Chasing Forever

This Time Forever #3

by Kelly Jensen

Old wounds, new directions, and a forever worth chasing.

Malcolm Montgomery was a history teacher and track coach until an accident left him with two broken legs. He’ll recover, but life has knocked his feet out twice now. He’s not sure if he’s ready to try again, especially when it comes to love—and slick guys like Brian Kenway. Still, he needs help mentoring the school’s LGBTQ society, so he asks Brian to take some responsibility.

Brian has been hiding behind his reputation as a liar and a cheat for so long that he actually believes he’s that guy—until his nephew, Josh, turns up on his couch, tossed out for being gay. Brian has never considered being a father, but he knows all about being rejected by loved ones. Now Brian wants to be more: a partner for Mal and a role model for Josh.

But when Mal’s recovery is set back and the sad truth of Brian’s past is revealed, the forever they’ve been chasing seems even further from their grasps. It’ll take a rescue effort to revive their sense of worth and make Brian, Mal, and Josh into a family of their own.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Audiobook, Gay, Family

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2018

About the author

If aliens ever do land on Earth, Kelly will not be prepared, despite having read over a hundred stories of the apocalypse. Still, she will pack her precious books into a box and carry them with her as she strives to survive. It’s what bibliophiles do.

Kelly is the author of twelve novels–including the Chaos Station series, co-written with Jenn Burke–and several novellas and short stories. Some of what she writes is speculative in nature, but mostly it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/czGhYz

Reviews

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What even just happened to me? No really. I am just floored. Wow, wow, wow.

I am completely blown away by this story. I am still trying to wrap my head around what I just read and come to terms with this overwhelming feeling of unadulterated love.

Ok, let’s start with the dirty. I didn’t want Brian’s book. I wasn’t interested in him. I didn’t like him. What he did and what he continued to do just ugh. He just kept showing up like a bad penny. (I don’t really get that saying but that is what popped in my head so I’m just gonna roll with it.) I just couldn’t see how his book would ever work or how it would ever be ok. But, even if I could, I never would have believed it would have been a gift like this.

Yes. This book was a gift.

There was so much substance to this entire story. It was heavy. It was bright. It was dark and it was so very hopeful. There was so much love weaved throughout the entire story I was moved over and over and over again. All of my emotions were on high alert and I just felt so much.

So, aside from the two MCs, there are so many secondary characters that are so important to the story and to me, the most important of all was Brian’s nephew Josh. Josh who showed up and ripped Brian wide open. Josh who I just wanted to wrap up and never let go. I’m going against everything I believe when I say this but can Josh get a story? Maybe like in a couple years? I am a huge believer that every single character introduced in a story does not need a book but in this case, Josh does. Thankfully the other major players all seem to have their lives together or I might have been asking for Donny and Rachel’s and Leo and Kelsey’s stories as well. Not to mention Vanessa. Stay married girl! They all played an integral part to the story and to not mention them all just feels wrong. May they all live their lives happily; I loved them all.

Malcolm Montgomery, Mr. M, Mal. Sigh. First and foremost, thank you, thank you, thank you so much for writing a fifty year old man. A young fifty year old man. A man that has a lot of life left to live. An absolutely amazing man who finally is getting the life he wants and the life he should have. I loved this man. I hurt for this man. I cringed a lot while reading his story. The pain and the sadness, it all just broke my heart but his smiles, they made my heart soar. The author called him her soldier and I find that fitting, perfect. He was a soldier and he finally got to come home.

So, looks like that leaves me back at the beginning. It’s time to talk about Brian Kenway, yeah?

Brian. My God. What an absolute asshole that really was only an asshole so he didn’t have to be Brian. What an amazingly complex but simple man. I fell head over heels for him and broke right along with him. I am in utter shock over this development. Shock. I told you I didn’t like him. I told you I really could have cared less about him and especially his story. I couldn’t have been more wrong. His is the best story. His is the definition of story. It wrecked me and then put me back together. I feel like saying the asshole was redeemed but at the end, I don’t think he needed redemption. I think, like his soldier Mal, he just needed a home.

This was my favorite of the trilogy. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. I chased the end but was sad when I caught it. All of these books, with their men and their lives and their homes has been an absolutely wonderful journey. I am so glad that this author and especially this series came into my life this year. A definite favorite of 2018.

**ARC provided by the author via A Novel Take Promotions in exchange for an honest review.**

[Ele · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.50 stars*

This series has been a roller-coaster for me. I liked the first book, I wasn’t happy with the second one at all, but I LOVED this one. I’d never have thought that Βrian’s book would be my favorite.

Brian was such an asshole in the previous books. No really, he was the biggest jerk ever. Not only was he the “villain” but he almost didn’t make sense to me.

In Chasing Forever Kelly Jensen managed to redeem Brian without making excuses for him or giving him a personality transplant. Brian is an asshole but now the reader can actually understand why. And the reason for being this way, the past that shaped him blew my mind. Now that I was able to understand him, I can say with certainty that Brian is one of my favorite characters in this cast.

I really liked seeing perfectly put together Brian practically falling apart on multiple occasions; when he finally confronts Simon, when he confronts his past, when he finds family again in his nephew, Josh, and of course, when he falls in love.

As for Mal, well, it was only natural for me to like the awkward history teacher of the story. I appreciated his maturity, his character development and the way he faced his disability.

I LOVED the subplot about Brian’s nephew, Josh and his fling with Ethan. Can we hope for a story about these two a few years down the road?

There is a moderate amount of steam but the existing sex scenes are smoking hot. Like off the charts hot. The romance is quiet but powerful and intense at the same time. I would have loved some more time with the couple without any other distractions but this didn’t take any of my enjoyment out.

All in all, I’m so glad I decided to not skip this book. Recommended!

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intimate, sensuous, and timely!

Chasing Forever is a passionate, heartwarming tale that takes us into the lives of Malcolm and Brian as they each must learn to cope with the baggage from their past, overcome their insecurities, fight for what they truly want, and work together to create a haven for the kids in their community.

The writing is sincere and heartfelt. The characters are flawed, caring, and genuine. And the plot is an alluring, push-pull storyline filled with friendship, family, tension, responsibility, support, humor, shameless flirting, angst, heartbreak, and unconditional love.

