Everlasting

Everlasting Trilogy #1

by L.K. Kuhl

Seventeen-year-old Sophia Bandell is scared of boys, and her biggest fear is dying. Boys make her uncomfortable and itchy and dying is …well …dying. She is ecstatic when her long lost friend calls her, inviting her to spend the summer with her on the beach at Charleston, South Carolina.

When a plastic saucer hits her in the head as she’s sunbathing, Sophia has no idea it will forever change the course of her life. It is there she comes face to face with the impressive Tate Forester.
She is scared and …itchy, but he’s gorgeous and she can’t shake him from her mind.

They begin dating and Sophia soon knows he’s the one.

But things turn dark when she finds out Tate isn’t the person he says he is, and the real reason her friend has brought her to the beach will teach her about life after death.

This everlasting summer on the beach gives Sophia a sweet taste of first love—the happiness as well as the heartbreak.

Genres: Paranormal

Audiobook

Published May 27, 2016

About the author

L.K. Kuhl lives in Nebraska with her husband Gene of twenty-nine years, young son, Nathan, and Greg, their Black Lab dog. She has two older daughters, Morgan and Brittani and son-in-law, Trevor. L.K. has been writing for over twenty years. She first began writing children’s books and poetry, moved on to writing music, and is now writing Young Adult and Adult novels. She loves spending time with her family, vacationing, writing, reading, and taking long walks. It’s the characters who write their own stories in her novels, and she is just their messenger, sharing it with the world.

My brother-in-law had passed away about 6 months before I began writing Everlasting. One night he came to me in a dream. He stood right beside my bed and I was able to ask him questions about what life after death was like. I asked him about 5 or 6 questions and his answers came back to me so real and lifelike that I felt he was really there. Thus, Everlasting was born. I knew I had to incorporate his answers into a book. Although it is a work of fiction, some of his answers from my dream are here and I think you’ll find it intriguing.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was transported into the mindset of a teenager spreading her wings towards independence while still easily ruled by her heart and wistful emotions. Was this why Sophia so easily fell under the spell of a summer away from home visiting a long lost friend and finding a boy she pictured marrying and spending “forever” with?

Spend the summer on the beach of Charleston, SC and watch a young girl blossom, grow and face her fears, hopes and desires head-on, only to discover she was part of unfinished business from beyond this realm.

A fascinating read, filled with teen angst, young love, and new discoveries, Sophia discovers things that will change her life, her heart and the hidden fears she holds. L.K. Kuhl’s Everlasting is NOT a teen insta-love romance, it carries a slight mist of mystery throughout that niggled at the back of my mind, telling me this is certainly written by a skilled wordsmith! I felt the tension, the unspoken and by the time of a big “reveal,” was practically jumping out of my skin with anticipation. What was even more impressive was how this tale continued on after, never fumbling, never losing momentum, but expanding on the new Sophia and the life she finally embraced with both arms open wide.

L.K. Kuhl’s ability to create her world, each scene and her life-like characters goes beyond amazing and into the realm of extraordinary as each page flows seamlessly into another. I am completely impressed with Ms. Kuhl’s talent and thrilled to have uncovered another hidden gem in my reading pile. Everlasting is one of those reads that gets better with each page and leaves one in awe of the twists created.

I received this copy from L.K. Kuhl in exchange for my honest review.

Trilogy: Everlasting - Book 1
Publisher: Clean Reads (February 17, 2016)
Publication Date: February 17, 2016
ISBN-10: 1621355454
ISBN-13: 978-1621355458
Genre: Paranormal | Teens-YA
Number of Pages: 274
Available from: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. I will start off the bat by saying YA Paranormal Romance books are not my typical novels. That being said; I do read a lot and I can recognize a talented writer. “Everlasting” by L.K. Kuhl was an enjoyable read. Once I got into the mindset to suspend some sense of reality and take the story as a fun escape I got caught up in the characters, the plot and the ‘world’ the writer created. I liked the girl, Sophia, and her love interest, Tate. I also liked her friends and the too-big-for-his- britches lawyer. In my day, ghosts were pale and skeletal and haunted moldy dungeons and castles. The ghosts involved in this book sunbathed, jet skied, had nice abs and hung-out at ice crème parlors. How could this be more fun?!! I especially liked the good ghosts and the beastly Vapids! This was a great book for a kid and some of us who are not quite kids anymore. It made me reminisce about by my high school days! I highly recommend this book!

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 17, I was not thinking much of spending a entire summer away from my parents on the beach with my dearest friend. I certainly was not afraid of boys and dying was not even on my radar. L.K. Kuhl has brought me a beautiful, intriguing world of paranormal romance and fantasy wrapped in a subject that is not often approached by the young adults. Most young adults view themselves as invincible. Sweet Sophia is a realist and she knows dying is to be forever.

