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Regret #2
If Forever Comes
If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling The Regret Series
Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.
Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.
Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.
But life is never easy.
Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family.
The Regret Series ~ Lost to You and Take This Regret can be read as Stand-Alone Novels. Recommended reading order: Lost to You, Take This Regret, If Forever Comes
Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.
Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.
Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.
But life is never easy.
Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family.
The Regret Series ~ Lost to You and Take This Regret can be read as Stand-Alone Novels. Recommended reading order: Lost to You, Take This Regret, If Forever Comes
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2013
510 people are currently reading
7766 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Jackson
91 books14.5k followersA.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.
Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, REDEMPTION HILLS, TIME RIVER, and MOONLIT RIDGE novels. Start your binge with the first book in her latest series, From Here to Eternity! A broody single dad, a heroine on the run, and all the steam and suspense!
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
GET TO KNOW ME EVERYWHERE
Website: www.aljacksonauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/aljacksonauthor
Twitter: @aljacksonauthor
Instagram: @aljacksonauthor
Snapchat: aljacksonauthor
Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson
Reader Group: http://smarturl.it/AmysAngelsRock
Text "aljackson" to 33222 for special updates!
Want to know what music inspires my books?
I have book specific playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/1255231879
Represent by Brower Literary & Management
subrights@browerliterary.com
Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, REDEMPTION HILLS, TIME RIVER, and MOONLIT RIDGE novels. Start your binge with the first book in her latest series, From Here to Eternity! A broody single dad, a heroine on the run, and all the steam and suspense!
If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.
GET TO KNOW ME EVERYWHERE
Website: www.aljacksonauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/aljacksonauthor
Twitter: @aljacksonauthor
Instagram: @aljacksonauthor
Snapchat: aljacksonauthor
Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson
Reader Group: http://smarturl.it/AmysAngelsRock
Text "aljackson" to 33222 for special updates!
Want to know what music inspires my books?
I have book specific playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/1255231879
Represent by Brower Literary & Management
subrights@browerliterary.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 794 reviews
July 9, 2014
This book pretty much ruined the series for me and made me rethink the rating I gave Take This Regret.
My problems? Oh, there were many.
This is an edited review because I finished reading this at 3AM a few nights ago and I was so angry and disgruntled that if I had tried to write a review then it would have been a mess. So I took the time to get my mind right so I could really tell you all why this book - which so many people are giving 5 Stars, is only getting 2 Stars from me.
First I'd like to tell you that I did enjoy the first two books in this series, but as I mentioned earlier, after reading this one and seeing how these characters did not grow or change or become stronger (they actually regressed), I am rethinking that. And I hate that.
Now onto my issues.
First you have to know that I HATE weak people. Mentally weak woman who cry all the time and crumble - yeah, not my thing. Now I have read a few such characters who have gained strength and grown and I enjoy that journey. I have also read some that have moments of weakness or mental illness but who overcome. IMO, in this book, Elizabeth doesn't do that. Actually, I think she needed to be committed to a facility and I got angry at everyone around her for not doing exactly that.
The thing that happens, the big tragedy, yes, it's terrible. But I just don't feel that a mentally healthy person would sink into a 4 month depression over it. Not as bad as hers got. Another sign of weakness was the fact that NO ONE was calling her out for being - at this point in the story - clinically depressed. "Oh, she's sad." No. She was in need of professional help and not once is it even MENTIONED.
Most of my issues involve spoilers. The first one is about the handling of the tragedy:
So yeah. *sigh*
I'm a very empathetic person and I hated being so angry with a character who was in so much pain and who had suffered so much but I just was.
The way it was written with time jumps and almost playing the tragedy like a mystery also bugged me quite a bit. Just spit it out already. Be chronological. This back and forth to spread the misery throughout the entire book made the not so miserable parts stale for me. Because I know how mentally unstable these two people are and how fragile the foundation of the relationship is now.
You gain strength through adversity. You show what you are made of as a couple and as an individual in the tough times. I just didn't end up liking these people who, at one time, meant something to me. And that makes me unhappy.
My problems? Oh, there were many.
This is an edited review because I finished reading this at 3AM a few nights ago and I was so angry and disgruntled that if I had tried to write a review then it would have been a mess. So I took the time to get my mind right so I could really tell you all why this book - which so many people are giving 5 Stars, is only getting 2 Stars from me.
First I'd like to tell you that I did enjoy the first two books in this series, but as I mentioned earlier, after reading this one and seeing how these characters did not grow or change or become stronger (they actually regressed), I am rethinking that. And I hate that.
Now onto my issues.
First you have to know that I HATE weak people. Mentally weak woman who cry all the time and crumble - yeah, not my thing. Now I have read a few such characters who have gained strength and grown and I enjoy that journey. I have also read some that have moments of weakness or mental illness but who overcome. IMO, in this book, Elizabeth doesn't do that. Actually, I think she needed to be committed to a facility and I got angry at everyone around her for not doing exactly that.
The thing that happens, the big tragedy, yes, it's terrible. But I just don't feel that a mentally healthy person would sink into a 4 month depression over it. Not as bad as hers got. Another sign of weakness was the fact that NO ONE was calling her out for being - at this point in the story - clinically depressed. "Oh, she's sad." No. She was in need of professional help and not once is it even MENTIONED.
Most of my issues involve spoilers. The first one is about the handling of the tragedy:
So yeah. *sigh*
I'm a very empathetic person and I hated being so angry with a character who was in so much pain and who had suffered so much but I just was.
The way it was written with time jumps and almost playing the tragedy like a mystery also bugged me quite a bit. Just spit it out already. Be chronological. This back and forth to spread the misery throughout the entire book made the not so miserable parts stale for me. Because I know how mentally unstable these two people are and how fragile the foundation of the relationship is now.
You gain strength through adversity. You show what you are made of as a couple and as an individual in the tough times. I just didn't end up liking these people who, at one time, meant something to me. And that makes me unhappy.
September 23, 2013
** FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED **
If Forever Comes tells the conclusion to one of the most beautifully written and emotionally charged romances I've ever read!! AL Jackson writing is simply exquisite! I love these characters so much and seeing their story and their love come full circle was an incredible experience.
Please note: this is not a standalone and should only be read after Take This Regret.
I will admit though that I started this book with a mix of excitement, anticipation and fear. These characters were so dear to my heart and I'd seen them get through years of hardship and together build their second chance that I wasn't sure I could handle anything coming between them. But AL. Jackson had never steered me wrong before so I trusted she would give them the ending they deserved... and I dove in.
The first chapter gutted me. Everything that Christian and Elizabeth had built together seemed to have fallen apart and I had no idea why. It started off ten months after the ending of Take This Regret and clearly something devastating had happened that was big enough to have driven them away from each other. As Christian said though, "this wasn't about betrayal, not something she or I had caused. This was something that neither of us could control. This was unfair, unjust. This was torture." So I flipped the pages as fast as I could trying to find out what could possibly have come between them.
As with the first book, this one is told in both a mixture of flashbacks and present day story lines, as well as alternating POVs between Christian and Elizabeth, weaving together all the pieces of the story.
Seeing how blissfully happy they were together in the earlier flashbacks made me wonder how they could have ever been torn apart. There was never any doubt that Christian and Elizabeth were soul mates. They were completely and utterly in love with each other and even when things got rough and when it was too hard for them to admit it, deep down they were always connected. In this book, they were faced with a gut-wrenching tragedy they had no power to stop and it put the true strength of their love to the ultimate test.
"Anger and regret...
Pain, prominent and suffocating.
Underneath it all was the love that would never let us go."
While I was reading, the anticipation, the dread, the heart break, the sheer longing for things between them to be fixed consumed me. I was furious with Elizabeth because I largely blamed her for how far things had broken between them (not for what had happened of course, but for how she reacted afterwards) and while I was also upset a little upset with Christian, I did feel like I understood where he was coming from in this book a lot more. The thing is though that trauma affects us all differently and, in times of extreme pain, few people are rational. Pain blinds us and sometimes we lay blame where it isn't deserved as a way of coping.
But what it all came down to, what it had always come down to with Christian and Elizabeth was that they both loved each other with all their hearts. There may have been dark spots in their past, months or years stolen away by extreme pain but they had a soul deep connection that nothing could break.
Life isn't perfect. Love isn't perfect. But the beauty of Christian and Elizabeth's story was that in the end their love withstood everything and got them through even the darkest of times.
At the end of the book, we are treated to two beautifully detailed and very long epilogues that took the time to literally show us their happily-ever-after. I can't tell you how much it meant to have this. After everything they'd been through, this was like an affirmation of their love, proving to us that what they'd held onto, what we as the readers had held onto, was real and forever.
"You belong to me just like I belong to you."
AL Jackson's stories are filled with heartbreaking intensity and beautiful passion. Her words speak straight to your heart. I love this series, I love these characters, and I love the writing.
Here is my casting:
4.5 stars
****************************
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May 8, 2017
This is it...so sad to let these characters go. Hope you enjoy their story as much as I have! ~ Amy
September 23, 2013
This book should come with a WARNING!!!
Be prepared for...
and then lots of....
And....
And...
And...
Then finally......
And then......
Yes... lots of ugly gross sobbing happens..lots. Be prepared. Have Kleenex and time because you won't want to be interrupted for anything until you see this one through to the end....so be prepared. Even though this book tore me apart.. I loved it...
Be prepared for...
and then lots of....
And....
And...
And...
Then finally......
And then......
Yes... lots of ugly gross sobbing happens..lots. Be prepared. Have Kleenex and time because you won't want to be interrupted for anything until you see this one through to the end....so be prepared. Even though this book tore me apart.. I loved it...
October 1, 2013
I will stand by you forever
November 29, 2015
What a beautiful and tragic story! A. L. Jackson has written another gripping book filled with unimaginable heartache and emotional turmoil, like only she can. Picking up after 'Take This Regret', Christian and Elizabeth are set to be married with another child on the way. They seem to be basking in love's bliss, without a problem in the world. Finally, it seems that these two will get their happily ever after.
Then, their world is turned upside down in the blink of any eye. On the day that their forever should have began together, it all comes crashing down. Christian and Elizabeth are left devastated, with only anger and the bitter sense of loss. Nothing either of them can do will give them back what they've lost.
Turning her feelings of anger and betrayal toward Christian, Elizabeth slips into a deep depression. Harsh words are spoken and their love is put to the ultimate test. Christian is once again living a lonely, desolate life, with Elizabeth and Lizzie just out of reach. He desperately wants to have Elizabeth back in his arms, but fears that she may be lost to him forever.
I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that this story was heart wrenching. The characters and storyline are skillfully crafted in Ms. Jackson's trademark style. If you've read other books of hers, then you know what I mean. If not, you owe it to yourself to find out what you've been missing.
This story will grip you and tug at your heart from start to finish. It is a story about love, loss, and forgiveness. I can always count on Ms. Jackson when I need a good cry. She'll take you on a journey of strength and healing when all seems lost. I was touched and inspired by Christian and Elizabeth's story.
If you enjoyed 'Take This Regret', then you won't want to miss this one. If not, you need to read book 1 first to understand and fully enjoy this one. Another emotional, beautiful story from Ms. Jackson!
Then, their world is turned upside down in the blink of any eye. On the day that their forever should have began together, it all comes crashing down. Christian and Elizabeth are left devastated, with only anger and the bitter sense of loss. Nothing either of them can do will give them back what they've lost.
Turning her feelings of anger and betrayal toward Christian, Elizabeth slips into a deep depression. Harsh words are spoken and their love is put to the ultimate test. Christian is once again living a lonely, desolate life, with Elizabeth and Lizzie just out of reach. He desperately wants to have Elizabeth back in his arms, but fears that she may be lost to him forever.
I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that this story was heart wrenching. The characters and storyline are skillfully crafted in Ms. Jackson's trademark style. If you've read other books of hers, then you know what I mean. If not, you owe it to yourself to find out what you've been missing.
This story will grip you and tug at your heart from start to finish. It is a story about love, loss, and forgiveness. I can always count on Ms. Jackson when I need a good cry. She'll take you on a journey of strength and healing when all seems lost. I was touched and inspired by Christian and Elizabeth's story.
If you enjoyed 'Take This Regret', then you won't want to miss this one. If not, you need to read book 1 first to understand and fully enjoy this one. Another emotional, beautiful story from Ms. Jackson!
September 23, 2013
WHAT? Amy, you're giving us a sequel?! Seriously?! Really?! OMG! We get more Christian and Elizabeth?! And baby girl Christian?! Really?! Am I seeing things?????? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I love you Amy! You know I've loved you since we started a wonderful friendship sometime ago. But you've made me sooooo happy!!!!! TTR was one of my favorite gut-wrenching books I've ever had the pleasure of reading from you!!!! Thank you!! Thank you! Thank you! I can't wait for this book!!!! I can't wait! Omg! I wanna hug you!!! Yay!!!! I love Christian!!! He's so swoony and hot and amazing!
Shit, this means more heartache for them. And me. *slaps forehead* Oh geez, this means I'm going to need an old T-shirt to blow my snotty nose on. You do love to put us through the ringer. Oh well, I can't wait!!!!!
Shit, this means more heartache for them. And me. *slaps forehead* Oh geez, this means I'm going to need an old T-shirt to blow my snotty nose on. You do love to put us through the ringer. Oh well, I can't wait!!!!!
July 11, 2014
I just LOVE the way A.L. Jackson tells a story. She is truly a gifted writer. No one can write pain, redemption and happiness with the beauty that she does.
This is the third book in the story of Christian and Elizabeth. I was terrified when I saw it listed here on Goodreads. I thought this couple was far off in the sunset with their beautiful daughter Lizzie. Sadly, there was one more tale to tell and this one HURT like hell.
I pretty much guarantee that you will indeed CRY during this read because…it’s really sad. Have no fear readers, Christian’s love for Elizabeth never sways and the tragedy that they faced sadly destroys Elizabeth and causes her to pull away from Christian. He is once again sexy, alpha and wonderful. He is definitely in it for the long haul…for forever.
The story is told in past and present as well as both Christian and Elizabeth’s povs. Past being recent events that have caused a huge riff between our favorite couple.
"I'd been so wrapped up in giving her perfection, I hadn't been prepared to hold her up when devastation hit."
A reader should be prepared to witness the devastating fall of Elizabeth. I just felt terrible for both characters as Christian frantically fights for his family.
"People don't always get to love like this, Elizabeth. Not the way we do. It's a gift."
Elizabeth was so lost, angry and withdrawn. Her pain felt very real. I cringed during the Logan scenes but thankfully, Elizabeth let’s Christian in and I just loved the sweet ending!
”I will stand by you forever.”
September 27, 2013
This is one of my favorite series and even though I didn't love this book as much as the others, doesn't mean that I hated it...
Let me explain: Elizabeth and Christian have been through soooooo much in their relationship and finding their way back to each other.
Now, you wouldn't be reading this review if you haven't read the previous book so you would know what happened.
The love these two share is overwhelming!! When finally they thought they have their chance at their happily ever after- devastation hits and sometimes its the people closest to us that hurt the most.
Elizabeth finds herself stuck in a rut where sadness and pain has taken the place of the love and happiness she once felt...
And she thinks she is alone...
But she isn't... Christian is right there along side her- she just needs to see it...
Sometimes when we are in pain we let things go so far to a point of no return, and that's exactly what Elizabeth and Christian did...
Only they CAN'T LET GO...
Not after everything endured in this beautiful journey....
September 22, 2013
This has been an amazing.. although heartbreaking, but nonetheless, amazing read. My only regret? Thinking I was ready to read such story without a box of tissues on my side. I was literally crying. Not the sob-filled crying type, but the silent-falling-tears crying type. Now let me explain the 4-star rating. I wanted more of the sweet moments between Christian, Elizabeth and Lizzie. To me, those little moments here were overshadowed by a lot of grief. I couldn't get enough of them. I couldn't seem to let them go.
--------------------------------------
Christian and Lizzie
YES!!! The blurb's finally here. Ms. Jackson, you don't know how happy you made me when I heard Christian, Elizabeth and Lizzie would have another book. This is going to be awesome!
November 13, 2015
2 Frustrating Stars!
I was really looking forward to this book, and to the conclusion of these two beautiful characters. I felt that this book was just all to consuming with no light, and I really didn't feel confident in the outcome of these two until I read the epilogue.
The entire book, they are grieving, they are hurting, they are spiteful at times, angry, selfish, the list could go on and on. Also, at times I had a really hard time dealing with Elizabeth's emotions or rather trying to justify them in a way that would make me agree with her, and I did to a certain extent. I'm a mother myself, and to have to go through what she and Christian did I truly could not even image, and I would never in my life want to or wish that on anyone. I ached for her and Christian, my heart broke for their loss. Being a parent is the best gift in this world, and for something to happen to a child, is indescribable. Also her attitude was very selfish and at times very irrational towards Christian.
Words like "I cringed," "I wanted to gag when he touched me."
It was like no one could possibly feel any loss because they were not Elizabeth, unless you were her you had no idea what she was going through. She had no regard for anyone but herself. She minimized everyone's grief but her own. This is a women an adult and for that matter who did nothing to help herself. I mean she completely checked out, and never asked for help, professional or otherwise, she never sought after getting better. Oh wait let me take that back she "Will Try", Oh she tried alright, right into another mans arms who she knew all of what two seconds. God forbid she talk to her friends or family or even a damn therapist, I mean gosh how unthinkable. She just pushed everyone away and failed to notice anyone else including her daughter. I mean I can only image how confused that little girl had to be at times.
And poor Christian had to bear the brunt of this horrific tragedy. He was made to feel belittled for his loss, because he didn't carry this child or he didn't hold her he must not have cared or loved her. What total bullshit! He was made to feel that everything that happened he should be the one to fix.
It takes two to make a relationship work, and two to make it fall apart. Elizabeth made her intentions and her thoughts very clear as did Christian. But, what really did the man do except for make a decision that he knew Elizabeth could not or would not make on her own? So, therefore he should be punished by his loss, and then take away is normal. I mean talk about kicking a man when he is down.
How come she didn't have to own her actions? How is it that she didn't have to take any of the responsibility as to why her relationship was on the out?
I gave this book a 2 star rating because of Christian, Lizzie & the epilogue. In all honesty if is wasn't for them I would have only given this book 1 star. I wasn't blown away by this book at all actual this book made me mad pretty much throughout. I gave "Take This Regret" a 5 stars rating and added it to my favorites, but not this one, but hey you can't win them all I guess. This one was just a big miss for me.
I was really looking forward to this book, and to the conclusion of these two beautiful characters. I felt that this book was just all to consuming with no light, and I really didn't feel confident in the outcome of these two until I read the epilogue.
The entire book, they are grieving, they are hurting, they are spiteful at times, angry, selfish, the list could go on and on. Also, at times I had a really hard time dealing with Elizabeth's emotions or rather trying to justify them in a way that would make me agree with her, and I did to a certain extent. I'm a mother myself, and to have to go through what she and Christian did I truly could not even image, and I would never in my life want to or wish that on anyone. I ached for her and Christian, my heart broke for their loss. Being a parent is the best gift in this world, and for something to happen to a child, is indescribable. Also her attitude was very selfish and at times very irrational towards Christian.
Words like "I cringed," "I wanted to gag when he touched me."
It was like no one could possibly feel any loss because they were not Elizabeth, unless you were her you had no idea what she was going through. She had no regard for anyone but herself. She minimized everyone's grief but her own. This is a women an adult and for that matter who did nothing to help herself. I mean she completely checked out, and never asked for help, professional or otherwise, she never sought after getting better. Oh wait let me take that back she "Will Try", Oh she tried alright, right into another mans arms who she knew all of what two seconds. God forbid she talk to her friends or family or even a damn therapist, I mean gosh how unthinkable. She just pushed everyone away and failed to notice anyone else including her daughter. I mean I can only image how confused that little girl had to be at times.
And poor Christian had to bear the brunt of this horrific tragedy. He was made to feel belittled for his loss, because he didn't carry this child or he didn't hold her he must not have cared or loved her. What total bullshit! He was made to feel that everything that happened he should be the one to fix.
It takes two to make a relationship work, and two to make it fall apart. Elizabeth made her intentions and her thoughts very clear as did Christian. But, what really did the man do except for make a decision that he knew Elizabeth could not or would not make on her own? So, therefore he should be punished by his loss, and then take away is normal. I mean talk about kicking a man when he is down.
How come she didn't have to own her actions? How is it that she didn't have to take any of the responsibility as to why her relationship was on the out?
I gave this book a 2 star rating because of Christian, Lizzie & the epilogue. In all honesty if is wasn't for them I would have only given this book 1 star. I wasn't blown away by this book at all actual this book made me mad pretty much throughout. I gave "Take This Regret" a 5 stars rating and added it to my favorites, but not this one, but hey you can't win them all I guess. This one was just a big miss for me.
February 1, 2018
Le doy dos estrellas porque el epílogo es perfecto, y es todo lo que debería haber sido el libro, y no la mierda que en realidad fue. Que conste que en realidad iba a darle 1 estrella así que he sido generosa al final.
Esta reseña estará aún más llena de spoilers que la del libro anterior así que cuidado con lo que leéis.
No sé ni por dónde empezar a explicar toda la rabia que me ha producido esta historia. Ha sido muy muy predecible el conflicto que ocurría de fondo en este libro pero aún así os voy a contar.
Después de que el libro anterior termina todo súper feliz con Christian, Elisabeth y Lizzy viajando a Nueva York este libro nos suelta una sinopsis que más bien es una introducción al libro para que la autora empiece la historia donde a ella le salga del mismísimo potorro. Así que la sinopsis dice que tiene a Elisabeth con un anillo en el dedo y ya está viviendo con ella y su hija en una casa. Pero en realidad el libro no empieza así no, ya empieza muuuucho más adelante. Ya ha quedado claro que esta autora hace lo que le parece sin pensar en lo confusa que puede resultar la lectura. Bueno así que hay que entender en este libro, que ya de por sí es confuso, encima hace capítulos intercalados con flashbacks del estilo: capítulo 1 el presente contado por Christian, capítulo 2 el pasado contado por Elisabeth, capítulo 3 el presente contado por Elisabeth, etc etc etc. Vamos que una no se entera de ná!
Pero a la historia venga que me lío.