Overall, Chasing Forever is a well written, provocative, emotional story by Jensen that does an excellent job of highlighting the challenges, prejudices, and ignorance faced by those in the LGBTQIA community and reminds us just how much guidance and support all teens require when discovering and embracing their sexual identity.

Thank you to NetGalley and Riptide Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chasing Forever was my first book by Kelly Jensen, and I think maybe it wasn't the best book to be my foray into her work.

From what I gathered, Brian was the villain in at least one previous book, and I fully see why. I got to know him more during the course of the story, but a guy who cheats on his long-term boyfriend many, many times and acts like a jerk really doesn't get a ton of sympathy from me. I wouldn't want my friend dating Brian either.

I didn't quite understand why Brian felt such a draw to Mal, though I didn't hate them together. The chemistry wasn't jumping off the page for me, though I liked them more as the book progressed. I also wish Mal had more pizzazz as a character. He was a bit one-note. However, I really enjoyed that both of the MCs were in the 50-ish age range. Super refreshing.

I liked the side plot with Brian's nephew the most, and I thought that gave the story some much needed complexity and depth. Still, though I enjoyed the book, it felt a bit... bland. The pace felt slow, and even though I read the book relatively quickly, I wasn't dying to pick it up and keep reading.

A good read, but not a great one for me, unfortunately. However, I'm looking forward to seeing what else this author has up her sleeve.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for this book Kelly Jensen, just thank you.

I am 48 like Brian, I am disabled with mobility issues that came out of the blue at a relatively young age and changed my world like Malcolm.

I may not be a gay man but I could empathise with so much that these two complex and wonderfully alive characters had experienced and the doubts and fears they lived with.

Getting a redemption storyline right is not an easy task, and while Brian was never a true villain, our gaze as readers had been on him from the point of view of his ex Simon and Simon's best friend Frank.

We had an opinion on his character, on his behaviour, on how he was an ass, on how he treated Simon appallingly. But we were wrong in many ways.

Brian was a lost soul, clinging onto something that wasn't, and never would be, the right relationship for him or Simon, but lacking the whole awareness to realise it and so putting them both through Hell.
He'd been fighting his whole life so hard that he didn't know how to stop and put his shield and sword away.

It wasn't until his nephew Josh shows up with a painful reminder of the past, that Brian starts to become the beautifully flawed man he truly is. And it is then through the eyes of Malcolm that the layers start to peel away.

And here can I gush about Malcolm for a bit. He's not perfect either, he's physically fragile and feeling his mortality after the hit and run that almost destroyed his legs and nearly took his life.

But he is strong in heart, aware of his weaknesses and determined to not let his age, his awkwardness or his shyness get inside his head and prevent him from acknowledging that he wants Brian even with his asshole reputation.

I'm not sure which one I loved the most. They were stubborn, they were vulnerable, they were sexy and sweet together, frustrating and fascinating and ultimately the perfect fit to slot into place and create their own future together.

The secondary plot was a surprise, I didn't expect it to go the way it did but the narrative actually couldn't have been more right in the end. It's not the physical places that make a community but the people and the friendships and while the final outcome was a different one, I loved it.

I've thoroughly enjoyed each book in this series, so much so that I bought them all even though I'd had the ARCs. This is hands down one of the best series I've read not only this year but in the contemporary romance genre as a whole.

If you want interesting and intelligent mature characters all well past their youthful bloom who find and fall in love with their perfect partner, then you'd not go far wrong with picking this series up.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars

Chasing Forever is the third and final book in Kelly Jensen’s loosely-linked  This Time Forever  trilogy of novels in which the protagonists are all older (late thirties – fifty) men who find true love and happy ever afters.  As soon as I learned this book would feature Brian Kenway, whom I met and didn’t much like in book one, I knew I had to read it; I confess to having a soft spot for reformed bad-boys, and I was eager to see how Ms. Jensen would turn him into a leading man and a character I could root for.  When he turned up in Building Forever, intent on re-kindling his relationship with his former long-term partner, Simon Lynley, Brian came across as a smug, arrogant git, and I’m sure that, like me, readers were relieved when Simon made it very clear he’d moved on.  Brian’s brief appearances in book two showed him in a slightly better light, although he was still living up to his reputation as an arsehole – a term he often uses to describe himself. In Chasing Forever, though, we finally get to see the real Brian Kenway – a man even he has trouble finding,  buried as he is under the layers of self-protection and the smooth, glossy persona he’s constructed in the thirty-odd years since his family disowned him for being gay.

Mal Montgomery, a history teacher at the college in Morristown, has been on medical leave ever since he was hit by a car while out running and seriously injured.  After months of recovery, he’s getting around on crutches and has been cleared to return to work after the Christmas break.  It’s been a long and hard road towards recovery, and the fact that he may never run again – hell, he may never walk properly let alone hike or run – is weighing heavily on him.  He’s having a drink at his usual bar on Christmas Eve, trying not to let his eyes stray too often to the handsome Brian Kenway, a man he knows by rumour to be a player and a total dick – when Brian slides onto the seat next to him and starts flirting with him.  Mal isn’t sure how to respond; Kenway may have provided the fuel for many of his fantasies, but this is reality and a guy like Brian is completely out of Mal’s league, and would be even if Mal didn’t have two broken legs… so he deliberately ignores Brian’s subtle proposition and watches as the other man exits the bar to head home alone.

Arrived at his condo, Brian immediately knows something is wrong.  There’s a cold breeze coming from the kitchen, and he discovers a broken pane of glass in the back door – but a quick survey reveals nothing moved or stolen.  He’s about to call the police anyway when he enters his living room to discover a figure curled up on his couch, huddled in blankets. He wakes the intruder, who turns out to be a boy in his early teens with lips almost as blue as his dyed hair, and is stunned when the boy introduces himself as Joshua Kenway – Brian’s nephew.

