Forever Family

Forever #5

by Deanna Roy

Happily Ever After isn’t a destination.
It’s a journey.

CORABELLE
Most days, I’m fine. I’m married to a hunk. Seriously. He rides a motorcycle, works in a garage, then studies for college on the side. And makes my toes curl, well, you know how.

But a long time ago, when we were young, something really bad happened to us. Bad enough to break us up.

I thought marriage would make things right. And it’s been happy. But something’s missing. The one thing we always wanted, but lost.

And my best friend just got it.

JENNY
I know everybody envies my life. I’m a little wild. I hang with celebrities. I got married in the back of an ambulance by a rock star. And the baby girl who arrived at the end of that lights-and-siren ride is definitely a bundle of joy.

But my life isn’t as easy as it looks. With my husband about to hit big with his first album, and every two-bit floozy in the music industry hanging on him, I really need my best friends. I can’t get through this without them.

TINA
There is entirely too much misery in the world to manage the sparkly pink explosion that is Jenny and her baby. I’ve got so much on my hands already with my art mentor so close to the end. And Darion expecting our wedding to actually, well…happen.

I know the stories tell you that happily ever after is what comes when he pops the question and you say yes.

But life is really messy. And sometimes your horse-drawn pumpkin takes off at full gallop for a cliff.

That’s where I am. And that’s why I had to leave. Because before I can get to the big finish, I have something else I have to do. A bit of business I should have taken care of long ago, but I was only a teenager then.

I can only hope that by the time I get it done, I haven’t lost everyone I care about. Because when you’ve spent your whole life running, you forget that what really matters is your family.

FOREVER FAMILY can be read as a standalone novel, although it is best after learning the history of the girls in the other four books of the Forever series.

Have your tissues handy.

Genres: Romance

260 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2016

About the author

Deanna Roy is the six-time USA Today bestselling author of women's fiction. She is a fierce advocate for all the children in her care, biological, fostered, and adopted, and the mothers, who like her, lost babies to miscarriage.

She writes books under four names:
Deanna Roy with three-hanky reads in the Forever series:


JJ Knight with her romantic comedy Pickleverse:


Abby Tyler with sweet small-town romance, including the Applebottom series:


Annie Winters with romantic suspense serials, including The Vigilante's Lover:


You can follow Deanna and read pre-release sneak peeks and free ebooks on her private list. Subscribe!

Deanna also writes a series of books for middle grade readers, including JINNIE WISHMAKER, MARCUS MENDER, and ELEKTRA CHAOS.

She's pretty easy to spot on Facebook and Instagram.

Reviews

[Deanna Roy]

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[Jackie - Fire & Ice Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forever series has really touched many women lives. Each story has been beautiful and realistic.

From book one I was a fan. It's so hard to say goodbye to such an amazing series, and characters that I love.

Forever Family was a beautiful book. The ending was amazing. All of the characters together with their families was heartwarming.

Deanna Roy is a great writer. I am super excited to see what is next. Thank you Deanna for letting me be apart of your journey, and making sure I had an early copy of these books. I am truely honored to be on your list. You will always have a fan in me!

**Book provided by author for a honest review.***

[Ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I read this book, I figured out this one wasn't some sort of Epilogue. It was a story, stories, closure, the next step for the actual epilogue.
But it wasn't back to the beginning with all the lost. They, Tina and Corabelle, were not cured or at ease with their loss. Never would be, but finding a place where they could look back and let it go. Like with Jenny.
Let's focus on Jenny, she quite has it easy because she got help, love never missed any, and she loved too, so wasn't the selfish mama. She wasn't ungrateful too. She was a very bestie without boundaries and love.
Tina and Corbel, I shed a few tears, it was really bittersweet. It wasn't a boot with one dimension, and not all dimension, not a curing book, or those books like inspirational. I know, for me, the author wrote this series from experiences and it was also fictional. And I could feel the emotions, and the feelings she wanted to send to the writer. It was family, friends, loss, and new beginning... Albert for me was inspirational in a way too, with pain and hope. His life..... and Parkinson.

Now that I have read all of the book of this series, I'm happy very happy to be one of the reader of this amazing journey wirth Gavin, Corbel, Tina, Cynthia, Darion, Chance, Jenny and the babies of California.

