What do you think?
The Fifth Year
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26One diagnosis. One final adventure. One last chance at forever.
Luci and Tristan Worthington were supposed to have forever.
But five years into their marriage, they have become strangers beneath the same roof—divided by unspoken grief, buried resentment, and secrets neither has been brave enough to confess.
When Luci receives a diagnosis that changes everything, time becomes the one thing neither of them can afford to waste.
Determined to face what comes next on their own terms, Luci and Tristan embark on one final adventure: a chance to see the places they once dreamed about, finish the life they kept postponing, and remember who they were before their marriage began to break.
But the farther they travel, the harder it becomes to ignore what still lives between them.
Old wounds reopen.
Buried secrets come to light.
And the love they thought was lost proves much harder to leave behind.
Now Luci and Tristan must decide if a marriage broken by pain can find its way back before time runs out.
Luci and Tristan Worthington were supposed to have forever.
But five years into their marriage, they have become strangers beneath the same roof—divided by unspoken grief, buried resentment, and secrets neither has been brave enough to confess.
When Luci receives a diagnosis that changes everything, time becomes the one thing neither of them can afford to waste.
Determined to face what comes next on their own terms, Luci and Tristan embark on one final adventure: a chance to see the places they once dreamed about, finish the life they kept postponing, and remember who they were before their marriage began to break.
But the farther they travel, the harder it becomes to ignore what still lives between them.
Old wounds reopen.
Buried secrets come to light.
And the love they thought was lost proves much harder to leave behind.
Now Luci and Tristan must decide if a marriage broken by pain can find its way back before time runs out.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Jordan C. Byrd
2 books32 followersJordan C. Byrd has been writing stories since the ninth grade and has been chasing emotionally rich, unforgettable love stories ever since. Based in Southern California, she writes romance filled with heart, longing, and the messy beauty of love that refuses to be forgotten.
Outside of writing, she loves time by the ocean, a good winery and traveling with her husband, also named Jordan, and their two young daughters.
Outside of writing, she loves time by the ocean, a good winery and traveling with her husband, also named Jordan, and their two young daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was everything. I am literally crying. The rollercoaster of emotion…Jordan Byrd, why do you do this to us? You think that you are in your feelings one one topic…nope, buckle up here comes another wave.
When you think about a marriage in crisis, you think about perhaps mini speed bumps. This story definitely told the story of the WORK that’s put in daily to not only maintain but when you work to get back to each other. Layered with all the other dramas.
And just let it be known that our FMC Luci may have had grace for Steph but it would have been on sight every time!!
Jordan Byrd is literally becoming one of my faves Indie Authors. This is the 2nd book of her that I read and ever time she plays with my feelings but I keep coming back asking for more. It never fails!!
When you think about a marriage in crisis, you think about perhaps mini speed bumps. This story definitely told the story of the WORK that’s put in daily to not only maintain but when you work to get back to each other. Layered with all the other dramas.
And just let it be known that our FMC Luci may have had grace for Steph but it would have been on sight every time!!
Jordan Byrd is literally becoming one of my faves Indie Authors. This is the 2nd book of her that I read and ever time she plays with my feelings but I keep coming back asking for more. It never fails!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What can I say about this book? For starters I think it’s one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read. It dealt with hard topics and never felt over the top. Jordan C. Byrd has a talent for making the story leap off the page and play like a movie in your head.
The switch from the past to the present throughout the chapters was excellent. You could really see the breakdown of Luci and Tristan’s marriage in the present while getting to experience the way they came together in the past. I loved them so much.
The travel scenes seemed so well researched and made me want to go on a trip immediately. I cannot even handle how beautiful those scenes were.
The last 5% of the book had be SOBBING. I have not cried over a book like this in a minute. I highlighted so many quotes.
Jordan has quickly become one of my “if she writes it I will read it” authors. I loved this one so very much.
The switch from the past to the present throughout the chapters was excellent. You could really see the breakdown of Luci and Tristan’s marriage in the present while getting to experience the way they came together in the past. I loved them so much.
The travel scenes seemed so well researched and made me want to go on a trip immediately. I cannot even handle how beautiful those scenes were.
The last 5% of the book had be SOBBING. I have not cried over a book like this in a minute. I highlighted so many quotes.
Jordan has quickly become one of my “if she writes it I will read it” authors. I loved this one so very much.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received an ARC copy from the author.
The Fifth Year!! Omg, what a SLOW BURN, but truly in the BEST way!!!
I was so nervous going into this one because I wasn’t sure how I felt about Tristan, the MMC. There were definitely moments where I was like, yes, absolutely YES and then other times I was SO frustrated with him 😂
Luci, though? A literal saint. She seriously couldn’t be sweeter, and I just adored her!
The twists and turns in this book completely BLEW ME AWAY. I was on the emotional roller coaster and DEFINITELY wasn’t getting off until I finished the book because I needed to know how it was going to end.
And when I tell you I SOBBED at several parts of this book… I mean I was a MESS. From about 50–60% on, I’m pretty sure I didn’t stop crying. 😭
If you love an emotional, angsty, slow burn romance that takes you on ALL the feels, book besties, this is a MUST READ!!!
The Fifth Year!! Omg, what a SLOW BURN, but truly in the BEST way!!!
I was so nervous going into this one because I wasn’t sure how I felt about Tristan, the MMC. There were definitely moments where I was like, yes, absolutely YES and then other times I was SO frustrated with him 😂
Luci, though? A literal saint. She seriously couldn’t be sweeter, and I just adored her!
The twists and turns in this book completely BLEW ME AWAY. I was on the emotional roller coaster and DEFINITELY wasn’t getting off until I finished the book because I needed to know how it was going to end.
And when I tell you I SOBBED at several parts of this book… I mean I was a MESS. From about 50–60% on, I’m pretty sure I didn’t stop crying. 😭
If you love an emotional, angsty, slow burn romance that takes you on ALL the feels, book besties, this is a MUST READ!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really loved the dual timeline in this to see how they fell in love and how they got to where they were present day and then seeing if they could find their way back to each other. This book had me messed up in the best way. Going through every emotion and wanting to shake the characters at certain points to get them to see things clearly. I stayed up until 3am reading because I couldn’t stop, each time I thought I could pause a new twist sucked me back in. It felt like I was watching a movie in my head and had my full attention. Still thinking about this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The story of Luci and Tristan is one that will keep you on your toes! I could not put this book down!! I was drawn in from the beginning to the end. The Fifth Year is a 10/10 must read!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews