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In Every Lifetime
Not yet published
Expected 21 May 26She thought walking away would end the heartbreak.
But Fai returned… sober, determined, and with a shocking revelation.
Sarah Martin fought hard to rebuild her life after leaving the man she once promised forever to. Loving Fai meant living with the chaos of his addiction, the broken promises, and the heartbreak she could no longer survive.
Leaving him was supposed to be the end of their story.
Until Fai shows up at her door with the unexpected discovery of a brother he never knew existed.
Sarah should say no when he asks for her help. Instead, she finds herself traveling to Montana beside her ex, determined not to lose herself again.
But the closer they get, the harder it becomes to ignore the past… or the feelings neither of them truly left behind.
Montana holds more than second chances.
The man claiming to be Fai’s long-lost brother brings answers Fai has waited years to find… but something about him leaves Sarah uneasy. The more time they spend together, the more she suspects he’s hiding dangerous secrets.
Old wounds, buried truths, and the secrets they’ve kept from each other may prove that some second chances come with a price.
But Fai returned… sober, determined, and with a shocking revelation.
Sarah Martin fought hard to rebuild her life after leaving the man she once promised forever to. Loving Fai meant living with the chaos of his addiction, the broken promises, and the heartbreak she could no longer survive.
Leaving him was supposed to be the end of their story.
Until Fai shows up at her door with the unexpected discovery of a brother he never knew existed.
Sarah should say no when he asks for her help. Instead, she finds herself traveling to Montana beside her ex, determined not to lose herself again.
But the closer they get, the harder it becomes to ignore the past… or the feelings neither of them truly left behind.
Montana holds more than second chances.
The man claiming to be Fai’s long-lost brother brings answers Fai has waited years to find… but something about him leaves Sarah uneasy. The more time they spend together, the more she suspects he’s hiding dangerous secrets.
Old wounds, buried truths, and the secrets they’ve kept from each other may prove that some second chances come with a price.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 21, 2026
About the author
H.J. Cartwright
6 books55 followersDid you know anyone can write a book? Well, they can because H.J. Cartwright did. Born and raised in small town Utah, H.J. Cartwright has been a reader her entire life and fell in love with the world of writing. She loves all things romance, 80's themed, music, and suspense. Writing a book was never something she imagined, but something she had always dreamt of.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 13, 2026
Loved every part of this! This is my first H.J. Cartwright book & won’t be my last! I’m a sucker for a romantic suspense & this checked all the boxes. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen!
I also loved the dual POV because you really got a feel for both of the characters emotions throughout & what they were both dealing with, which is a lot.
This had so many of my favorite tropes:
~one bed
~forced proximity
~second chance
Thank you H.J. Cartwright for this amazing ARC🩵🩵
I also loved the dual POV because you really got a feel for both of the characters emotions throughout & what they were both dealing with, which is a lot.
This had so many of my favorite tropes:
~one bed
~forced proximity
~second chance
Thank you H.J. Cartwright for this amazing ARC🩵🩵
Review of advance copy received from Author
HJ Cartwright has done it again, the queen of romantic thriller. This is the story of Fai and Sarah. And man does it hit you right in all the feels. And then ABSOLUTE INSANITY ENSUES! Once you hit the 50% mark, you absolutely cab not put this book down. I screamed, I cried, I almost threw my kindle. I loved this story so much. I also love how you don't have to read the Advocates series, but it just makes it so much better if you do.
May 15, 2026
*ARC READER REVIEW*
I absolutely loved every second of this book. From page one, I was hooked. The suspense kept me completely intrigued, the tension was perfect, and the portrayal of addiction felt so raw and incredibly well written.
This book took me through the full emotional spectrum—I laughed, I got angry, and then I cried… and cried. H.J. Cartwright created a story that pulled me in and refused to let go. Emotional, gripping, and impossible to stop thinking about after the final page. I already know this one is going to stick with me for a long time.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved every second of this book. From page one, I was hooked. The suspense kept me completely intrigued, the tension was perfect, and the portrayal of addiction felt so raw and incredibly well written.
This book took me through the full emotional spectrum—I laughed, I got angry, and then I cried… and cried. H.J. Cartwright created a story that pulled me in and refused to let go. Emotional, gripping, and impossible to stop thinking about after the final page. I already know this one is going to stick with me for a long time.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2026
ARC READER REVIEW!!
This book through me for a whirlwind of emotions! The suspense in this book is sooo good. It will leave you on the edge of your seat wanting more and more.
Also, the emotion this book exudes is fantastic as well. Getting to know the MMC and FMC both on such a personal level in this Dual POV helps you see each struggle. Getting to really know the broken relationships, the struggles of addiction, up to the road to sobriety.
This book is all about second chances, not just for love. But a second chance on life through sobriety too.
This book through me for a whirlwind of emotions! The suspense in this book is sooo good. It will leave you on the edge of your seat wanting more and more.
Also, the emotion this book exudes is fantastic as well. Getting to know the MMC and FMC both on such a personal level in this Dual POV helps you see each struggle. Getting to really know the broken relationships, the struggles of addiction, up to the road to sobriety.
This book is all about second chances, not just for love. But a second chance on life through sobriety too.
Did Not Finish
May 5, 2026This is personal and I understand others can read this book and not be bothered. I am a clinical psychologist. Therefore, I struggle reading books with a POV being a psychologist because psychologists are rarely written even closely to real psychologists. Now, of course when writing about a psychologist it does not need to be perfect or 100% realism; yet, when there are blatantly obvious unrealistic behaviors by the psychologist and the book is based in the realistic world and principles, I struggle to read it.
Unfortunately, the MFC was a psychologist and the first POV chapter she was already engaging in unethical and unprofessional behavior. She agreed to be the psychologist for her siblings brother, Nate. This was a conflict of interest and violates our ethical code. She should have said no and offered appropriate resources to Nate. Then, it got worse. The MFC had Nate in her home painting her walls. She even physically touched him and put her head on his shoulders. This made me cringe. The next chapter the MFC told Nate he needed a new psychologist now that they were friends and she could not keep providing his care. This was really awful and super red flag, as he was still her patient. What I took away within the first two POV chapters of the MFC was that this woman took on a patient she should not have and, while still providing his care, became friends with him, invited him over, had him engage in physical labor in her home, and touched him inappropriately.
Let me be clear, patients are NOT our friend pool. The MFC even acknowledged some ethics with Nate; yet she couldn’t see what she was currently doing was unethical? This woman took advantage of her relationship with her patient. I would have reported her to her state board. If this were my friend in real life, I truly would talk to her about her behavior and ethically have to report her or I would be at risk for losing my license.
Second, I struggled to believe any of this because the MFC was in her PHD program at 18 years old; therefore described as incredibly smart. Yet, she was acting this unprofessionally and had no insight into how unethical she was.
Because these issues appear immediately and form the foundation of her POV, I stopped reading. I fully understand this is fiction and the author can take whatever creative journey she wants, as well as many readers won’t react the way I did. However, portrayals of psychologists as chronically unethical are common in books, and it’s something I find personally frustrating. In this case, the combination of boundary crossings, a hero complex, and inappropriate behavior with a patient while having no insight made it impossible for me to continue.