Bueno empezamos ya la historia con ellos separados, porque como siempre esta autora vive la vida para separarlos. ES QUE NO ME DA UN JODIDO MINUTO DE DESCANSO! No los deja vivir felices no, tiene que vender más libros entonces tiene que armar cosas súper chungas para separarlos. Así que estamos aquí sintiendo la jodida angustia de Christian que lleva días sin ver a su hija, viviendo en otra casa lejos de la mujer que ama. Una mujer que es una sombra de lo que era porque está destruida, ambos están destruidos porque algo horrible sucedió. Algo por lo que Christian se echa la culpa, pero que ya os digo desde ahora ¡QUE NO LA TIENE! Que quede muy clarito. Pero así va el libro, viendo la angustia de Christian, viviendo la depresión de Elisabeth y sufriendo por la tristeza de Lizzy al ver sus padres separados. Pues no sabemos el terrible secreto que sucedió hasta más de la mitad del libro, aunque como he dicho antes es muy predecible. Ahí va el secreto: Elisabeth se quedó embarazada y el mismo día que se iba a casar con Christian se encontró mal y cuando fue al hospital se puso de parto, o algo así porque no sé explica, y la niña nació muerta. Es duro, lo entiendo, pero también hay que entender ¡QUE ES DURO PARA AMBOS! Algo de lo que Elisabeth se evadió completamente. Ella se aferró durante días a su hija muerta y no quería dejarla ir. Christian finalmente tuvo que llevársela y ella lo odió por ello ¡por eso! No puedo creerme que no entienda que tan duro era para él ver a su mujer abrazar durante días el cuerpo muerto de su hija. Así que ella se enfrasca en una espiral de odio y depresión. Se mete en la cama y deja a Christian con todo, con su propio dolor, con el dolor de Elisabeth, con el dolor de toda la familia y también cuidando de la hija que ya tenían; algo de lo que Elisabeth se olvidó por completo. Así que después de seis semanas en las que Elisabeth se tumbó en la cama sin nada más que eso, dormir y nada más, Christian le dijo que era hora de levantarse, de intentar superar el dolor. ¡Joder todavía tenía una hija que la necesitaba! Y no sabéis, no sabéis lo que le dijo. Dios me dolió hasta a mí: le dijo literalmente que él no había amado a la niña que murió porque no la había llevado en su vientre, no la había cuidado y sobre todo no la había abrazado. Le dijo que lo odiaba. ¿¡Como mierda puedes atreverte a decirle eso a alguien que ha estado cuidando de ti, de tu hija y de sí mismo y su dolor mientras tú te tumbabas ahí y te revolcabas sin preocuparte de los demás!? Pues si señores, y se pasó todo el libro diciendo que no podía dejar de odiarlo. Increíble. Y no contentos con eso, se lió con el vecino ¡con el puto vecino! Cuando sabía que Christian la amaba y todavía esperaba que algún día ella pudiese ver que se había equivocado, que pudiese ver en él el mismo sufrimiento por el que ella estaba pasando. Pues no, queridos, de eso nada, ella se mantuvo en sus trece.
Pero la autora, que ella sabe cómo arruinar un libro como nadie, coge la escena en la que Christian encuentra a Elisabeth besándose con su vecino una escena en la que los pensamientos de ella no están para nada en Christian y acaba convirtiéndolo en una escena de reconciliación entre Christian y Elisabeth. ¿Que tan enfermo es eso? En serio ¿que mierda pasa con esta mujer? Sí, claro luego se ponen a hablar y ella dice que se equivocó con él y blablabla. No te jode, ahora maldita desgraciada, ahora que te liaste con el vecino pero que no se te fue una puta neurona para el padre de tu hija.
Realmente no puedo digerir esta historia. Es terrible lo mal que está estructurada, de haber sido mejor compuesta quizá habría sido un gran libro final. El epílogo hay que reconocerlo es precioso pero el resto del libro es horriblemente penoso. Creo que esta saga es mi mayor arrepentimiento. Una y no más. Nunca más.
Esta reseña estará aún más llena de spoilers que la del libro anterior así que cuidado con lo que leéis.
No sé ni por dónde empezar a explicar toda la rabia que me ha producido esta historia. Ha sido muy muy predecible el conflicto que ocurría de fondo en este libro pero aún así os voy a contar.
Después de que el libro anterior termina todo súper feliz con Christian, Elisabeth y Lizzy viajando a Nueva York este libro nos suelta una sinopsis que más bien es una introducción al libro para que la autora empiece la historia donde a ella le salga del mismísimo potorro. Así que la sinopsis dice que tiene a Elisabeth con un anillo en el dedo y ya está viviendo con ella y su hija en una casa. Pero en realidad el libro no empieza así no, ya empieza muuuucho más adelante. Ya ha quedado claro que esta autora hace lo que le parece sin pensar en lo confusa que puede resultar la lectura. Bueno así que hay que entender en este libro, que ya de por sí es confuso, encima hace capítulos intercalados con flashbacks del estilo: capítulo 1 el presente contado por Christian, capítulo 2 el pasado contado por Elisabeth, capítulo 3 el presente contado por Elisabeth, etc etc etc. Vamos que una no se entera de ná!
Pero a la historia venga que me lío.
Bueno empezamos ya la historia con ellos separados, porque como siempre esta autora vive la vida para separarlos. ES QUE NO ME DA UN JODIDO MINUTO DE DESCANSO! No los deja vivir felices no, tiene que vender más libros entonces tiene que armar cosas súper chungas para separarlos. Así que estamos aquí sintiendo la jodida angustia de Christian que lleva días sin ver a su hija, viviendo en otra casa lejos de la mujer que ama. Una mujer que es una sombra de lo que era porque está destruida, ambos están destruidos porque algo horrible sucedió. Algo por lo que Christian se echa la culpa, pero que ya os digo desde ahora ¡QUE NO LA TIENE! Que quede muy clarito. Pero así va el libro, viendo la angustia de Christian, viviendo la depresión de Elisabeth y sufriendo por la tristeza de Lizzy al ver sus padres separados. Pues no sabemos el terrible secreto que sucedió hasta más de la mitad del libro, aunque como he dicho antes es muy predecible. Ahí va el secreto: Elisabeth se quedó embarazada y el mismo día que se iba a casar con Christian se encontró mal y cuando fue al hospital se puso de parto, o algo así porque no sé explica, y la niña nació muerta. Es duro, lo entiendo, pero también hay que entender ¡QUE ES DURO PARA AMBOS! Algo de lo que Elisabeth se evadió completamente. Ella se aferró durante días a su hija muerta y no quería dejarla ir. Christian finalmente tuvo que llevársela y ella lo odió por ello ¡por eso! No puedo creerme que no entienda que tan duro era para él ver a su mujer abrazar durante días el cuerpo muerto de su hija. Así que ella se enfrasca en una espiral de odio y depresión. Se mete en la cama y deja a Christian con todo, con su propio dolor, con el dolor de Elisabeth, con el dolor de toda la familia y también cuidando de la hija que ya tenían; algo de lo que Elisabeth se olvidó por completo. Así que después de seis semanas en las que Elisabeth se tumbó en la cama sin nada más que eso, dormir y nada más, Christian le dijo que era hora de levantarse, de intentar superar el dolor. ¡Joder todavía tenía una hija que la necesitaba! Y no sabéis, no sabéis lo que le dijo. Dios me dolió hasta a mí: le dijo literalmente que él no había amado a la niña que murió porque no la había llevado en su vientre, no la había cuidado y sobre todo no la había abrazado. Le dijo que lo odiaba. ¿¡Como mierda puedes atreverte a decirle eso a alguien que ha estado cuidando de ti, de tu hija y de sí mismo y su dolor mientras tú te tumbabas ahí y te revolcabas sin preocuparte de los demás!? Pues si señores, y se pasó todo el libro diciendo que no podía dejar de odiarlo. Increíble. Y no contentos con eso, se lió con el vecino ¡con el puto vecino! Cuando sabía que Christian la amaba y todavía esperaba que algún día ella pudiese ver que se había equivocado, que pudiese ver en él el mismo sufrimiento por el que ella estaba pasando. Pues no, queridos, de eso nada, ella se mantuvo en sus trece.
