Ora e per sempre (Wilder Family)

Wilder Family #4

by Karla Sorensen

Non è un segreto che sono innamorata di Jax Cartwright da una vita. Pessima decisione, e non soltanto perché è il migliore amico di mio fratello o perché ha dieci anni più di me.

Per via della mia famiglia iperprotettiva, mi ignora da anni, ma nonostante ciò, non riesco a togliermelo dalla testa. E in preda ai fumi del vino e a un momento di sconforto dopo un appuntamento andato male, prendo un'altra pessima presentarmi a casa sua per chiedergli perché non mi ha mai dato una possibilità.

La tempesta che mi costringe a passare la notte da lui è un colpo di fortuna, però non sono una stupida. Sebbene Jax sia completamente chiaro sul non volere l'amore o una famiglia o nessuno dei lieto fine che sogno, che male c'è nel chiedergli solo un'avventura di una notte? La cosa peggiore che può dire è no.

Tuttavia, con mia piacevolissima sorpresa, non lo fa.

Migliore. Decisione. Di. Sempre.

Una notte è sufficiente per farmi sentire in grado di voltare pagina, ed entrambi concordiamo di lasciare che rimanga un segreto tra di noi.
Ma sai cosa rende difficile mantenere segreta l'avventura di una notte con la mia cotta non così segreta?

Un test di gravidanza positivo.

Oh, cielo, le cose stanno per diventare interessanti.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Surprise Pregnancy, Small Town Romance, Slow Burn, Forced Proximity

425 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2024

Reviews

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

”maybe there was a past life I’d lived before this one. perhaps I’d done something really fucking incredible to deserve this woman’s trust, to deserve her unwavering admiration because it sure as hell wasn’t anything I’d done in this life. to deserve her.”

❦ slowburn
❦ mutual pinning
❦ surprise pregnancy
❦ small town romance
❦ brother’s best friend

I was thrilled to finally read the book that i was waiting for for years, and it exceeded my expectations in every way! the long-awaited romance between Poppy & Jax was a highlight of the Wilder siblings series, and their story was expertly woven throughout the previous books. I hurt sometimes watching Poppy pine for Jax from afar, and the anticipation was palpable.

“I think I couldn’t let myself look at who you really were because once I did, you were the only thing I’d see.”

what I appreciated most about this book was the way Karla Sorensen handled Poppy's character. she wasn't portrayed as a desperate young woman seeking more than Jax's initial promise, but rather as a strong, independent individual who moved on from their one-night encounter with her brother's best friend. this nuanced portrayal was refreshing and realistic.

“I’m doing this because the chance of being with you is more important to me than anything I could possibly be afraid of.”

the real treat, however, was watching Jax suffer from unrequited love for Poppy. It was delicious to see him want and love her, only to be unable to have her because she saw him as a friend. Karla Sorensen's writing style is engaging and addictive, making it impossible to put the book down. I devoured it in record time, and I'm still reeling from the satisfying conclusion. If you're a fan of the series or just looking for a great romance, this book is a must-read!

”for the rest of my life, I’d get to love her.”

many thanks to the author for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

——————
the e-ARC randomly popped in my emails without any warnings 😭 best surprise EVER !! also, it’s brother’s best friend 👀

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and Angsty

It’s really hard to get me to like a surprise pregnancy trope, but I have loved them before, and this one was cute.
Poppy did some questionable and cringey stuff at the beginning to end up in Jax’ bed, but sometimes people are dumb and it made for an angsty and entertaining start. Then throughout the middle there was lots of other dramatic moments that kept me riveted, including OM drama and a kind of love triangle. Lots of pining and jealousy from the hero, which we love.
But though this was a good book, with a gripping beginning, I had a few minor issues with it that amount to pacing. It was a five star read that fell off at the end just because it got boring and all the angst kind of amounted to nothing, in a really easy resolution. Like it lost steam and everything needed wrapped up quickly. I needed more time with Jax and Poppy finding their love for each other beyond just attraction and infatuation.

I still love the Wilder family and this is a good series. I just wanted a bigger ending I guess. After years and years of her pining and him avoiding but also pining, they just got together so easily. When someone is as broken as Jax, and then just decides to change his entire world view, I need to see more of a struggle to get there.
But still a four star read and I’m excited for the next (and maybe final) book.


Thank you to the author for a complimentary early copy of this book.