Unfortunately, the MFC was a psychologist and the first POV chapter she was already engaging in unethical and unprofessional behavior. She agreed to be the psychologist for her siblings brother, Nate. This was a conflict of interest and violates our ethical code. She should have said no and offered appropriate resources to Nate. Then, it got worse. The MFC had Nate in her home painting her walls. She even physically touched him and put her head on his shoulders. This made me cringe. The next chapter the MFC told Nate he needed a new psychologist now that they were friends and she could not keep providing his care. This was really awful and super red flag, as he was still her patient. What I took away within the first two POV chapters of the MFC was that this woman took on a patient she should not have and, while still providing his care, became friends with him, invited him over, had him engage in physical labor in her home, and touched him inappropriately.
Let me be clear, patients are NOT our friend pool. The MFC even acknowledged some ethics with Nate; yet she couldn’t see what she was currently doing was unethical? This woman took advantage of her relationship with her patient. I would have reported her to her state board. If this were my friend in real life, I truly would talk to her about her behavior and ethically have to report her or I would be at risk for losing my license.
Second, I struggled to believe any of this because the MFC was in her PHD program at 18 years old; therefore described as incredibly smart. Yet, she was acting this unprofessionally and had no insight into how unethical she was.
Because these issues appear immediately and form the foundation of her POV, I stopped reading. I fully understand this is fiction and the author can take whatever creative journey she wants, as well as many readers won’t react the way I did. However, portrayals of psychologists as chronically unethical are common in books, and it’s something I find personally frustrating. In this case, the combination of boundary crossings, a hero complex, and inappropriate behavior with a patient while having no insight made it impossible for me to continue.
May 16, 2026
4 stars.
I felt so many things while reading H.R. Cartwright's "In Every Lifetime." Oh boy, this book is a doozy and a roller coaster! Have tissues handy if any of the TWs might impact you personally, because this book will have you bawling. Love is often a struggle, and this book encapsulates that fact. The best part about this book is that it is a dual POV, so readers get fully immersed in Sarah and Fai's vulnerable, raw, realistic story from both sides. We understand their motives, their hurts, their wishes, their wants. Their crawl back to each other post-divorce is slow, hard-fought, and grueling. Fai's alcoholism destroyed their marriage, destroyed their friendship, but you can tell there is still a deep love there between them. After their divorce was finalized, they didn't see each other for six months until Fai received a letter from his long-lost brother, whom he had no idea existed, asking him and Sarah to visit him in rural Montana. She agrees to go with him despite apprehension because Fai's childhood was plagued with bad foster homes and even worse situations after being given up by his teenage parents. Sarah knows what this means to him to have a familial connection out there, somewhere. The more time Sarah and Fai spend with each other back in a forced, close proximity, the more they realize that they have each grown personally in different ways. This story is messy as heck, but it also feels lived-in. These feel like real people with real problems. There are certain aspects relating to Fai's brother, Gabriel, that I thought could have been developed a little bit better/more. I did enjoy the constant mystery surrounding Gabriel and his motives for meeting his "long-lost brother" Fai. Quite compelling at times! I must admit, despite a few moments where I thought things could have been tweaked here and there, I enjoyed this book. I kept reading it really quickly because I wanted to know where it was going and how it would end! I can't wait to read more books by H.J. Cartwright!
Thank you to H.J. Cartwright for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I felt so many things while reading H.R. Cartwright's "In Every Lifetime." Oh boy, this book is a doozy and a roller coaster! Have tissues handy if any of the TWs might impact you personally, because this book will have you bawling. Love is often a struggle, and this book encapsulates that fact. The best part about this book is that it is a dual POV, so readers get fully immersed in Sarah and Fai's vulnerable, raw, realistic story from both sides. We understand their motives, their hurts, their wishes, their wants. Their crawl back to each other post-divorce is slow, hard-fought, and grueling. Fai's alcoholism destroyed their marriage, destroyed their friendship, but you can tell there is still a deep love there between them. After their divorce was finalized, they didn't see each other for six months until Fai received a letter from his long-lost brother, whom he had no idea existed, asking him and Sarah to visit him in rural Montana. She agrees to go with him despite apprehension because Fai's childhood was plagued with bad foster homes and even worse situations after being given up by his teenage parents. Sarah knows what this means to him to have a familial connection out there, somewhere. The more time Sarah and Fai spend with each other back in a forced, close proximity, the more they realize that they have each grown personally in different ways. This story is messy as heck, but it also feels lived-in. These feel like real people with real problems. There are certain aspects relating to Fai's brother, Gabriel, that I thought could have been developed a little bit better/more. I did enjoy the constant mystery surrounding Gabriel and his motives for meeting his "long-lost brother" Fai. Quite compelling at times! I must admit, despite a few moments where I thought things could have been tweaked here and there, I enjoyed this book. I kept reading it really quickly because I wanted to know where it was going and how it would end! I can't wait to read more books by H.J. Cartwright!
Thank you to H.J. Cartwright for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced copy received from the author:
In Every Lifetime had all the ingredients of a five-star read for me. For about 75% of the book, I was engaged, excited, and eager to see where the story was going. The premise and writing were compelling enough to keep me turning pages.
However, in the final quarter of the book, I started to feel increasingly confused by several key elements. The first issue was the relationships between characters. The dynamics between the FMC, MMC, and secondary characters became muddled, and I struggled to clearly distinguish some of the supporting cast. This may sometimes happen when I’m less engaged or listening via audio, but in this case I read physically and was still unable to fully track who was connected to whom and how.
The second issue for me was the portrayal of Fai’s alcoholism. While I understand creative interpretation, the depiction didn’t fully resonate with my understanding of addiction. His ability to maintain a highly functional academic and business life, make rational relational decisions, and still be characterized as struggling with severe alcoholism felt inconsistent and difficult to reconcile.
Lastly, I struggled with the antagonist’s motivation. The villain’s obsession with Sarah was only lightly explained, and the lack of deeper backstory made the central conflict feel underdeveloped. Because of this, the stakes of the story didn’t land as strongly as they could have for me.
Despite these concerns, I do think the writing itself is strong in moments where the story has clear focus and context. The concept is compelling, and I believe the book would benefit from additional pages dedicated to character development, relationship clarity, and deeper exploration of the central conflict.
Overall, I’m giving this a 3-star rating. It’s a solid foundation with a lot of potential, but it didn’t fully come together for me in execution.
In Every Lifetime had all the ingredients of a five-star read for me. For about 75% of the book, I was engaged, excited, and eager to see where the story was going. The premise and writing were compelling enough to keep me turning pages.
However, in the final quarter of the book, I started to feel increasingly confused by several key elements. The first issue was the relationships between characters. The dynamics between the FMC, MMC, and secondary characters became muddled, and I struggled to clearly distinguish some of the supporting cast. This may sometimes happen when I’m less engaged or listening via audio, but in this case I read physically and was still unable to fully track who was connected to whom and how.