Josh’s arrival is a turning point for Brian, although he doesn’t quite realise it at the time. He sees his own painful history repeating itself – Josh (who is fourteen) came out to his mother, Brian’s sister, and she threw him out – and Brian determines that Josh isn’t going to go what he went through when he was younger. He’s not at all sure how to parent a teenager (something I think most parents of teenagers will identify with completely!) and Ms. Jensen does a superb job of building their relationship complete with flaws and missteps and misunderstandings; Josh is a believable teen who is clearly adrift, hurt and in need of comfort and guidance, things Brian thinks (at first) he’s not capable of providing. But he very clearly is capable, and I loved seeing him grow into that parental role as the story progressed and his relationship with Josh evolved into one of mutual trust and affection.

Mal is a less ‘showy’ character than handsome, charismatic, troubled Brian, but there’s something about him that draws the eye so to speak, a kind of quiet, dependable authority that is second nature to him and which is very attractive. He’s reached a point in his life where he’s almost given up on having a lasting relationship; his self-esteem doesn’t seem to have ever been particularly high, but his accident and his worries about his long-term mobility have knocked it back even further, and he finds it difficult to believe that someone as gorgeous as Brian would want him. Fortunately for Mal however, Brian is determined in his pursuit and I really liked that the author gives them the time to get to know each other as friends before they embark on a more intimate relationship. Mal is quickly able to work out that the Brian he is coming to know is a far cry from the liar and cheat he believes himself to be, and that rumour paints him as, and to see the genuinely decent, caring man beneath the polished façade.

Ms. Jensen redeems Brian in pretty spectacular fashion, but does it subtly, without fanfare and, most importantly, without giving him a complete personality transplant; at the end of the book, he’s still the man he always was, but a stronger, more honest and happier version of him. The relationships at the heart of the story – Mal and Brian, Josh and Brian – are beautifully written, full of insight and tenderness; and all the characters – even the minor ones – are strongly drawn and the relationships between them well-realised. Most of all, though, I appreciated – very much – the maturity of these characters, not just because of their ages (forty-eight and fifty), but because they act like men with a lot of life under their belts who are able to recognise when they screw up and do something to put things right.

The romance between Mal and Brian is a delicious slow-burn and Ms. Jensen does a great job of building the sexual tension while at the same time setting into motion the couple of sub-plots that provide the story’s vivid backdrop. Chasing Forever actually has quite a lot going on, but I never felt as though the book was over-busy; the author very skilfully interweaves the various storylines so that nothing feels superfluous to requirements and readers are presented with a story that feels rich and full. It’s a poignant, emotionally satisfying novel and a terrific end to this thoroughly enjoyable series.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've given this a B for narration and a B+ for content at AudioGals

Redeeming a bad boy – or at the very least, a previously unlikeable character – can be a tough sell, but in Chasing Forever, the final book in the  This Time Forever trilogy, Kelly Jensen does it splendidly as she turns her focus to Brian Kenway, whom listeners may recall as the cheating ex of Simon Linley from book one, Building Forever. The story once again features a mature couple who have both been around the block a few times romantically, and it also sheds light on the painful backstory that has contributed to making Brian into the man he’s become, one so deeply buried under all the layers of self-protection and the smooth persona he’s built up over the years that even he has trouble finding his true self.

The story opens on Christmas Eve with history teacher Mal Montgomery having a drink at the local bar. He’s been on medical leave since he sustained some serious injuries when he was hit by a car, but after months of recovery – and although he’s still using crutches to get around – he’s been cleared to return to work. He’s looking forward to getting back to teaching after the holiday, although the fact that he may never be able to run again – hell, he may not even walk properly again, let alone run or hike – is weighing heavily on his mind and bringing him down. He’s trying hard not to let his eyes stray towards the handsome Brian Kenway; the man has a reputation as a player and an arrogant prick, and even though he’s starred in more than one of Mal’s fantasies, Mal knows he’s way out of his league. So no one is more surprised than he is when Kenway slides onto the stool next to him at the bar and starts flirting with him. Mal has never been good in situations like these and has no idea how to respond, so he deliberately ignores Brian’s subtle proposition and then watches, still slightly bewildered, as the other man leaves the bar to make his way home.

When Brian gets back to his condo, he realises at once that something’s wrong. A pane of broken glass in the back door has him on the verge of calling the police when he finds someone huddled up in blankets on the couch in his living room. The intruder is a teenaged boy with lips almost as blue as his dyed hair, who stuns Brian by introducing himself as Joshua Kenway – his nephew.

Josh explains to Brian that his mother – Brian’s sister – kicked him out after he told her he was gay, and Brian feels as though he’s been gut-punched. It’s like history is repeating itself, but Brian is determined that Josh isn’t going to go through what he went through when he was younger. He has no idea how to parent a teen (I think most parents of teenagers feel that way at times!) and is convinced at first that he’s not the right person for the job, that he isn’t going to be able to provide the comfort, guidance and affection a kid like Josh so desperately needs. But Josh’s appearance in his life really is a turning point for Brian, and Ms. Jensen does a great job of showing him gradually growing into a parental role while at the same time learning more about himself and letting go of some of his long-held but ultimately harmful self-perceptions.

Also instrumental in this process is Mal, who, as well as teaching history, heads up the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance group, which aims to create a safe-space for its members – straight and queer – to be themselves and support each other. He asks Brian if he’ll come along to the meetings – partly because Mal thinks it would be good for Josh to attend, but also to have a show of parental support, too – and this gives the two men the chance to start to get to know each other properly. Mal is one of those strong silent types who doesn’t realise his own attractiveness and who had kind of given up on the idea of a long-term relationship; he isn’t at all sure what a gorgeous guy like Brian could possibly see in him, but fortunately for Mal, Brian isn’t one to give up easily. His gentle but determined pursuit allows plenty of time for the “getting-to-know-you” phase of their relationship – and for Mal to start realising that the Brian he’s coming to know is not the man Brian believes himself to be and that his reputation would suggest. Their strong chemistry and their gradual progression from friends to lovers makes for a delicious slow burn romance.

Brian’s relationship with Josh is equally well written, and Josh is a believable teen. His hurt and anger cause him to act out at times, but gradually, he and Brian start to forge a strong bond and a relationship based on affection and understanding. And with Mal, Brian starts to realise that he’s finally found someone he can risk being himself with, someone who will support him and love him for who he is.