Thank you

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say, this book would have gotten 4 stars if it weren't for Tina and Jenny. They got on my nerves so bad to the point where I didn't want them to have a happy ending. Tina got on my nerves for the way she left Darion in the dust to work through her past. When you love someone and pledge to spend your life with them, you don't just cut them out when you freak out...you share your fears and they help you work through them. I just hated how she treated her fiancé when she was going through something. Jenny....ugh....fucking Jenny. I hated her character. In my mind, I felt that she didn't deserve to be a mother. She was constantly complaining about having to change her life because she had a kid. If she didn't want to change her life then she should have chosen other options in regards to her child. I felt she never really grew and was still very selfish at the end of this series. Maybe I was just so set on hating her that I didn't see her change...but honesty, I didn't see any. Corabelle was ok for me in this book. I liked the way she handled herself. I liked how she grew into a woman who could accept raising another womans child after losing her own. That is the test of a real woman. Anyway....cute ending but I could have done without Tina or Jenny.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As seems to be the case frequently as of late, I have mixed feelings on this one. So again, I'm going to throw out there what I did and didn't like and let you make the call on whether you want to read or not.

Being a huge fan of this entire series I HAD to read this! I loved getting another look at all the couples I've come to love in these books. Life had been so hard for all of them I wanted to know that they had each found their HEA and life was going along splendidly. That's not at all what I got. The birth of Jenny and Chance's baby brings buried feelings back to surface for both Tina and Corabelle as well as new anxieties for Jenny. This book gives us the story of how they deal with everything and move past it. Again. So it seems that what I loved about this book is also what bothered me just a bit. I guess it's just the reality of the story. How even though we think we've moved past something those old feelings can be triggered again. Since I read for the pure pleasure of escaping reality for a time perhaps the story hits to close to home.

[Madeleine Knutsson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read about 60 % and then skipped to the end. The book was just all 3 girls moping...

[Angie McGuire · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great to be able to read the entire series at the same time. I'm just sad I didn't read the earlier books when they were released.

This book summed up everyone's journey, and answered some lingering thoughts and questions. It was kind of deep, and somewhat sad.

I didn't get much out of Chance and Jenny this time around, or much closure I guess. I felt like he was more into becoming a singer than he was about his family.. And with Jenny the only one with a family it kind of set her to be the outcast that the other girls struggled with. That was kind of difficult to read about.

When Tina took off I felt bad for Darion, because she just dealt with her issues on her own without involving him, which kind of made me mad. He's such a wonderful man and so understanding that he kind of got the raw end of the deal in that relationship. Although it worked out it still frustrated me.

Corabelle and Gavin really hadn't changed much, with the exception of dealing with his son from his previous relationship, which also was very frustrating. That whole part of the story left me unhinged a little.

Even though we got the finale of the stories, this book didn't give me the warm and fuzzy feeling inside that I wanted. I'm glad I read the entire series, but I wish this book was more positive in the telling of their endings. Overall I think it was worth reading, just to be able to get some closure

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect ending to a wonderful series.

I discovered Deanna Roy’s books a little over 2 years ago when I purchased Forever Innocent; I’ve been a huge fan of hers ever since – no matter what name she writes under. (She is also JJ Knight and Annie Winters.)

Forever Family reunites us with Corabelle, Jenny and Tina and brings us up-to-date a bit on what they’ve been doing. As the book blurb says, you can probably read this as a standalone but I think you’d really be missing out if you don’t have the history for each of these women. (There’s a boxed set for the first three books that will save you some $.)

While each of the earlier stories came to a very satisfying conclusion for me, I loved reading this book with additional information about these characters. There are parts of this book that will tear your heart out but it was worth every tear I shed while reading this book. Tina’s story was the most compelling for me – she really goes through a lot – but I enjoyed reading about all of them.

Deanna seems to have a knack for touching on all emotions, which is my favorite kind of book to read. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next now that this series is finished.

I almost forgot – the men in this story are pretty wonderful, too, especially Dr. Darion.

*****Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions*****

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

i hated the ending- i was not happy that she gets to watch him have a child when he was the fool that made a stupid choice and she gets to live the rest of her life without her own baby and watch him be happy with his. not cool. i would have been happier if they had their own as well as him helping his sons mom raise him. again i hated it.

