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Forever #1
Forever Changed
Life isn't turning out quite as Sadie Ellis had planned. Becoming a widow at 25 leaves her life in ruins and has her asking the question, is love worth it? With her life seemingly beyond repair she turns to her brother-in-law/best friend for help building a new life that is until she meets her handsome neighbor and his overly friendly German shepherd. Ben quickly becomes the foundation for which Sadie rebuilds her life, but can she handle it when he professes his love for her? Is her heart able to love again? Sadie must learn that it's okay to live after loss. That picking up the pieces left behind, and moving on doesn't mean loving Oliver any less. She is forced to ask herself, can forever ever really be forever?
276 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 8, 2015
Originally posted on the blog Baked Book Pages
Thank you to author Kimberley Hatch for sending me a review copy of her debut novel, Forever Changed.
Forever changed is a nice story about losing someone you love, regaining yourself and second chances. While it was a cute story, there was nothing I haven't read about before.
Saddie Ellis lost her husband so quickly, whom she loved dearly. Her grief made her lose track of her own life. Staying in a home that reminds her so much of her husband was agonizing. Saddie's brother-in-law, Leland, does the best that he can to help her start a new life. Moving on doesn't mean forgetting. When Saddie meets her neighbor, Ben, for the first time, he quickly becomes the foundation of the new life she's trying to build. But as their lives intertwine, Saddie questions, is she ready for this?
With the kind of potential this book had, I was excited for it. Sadly, the execution was quite poor for me. The plot dragged on and on, and I thought, that was it? The foundation of the plot was enthralling, but I was drifting on and off interest. It's one of those what you see is what you get kind of books.
Saddie, our main character, was annoying most of the times. I didn't want to pity her because I was expecting her to rise from the occasion. I craved more of the music part of the book but I only got snippets of it here and there. On the other hand, Ben was okay. For me, his highlight was falling from a tree. And I don't know what to feel about that. Leland was a star for me. He was funny and most of the time, thoughtful. He truly brought sunshine in the story.
I was pleased with how this book ended. I only wished there was more in between. Overall, I thought it was a nice book to pick up for something quick and light to read. 3 stars for a cute debut novel!
Thank you to author Kimberley Hatch for sending me a review copy of her debut novel, Forever Changed.
Forever changed is a nice story about losing someone you love, regaining yourself and second chances. While it was a cute story, there was nothing I haven't read about before.
Saddie Ellis lost her husband so quickly, whom she loved dearly. Her grief made her lose track of her own life. Staying in a home that reminds her so much of her husband was agonizing. Saddie's brother-in-law, Leland, does the best that he can to help her start a new life. Moving on doesn't mean forgetting. When Saddie meets her neighbor, Ben, for the first time, he quickly becomes the foundation of the new life she's trying to build. But as their lives intertwine, Saddie questions, is she ready for this?
With the kind of potential this book had, I was excited for it. Sadly, the execution was quite poor for me. The plot dragged on and on, and I thought, that was it? The foundation of the plot was enthralling, but I was drifting on and off interest. It's one of those what you see is what you get kind of books.
Saddie, our main character, was annoying most of the times. I didn't want to pity her because I was expecting her to rise from the occasion. I craved more of the music part of the book but I only got snippets of it here and there. On the other hand, Ben was okay. For me, his highlight was falling from a tree. And I don't know what to feel about that. Leland was a star for me. He was funny and most of the time, thoughtful. He truly brought sunshine in the story.
I was pleased with how this book ended. I only wished there was more in between. Overall, I thought it was a nice book to pick up for something quick and light to read. 3 stars for a cute debut novel!
January 23, 2015
The incredibly talented Kimberley Hatch provided me with an ARC of her debut novel, Forever Changed.
I was totally blown away from the first page. I was addicted after four chapters. I was fangirling like crazy by the last sentence.
Forever Changed is a Contemporary/New Adult Romance novel focusing on overcoming loss and embracing the important things in life.
It really shows how things can change in a split second but also how those events make you a stronger person – reinvent you.
“We’ve all seen the romantic comedies, sappy chick flicks and swoon worthy love stories. You know the ones I’m talking about, where the girl is friends with a great guy. The girl is completely oblivious to the guy’s feelings for her. Then to make matters worse, the girl dates a jerk instead of the great guy.”