For the most part, I enjoyed Austin Jay’s performance in book one in the series, Building Forever, and I was pleased to have the chance to listen to him again. His narration is well-paced and I really liked his vocal acting – he’s very good at picking up on the emotional nuances in the text and communicating them to the listener. He portrays the secondary cast appropriately and differentiates fairly well between them, although – and this was something I noted previously – his differentiation between the leads can be a bit wobbly, and there were times I wasn’t sure who was speaking. He does assign different character voices to Mal, Brian and Josh, but sometimes, he starts a phrase or sentence in character but doesn’t sustain it, so that by the end of the line(s), he’s using his regular “narrator” voice. It doesn’t happen often, but it did take me out of the story a few times.

But in the end, those things didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment, and I found Mr. Jay’s obvious enthusiasm and engagement with the material helped make up for those technical deficiencies. Chasing Forever is a beautifully written, strongly characterised and emotionally satisfying romance, and is a wonderful conclusion to this excellent series.

This review originally appeared at AudioGals .

[Roberta Blablanski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the This Time Forever series is my second favorite. I enjoyed the characters and the story much more than I did the second book, but not as much as the first.

I was wary about Brian. We meet him in Building Forever, as Simon's douchey ex. Nothing he does in book one redeems his character or personality. I was glad to get to know him further in book three. Turns out, he's a decent guy. Likable, even. He has reasons for acting out and portraying a certain reputation. Underneath that carefully crafted persona, he's a genuinely good person, and I enjoyed getting to know that side of him. The way he cares for his nephew really tugged at my heart strings.

Malcolm is gentle and doesn't see exactly what he's worth until Brian comes along. I loved the way Brian pursues him and the way Mal asserts himself. Mal knows what he wants underneath his hesitancy, and Brian adores those glimpses of dominance.

I appreciated this coupling more over Frank and Tom in Renewing Forever, but none can top Simon and Charlie in Building Forever. Overall, I enjoyed this series.

[Amy Aislin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series has been like a warm blanket on a rainy day: nice and cozy and real. And by "real" I mean that every book has featured main characters who aren't perfect. They have flaws and quirks and they mess up every once in a while, making them feel like real people.

Brian and Mal are no different. And honestly? I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did, and that's because I didn't much care for Brian in the first two books. But Kelly Jensen made him so damn likeable in Chasing Forever.

There's a lot happening in this novel. Mal's recovering from two broken legs, he's just been put in charge of the high school's GSA club, and he deals with an endearing awkwardness mixed with occasional self-esteem issues. Brian suddenly finds himself the guardian of his fourteen-year-old nephew who's just been kicked out for being gay, and he's dealing with old wounds from when he himself was kicked out of his home for the same reason. Throw in some family tension and a bid to save the local bar, and there's a lot to unpack. But all of that is weaved so well into Mal and Brian's burgeoning relationship.

Brian and Mal are both relatable characters, and they're both dealing with emotional wounds. But despite those wounds they nevertheless come together. And it's not an easy journey; they both pull back despite wanting to move forward, but their hard-won HEA is so worth it. And watching them...not overcome those wounds...but deal with them, learn to live with them, together? I loved it. I loved everything about this book. I fell so hard for both Brian and Mal, and I loved watching them come together.

One of the things that I loved about this novel was that, while all of the plot threads come to a satisfying resolution at the end, not all of those resolutions are tied with a pretty bow. Some end favourably, others not so favourably, which is one of the things that made this book feel so real and genuine.

I thought book 1, Building Forever was my favourite book in this series, but Chasing Forever just took that spot!

This entire series is fantastic and I can't recommend it enough.

*ARC received from A Novel Take PR in exchange for an honest review*

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up

It's always interesting when a villain from previous book ends up being the hero of the next book. Brian Kenway is the serial cheater ex-boyfriend who walked out of Simon Lynley (the hero in Building Forever) after twelve years of relationship. Then Brian shows up again in book two, seemingly trying to make amends.

This time we find out more about who Brian really is and what secrets he keeps apart from everyone else in his life, including his best friend and Simon when they were together. This happens as Brian finds himself as a temporary place for his fourteen years old nephew who is tossed out for being gay as well as starting a new relationship with Malcolm Montgomery, a fifty years old professor, who is unlike the men Brian usually keeps his bed warm with.

For the most part, I think this book is able to redeem Brian. We learn about Brian’s past, the moment that scars him, and probably the big reason why he keeps sabotaging his relationship, especially with Simon. It may be a little easy answer – of course it has something to do with his past! – but it also provides some powerful moments in this book. I like the way Jensen brings Josh, the nephew, into the mix, as part of Brian’s catharsis process.

I may not have too many opinion about Malcolm – I admit, he is a little bland for me as a character. He has good family and friends. Malcolm might be recuperating from a horrible accident in this book, but he’s also a little awkward and a little too insecure. But Malcolm is also willing to take chances – and everything that builds Malcolm as a character is what makes Brian finally let Malcolm to see all of himself.

They are not perfect but in their flaws, they are good for each other.



A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls



The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.

[Georgie-who-is-Sarah-Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's more like it: the third of Kelly Jensen's CRs with older MCs is a real winner.

KJ's always been able to create rounded characters, and Mal & Brian are no exceptions. There's a solid (but not laboured) back-story for each, which plays intelligently into the plot. Brian, whose ex (Simon) was an MC in the first book, has good reasons for being rubbish at relationships; reasons that make sense of the sub-plot featuring his displaced nephew who unexpectedly lands on his door-step. I liked the way that Brian's slowly growing confidence in his relationship with Mal mirrored his certainty that Josh also belonged in his life.

On the face of it, Mal is a less impressive MC than charming, successful Brian: externally, Mal's suffering from the after-effects of a serious accident and internally, he's become convinced he's nothing to bring to a relationship. But KJ actively uses Mal's job as a teacher to show his value:
"The sound of Mal clearing his throat drew both of their attention, and when Brian turned, he understood what it was that kept drawing him to this man. He hadn’t seen this expression before, but he’d known it was possible. Authority. Command. But also a gentleness that impelled a frightening amount of respect."

