My Forever Valentine

Stewart Island #5

by Tracey Alvarez

Love small town romance and Happily Ever Afters?

Dive into the Due South world to find out what your favourite characters are doing to celebrate Valentine's Day with these four short and sweet romance stories.

Shaye & Del

Does Del's stay in hospital after donating a kidney to his dad mean a Valentine's day spent alone? Not if his sexy fiancee, Shaye, can pull off some ninja moves and sneak into his room for a little romance...

Piper & West

Piper attempts to cook a Valentine's dinner for two--guess how well that'll turn out? But the results are a little unexpected...

Carly & Kip

An overnight hike on the beautiful Rakiura track is not what Carly had in mind for a romantic evening with her hottie barman. Kip, however, has an ulterior motive...

Kezia & Ben

Nothing will go wrong...the most dangerous phrase in the English language, especially when used to describe a Valentine's day surprise for Kezia and Ben.



IMPORTANT NOTE: Because these four short stories of approximately 3,000 words each contain spoilers, they are intended to be read and enjoyed after:


Book 1: In Too Deep. Featuring Piper and West. A smoking-hot reunion which may lead to a second chance for them both...


Book 2: Melting Into You. Featuring Kezia and Ben. Can this widowed single mom and the stubborn but sexy single dad ever make one big happy family?


Book 3: Ready To Burn. Featuring Shaye and Del. Two chefs, one workplace where things get seriously overheated, and a passionate enemies to lovers romance.


Book 4: Christmas With You. Featuring Carly and Kip. A New Zealand holiday romance where becoming friends with benefits can sometimes make the sexiest Christmas present of all...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Anthologies

76 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Tracey Alvarez lives in the Coolest Little Capital in the World (a.k.a Wellington, New Zealand) where she’s yet to be buried under her to-be-read book pile by Wellington’s infamous wind—her Kindle’s a lifesaver! Married to a wonderfully supportive IT guy, she has two teens who would love to be surgically linked to their electronic devices.

Fuelled by copious amounts of coffee, she’s the author of contemporary romantic fiction set predominantly in New Zealand. Small-towns, close communities, and families are a big part of the heart-warming stories she writes. Oh, and hot, down-to-earth heroes—Kiwi men, in other words.

When she’s not writing, thinking about writing, or procrastinating about writing, Tracey can be found reading sexy books of all romance genres, nibbling on smuggled chocolate bars, or bribing her kids to take over the housework.

Tracey also writes flirty, dirty stories under the penname Jessie Logan.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Forever Valentine is book five in the Due South series by Tracey Alvarez. This book was generously provided to me by the author for an honest review.

It’s Valentine’s Day. So how are our four favorite couples going to spend this special day? Before you read this book, you will need to have read the previous books in this series since this is sort of an update on each couple that we have grown to love and how they are spending their Valentine’s Day.



Del and his father, Bill, have successfully come through surgery. But it is Del and Shaye’s first Valentine’s Day as a couple and Del is still in the hospital. Shaye finds a very special and fun way to make this a very memorable day for the both of them.



Piper and West are our only married couple of the group. Piper has an elaborate meal planned to surprise West with but we know that Piper can’t cook. This does turn out to be the very best of Valentine’s Day for them, though.



Carly and Kip are our newest couple. Kip has decided that he wants to take Carly camping for Valentine’s Day. He wants this to be special. But does any camping trip ever go as planned? This one sure didn’t.



Kezia and Ben are such a cute couple. Ben is so clueless about just about everything. Everything except that he is the luckiest man alive to have Kezia in his life. That still doesn’t keep him from forgetting that it is Valentine’s Day until the last minute.

These are four very short stories that are sure to melt your heart. I have grown to love all four of these couples and it was so wonderful to get this little update of their lives together.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Received ARC copy for honest review*



♥ It’s Valentine’s Day in Oban and the four couples want to celebrate it properly, but of course nothing goes as planned. Nevertheless it’s a wonderful, romantic day for all of them.

For the fifth time Tracey wrote a beautiful story about love, partnership and family. The only flaw: it’s way too short! :D I can’t get enough of the unique setting and the likeable characters because they already are like family. I love Tracey Alvarez and her Due South Crew, so please don’t stop writing! :)

I recommend this whole series to everyone who loves funny, sexy, true-to-life contemporary romance. Part I is currently free, so grab it: In Too Deep! ♥

[Sherilee Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat!

I loved getting a sneak peek into the lives of some my favorite characters. Catching up on what they've been up to was a real treat! Little bursts of delicious, sigh-worthy moments. A must read for fans of this fantastic series.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet collection!