There are so many elements of this book that really made this novel for me. The friendship, the heartbreak, the emotions, they all play a huge part in bringing this incredible story to life.
Oh and then there is Ben McKee, can’t forget him. *Swoon*
Ben is handsome, charming, dark haired, dark eyed, mysterious, abs, muscles, total babe… okay okay, I’ll lift my jaw up off the floor but you get the point right?
You also have Leland who is Sadie’s eccentric brother in-law and he is truly intriguing, maybe even my favourite character!
This novel was beautiful. You have these fabulous quirky comedic moments, mixed in with some raw emotions. You get the sense of understanding with the situation Sadie has been unexpectedly placed in and Ben gets it as well, which is fantastic. Ben really helps her get over the traumatic loss in her life and start living again. As the reader, this is truly heart touching to see unfold.
“So, as I stand at the edge of the ocean with my feet wet and my shoes in my hand I can’t help but realize how the ocean is like my pain. It’s waves, never ending and never yielding. Sometimes it’s just ripples and other times it’s bigger and angrier than I’d have ever thought possible.”
You feel for Sadie’s loss but you also want her to be happy and I think all the feelings of doubt, loss and happiness are brought together brilliantly. This novel definitely wiggled it’s way into my heart.
I loved the relationships between Leland, Sadie and Ben. You could just tell that these were solid friendships based on similar experiences, love and understanding. The author has this magical way of intertwining you into the lives of these characters, they all become your best friends.
Throughout this novel there were many ups and downs, and of course it wouldn’t be an epic love story without them but those moments really made the novel phenomenal.
“‘Today is not a hot mess day’, he declares. ‘Today is a go get in the shower, while I tidy up this stinky dungeon so we can go to Adult Disney Land day.’ He wiggles his eyebrows in excitement and dances a small jig, resembling the chicken dance.”
The entire novel is at Sadie’s point of view but I really enjoyed how the beginning started off in the present and then we went back in time finding ourselves experiencing every emotion from devastation, happiness, self-doubt, guilt and frustration up until Sadie’s present position.
I have a few favourite parts in this book, without being spoilerish I will say that the ending was one of the best. It was definitely fairy-tale worthy. I think that every feeling, every event, every frustrating sentiment you experience as the reader just builds up to this incredible moment that makes everything else that has happened just resonate and then you accept it… and start jumping around like a crazy person with joy.
“‘When I look at you I see so much more than just my friend. I see my future. It’s already too hard not talking to you, I can’t do anything without picturing your face. It’s a goddamn nightmare.'”
Kimberley Hatch is an amazing noteworthy author. After finishing this book I feel completely honored to be one of the first to experience Sadie, Ben and Leland’s story. And Brutus and Trixie of course, can not forget those two fury creatures!
I guess what I am trying to say, is you definitely need this book in your life.
Now excuse me whilst I read the sneak peek for A New Forever, which you will find at the end of Forever Changed, because that’s right, the dreamy hunk who is Ben McKee is getting his own novel! Activate fangirl mode.
I was totally blown away from the first page. I was addicted after four chapters. I was fangirling like crazy by the last sentence.
Forever Changed is a Contemporary/New Adult Romance novel focusing on overcoming loss and embracing the important things in life.
It really shows how things can change in a split second but also how those events make you a stronger person – reinvent you.
“We’ve all seen the romantic comedies, sappy chick flicks and swoon worthy love stories. You know the ones I’m talking about, where the girl is friends with a great guy. The girl is completely oblivious to the guy’s feelings for her. Then to make matters worse, the girl dates a jerk instead of the great guy.”
There are so many elements of this book that really made this novel for me. The friendship, the heartbreak, the emotions, they all play a huge part in bringing this incredible story to life.
Oh and then there is Ben McKee, can’t forget him. *Swoon*
Ben is handsome, charming, dark haired, dark eyed, mysterious, abs, muscles, total babe… okay okay, I’ll lift my jaw up off the floor but you get the point right?
You also have Leland who is Sadie’s eccentric brother in-law and he is truly intriguing, maybe even my favourite character!