The plot's actually quite complex, though presented with deceptive simplicity. There's Mal & Brian's relationship, Brian's efforts to get through to Josh, the development of a GSA in Mal's school, and efforts to preserve the architectural heritage of their small town. Each plot strand is connected, and there's a sense of real satisfaction when they're all resolved in tandem.

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.75 stars

Chasing Forever is the third in the This Time Forever series, following Building Forever and Renewing Forever. I’d say each of the books is a standalone, but the characters overlap and I think you’ll enjoy the books more if you read them in order.

We’re introduced to Brian in Building Forever and we know him as Simon’s ex, a notorious cheater who walked away from their 12-year relationship seemingly without a backwards glance. As a result, we shouldn’t like Brian. Or at the very least, we shouldn’t find him charming. Yet from the start I couldn’t help but like his character and think there was more beneath his apparent oily surface. And in Chasing Forever, we finally get to know more about his past and it’s heartbreaking. It doesn’t excuse his behavior towards Simon or his arrogance, but it does explain it. Brian has so many layers and with each one we get a more complete picture of the fragile heart he’s been guarding. He isn’t a perfect character, but that makes him more interesting and he’s far from the traditional good guy. Mal, on the other hand, is a sweetheart in almost every regard. He’s the hometown boy whose managed to endure not one, but two life changing accidents and somehow manages to keep himself positive and forward thinking. Even when he gets down about his injuries, it never feels like a pity party. He and Brian aren’t a natural pairing, but that complexity makes their relationship feel realistic.

Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.

[Renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The mark of an exceptional author is one that can’t take a character that I didn’t like at all and not only convince me he is a good man, but make me have empathy for him as well and then pair him with a man whose entire life had been changed in an instant and was struggling to not only recover, but with his place in the world and you have the makings of a truly beautiful and emotional love story. Chasing Forever was everything I look for in a romance; characters with depth and who show growth, a happily ever after they had to work towards, and so much emotion without a lot of angst.

Malcolm “Mal” Montgomery will tell you he has a good life despite the fact he is still recovering from an accident 8 months ago that almost killed him. He has the love and support of his family, the school he works at, and the people in his town, but Mal is afraid he won’t ever be able to do the things he loves again. Then one night while sitting one “his stool” at the local bar, known player Brian Kenway speaks to him and he feels something he hasn’t felt in a long time. While quick to dismiss it, their paths cross again leaving both men a bit off balance.

I loved that these men were 50 and 48 and had quite a bit of life experience, but were both still not sure if they were cut out for a long term commitment due to past experiences. I also loved that they had very different experiences when they came out (or were found out), and that despite Mal’s family being supportive he admitted that he never lived “out and proud” and that I think is very true of many people who are that age and older. Growing up in the 70’s and early 80’s, I can understand his statement and the fact that because he was a high school athlete and went to college on a football scholarship why he held back. The climate was way different back then and his admission that even though he was accepted, his sexuality wasn’t something he was comfortable discussing or flaunting. Brian’s story was much different and when his 14 year old nephew shows up at his house, it dredges up his past hurt and memories he’s tried to get past. There was a lot of emotion in this story, both these characters have to come to terms with different parts of their lives changing and Ms. Jensen did a remarkable job telling their story or better yet letting her characters tell their own story.

The attraction between Mal and Brian burned brightly, but I liked that they spent some time getting to know one another and being friends before they acted on it. I also appreciated that through Mal and his friends, Brian began to see the value in the town he lives in and how much the community meant to him.

An excellent seasoned romance that had me laughing, crying, smiling and cheering, I was hooked from the first chapter of Chasing Forever and while I was perfectly happy with the ending, I would have welcomed many more chapters in their story.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHASING FOREVER (This Time Forever, #3)
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• ⭐️:4,5/5
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💬: Brian stole my heart with this book. Of course in a platonic way because the only heart he wants is Mal’s but still, loved to see this side of him. The one that is not such a bad person, the one that cares for others and that has actual feelings.
Malcolm perseverance and strength made all the difference to this new chapter on Brian’s life, specially after the arrival of his fourteen year old nephew. Brian learns how to start a forever while forming his own little family and finding a love that made sense to him. Also, he got the chance to sort things out with Simon, and that was a conclusion we all needed after reading Building Forever #1 and only seeing Simon’s version of what happened between them.
This was the perfect conclusion of this series, and seeing the other main characters interacting in this story made me feel so happy! I love how everything is related to the place you call home, how our homes tell so much about us and how we can build ourselves where we will be living indefinitely. This aspect never left the other books too and it’s just so beautiful.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this series. A whole set of stories with main characters that are more mature. Characters who have lived life, made mistakes, have regrets and hang-ups, and are just starting to fall apart a little. Joints ache, tums are a tad soft, no one's getting it up eight times a night, they wear glasses, and dying their hair's not a fashion statement. These people are real and none more so than Mal and Brian. Yes, Brian, Simon's cheating ex from the first book. I adored him in this book, his need to care for his friends and family, his realisations about what he wanted from life. The author did an excellent job of making Brian a redeemable character, one that I really cared about, without demonising Simon or making excuses for his actions.

Highly recommended. The whole series, in fact.

[Javi reads and reads and reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENGLISH AND SPANISH REVIEW

OMG!

I just finished this story and my mind is SCREAMING.

I knew I had to get this book as soon as I finished the previous one "Renewing Forever" and OH GOD, I was not disappointed.

The book tells us the story of Mal and Brian... yes. THAT Brian! and how they navigate the beginning of their relationship, which is at first, a chase to get sex. Needless to say, the feels arrive soon after as they realize they really care for each other.

Malcolm Montgomery, Mal for short, is a man who, at the beginning of the story, is struggling with his recovery after a car accident which left him with two broken legs and almost dying. Mel is very melancholic and pessimistic, he prays he will be able to run again and tries to distance himself from the people who love him.

On the other hand we have Brian, who we already know as a playboy from the first two books in this series. Now, I want to make super clear that even though these books are connected, it is not really necessary to read them all or in order. They can be read as stand-alones.

As I said before, Brian is your typical male shown as a flirt and a playboy. The people who know him, warn Mal to stay away from him as he means bad business. He supposedly cares about no one but himself and even he defines himself as an asshole. Life gives a turn when his nephew breaks into his house on Christmas day and informs him that his mother told him to get lost after he came out to her. So Brian now has a teenager to deal with on top of his confusing feelings about Mal.