*************************

Please fix my reading slump, please fix my reading slump 🤞🏻





Got the arc! So excited for this one!

[Em (semi-hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off somewhat cute and angsty but quickly turned into a pregnancy saga that overshadowed the romance and the characters. Plus, a couple of cringe-worthy lines, like 'I can quite literally feel the feminism leaving my body,' and the alpha male hierarchy spiel felt out of place and really took me out of the story. Not the vibe I signed up for!

[Reading in Brussels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy and Jax's story has been one that I've been wanting to read ever since Poppy landed on page of one of the Wilder books with her legendary crush on Jax, and how Jax has been doing everything in his power to stay away.
And I absolutely loved it! I think this might be one of Karla's most angsty stories, and it kept me glued to the pages all day. There are so many little moments that I loved in this story, but to keep it spoiler-free, I'll only say this: Forever Starts Tonight (I love the title - anyone else started humming Total Eclipse of the Heart?) delivers on everything it promises: angst, chemistry, yearning, big family dynamics, and most of all, a satisfying storyline and a slow-burn to the HEA of one of the most anticipated couples.
Reading each new Wilder book always feels like revisiting a favorite place, and I can't wait for Parker's story next!

[Vashti]

My first read by this author.She reminds me of Laura Pavlov with the family dynamics and the group family texts, which are as funny as hell.
There were several tropes that I enjoy reading about such as...age gap(10 years)
Best friend's little sister
Unrequited crush/ love
Grumpy/ Sunshine
Surprise pregnancy
Blue collar hero
Large family dynamics/ found family.
Slow burn
Even with all the above mentioned tropes,this couple just didn't feel like a couple to me at all.
They have a hookup one night as she wants that one night with him,then she wants to move on with her life.Well,she had attempted to move on in the past with other men( sexually),but none was the hero.Mind you she was completely obsessed with the hero from a young age( I believe15)and everyone knew of her crush ,including the hero.The hero wouldn't let himself become involved with her as she is his best friends little sister,so everytime something significant happens between the two of them,he takes off for weeks on end to try and forget her until the fateful night they hook up,and several days later,he leaves for 3 months on a pilgrimage trek in Spain and France.In the mean time ,she discovers she is pregnant with the hero's child,attempts to contact him unsuccessful.
She goes on with her life and starts to date the town Vet, who is paragon of Goddleness super handsome,ripped,with sharp model cheek bones.They are in a relationship which they do" things" beneath their clothes,make out like teenagers,but no sex as he is a born again virgin. I believe she wanted sex,but he was saving himself.
Now this was a huge problem for me with this book.To me if you supposedly loved someone so much and pregnant with his baby,how can you even date,or contemplate a relationship with another man.My main focus would be my soon to be baby,not finding another man.
Mind you,she just should have been paired off with the other man,instead of the hero.
As I said,no chemistry/ loved felt to me as a reader with this couple.This was slow burn till nearly towards the last 80% or so.
Did I enjoy this???? I am reserving judgement as I really,really did not like her with the om in this story and if she loved him(H) so much,how can she even have sexual relationships she had with others.I just couldn't do something like this.The hero was no Saint either so I guess equal sexual partners for both.
Not leaving a star rating as this is just my personal take on this book.

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead,


It's a well known fact that Poppy has been in love with her brother's best friend for years and one night fueled by alcohol she goes to his home to finally have everything out in the open. One night together they agree too and then it's back to normal and that's works fine. Poppy goes on with her life and Jax disappears for three months......only everything has changed because now Poppy's pregnant by the man she's always loved.....one who swore he didn't want commitment or a family.

********
The initial 25% of this gave me second hand embarrassment, tbh the entirety of this book whenever Jax was around had me cringing on Poppy's behalf. She wanted this man so bad I wanted to cry .
Her going to his house was embarrassing enough, he'd never even gave her any inclination that he was interested. But to have him also be drinking yet he turns her down. He refused her advances and allowed her to sleep in his house. Yet when he falls asleep she gets into his bed. This pissed me off so bad, he'd already said no girl wtf? Of course he gets up and is able to fully consent before they have sex but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. I did not like the way this came about. Then to have her turn up pregnant afterwards??? I just felt like he got trapped poor fool.
I enjoy this author's writing even when I hate her characters, I love the Wilder family as well but man this wasn't it. Poppy was too desperate, she started dating someone before finding out she was pregnant and I honestly hoped he'd turn into the H here 😂. Unfortunately she broke up with him shortly after Jax returned.
The latter parts were cute and emotional as I expect of this author but the beginning was burned into my brain.

