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Forever Never Always
The last thing Ash Forester needs is to be in a relationship. For the past seven years, taking care of his eight siblings has been his top priority. With a life full of signing school agendas, diffusing tantrums, and attending parent-teacher conferences, Ash has almost forgotten what real love feels like and he's determined to keep it that way. The last person April Wallis ever wants to see again is Ash. Imagine her surprise when she finds him whispering in the high school secretary's ear, and picking up a brother she didn't know existed. Newly single, temporarily an art teacher, and constantly wondering why she's so unlucky in love, April moved to a small-town she doesn't know with a plan to start fresh, but now she's determined to make sure history doesn't repeat itself. Seven years ago, Ash left April's bed in the middle of the night with nothing but an emailed goodbye and a disconnected phone line. April's reappearance makes Ash question whether the decision he made was the right one, and forces him to face the demons he's been holding at arm's length ever since the fateful night that changed his family forever.
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2021
75 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
June 10, 2021
I think this book was more about a troubled guy and his troubled family, with a side story about him hooking up with a woman he discarded in the past, and how she helped heal him. The focus was way too much on him, his family, his anguish, etc. She was really just a fleshed-out handmaiden to him and his issues.
I think as a romance this will be disappointing. However, assuming that there is a market for chick lit stories that focus on men, this would probably be better.
I think as a romance this will be disappointing. However, assuming that there is a market for chick lit stories that focus on men, this would probably be better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2021
4.5, omg i love the foresters so much, i can’t wait for the next book !!
my full review: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMCShnHg7...
my full review: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMCShnHg7...
November 25, 2021
April was really selfish??? like why was everything about her? sometimes you have to put your own feelings about a situation aside especially when ur boyfriend’s fam is falling apart lmao. anyway, hated her, loved him. very cute
August 10, 2021
There is so much family in this which I like
But this book needs a lot of editing
But this book needs a lot of editing
June 30, 2021
I like the family dynamics in the story. I just got a bit overwhelmed at first with 8 siblings and all, hard to remember their names! 😅 But I feel like each of the sibling has a very interesting story, the character build up is strong with a hint here and there of their own story. I wouldn’t be surprise if there will be a sequel/follow-up books for each siblings, at least the older ones.
I just felt that the romance between Ash and April became a side story. The story really revolves on the Foresters pre/post mom. I did not feel the gravity of their love story as it was plainly told as a bad break up. Also, there are some loose strings in the other characters like Beth. I guess I was hoping for a bit of development on her character. Similarly, I think April’s personal story/journey was not explore clearly as to her plans after the divorce, her career, her art. As if she became just Ash’s sanctuary and not a person who also has dreams and goals in life.
P.S. Naming the siblings after trees is pretty interesting as well. 😍
I just felt that the romance between Ash and April became a side story. The story really revolves on the Foresters pre/post mom. I did not feel the gravity of their love story as it was plainly told as a bad break up. Also, there are some loose strings in the other characters like Beth. I guess I was hoping for a bit of development on her character. Similarly, I think April’s personal story/journey was not explore clearly as to her plans after the divorce, her career, her art. As if she became just Ash’s sanctuary and not a person who also has dreams and goals in life.
P.S. Naming the siblings after trees is pretty interesting as well. 😍
February 3, 2021
Oh my gosh, this book gave me all the feels. It has been my little ritual to read it in the bath on a Sunday afternoon, but I then finished it in the early hours of Monday morning because I just couldn't wait to find out what happened!
As a fellow writer, I have to commend Hanna for creating so many incredible characters who were real, distinct and relatable. I fell for Ash, my heart broke with April and I was so frustrated for Aspen. The family dynamics gave me that warm fuzzy feeling inside, and for an only child, I felt like I had been given a private window into another person's life.
The story is a fast-paced read with a wonderfully satisfactory ending and I was so excited to hear that Hanna will write more books based on the Forrester family - I can't wait to see what she has in store for all the other members of the family. Thank you for this book Hanna, you have a reader for life!!
I was lucky enough to be part of Hanna's ARC team, so I got a sneak peek of the book before it was released.
As a fellow writer, I have to commend Hanna for creating so many incredible characters who were real, distinct and relatable. I fell for Ash, my heart broke with April and I was so frustrated for Aspen. The family dynamics gave me that warm fuzzy feeling inside, and for an only child, I felt like I had been given a private window into another person's life.
The story is a fast-paced read with a wonderfully satisfactory ending and I was so excited to hear that Hanna will write more books based on the Forrester family - I can't wait to see what she has in store for all the other members of the family. Thank you for this book Hanna, you have a reader for life!!
I was lucky enough to be part of Hanna's ARC team, so I got a sneak peek of the book before it was released.
August 29, 2021
This lost a star for the atrocious proofreading and some minor loose ends not addressed. But overall, I loved this book for all the reasons other reviews cover. The many characters are well-developed and sympathetic. April's story seems minimized by the whole Foresters storyline, but I think that suits her situation. What she's gone through is a lot of suffering in silence and solitude. I was so glad the author did not forget it at the end, with such a humane and realistic final scene.
September 13, 2021
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
You know a book was so freaking good when you have no idea how to start the review, because there is so much to say and words are not enough.
Second-Chance Romance is one of my favorite tropes and I adored how Hanna wrote Ash and April’s path of getting back together. This wasn’t a conventional type of plot for this trope, which usually makes me pick sides while I figure “whose fault was it”. This story however, made me side with both of them equally. The reasons for the first breakup were so heartbreaking, that I wasn’t only able to empathize with both but to feel the different types of pain they had to endure, not only from their separation and doubts as they went back together, but also in their individual inner conflicts.
Ash is a man who knows what love really is. Someone who loves sacrificially and with no conditions. I will always have a deep admiration to all the older siblings that life had forced to mature so quickly in order to take care of their little brothers and sisters. I was able to feel the weight of all the pressures and responsibilities he had from the very first page and also his genuine concern for the well being of every member of his family.
April was a resilient and strong woman who knew how much she deserved. The kind of woman who picks up the pieces of her life and rebuilds it herself because she knows she can. I felt inspired as I read and learned all she had to go through to get to the beginning of the story. Although my heart was completely crushed with Ash's situation, I completely understood April's heart and felt for her from start to finish.
The slow burn was beautifully written. The tension built up emotionally and physically in every page since they see each other again and by the time it was fulfilled, I was able to feel how much they missed each other and how indeed they were what the other needed to complement their lives in every way. The swoon at this point was so different because their love was so easy to believe; it was as if they were completing something they left on pause, I had tears in my eyes and thought: God! This couple really loved each other!