The second issue for me was the portrayal of Fai’s alcoholism. While I understand creative interpretation, the depiction didn’t fully resonate with my understanding of addiction. His ability to maintain a highly functional academic and business life, make rational relational decisions, and still be characterized as struggling with severe alcoholism felt inconsistent and difficult to reconcile.
Lastly, I struggled with the antagonist’s motivation. The villain’s obsession with Sarah was only lightly explained, and the lack of deeper backstory made the central conflict feel underdeveloped. Because of this, the stakes of the story didn’t land as strongly as they could have for me.
Despite these concerns, I do think the writing itself is strong in moments where the story has clear focus and context. The concept is compelling, and I believe the book would benefit from additional pages dedicated to character development, relationship clarity, and deeper exploration of the central conflict.
Overall, I’m giving this a 3-star rating. It’s a solid foundation with a lot of potential, but it didn’t fully come together for me in execution.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sarah leaves her husband, Fai, after years of marriage strained by his alcohol addiction. But when he reappears with a letter from a man claiming to be his brother, he asks her to join him on a trip to Montana to uncover his past. As they travel together, old feelings resurface, buried secrets emerge, and Sarah grows wary of Fai’s mysterious brother, Gabriel.
This story was a rollercoaster—I’m still coming down from it. It’s a quick read, and once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know how everything would unfold.
I really enjoyed Fai and Sarah as a couple. Their strength, both individually and together, stood out, and their emotional growth was genuinely heartwarming. While I don’t have personal experience with addiction, Sarah’s unwavering love during Fai’s darkest moments was beautifully portrayed. Fai coming to terms with his addiction and what he wants for his future was also deeply emotional.
That said, a few things pulled me out of the story. Sarah starting college at fourteen and graduate school at eighteen felt unrealistic, especially given her career as a psychologist. I also struggled with her friendship with Nate, considering he was her patient—it didn’t feel believable.
Fai’s decision to meet his supposed brother with almost no information also raised questions. In a world where so much is easily accessible, it was hard to accept—especially given his connections. Taking Sarah along made it even more puzzling.
The suspense worked well at times, though I found myself wanting more information in certain moments. And I still have a lot of thoughts about Gabriel.
Overall the writing was great and sucked me right in. I binged this book in one day-maybe I’m just a bit more critical at some parts of the book. Thank you to H.J. Cartwright for the ARC.
This story was a rollercoaster—I’m still coming down from it. It’s a quick read, and once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know how everything would unfold.
I really enjoyed Fai and Sarah as a couple. Their strength, both individually and together, stood out, and their emotional growth was genuinely heartwarming. While I don’t have personal experience with addiction, Sarah’s unwavering love during Fai’s darkest moments was beautifully portrayed. Fai coming to terms with his addiction and what he wants for his future was also deeply emotional.
That said, a few things pulled me out of the story. Sarah starting college at fourteen and graduate school at eighteen felt unrealistic, especially given her career as a psychologist. I also struggled with her friendship with Nate, considering he was her patient—it didn’t feel believable.
Fai’s decision to meet his supposed brother with almost no information also raised questions. In a world where so much is easily accessible, it was hard to accept—especially given his connections. Taking Sarah along made it even more puzzling.
The suspense worked well at times, though I found myself wanting more information in certain moments. And I still have a lot of thoughts about Gabriel.
Overall the writing was great and sucked me right in. I binged this book in one day-maybe I’m just a bit more critical at some parts of the book. Thank you to H.J. Cartwright for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had the opportunity to read In Every Lifetime a bit early and finished it in literally two days; it was so good! This is my first suspense/thriller ARC, and this book left me wanting more. Despite all the hardships and relationship issues Fai and Sarah faced, it was so incredible to see them both work hard to prevail and overcome their obstacles. Addiction can be difficult to write, but I think Cartwright captured it well and portrayed Fai as a solid character. I was always so obsessed with how in love he is with Sarah. It is the type of love that you only see in books or movies. You can tell how much they care for each other very early on in the book. Sarah was a great character. She is the type of woman you always want in your corner; she is loyal, trustworthy, and very passionate. Not to mention her incredible job. It was so fun to see her put her skills to use throughout the book. I really enjoyed her character and admire the strength and courage she has, especially with having someone you love deeply be an addict. The Dual POV brought great depth to the stores. The flow and pace were nice, not too fast or too slow. I really enjoyed the spice, 5/5. Especially that one scene...
I thought the epilogue/last chapter was good. I would have loved to see more of their relationship in the future, but the ending was a nice surprise. I really enjoyed H.J's writing and look forward to seeing what they have going on next.
Fave Quote: “I can’t stop, Sarah. The only way my love for you would stop is if my heart stopped beating. I’ve loved you from the moment I met you, and I will love you until I die.”
I thought the epilogue/last chapter was good. I would have loved to see more of their relationship in the future, but the ending was a nice surprise. I really enjoyed H.J's writing and look forward to seeing what they have going on next.
Fave Quote: “I can’t stop, Sarah. The only way my love for you would stop is if my heart stopped beating. I’ve loved you from the moment I met you, and I will love you until I die.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2026
**ARC Review**
HJ Cartwright I think is the reason that I will always pick up a romantic suspense when its recommended. I was selected as an ARC reader for The Fall of Rome last year and I absolutely fell in love with her writing. She deserves all the hype for her books.
In Every Lifetime follows another familiar face from the Advocates Series, Faizal Acharya and his (now) ex-wife Sarah Martin. We start the book immediately with their divorce proceedings and get to witness Fai making a decision that will alter the course of his life moving forward.
Faizal and Sarah are so VERY clearly end game. The chemistry that bleeds out of the page at you and the crushing love and devotion that they have for eachother even through Faizal's struggles with alcoholism is so apparent. You begin to IMMEDIATELY root for Fai. I wanted absolutely nothing but good things for him.
The reconnection between Fai and Sarah happens when Fai (who was adopted and had no known family) is contacted by his brother in efforts to reconnect. Fai, who is devout in his sobriety needs someone to help support him on his trip to meet his brother and Sarah, of course, is the one who ends up by his side.
When Sarah is immediately worried about the long lost brother's story we really see the two of them start to heal their realtionship. You see them talking through things, worrying about things and fully supporting each other through all of their concerns. I was so moved and so touched by the way that Sarah and Fai healed themselves standing side by side. The way they gave each other space to heal and to grow.
Its time for me to finish the Advocates series because I dont know if I am prepared to wait for the next book, whatever it might be. (I'm still voting for a Romano sister spin off to the Fall of Rome.)
HJ Cartwright I think is the reason that I will always pick up a romantic suspense when its recommended. I was selected as an ARC reader for The Fall of Rome last year and I absolutely fell in love with her writing. She deserves all the hype for her books.
In Every Lifetime follows another familiar face from the Advocates Series, Faizal Acharya and his (now) ex-wife Sarah Martin. We start the book immediately with their divorce proceedings and get to witness Fai making a decision that will alter the course of his life moving forward.
