Always & Forever: A Novel

by Candie Checketts

It's been more than a decade since Maren Griffin turned down Jake Jantsen's marriage proposal. Now, twelve years later, Maren and Jake have another chance at life and love. But they know the road ahead will not be easy. Maren is still recovering from an abusive marriage to a volatile man who continues to want her back, and Jake's ex-wife has just abandoned her children for the second time. To add to their difficulties, one of Jake's children is violently opposed to the new marriage. Yet, Maren and Jake are determined to make things work as they embark on a quest to blend their two families into one and to find healing from the past - but do the wounds run too deep?

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the first one, I really enjoyed this one also. This one did feel a little repatative as the book was coming to an end but I still enjoyed it. If you like LDS romance novels...then you will enjoy this one as well. :)

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I also loved this book. This is the book that I've always wanted after the couple finally get together. It shows so much of reality in marriage and life and really helped me with some of my own personal struggles I'm having. I know my choices will be different because of the insights in this book.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, though I found myself getting aggravated with the protagonist before the end.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longer read dealing with the adjustments of a second marriage with kids and temple sealings and cancelation involved. Maren and Jake have a past history and when they both find themselves single 14 years later the attraction is still there. Maren was a little slow to put herself out there after her separation and then divorce because of her physically and emotionally destructive self esteem hit during her marriage. Jake slowly wins her trust as she becomes his children's daycare provider and then fiancee. After the marriage, the 4 children adjust pretty well except for Jeff, Jake's son who is acting out at school and home because he feels that now that Maren is his mother she will leave them just like his birth mother did and he is mad at Jake his father for supposidly making his mothers leave. After an accident the truth of his aggresive behavior is revealed and healing takes place. Then maren gets pregnant earlier than planned throwing more adjustments into the mix with her morning sickness. Jake is being super supportive almost overly so in the hopes of not being anything like Ted, her ex. As the one year anniversary come around, Jake wonders how long it will take for the paperwork to go through for the sealing cancelation and then their sealing, little does he know that Maren is holding the papers back thinking that by sending them to Ted it will stunt his progress into coming back to the gospel and kicking his anger and word of wisdom problems. When Jake finds this out he explodes, thinking that he will never be able to win Maren's whole heart. When Maren finds that her baby sister is having problems in her marriage, she starts to see the things that she could work on to make her marriage a partnership and not just a one sided effort. A premie baby, Jason, also throws more drama into the mix. This story truely showcases how when the going gets tough we either cave or rely on our ward and family to help us through.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good sequel. Again, the angst was occasionally a bit much. Several loose ends left (possibly meant to be tied up in following books, if they happen). But the characters are still good, and the storyline relevant.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sequel to Another Chance. It needs to be read first. I would guess another novel about Maren and Jake is in the making, since Checketts left some lose ends in this one. They're cute novels.

[Becky]

I quit a couple of chapters into it and just skimmed to the end. The main character acts like she's in high school rather than her 30s and constantly provokes arguments with her husband seemingly unknowingly. The characters and dialogue weren't realistic either.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sequel to "Another Chance." Read that first.

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both this book and her previous, Another Chance, are very good!

[Judie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A continuation of the story in the first book. It was tedious at times.

[LAWonder10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, the story was good and it was a fun romance but a little drawn-out.
She is a good writer and I am sure she will continue to improve. I am looking forward to another book by her.

[Kristen Robison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this 2nd book as much. Too much emotional problem...get over it already! Kind of wish I hadn't read it as it kind of ruined the first one for me.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. I didn't read Part 1 and I'm not divorced, so I didn't relate well. A little too sugary for me.

[Rylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad that my favorite book has a sequel!!! Thanks to the author!!