[Mary Winstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three woman and their men each go through something very hard and emotional and have parted and gotten back together. That's a family no matter blood or not. When carp hits the family were there for each other even though we battling demons or sorrows of our own. I've gone through a lot of what each of these ladies have gone through. Great series. Must read all five books.

[Jamie Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great conclusion

This was a great conclusion to this series. That final scene was wonderful and so touching. I can't say enough about this series!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Deanna Roy. I loved this incorporating the 3 couples from the series in a wrap up book.

[Michelle Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Michelle K. Pickett

Forever Family is the last book in the Forever series by Deanna Roy. I think I’ve read all but one of the series. So I knew even before I started reading that I’d love Forever Family. I knew it would be emotional and heartfelt and require tissues. As in boxes of tissues. And I wasn’t wrong. It was all those things. But what I didn’t realize, what I am just now realizing, was to what levels Deanna Roy would push my emotions. Since reading the first book in the series I’ve felt as though Roy’s books were written just for me. Of course they weren’t, but it does speak to her ability to capture the jumble of feelings, both good and painful, that make us… us. I could identify with so many of the themes in the Forever Series. I’ve lost babies. Some early. Some… not. Some were never more than a blip on a sonogram. One was a fully formed miniature of who he would have grown into. If he’d gotten the chance. And some? Some came home with me and are asleep in their bedroom even as I write this review. I’m thankful for them all. And for the lessons in love and compassion they’ve taught me. The journey was difficult, but necessary. I felt so much of what I knew the characters were feeling. I felt Corabelle and Tina’s emotions, teetering between happiness for their friends, and a suffocating sadness and lingering hurt for themselves. I know what it’s like to insulate yourself from pregnant couples. And to wonder why things happen the way they do. Why did my child die, but a teenager had a perfectly formed, perfectly healthy baby… only to throw him in a dumpster? That question doesn’t have an answer. And even if it did, it wouldn’t help. Deanna Roy has captured the emotions of each of the three women beautifully, not just in Forever Family, but in the entire series. I don’t think I’ve read books that were so awesome at framing joy… and then pain in the very next scene. One thing I really loved about Forever Family was the three POVs it was told from: Jenny, Corabelle, and Tina. If you’ve read the series, you recognize the women. I was blown away at how well Roy was able to capture the same moment in time, showing it to the reader from three very different angles. Mechanics were spot on. The editing was tight. The pacing flawless. The characters were both flawed and likable. And the story… oh, the story. There’s nothing like it on the market, I’m sure. So very, very poignant. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is a one-note plot. That if you haven’t been through losing a baby, either through miscarriage or stillbirth, you won’t understand, or feel, or enjoy the Forever Series. NO! You will. Absolutely will. Because these aren’t just books about loss. They are about love and compassion and acceptance. Forever Family is a beautiful ending to the series. The reader is able to travel the last bit of the characters’ journey with them, watching as each woman’s life, and love, and family weaves together with the other two women. It’s brilliantly written, and I can’t recommend it, and the Forever Series as a whole, enough. If you haven’t read it, you’re missing out. Deanna Roy is a spectacular storyteller, and the Forever Series is one that will remain high on my list of must-read new adult books.      My favorite quotes...

Hell, we might as well have the Google car do a drive-by and snap a shot for the satellite feed.-Jenny (while in labor)

 

I thought I was better, but I could see now that no matter how happy my current life got, my past never left me.-Corabelle

 

Read more of my reviews, inlcuding this one, on my blog Michelle K. Pickett

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Family is a magnificently brilliant ending to this wondrously epic journey of three women whose lives become irrevocably and beautifully weaved together. The hardest part of reading this was not that this exquisite story was coming to an end, but that it would wrench every possible human emotion from me. I was made to feel the gut-wrenchingly breathless journey of each woman and how their individual story becomes a single shared path that while it may move away from the others would always wind back to touch the lives of the each of them. While they each had to face their personal demons on their own, the others never failed to let them know that they were always in their cheering section. They were never left along to fight without encouragement, hope, or love.