Faizal and Sarah are so VERY clearly end game. The chemistry that bleeds out of the page at you and the crushing love and devotion that they have for eachother even through Faizal's struggles with alcoholism is so apparent. You begin to IMMEDIATELY root for Fai. I wanted absolutely nothing but good things for him.
The reconnection between Fai and Sarah happens when Fai (who was adopted and had no known family) is contacted by his brother in efforts to reconnect. Fai, who is devout in his sobriety needs someone to help support him on his trip to meet his brother and Sarah, of course, is the one who ends up by his side.
When Sarah is immediately worried about the long lost brother's story we really see the two of them start to heal their realtionship. You see them talking through things, worrying about things and fully supporting each other through all of their concerns. I was so moved and so touched by the way that Sarah and Fai healed themselves standing side by side. The way they gave each other space to heal and to grow.
Its time for me to finish the Advocates series because I dont know if I am prepared to wait for the next book, whatever it might be. (I'm still voting for a Romano sister spin off to the Fall of Rome.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was given the opportunity to read *In Every Lifetime* as an ARC reader, and I absolutely devoured it in two evenings.
This was actually my first suspenseful romantic thriller, and H.J.’s writing style completely pulled me in. Every chapter kept me engaged and wanting “just one more,” until suddenly I was far deeper into the story than I intended to be.
I originally thought this would be a three-day read for me. Then I hit 70% and thought, “Oh, that’s not much left.” By 80%, I was fully invested and couldn’t put it down. At 90%, there was no chance I was stopping until I finished.
The pacing was done really well, and the details woven into both the main and secondary characters kept building in a way that made it easy to stay emotionally invested in everyone involved. The dual POV added so much depth to the story and really helped fully develop the emotional side of everything unfolding.
I can’t personally speak to the realism of the alcoholism representation, but the portrayal felt grounded and believable in the context of the story and similar media I’ve experienced.
My only complaint is honestly that I wanted more. After the major plot moments unfolded, I would have loved a little more time with the characters afterward, especially in the epilogue. I wasn’t ready to leave them behind yet.
Their love felt enduring in the best way, and watching their story unfold was both emotional and refreshingly beautiful.
Thank you to H.J. for the ARC opportunity!
This was actually my first suspenseful romantic thriller, and H.J.’s writing style completely pulled me in. Every chapter kept me engaged and wanting “just one more,” until suddenly I was far deeper into the story than I intended to be.
I originally thought this would be a three-day read for me. Then I hit 70% and thought, “Oh, that’s not much left.” By 80%, I was fully invested and couldn’t put it down. At 90%, there was no chance I was stopping until I finished.
The pacing was done really well, and the details woven into both the main and secondary characters kept building in a way that made it easy to stay emotionally invested in everyone involved. The dual POV added so much depth to the story and really helped fully develop the emotional side of everything unfolding.
I can’t personally speak to the realism of the alcoholism representation, but the portrayal felt grounded and believable in the context of the story and similar media I’ve experienced.
My only complaint is honestly that I wanted more. After the major plot moments unfolded, I would have loved a little more time with the characters afterward, especially in the epilogue. I wasn’t ready to leave them behind yet.
Their love felt enduring in the best way, and watching their story unfold was both emotional and refreshingly beautiful.
Thank you to H.J. for the ARC opportunity!
Review of advance copy received from Author
📚 ARC Review
This is my first book by HJ Cartwright, and honestly, I really enjoyed it. The love story isn’t your typical romance — it feels raw, real, and relatable. Alongside the romance, there’s chosen family, hope, passion, and even the surprise of a family member appearing out of the blue.
This book was a slow burn for me at first because I wasn’t really sure where the story was going, but the more I read, the more the suspense and sense of wonder kept me turning the pages.
I believe that HJ Cartwright portrayed the relationship between Fai and Sarah beautifully, as well as their relationships with their chosen family. The book also shows how difficult relationships can become when addiction is involved — both for the person struggling with addiction and for the person who loves them.
There are a lot of themes in this book that many people may find relatable, including:
Chosen family
Addiction
Relationships
Abandonment from birth family
Searching for family
Mental health
Although this book is on the shorter side, it touches on a lot of important topics without overwhelming the reader. I felt like it gave just enough detail and emotion without drowning you in too much information.
I don’t want to give away too much more because I feel like it could sway people’s thoughts before reading it for themselves.
Thank you to HJ Cartwright for the ARC opportunity and for being the first ARC I’ve read.
This is my first book by HJ Cartwright, and honestly, I really enjoyed it. The love story isn’t your typical romance — it feels raw, real, and relatable. Alongside the romance, there’s chosen family, hope, passion, and even the surprise of a family member appearing out of the blue.
This book was a slow burn for me at first because I wasn’t really sure where the story was going, but the more I read, the more the suspense and sense of wonder kept me turning the pages.
I believe that HJ Cartwright portrayed the relationship between Fai and Sarah beautifully, as well as their relationships with their chosen family. The book also shows how difficult relationships can become when addiction is involved — both for the person struggling with addiction and for the person who loves them.
There are a lot of themes in this book that many people may find relatable, including:
Chosen family
Addiction
Relationships
Abandonment from birth family
Searching for family
Mental health
Although this book is on the shorter side, it touches on a lot of important topics without overwhelming the reader. I felt like it gave just enough detail and emotion without drowning you in too much information.
I don’t want to give away too much more because I feel like it could sway people’s thoughts before reading it for themselves.
Thank you to HJ Cartwright for the ARC opportunity and for being the first ARC I’ve read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⛰️ARC REVIEW
This was my first book by this author. The tropes and the blurb immediately caught my attention when I first saw it. And let me tell you, it was honestly really good. I loved the dynamic between all the characters. I also feel like the author handled the themes in the story really well. Definitely check the trigger warnings because the book deals with addiction, mental health, and other heavy topics.
The personal, emotional, and acceptance growth in this story was done beautifully. I liked that it didn’t only focus on the main characters, but also gave attention to the side characters. The romance between Fai and Sarah was beautiful, but at the same time heartbreaking when you realize they were together for 16 years and had to battle through his addiction. I think this part felt very real to what many people actually go through.
I feel like the story, the plot, and that plot twist at the end were really good and kept me intrigued for most of the book, but personally I still felt like something was missing. I was expecting a little more suspense, I don’t know, I just wanted more in that aspect. I feel like there could have been more, but since the book wasn’t very long, only around 316 pages, I understand why there wasn’t more development there and why the ending felt a bit rushed to me.
But aside from that, I can assure you I loved it, and you’ll most likely love this story too, maybe even more than I did.
This was my first book by this author. The tropes and the blurb immediately caught my attention when I first saw it. And let me tell you, it was honestly really good. I loved the dynamic between all the characters. I also feel like the author handled the themes in the story really well. Definitely check the trigger warnings because the book deals with addiction, mental health, and other heavy topics.