Pero la autora, que ella sabe cómo arruinar un libro como nadie, coge la escena en la que Christian encuentra a Elisabeth besándose con su vecino una escena en la que los pensamientos de ella no están para nada en Christian y acaba convirtiéndolo en una escena de reconciliación entre Christian y Elisabeth. ¿Que tan enfermo es eso? En serio ¿que mierda pasa con esta mujer? Sí, claro luego se ponen a hablar y ella dice que se equivocó con él y blablabla. No te jode, ahora maldita desgraciada, ahora que te liaste con el vecino pero que no se te fue una puta neurona para el padre de tu hija.
Realmente no puedo digerir esta historia. Es terrible lo mal que está estructurada, de haber sido mejor compuesta quizá habría sido un gran libro final. El epílogo hay que reconocerlo es precioso pero el resto del libro es horriblemente penoso. Creo que esta saga es mi mayor arrepentimiento. Una y no más. Nunca más.
September 26, 2013
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“I love you, Christian. Always. There is nothing that could make me stop loving you. Nothing that could make me stop needing you. You are my start and you are my finish, the once who’s going to be there for everything in between.”
If Forever Comes is the final book in the Take This Regret Series by A.L. Jackson series. If you have not read A.L. Jackson’s books before you MUST! They are the most emotional, adult romance novels I have ever read.
I fell in love with Christian and Elizabeth in Take This Regret and just devoured their romance and their struggle to reunite after many years apart. Christian meets Elizabeth in college and the two fall in love; a deep love. When Elizabeth tells Christian she is pregnant he breaks up with her and Elizabeth leaves college to return home and never speaks to Christian again. As the years pass, Christian regrets leaving Elizabeth and has not been able to love again. Five years go by and Christian sees Elizabeth and their daughter for the first time. He does everything in his power to prove to Elizabeth he still loves her and won’t leave her again. I loved the ending of Take This Regret but was also so excited their story would continue.
“It’s always been you, Christian. Since the moment I realized I was in love with you when I was eighteen, I never stopped. And I promise you, I’m not ever going to.”
If Forever Comes is written in a unique format. It starts in the present time with Christian drinking in a bar, hurt and damaged by Elizabeth pushing him away. As the reader we do not know what event happened to cause Elizabeth and Christian to be apart. It is written in alternating perspectives between Christian & Elizabeth as well as past & present from months earlier, switching from chapter to chapter. It is almost like starting the book backwards and we find out what happened between the two near the end.
“It’d broken Elizabeth. Cruelly. Savagely. In Turn, she’d shattered me.”
I love Ms. Jackson’s writing style, her stories are so mature, so real, and so raw and If Forever Comes stayed true to that form. My heart breaks for what these two have to deal with time and time again. They cannot seem to catch a break and just be happy for longer than a day. I was able to predict what was going on by the situations but I think that was the author’s intentions. It was still very hard to read about when the past was retold, brought tears to my eyes because it is so real.
“Stay away from her. Do you understand me? This is my family. Did you see that ring on her finger? Do you think this is a game? That woman belongs to me. She always has and she always will. Don’t think for a second you can take her from me. She will love me until the day she dies.”
I love Christian; he proves he is still the man who came back for Elizabeth and his daughter. Elizabeth this time around just annoyed me… she has this man who adores her, who would walk on glass for her and she pushes him away. Her thoughts just drove me insane because I could not understand it. I adored her character in the past but I really was annoyed with her this time around. Their daughter is still adorable! I can’t believe how big she has gotten. As I said in previous reviews, I usually do not care for children’s characters in books but I love Lizzy! She is adorable!
As much as I love their story and Christian, If Forever Comes just wasn’t for me. I did not like how the two were apart for so long during the book. I wanted more interaction between them and dialogue. It was a lot of inner thoughts and I needed more from the characters and story. Like I said the writing was phenomenal but the story just didn’t catch me in this time. It just felt like too much for the characters to go through with everything else that has happened. Also the beginning with glimpses of the past was just too much sex… they were always having sex and I was just reading to get to the real story. It was just too much in a short amount of time.
The ending was very sweet and perfect to read. The epilogue/future was a few chapters long and goes years into the future. I felt like I was able to get complete and total closure from Christian and Elizabeth.
I give If Forever Comes (Take This Regret #2) 3 Stars.
“I love you, Christian. Always. There is nothing that could make me stop loving you. Nothing that could make me stop needing you. You are my start and you are my finish, the once who’s going to be there for everything in between.”
If Forever Comes is the final book in the Take This Regret Series by A.L. Jackson series. If you have not read A.L. Jackson’s books before you MUST! They are the most emotional, adult romance novels I have ever read.
I fell in love with Christian and Elizabeth in Take This Regret and just devoured their romance and their struggle to reunite after many years apart. Christian meets Elizabeth in college and the two fall in love; a deep love. When Elizabeth tells Christian she is pregnant he breaks up with her and Elizabeth leaves college to return home and never speaks to Christian again. As the years pass, Christian regrets leaving Elizabeth and has not been able to love again. Five years go by and Christian sees Elizabeth and their daughter for the first time. He does everything in his power to prove to Elizabeth he still loves her and won’t leave her again. I loved the ending of Take This Regret but was also so excited their story would continue.
“It’s always been you, Christian. Since the moment I realized I was in love with you when I was eighteen, I never stopped. And I promise you, I’m not ever going to.”
If Forever Comes is written in a unique format. It starts in the present time with Christian drinking in a bar, hurt and damaged by Elizabeth pushing him away. As the reader we do not know what event happened to cause Elizabeth and Christian to be apart. It is written in alternating perspectives between Christian & Elizabeth as well as past & present from months earlier, switching from chapter to chapter. It is almost like starting the book backwards and we find out what happened between the two near the end.
“It’d broken Elizabeth. Cruelly. Savagely. In Turn, she’d shattered me.”
I love Ms. Jackson’s writing style, her stories are so mature, so real, and so raw and If Forever Comes stayed true to that form. My heart breaks for what these two have to deal with time and time again. They cannot seem to catch a break and just be happy for longer than a day. I was able to predict what was going on by the situations but I think that was the author’s intentions. It was still very hard to read about when the past was retold, brought tears to my eyes because it is so real.
“Stay away from her. Do you understand me? This is my family. Did you see that ring on her finger? Do you think this is a game? That woman belongs to me. She always has and she always will. Don’t think for a second you can take her from me. She will love me until the day she dies.”
I love Christian; he proves he is still the man who came back for Elizabeth and his daughter. Elizabeth this time around just annoyed me… she has this man who adores her, who would walk on glass for her and she pushes him away. Her thoughts just drove me insane because I could not understand it. I adored her character in the past but I really was annoyed with her this time around. Their daughter is still adorable! I can’t believe how big she has gotten. As I said in previous reviews, I usually do not care for children’s characters in books but I love Lizzy! She is adorable!
As much as I love their story and Christian, If Forever Comes just wasn’t for me. I did not like how the two were apart for so long during the book. I wanted more interaction between them and dialogue. It was a lot of inner thoughts and I needed more from the characters and story. Like I said the writing was phenomenal but the story just didn’t catch me in this time. It just felt like too much for the characters to go through with everything else that has happened. Also the beginning with glimpses of the past was just too much sex… they were always having sex and I was just reading to get to the real story. It was just too much in a short amount of time.
The ending was very sweet and perfect to read. The epilogue/future was a few chapters long and goes years into the future. I felt like I was able to get complete and total closure from Christian and Elizabeth.
I give If Forever Comes (Take This Regret #2) 3 Stars.
September 21, 2013
I do like this author and I absolutely loved Pulled and When We Collide. Sad to say I did not like this. I sulked amazon anxiously waiting it's release only to be greatly disappointed. There is only so much you can make characters go through as a author. Personally I think this is unfair. They already had six years about a hard time getting back together only to have another book full of unnecessary drama. You think with everything that happened to them too grown people with a kid would learn to communicate. See the importance of it. But no the solution as to everything else is to push each other away.