More @ http://mileythebookjunkie.blogspot.co...

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day after 17-year-old Sophia finishes her junior year of high school, she leaves to spend the summer with her best friend, Mandy. She hasn't actually seen her in years, but when Mandy calls and asks her to come, she feels compelled to go. They are having a fun time and she meets a cute boy, Tate, but it's obvious (to the reader) that something is off. Sophia learns the truth about what's happening, which completely changes her life.

I'm not a huge fan of paranormal but was intrigued by the mystery angle. It starts out fun but doesn't take long to have an eerie feel to it. Something quickly seems off with Mandy and her boyfriend, Matt, and then Tate, once we meet him. Sophia is likable and it's easy to fall in love with her and Tate as a couple. There are definite complications, though, and someone else enters the picture. That relationship was a bit strange to me and something feels off about it as well, but we don't learn what it is, although we are given some clues towards the end of the book.

This book was interesting and I'm glad I gave it a chance! There are unanswered questions at the end and I'll be interested to see the direction the next book takes. There are a few brief, intimate scenes, but none of them are detailed. If you enjoy paranormal romance, this is a series you will want to read!

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.

[Linda Romer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everlasting (Everlasting Trilogy) by L.K. Kuhl

Ghostly Goodness! What a great read! Everlasting by L.K Kuhl was an exciting story about a girl named Sophia who received a phone call from her best friend Mandy which she hasn't seen or heard from for a few years. Mandy invites Sophia down to South Carolina for the summer to stay with her. This is Sophia's last summer before she graduates high school.
Sophia meets Mandy's boyfriend Matt. They have alot of fun together but strange things keep happening. She meets a handsome boy on the beach named Tate. Sophia comes to find out Tate, Mandy and Matt are friends and they have been hiding a big secret from Sophia.
It's an amaing story with a serious situation you won't want to miss. This story has many interesting parts. You will enjoy reading about all of them as I did. I can't wait for the next book in The Everlasting Trilogy. "Dying to know what happens next."

I give Everlasting 4 stars for its creative story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA/Paranormal

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!

I did not know what to expect when I started reading it, at first I thought there might be vampires involves and I was never so happy to be mistaken! It was funny, sad and pretty much wonderful, though I spend pretty much the second half of the book wanting to strangle Aaron or beat him with a stick...

That says a lot about a story and the author's writing when you become emotionally involved with the characters and especially when it is one you are loving to hate so bad! Not a common occurrence for me, but there must have been a growl or 2 involved.

It was a really good read and I cannot wait to see the next book come out. I certainly recommend it as I did not put it down until I was done reading in one sitting!

More at: http://www.amkindabusy.com/2016/03/06...

[Reviewer King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading so many good books lately! *knocks on wood so I wouldn't jinx myself* and Everlasting has just been added to the list.

This was a breathtaking book. The blurb, the cover and the plot is really well done. I was attached to Sophia from page 1; from the moment she got the call from Mandy until the last page of the book.

I kept reading and turning the pages because my curiosity was getting the best of me and I was eager to know what was going to happen. The whole concept, the writing and the world-building are intricately done.

This book leaves you hungry for more, to the point of where you can't stop reading.

Bravo to Ms. Kuhl for writing an enchanting story. I can't wait for the next one!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a great read! Yes, it's a paranormal story, but I enjoyed it a lot! It "felt" so real! From the minute I started the book, I was hooked. L.K. Kuhl--a brand new author for me--pulled me in as a reader. She kept it interesting, suspenseful and involved. I didn't want to stop reading. I read it quickly because I "needed" to know the end! Now, I can hardly wait until the second book in this trilogy comes out! I am very pleased with Kuhl's style of writing, and I look forward to reading more of her work. I highly recommend this book for a quick and enchanting read!

[Reads & Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everlasting, by L.K. Kuhl, starts out well with an eerie phone call to Sophia, the story’s main character, from her former best friend Mandy. Mandy begs Sophia to spend the summer with her even though they haven’t seen each other in years, hinting that something has happened. Even though she immediately agrees, Sophia senses that something is off.

“I ignored the clamoring of my heart since I couldn’t reach in and slow it down.”

This line gripped me and drew me right into the story and this continued for the first half as Kuhl builds an intriguing, if not somewhat immature tale. I have no issues with her writing, if I was rating that alone I’d give it 5 stars, but it’s the development of the story, the path it takes that kept me shaking my head over and over again.