******
No cheating
Separation of months between the ONS and him coming back.
I don't think he was with anyone else
She had a boyfriend,no sex but heavy petting etc.
H had been celibate 6 months before being with h, he was a manwhore before that, I assume he wasn't with anyone during the moths apart
I loved her having a boyfriend and the scene where Jax met him 😂
********


Because she was too young. Too pretty. And too … in love with me.
Had been for years. Every time I walked in the room, from the day she turned fifteen, that girl looked at me like I hung the fucking moon.



And most unfortunately, he was ten years older, the best friend of my brother Cameron, and had never given me a single lingering look. Not even a little baby one that could be misconstrued as one. There was no lingering. Ever. Honestly, he kept his distance so thoroughly that sometimes I questioned my own intelligence


But never once had I stood face-to-face with Jax and asked him why. Or why not, I guess.
Why not me?
He wasn’t married. Wasn’t in a relationship. Hell, he’d never been in a serious relationship.


It would’ve been too easy for me to just wait it out. Let her find someone else. No, because not a single person in that fucking Wilder family could let something go easily when they believed in it strongly enough. Poppy Wilder—though she came off as sweet and kind and innocent, everything I should avoid—was so fucking stubborn because you had to be the worst kind of stubborn not to let go of whatever her misplaced feelings were for me.

***“Like now, maybe,” I said smoothly. “I’ll give you a list of why this is a bad idea.” I started ticking off points on my fingers, voice calm and steady. At first. “You’re too young for me. I don’t want a girlfriend. I don’t want to get married. I don’t want a family. And you are too fucking young for me,” I finished on a yell. “You know all those things, yet you’re still here.”
By the time I finished, I was breathing hard, well aware that I was answering questions that she hadn’t yet asked. Every fucking time I was around Poppy, for years, the questions were stamped all over her face, buried deep in her eyes.
Why not me?
*********She’d been on the sidelines at bars when I found someone to go home with, the same kind of women I’d indulged in throughout the years. The kind who weren’t looking for anything serious, the kind I’d likely never see again. It was a Band-Aid, of sorts, to staunch the flow of blood temporarily. To drown out whatever creeping sense of loneliness hit me in the middle of the night, the kind that snuck up on me in my sleep and had me rolling over in bed, searching for someone warm and sweet, only to find a cold fucking bed.********
Why not me?
God, I’d seen in it in her face for years. As soon as she turned twenty, really. Five years later, and her questions still lingered. I could see them linger right in front of me now, in the painfully small confines of my house.


Everyone in Poppy’s family knew about her crush on me. And there was a strange sort of relief when she decided she was going to start dating. It lessened a pressure banded around my chest that I’d never wanted to dig into. It was also, not so coincidentally, the longest stretch I’d gone without any last-minute trips in the past five years.


I wasn’t good. I definitely wasn’t innocent. The times in my life when I’d gone home with someone, gone to a hotel, full well knowing I’d never see them again was more than I could count. Fewer, maybe, than a lot of people assumed, but still a lot. It wasn’t like I’d never slept with someone more than once because I had. But there were lines I’d never crossed.
No kissing.
No one married or engaged.
And no one in my bed.


My entire life, I was one of those kids who never got in trouble. Always had good grades. Showed up whenever someone needed me. And my crush on Jax was almost unilaterally viewed as a “poor Poppy” type situation, like I was something to be pitied because I couldn’t quite move on.

The older I got, the more I watched him move through life, the further and further away it got as a possibility. Jax was thirty-five, and never once had he showed a single inclination toward marriage, let alone more than one date with the same woman.

“How many books have we read or movies have we watched where the hero pines for the heroine, and there’s no one for him but her? It’s so romantic and swoony, and we celebrate it,” I said fiercely. Oh yeah. I was worked up now. Pregnancy hormones flashed hot, and if someone gave me a mic, I would’ve brought the freaking house down preaching this to anyone who would listen. I waggled a finger in the air. “But if the woman can’t get a man out of her head, it’s sad. She’s too smart for that.”
Her eyes were wide, but she chose not to interrupt as I paced the length of the kitchen.
“The insinuation is that she’s being stupid for feeling those things in the first place! And it’s bullshit, Mom. Misogynistic bullshit.” I set my hands on my hips, my breaths coming in short, embarrassing pants. God, what a mess I’d be by forty weeks. Maybe I should start working out again if a little angry rant got me out of breath. “It’s like no one believes I can actually be friends with him. That I’m still sitting back hoping he’ll fall in love with me.”(this was an interesting way of looking at the situation and she's right to an extent. But it's still embarrassing as hell 😂)




Initial thoughts before reading (whyyyyyyy didn't I listen to myself?