We are led through the conclusion of each journey that Corabella, Jenny, and Tina have yet to face and work through. They still have dark days ahead, and they will fight the only way they know how – fiercely, passionately, and with all that they are. However, this time, they have unwavering friendships and love to fall back on when they need a shoulder or an encouraging word. They know what they have to fight for; they only need to find the will and the determination to keep their head above water until they have reached the end of one part of life and the beginning of another. Will these three friends be able to reach into the very edges of the own being and find what they need to last long enough to watch and cherish their bright sunrise, or will they find themselves lacking just enough to watch them fade into the night of their worst nightmare?

This series has touched me like very few ever have. It has worked its way into my very bones and reverberated into the far depths of my soul. The struggles we are graced to watch unfold will shred your soul and shatter your heart, but all the while you know these beautiful ladies are working through their pain, their darkness, and their despair to emerge as a phoenix even stronger and more hopeful from its own ashes. No one can follow any of these lives and not feel hopelessly drawn in and completely captivated by the real, raw, and bone-knowing passion and emotion that flows from the words that grace each page.

Deanna Roy will undoubtedly and undeniably steal and transform your heart like no other author. She knows how to make you feel even when you don’t think you can, and she is a master at making you face the pain you only want to run from. Her words are a healing balm that will soothe and calm your troubled heart like only a life-long cherished friend can. Don’t ever deny the power and bliss that hope and love can bring to a life. We need to believe in the ability that our raging storms can be turned into a peaceful, relaxing day if we only keep fighting for them. All it takes is one more unwavering day, one more encouraging word, and one more selfless act of love. Don’t give up, and don’t squander what only you can do to touch another life.

[Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Forever Family was an epic ending to the Forever Series. The Forever Series looks at real life with an honest view. Deanna Roy allowed all of the characters to take the next step in their journey to complete fulfillment. She allowed them to stumble along the way, face their fears, evolve into stronger people, and fully appreciate all the gifts in life.

Forever Family should not be read as a stand alone romance. This book picks up where the fourth book left off. Three couples are moving forward in very different ways. Through it all their friendship makes them family.

Without giving away too many spoilers, I will say that this book felt real. The emotions that each of these women experienced hit very close to home. How they dealt with their lives was admirable, frustrating, and at times heartbreaking. They each had to come full circle to find their happiness.

The birth of a baby.

The heartbreak of losing parental visitation rights.

The fear of being a mother.

The fear of never being a mother.

Financial Issues.

A funeral for a friend.

Two weddings.

Facing those they left behind.

The courage of letting go of the past.

The courage to move forward in life.

Accepting the gift of life.

Forever Family was a beautiful ending to an epic series.

[Sandi Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read in this series... weird i know but someone suggested the book and I bought it and started it not even noticing it was the last book in a series. By the time I did there was no way I could stop reading it. Each book is made to read on it itself but connect to each other. I plan to read each book and this one again.

Deanna Roy writes a beautiful story that does require tissues so I will tell you that right now. We get to see how three women who's lives are intertwined to such a degree that so many things are the same and yet things are different as well. Boyfriends, Husbands, starting families and maybe not .... I highly recommend getting the set of the books before this one and reading it then reading this one.
Be sure to have tissues you will need them.

[Niki Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate to see this series end, Ms. Roy did an awesome job with this tough subject matter. Each story encompasses the life of Tina, Jenny and Corabelle and their struggles to overcome something that no one should have to endure. Ms. Roy handled this delicate topic with caring, heart and compassion and provided the reader a look into the souls of these woman as each tried to carry on with their lives. Having walked in these characters shoes, I felt that my suffering finally had a voice and in reading their stories it helped me to heal and move on. The storylines were well written and well thought out. The characters touched your emotions and you cried for them, struggled with them and felt their joy as they find happiness in this conclusion to a series that was written from the heart. A truly remarkable series written by an amazing author.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I have enjoyed this series since the beginning and this was a nice addition. Though each couple had their story wrapped up (for the most part) in their respective books, it was great to re-visit with them and see how they were doing. Catching up with Corabelle and Gavin, Tina and Darion, and Jenny and Chance was interesting. We found out how life was treating them and their responses to certain life-altering events. There was a mix of happy and sad moments but it all comes together beautifully at the end. I loved the journey that the three heroines went on from beginning to end. My favorite part would probably be the epilogue. It was in the perfect POV and the way all three stories ended was wonderful. Overall, a good read.