Sophia is a rising senior in high school, shy and lacking confidence. She’s never had a boyfriend, at least not one to speak of, and she’s eager to find love. She tells the readers early on that she doesn’t believe in love at first sight, that “you need to know a person first, take it slow, and let love build on its own”. This made me fall in love with her instantly, which I know is irony at its best. Unfortunately, as the story goes on I found myself liking Sophia less and less, proving that falling in love instantly is never wise.

As Sophia spends her summer with Mandy on the beach in South Carolina, she can’t help but notice strange occurrences. Mandy hasn’t talked to her family in a long time and is living on her own, despite still being in high school. She’s engaged to be married. She fluctuates between being happy and so angry she scares Sophia. Sophia hears music while in her room that she can’t account for and smells that have no source. Then there’s Tate who Sophia…falls instantly in love with, but is clearly hiding something. And while she’s falling in love she’s also seeing frightening, black-robed, red-eyed beings that appear to her and no one else.

This was a mystery that intrigued me, but in the end it fell flat and felt contrived. As Sophia works to unravel what it going on around her, the clues in her wake don’t ring true. For example, something that doesn't ring true as she waits on pictures of her nephew, born while she’s been away, but every time her mother mails them they’re returned because the address Sophia gives her doesn’t exist. This would be great if it was 1993, but it’s 2014 and I can’t get past why her mother doesn’t just text or email them. If I’m a young adult reading this book I won’t be able to connect, because let’s face it, social media and the internet are a huge part of any teenager’s life. Even if her mother isn’t computer savvy, her brother is and just like my niece had pictures of her newborn on Facebook the day her daughter was born so would Sophia's brother. This type of thing happens over and over (which I won’t mention at risk of spoiling the book) and it’s too bad because, as I said, Kuhl has talent.

In the end I couldn’t connect with Sophia because I just didn’t like her. She fell in love too fast (twice), was cruel to someone who didn’t deserve it, and worked to not let go of someone she loved even though it would have been better for him. I felt that the story got away from itself and felt socially irresponsible at times (people turn into evil ghosts if they kill themselves-how will anyone who has had a loved one commit suicide react to that?) and it ended in a cliffhanger, so there wasn’t any resolution, just more questions.

I received this book from the author in exchange for honest feedback.

2 stars for Everlasting. Heat level: 0.5

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, Thank You.

The story begins with Sophia reminiscing about an eerie phone call from her old friend Mandy that leaves no doubt to the reader that something weird is going to happen. During the call Mandy asks Sophia to come spend the summer with her in Charleston. Upon her reaching Charleston Sophia realizes there is something strange about Mandy, but she ignores it in favor of enjoying her summer with her friend and Mandy's fiancée. After arriving at Mandy's house Sophia notices odd things keep happening; she hears music playing from Mandy's parents room (even though they no longer live there), she smells roses out of the blue (That oddly remind her of the older woman on the plane), and weirdest of all she see's cloaked figures that no one else can. When she meets Tate Forester at the beach shy Sophia doesn't believe her luck, after all what guy could like her? Then even stranger she smells his shaving cream in Mandy's house, the girls he was hanging around with turn in his dog saying they've never meet him, she finds a CD with his name on it in Mandy's parents room, and the photos she had Mandy send to her mom of them only has Sophia in them. Not only that but the pictures her mom tries to send get sent back saying 'no such address'. Confused Sophia thinks she's going crazy, until she learns the truth. Mandy, Matt, and Tate all died in a car accident September 28th, they are all ghosts. When Mandy and Matt move on Sophia goes to see if she can save Mandy's mother from the mental institution she is in. While there she see's her old crush and Mandy's brother Aaron. Still in love with Tate (despite him being a ghost) she tries to ignore Aaron's advances, until Tate tells her that as long as she loves him he will continue to fade because he's completed his unfinished business. Determined to stop Tate from moving on she pushes her feelings for him away accepting Aaron's marriage proposal. With the wedding a short while away she learns that Aaron withdrew all the money in her bank account, an account that she put only in her name. The day before the wedding Tate comes to her and she makes her decision, she wants to be with him for eternity.

It was an interesting story to say the least. It had a lot of different ideas that came together to make this story. I almost felt like too many things were happening at once, but that just made me more interested in finishing the story. I kept coming up with theories as to what was happening in the book, and I was right! Some of my first theories I dismissed immediately, and little clues left me with a solid theory even before the book told me.

The book was good and I enjoyed Sophia most of the time. I understood why she tried to get away from Brian but she could have been a bit nicer as she did it, in my opinion. Lidia Forester was a character I could have come to love if there was more of her, I found her fate unfair since she did what she did for a good reason. Also I find myself wishing to know what happened to Aaron, I hope it wasn't pleasant.

[Cathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everlasting love or is it?