I literally JUST rated the previous book 5 stars specifically BECAUSE this wasn't the execution of the friends to lovers trope 🤦🏿‍♀️
I've read all the previous books so I KNOW Poppy has had a crush on Jax for years and he's been a borderline manwhore 😭
Do I leave on the high of the previous book or take a chance on this one 🤔😒🤷🏿‍♀️

[Daisy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like her in any of the other books and I just know she will be so pathetic pinning after Jax who doesn't even spare her a glance. Seriously, get a life and a man who actually wants you.

She gives immature teenager vibes.

---------------------------‐-------------------------------------------------
UPDATE

I stand corrected. Mid 20s and still acting like a child, bearing a child. Lmaoo

How is she not embarrased pinning after that man time after time when he gives 0 fucks??? And he shouldn't either. It's his brother's best friend/boss and they have like 10-15y in between. The ages are all over the place and he's known her since she was a bracey 5th grader and he was in his 20s.

At what point is dear little Poppy going to know better???? I mean I get that she developed a crush at 15, being a teen it happens, but it's an unrequited one and everyone knows about it. How has it been 10y and you're still on the same place when Jax can't even get away from you fast enough?? Why do you still harbor feelings and feed them?? For a teenage infatuation?? Don't you have dignity and self respect? You even saw throughout the years how he hit on other women and took them home. Lmaoo

Girl, wake up.

She even when to "confront" him while drunk out of her ass. Very mature 🙄
I have no idea how Jax mommy-issues Cartwright even slept with her. Oh, great he had a couple of drinks too.
So wrong on so many levels.

Queue a week later she meets Dean, who is out-of-this-world-good-and-handsome Dean and now she has a new man obsession that she can wheeze her way into his arms, while pregnant with another man's baby. There is no way you made this man to be okay with Poppy's scenario, after they went in 2 dates together. I understand if they had an established relationship before, but no it was right out of the gate. Why would he even insert himself in the middle of that shit show??? Like, at this point is just ridiculous.

May this kind of stupidity never find me.

Then it dragged on and on describing construction places and back patio. I was bored out of my mind. In 15 chapters all that happened was they had sex and she found out she was pregnant. Everything else was just telling, words on end.
I don't even know what to think about Jax. A lot of could've, should've, wouldn't 🫠 At least he was upfront about his intentions and goals since the beginning.
A bunch of words and a whole lot of nothing. She showed up to his house, bla bla bla, he showed up to her house. That's how they got together the first time and that's how they reconciled. They "resolved" their shit with a game of truth or dare. Lmaooooo
Their relationship made no sense, she saw him from the sidelines wishing he would pay attention to her and he hid and escaped whenever he could. Then boom they're both in the light and now all is good in the world. Everything that needed to be said and done happened more in their heads than in reality. He still knows nothing about her and she still knows nothing about him. Makes no sense.

The whole book could've been at least half and it would still say everything that needed to be said - whatever that was.