If you've read any of the Due South series, you'll appreciate these short glimpses into the lives of your favorite characters. If you haven't yet read all the other books in the series, it'll definitely whet your appetite. If you haven't read any, though, this collection probably isn't the place to start--the stories are short stories, and not a lot of background is given into who the characters are and what they've gone through thus far.

So here's the plan--pick up In Too Deep , which is currently still being offered for free, at least on Amazon. (As I'm writing this, the Amazon page also has a link to pick up book two, Melting Into You free as well--bonus!) Read it, love it, and then read Piper and West's story in My Forever Valentine. (I can't say much about it without venturing into spoiler territory, but there's some big news in it!) If you're still able to resist reading the rest of the series at that point, well, you're a stronger person than I am!

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaye and Del
A look into their cute Valentines Day celebration with Del in the hospital still recovering from giving his dad a kidney. It's no fun being interrupted by your brother and sister while trying to wish your man a happy Valentines Day. Del in love? Even more sexy!

Piper and West
It's never easy waiting for those lines to appear, or not, on the test sticks. These two make their feelings clear to each other while waiting. They're so in love!

Carly and Kip
There's nothing worse than a Valentines Day surprise gone wrong but with one little scenario, all is right in their world. Kip tries so hard and is completely adorable, while romancing Carly in a situation that is not too romantic.

Kezia and Ben
There's is a love story for the books! Kezia's the Italian beauty that fell in love with the island boy. Ben is as far from sophisticated as you can get but he loves Kezia with all that he is. Her surprise is fabulous even if he's having a "Murphy's Law" kind of day.

The Due South series is fantastic and it has been wonderful to re-visit these couples in such romantic circumstances.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracey Alvarez had created a series of love stories based in her Due South series that are all filled with great characters and storylines. It is hard to say goodbye to the couples at the end of each book but having this Valentine’s collection of short stories allows a glimpse into the lives of the couples met in each of the previous four novels. There may be only fifty or so pages in this collection but each page is well written telling an excerpt from the lives of people I would love to have friends - and – the stories left me wanting to read more about the couples, or other couples, in the future

I was asked to review this anthology by the author but do have to say that I have recommended this series to my sister and to others.

[Rob. C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of short stories, as I prefer long books with lots of stuff happening, but I totally enjoyed this book.
Four romantic and funny Valentine short stories about the protagonists of Tracey Alvarez's "Due South Series".
If you've read any (or all) the four novels in the series, this is a MUST READ. If you haven't discovered the Due South world yet, this is a nice way of getting to know the characters.
A very quick read (you can read it in an hour or so) but very entertaining all the same.

***I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review***

[Jennifer G · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are four very short stories that are heartwarming; perfect for anyone who believes in happily ever after. These are the Valentine's Day stories of Shaye and Del, Piper and West, Carly and Kip, and Kezia and Ben. I love all four of these couples and it was so wonderful to get this little visit with them. In true Due South style, no one's Valentine's goes as expected, but all end up perfect. You will find yourself smiling through every page.

[E Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet

I have fallen in love with the characters from Due South. This was a lovely book that gave many of the characters their happy ever after. This book was a nice finish to a wonderful series. The series is great from start to finish

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hach, es war so schön alle Pärchen wieder zu sehen und zu erleben wie sie den Valentinstag verbringen. Von mir aus hätten die einzelnen Geschichten ruhig auch länger sein dürfen ;)

[Rita Kunselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I loved all the couples & finding out what they were doing. Who had married, who had kids & any other new romances! Of course, a large part of it are their families and the people who live on Stewart Island. You can’t help loving Tracey’s books! Highly recommended!

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four novellas featuring the couples who have come together in Books 1-4 of the Due South series on Valentine’s Day plus a surprise wedding.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book gifted by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Dottiebears · Rating 2 out of 5]

These were all way to short to even qualify as a novella imo. Can't say I enjoyed this book, so far the only one in the series I haven't loved.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bunch of short stories about the characters we've already met. Cute, and I read it because it came in the boxed set, but not worth purchasing extra.

[Angela Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories

It's nice to hear about what happens next to the couple's in this series and these short stories fit the bill. Looking forward to the next book

[HatGirl8]

8/10/19

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of four short stories, each of the four couples that have been in this series, so far and their version of Valentines Day.