I don't want to spoil the book to anyone, but OMG the feelings!!! I swear I was not expecting to cry at the end of this, even after all that happens. I really enjoyed the story and I flew through it in 2 days.

I really recommend the book to anyone who wants to read a realistic romance, with GROWN men and a HEA. I surely will be stalking Kelly Jensen's other books!

This epub was sent to me to review via A Novel Take
.............................................
Apenas terminé el libro anterior de esta saga (Renewing Forever) super que tendría que pedir este apenas saliera.

El libro nos cuenta la historia de Mal y Brian y como reaccionan ante el inicio de una nueva relación… una relación que aparentemente será más seria de lo que pensaban al comienzo, ya que rápidamente se dan cuenta de que realmente se interesan en el bienestar del otro.

Malcolm Montgomery o de cariño Mal, es un hombre de 50 años que al comienzo de la historia, está en plena recuperación después de un accidente que le fracturó las piernas y que casi lo mata. Mel es un hombre algo melancólico y pesimista al comienzo, que ruega al cielo poder volver a caminar sin tener que usar muletas. Sin querer, se aleja de las personas que más lo quieren.

Por otro lado tenemos a Brian, un hombre bueno para coquetear y que tiene reputación de “picaflor”. Las personas que conocen a Brian le dicen a Mal que se aleje de el, ya que nada bueno puede salir de esa relación. Brian ha tenido esta reputación durante tanto tiempo, que hasta el mismo se define como un desgraciado. Su vida da un vuelco cuando su sobrino Josh llega a su casa en navidad y le cuenta que su madre lo echó después de que le dijo que era gay (desgraciada la weona). Así que Brian ahora tiene que lidear con un adolescente además de sus sentimientos por Mal.

Quiero aclarar, que a pesar de que este es el libro 3 en la saga, no es necesario leer los otros libros o leerlos en orden.

Recomiendo este libro a cualquier amante de los finales felices y a los que quieran leer una historia cargada de sentimientos, sexy times (1313) y personajes que no sean adolescentes.

Recibí este libro por medio de A Novel Take

[The Novel Approach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two men, both afraid of getting too close and losing again, meet. One, Malcolm Montgomery, has had more than his fair share of knocks in life. His latest left him with two badly injured legs, and learning how to walk again. Countless surgeries, with potentially more to come, find Mal trying his best to see beyond not only the physical pain but also grappling with the depressing belief that he will never really measure up to anyone’s standards, and remain alone. Already fifty, the prospects of finding someone to take a chance on him are slim.

The other man is a serial cheater and renowned player, Brian Kenway. Only Brian knows the real reason he was never faithful to his partner of twelve years, but now Simon is happy with another man and Brian is alone. But, all that is about to change. A broken window and a runaway will invade Brian’s home and, eventually, his heart, but it will be the high school teacher who asks Brian to help with the school’s GSA who will turn Brian’s life upside down. Mal is just the sort of man Brian has never been attracted to before, but now all bets are off, and life is going to get very interesting for both Mal and Brian—if only they can learn to trust each other.

Brian’s story is the third installment in Kelly Jensen’s This Time Forever series, and it is probably the most gut-wrenching of the three. When we are finally privy to what makes Brian tick, it is staggering, horrifying, and brutally honest. Between his backstory and young Josh’s current situation, I think this may well be the novel that resonates with more gay men and women than any other. Suddenly becoming not only an uncle to Josh, but one that has to open not only his home but his heart as well, is profoundly challenging for Brian, and it exposes all kinds of memories that he would rather have kept buried. But Mal is there to help—sweet, lonely Mal.

I think of all the characters in these three novels, Mal is perhaps the most sensitive and gentle. He is also nearly as lost as Brian is, and that is saying something. Mal may have a wonderful twin brother and a family who accepts and loves him, but he is still very much alone. After the man he invested seven long years with walks out of his life, Mal is left with little else than a house to redecorate and a heart that is convinced he will never measure up. Told all too often that he is just not good enough has left Mal gun-shy of ever going after another relationship, much less one with the likes of Brian Kenway. But bad boys are alluring, and Brian seems to fit the bill until Mal realizes that beneath the persona is a man who has been hurt badly and has closed off his heart.

Chasing Forever is a testament to the healing power of friendship and love. What changes for both these men is the chance to invest in one another. Once they take the time to really understand how they must both try to open up and believe in themselves, they can let down the walls and learn to love each other, and that moment is what we wait for with bated breath in this novel. Until then, we get the benefit of going on their journey, one fraught with miscommunication and mistakes but also rife with understanding and gentle kindness.

Chasing Forever is a beautiful love story all about second chances, and Kelly Jensen writes this kind of novel like no other. Fans of the series will love this one. I know I did.

Reviewed by Sammy

[Susan Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Forever is the third and final book in Kelly Jensen’s “This Time Forever” series, and I have to say it was my favorite of the three. Partly because I loved that characters from the first two books put in appearances in this story. I always enjoy that, it’s like greeting old and dear friends.

As with all of Jensen’s work, her characters pulled me into the story. We had met Brian in the first two books and he wasn’t anyone I wanted to spend time with. Brian came across as something of a narcissist … a man who seemed wholly wrapped up in his own needs and wants, who had little sympathy and certainly no empathy for others.

Mal, on the other hand, was immensely likable from the time we first met him and learned what his life was and had been: a one-time football star, injured in his first year in college. Mal found another way to keep active, and he was doing it quite successfully until a few months before the beginning of the story. He was struck by a car—a hit-and-run—and suffered not just broken, but shattered legs, along with some other injuries. When we first meet him, Mal is trying to keep his spirits up. Fortunately, he has a strong network of friends and family, in particular his fraternal twin Donny (one of my favorite characters ever). Mal’s family has always accepted his sexual orientation. They love and support him.

Mal, the graying high school teacher in mid-life, is surprised that Brian is attracted to him, and the attraction is strong and it’s definitely mutual. (Yes, plenty of steam in this book!) Brian is surprised he’s attracted to Mal. Not at all the usual younger, movie-star-handsome man he’s always preferred. But Brian has never been able to commit. His twelve-year relationship with Simon—one of the main characters in the first book, Building Forever—was ended because of his serial infidelity. Mal is warned about Brian … he’s a player, not worthy of Mal. Mal needs stability, someone who can truly love him.