This novel was beautiful. You have these fabulous quirky comedic moments, mixed in with some raw emotions. You get the sense of understanding with the situation Sadie has been unexpectedly placed in and Ben gets it as well, which is fantastic. Ben really helps her get over the traumatic loss in her life and start living again. As the reader, this is truly heart touching to see unfold.
“So, as I stand at the edge of the ocean with my feet wet and my shoes in my hand I can’t help but realize how the ocean is like my pain. It’s waves, never ending and never yielding. Sometimes it’s just ripples and other times it’s bigger and angrier than I’d have ever thought possible.”
You feel for Sadie’s loss but you also want her to be happy and I think all the feelings of doubt, loss and happiness are brought together brilliantly. This novel definitely wiggled it’s way into my heart.
I loved the relationships between Leland, Sadie and Ben. You could just tell that these were solid friendships based on similar experiences, love and understanding. The author has this magical way of intertwining you into the lives of these characters, they all become your best friends.
Throughout this novel there were many ups and downs, and of course it wouldn’t be an epic love story without them but those moments really made the novel phenomenal.
“‘Today is not a hot mess day’, he declares. ‘Today is a go get in the shower, while I tidy up this stinky dungeon so we can go to Adult Disney Land day.’ He wiggles his eyebrows in excitement and dances a small jig, resembling the chicken dance.”
The entire novel is at Sadie’s point of view but I really enjoyed how the beginning started off in the present and then we went back in time finding ourselves experiencing every emotion from devastation, happiness, self-doubt, guilt and frustration up until Sadie’s present position.
I have a few favourite parts in this book, without being spoilerish I will say that the ending was one of the best. It was definitely fairy-tale worthy. I think that every feeling, every event, every frustrating sentiment you experience as the reader just builds up to this incredible moment that makes everything else that has happened just resonate and then you accept it… and start jumping around like a crazy person with joy.
“‘When I look at you I see so much more than just my friend. I see my future. It’s already too hard not talking to you, I can’t do anything without picturing your face. It’s a goddamn nightmare.'”
Kimberley Hatch is an amazing noteworthy author. After finishing this book I feel completely honored to be one of the first to experience Sadie, Ben and Leland’s story. And Brutus and Trixie of course, can not forget those two fury creatures!
I guess what I am trying to say, is you definitely need this book in your life.
Now excuse me whilst I read the sneak peek for A New Forever, which you will find at the end of Forever Changed, because that’s right, the dreamy hunk who is Ben McKee is getting his own novel! Activate fangirl mode.
March 5, 2015
First off, I want to say that this book made me want to go to the closest bookstore and buy EVERY copy in stock to give to people in my life.
"I think I have a plan," he begins, and then clears his throat before continuing. "We take life one day at a time and when that's too much, one hour at a time."
EVERY reader will LOVE Leland! Everyone in life needs a Leland!
He is definitely my rock. He's so strong and dependable; sometimes I almost forget he lost a brother. Until he calls me at 2 O'clock in the morning to say he can't sleep because the hole in his heart hurts so badly, he doesn't know how he'll ever get past it. On nights like that we stay on the phone until sunrise, mostly in a combination of silence and sobbing. Even just knowing there is someone on the other end of the phone made things a little less awful.
Leland is Sadie's rock, her best friend, her brother...
"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one."
Ben will melt your heart...and glue it back together if you let him. By God, let him!
"Sitting silently next to a friend in need is the best thing you can do sometimes."
He drops everything and comes to her rescue...and he doesn't get mad when it's not as bad as she thought it was.
Now Sadie is a little naïve...but she isn't stupid by any means. She is just afraid of so much. Exhibit: Chapter 9
"That clock stopped." He points to a clock across the room. "You can tell exactly when it broke." I turn and look at the large clock on the opposite wall. "It's harder to tell with people, to know exactly when they broke. It's even harder to get them to admit they're broken in the first place."
I like Ben's description of Owen...I really do. Dr. Douchey McEnglish And can I say Karma is a witch. Any reader will love Leland's batch of karma-delivering described in Chapter 13. BEAUTIFUL!
"someone once told me that home is a person, not a place. At the time that just seemed silly. Now, I understand. Because, you're my home."
This book was amazing! It will rip the reader's heart out, but the journey will put it back together and the journey is worth it. Ben, Sadie, and Leland are wonderful characters.