[Raffaella · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unrequited love, one of my most hated theme.
Heroine is little sister, and hero is bff with her brother. Ten years age gap.
He’s commitment phobic. She’s in love with his since she was 15, and has seen him with multiple women, hooking up with them.
She has her own experiences, thank god, no virgin.
But she always had him in her mind.
She basically forces herself on him one night while he’s slightly drunk,not drunk completely though, but I hated it.
He didn’t want to have sex with her and he always avoided her even if he felt attracted to her since she was 21.
I hate heroines that throw themselves to unwilling heroes.
I hate heroes who fuggs everything that moves because they don’t want to go there with the heroine.
I hate the seduction scene because the hero would have never tried with her if she hadn’t snuck into his bed at night.
I want my heroes to do the chase.
She wanted one might so she could move on. wtf. It’s bullshit. If you crave drugs a binge of drugs won’t make you satisfied so you won’t do it anymore, it will only make you more addicted. What A lot of bs.
But she didn’t move one, and this, despite she met a very charming and interesting man that was all in, why these pathetic women can’t appreciate a man that cherish them and want a man who would cut his dick before he has sex with them. Why?
But the worst thing is that she gets pregnant after telling him she was protected. It looks like she trapped him. She didn’t, but she should have been very sure and she should have insisted on condoms since he was a manwhore.
I hate these things.
Then, he goes three months on the path to Santiago and when he comes back… surprise, he’s going to be a dad.
After the first shock he reacted quite well, and since then, it was all good.
I didn’t much like this one.
I don’t like forced men that wouldn’t have nothing to do with the heroine but external circumstances happen and they’re forced to go there.
I wished he came back and pursued the heroine because he understood he couldn’t stay without her.
I wished he realized he wanted her and was ready to commit before she got pregnant.
I wished he was the one to propose the night together, and not her.
Basically this had the opposite effect of what I like.
So no, I couldn’t like it.
Not even with his deprived childhood with his unstable mother.
I don’t care. I want my hero to be stronger than circumstances.
Sadly not this time.
Safety not good, of course. He hooked up with ow for years in front of the heroine, she had dates and had other boyfriends in the past.

[MaHaha (McMurder) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tbh ? I’ll put a 2.8✨ Comfort series. I’m biased cuz there’s a lot of things happening here that I would hate and trash on if it was some other book but idc. This series is love<3

(Atleast I’m mature enough to admit I’m biased 😌😌😌)

Tropes:
🎃 preggo trope
🎃 age gap
🎃 small town
🎃 brothers bsf
🎃 childhood crush?
🎃 big ass family dynamic ❤️

I’ve said it before I’ll say it again I love this family I love this series no matter what whatever but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me and I knew that the moment the tropes were released. I love pregnancy trope SM but that with JAX and poppy? It was a no. It didn’t feel like a preggo trope.

Karla’s writing is what I love cuz I breezeeee through the books and I love that but I reached 40/50 % and had still hasn’t found out and then sm drama and awkwardness. And i still didn’t feel a connection between the MCs. And later when they DO get tgdr it didn’t feel forced…it felt bored and ded n meh.

I don’t like when the couple isn’t already dating before the pregnancy but I didn’t realize or care muxh in this one….but like idk they get together at 80% and then 90% the baby is here and then it ends. I read preggo trope for the baby moments. It didn’t feel like a preggo trope cuz like idk y but it didn’t. It barely felt like she’s preggo with his child.

And omg Dean. Oh god. I shipped Dean and poppy sm more. Half way thru I started wishing she ends up with Dean instead of the MMC JAX💀😭 Dean deserved sm better omg I mean I get it cuz this happens and it was like ending on a good note but omgg Dean was such an angel.

Idk but Jax poppy chemistry wasn’t chemistrying. And her life long crush on him…and him not even looking her way and I mean he’s in love with her for years and didn’t get w her cuz of her brother (his bsf) I get it but like still it felt so blegh.

Jax was fine I guess and poppy was fine too. I didn’t feel much about the couple. I was more interested in the family dynamic OMG EVWRYONES CAMEO? Lydia and Erik too😭❤️omg!!! Harlow Ian. Pls Ian was so funny I’m fed. Greer threatening to break Jax’s penis with a hammer, Ivy being so fukin funny pls. Tim not being there broke me tbh. The BEST family😭❤️

I did tear up a lot cuz I do that often but it was mostly on some dialogue said by the mom or the fmcs feelings or smth dumb like that but overall it was meh. If it wasn’t a Karla book and a wilder series book I would’ve been a major bitch and hated:)

[Elle ♡ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age gap, brother’s best friend, unrequited decade long crush… these are some of my favorite things, plus a trope that really tipped it over the top for me. This was funnn.

[The Love Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - Poppy and Jax’s story was absolutely worth the wait! We have felt the untold connection between these two since the first book in the series. Now, Poppy is done watching her siblings’ get their HEA, and all it takes is one night of temptation and lowered defenses for Poppy and Jax to give into the chemistry that’s been there for years. Of course, a baby was the last thing these two expected but that’s exactly what they get, which shocks the entire Wilder Family.