The personal, emotional, and acceptance growth in this story was done beautifully. I liked that it didn’t only focus on the main characters, but also gave attention to the side characters. The romance between Fai and Sarah was beautiful, but at the same time heartbreaking when you realize they were together for 16 years and had to battle through his addiction. I think this part felt very real to what many people actually go through.
I feel like the story, the plot, and that plot twist at the end were really good and kept me intrigued for most of the book, but personally I still felt like something was missing. I was expecting a little more suspense, I don’t know, I just wanted more in that aspect. I feel like there could have been more, but since the book wasn’t very long, only around 316 pages, I understand why there wasn’t more development there and why the ending felt a bit rushed to me.
But aside from that, I can assure you I loved it, and you’ll most likely love this story too, maybe even more than I did.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a romance with thriller elements. It is a story of addiction, heartbreak, love, second chances, making mistakes, hope, repairing relationships and forgiveness.
Life is messy. Love is messy. Life is beautiful. Love is beautiful.
This book was about navigating addiction, heartbreak and dealing with cuts that run deep enough to cause permanent scars. The author was able to depict on the pages raw emotions, scars from addiction and battles in the characters lives.
The MMC stated he had addictions: alcohol and the love of his life. He had two intoxications: alcohol and her. She was his first addiction and his longest addiction and the one he could never recover from.
What will you sacrifice for those you love?
"Loving him isn't a choice; it's a part of who I am."
There was good character development in most of the characters. I was cheering them on and wanted them to succeed in life and overcome their battles.
I was left a little perplexed at the motivation for the antagonist's actions. In my opinion, this aspect could have been developed further.
Tropes: Romantic suspense
Dual POV
One bed
Forced proximity
Second chance -- in life and in love
This was an ARC read. Thank you, HJ Cartwright, for the honor of reading this book.
Life is messy. Love is messy. Life is beautiful. Love is beautiful.
This book was about navigating addiction, heartbreak and dealing with cuts that run deep enough to cause permanent scars. The author was able to depict on the pages raw emotions, scars from addiction and battles in the characters lives.
The MMC stated he had addictions: alcohol and the love of his life. He had two intoxications: alcohol and her. She was his first addiction and his longest addiction and the one he could never recover from.
What will you sacrifice for those you love?
"Loving him isn't a choice; it's a part of who I am."
There was good character development in most of the characters. I was cheering them on and wanted them to succeed in life and overcome their battles.
I was left a little perplexed at the motivation for the antagonist's actions. In my opinion, this aspect could have been developed further.
Tropes: Romantic suspense
Dual POV
One bed
Forced proximity
Second chance -- in life and in love
This was an ARC read. Thank you, HJ Cartwright, for the honor of reading this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
don’t know where to begin. I ARC read for H.J Cartwright last year and I’m so honored to have been able to do so again. This story hits home, I connected deeply with Fai and Sarah. It’s always good to see someone else’s POV when it comes to these type of topics, you see issues and their circumstances in a different light.
Despite In every lifetime having such a hard topic I found it to be wholesome, the way it focused on everyone’s relationship not only MCs - the broken, the before, and the after it all went well with the story to help one understand how things went so downhill in the end. Fai had to hit rock bottom, Sarah had to wake up and put herself first. Then we add the mystery, the twist and the way secrets were revealed. Just had my heart in a tight squeeze, H.J CARTWRIGHT did it again, perfection in one book 🤍
Fai and Sarah had to let go to be able to learn to be better. For themselves to be able to work on themselves for them and no one else.
When Fai’s long lost brother emerges he feels like he’s not alone in this world that he finally has a real family. But with his new routine in structure he knows he can’t make this trip alone. Sarah will always be there for Fai so she joins him on this new journey but danger is closer than what meets the eye.
P.s Nate’s not going to like what he finds in his sheets 💀
Despite In every lifetime having such a hard topic I found it to be wholesome, the way it focused on everyone’s relationship not only MCs - the broken, the before, and the after it all went well with the story to help one understand how things went so downhill in the end. Fai had to hit rock bottom, Sarah had to wake up and put herself first. Then we add the mystery, the twist and the way secrets were revealed. Just had my heart in a tight squeeze, H.J CARTWRIGHT did it again, perfection in one book 🤍
Fai and Sarah had to let go to be able to learn to be better. For themselves to be able to work on themselves for them and no one else.
When Fai’s long lost brother emerges he feels like he’s not alone in this world that he finally has a real family. But with his new routine in structure he knows he can’t make this trip alone. Sarah will always be there for Fai so she joins him on this new journey but danger is closer than what meets the eye.
P.s Nate’s not going to like what he finds in his sheets 💀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In Every Lifetime
Author: H.J. Cartwright
•ARC REVIEW•
Those who don’t know, I’m an alcoholic in recovery (03/27/22) and I hold not only my sobriety but also the community of sober people very near and dear to my heart. Saying that, In Every Lifetime is the first book I’ve read in a LONG time that truly spoke to my experience with alcohol addiction and its struggles. No cheesy moments of a quick fix with some words or a realization of setting down the bottle with ease. The true grit of the process in healing myself and the relationships I destroyed around me were shown to me in this beautiful book that I cannot begin to express my upmost gratitude to when reviewing this work. The storyline is great and I never want to diminish the importance of the story itself. I simply cannot overlook the true nature of the sober journey illustrated throughout. I’ll step off my soap box - for now.
@ has brought us a moving piece with relationships that have true depth while keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The thrill of needing to read more and more is a feeling that isn’t as common as I’d like but In Every Lifetime had it coursing through my veins from start to finish.
This read is a must.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
🏷️ #arcreview #arcreader #bookrecommendation #bookish #bookstagram
Author: H.J. Cartwright
•ARC REVIEW•
Those who don’t know, I’m an alcoholic in recovery (03/27/22) and I hold not only my sobriety but also the community of sober people very near and dear to my heart. Saying that, In Every Lifetime is the first book I’ve read in a LONG time that truly spoke to my experience with alcohol addiction and its struggles. No cheesy moments of a quick fix with some words or a realization of setting down the bottle with ease. The true grit of the process in healing myself and the relationships I destroyed around me were shown to me in this beautiful book that I cannot begin to express my upmost gratitude to when reviewing this work. The storyline is great and I never want to diminish the importance of the story itself. I simply cannot overlook the true nature of the sober journey illustrated throughout. I’ll step off my soap box - for now.
@ has brought us a moving piece with relationships that have true depth while keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The thrill of needing to read more and more is a feeling that isn’t as common as I’d like but In Every Lifetime had it coursing through my veins from start to finish.
This read is a must.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
🏷️ #arcreview #arcreader #bookrecommendation #bookish #bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I would wait for her for the rest of eternity, because in every lifetime, loving her would be inevitable."
This is a beautiful story of two people wrecked by substance abuse and how in picking up the pieces of shattered endings, you can create a more beautiful beginning. The heart in this story is the central theme. These characters, both main and side, illustrate that we are not meant for one and done when it comes to mistakes made by the people we love. It is a story about love, yes, in the truest of forms...unconditional. And also about family, loyalty, second chances, and understanding that we are always able to grow from even the most dire of mistakes.