This story is about true love in all its forms, including the importance of family love and how difficult it is. The Foresters stole my heart and I loved how Hanna intertwined this plotline without taking out the focus off the Romance.
Their family dynamics where beautifully chaotic. The descriptions allowed me to picture every member of this family very well ─adults, teenagers and children─ and feel the tension in every situation they had to go through. Even with all the difficulties, it was heartwarming to see how Ash put them as his first priority and tried hard to play the role he was given.
The sibling banter was real and vivid. I felt like I was there with them the entire time. They cracked me up most of the time, but I ended up bawling as I learned the tragic past of this family. I’m in awe of how well these eight siblings were developed through the pages. Each of them had severe ramifications in their lives for what had happened to them and the psychological and behavioral consequences were evident since the first interactions with Ash at the beginning of the story. My heart ached ─literally and figuratively─ to see how their past affected the events and serious matters they had going on and how they were all affected in different ways. But even with all the turmoil within the incidents they had to go through as a family, the genuine love and affection they had for each other was strong enough to keep them going.
The entire family drama touched based on very serious subjects and added so much to the final resolution between Ash and April.
This book is about learning how to love others the way they need and how to let others love us in ways we probably don't know we need. It's about the acceptance, forgiveness, vulnerability, support and liberation that comes from true love.
Thank you, thank you THANK YOU , Hanna for letting me read such wonderful book before the release.
You know a book was so freaking good when you have no idea how to start the review, because there is so much to say and words are not enough.
Second-Chance Romance is one of my favorite tropes and I adored how Hanna wrote Ash and April’s path of getting back together. This wasn’t a conventional type of plot for this trope, which usually makes me pick sides while I figure “whose fault was it”. This story however, made me side with both of them equally. The reasons for the first breakup were so heartbreaking, that I wasn’t only able to empathize with both but to feel the different types of pain they had to endure, not only from their separation and doubts as they went back together, but also in their individual inner conflicts.
Ash is a man who knows what love really is. Someone who loves sacrificially and with no conditions. I will always have a deep admiration to all the older siblings that life had forced to mature so quickly in order to take care of their little brothers and sisters. I was able to feel the weight of all the pressures and responsibilities he had from the very first page and also his genuine concern for the well being of every member of his family.
April was a resilient and strong woman who knew how much she deserved. The kind of woman who picks up the pieces of her life and rebuilds it herself because she knows she can. I felt inspired as I read and learned all she had to go through to get to the beginning of the story. Although my heart was completely crushed with Ash's situation, I completely understood April's heart and felt for her from start to finish.
The slow burn was beautifully written. The tension built up emotionally and physically in every page since they see each other again and by the time it was fulfilled, I was able to feel how much they missed each other and how indeed they were what the other needed to complement their lives in every way. The swoon at this point was so different because their love was so easy to believe; it was as if they were completing something they left on pause, I had tears in my eyes and thought: God! This couple really loved each other!
This story is about true love in all its forms, including the importance of family love and how difficult it is. The Foresters stole my heart and I loved how Hanna intertwined this plotline without taking out the focus off the Romance.
Their family dynamics where beautifully chaotic. The descriptions allowed me to picture every member of this family very well ─adults, teenagers and children─ and feel the tension in every situation they had to go through. Even with all the difficulties, it was heartwarming to see how Ash put them as his first priority and tried hard to play the role he was given.
The sibling banter was real and vivid. I felt like I was there with them the entire time. They cracked me up most of the time, but I ended up bawling as I learned the tragic past of this family. I’m in awe of how well these eight siblings were developed through the pages. Each of them had severe ramifications in their lives for what had happened to them and the psychological and behavioral consequences were evident since the first interactions with Ash at the beginning of the story. My heart ached ─literally and figuratively─ to see how their past affected the events and serious matters they had going on and how they were all affected in different ways. But even with all the turmoil within the incidents they had to go through as a family, the genuine love and affection they had for each other was strong enough to keep them going.
The entire family drama touched based on very serious subjects and added so much to the final resolution between Ash and April.
This book is about learning how to love others the way they need and how to let others love us in ways we probably don't know we need. It's about the acceptance, forgiveness, vulnerability, support and liberation that comes from true love.
Thank you, thank you THANK YOU , Hanna for letting me read such wonderful book before the release.
July 17, 2021
QOTD: DO you use Kindle Unlimited?
My A: Yes! If you checkout my page you’ll find quite a few KU reads. Are there some realllly bad books on there? Oh yeah. But there are usually a few highly anticipated new releases and even more hidden gems throughout. Enter Forever Never Always.
.
Let me start by saying this is not your typical romance. This later turned out to be both the triumph and the downfall of this book. Was this a little OTP angsty at points? Yes. Was the plot a little confusing at times and not quite flushed out? Also yes. But did the characters and their story pull at my heartstrings and keep me completely invested? YES! With dual POVs and time lines alternating between their college years and the present, Ash and April’s love story will get under your skin and will make the entire Forester family unforgettable. It took me a little bit to really get into the story with all of the different characters and the messy (read realistic) lives they lead. I think that if you go into this expecting a typical second chance romance, you might be disappointed. This is not a light and fun read, this is a slow burn romance in the midst of family turmoil, immense pressure, and the fight to forgive the past and move on. Ash and his siblings definitely take the lead throughout this story and it was nice to see the male lead more highlighted than the female for once! I would’ve liked to hear more about April’s marriage and the health issues she went through, but I was still rooting for Ash and April to make it through!
.
The last thing Ash Forester needs is to be in a relationship. For the past seven years, taking care of his eight siblings has been his top priority. With a life full of signing school agendas, diffusing tantrums, and attending parent-teacher conferences, Ash has almost forgotten what real love feels like and he’s determined to keep it that way.
The last person April Wallis ever wants to see again is Ash. Imagine her surprise when she finds him whispering in the high school secretary’s ear, and picking up a brother she didn’t know existed. Newly single, temporarily an art teacher, and constantly wondering why she’s so unlucky in love, April moved to a small-town she doesn’t know with a plan to start fresh, but now she’s determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
Seven years ago, Ash left April’s bed in the middle of the night with nothing but an emailed goodbye and a disconnected phone line. April’s reappearance makes Ash question whether the decision he made was the right one, and forces him to face the demons he’s been holding at arm's length ever since the fateful night that changed his family forever.
My A: Yes! If you checkout my page you’ll find quite a few KU reads. Are there some realllly bad books on there? Oh yeah. But there are usually a few highly anticipated new releases and even more hidden gems throughout. Enter Forever Never Always.