Get a box or two (maybe a truck) of tissues, and sit down for a story about love, loss, amazing friendships, and light in the darkness.
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. Above is my 100% honest review. Hope everyone else loves this book just as much as I did.
"I think I have a plan," he begins, and then clears his throat before continuing. "We take life one day at a time and when that's too much, one hour at a time."
EVERY reader will LOVE Leland! Everyone in life needs a Leland!
He is definitely my rock. He's so strong and dependable; sometimes I almost forget he lost a brother. Until he calls me at 2 O'clock in the morning to say he can't sleep because the hole in his heart hurts so badly, he doesn't know how he'll ever get past it. On nights like that we stay on the phone until sunrise, mostly in a combination of silence and sobbing. Even just knowing there is someone on the other end of the phone made things a little less awful.
Leland is Sadie's rock, her best friend, her brother...
"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one."
Ben will melt your heart...and glue it back together if you let him. By God, let him!
"Sitting silently next to a friend in need is the best thing you can do sometimes."
He drops everything and comes to her rescue...and he doesn't get mad when it's not as bad as she thought it was.
Now Sadie is a little naïve...but she isn't stupid by any means. She is just afraid of so much. Exhibit: Chapter 9
"That clock stopped." He points to a clock across the room. "You can tell exactly when it broke." I turn and look at the large clock on the opposite wall. "It's harder to tell with people, to know exactly when they broke. It's even harder to get them to admit they're broken in the first place."
I like Ben's description of Owen...I really do. Dr. Douchey McEnglish And can I say Karma is a witch. Any reader will love Leland's batch of karma-delivering described in Chapter 13. BEAUTIFUL!
"someone once told me that home is a person, not a place. At the time that just seemed silly. Now, I understand. Because, you're my home."
This book was amazing! It will rip the reader's heart out, but the journey will put it back together and the journey is worth it. Ben, Sadie, and Leland are wonderful characters.
Get a box or two (maybe a truck) of tissues, and sit down for a story about love, loss, amazing friendships, and light in the darkness.
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. Above is my 100% honest review. Hope everyone else loves this book just as much as I did.
October 3, 2016
HOLY SHITAKI MUSHROOMS!!! What is the name of this sorcery?!?! This book has bewitched me! - I could not and did not put it down... Except when I had to sleep.. I have 2 demons so... Yeah, I kinda needed some sleep.
I FLOVED this book! I cried like a baby.. WHY?!?! It wasn't meant to happen.. But it did lead her down a different path.. A path of love.. Heartache, friendships, love and loss.
I LOVE the Harry Potter references! I laughed so hard at this as I am a Harry Potter nerd!
The fight!!! Oh my gosh!!! I've never laughed so much!! Dr McDouchey is a pink canoe!!
Sadie, she is spunky, funny, clumsy, loveable and I'm so much pain it's heartbreaking.. I don't think if I had gone through what she has, I'd be able to come out the other side.
Ben, he is Hot! He is kind, generous, gentle and loving.. Only he could show Sadie what she is missing by being alive but not living.
Leland is my ultimate favourite person EVER! We know the pain Sadie is going through, but kinda forget about how Leland has lost his brother.. At times when I thought about what he had lost I stopped reading just to think about him. He is so kind, he puts Sadie first, protective, gorgeous and just a genuinely lovely person!
Christmas trees! I love them and they always make me emotional, especially when they're in a book I love!
Wow, near the end of the book they have the BEST.DATE.EVER. I cried! Tears of happiness for them... I could picture the date clear in my mind! I am smoking a lady cigar at the moment, hence all the tears!
I love that Christmas has a part to play in this book.. A big part... At the end... If you wanna know.. You gotta read it!!
Damn.. That epilogue, I cried. It's perfect.
On a serious note, the writing is brilliant, the storyline is heartbreakingly beautiful and the characters are a force to be reckoned with.. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from start to finish.
A definite must-read and a well deserved 5 stars.
#2OCCAB
I FLOVED this book! I cried like a baby.. WHY?!?! It wasn't meant to happen.. But it did lead her down a different path.. A path of love.. Heartache, friendships, love and loss.
I LOVE the Harry Potter references! I laughed so hard at this as I am a Harry Potter nerd!