Even from the start, I knew this would be emotional because we got to see the origins behind Jax’s trauma, and why he is afraid to give into the love Poppy has for him. My heart hurt for little boy Jax. Despite his trauma, Poppy’s love was unconditional, and Jax realized it’s ok to give your heart to the person who will nurture and love you through your past. And when they gave in?! Oooo baby, I think I shed a few tears cause Jax laid it all on the line😭

Of course, being with the Wilder Family again was everything. I HIGHLY recommend reading the other books so you can get all the feels, as Karla writes some of the best found family books I’ve ever read (though it can be read as a standalone). She’s created a family that supports each other no matter what, and has so much room for love despite the loss they’ve all experienced, and each release just reminds me why I’ve loved her writing for so long and will always pick up her releases.

I can’t wait for the next one!!

[jada · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is my own fault i didn’t enjoy this. i knew i probably wouldn’t but tried anyway. i saw that he gets to see her with someone else and was intrigued however… it wasn’t what i wanted it to be. i wish it would have been executed a different way.


if i could forget that she pined for him for 10 years this would have been a lot better. if he and everyone else didn’t know she had hearts in her eyes for over 10 years i would’ve enjoyed it more. she has the absolute pleasure to see him with different women over the years. she knew how he wouldn’t sleep with someone from their hometown so he’d never have to see them again. if she didn’t FOLD SO GD FAST when he showed a flicker of interest. i had to skim the whole first few chapters bc they were so damn EMBARRASSING. how many times do you need to throw yourself at a man before getting the hint. (apparently a LOT).
i couldn’t even enjoy the OM drama considering she broke up with him the second Jax returned

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy is such a strong character. Even though she’s the baby of the family and they would do anything for her, she wants to be able to stand on her own. She wants to live and learn from her own mistakes. She has big heart and is just what Jax needs. Jax has always been Cameron’s mysterious friend that Poppy was in love with. In this book, we really get to know him and can’t help but fall in love with him too! His backstory was heartbreaking and I’m so happy he found the Wilder family.

Poppy has held a torch for Jax a long time. He's her older brother's friend. The chemistry and longing between these two were so intense and emotional. This was a love that had history, pain, and longing.

The reason this accidental pregnancy story worked for me — despite it being a trope I avoid — is because the pregnancy is not what binds Poppy and Jax together. Instead, it’s clear that these two are in love.

**Accidental pregnancy

[Nicki - theromancebookstagrammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I'm a huge fan of the author's Washington Wolves series - hardback, special edition buy everything kind of obsession, and honestly, that series is one of the best out there.

This series? It's up there with WW. I could read and re-read this book, and I suspect that it'll be read again before the end of the year.

Tropes are...
✨️ Accidental pregnancy
✨️ Brother's best friend
✨️ Age-gap romance
✨️ Meddling family

I love how raw and honest the emotions are in this book. If you've read the previous two books, then you know this family has experienced loss, and whilst it is mentioned, it's handled beautifully. As a widow, it made me sob my heart out, but from a 'feel seen in my grief' kind of way and it doesn't bring the storyline down but shows you how real life is.

Poppy has had a longstanding crush on Jax, and I love how we learn more about them. They truly deserved this happy ending - Poppy isn't just the baby of the family she deserved her own story to be told. And Jax... (just let me stop swooning)... gosh , he deserved to be loved. My heart broke for him at times, and I just wanted to wrap him in a hug.

Karla Sorensen's writing just continues to get better. This is a beautiful love story, and I love the character growth in both leads. I love this family, and I can't wait for Parker's story.

I'd happily recommend this to anyone. This is a 5-star read for me
✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

We know the story; she is in love with her brothers best friend, but do we know Poppy and Jax’s story? The excuses, the avoidance, the age difference - Poppy has had enough and takes matters into her own hands. Well, a bad date and alcohol help in this decision process, and she shows up at Jax’s place. Mother nature is also involved, cue the ice storm.

It is no secret of Poppy’s feelings for Jax, and the angst, the drama, pining, and the kiss, I kept reading to see how this is going to play out. The chemistry and attraction are there, but will he act upon it? Jax has his own reasons for his actions, his past has him struggling, will Poppy’s unconditional love heal him?

I loved many parts of this book and read it quite quickly. I was hooked.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[RateTheRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read as many books aa I do, you have dozens of authors whose books consistently work for you. But if I had to truly narrow it down to a Top 5, Karla Sorensen would be in it.

FOREVER STARTS TONIGHT is a perfect example of what this author nails every time: all the feels, complex characters, fantastic family scenes, and two main characters that the reader desperately need to be together.

The spice in the book was sooooo hot. My kindle almost burst into flames.

I'm just obsessed with this book. It's so damn good!