And yet. We begin to learn more about Brian, and realize there’s a lot more to him than he allows people to see. When his nephew shows up (a nephew he never knew he had), a fourteen-year-old thrown out by his mother in the dead of winter because he tells her he’s gay, we begin to get a glimpse of Brian’s own troubled youth. He’s willing eventually to take responsibility for Josh (another favorite character). Mal is one of Josh’s teachers, and Mal and Brian grow closer as they work together to find ways to help the teenager.

No spoilers, I won’t go any further, but Jensen does a masterful job with her revelation of why Brian has isolated himself so severely. Old wounds are ripped open. Sometimes the scab has to be peeled away before true healing can take place.

A wonderfully written book, highly recommended.

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
I truly enjoyed the first two books of this series but Brian’s story is my favorite of all. It’s got angst, heartbreak, joy, fully-drawn characters plus a setting enhanced by a sense of community. Brian was the cheating ex making Simon so reluctant to commit to Charlie in book one. It was impossible to see how he could be redeemed, yet the author has done it here and done it well. Brian’s personal growth is believably shown from the start. Brian initially panics when his nephew Josh turns up with nowhere else to go, and turning himself around, doing his best to give Josh a good home, went a long way towards his makeover. Mal has his own troubles; his severe injuries added to insecurities he already harbors makes him reluctant to hook up with the town Lothario. Once Brian and Mal are in close proximity around Josh and the GSA, they find themselves ready to reach for more from each other. Brian and Mal are the kind of characters I love best; mature, middle-aged men with damaged relationship skills but who know how to be adults when they’re supposed to be.

Slow burns are always the best and this one was paced perfectly, not too slow after building up just enough UST, and plot elements are all very balanced. An interesting sub-plot unfolds outside the romance, with plenty of side characters blended in, adding a rich backdrop to Brian and Mal’s actions.There are also appearances from others in the series with Simon being an important catalyst for Brian and Mal’s relationship development. Conflict between the lovers added to the tension of more than one crisis point. Brian ends up forced to face his past and Mal has to overcome his fears to keep them together. I did have niggles about some of the dialogue around Mal and Brian’s behavior towards each other, although I suppose it fit the characters as they are drawn. It’s quite a satisfying tale of redemption, self-forgiveness and acceptance and altogether a pleasure to read. #NetGalley #ChasingForever

*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or a promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review*

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 Stars

I should’ve known - after Brian’s cameo on “Renewing Forever” - that there was more to this man than a serial cheater “Building Forever” (the first book in the series) intimated. He was, unfortunately, cheating repeatedly when in relationship with Simon. “Chasing Forever” peeled his story layer by layer, revealing Brian Kenway in all his complex obscurity, that I couldn’t help to sympathize with him.

Intricately told in dual POVs, “Chasing Forever” followed the unlikely romance between Brian and Malcolm. When his nephew, Josh, turned up on his couch after casted out for being gay, Brian’s life was turned upside down. He got to pull his act together and becoming responsible adult for Josh; after all, he knew what being young, rejected and afraid felt like. Recovering from an accident that left him with two broken legs, history teacher Malcolm taking up mentoring the school’s Gay Straight Alliance club and solicited one of the student’s guardian (namely: Brian) to help with the club. Thus followed the atypical journey that brought these opposites characters together.

It looks like Kelly Jensen hasn’t done playing twist-the-readers-heart-out with the previous two books in the series. But I loved “Chasing Forever” in the way it was reforming a prodigal character and had him making amends with those he had wronged before. Between the upheaval of Josh and Brian’s family and Brian’s struggling relationship with Mal, the emotional roller coaster this book brought just spent me. Not to mention the retelling of the darker time from Brian’s past. I’m just drained! But I loved it!


Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Christi Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this has been my favorite book in the series. Talk about two men with some issues...and I loved them even more for it. I also loved that the two guys are 48 and 50...middle aged heroes? YES, please!

It was a great book with a ton of depth and layers to the story line. So much I didn't see coming...especially falling in love with Brian (who was a jerk of an ex in a previous book). I love that Kelly Jensen kept that real, but the reasons...lovely angst and the way she brought all that out with Brian's nephew...just fantastic!

This book can easily be read as a standalone. But regardless of whether you read just this one or the entire series (yes, they're all good), I highly recommend you read it!

[Amanda at WickedGoodReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was Brian Brian when I read the blurb...and it was only when I got into the book that I was like oh snap, this is BRIAN! How do I feel about that? Well, I felt pretty good about it. I feel Brian was redeemed, and a lot more understood.

And Malcolm. oh, sweet, sweet Malcolm. I adored him. I adored the fact that we have two older men in this story, who, dance around their feelings for each other in the beginning, and then, ugly pasts come to haunt and well, it almost breaks the fragile fabric of a relationship that then have started to weave.

All in all I adored this book, the writing and the character's were just lovely!

[Shelba · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first two books, I was certain I had no desire to read Brian's story. But, seeing how many positive reviews this had left it on my TBR list.

It's been a while since I've read the first two, so the details as to why exactly I disliked Brian had grown faint.

I'm a bit surprised that between Brian and Malcolm, Mal is the one who I didnt particularly care for in this book. I really enjoyed Brian, and his relationship with Josh. I found Malcolm a little quick to judge at times. But overall, I still really ejoyed the book.

[Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

I absolutely loved this story so much. I wasn’t sure Brian was going to be a redeemable character after meeting him in Building Forever as Simon’s cheating ex, and truthfully, it was touch and go for a good portion of the story. I couldn’t quite figure out what his angle was in relation to how he felt about Mal. Once his past come to light, well, wow, it was simply heartbreaking and I wanted to cuddle him and maybe throat punch the members of his family. Now Mal, I loved. He was sweet, caring and nurturing, an amazing teacher and as a mother of twins, I loved his relationship with his twin brother, Donny.

The chemistry between Brian and Mal was off the charts. I loved that as much as Brian claimed to be an asshole, he was always extremely considerate of Mal’s physical limitations, and even with those limitations they were smoking hot and passionate together in the bedroom.