.
Let me start by saying this is not your typical romance. This later turned out to be both the triumph and the downfall of this book. Was this a little OTP angsty at points? Yes. Was the plot a little confusing at times and not quite flushed out? Also yes. But did the characters and their story pull at my heartstrings and keep me completely invested? YES! With dual POVs and time lines alternating between their college years and the present, Ash and April’s love story will get under your skin and will make the entire Forester family unforgettable. It took me a little bit to really get into the story with all of the different characters and the messy (read realistic) lives they lead. I think that if you go into this expecting a typical second chance romance, you might be disappointed. This is not a light and fun read, this is a slow burn romance in the midst of family turmoil, immense pressure, and the fight to forgive the past and move on. Ash and his siblings definitely take the lead throughout this story and it was nice to see the male lead more highlighted than the female for once! I would’ve liked to hear more about April’s marriage and the health issues she went through, but I was still rooting for Ash and April to make it through!
.
The last thing Ash Forester needs is to be in a relationship. For the past seven years, taking care of his eight siblings has been his top priority. With a life full of signing school agendas, diffusing tantrums, and attending parent-teacher conferences, Ash has almost forgotten what real love feels like and he’s determined to keep it that way.
The last person April Wallis ever wants to see again is Ash. Imagine her surprise when she finds him whispering in the high school secretary’s ear, and picking up a brother she didn’t know existed. Newly single, temporarily an art teacher, and constantly wondering why she’s so unlucky in love, April moved to a small-town she doesn’t know with a plan to start fresh, but now she’s determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
Seven years ago, Ash left April’s bed in the middle of the night with nothing but an emailed goodbye and a disconnected phone line. April’s reappearance makes Ash question whether the decision he made was the right one, and forces him to face the demons he’s been holding at arm's length ever since the fateful night that changed his family forever.
August 14, 2021
*I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
HOLY SMOKES! Hanna Holt’s debut came out guns a-blazing! I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait for more from this author.
Forever Never Always follows Ash as he caretakes for his seven siblings (yep, seven, so it takes a bit to get it clear who is who but not too long) on a Christmas tree farm and April who has moved to a new town to be an art teacher after separating from her husband. This is a second chance romance trope and so well done. The memories, the chemistry, the conflict— all amazing!
There’s depth and a bit of darkness to this one, so definitely check out the content warnings. However, it felt honest and well done to me.
CW: addiction, infertility, gambling, car accident, bullying, abortion, adoption, teen pregnancy, cheating, death
HOLY SMOKES! Hanna Holt’s debut came out guns a-blazing! I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait for more from this author.
Forever Never Always follows Ash as he caretakes for his seven siblings (yep, seven, so it takes a bit to get it clear who is who but not too long) on a Christmas tree farm and April who has moved to a new town to be an art teacher after separating from her husband. This is a second chance romance trope and so well done. The memories, the chemistry, the conflict— all amazing!
There’s depth and a bit of darkness to this one, so definitely check out the content warnings. However, it felt honest and well done to me.
CW: addiction, infertility, gambling, car accident, bullying, abortion, adoption, teen pregnancy, cheating, death
June 29, 2021
College sweethearts trying to find their way back to each other in the midst of a big, messy family.
Ash became a guardian to his 7 siblings during his senior year of college when tragedy struck his family twice. Living in survival mode to take care of the family business, as well as his siblings, has left Ash overwhelmed. Each of the Forrester kids have their own issues and pain from their traumatic family situation. Ash has done his best, but it never feels like enough. So when Ash sees his college girlfriend, April, show up as a substitute teacher in the local High School, he is reminded of his biggest regret: leaving her behind. Both April and Ash share mixed emotions about seeing each other again, but neither can deny the pull between them. Because they can't avoid each other in the small town they decide to attempt friendship, but it turns into more. As the two lovers try to navigate the waters around the Ash's family's issues, the bond they share is also weighed down by the problems from their past relationship.
If you are someone that hates when romance novels portray the kids in the background as perfect angels, this is the book for you. The Forrester family is a hot mess. Each sibling brings their own trauma and problems in an overwhelming, yet realistic way. This is a story about imperfect people loving each other with empathy and supporting each other as they make mistakes sometimes with big consequences. The HEA ending is simple and had me close to tears with it's emotional feels.
Triggers warning from the author:
There are topics mentioned in this story that may be beneficial to know about before getting started. Though these topics are not necessarily shown explicitly they are mentioned, and I want to ensure that all readers are comfortable and prepared for what is to come. The topics mentioned are drug use / drug abuse / addiction, infertility, gamilbling addiction, car accident, death, abortion, adoption, and teen pregnancy.
Ash became a guardian to his 7 siblings during his senior year of college when tragedy struck his family twice. Living in survival mode to take care of the family business, as well as his siblings, has left Ash overwhelmed. Each of the Forrester kids have their own issues and pain from their traumatic family situation. Ash has done his best, but it never feels like enough. So when Ash sees his college girlfriend, April, show up as a substitute teacher in the local High School, he is reminded of his biggest regret: leaving her behind. Both April and Ash share mixed emotions about seeing each other again, but neither can deny the pull between them. Because they can't avoid each other in the small town they decide to attempt friendship, but it turns into more. As the two lovers try to navigate the waters around the Ash's family's issues, the bond they share is also weighed down by the problems from their past relationship.
If you are someone that hates when romance novels portray the kids in the background as perfect angels, this is the book for you. The Forrester family is a hot mess. Each sibling brings their own trauma and problems in an overwhelming, yet realistic way. This is a story about imperfect people loving each other with empathy and supporting each other as they make mistakes sometimes with big consequences. The HEA ending is simple and had me close to tears with it's emotional feels.
Triggers warning from the author:
There are topics mentioned in this story that may be beneficial to know about before getting started. Though these topics are not necessarily shown explicitly they are mentioned, and I want to ensure that all readers are comfortable and prepared for what is to come. The topics mentioned are drug use / drug abuse / addiction, infertility, gamilbling addiction, car accident, death, abortion, adoption, and teen pregnancy.
February 6, 2022
This was a quite a tale! This was book one in a family series, and this was a BIG family. There eight siblings (all named after trees which I rather liked), and they all harbor quite a bit of pain and trauma from their past. A solid ending and a desire to see how things go for the other siblings has me eager to pick up other books in this series.