[N B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I've been naughty and haven't read the Due South books in order like I was supposed to. If fact, there's a book or two I haven't read at all yet, but I am definitely going to - and SOON! Yes, these four couples in these stories are part of a group of good friends that hang out together on this small island off New Zealand, and they all know each other well. And if you haven't read the previous books, you're going to be a bit confused about who all these quirky young people are, and these stories may be a little bit of a spoiler to their individual stories, each of which is the subject of a separate book.
But if you a sitting there all alone (or even not), on Valentine's Day and want to read some short, cute, and funny romantic Valentine's stories, all of which will take only a short time, this is the book for you! There are FOUR stories here, each approximately only 15 pages each. Yet each is a fun, sweet read. To try to cut back on **POSSIBLE SPOILERS**, you will read about, in no particular order, a maybe unplanned possible pregnancy - or maybe not, somebody might or might not be proposed to, someone might enjoy playing naughty nurse, and there may or may not even be a surprise wedding thrown into the mix. Then again I might be making this whole thing up. But that would make this a pretty crappy review, wouldn't it? Hmmm. Wouldn't want to do that.
Well, some or all of those things may happen in the span of a short 63 pages, to various people. How much more romance do you want in a short Valentine's Day read? Or any day you're in the mood for some quick, hot, fun romance? These are so well written, you won't be able to resist a smile, or two, or three, or four. A great valentine recipe guaranteed to please!
I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review. She suggests you read the books in order. As you can see, my opinion is entirely my own.

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a teasing and sweet glimpse into the futures of the lives of our favourite couples from books 1 to 4 in the Due South series. The books are well written, unsurprisingly, and give just enough to whet your appetite without going too far. A word of warning, you do have to have read the books for each couple to fully understand these four short stories. However, if you haven’t, they are definitely small bite-size teases that will encourage you to read each couple’s books (warning they do contain spoilers on outcomes of stories, especially in Shaye and Del’s case).

I won’t say too much about the story but Shaye’s was the most shocking, I think, because who would of thought that our sweet and innocent little Shaye could get up to such ninja style antiques! Ben and Kezia’s story twist I didn’t see coming and Kip and Carly’s story was so funny with the situation they ended up in; definitely not the most romantic place but so perfect and sweet in the end. My favourite, overall, has to be Piper and West’s story but that is personal preference as they were the first couple I read about and made me fall in love with this Due South series. Also, these mini stories answer questions you didn’t realise in some ways were still lingering on from each couple’s books in some ways, especially Shaye and Del’s and Ben and Kezia’s.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this short book, as with all others in this series so far, and can’t wait to read more from Stewart Island.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick collection of short stories to catch us up with the couples from Tracey Alvarez’s Due South series. If you enjoyed the full-length novels, you’ll enjoy these vignettes of how four of the couples are spending Valentine’s Day.

Shaye and Del from Ready to Burn have to spend the holiday in the hospital as Del is recovering from donating a kidney to save his father. But Shaye finds a way to deliver a hot Valentine’s Day gift to Del even if she has to sneak past the nurses to get to her guy.

Piper from In Too Deep is planning to cook dinner for her new husband, West. In addition to her deficiencies in the kitchen, she has to cope with sea sickness as she works with her brother Ben in their tour boat business. The dinner might burn, but she and West still find their own happy Valentine’s Day surprise.

Kip, the cute bartender from Christmas With You, attempts the perfect Valentine’s Day with Carly to hike in the Rakiura nature park. Too bad that the weather doesn’t cooperate, but romance does.

Kezia of Melting Into You has planned a real Valentine’s Day surprise for Ben. He’s, of course, clueless, but he comes through at the end with the perfect words.

I certainly enjoyed the four novels that lead up to this short collection of epilogue to their romances. If you just can’t get enough of the Due South couples, this is the book for you.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

This is actually a collection of four short stories (probably more like vignettes) about the four couples in the previous books on Valentine's Day - hence the title.

Shaye and Del
Del is recovering in hospital on Valentine's Day after giving his father Bill one of his kidneys. Shaye decides to visit him and cheer him up. This was sweet, Shaye dressing up to make their first Valentine's Day as an engaged couple memorable.

Piper and West
Piper and Ben have come to Invergordon because her anti-nausea wristband has stopped working, and they have seem Del (and Shayne) and Bill in hospital. On the way back Ben asks whether Piper's sudden onset of seasickness could be something more.

Pregnancy is a big deal for Piper - but could it be true, and how will she tell West?

Carly and Kip
Kip takes Carly on an overnight hike on the Rakiura trail for Valentine's Day - not his most inspired idea, especially when he wants to ask her a very important question.

Kezia and Ben
Ben had forgotten Valentine's Day, until Piper reminded him on the way back to the island, but Kezia has a bigger surprise planned.