My heart broke for Brian’s nephew, Josh. When he showed up I wasn’t so sure that Brian would do the right thing at first, but he turned out to be an amazing support system for him.

This was a well-written story, that flowed well. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of Simon and Charlie. Ms. Jensen really did do a fabulous job at redeeming Brian and making him a likable character that I could root for. This was a really enjoyable read and while it’s part of a series, it can be comfortably read as a standalone. Definitely recommendable!

*copy provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want to like Brian, but he started working on me just a teeny tiny little bit in Renewing Forever so I knew it was inevitable. What I didn't expect was to adore him - that was a total surprise <3 I also didn't expect for Chasing Forever to be my favorite book in the This Time Forever series - but that just happened too. Well played Kelly Jensen, well played indeed...

So, what tipped me over the edge? It wasn't just one thing, it was a little bit of everything. The glimpse into his past, his determination to protect Josh and a few well kept secrets all added to my love of this seemingly unlovable character. Things aren't always as they seem and Brian had become quite adept and keeping his best traits well hidden.

There was a lot more to love about Chasing Forever besides Brian. The supporting characters were great, which included new characters as well as those from the previous books. There were a few characters that brought out the "momma" in me and made me want to jump into the book and shake some sense into them... I also liked the focus on second chance romance for all the characters in this series who thought they had reached an age where that chance had passed them by <3

Brian was the perfect way to end This Time Forever, but I'm still sorry to say goodbye to this group of friends. I'm really looking forward to what Kelly Jensen has in store next for readers. ;)

I received Chasing Forever in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful book, there's just something about redeemed characters that always gets me, and Brian definitely needed redeeming. I'd give this 4.5 stars because there's one line that stuck with me negatively and I can't do five because of it.

Mal is just so lovely, I love his quiet strength and that he acknowledges that he has that strength because of the life he's led, including the love of those meant to love him. Brian broke my heart for lots of reasons, but the fact that he took so much blame on himself was the most painful. I loved that he took his nephew in without question or hesitation even though he didn't know him at all. I loved how he, well, courted Mal. The secondary characters were also just amazing, Donnie was the best brother. I am so happy that Brian found the family he'd been searching for all his life and that he helped create a true family for Josh as well.

[Kirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This is the third book in the series and although there are characters from the other books, it could be read as a stand alone.

This book didn't capture me like the first book did. I never really got behind the whole Brian is a good guy now thing. It's difficult going from being a villain in one book to being a stand up guy in another. Especially when he's repeatedly deemed a liar, cheat and asshole by more than two different characters.

For the most part, I liked Malcolm's character, but he seemed to have more confidence at the start of the story than he did by the middle. He was pretty sure of himself and he spoke with cockiness when he and Brian bantered in the Colonial, but somehow when they got closer, he felt less attached.

I was hoping for more stability with Josh, Brian's nephew, as well. He needed a place where he felt safe and loved and he ran away twice. And Brian never used the L word with him. That kind of rubbed me the wrong way, honestly.

There was plenty that was great about this book. I loved the writing style and the fact that Brian and Mal were both overcoming major obstacles in their lives and they did it together. I liked that they missed out on a huge opportunity to save the Colonial, but didn't give up and made sure that they saw their vision through to the end. There were so many good moments and dialogue between both of them that it was easy to get wrapped up in their story.

I have really enjoyed reading this series and I'm excited to see more from Kelly Jensen.

*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted on http://gaybook.reviews/ *

[Avid Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chasing Forever (This Time Forever #3) by Kelly Jensen
3 stars
M/M Romance
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

Malcolm, or Mal as he's known in the story, has fallen on some difficult times. After being severely injured, he is trying to figure out what his new normal is going to look like. When he is somewhat tricked in to taking over the LGBTQ group at the school where he teaches, he never expected to find healing within that group too.

Brian Kenway is known as the town player. He never really has a partner for long. When he has to face his actions and what they might mean for his future, he has to face some strong truths that are hard.

Brian and Mal want to make their relationship work, but with a nephew who needs someone to fight for him, a person overcoming great physical injury, plus all of the baggage that Brian has from his home life, the reader has to wonder if they will ever make it.

This book took me a while to get in to. I knew that it was part of the series so I didn't want to quit reading, but I contemplated that a lot. For me, this story was just kind of blah at the beginning. Towards the middle, when you get in to the more nitty gritty of each character's history, it became more of a developed story. Overall, while it was an enjoyable read, I didn't like it as much as the previous books.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book to end this series! I was expecting a gut punch and got so much more than I bargained for.

We met Brian in book one of this series, Renewing Forever. Brian is not only Simon's ex, but he's a cheating, lying ex. A heartbreaker. A destroyer. He's definitely not a character you would have ended book 1 (or book 2) with pleasant thoughts about. However, Kelly Jensen has never let me down with characters before, so I knew she'd be giving Brian a full redemption, explanation and happy-ever-after. And she did - she just made Brian (and Mal) work for it.

This book hits everything just right. The pacing is perfect, with just the right balance of angst and sweet and steam. The found families throughout - from Brian's friend Vanessa and her uncle, to Brian and his nephew Josh, to the kids in the GSA that Mal oversees at school. The juxtaposition of Brian and Mal finding their way in a relationship with Josh exploring his first relationship. I loved every single secondary character, but especially Mal's twin brother Donny. The love and support between the two brothers was so heartwarming. I loved the way their relationship was written and it was clear how close they are. And Donny proved your brother can never be too old to need protecting!

I've been all over the map with the This Time Forever series. I started with book 2 (Frank and Tom's story) then got ready to dive into this one before realizing that Brian is important backstory in Simon and Charlie's book (book 1), so I picked that one up next. And I finally made my way here. I will say that, while this book could be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading at least Building Forever (book 1) before this one. It adds to Brian's character and I'm glad I got that first. I'm kind of surprised to say that this book, Chasing Forever, is my favorite of the series. Normally nothing can compete with friends-to-lovers for me, but Brian and Mal stole my heart. I hope they steal yours, too!

An advance copy of this book was received through NetGalley for review on OMGReads.