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July 16, 2021
there were a few things that i felt were resolved too quickly but overall this book was enjoyable.
my favorite part would have to be april’s character. aside from her divorce, she was also dealing with her infertility and the fact most people she trusted ended up hurting her because they don’t trust her. she’s just so real to me.
zelkova is a bonus too! i loved all of ash’s and april’s interaction with him.
my favorite part would have to be april’s character. aside from her divorce, she was also dealing with her infertility and the fact most people she trusted ended up hurting her because they don’t trust her. she’s just so real to me.
zelkova is a bonus too! i loved all of ash’s and april’s interaction with him.
July 28, 2021
was very good but ended too abruptly in my opinion.
December 28, 2021
Very cute and excellent for first time author. I can't wait for the series to continue. I wasn't a huge fan of the male narrator's voices for the female characters, but I got over it.
February 5, 2021
Oh my goodness. What a beautiful story. I couldn't put it down!
So first of all I adore Ash. I loved him from the moment he first stepped onto the page, and I was so invested in him throughout the whole novel. He is such a well-rounded, heartbreakingly decent character, with so much to deal with, and he tugged at my heartstrings from the very start. The theme of second chance romance, and April's struggles, mirrored Ash's story so well, and I'm full of praise for Hanna Holt in how she handled this storyline and managed the pacing and structure of the entire novel.
The author does such a fantastic job managing a large cast of characters, especially a chaotic family, and I found myself rooting for all the members of the Forester Family, and can't wait to see who we'll get to follow next. Hawthorn, Willow, Juniper, Maggie, and of course Aspen, were among my favourite characters. I was hugely impressed at how the chaos of such a large sibling group was expertly handled from a writer's perspective, not to mention how each of the siblings' personalities shone through, along with their individual struggles, complexities, hopes and love.
I would recommend Forever Never Always to any romance fans, especially fans of second chance romance, as well as fans of family sagas.
So first of all I adore Ash. I loved him from the moment he first stepped onto the page, and I was so invested in him throughout the whole novel. He is such a well-rounded, heartbreakingly decent character, with so much to deal with, and he tugged at my heartstrings from the very start. The theme of second chance romance, and April's struggles, mirrored Ash's story so well, and I'm full of praise for Hanna Holt in how she handled this storyline and managed the pacing and structure of the entire novel.
The author does such a fantastic job managing a large cast of characters, especially a chaotic family, and I found myself rooting for all the members of the Forester Family, and can't wait to see who we'll get to follow next. Hawthorn, Willow, Juniper, Maggie, and of course Aspen, were among my favourite characters. I was hugely impressed at how the chaos of such a large sibling group was expertly handled from a writer's perspective, not to mention how each of the siblings' personalities shone through, along with their individual struggles, complexities, hopes and love.
I would recommend Forever Never Always to any romance fans, especially fans of second chance romance, as well as fans of family sagas.
July 22, 2022
There were lots of things to dislike about this book, and not much at all to like. I finished it, so I’ll give it two stars for that.
Ash and April haven’t seen each other for years, since he ghosted her after dating her through college. Now she’s a teacher at the school his younger siblings attend, and she’s about to find out why he left. (To protect her from his awful life, of course.)
We learn that Ash isn’t a rotten guy; he just has eight younger siblings. All named after trees. And a tree farm to manage. And his grandparents, who raised him, died, and then his mom died in a car accident that almost killed his pregnant sister and deafened his youngest brother. So naturally he just had to break up with April via email, it was his only choice.
One majorly distracting thing about this book was the number of typos. I found myself wondering if the author used voice-to-text to write it because there were so many random homonyms in place of the correct word.
Also: Eight siblings is *at least* four siblings too many. There was no real differentiation between several of them, but that’s true for many characters in this book, who appear only to drive the plot forward and immediately vanish into the ether. (Don’t bother wondering why the man with the obnoxious name who flirts with April at the game doesn’t like Ash; he’ll never appear again, it’s like he was never there.) But back to all his wards or whatever: the amount of running-around he has to do, and delegating to his business partner, is exhausting to read about vs. entertaining.
The dialogue in the book is also incredibly generic and flat. I didn’t know people “clipped” things with their words but OK.
Ash and April haven’t seen each other for years, since he ghosted her after dating her through college. Now she’s a teacher at the school his younger siblings attend, and she’s about to find out why he left. (To protect her from his awful life, of course.)
We learn that Ash isn’t a rotten guy; he just has eight younger siblings. All named after trees. And a tree farm to manage. And his grandparents, who raised him, died, and then his mom died in a car accident that almost killed his pregnant sister and deafened his youngest brother. So naturally he just had to break up with April via email, it was his only choice.
One majorly distracting thing about this book was the number of typos. I found myself wondering if the author used voice-to-text to write it because there were so many random homonyms in place of the correct word.
Also: Eight siblings is *at least* four siblings too many. There was no real differentiation between several of them, but that’s true for many characters in this book, who appear only to drive the plot forward and immediately vanish into the ether. (Don’t bother wondering why the man with the obnoxious name who flirts with April at the game doesn’t like Ash; he’ll never appear again, it’s like he was never there.) But back to all his wards or whatever: the amount of running-around he has to do, and delegating to his business partner, is exhausting to read about vs. entertaining.
The dialogue in the book is also incredibly generic and flat. I didn’t know people “clipped” things with their words but OK.
April 20, 2022
I’m exhausted so this review isn’t going to be as nice as it could be. It was an alright novel that really could have benefited from an editor, however, this is nothing in comparison to what JLA is publishing these days. April could benefit from some healthy therapy, learning to ✨let things go✨, and possibly realizing that the man who is raising all 8 of his siblings has a bit more going on than focusing on her the whole time. Ash deserved better. Beth deserved better.
Things that I enjoyed: Literally everyone else in the novel but April.
I’m sorry I couldn’t be nicer but ya girl is running on 3 hours sleep and not nearly enough breakfast.
Things that I enjoyed: Literally everyone else in the novel but April.
I’m sorry I couldn’t be nicer but ya girl is running on 3 hours sleep and not nearly enough breakfast.
August 13, 2023
This was an emotional story of family doing their best after a traumatic past, with a bit of romance
REVIEW
⚠️cw: addiction, death, child neglect and abandonment, trauma, infidelity, grief, infertility ⚠️
Seven years ago, Ash Forester's life was turned upside down. As the oldest of nine siblings, he became their legal guardian overnight, and now he's trying to juggle the family business while parenting his siblings on barely any sleep. April Wallis is the woman he left behind at college. When she turns up in town, Ash knows he doesn't have time for love, even if she could forgive him. But neither can deny the attraction still between them.