The fight!!! Oh my gosh!!! I've never laughed so much!! Dr McDouchey is a pink canoe!!
Sadie, she is spunky, funny, clumsy, loveable and I'm so much pain it's heartbreaking.. I don't think if I had gone through what she has, I'd be able to come out the other side.
Ben, he is Hot! He is kind, generous, gentle and loving.. Only he could show Sadie what she is missing by being alive but not living.
Leland is my ultimate favourite person EVER! We know the pain Sadie is going through, but kinda forget about how Leland has lost his brother.. At times when I thought about what he had lost I stopped reading just to think about him. He is so kind, he puts Sadie first, protective, gorgeous and just a genuinely lovely person!
Christmas trees! I love them and they always make me emotional, especially when they're in a book I love!
Wow, near the end of the book they have the BEST.DATE.EVER. I cried! Tears of happiness for them... I could picture the date clear in my mind! I am smoking a lady cigar at the moment, hence all the tears!
I love that Christmas has a part to play in this book.. A big part... At the end... If you wanna know.. You gotta read it!!
Damn.. That epilogue, I cried. It's perfect.
On a serious note, the writing is brilliant, the storyline is heartbreakingly beautiful and the characters are a force to be reckoned with.. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from start to finish.
A definite must-read and a well deserved 5 stars.
#2OCCAB
July 15, 2017
Sadie's life couldn't get any better. She has just married the love of her life and couldn't be any happier.. Until her beloved Oliver failed to show up for dinner. There's a knock at the door and she knows - she just knows - what has happened to him. His colleagues come in and tell her what she already knew. The love of her life is dead. She'll never be happy again. She will never love again.
That is until her new neighbour Ben introduces himself to her. She is immediately attracted to him, and falls in love with his best friend and only companion - Brutus, his German Shepherd. They see each other almost every day afterwards and a practically inseparable. When Ben unfortunately hurts himself and is taken to hospital Sadie meets Dr Owen. After a few dates things don't work out. Will Sadie ever be happy again?
I enjoyed this book and can't wait for Ben's POV! My only wish would be that it could have been longer! Hatch's first novel was a winner! I recommend to anyone who enjoys YA fiction.
It's a book about how hard it is to lose someone and how hard it can be to love again afterwards.
That is until her new neighbour Ben introduces himself to her. She is immediately attracted to him, and falls in love with his best friend and only companion - Brutus, his German Shepherd. They see each other almost every day afterwards and a practically inseparable. When Ben unfortunately hurts himself and is taken to hospital Sadie meets Dr Owen. After a few dates things don't work out. Will Sadie ever be happy again?
I enjoyed this book and can't wait for Ben's POV! My only wish would be that it could have been longer! Hatch's first novel was a winner! I recommend to anyone who enjoys YA fiction.
It's a book about how hard it is to lose someone and how hard it can be to love again afterwards.
March 6, 2015
Such a cute story!!!!! :) when I saw this book, I completely thought something different than what was going to happen. I got the music part right, but I always thought that this book was going to be about music, and a couple peering while playing music or something like that. But in this book that is not what happened.
I received this book from the author herself, and I have to say, for many self-published books I have read over the years and my first book read by this author, this one is one of my favorites :)
I have to say that there were things that annoyed me alittle but like the constant stupidity of the main character (but she came to her senses in the end), the constant inner thoughts of the character or even the sayings, like sometimes when I read those sayings it felt like the main character was a high-schooler instead of a 25 year old woman.
But on the bright side, I liked the plot, the developing of the romance, and the fact that this was a refreshing story that I got to enjoy on a Friday evening. :)
Can't wait for Ben's story!!! :)
I received this book from the author herself, and I have to say, for many self-published books I have read over the years and my first book read by this author, this one is one of my favorites :)
I have to say that there were things that annoyed me alittle but like the constant stupidity of the main character (but she came to her senses in the end), the constant inner thoughts of the character or even the sayings, like sometimes when I read those sayings it felt like the main character was a high-schooler instead of a 25 year old woman.
