Instagram and Tiktok as tnikolic_books!

Reviews

[Emily Knaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have come to have absolutely fallen in love with Topaz Falls and am overjoyed at any chance I get to go back into this world. I am enamored with the way Taryn creates her stories and weaves her characters into a community/place that you want to call home.

Counting on Forever is the fourth installment in the Topaz Falls series. This book is Declan and Julia’s story. Declan is the youngest Ambarsan son - older sister Ingrid’s story with Callum is book two Skye Full of Stars and oldest Ambarsan son, Lachlan’s book with Aislinn is book one, Eyes Like A Hurricane. The whole series is standalone, however you do meet characters and see them in each book, creating such an interwoven continuation of life in Topaz Falls.

I loved this second chance romance between Declan and Julia. They had a whirlwind romance their senior year of high school when Julia was in Topaz Falls as an exchange student for a year from France. There she met Declan whom she fell in love with. Due to some health issues, she returned to France and never returned. Eight years later, Julia returns after her Aunt leaves her house and bakery to her in the event of her passing. Julia must open the bakery for 90 days before she can sell; which she plans to do and go back to Paris to open her dream bakery.

Julia is incredibly resilient; she has endured a failed relationship with a conman who is responsible for the burns that mar her body. She is determined, incredibly kind, and very much still in love with Declan Ambarsan.

I have been waiting for Declan and his story. We have seen glimpses of sweet, sometimes grumpy Ambarsan son. Declan is and has never fallen out of love with Julia. Her leaving absolutely crushed him and he never moved on. Declan is incredibly loyal and protective; he there is every step of the way for Julia and her health issues. She got away from him once and he plans never allow that to happen again.

Thank you so so much Taryn for the ARC! I’m here for the ride. If you write it, best be sure I will read it. I’m thankful for the opportunity to support you and the incredible stories that you write. I’m soooo looking forward to Freya and Anders story next! There is already A LOT of tension between the two.

[Ladellea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Favorite

This book screams: Fall.

These characters had not been present in previous books. I genuinely was not excited because how could the “little brother” compare to Lachlan. Declan was better: as a character he was simply more interesting, and the same goes for Julia. I found myself flying through this book, laughing hysterically, and compelled by this romance. The pacing on this novel was just so darn good, and the plot nicely laid out, there was even a scene or two I was bummed was offscreen. I am a convert and this is going to unseat Trent and Paisley as favorite storyline. Overall, I think this one feels like a spicy fall Hallmark movie.

On top of this, given the new locations, we got to meet some fun and highly entertaining new characters. I wish I ran as much as man-bun to be able to have a tab at a bakery. As always, I cherish any chance to “see” Axel - there were some great appearances from him. I can’t wait for his storyline. I also enjoyed the added layers we got to see of Anders, as Declan’s friend, based on the epilogue he is next up.

The book 6 epilogue started with major tension, and seems to set the tone for a definite shift in the next romance.

_________________________
As an developmental editor, I receive an advanced copy prior to the November release. I loved it so much, I once again bought a print copy of the final version on release day.

[Taryn Nikolic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for reading my book, and I hope you enjoy it if you haven't read it yet.

In this book, Declan and Julia get to tell their story about a second chance romance and reunited first love. Please read the trigger warnings if any of the below tropes are a struggle for you.

I hope you'll join me on a trip to the Ambarsan Apple Orchard's annual Apple Harvest Festival in Topaz Falls, Montana. Counting On Forever is all about the apple harvest as Declan works tirelessly in his parents' absence to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. The return of his first love and high school sweetheart, Julia, wasn't part of the plan, but it may be his second chance... especially when they get roped into being a baking team on National TV!