Firstly, if you're expecting a fluffy second-chance romance, this isn't for you. I wasn't prepared for the amount of angst in this book, but the simmering tension between family members was so well written, and I particularly loved that every single one of the older siblings was deeply flawed in some way, but they all loved each other (even when they hid it well). Poor Ash. I don't think I've ever seen a character running on less fumes! I honestly thought he was on the verge of a breakdown most days, and when it finally bubbled over, I was both horrified and incredibly moved. The amount of baggage and self-doubts that the poor guy had been carrying would have sunk a lesser man.
The themes of class, reputation, and trauma were all well-observed. The story left me desperate for more of each of the rest of the Forresters, as it will be interesting to see everything from their perspectives, and I really hope every single one of them eventually gets their own HEA. Hawthorn, Willow, and Zelkova were my favourites, although I loved them all in their own way. I would say Magnolia reads a lot younger than her age, though. At times, she sounds like she's 7 or 8. I would also have loved a family tree at the beginning of the book because I ended up having to create my own to keep up with who was who early on.
I found April a bit of a difficult character to like at times. Sometimes, she came across as a bit too whiny (and occasionally mean), although I empathised with her heartache over the way Ash left her at university, as well as the circumstances surrounding her divorce. I know Ash was a closed book, but anyone with eyes could see he was drowning on a daily basis. Still, I loved their chemistry when she finally understood and let him in, and appreciated her strength to tell him what she needed.
This was an emotional story of family doing their best after a traumatic past, with a side of second-chance romance.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥.5
Emotional Rating: 💔😂💓😲😂😏💓😂💔💓🙈😂😬💔😢😬💓🥰💓😭💓😬💔😢🤬💓💔😢💓😂💓😂🥰💔👏🏻🤬💔😢💔😢🥰😂💓😍🤬💓🙄😒💓😬💔😢💔😢💓💔😲😢💔💓😂💓😂💓🥰😢💓
Favourite Quote:
“As long as I have you, I do not care about anything else. You are all that I’ll ever need; everything else is just extra.”
REVIEW
⚠️cw: addiction, death, child neglect and abandonment, trauma, infidelity, grief, infertility ⚠️
Seven years ago, Ash Forester's life was turned upside down. As the oldest of nine siblings, he became their legal guardian overnight, and now he's trying to juggle the family business while parenting his siblings on barely any sleep. April Wallis is the woman he left behind at college. When she turns up in town, Ash knows he doesn't have time for love, even if she could forgive him. But neither can deny the attraction still between them.
Firstly, if you're expecting a fluffy second-chance romance, this isn't for you. I wasn't prepared for the amount of angst in this book, but the simmering tension between family members was so well written, and I particularly loved that every single one of the older siblings was deeply flawed in some way, but they all loved each other (even when they hid it well). Poor Ash. I don't think I've ever seen a character running on less fumes! I honestly thought he was on the verge of a breakdown most days, and when it finally bubbled over, I was both horrified and incredibly moved. The amount of baggage and self-doubts that the poor guy had been carrying would have sunk a lesser man.
The themes of class, reputation, and trauma were all well-observed. The story left me desperate for more of each of the rest of the Forresters, as it will be interesting to see everything from their perspectives, and I really hope every single one of them eventually gets their own HEA. Hawthorn, Willow, and Zelkova were my favourites, although I loved them all in their own way. I would say Magnolia reads a lot younger than her age, though. At times, she sounds like she's 7 or 8. I would also have loved a family tree at the beginning of the book because I ended up having to create my own to keep up with who was who early on.
I found April a bit of a difficult character to like at times. Sometimes, she came across as a bit too whiny (and occasionally mean), although I empathised with her heartache over the way Ash left her at university, as well as the circumstances surrounding her divorce. I know Ash was a closed book, but anyone with eyes could see he was drowning on a daily basis. Still, I loved their chemistry when she finally understood and let him in, and appreciated her strength to tell him what she needed.
This was an emotional story of family doing their best after a traumatic past, with a side of second-chance romance.
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥.5
Emotional Rating: 💔😂💓😲😂😏💓😂💔💓🙈😂😬💔😢😬💓🥰💓😭💓😬💔😢🤬💓💔😢💓😂💓😂🥰💔👏🏻🤬💔😢💔😢🥰😂💓😍🤬💓🙄😒💓😬💔😢💔😢💓💔😲😢💔💓😂💓😂💓🥰😢💓
Favourite Quote:
“As long as I have you, I do not care about anything else. You are all that I’ll ever need; everything else is just extra.”
June 5, 2025
This was such a great book. I rated it 4.5 stars
Some reviewers have said this book was more of a family drama with a side of romance, but I wholeheartedly disagree. The love story of Ash and April spans the entire book and the Forester family issues drive the story and provide the conflict.
This book shows the havoc trauma can play on individuals and the entire family. It touches on the socioeconomic divide, small-town judgment, and the preconceived notions of others. It delves into family obligations, growing up too early, and managing the expectations of others. This book also shows true love and dedication, and the sacrifices people willingly make for the love they have for others.
Some one suggested that the author include a family tree. That would have been amazing (even though I had an audiobook. There are so many siblings that it was hard to keep track of ages and who was who. I had to take notes and figure it out that way and I'm still not sure where Lyndan fits in age-wise.
What happened to Beth?? She just dropped out of the story by like six months! Does Ashley actually want to be a teacher?
Spoilers
Ash: I really hated how much he held back and tried to keep his lives separate. I got pretty frustrated with him for how many times he told April that he needed to explain to her and he just kept giving her crumbs. The way he broke up with her was so terrible.
Ash was also pretty amazing. This poor guy was being run so ragged raising his 8 siblings at 22 and giving up his own life. The way they all just piled on to his issues by being irresponsible and rebellious was so heartbreaking. He had the world on his shoulders and seemed so close to a breakdown. I hated the way Aspen just had it out for Ash and did everything he could to make this harder. Of course, we find out it's because he was always angry and felt safe knowing Ash would never leave... messed up but that's a kid for you.
April: I saw other reviews that said she was selfish. I don't get how they saw that! I DO think at many times April was totally oblivious. She often asked things of Ash - like to stay the night and not leave. Obviously, he has 8 other people he is trying to manage and she never considered that, BUT she has not had to deal with that so I can understand how that wouldn't be her first thought! Also, Ash could have been upfront and TOLD her vs. her surmising. I think also she was super oblivious to Ash's reasoning for leaving. As soon as she realized he was the guardian of his siblings she should have put 2 and 2 together and understood it most likely had something to do with why he ditched her - although she 100% deserved a real and full answer to why.
Some reviewers have said this book was more of a family drama with a side of romance, but I wholeheartedly disagree. The love story of Ash and April spans the entire book and the Forester family issues drive the story and provide the conflict.