This is a romance at its core with elements of mystery woven in. The plot really centers around the male main character, Fai, and his ex-wife, Sarah. Their marriage being destroyed by addiction and the never-ending love between them. It is also a story that highlights resilience, soft strength, and the ripple effects of choices. The mystery aspect of the story is intriguing, but really is a conduit for reconnection between the main characters.
If you are looking for love, not just romance or spice, then you will enjoy this book. Happy Reading!
This is a beautiful story of two people wrecked by substance abuse and how in picking up the pieces of shattered endings, you can create a more beautiful beginning. The heart in this story is the central theme. These characters, both main and side, illustrate that we are not meant for one and done when it comes to mistakes made by the people we love. It is a story about love, yes, in the truest of forms...unconditional. And also about family, loyalty, second chances, and understanding that we are always able to grow from even the most dire of mistakes.
This is a romance at its core with elements of mystery woven in. The plot really centers around the male main character, Fai, and his ex-wife, Sarah. Their marriage being destroyed by addiction and the never-ending love between them. It is also a story that highlights resilience, soft strength, and the ripple effects of choices. The mystery aspect of the story is intriguing, but really is a conduit for reconnection between the main characters.
If you are looking for love, not just romance or spice, then you will enjoy this book. Happy Reading!
Review of advance copy
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Every Lifetime completely stole my heart.
This story had everything I love in a romance — longing, emotional depth, forced proximity, one bed, suspense, mystery, and two people who genuinely loved each other enough to put the other person first… even when it hurt.
I absolutely loved the dual POV because you truly got to understand both sides of their relationship and everything they were feeling. Even after their divorce, it was so clear that they still cared deeply for one another and only wanted what was best for the other person. There was something so heartbreaking and beautiful about watching someone be willing to step away and look like the bad guy simply because of how much they loved the other person.
And the mystery element?? SO good. The arrival of the long-lost brother had me questioning everything and completely on edge the entire time. I flew through this book because I needed to know what was really going on.
This was my first book by H.J. Cartwright, but it definitely will not be my last. Thank you so much for the ARC read — I loved absolutely everything about this story 🤍
This book releases Tuesday, so definitely add it to your TBR!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Every Lifetime completely stole my heart.
This story had everything I love in a romance — longing, emotional depth, forced proximity, one bed, suspense, mystery, and two people who genuinely loved each other enough to put the other person first… even when it hurt.
I absolutely loved the dual POV because you truly got to understand both sides of their relationship and everything they were feeling. Even after their divorce, it was so clear that they still cared deeply for one another and only wanted what was best for the other person. There was something so heartbreaking and beautiful about watching someone be willing to step away and look like the bad guy simply because of how much they loved the other person.
And the mystery element?? SO good. The arrival of the long-lost brother had me questioning everything and completely on edge the entire time. I flew through this book because I needed to know what was really going on.
This was my first book by H.J. Cartwright, but it definitely will not be my last. Thank you so much for the ARC read — I loved absolutely everything about this story 🤍
This book releases Tuesday, so definitely add it to your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Solid 4.75
I received an ARC of In Every Lifetime in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely loved Fai and Sarah’s story. It was a beautiful reminder that love isn’t always simple, sometimes you fight for it, lose it, keep fighting, and eventually find your way back to each other. The spice was well-balanced and fit naturally within the storyline without overpowering the emotional depth of the book.
Levi’s character especially stood out to me. With his backstory, his struggles felt realistic and highlighted just how quickly mental health can spiral when someone is carrying unresolved issues and not getting the help they need.
The found family aspect was one of my favorite parts of the story. The supporting characters added so much heart, and I genuinely hope some of them get books of their own in the future.
This book touches on several heavy themes, including addiction, alcoholism, child abandonment, mental health, and second chances, but it handles them with care and emotion.
At only 308 pages, this story packed an emotional punch. Life got in the way while I was reading the first half, but once I really settled into it, I couldn’t put it down.
I received an ARC of In Every Lifetime in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely loved Fai and Sarah’s story. It was a beautiful reminder that love isn’t always simple, sometimes you fight for it, lose it, keep fighting, and eventually find your way back to each other. The spice was well-balanced and fit naturally within the storyline without overpowering the emotional depth of the book.
Levi’s character especially stood out to me. With his backstory, his struggles felt realistic and highlighted just how quickly mental health can spiral when someone is carrying unresolved issues and not getting the help they need.
The found family aspect was one of my favorite parts of the story. The supporting characters added so much heart, and I genuinely hope some of them get books of their own in the future.
This book touches on several heavy themes, including addiction, alcoholism, child abandonment, mental health, and second chances, but it handles them with care and emotion.
At only 308 pages, this story packed an emotional punch. Life got in the way while I was reading the first half, but once I really settled into it, I couldn’t put it down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Growing up I always read mystery books so I love when I get to combine romance and mystery with a good romantic suspense.
I was excited for In Every Lifetime and it delivered! I read it in about twenty four hours - riding in the car, watching a show with my family, during the previews at the movies!
I loved the opening of the book and how it has you immediately asking questions and looking for answers.
Addiction is such a tough experience so to see Fai and Sarah get their second chance and work through their healing journey back to each other was so rewarding.
I am also a sucker for family drama so I was very interested to figure out who this half brother was and why Fai was in foster care. I was getting nervous towards the end that we’d never get answers so I was happy that at least the basics were given right at the end.
Definitely recommend checking this out and I’ll have to go back and read the advocates series since a lot of those characters are featured in this book.
This review was provided in exchange for an eARC
I was excited for In Every Lifetime and it delivered! I read it in about twenty four hours - riding in the car, watching a show with my family, during the previews at the movies!
I loved the opening of the book and how it has you immediately asking questions and looking for answers.
Addiction is such a tough experience so to see Fai and Sarah get their second chance and work through their healing journey back to each other was so rewarding.
I am also a sucker for family drama so I was very interested to figure out who this half brother was and why Fai was in foster care. I was getting nervous towards the end that we’d never get answers so I was happy that at least the basics were given right at the end.
Definitely recommend checking this out and I’ll have to go back and read the advocates series since a lot of those characters are featured in this book.
This review was provided in exchange for an eARC
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review!
H. J. Cartwright begins with this statement “Let this story be a reminder that we are human. We stumble, we hurt, and we drift. The human existence can be lonely, so let us be alone together.”
This is beautiful and I hope that it can serve as a reminder, you are not alone in this crazy thing we call life🫶🏼
I will also preface that the author provides a detailed content warning prior to beginning this novel that should be taken into account before reading.
Cartwright handles the difficult subjects of addiction and mental health with the utmost care and sensitivity.
The above is why I was hooked before the story of Sarah and Fai even began, and contributed to why I devoured this book in a day.
In Every Lifetime is the journey of Fai and his ex-wife Sarah, which is one of many struggles. But, what stood out was their unwavering love for each other even after divorce. This novel gives us a little of everything. If you want emotions, perseverance, found family, psychological suspense, and some spicy romance in between, this one is for you!