SPICE LEVEL: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
CONTENT WARNING: recent death of parent, past parent abandonment
FEELS: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.
POV: Dual - M/F - 1st Person

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He’s going to wreck me. Jax was going to obliterate my heart with this one night, and I damn well knew it. And I’d welcome that destruction with open arms. I’d sit in the rubble for the rest of my life if it meant I could feel like this just once.”

I’m not sure my heart can handle how much I love the Wilder family! I get emotional with every story and Jax and Poppy’s book was everything I was hoping for and then some! As Poppy would say, Jax is emotionally stunted but that man is like a big grumpy bear just looking for his honey to make him happy! And that honey happens to be Poppy, his best friends little sister, the last woman he should be attracted to but one reckless night together changed that forever.

“I’m doing this because the chance of being with you is more important to me than anything I could possibly be afraid of.”

Years of infatuation and unrequited love lead Poppy to a drunken decision to finally go after what she wanted with Jax, and a boy was that rash decision something neither of them would forget! I loved how the Wilder’s embraced Poppy after finding out about her accidental pregnancy and then subsequently laughed at their reaction when they learned the father was Jax! This story was a great mix of that lust filled one night stand tension and a slow burn with that longing to be what the other needed to take the leap for love. And let me tell you, a good love confession gets me every time, and oh my gosh, this one delivers! If you are looking for something to make you laugh, swoon and maybe even cry a little, I would highly recommend this book!⁣

“I don’t just want more of you, Poppy. I want all of you.”

[Taylor Gonser · Rating 4 out of 5]

plot 10/10. i wish we got more of their story because it felt kinda fast and i think would have benefited from being drawn out a bit longer. like it was kinda giving slow burn but not slow enough. i think we were meant to assume that certain things happened off script but i would have like to see them play out more. he deserved to do more pining LOL but overall good book!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection, no notes.

[bookspaced · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Brothers Best Friend
- surprise pregnancy
- small town
- meddling family
- age gap

all these tropes are what make Forever Starts Tonight by Karla Sorensen such a wonderful book! I sped read through this book bcs I certainly couldnt stop once I was in the story! Poppy and Jax are just so so good together even if it takes Jax a while to figure that one out! His back story was so heartbreaking though! My heart literally squeezed so many times for him and his past/inner thoughts.

I just love this family so much!

5 Stars

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite Karla book yet. Jax and Poppy's story was a long time coming, and hinted at throughout the Wilder series, and I am so thankful that Karla delivered this masterpiece to us. The emotional journey Poppy and Jax went on was EVERYTHING I wanted.

Poppy has always had a crush on her older brother's best friend, Jax, but no matter what she did, she never got Jax to see her. She was always his best friend's little sister. Taking one last shot in the dark, Poppy drives up to see Jax at his remote cabin. Unfortunately for her, an ice storm forces her to take shelter with Jax while they wait out the weather. Drinks are consumed, games are played and a promise is struck: One night to get it out of their systems. And after that night, Jax leaves on a solo journey that keeps him out of town for roughly 3 months.

But unfortunately that one night has consequences.

This book is emotional and angsty in the best way possible. Did I stay up until 1am reading this book because I could not put it down. Absolutely, and I would do it again. Jax's background was a huge part of who he was today and why he kept Poppy at arms length for so long. His journey was one of my favorite's because this grumpy, broody man has always had a soft heart, but he learned to hide it so well. The way he cared for Poppy and strived to take care of her and her needs above his own had butterflies going in my heart and had me in a puddle while reading.

Poppy was such a strong character. She was pragmatic and realistic and I loved her so much. After finally accepting that Jax would never be in her life, she looked to move on, but found out about the pregnancy. Her struggles and her worries felt realistic and man was my gut in a twist for the longest time. But her love for Jax was strong and unconditional and I loved how she wanted the best for him while not realizing that she was what would bring him home.

The Wilder family is amazing and I love every chance we get to spend more time with them. Seeing all the brothers and sisters living after their HEA was fantastic. I loved how involved they were with Poppy and her baby. Karla's writing has a way of making you feel like part of the family. I cannot wait for Parker's book in the future!

Tropes:
Surprise Pregnancy
Small Town
Tortured and Broken MMC
Brother's Best Friend
Iced In with One Bed
Age Gap

[M.E. Carter]

Yes, I read it twice. Yes, I think I'm bragging now.