This book shows the havoc trauma can play on individuals and the entire family. It touches on the socioeconomic divide, small-town judgment, and the preconceived notions of others. It delves into family obligations, growing up too early, and managing the expectations of others. This book also shows true love and dedication, and the sacrifices people willingly make for the love they have for others.
Some one suggested that the author include a family tree. That would have been amazing (even though I had an audiobook. There are so many siblings that it was hard to keep track of ages and who was who. I had to take notes and figure it out that way and I'm still not sure where Lyndan fits in age-wise.
What happened to Beth?? She just dropped out of the story by like six months! Does Ashley actually want to be a teacher?
Spoilers
Ash: I really hated how much he held back and tried to keep his lives separate. I got pretty frustrated with him for how many times he told April that he needed to explain to her and he just kept giving her crumbs. The way he broke up with her was so terrible.
Ash was also pretty amazing. This poor guy was being run so ragged raising his 8 siblings at 22 and giving up his own life. The way they all just piled on to his issues by being irresponsible and rebellious was so heartbreaking. He had the world on his shoulders and seemed so close to a breakdown. I hated the way Aspen just had it out for Ash and did everything he could to make this harder. Of course, we find out it's because he was always angry and felt safe knowing Ash would never leave... messed up but that's a kid for you.
April: I saw other reviews that said she was selfish. I don't get how they saw that! I DO think at many times April was totally oblivious. She often asked things of Ash - like to stay the night and not leave. Obviously, he has 8 other people he is trying to manage and she never considered that, BUT she has not had to deal with that so I can understand how that wouldn't be her first thought! Also, Ash could have been upfront and TOLD her vs. her surmising. I think also she was super oblivious to Ash's reasoning for leaving. As soon as she realized he was the guardian of his siblings she should have put 2 and 2 together and understood it most likely had something to do with why he ditched her - although she 100% deserved a real and full answer to why.
January 19, 2021
*I received an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review
Forever. Never. Always. tells the second-chance-romance of Ash Forester and April Wallis, who dated for two years before he ended their relationship very suddenly by email. Seven years later, April moves to her best friend’s hometown to escape her failing marriage and mother’s judgement. There, her path again crosses Ash’s, and she finds there is more to his story, and their breakup, than she ever knew - including the eight younger half-siblings he’d hid from her, and is now raising.
The story weaves seamlessly between the two perspectives. Ash’s story, and the chaos of his clan, provide the engine behind the plot. Each of the Forester siblings is named for kind of tree, which struck me as quirky, but the nature/tree theme provides a unifying thread for many elements of the story. I imagine his half of the book would be relatable for anyone from a large family, where the decisions of the individual have far-reaching consequences for the many and the ties that bind them.
April’s side provides a brilliant contrast. While her choices are her own, none of her options are very ideal. Her internal monologue, though as unhappy as Ash’s, is a less stressful read but equally entertaining. She’s a strong woman who knows how to stick up for herself, but it’s clear this is a skill she’s had to learn with time. It’s natural to want to root for her.
Hanna makes it easy to get lost in the chaotic everyday of the Forester clan. Both April and Ash are coy with the the information they give, to each other and to the audience. While far from a mystery and not relying on plot twists, Hanna peppers in just enough about their pasts to keep you curious through the end.
Content considerations:
Though this book wrestles with challenging topics, including addiction, death, infertility, and teen pregnancy, they’re seldom described in detail and inform rather than drive the plot. There is one sex scene depicted, but it’s far from the most graphic thing you’ll find on the romance shelves. I’d call this book suitable for mid-to-older teens, but it will probably resonate best with 20- or 30-somethings.
Forever. Never. Always. tells the second-chance-romance of Ash Forester and April Wallis, who dated for two years before he ended their relationship very suddenly by email. Seven years later, April moves to her best friend’s hometown to escape her failing marriage and mother’s judgement. There, her path again crosses Ash’s, and she finds there is more to his story, and their breakup, than she ever knew - including the eight younger half-siblings he’d hid from her, and is now raising.
The story weaves seamlessly between the two perspectives. Ash’s story, and the chaos of his clan, provide the engine behind the plot. Each of the Forester siblings is named for kind of tree, which struck me as quirky, but the nature/tree theme provides a unifying thread for many elements of the story. I imagine his half of the book would be relatable for anyone from a large family, where the decisions of the individual have far-reaching consequences for the many and the ties that bind them.
April’s side provides a brilliant contrast. While her choices are her own, none of her options are very ideal. Her internal monologue, though as unhappy as Ash’s, is a less stressful read but equally entertaining. She’s a strong woman who knows how to stick up for herself, but it’s clear this is a skill she’s had to learn with time. It’s natural to want to root for her.
Hanna makes it easy to get lost in the chaotic everyday of the Forester clan. Both April and Ash are coy with the the information they give, to each other and to the audience. While far from a mystery and not relying on plot twists, Hanna peppers in just enough about their pasts to keep you curious through the end.
Content considerations:
Though this book wrestles with challenging topics, including addiction, death, infertility, and teen pregnancy, they’re seldom described in detail and inform rather than drive the plot. There is one sex scene depicted, but it’s far from the most graphic thing you’ll find on the romance shelves. I’d call this book suitable for mid-to-older teens, but it will probably resonate best with 20- or 30-somethings.
September 16, 2025
The only reason I am giving this book a 1-star rating instead of none is because of the amount of care the MMC gives his siblings. Otherwise, this book was absolutely not something I would read.
Note: Please read TWs before reading this book. (I never like it when an author gives the TWs at the end of the book and not the start because it goes against the whole point of warning. Even mentioning that the TWs are the end, which, btw, this author didn't do, is useless when you can just add the TWs at the start).
First, this book has some spelling errors and needs quite a bit of editing. Second, the book had way more f*cked up stuff than I expected (thanks to not knowing the TWs at the end or not having a heads-up of how chaotic it can get). While I am mentioning this as the third point, this was the biggest deal-breaker - the FMC was so frustrating that when the whole family was having an argument, and the FMC stormed off, all she could think about was herself. For the most part, I felt like the FMC didn't really bother or care about the MMC's situation and was very self-centered, and I don't think so she wanted or was ready to take up those responsibilities. Add to the fact that even what the MMC did was stupid during the fallout, but I can let it slide, but the FMC getting back into stuff with the MMC when the divorce did not go through completely just yet was frustrating. It also felt that they decided to get back into their old ways of being together too quickly - all of a sudden from when the hell is she leaving town to the old ways. We don't really get to understand the MCs better, their relationship from the past better - all we know is the MMC was never fully open and we barely got to know about the FMC. This book also revolved so much more around the family than the relationship between the MCs - there wasn't a good balance between handling the multiple storylines - although in a way we get to hear/see a bit of the introductory stories of the other characters, it dulled the main storyline of this book.