Everlasting is the story about Sophia Bandell, who receives an invitation to spend the summer with her long lost best friend. Sophia is so happy to reconnect with Mandy as they haven’t spoken in months and she misses her. Though a little scared and nervous about flying off to join her friend and being away from home on her own, Sophia is excited.

It seems that there is something just a bit off about Mandy and her boyfriend Matt. Why are Mandy and her boyfriend living alone in a run-down house on the beach? A house she claims her parents purchased and then left her there? Sophia has so many unanswered questions and whenever she tries to get answers, Mandy gives such casual and open ended responses.

Then Sophia meets Tate Forrester at the beach and falls madly in love. After a few bumps along the way they end up together and inseparable. Though Sophia seems to sense there is something just a little bit off about Tate. She wonders what is going on, but she is so in love she pushes those little thoughts aside.

The characters were all likeable and interesting to read about. It wasn’t until I was almost at the very end of the book that I understood what seemed so odd about Mandy, Matt and Tate. The only character I was never sure why he showed up in the story is Brian Tarris. Perhaps he will make an appearance again in a future book.

The blooming romance between Sophia and Tate is cute but a little odd. I didn’t really understand why it was “odd” until I understood where the story was going. Once I understood, then all the “oddness” was answered. The ending left with a good cliffhanger that peaked my interest in wanting to read Book 2 when it releases. I need to know what happens next.

The story is fairly well paced and quirky enough it kept me interested. I just had to keep reading so I could understand all the weird and strange behaviors as well as some of the comments made by Mandy, Matt and Tate.

I enjoyed reading Everlasting and I give it 3.5 stars. I recommend Everlasting to YA and adult readers who enjoy a decent romance with a little paranormal activity.

I received an ARC from the YAInsider in exchange for my honest review.

[Luna Lovebooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Likes: Everlasting starts out creepily enough with a weird broken phone call. I figured out the paranormal aspect quickly enough even though it is presented as a mystery. Khul has unique descriptions in her writing. The plot has plenty of potential and the characters were interesting enough, even if they made me shake my head. It did make me glad to see that Sophia grows a little and becomes less afraid of death.

Dislikes: Despite the unique plot and colorful descriptions, there were many issues in this novel. Sophia’s mother is a worrier but she allows her seventeen-year-old daughter to travel halfway across the country alone when she has had no contact with Mandy’s parents for four years? It just didn’t add up to me. Sophia seems naïve and, despite saying the opposite, falls instantly in love twice – once with a controlling and very unlikeable man.

Even though this novel has plenty of potential, I can’t look past all the work that it needs. For this reason I give it two ghosts.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.K. Kuhl’s writing skills and imagination are extraordinary. The beginning of Everlasting is an innocent tale of two friends who had not seen each other in four years coming together once more for a holiday, but with each turn of the page, the story starts to become dark, sullen, mysterious and, at times, downright terrifying right through to the shocking climax. Animal control’s policy of euthanizing lost pets after 24 hours had my blood boiling in an emotional tug-of-war. Although so many different things seem to be happening at once, the combination of storylines works well together and I found Sophia’s positive attitude and determination to be rather invigorating. I very much enjoyed the adrenaline-pumping edge-of-your-seat thrill of Everlasting and recommend this book to readers aged 15 years and older who enjoy their romance novels filled with mystery, drama, humor and a massive dose of supernatural intrigue.

- Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

When the author asked if I would like to review the book, I agreed, based on the synopsis. I enjoy paranormal romance, and I will happily get lost in fictional worlds for a few hours. This book, however, was just totally unbelievable - and I'm not talking about the paranormal elements.

Sophia is beyond childish and naive in her outlook - and talk about fickle. Madly, deeply and forever in love after one look, but agreeing to marry another in the next breath. The realism of the character reactions just didn't track.

Sadly, I found myself skipping chunks of the story so that I could get to the end, so this is technically not a DNF.

For me, the only thing that redeems this story slightly is the paranormal element. Overall, I'm afraid that this wasn't for me.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good read. It was quick and easy, which is what I was in the mood for. I wanted to like it more but there was something I found a bit off-putting about Sophia. I couldn't ever put my finger on it. It was maybe a bit of naivety, I am not sure. I felt like I was constantly ahead of her and it irritated me always waiting for her to catch up. The ending felt a bit rushed but scattered and confused. Not confused in a sense of "what just happened" but confused more as what? why would she do that? and I feel like she missed something.

Overall, though I would actually read the second just to see what happens next. It's not really a cliffhanger but there is definitely more story that I would read.

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5.0

Ms. Kuhl has a uniquely original talent for description in this contemporary paranormal.

Read full review in the 2016 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.