[Jackie Rose (Fire&IceBookReviewsBlog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forever series has really touched many women lives. Each story has been beautiful and realistic.

From book one I was a fan. It's so hard to say goodbye to such an amazing series, and characters that I love.

Forever Family was a beautiful book. The ending was amazing. All of the characters together with their families was heartwarming.

Deanna Roy is a great writer. I am super excited to see what is next. Thank you Deanna for letting me be apart of your journey, and making sure I had an early copy of these books. I am truely honored to be on your list. You will always have a fan in me!

**Book provided by author for a honest review.***

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. Everything about this book screams family, love, redemption, hope and trust. With some comedy thrown in, Forever Family kept me on a roller coaster of emotions that I wouldn't trade for anything. The hope these girlfriends have. The friendships and dreams that are shared...simply outstanding.

Deanna Roy takes you on a journey so moving that you'll wish you were part of this tight circle of friends. Her descriptions, research and overall writing style will leave you inspired. Will everyone have their HEA? Will families grow in numbers? Will peace with past loved ones be put to rest? Hands down a phenomenal read!

[Storm Karstark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful ending! I love the Forever series. This story is a quick, but not rushed, read, but don't mistake that for being a light experience! Like all the books in this series, there's at least one heart-ripping moment...well, more like several. It never swerves into melodrama or maudlin; Roy keeps writing with her trademark straight-forwardness and sensitivity about tragedy, emotion, and pain.

The ending is a liiiiittle cheesy, but who cares? I wanted these characters to earn their happy ending.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader of the Forever Series by Deanna Roy, I have always love the incorporation of those that have lost babies (especially having lost more than one myself). I love the Forever Series because of the sense of love you get, not only between the couples, but with the friends as well and this newest book does not disappoint. It not only adds in a sense of hope, but gets deep into different emotional toils that come after a loss; seeing other babies, not having choices when your baby was lost, the fear (and denial) of a rainbow baby. A love story that brings the series full circle.

[Christi Lofton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect ending to this series. As much as I hate to see the series end, I enjoyed this book so much. It didn't focus on just one of the characters but on all of them. Corabelle, Tina and Jenny all had the conclusion to their stories. This book is full of emotion so be prepared to shed a few tears. Great book. Great ending. Loved it!

See my video review of this book here: https://youtu.be/nNPWF3S1XVs

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing finale in one of my favorite series of all time. I read this book as part of Deanna Roy's Reader Retreat group on Facebook. One chapter a week seemed like torture at the beginning, but before long I found myself looking forward to Friday and the latest chapter. This book made me laugh and cry, all while holding out hope for a happy ending for Corabelle, Jenny, and Tina. While I am sad to see this series end, I love how it ended. A must read for all!

[Charity Chimni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Family was a great end to the Forever series. I enjoyed watching each woman and couple continue their journey to improve themselves. Each woman and couple continued to persevere and overcome their struggles. No two paths are ever the same and this story illustrates the concept. A great inspirational read about continuing to move forward.

[Christine]

Just beautiful

This story was well worth the wait thank you Deanna Roy for this awesome and heart felt series. You will cry, laugh, and hope with this series. this book brings the lives of theses couple to a end, but we all have felt these feelings with the loss of a child and the hope of a new beginning.

[GTR33GURL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This last book in the series was emotional for me I cried several times throughout having lost a baby myself I could relate with these characters and it was a beautiful thing to witness and go on there individual journey to healing and moving forward a wonderful HEA I adored this series perfect ending 5 million stars!!!

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final book was such a happy ending(some sad moments mixed in) to a pretty heart breaking series. It was such a treat to see all their lives wrapped up in a sweet little package. It left me with a big smile on my face and a sad spot in my heart that it's all over.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab your Kleenex and settle in for a good read. Forever Family brings all the stories in the series to a close, weaving together the couples' adventures in a way that will warm your heart. It's wonderful to see the whole gang together again.

[Hopelessly Hooked on Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this entire series and this last book was such a good close to the whole thing. While I'm sad to see them all go, I know that these characters are all happy and where the were intended to be at the end of the series.