But on the bright side, I liked the plot, the developing of the romance, and the fact that this was a refreshing story that I got to enjoy on a Friday evening. :)
Can't wait for Ben's story!!! :)
April 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! I felt hopeful for Sadie and a bit sad. She was struggling at times but it didn't become annoying to me as a reader. You wanted to fight with her, to help her out of her funk. Leland is a Godsend and makes you laugh! Their dynamic is great and I can totally relate because my best friend of 20+ years is gay and their relationship mirrored a lot of my own. Ben (first off, great "hot-guy" name, right?) is a dreamboat and seems almost too perfect but definitely not annoyingly so. He's funny, sweet, kind, and sexy (which never hurts haha). Overall, a great read with just enough of all the emotions wrapped up into one! I also read this in a span of 2 evenings - it's an easy read you don't want to put down. I cannot wait to read A New Forever next!!
January 16, 2019
Loved this story!!
This is a beautifully written story which had me totally captivated throughout this additive page turner. From beginning to end this is an emotional rollercoaster journey about healing, heartbreak, and taking chances. I cannot wait to read more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend for all readers.
This is a beautifully written story which had me totally captivated throughout this additive page turner. From beginning to end this is an emotional rollercoaster journey about healing, heartbreak, and taking chances. I cannot wait to read more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend for all readers.
May 25, 2017
Forever changed was an enjoyable read..A quick , sweet, light story.. it was just missing something to me.. but nonetheless I enjoyed it and will continue on into Ben's story
October 31, 2017
3.75 - 4 Stars.
September 25, 2016
Kim's ability to paint a vivid picture in your head with words is phenomenal. When I opened the book I was immediately transported into the life of Sadie. Every personality in the book was incredibly realistic and easy to relate to.
Having just been married myself I was a bit emotional when tragedy strikes the main character Sadie and turns her life inside out. The strength in trying to rebuild her life was truly empowering, but I mean Ben was so easy to fall in love with that if Sadie didn't fall in love with him I would have jumped into this book and slapped her.
Overall, this book is an easy read that transforms your world into Sadie's. It was a bit like most love stories I read, but then they are all the same anyway, but still a fantastic read.
I look forward to reading the next book!
Having just been married myself I was a bit emotional when tragedy strikes the main character Sadie and turns her life inside out. The strength in trying to rebuild her life was truly empowering, but I mean Ben was so easy to fall in love with that if Sadie didn't fall in love with him I would have jumped into this book and slapped her.
Overall, this book is an easy read that transforms your world into Sadie's. It was a bit like most love stories I read, but then they are all the same anyway, but still a fantastic read.
I look forward to reading the next book!
March 25, 2015
I received an autographed copy of this book from Goodreads giveaways.
This book would have been a DNF for me but for the fact that with the giveaways you are asked to give an honest review. So I slogged through.
I really liked the premise. A young widow finding her life beyond repair and wondering if she can build a new one.
A handsome neighbor who will make her question if her heart can love again.
But the book fell far short besides the bad editing. And there were so many things in the book that just didn't make sense.
Where do I begin:
After Sadie's husband, Oliver dies, I expected to live through her grief and to feel her pain.
This is where the depth of this character should've been revealed. Who is she and how did she and Oliver meet?
What made them so special and such a perfect match? In flashbacks we should've gotten all this history and thus her pain, sorrow and intense agony of missing him. But all of that was missing. She's in the house and she sees no one but
her brother-in-law Leland. And then a year has gone by. Really? She has no friends? Where are her parents? In laws?
There are basically 3 characters in this book: Sadie, Leland and Ben. We are briefly introduced to the conceited Dr Owen and Leland's boyfriend Mark. But there is so little character development of the 3 main characters and so many others missing.It was a lot of fluff and not very believable.
The plot got lost and so did my attention. A lot of silly dialogue and flirting took up most of the book.It read like a simple young adult romance; a teen read.But these characters are far from teens.
Things do not make sense throughout:
How do a piano teacher and a police officer own a home with an in ground pool? Modest neighborhood?
But next door is the obvious new love interest who is head chef and owner of one of the most exclusive restaurants in the area. Not so modest neighborhood?
How does Sadie afford to continue living there? She doesn't work and her parents aren't in the picture at all, ever.
The question is do any of these 3 main characters ever work?
Leland is available at a moments notice day and night for Sadie's meltdowns.
Ben is in a wheelchair and can't make it in to the restaurant he owns? Really?