Tropes:
🍎 First love
🍏 Second chance romance
🍎 Baking competition
🍏 Small town harvest festival
🍎 Burn victim mental health awareness
🍏 Learning disability awareness
🍎 Cancer survivor
🍏 Fall vibes
🍎 Fertility and pregnancy issues

Happy reading!
Taryn

[Mandy A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about the youngest Ambarsan sibling, Declan. (Older brother, Lachlan, is in Eyes Like A Hurricane - Book 1. Older sister, Ingrid, is in Skye Full Of Stars - Book 2) Declan hadn't played a prominent role in the other books, so I was surprised when I saw he got his own book, but boy am I glad I did. He had so much depth and was a complicated character. It was fun to see some of the old characters (Ahem, AXEL) but also new ones like Mr. Manbun (who better get his own book) and Julia. Her life had a trifecta of physical health issues to overcome. I liked how they both had issues to get through, but they did it together. No 3rd act break-up.
READ the trigger warnings if you are sensitive to:
Cancer survivor
Burn victim
Learning issues
Fertility and pregnancy issues

This book hits deep in some of these areas.

Best part was the interpretation of the three tests!

Thank you for the ARC. Dying to know more about Anders.

[Celina Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick autumn trip to Topaz Falls so I can visit Ambarsan Apple Orchard and meet Declan and Julia as they navigate through life and a second chance at love. This story touches on some real life topics that definitely had me in my feelings. Declan's parents must step away from the family business after a terrible accident leaving Declan to run the apple orchard which also has him learning a few things about himself. Julia is the high school sweetheart that got away so now that she is back in town after health concerns and recent trauma Declan will do anything to keep her from leaving again including join the baking competition with Julia despite his inability to bake or cook. If you are looking for a good book with some spice, humor, tons of emotions to snuggle up with during a cool fall night this is that book. I also recommend reading the other books in this series because they are great!

[Theletter12 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Julia and Declan

There were a few chapters of nothing that didn’t really add to the plot. A few paragraphs of apple bushel math and it was a bit much. She’s his lost high school love. Seven years have passed and she is back to fulfill her aunts will for her to run a bakery for 3 months until she can sell. There just wasn’t enough of them being together for my liking. He wants her forever but would be days too busy to see her… and then when he did there would be these touches but it seemed weird. All kinds of cringy Apple references - I mean why does her hair have to smell like apples… just because he owns an orchard… him too… they could wear other scents.

Then she gets surprise pregnant after telling him she can’t. And one of the reasons she left him before was because she was pregnant but lost the baby due to some medical issues she has… why, why… wouldn’t she tell him???

Hea - he says he’ll follow her anywhere… and she decides to stay in the US

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Counting on Forever is a second chance romance between the youngest Ambarsan brother and his high school sweetheart who was a foreign exchange student their senior year. Deep back stories on each character. This is so far the youngest couple in the series, but they both seem mature. Julia is a baker, and Declan works on his family apple orchard. Julia inherits her maternal aunt's house and bakery, which she must run for a period of time before she can sell it. Due to a firm at her Paris bakery, she is struggling to bake. The Topaz Falls community comes forward to help Julia and Declan. There is no third act break up.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take me back to Topaz Falls. This series will always hold such a special place in my heart. I have loved every single story in this series. This particular storyline, did not disappoint this reader. Declan and Julia’s story will definitely stay with me for a while. I truly have loved the way this author writes her stories. She definitely draws the reader in and makes you feel like you’re in the story with its characters. I cannot wait to see what she writes next. She has fastly become one of my favorite authors.

[Brooke Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

second chance
first love
cancer survivor
baking competition
small town



We take another trip to Topaz Falls where childhood sweethearts see each other after so many years apart. The time and distance did nothing to diminish the love they had for each other. This one is a very emotional story and you can’t help but feel so much for Declan and Julia.

As always, I loved the writing style and the story moved along so smoothly. The spice was a great balance. One of my favorite micro tropes is when the couple gets caught in the vehicle by a sheriff/cop. I don’t know why but it always makes me so giddy.

[CupcakeReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to read this as an ARC and forgot to post a view about it. I loved this version of a second chance romance with the baking competition. As a frequent viewer of the Food Network, I loved the competition and was surprised who won. I was excited we got to see Ingrid and Callum's proposal from their point of view.

[Kelsey Biegler · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book having been a foreign exhange student in high school myself. Read the trigger warnings. I liked how the characters had both invisible and visible flaws. Declan might be my new favorite.