H. J. Cartwright begins with this statement “Let this story be a reminder that we are human. We stumble, we hurt, and we drift. The human existence can be lonely, so let us be alone together.”
This is beautiful and I hope that it can serve as a reminder, you are not alone in this crazy thing we call life🫶🏼
I will also preface that the author provides a detailed content warning prior to beginning this novel that should be taken into account before reading.
Cartwright handles the difficult subjects of addiction and mental health with the utmost care and sensitivity.
The above is why I was hooked before the story of Sarah and Fai even began, and contributed to why I devoured this book in a day.
In Every Lifetime is the journey of Fai and his ex-wife Sarah, which is one of many struggles. But, what stood out was their unwavering love for each other even after divorce. This novel gives us a little of everything. If you want emotions, perseverance, found family, psychological suspense, and some spicy romance in between, this one is for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨️ Official ARC Review ✨️
Not your typical Romance Story, but in the very best way! Wow, the suspense had me at every page turn! Sarah and Faizal went through a lot of different challenges throughout their relationship. With communication, addiction, and including the one that brought them back together with just one letter. One thing you can take from their dynamic is that they will always be there for one another, no matter what. They had so much love and trust for each other. My heart ached for them. I really enjoyed the friendships they had. Where blood doesn't always mean family, but the kind of friendships that make it one ♡
Fav Quote: " I can't stop Sarah. The only way my love for you would stop is if my heart stopped beating. I've loved you from the moment I met you, and I will love you until I die. I will love you in every lifetime."
Yes, this book is THAT deep.. So add it to your TBR!
Not your typical Romance Story, but in the very best way! Wow, the suspense had me at every page turn! Sarah and Faizal went through a lot of different challenges throughout their relationship. With communication, addiction, and including the one that brought them back together with just one letter. One thing you can take from their dynamic is that they will always be there for one another, no matter what. They had so much love and trust for each other. My heart ached for them. I really enjoyed the friendships they had. Where blood doesn't always mean family, but the kind of friendships that make it one ♡
Fav Quote: " I can't stop Sarah. The only way my love for you would stop is if my heart stopped beating. I've loved you from the moment I met you, and I will love you until I die. I will love you in every lifetime."
Yes, this book is THAT deep.. So add it to your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️Thank you H.J Cartwright for the ARC I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Fai and Sarah two complex characters who find love can be tricky.
The couple goes through a pretty tough time over a few decades mostly with Fai’s addiction and in doing so their relationship struggles ultimately leading to an end.
I really like how the author addresses his feelings and relationships he’s damaged with found family.
They remain friends however
Sarah and Fai find themselves meeting up with Fai’s long lost brother (Fai was in the foster system) he’s never had family except for the ones he’s made along the way so this makes him hungry for that connection he and Sarah (his ex wife) go to Montana for a reunion of sorts and that’s where the craziness begins!
Sarah and Fai find their way again communicating all the loss and suffering that they had as well.
Good story definitely held my attention.
⭐️Second Chance
⭐️Romantic Suspense
⭐️Forced Proximity
⭐️Healing
⭐️Found Family
Fai and Sarah two complex characters who find love can be tricky.
The couple goes through a pretty tough time over a few decades mostly with Fai’s addiction and in doing so their relationship struggles ultimately leading to an end.
I really like how the author addresses his feelings and relationships he’s damaged with found family.
They remain friends however
Sarah and Fai find themselves meeting up with Fai’s long lost brother (Fai was in the foster system) he’s never had family except for the ones he’s made along the way so this makes him hungry for that connection he and Sarah (his ex wife) go to Montana for a reunion of sorts and that’s where the craziness begins!
Sarah and Fai find their way again communicating all the loss and suffering that they had as well.
Good story definitely held my attention.
⭐️Second Chance
⭐️Romantic Suspense
⭐️Forced Proximity
⭐️Healing
⭐️Found Family
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was my first H.J. Cartwright book and I'm so glad I stumbled upon this author. It was one of those books that makes you want to stay up late and wake up early because you hate to put it down. I seriously couldn't get enough of Fai and Sarah's story. It was raw, emotional, and down right dirty at times but isn't that what love is about. This book deals with alcohol addiction while grappling for sobriety and trying to fix crumbling relationships with a stalker in there for the cherry on top. It had me on the edge of my seat at times and tearing up the next.
The thing that would have made this a 5 star read for me was if there more explanation on why the stalker was so obsessed with Sarah. I think we could have gone into more depth and had more of a backstory. Either way I will now read ANYTHING that H.J. Cartwright writes. "In Every Lifetime" is undoubtedly worth the read!
This was my first H.J. Cartwright book and I'm so glad I stumbled upon this author. It was one of those books that makes you want to stay up late and wake up early because you hate to put it down. I seriously couldn't get enough of Fai and Sarah's story. It was raw, emotional, and down right dirty at times but isn't that what love is about. This book deals with alcohol addiction while grappling for sobriety and trying to fix crumbling relationships with a stalker in there for the cherry on top. It had me on the edge of my seat at times and tearing up the next.
The thing that would have made this a 5 star read for me was if there more explanation on why the stalker was so obsessed with Sarah. I think we could have gone into more depth and had more of a backstory. Either way I will now read ANYTHING that H.J. Cartwright writes. "In Every Lifetime" is undoubtedly worth the read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
🍺📓⛰️
I had the honor of reading this ARC by H.J. Cartwright. It was a quick read and enjoyable.
If you’re an addict or suffer from mental illness this can either trigger you or give you a better understanding of both conditions.
I myself have never experienced addiction, but this book dove into the ugly parts of addiction and it made you feel how hard it is to overcome and continue fighting. Fai’s story is really sad. He grew up from nothing, foster system, no family, no support. Then when he finally found a support system, he loses it because of his addiction.
The situation with Gabriel/Levi is still confusing to me. Unless I missed it there was no clarification on who he actually was and why he wanted Sarah so bad, but it still gave the book that action twist that made it more interesting. It was awful that Fai was taken advantage of the way that he was. Either way I’m glad him and Sarah got the ending they deserved.
I give this one 4 stars!
I had the honor of reading this ARC by H.J. Cartwright. It was a quick read and enjoyable.
If you’re an addict or suffer from mental illness this can either trigger you or give you a better understanding of both conditions.
I myself have never experienced addiction, but this book dove into the ugly parts of addiction and it made you feel how hard it is to overcome and continue fighting. Fai’s story is really sad. He grew up from nothing, foster system, no family, no support. Then when he finally found a support system, he loses it because of his addiction.
The situation with Gabriel/Levi is still confusing to me. Unless I missed it there was no clarification on who he actually was and why he wanted Sarah so bad, but it still gave the book that action twist that made it more interesting. It was awful that Fai was taken advantage of the way that he was. Either way I’m glad him and Sarah got the ending they deserved.
I give this one 4 stars!
May 6, 2026
First off, thank you again to HJ. Cartwright for the opportunity to read the advance copy of In Every Lifetime 🖤
This story between Fai & Sarah is an emotional rollercoaster that completely pulls you in and doesn’t let go. 🕯️ From start to finish, it made me worry, laugh, cry… and feel everything in between.