Note: Please read TWs before reading this book. (I never like it when an author gives the TWs at the end of the book and not the start because it goes against the whole point of warning. Even mentioning that the TWs are the end, which, btw, this author didn't do, is useless when you can just add the TWs at the start).
First, this book has some spelling errors and needs quite a bit of editing. Second, the book had way more f*cked up stuff than I expected (thanks to not knowing the TWs at the end or not having a heads-up of how chaotic it can get). While I am mentioning this as the third point, this was the biggest deal-breaker - the FMC was so frustrating that when the whole family was having an argument, and the FMC stormed off, all she could think about was herself. For the most part, I felt like the FMC didn't really bother or care about the MMC's situation and was very self-centered, and I don't think so she wanted or was ready to take up those responsibilities. Add to the fact that even what the MMC did was stupid during the fallout, but I can let it slide, but the FMC getting back into stuff with the MMC when the divorce did not go through completely just yet was frustrating. It also felt that they decided to get back into their old ways of being together too quickly - all of a sudden from when the hell is she leaving town to the old ways. We don't really get to understand the MCs better, their relationship from the past better - all we know is the MMC was never fully open and we barely got to know about the FMC. This book also revolved so much more around the family than the relationship between the MCs - there wasn't a good balance between handling the multiple storylines - although in a way we get to hear/see a bit of the introductory stories of the other characters, it dulled the main storyline of this book.
August 18, 2021
Trigger Warnings: infertility, bad friends, drugs abuse/alcoholism
This book was good but only bc i didn’t read it as a romance but as a growing pains novel for the male protagonist. I ated everyone in the town AND beth and everyone else except for Ash April & Ash’s siblings.
Ash is so dumb i lvoe him wish his growth was more on him instead of created by the women in his life. Seeing his family and him finally TALK was so good, wanted more of that and less romance
April is overall a very bland character here and has the typical infertility storyline which becomes most of her personality for parts of the book. I like her best when she’s furious At Ash. I wish she was developed more or her chapters were about HER, instead of how everyone else mistreats her. I don’t know anything about her except she likes wine
I literally did not care that they got together, there was no chemistry and i really only care about the Forrester siblings
The siblings!!! So we’ll written and layered (or would be if we got more) Lvoe then
There’s a mother figure here but she serves no purpose other than babysitting and trying to tell Ash how to raise the kids instead of him growing on his own
The friends suck, no offense of my best friend ever said to me you’re not a mother you don’t understand to me when she knows the reason my marriage ended was my infertility i’d be justified in killing her on the spot.
There’s a whole cheating storyline with the best friend, idk what happens with that but the above mentioned fight, that results in her not even apologizing on screen, i literally don’t care about it. I did not like her she made this book lose half a star honestly
This book was good but only bc i didn’t read it as a romance but as a growing pains novel for the male protagonist. I ated everyone in the town AND beth and everyone else except for Ash April & Ash’s siblings.
Ash is so dumb i lvoe him wish his growth was more on him instead of created by the women in his life. Seeing his family and him finally TALK was so good, wanted more of that and less romance
April is overall a very bland character here and has the typical infertility storyline which becomes most of her personality for parts of the book. I like her best when she’s furious At Ash. I wish she was developed more or her chapters were about HER, instead of how everyone else mistreats her. I don’t know anything about her except she likes wine
I literally did not care that they got together, there was no chemistry and i really only care about the Forrester siblings
The siblings!!! So we’ll written and layered (or would be if we got more) Lvoe then
There’s a mother figure here but she serves no purpose other than babysitting and trying to tell Ash how to raise the kids instead of him growing on his own
The friends suck, no offense of my best friend ever said to me you’re not a mother you don’t understand to me when she knows the reason my marriage ended was my infertility i’d be justified in killing her on the spot.
There’s a whole cheating storyline with the best friend, idk what happens with that but the above mentioned fight, that results in her not even apologizing on screen, i literally don’t care about it. I did not like her she made this book lose half a star honestly
July 27, 2021
I was unsure if I would like this because of some infertility triggers.
However, I loved it!
I loved professionally hard working, endlessly trying hard family man Ash.
I loved him more than April.
Who is actually incredibly likable and easy to empathize with.
I loved his incredibly flawed siblings and I'm praying that every single one of them end up with their own romance book, because they deserve it.
Each sibling is named after a tree: Ash, Hawk, Cy, Willow, Pen, Linden, Juni, Maggie and baby Zee.
You'll have to read this novel to see what trees the nicknames stand for. Hee hee.
I adore a second chance romance and because I'm a single Mom, I adore an overwhelmed parent who figures out how to find something that feels a bit like balance. It seems like we try to control everything or just say to hell with it.
I myself have not swept the kitchen floor for days at a time, letting our two dogs lick up anything that hits the floor. I think we all deserve a treat now and again.
We've all read second chance romance with our fingers crossed, but Hanna writes such a terrific story that although I was hoping for "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" I was unsure if I was reading one.
The plot moves along nicely, and Lordy there were many birthday dinners for this family, but to me it was all about the characters. (Which are the romances I love best.)
I gave it 5 stars because I'm hoping it will encourage Hanna to write more Forester books.
Please, Hanna! 🙂
However, I loved it!
I loved professionally hard working, endlessly trying hard family man Ash.
I loved him more than April.
Who is actually incredibly likable and easy to empathize with.
I loved his incredibly flawed siblings and I'm praying that every single one of them end up with their own romance book, because they deserve it.
Each sibling is named after a tree: Ash, Hawk, Cy, Willow, Pen, Linden, Juni, Maggie and baby Zee.
You'll have to read this novel to see what trees the nicknames stand for. Hee hee.
I adore a second chance romance and because I'm a single Mom, I adore an overwhelmed parent who figures out how to find something that feels a bit like balance. It seems like we try to control everything or just say to hell with it.
I myself have not swept the kitchen floor for days at a time, letting our two dogs lick up anything that hits the floor. I think we all deserve a treat now and again.
We've all read second chance romance with our fingers crossed, but Hanna writes such a terrific story that although I was hoping for "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" I was unsure if I was reading one.
The plot moves along nicely, and Lordy there were many birthday dinners for this family, but to me it was all about the characters. (Which are the romances I love best.)
I gave it 5 stars because I'm hoping it will encourage Hanna to write more Forester books.