[Lynn_G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Project manager Poppy has been in love with her brother’s best friend and employee Jax forever. Fed up with his active avoidance of her - after he cited their age difference and her brother’s disapproval - Poppy takes matters into her own hands and shows up at his place half drunk at the onset of an ice storm to coax him into at least kissing her so she will either prove to him that there’s something between them or she’ll be able to get closure.

Stunned at Poppy’s appearance on his front porch, Jax reluctantly allows her in to get out of the impending storm. When he tires of fending off her advances, he retires for the night to his room, setting a tipsy Poppy up with blankets on the couch. When Poppy crawls into Jax’s warm bed, however, his resistance disintegrates, but they both agree it can only be a one time thing.

While Jax is away for nearly three months on a soul searching series of hikes in Spain and France, Poppy’s mother sets her up with a perfect guy, who’s really good for her but he’s not Jax. This is where things become very dicey: there’s more than just emotional fallout from her night with Jax. Mr Perfect on paper is willing to stick with Poppy through it all.

When Jax returns after three months abroad having paused his cell phone service, a reckoning is in order.

Not gonna lie, the main issue (to be named later) here isn’t my favorite trope. However, the author does a laudable job in making the circumstances realistic (except maybe for Mr Perfect) and the way that Jax and Poppy navigate the uncharted is well done. This is part of a series but it works just fine as a standalone.

I was generously furnished an advance reader copy from The Author Agency and bookfunnel, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.

[Jen (jensdreamylittlereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart, what an absolutely outstanding read! It was every single thing my romance loving heart is always craving. A beautiful, emotional brother’s best friend, surprise pregnancy romance that had me smiling, crying, and falling madly love with these characters and their story.

Poppy has been in love with Jax since forever. One night, after a bad date and one too many drinks, she decides to confront Jax once and for all. One thing leads to another, and they share an incredible night together. But they both agree it’s only going to be one time. That is, until two pink lines show up…

Ugh, these twooooo! ALL THE FEELS! Be still my heart. Poppy and Jax’s story was so worth the wait and lived up to its expectations and more. The chemistry and longing between these two were so intense and emotional. This was a love that had history, pain, and longing. It had it all. Their love for each other is so gorgeous to watch as they slowly let is happen and embrace all that comes with it, and I adored watching these two work through everything and finally find where they wanted to be.

That’s not to say there weren’t a few well placed bruises delivered to my heart. Tears were shed, in particular with Jax’s backstory. I swear, I will never look at daisies the same way again. But in the end there were happy tears and my bruised heart bubbled over with happy emotion. It was truly a romance which made this a sublime reading experience.

Forever Starts Tonight is one of those rare romances that stays in your heart long after the final page. Beautiful, meaningful, and powerful, this love story packs an emotional punch that hit me straight in the feels. It was exceptional, and it kept me eagerly flipping the pages. Karla Sorensen never disappoints me with her ability to write a swoon-worthy romance with emotional depth. I just loved this book so much.

[Meka &#x1f338; · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me for an emotional ride, it isn’t often that I cry while I read a book but Jax and Poppy’s story had me crying a few times.

The tension, heartbreak, and emotions you get from everyone, including the side characters drew me in and I couldn’t finish this fast enough.

Overall

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5

[Hannah Sanborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly truly phenomenal, this might be my absolute favorite book by Karla yet!!! My heart and stomach ached and sometimes battled each other in this lovely story. Shit gets deep. Grab tissues. Like a whole box.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️


Estaba extasiada con Dean porque Jax sufriría, se pondría celoso y tendría que aguantar lo mismo que Poppy pasó por años, pero su sufrimiento duro una cena, una.

[Kim Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and tender.

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this all started with taking a chance! I love how brave and strong Poppy is. She’s always loved Jax and she finally takes the chance she’s always wanted!

This story was so heartwarming and I couldn’t put it down! I absolutely love this family! Poppy and Jax have always been meant to be!

[brazenandbookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Karla Sorenson for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book was everything. I am so in love with Poppy and Jax. Their story was so beautiful. Every book I read from Karla Sorenson gets better and better. I read this as a standalone but I know I will need to go back and read the rest of the Wilder family books! This family is so precious. I love the way they loved one another. Poppy experienced wonderful character growth. I loved watching her grow into herself and find her own voice. Jax learning to love himself and other was beautiful. I can’t even put how much I loved this into words. Absolutely beautiful!