You’ll experience so many real and raw elements—friendship, family, struggles with alcohol, divorce, second chances, betrayal, and even suspense with a stalker woven in. It adds layers that keep the story intense and engaging the entire time. 🥀
✨ Tropes:
• 2nd Chance
• Forced Proximity
• Dual POV
• Redeemed Hero
• Romantic Suspense
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
📖 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I highly recommend this book—honestly, I would have finished it in one sitting if life didn’t get in the way.
This is one of those stories that stays with you… haunting, emotional, and unforgettable. 🕷️
This story between Fai & Sarah is an emotional rollercoaster that completely pulls you in and doesn’t let go. 🕯️ From start to finish, it made me worry, laugh, cry… and feel everything in between.
You’ll experience so many real and raw elements—friendship, family, struggles with alcohol, divorce, second chances, betrayal, and even suspense with a stalker woven in. It adds layers that keep the story intense and engaging the entire time. 🥀
✨ Tropes:
• 2nd Chance
• Forced Proximity
• Dual POV
• Redeemed Hero
• Romantic Suspense
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
📖 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I highly recommend this book—honestly, I would have finished it in one sitting if life didn’t get in the way.
This is one of those stories that stays with you… haunting, emotional, and unforgettable. 🕷️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is one of those books I wish I could forget and re-read again.
I was hooked from the first page. I cried in the second chapter (and so many other places). I finished it in under 24 hours. The emotional depth of both characters was so well written – I never fell out of love with either of them. I often find myself frustrated with one of the MC’s, but I felt connected to both of them equally throughout the story and wanted nothing but the best for both of them. They were both truly good humans written with real, relatable flaws that were handled with care and compassion.
I gasped, I cried, I smiled. The ending wrapped up nicely and in a way I didn’t 100% expect. This was my first H.J. Cartwright novel and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. I can’t wait to read more of her work and see what else she is cooks up!
I was hooked from the first page. I cried in the second chapter (and so many other places). I finished it in under 24 hours. The emotional depth of both characters was so well written – I never fell out of love with either of them. I often find myself frustrated with one of the MC’s, but I felt connected to both of them equally throughout the story and wanted nothing but the best for both of them. They were both truly good humans written with real, relatable flaws that were handled with care and compassion.
I gasped, I cried, I smiled. The ending wrapped up nicely and in a way I didn’t 100% expect. This was my first H.J. Cartwright novel and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. I can’t wait to read more of her work and see what else she is cooks up!
May 8, 2026
Wow, just wow!! I had the opportunity to ARC read for this book, and I am so glad I did!
The writing kept me wanting more, like I debated how important sleep was vs finishing the book 🫣 There was romance, hard and real topics, and laughter throughout.
H.J. did a wonderful job navigating addiction and the effects on the addict as well as those around them; along with the foster system, and mental illness. She wrote in a way that showed the raw and emotional journey, without making it overly heavy and sprinkled in some laughter and spice.
The spicy parts where 5🌶️; however, it wasn’t overwhelming throughout the book. I even learned/heard a new term for idiot, d*ck-knuckle, might just be my new favorite 🤭
Hands down a new favorite author, and I look forward to reading her other books.
The writing kept me wanting more, like I debated how important sleep was vs finishing the book 🫣 There was romance, hard and real topics, and laughter throughout.
H.J. did a wonderful job navigating addiction and the effects on the addict as well as those around them; along with the foster system, and mental illness. She wrote in a way that showed the raw and emotional journey, without making it overly heavy and sprinkled in some laughter and spice.
The spicy parts where 5🌶️; however, it wasn’t overwhelming throughout the book. I even learned/heard a new term for idiot, d*ck-knuckle, might just be my new favorite 🤭
Hands down a new favorite author, and I look forward to reading her other books.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
ARC REVIEW: In Every Lifetime by H.J. Cartwright 📖✨
If you’re a fan of drama, high-stakes action, and the ultimate second-chance romance, then In Every Lifetime by H.J. Cartwright is the book you need to pick up! 🌲🏔️
Fai and Sarah have a love that spans nearly 20 years, but addiction has left a trail of heartbreak between them and everyone they care about. Now divorced and feeling alone, Fai is determined to get sober and rebuild his life. But everything changes when he receives a mysterious note from a "long-lost brother." ✉️
Sarah is the only one he trusts, and she joins him on a journey to Montana to meet this new family. However, once they reach a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere, things go terrifyingly wrong. 🏚️⚠️
Watching these two navigate survival and find their way back to each other was everything. The second-chance romance hits so hard!
Release Date: May 21st! 📅
If you’re a fan of drama, high-stakes action, and the ultimate second-chance romance, then In Every Lifetime by H.J. Cartwright is the book you need to pick up! 🌲🏔️
Fai and Sarah have a love that spans nearly 20 years, but addiction has left a trail of heartbreak between them and everyone they care about. Now divorced and feeling alone, Fai is determined to get sober and rebuild his life. But everything changes when he receives a mysterious note from a "long-lost brother." ✉️
Sarah is the only one he trusts, and she joins him on a journey to Montana to meet this new family. However, once they reach a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere, things go terrifyingly wrong. 🏚️⚠️
Watching these two navigate survival and find their way back to each other was everything. The second-chance romance hits so hard!
Release Date: May 21st! 📅
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW - BOOK RECEIVED FROM AUTHOR <3
I don’t typically reach for contemporary romance, but something about this book pulled me in — and I’m so glad I took the chance. In Every Lifetime is heartbreaking, shocking, and healing all in one.
We follow Sarah, a charismatic and respected psychologist surrounded by family and friends, and Fai, the successful owner of the Fibonacci Files. Orphaned young, he’s always felt alone… until Sarah. Their love is strong and pure, but Fai’s addiction and self‑sabotage tear them apart.
As they navigate a painful divorce, the reappearance of Fai’s long‑lost brother, and long‑buried secrets, H. J. Cartwright delivers a suspenseful, emotional story filled with second chances, forced proximity (yes, one bed), and a beautifully redeemed hero.
This book gave me all the good vibes, and I’ll definitely be picking up more of Cartwright’s work.
I don’t typically reach for contemporary romance, but something about this book pulled me in — and I’m so glad I took the chance. In Every Lifetime is heartbreaking, shocking, and healing all in one.
We follow Sarah, a charismatic and respected psychologist surrounded by family and friends, and Fai, the successful owner of the Fibonacci Files. Orphaned young, he’s always felt alone… until Sarah. Their love is strong and pure, but Fai’s addiction and self‑sabotage tear them apart.
As they navigate a painful divorce, the reappearance of Fai’s long‑lost brother, and long‑buried secrets, H. J. Cartwright delivers a suspenseful, emotional story filled with second chances, forced proximity (yes, one bed), and a beautifully redeemed hero.
This book gave me all the good vibes, and I’ll definitely be picking up more of Cartwright’s work.
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