Christian - maybe he had some part to play with regards to blame in all that happened, I don't know skimmed through the book so if so then he's an idiot because he allowed it to happen again after all those promises in the first book. Turns out they very empty and useless.
Elizabeth - I loathed her in the first book, even though she was justified in feeling what she was, I still hated her. This book - wow - is there a word stronger than hate? She's selfish, she's immature, she says she loves Christian but her actions don't prove that. I wouldn't want her to be my mother that's for sure! I wouldn't want her to love me either with the way her emotions flip flop. I mean I can't even begin to understand what it must be like to lose a child but she didn't miraculously conceive on her own. It was part of the man too so again I think the lack of communication is stupid and uncalled for.
I'm sad really, I could have done without seeing this end to things and just made it up in my mind from where the first book ended. This just brings down the whole vibe of the first book and I may need to re-rate that one. I just hates books where grown people that have already been through so much and lost so much time together and should value communication make the same tired mistakes over and over. Same empty promises and empty endearments. Well this book would be a return for me - I guess I get my £3 back. Maybe I could buy a Kristen Ashley book and cheer myself up...
Christian - maybe he had some part to play with regards to blame in all that happened, I don't know skimmed through the book so if so then he's an idiot because he allowed it to happen again after all those promises in the first book. Turns out they very empty and useless.
Elizabeth - I loathed her in the first book, even though she was justified in feeling what she was, I still hated her. This book - wow - is there a word stronger than hate? She's selfish, she's immature, she says she loves Christian but her actions don't prove that. I wouldn't want her to be my mother that's for sure! I wouldn't want her to love me either with the way her emotions flip flop. I mean I can't even begin to understand what it must be like to lose a child but she didn't miraculously conceive on her own. It was part of the man too so again I think the lack of communication is stupid and uncalled for.
I'm sad really, I could have done without seeing this end to things and just made it up in my mind from where the first book ended. This just brings down the whole vibe of the first book and I may need to re-rate that one. I just hates books where grown people that have already been through so much and lost so much time together and should value communication make the same tired mistakes over and over. Same empty promises and empty endearments. Well this book would be a return for me - I guess I get my £3 back. Maybe I could buy a Kristen Ashley book and cheer myself up...
September 8, 2017
I don't know why this book is in my WANT TO READ shelf if I already read it when it was released (unfortunately) and I had written my review and rated 1 star - meaning zero- then. It's very weird it disappeared.
I really despised this book. I hate when authors mess up the HEA of previous book. I didn't know that going into this book. I would never have touched it if I knew. But then, I was naive and I used to by books based on my liking for the author. It was 3 years ago and I was a believer. Lol. Nowadays I dig as deep as I can to know what's going to happen. I won't waste my money and time in crap books.
The ridiculous female mc ( she was nice in the previous book) just became a horrible person here. Selfish, unfair, neglecting. She had a miscarriage but she had a sweet daughter already. She proceeded to neglect her daughter and blame her husband for the ending of their marriage because he didn't want to hold or see the dead baby. Horrible person. Each person grieves on their own way. Anyway, it became a very unpleasant reading. If memory serves me right she even flirted with another man, father of one of her daughter's friend. The hero (because he was) had to fight for the relationship and give her all the time she needed.
I would tell her to fuck herself and let her go to hell and drown on her misery. With my help.
I have zero patience for pity party and blaming others for things that there's no blame for just for you to look as a victim.
I really despised this book. I hate when authors mess up the HEA of previous book. I didn't know that going into this book. I would never have touched it if I knew. But then, I was naive and I used to by books based on my liking for the author. It was 3 years ago and I was a believer. Lol. Nowadays I dig as deep as I can to know what's going to happen. I won't waste my money and time in crap books.
The ridiculous female mc ( she was nice in the previous book) just became a horrible person here. Selfish, unfair, neglecting. She had a miscarriage but she had a sweet daughter already. She proceeded to neglect her daughter and blame her husband for the ending of their marriage because he didn't want to hold or see the dead baby. Horrible person. Each person grieves on their own way. Anyway, it became a very unpleasant reading. If memory serves me right she even flirted with another man, father of one of her daughter's friend. The hero (because he was) had to fight for the relationship and give her all the time she needed.
I would tell her to fuck herself and let her go to hell and drown on her misery. With my help.
I have zero patience for pity party and blaming others for things that there's no blame for just for you to look as a victim.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2013
Buddy read with Amanda:) Thanks, friend.
2.5 stars
I feel this is mostly a rewind of book 1.
In book 1, I can sympathize Elizabeth's bitterness. In this book, I don't get her rationality for blaming Christian on the tragic loss.
Almost everything she did in this story made me roll my eyes. All the sweet talk in the storyline did nothing to calm down my temper tantrum toward this heroine.
2.5 stars
I feel this is mostly a rewind of book 1.
In book 1, I can sympathize Elizabeth's bitterness. In this book, I don't get her rationality for blaming Christian on the tragic loss.
Almost everything she did in this story made me roll my eyes. All the sweet talk in the storyline did nothing to calm down my temper tantrum toward this heroine.
April 20, 2014
3 Disappointing Stars
I don’t even know if I want to do a review. This is book 2 of the series and there will be a minor spoiler from the previous book.
So, Elizabeth and Christian are together, yay right? If that was only so…
There were a lot of elements that I did not like. The ending was the first chapter and the whole book was past and present.
I HATED THAT!
It begins with Christian and Elizabeth not together anymore. We don’t know why, but they have been apart for a few months now.
When I read this, I was thinking to myself, ARE YOU SERIOUS? Okay, whatever, moving on. So there’s flipping back, to happy memories (before all the stuff happened) to present, to not happy memories (after all the stuff that happened).
I didn’t care for the flashbacks, because I knew something would happen to cause them to fall apart, so sure, I got some steamy scenes and happy and giggles, but what’s the point? It’s not lasting.
THEN we get to the part where we find out what happened and of course, it was obvious, typical and I just couldn’t believe Elizabeth and Christian both acted the way they acted.
JUST WORK IT OUT PEOPLE!
I could understand if this was the first problem, I felt like Elizabeth and Christian went through so much already, that this conflict was just not needed.
Oh and there was a part where I was angry, frustrated, I almost put this as DNF, but the book was so short, I finished it out.
There was no point to this book, it was just added conflict, drama and a lot of angst. It wasn’t for me.
Series Order
REVIEW | AMAZON
AMAZON
I don’t even know if I want to do a review. This is book 2 of the series and there will be a minor spoiler from the previous book.
So, Elizabeth and Christian are together, yay right? If that was only so…
There were a lot of elements that I did not like. The ending was the first chapter and the whole book was past and present.
I HATED THAT!
It begins with Christian and Elizabeth not together anymore. We don’t know why, but they have been apart for a few months now.
When I read this, I was thinking to myself, ARE YOU SERIOUS? Okay, whatever, moving on. So there’s flipping back, to happy memories (before all the stuff happened) to present, to not happy memories (after all the stuff that happened).
I didn’t care for the flashbacks, because I knew something would happen to cause them to fall apart, so sure, I got some steamy scenes and happy and giggles, but what’s the point? It’s not lasting.
THEN we get to the part where we find out what happened and of course, it was obvious, typical and I just couldn’t believe Elizabeth and Christian both acted the way they acted.
JUST WORK IT OUT PEOPLE!
I could understand if this was the first problem, I felt like Elizabeth and Christian went through so much already, that this conflict was just not needed.
Oh and there was a part where I was angry, frustrated, I almost put this as DNF, but the book was so short, I finished it out.