These four stories are super short and holiday-themed, humorous insights into the psyche of the men and women of Stewart Island.

This book won't mean a thing to anyone who hasn't read the four previous books but is a lovely addition to the series.

[Judes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is very different to the rest of the series as it is more of 'catching up' with the couples we have grown to love in the Due South series.
I'm a bit undecided whether I like the layout of the chapters as its like snatches as you peep into windows of each couple and then you're quickly onto the next. Hence the 4 stars.
I still love the series as I look at this book as more of a 'what has happened after the HEA' and we also get to share in Ben and Kezia's wedding which is a bonus.
Since we have come to love the characters and wish to hear a bit more of their lives, this book does that. The spice is down played as it is more implied and this is definitely not to be read out of order or by itself as it is a follow up on each couple so be warned and honestly you won't regret getting the series as they are all realllllyyyyy goooooodddd!

"I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own."

[Reg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of short stories may be a quick read but I love it anyway. It is cute, sweet, endearing, and best of all, it allowed me to reconnect with Stewart Island's hot couples! Yes, I enjoyed reading and catching up with Piper & West, Kezia & Ben, Shaye & Del, and Carly & Kip (the stars of Due South books 1 to 4, which you have to read first to fully appreciate My Forever Valentine). Here, all of them are celebrating Valentine's Day and it is obvious that none of them have lost that lovin' feeling. If anything, the feelings and commitment are deeper and more intense.
I like the surprises sprinkled throughout the stories and how they added excitement and humor to our beloved couples' adventures. The book is an affirmation of love and HEAs and I felt nicer and lighter after reading it. My favorite story, by the way, is Shaye and Del's. These two are sneaky, and they make hospital stays and visits naughty and sexy!

[Tuyetmai · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Forever Valentine, Due South Book #5, is a collection of what I would call second epilogues for the first four books in the series. We revisit with Shaye & Del, Piper & West, Carly & Kip, and Kezia & Ben get a glimpse of how they spend their Valentine’s Day. It was great to see how each of my favorite couples was doing. I was amused, anxious and excited, misty eyed with happiness, and laughed my ass off. I was a bit saddened to think that this was the last of the Due South books, since all the Harlands and Westlakes/Gatlin were paired up; however, I am thrilled to learn that 2 other’s books are in the works. Anxiously awaiting Playing for Fun.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Siobhan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stomping good read - short, but sweet and sexy.

Shaye & Del and Kip & Carly are my fav couples from this series and I especially loved their short stories. Ben and Piper witnessing Shaye's special Valentine's treat for Del was hysterical. So funny.

There isn't much else I can say without giving too much away. These are great little teasers for those readers who may not have read the series yet, though you should read all the other books first to maximise the reading enjoyment.

The first book, In Too Deep, is free to download from Amazon and if you sign up to the author's mailing list you will receive book 2 for free (Melting Into You.)

I highly recommend this well-written series. Love these books! (Fan-girling all over the place)

[Kathrin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad short story collection but two aspects about it seem to increase my antipathy for short stories.
I always thought that there was an unspoken rule not to put really important stuff into short stories as some people actively decide to not read them. Obviously, you are supposed to read them for this series as they are sold as book #5. Part of me felt a little cheated that this fact wasn't to spot. I expected something like a #4.5.

Since I like the series a lot I'm able to overlook this but then there's still my pet peeve - repetitiveness in a series. Maybe this collection was a mix of repeating similar actions with different people and everything just turns out good. I don't say this often but I start to miss some drama.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how this book tied up some ends, and allows us to see the happier endings for the 4 couples :)

[Frankie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really a quick catch up on the characters we already know and love. We get a little taste of the characters from each preceding Due South novel and a little of the gushy love that we love in a romance. The stories are completely clean however.
It was sweet and lovely to get a little insight on what's happening so to speak, before we get to see the next story in the series.
Enjoyable and well written as always, albeit a little too short - I want more! :)

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Valorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwwwwwww.............ok so......let's tick off the list, does shaye still blush when caught red handed? Those two are just too cute........I'm over joyed with the news of piper and wests newest addition......I'm ecstatic about carly and kip! They've made me so happy! and finally, kezia did exactly what I would've done.......I thoroughly enjoyed the this book and all the stories.........thank you.

[Rhonda Brant · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to pull together the Due South series and all the couples. Once again the author wrote an amazing story that leaves you with the warm and fuzzies. :-). Especially loved Ben and Kezia's ending, a must read if you've read the series.