Great idea. Sophomoric writing style. Lack of characters as well as their development. Not reality based.
I give it one star for a first time effort.
This book would have been a DNF for me but for the fact that with the giveaways you are asked to give an honest review. So I slogged through.
I really liked the premise. A young widow finding her life beyond repair and wondering if she can build a new one.
A handsome neighbor who will make her question if her heart can love again.
But the book fell far short besides the bad editing. And there were so many things in the book that just didn't make sense.
Where do I begin:
After Sadie's husband, Oliver dies, I expected to live through her grief and to feel her pain.
This is where the depth of this character should've been revealed. Who is she and how did she and Oliver meet?
What made them so special and such a perfect match? In flashbacks we should've gotten all this history and thus her pain, sorrow and intense agony of missing him. But all of that was missing. She's in the house and she sees no one but
her brother-in-law Leland. And then a year has gone by. Really? She has no friends? Where are her parents? In laws?
There are basically 3 characters in this book: Sadie, Leland and Ben. We are briefly introduced to the conceited Dr Owen and Leland's boyfriend Mark. But there is so little character development of the 3 main characters and so many others missing.It was a lot of fluff and not very believable.
The plot got lost and so did my attention. A lot of silly dialogue and flirting took up most of the book.It read like a simple young adult romance; a teen read.But these characters are far from teens.
Things do not make sense throughout:
How do a piano teacher and a police officer own a home with an in ground pool? Modest neighborhood?
But next door is the obvious new love interest who is head chef and owner of one of the most exclusive restaurants in the area. Not so modest neighborhood?
How does Sadie afford to continue living there? She doesn't work and her parents aren't in the picture at all, ever.
The question is do any of these 3 main characters ever work?
Leland is available at a moments notice day and night for Sadie's meltdowns.
Ben is in a wheelchair and can't make it in to the restaurant he owns? Really?
Great idea. Sophomoric writing style. Lack of characters as well as their development. Not reality based.
I give it one star for a first time effort.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2015
FOREVER CHANGED by Kimberley Hatch is a beautiful love story of love and loss and opening yourself up to the possibility of finding love a second time.
Sadie Ellis hadn’t planned on becoming a widow at the age of 25 and we readers feel like we are mourning with her. Oliver was the love of her life and we get to experience their wedding day and first year of marriage. Then in a sudden accident, Oliver is dead. This novel shows Sadie’s darkest times in an honest way. Sadie is helped by her best friend/brother in law Leland who is hilarious. He adds the humor in this novel and I fell in love with this character. He is mourning the sudden death of his brother too but they keep each other going. This is a realistic view of grieving, some days Sadie can’t leave her bed and then Leland shows up to drag her butt out of the bed. Their banter will leave you smiling. Sadie feels like the best part of her life is behind her when she meets her next door neighbor and his friendly German shepherd! I think she fell in love with the dog at first sight! Ben quickly becomes a part of her life with “eyes that bore into her very soul”. She is comfortable around Ben and loves their friendship and the ease she feels around him. Sadie has some important life lessons to learn, like what you are looking for is often right in front of you!
Sadie must decide if she can love again and trust this new love. Ben is very patient with her, but he needs to be reassured at times too! The author summed it up well with this saying, “Sometimes life gives you a person that you just click with, from the moment you meet them. It’s like you’ve known them your whole life, you don’t have to pretend to be anyone or anything other than who you are. Then, sometimes, if you’re really lucky and I mean really lucky, it happens twice.” Isn’t that beautiful?
This novel was a delight to read, I thought I would need a box of Kleenex for the tears, but they were tears of joy and laughter also, and knowing that love can win out in the end. It’s a beautiful love story! I loved Sadie, Ben and Leland and I felt a connection with these marvelous characters! This is a novel that you can read in one sitting and I look forward to reading more novels by Kimberley Hatch.