There was no point to this book, it was just added conflict, drama and a lot of angst. It wasn’t for me.
Series Order
REVIEW | AMAZON
AMAZON
December 8, 2013
3.5 stars!
I want to give it 4 stars but I just can't. I liked it but it just didn't capture my attention like the first book. This tends to happen a lot with seuqels to books that didn't really need another book. Don't get me wrong, I was super excited to read more about them and I was one of the many hoping and praying she would write another book but this didn't meet my expectations.
A lot of people loved it, some didn't. I say, give it a chance.
***
There's going to be a second book!!!!! OH MY GOD!!
It's says it's going to be released September 2013! Can't wait for more Christian and Elizabeth! :D
I want to give it 4 stars but I just can't. I liked it but it just didn't capture my attention like the first book. This tends to happen a lot with seuqels to books that didn't really need another book. Don't get me wrong, I was super excited to read more about them and I was one of the many hoping and praying she would write another book but this didn't meet my expectations.
A lot of people loved it, some didn't. I say, give it a chance.
***
There's going to be a second book!!!!! OH MY GOD!!
It's says it's going to be released September 2013! Can't wait for more Christian and Elizabeth! :D
April 5, 2023
3 'Debbie Downer' Stars
Reread: Oct. 2019; First Read: Oct. 11, 2013
Without realizing, I reread this exactly 6 years later.
Because I love Elizabeth & Christian I can't rate this lower than 3 Stars. Take This Regret was my first read in this series and it's one of my Top 10 reads, mostly because of how it hit me emotionally. The prequel was amazing too. If Forever Comes, not so much. I wish I could remember how I felt about it the first time I read it, but rereading it now, I'm finding I don't like it. I got really bored by the MCs constantly waxing poetic. (I skimmed a lot.) It felt like every paragraph was about how much they love each other and how incredibly beautiful the other one is. These two were ALWAYS so deep and intense. It was majorly unrealistic. Even while having sex, they couldn't stop talking. I was also done with Elizabeth's depression; practically the entire book she sobbed. They were ALWAYS so sad. The only thing I enjoyed was the angst caused by the 'other man' drama. At least that added some entertainment.
My recommendation for anybody giving this series a try: Just read the prequel, Lost to You and Take this Regret (which ends in a HEA).
Reread: Oct. 2019; First Read: Oct. 11, 2013
Without realizing, I reread this exactly 6 years later.
Because I love Elizabeth & Christian I can't rate this lower than 3 Stars. Take This Regret was my first read in this series and it's one of my Top 10 reads, mostly because of how it hit me emotionally. The prequel was amazing too. If Forever Comes, not so much. I wish I could remember how I felt about it the first time I read it, but rereading it now, I'm finding I don't like it. I got really bored by the MCs constantly waxing poetic. (I skimmed a lot.) It felt like every paragraph was about how much they love each other and how incredibly beautiful the other one is. These two were ALWAYS so deep and intense. It was majorly unrealistic. Even while having sex, they couldn't stop talking. I was also done with Elizabeth's depression; practically the entire book she sobbed. They were ALWAYS so sad. The only thing I enjoyed was the angst caused by the 'other man' drama. At least that added some entertainment.
My recommendation for anybody giving this series a try: Just read the prequel, Lost to You and Take this Regret (which ends in a HEA).
February 18, 2015
1.5 stars. I devoured Take this Regret and loved it so I eagerly picked up If Forever Comes to get more of Elizabeth and Christian and their HEA. I really wish I hadn't read this book. I spent most of the time being so angry at Elizabeth and to a lesser extent everyone around her. Their tragedy was terrible but the level of grief she felt without seeking professional help was unhealthy. I hate it when I spend 85% of the book being mad because no one pulled their finger out of their ass and made Elizabeth get help when she was so clearly unable to deal with it on her own. I was made even more angry by the introduction of Logan
I know so many other people loved this book but I can't recommend it. I now need to find something great so I can get over my mad.
I know so many other people loved this book but I can't recommend it. I now need to find something great so I can get over my mad.
October 15, 2017
Oh GOD!
Who wouldn't love Christian?! Again Elizabeth drove me nuts, I get it, believe me I really do. Come on though... she was too over the top for me. I was getting so damn bored! Repeatative. Christian is the only one who kept me going.
Who wouldn't love Christian?! Again Elizabeth drove me nuts, I get it, believe me I really do. Come on though... she was too over the top for me. I was getting so damn bored! Repeatative. Christian is the only one who kept me going.
May 10, 2015
Cuidado, esta reseña puede tener spoilers!!
If Forever Comes es el segundo libro de la serie Take This Regrets, escrito por A. L. Jackson y continua narrando la historia de Elizabeth y Christian, protagonistas de la saga.
Tenia este libro en mi lista de pendientes desde hacia meses, despues de terminar de leer el primer libro, pero luego lei tantas reseñas que decian lo triste y dramatica que era la historia que decidi aplazar la lectura para otro momento.
Al comenzar la lectura me costo un poco engancharme con la trama, sobre todo porque habia pasado tanto tiempo desde que lei el libro anterior que se me habian olvidado muchos detalles de la historia, ademas el libro comienza de una forma " peculiar ", ya que empieza narrando el " futuro " y luego retrocede varios meses para contarnos lo que ocurio y provoco la situacion sobre la que leemos en el primer capitulo.
Es un libro que se lee muy rapido, tiene un ritmo muy natural y fluido que no se hace tedioso en ningun momento, aunque reconozco que en algunas ocasiones mientras leia deseaba que el drama acabara y los protagonistas tuvieran su final feliz.
Creo que para poder entender por lo que pasa Elizabeth tienes que ser madre y aun no lo he sido por lo que quizas no puedo llegar a comprender la magnitud de perder a un hijo, sobre todo de la forma en la que ella lo pierde, de lo que si estoy segura es que la autora hace un trabajo increible narrandonos el dolor de Elizabeth y Chrstian, quizas me hubiera gustado mas este libro si A. L. Jackson no se hubiera " ensañado " tanto con la pareja protagonista, senti que fue demasiado desgarradora la forma en la que se desarrolla todo en este libro, sinceramente esperaba una conclusion a esta serie un poco mas alegre y light, aun asi no me arrepiento de haberla leido porque al fin y al cabo el final de Elizabeth y Christian estuvo a la altura de su historia de amor.
3 Estrellas!
September 22, 2013
Just unnecessary and dragged out drama and elizabeth annoyed the heck out of me. So selfish and immature! She's a horrible mother too! Ughh! This book just about ruined the series for me.
I also hated having to read from the present then back to the past and then present again and so on, knowing that with each chapter you know something bad is going to happen. I already knew what was going to happen a few chapters in so the chapters leading up to it were just fillers that I skimmed over because it felt unnecessary! I already knew what was going to happen!!!
The epilogue kind of made up for the most part though. Only it felt a little short. the epilogue started at about 79-80% and I thought it'll go on until the 99-100%.. but alas it didnt! Eck!
I also hated having to read from the present then back to the past and then present again and so on, knowing that with each chapter you know something bad is going to happen. I already knew what was going to happen a few chapters in so the chapters leading up to it were just fillers that I skimmed over because it felt unnecessary! I already knew what was going to happen!!!
The epilogue kind of made up for the most part though. Only it felt a little short. the epilogue started at about 79-80% and I thought it'll go on until the 99-100%.. but alas it didnt! Eck!
October 17, 2019
When I first began listening to this audiobook, I was confused, wondering if I had forgotten the end of the previous book. I actually had to pull up that audiobook and listen to the last few minutes again to confirm that no, I hadn’t forgotten; the last book DID end with a HEA. This final book starts with tragedy, over a month after book 1.5 ended. Elizabeth continues to be a stubborn pain in the ass, again wasting months away from Christian when they could’ve been enjoying life together. And poor Logan! I’d love to know what happens to him and how awkward things will be when his daughter and Lizzie (best friends) want to have another playdate!!!!
