In Between Forever

by Holly James

Diana Clark is madly in love with her life. She has Grant, her heart surgeon husband of fifteen years, their three wonderful children, and her dream career as Deputy District Attorney in Marin County. It’s everything she ever wanted. But beneath the dream, she carries a scar left by Luke Bishop, the first man she ever loved.

Twenty years ago, Luke was her opposite and her everything. A free-spirited nature photographer who filled her carefully ordered world with color and light, he was the last person she expected to love. When a devastating heart condition gave him only years to live, he made a decision for both of he disappeared, sparing her the grief of watching him die.

Now, a homicide case crosses Diana’s desk, and Luke Bishop is the prime suspect. Shocked he’s still alive, Diana does the only thing she she takes the case. Not only does she need answers to questions she’s held for twenty years, but she knows with absolute certainty Luke is not capable of murder. But taking the case means lying to everyone in her life, including Grant, the man who pieced her shattered heart back together after Luke broke it.

Told across two timelines — the love story that shaped a life and the case that's unraveling it — In Between Forever is a story about the lives we build, the loves we never finish, and the people who make us question everything.

For fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Jojo Moyes, and Liane Moriarty

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2026

About the author

Holly James, who also writes as Holly Michelle, is the author of adult romance and commercial fiction. She holds a PhD in psychology and has worked in both academia and the tech industry. Her books have been translated into five languages and have been optioned for film. When she’s not reading or writing a book, she can be found on the beach or hiking in the woods. Born and raised in Northern California, she currently lives at the southern end of the state with her family. Find her at hollyjamesbooks.com and on Instagram at @hellohollyjames.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Holly James for a gifted copy of In Between Forever. This book kept me on the edge of my seat!

Summary:
Diana Clark lives a happy life with her heart surgeon husband, Grant, and their three children. As a deputy district attorney, she is highly successful in her career and has everything she’s ever wanted. However, she carries deep emotional scars from her past—scars left by Luke Bishop, her ex-fiancé, who vanished one morning without a trace. Now, he’s back, and he’s the lead suspect in a homicide case Diana has been assigned to lead. What happens when the love of her past collides with the love of her present?

Thoughts:
• Holly James is an amazing author. I don’t know many authors who can write great rom-coms and then turn around and write psychological thrillers. She absolutely nailed it! I love that she released this book into the world because it’s too good not to be shared.
• There are so many emotions in this book, and your heart is literally split between the two MMCs and the past and present. I also love the dual-timeline aspect of the story, as it gives readers a clear view of how strong Diana’s love is for both Grant and Luke.
• The moments of motherhood in this book got to me, too, especially as Diana interacted with her children while doing everyday, routine things. Motherhood always gets me in books.
• This is a love story unlike any other, blending romance with medical and legal elements.

[Amy J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me of “one true loves” where your heart is split in two the entire book just waiting to see what they’ll do and there’s obviously one man who’s a better choice than the other