Sadie Ellis hadn’t planned on becoming a widow at the age of 25 and we readers feel like we are mourning with her. Oliver was the love of her life and we get to experience their wedding day and first year of marriage. Then in a sudden accident, Oliver is dead. This novel shows Sadie’s darkest times in an honest way. Sadie is helped by her best friend/brother in law Leland who is hilarious. He adds the humor in this novel and I fell in love with this character. He is mourning the sudden death of his brother too but they keep each other going. This is a realistic view of grieving, some days Sadie can’t leave her bed and then Leland shows up to drag her butt out of the bed. Their banter will leave you smiling. Sadie feels like the best part of her life is behind her when she meets her next door neighbor and his friendly German shepherd! I think she fell in love with the dog at first sight! Ben quickly becomes a part of her life with “eyes that bore into her very soul”. She is comfortable around Ben and loves their friendship and the ease she feels around him. Sadie has some important life lessons to learn, like what you are looking for is often right in front of you!
Sadie must decide if she can love again and trust this new love. Ben is very patient with her, but he needs to be reassured at times too! The author summed it up well with this saying, “Sometimes life gives you a person that you just click with, from the moment you meet them. It’s like you’ve known them your whole life, you don’t have to pretend to be anyone or anything other than who you are. Then, sometimes, if you’re really lucky and I mean really lucky, it happens twice.” Isn’t that beautiful?
This novel was a delight to read, I thought I would need a box of Kleenex for the tears, but they were tears of joy and laughter also, and knowing that love can win out in the end. It’s a beautiful love story! I loved Sadie, Ben and Leland and I felt a connection with these marvelous characters! This is a novel that you can read in one sitting and I look forward to reading more novels by Kimberley Hatch.
April 10, 2016
Speechless not speechless
There are so many things I want to say! First off, holy hell Disney movie, hit me with the killing right in the beginning! Why you gotta do me like that! But to the real porterhouse steak and garlic potatoes, I need a Ben like now. Omg, he can't be more perfect! It's books like these that make us realize how our relationships should be. Even with the issues, it's still an amazing ride. Lastly, I love the personality that shines through; Harry potter jokes, Arizona jokes, Grey's anatomy, the German shepherd who thinks he's a lap dog and that silly gray cat. I can't recall how many times I laughed out loud and had my heart racing because of what Sadie was fighting internally. She's like me in so many ways. Oh and YES! A token douche, Owen was so very opposite of Ben, I'm glad Sadie was fooled by his doucheyness because we all get fooled by one of those guys at least once in our lives.
There are so many things I want to say! First off, holy hell Disney movie, hit me with the killing right in the beginning! Why you gotta do me like that! But to the real porterhouse steak and garlic potatoes, I need a Ben like now. Omg, he can't be more perfect! It's books like these that make us realize how our relationships should be. Even with the issues, it's still an amazing ride. Lastly, I love the personality that shines through; Harry potter jokes, Arizona jokes, Grey's anatomy, the German shepherd who thinks he's a lap dog and that silly gray cat. I can't recall how many times I laughed out loud and had my heart racing because of what Sadie was fighting internally. She's like me in so many ways. Oh and YES! A token douche, Owen was so very opposite of Ben, I'm glad Sadie was fooled by his doucheyness because we all get fooled by one of those guys at least once in our lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 14, 2015I have just won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways. After it's arrived on my doorstep and I've had a chance to read it and formulate my opinions, I'll post an honest review. Stay tuned!
April 12, 2018
good easy read. draws you in pretty quick. love the characters!!
April 2, 2017
Another re read of one of my favourite books! Full review already was posted on 2OCC Reviews
Want to read
January 9, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/9/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
Life isn't turning out quite as Sadie Ellis had planned. Finding herself a wide at twenty-five and her life in ruins has her questioning everything.
How can she move on?
What does moving on look like?
But mostly, is love worth it?
With help from her brother-in-law and charming new neighbor Sadie begins to learn that it's okay to live her life without her husband. When Ben professes his love for her, can she handle it? Is her heart ready to love again?
After such a devastating loss she's forced to ask herself, can forever, really mean forever?
Blurb:
Life isn't turning out quite as Sadie Ellis had planned. Finding herself a wide at twenty-five and her life in ruins has her questioning everything.
How can she move on?
What does moving on look like?
But mostly, is love worth it?
With help from her brother-in-law and charming new neighbor Sadie begins to learn that it's okay to live her life without her husband. When Ben professes his love for her, can she handle it? Is her heart ready to love again?
After such a devastating loss she's forced to ask herself, can forever, really mean forever?
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