August 20, 2022
If Forever Comes was my least favorite of the series.
This was a completely unnecessary follow up to Christian and Elizabeth's story.
If Forever Comes is told in a before and after style and from the first page, we know something horrible has happened between Christian and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s character morphed into an emotional weak frustrating mess.
why did no one suggest THERAPY for Elizabeth?! She was clearly experiencing mental health issues.
I'm glad they figured it out but I felt like the story was dragging its feet again.
This was a completely unnecessary follow up to Christian and Elizabeth's story.
If Forever Comes is told in a before and after style and from the first page, we know something horrible has happened between Christian and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s character morphed into an emotional weak frustrating mess.
why did no one suggest THERAPY for Elizabeth?! She was clearly experiencing mental health issues.
I'm glad they figured it out but I felt like the story was dragging its feet again.
September 21, 2013
I can't put in to words how I feel about this book.
It is heart-breakingly beautiful.
I thought I knew what pain & suffering was when I read Take This Regret. But this just tore me apart. I've never felt so sad from reading. I'm still devastated. And it was prefect.
This was me during the entire book.
Tissue after tissue...
The story was just sooooo real. All the emotions were REAL. I don't know how to put in to words how I felt, but I was there. I felt like I was there in those crucial heart breaking scenes.
I love the end, I love the beauty, hope and love that shone through. Love really does conquers all.
I have one request. If you're reading this Ms. Jackson, please please please let us have more of Christian & Elizabeth. Just a novella or even just one chapter of them together in their new home, with their new life? 95% of the story was emotional agony and while we got our HEA, I just want to see more of C & E happy together. I just need the reassurance that they're going to be okay.
Tears!!!
It is heart-breakingly beautiful.
I thought I knew what pain & suffering was when I read Take This Regret. But this just tore me apart. I've never felt so sad from reading. I'm still devastated. And it was prefect.
This was me during the entire book.
Tissue after tissue...
The story was just sooooo real. All the emotions were REAL. I don't know how to put in to words how I felt, but I was there. I felt like I was there in those crucial heart breaking scenes.
I love the end, I love the beauty, hope and love that shone through. Love really does conquers all.
I have one request. If you're reading this Ms. Jackson, please please please let us have more of Christian & Elizabeth. Just a novella or even just one chapter of them together in their new home, with their new life? 95% of the story was emotional agony and while we got our HEA, I just want to see more of C & E happy together. I just need the reassurance that they're going to be okay.
Tears!!!
April 12, 2015
OMG ITS SO AMAZING!! ..
This book..
I can't put it into words how I feel about this book.
It is heart-breakingly beautiful.
This is me reading the first chapter ..
At first im totally lost in whats happening cause shits gone crazy .. then while reading chapter after chapter ..
MY GOD I WAS CRYING!! Its too heart breaking. At first they letting us know that the happy couple are falling apart.. as you go on you'll see what is really happening and put it all together.. I feel the pain of the charters. Christan and Elizabeth struggling to heal themselves and take another change on their relationships.
My gawd the Epilogue is so perfectly beautiful .. I totally love this series and I can say A.L Jackson is freaking amazing!. Tho it makes me sad that this series is now has to end but freakishly happy what did happened. Definitely a must read!
This book..
I can't put it into words how I feel about this book.
It is heart-breakingly beautiful.
This is me reading the first chapter ..
At first im totally lost in whats happening cause shits gone crazy .. then while reading chapter after chapter ..
MY GOD I WAS CRYING!! Its too heart breaking. At first they letting us know that the happy couple are falling apart.. as you go on you'll see what is really happening and put it all together.. I feel the pain of the charters. Christan and Elizabeth struggling to heal themselves and take another change on their relationships.
"Love and Forgiveness."
My gawd the Epilogue is so perfectly beautiful .. I totally love this series and I can say A.L Jackson is freaking amazing!. Tho it makes me sad that this series is now has to end but freakishly happy what did happened. Definitely a must read!
October 16, 2013
If Forever Comes has left me with conflicted and mixed feelings. After the emotional upheaval and angst that made up Take This Regret, I thought maybe we'd get a little less of that in the second book. The story is told from dual POV's that are juggled between present day and where Take This Regret left off. While I thought the story was again very well written and made me feel everything, I found myself skimming through the middle. I was so upset with Elizabeth and Christian both. Tragedy again strikes these two and it strikes hard. Rather than together using each other's strength, they break and do just exist alone. When I read book, the strength of the characters, especially the female character is a huge factor in my rating. I want to read about a strong, kick ass female who if she breaks, she breaks and finds a way to put herself back together without shutting everyone out. The last 25% of the book I slowed down a bit because things picked up and I'm very happy with the ending. So there were aspects I liked and aspects that I didn't. It was just OK for me after completely loving the first book.
September 25, 2013
A disappointing 2.5 Stars.
When I read Take this regret and lost to you, A.L.Jackson's storytelling broke my heart, what a fabulous writer to be able to write such unremarkable plots and turn them into these compelling, heart wrenching stories.
Unfortunately with this one, I felt like the unremarkable - albeit well written - story had already been spent and to add this element of sadness and drag it out...to the max, really pushed the boundaries of my interest.
How many times is it acceptable to re-iterate how much one person loves the other and will forever belong to them and re-read it again from the other persons p.o.v. just as many times? I'm not sure, but there should perhaps be a cut off after maybe the fourth or fifth...I don't know, it's a suggestion!!
I felt like the majority of this book were sentences being overly repeated then overly repeated but rephrased.
Really disappointed. A.L.Jackson, you are so much better than this!!
When I read Take this regret and lost to you, A.L.Jackson's storytelling broke my heart, what a fabulous writer to be able to write such unremarkable plots and turn them into these compelling, heart wrenching stories.
Unfortunately with this one, I felt like the unremarkable - albeit well written - story had already been spent and to add this element of sadness and drag it out...to the max, really pushed the boundaries of my interest.
How many times is it acceptable to re-iterate how much one person loves the other and will forever belong to them and re-read it again from the other persons p.o.v. just as many times? I'm not sure, but there should perhaps be a cut off after maybe the fourth or fifth...I don't know, it's a suggestion!!
I felt like the majority of this book were sentences being overly repeated then overly repeated but rephrased.
Really disappointed. A.L.Jackson, you are so much better than this!!
September 22, 2013
4.5 stars
Once again Ms. Jackson's writing is a beautiful work of art!
You looking for something to tug at the ole heart strings? Well this is your book!! I feel like I spent about 90% of it wanting to rip out my own heart because I didn't know how much more of the hurt I could take.
There is no good guy vs. bad guy (ok maybe Logan can be considered a bad guy but even he isn't really that bad), it is about a couple who love so hard and then have to deal with loss that rocks them to their very core. Life dealt them a shitty hand, so I guess you could say life was the real bad guy here and now they need to figure out how they can survive this type of pain and loss.
This won't be easy to read but it will be worth it.
My only complaint would be I wish we got a little more glimpse into the happy times.
Once again Ms. Jackson's writing is a beautiful work of art!
You looking for something to tug at the ole heart strings? Well this is your book!! I feel like I spent about 90% of it wanting to rip out my own heart because I didn't know how much more of the hurt I could take.
There is no good guy vs. bad guy (ok maybe Logan can be considered a bad guy but even he isn't really that bad), it is about a couple who love so hard and then have to deal with loss that rocks them to their very core. Life dealt them a shitty hand, so I guess you could say life was the real bad guy here and now they need to figure out how they can survive this type of pain and loss.
This won't be easy to read but it will be worth it.
My only complaint would be I wish we got a little more glimpse into the happy times.
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