Please, Hanna! 🙂
January 8, 2021
**I was gifted this book as a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was such a cute book! I first want to point out the intricate details this author took to link all aspects of the book. The cover of the book is forest green, the last name of the main characters’ family is Forester, the main character and siblings are all named after types of trees, the family business is a landscaping/tree farm, and the siblings all have green eyes! Those reasons alone are an awesome reason to read this book! As far as the book content, I loved this storyline! Although the main story focuses on a guy and a girl meeting again after years of being apart and dealing with their pasts, it also had several other important themes. This story covered family dynamics, addiction, infertility, friendships, and the struggles of all age characters (elementary age to 30s). The author did a great job of supplying details about the overall story and the main characters as well as the secondary characters. I loved how all the characters developed throughout the story and I learned a little bit of new information every few pages! I will definitely recommend this book for others to read!
Thank you Hanna Holt for sharing this beautiful book with me! You guys definitely need to add this one to your TBR list!
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was such a cute book! I first want to point out the intricate details this author took to link all aspects of the book. The cover of the book is forest green, the last name of the main characters’ family is Forester, the main character and siblings are all named after types of trees, the family business is a landscaping/tree farm, and the siblings all have green eyes! Those reasons alone are an awesome reason to read this book! As far as the book content, I loved this storyline! Although the main story focuses on a guy and a girl meeting again after years of being apart and dealing with their pasts, it also had several other important themes. This story covered family dynamics, addiction, infertility, friendships, and the struggles of all age characters (elementary age to 30s). The author did a great job of supplying details about the overall story and the main characters as well as the secondary characters. I loved how all the characters developed throughout the story and I learned a little bit of new information every few pages! I will definitely recommend this book for others to read!
Thank you Hanna Holt for sharing this beautiful book with me! You guys definitely need to add this one to your TBR list!
January 27, 2021
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
A meaningful second chance romance with a side of sibling rivalry? Yes, please!
This debut novel by author Hanna Holt is fantastic! A must-read for anyone who understands the power and raw emotion of bickering siblings and tough upbringings.
The hero and heroine are very realistic - their struggles, their fears, their dreams. Everyone wants to escape from their lives sometimes, and these two are the perfect image of that.
With Ash being the guardian of his siblings, he has very little room and time for himself. It’s not until one of his younger brothers starts acting up at school, that he gets propelled into another sight line, into the woman he regrettably left behind seven years ago. April.
April is by no means perfect - she never has been and probably never will be. But she knows one thing to be true: she still rues the day she ever fell for Ash Forrester. The day she catches a glimpse into Ash’s life is the day she starts to fall all over again, and against her better judgement, she lets herself.
Love, acceptance, forgiveness. Though they can be tricky and troublesome, these are the landmines of this story.
This book is brilliant, and I highly recommend picking it up! I can’t wait to see how the author explores the other Forrester sibling’s stories.
A meaningful second chance romance with a side of sibling rivalry? Yes, please!
This debut novel by author Hanna Holt is fantastic! A must-read for anyone who understands the power and raw emotion of bickering siblings and tough upbringings.
The hero and heroine are very realistic - their struggles, their fears, their dreams. Everyone wants to escape from their lives sometimes, and these two are the perfect image of that.
With Ash being the guardian of his siblings, he has very little room and time for himself. It’s not until one of his younger brothers starts acting up at school, that he gets propelled into another sight line, into the woman he regrettably left behind seven years ago. April.
April is by no means perfect - she never has been and probably never will be. But she knows one thing to be true: she still rues the day she ever fell for Ash Forrester. The day she catches a glimpse into Ash’s life is the day she starts to fall all over again, and against her better judgement, she lets herself.
Love, acceptance, forgiveness. Though they can be tricky and troublesome, these are the landmines of this story.
This book is brilliant, and I highly recommend picking it up! I can’t wait to see how the author explores the other Forrester sibling’s stories.
August 16, 2021
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 stars
This book follows Ash, the oldest brother and guardian of his eight siblings, and April, a recently divorced woman who wants to be a professional artists but is working as a substitute teacher for one of Ash’s brother’s school.
Ash and April dated for about two years in college before he broke up with her over email. It’s been seven years since then. Obviously April feels angry about the breakup because she wasn’t given an explanation for why they really broke up. And Ash has some trauma from his past that keeps him from letting too many people in.
Eventually, they make up and start to become friends then lovers. Duh, it’s a romance book!
What I liked: the family aspect. There were a lot of characters to figure out at first, but once you get into he book, their personalities came through. A family that big is bound to have problems and arguments and fights.
What I didn’t like: I felt like the book was too short. Maybe I’ve just gotten used to reading longer romance books, but I mean, there’s still so much trauma and drama to unpack. Also, the romance picked up too quickly IMO. It didn’t even really seem like Ash and April were trying to be friends. They just jumped into the relationship. Which is fine, but it didn’t feel that angsty to me.
Also, I felt like Ash’s and April’s personalities fell a little short. It’s probably because all the other Forester children have big personalities, which dim their’s. I wish we got more of them being normal.
Overall, I enjoyed the book.
Would I recommend this book? Sure.
This book follows Ash, the oldest brother and guardian of his eight siblings, and April, a recently divorced woman who wants to be a professional artists but is working as a substitute teacher for one of Ash’s brother’s school.
Ash and April dated for about two years in college before he broke up with her over email. It’s been seven years since then. Obviously April feels angry about the breakup because she wasn’t given an explanation for why they really broke up. And Ash has some trauma from his past that keeps him from letting too many people in.
Eventually, they make up and start to become friends then lovers. Duh, it’s a romance book!
What I liked: the family aspect. There were a lot of characters to figure out at first, but once you get into he book, their personalities came through. A family that big is bound to have problems and arguments and fights.
What I didn’t like: I felt like the book was too short. Maybe I’ve just gotten used to reading longer romance books, but I mean, there’s still so much trauma and drama to unpack. Also, the romance picked up too quickly IMO. It didn’t even really seem like Ash and April were trying to be friends. They just jumped into the relationship. Which is fine, but it didn’t feel that angsty to me.
Also, I felt like Ash’s and April’s personalities fell a little short. It’s probably because all the other Forester children have big personalities, which dim their’s. I wish we got more of them being normal.
Overall, I enjoyed the book.
Would I recommend this book? Sure.
October 25, 2022
Enjoyed the story but felt a lot was missing
I am going to start by saying I almost dnf this in chapter 1 after hearing about Ash sleeping with the school secretary for 2 years. I felt like that was such a slap in the face to April after he dated her for 2 years and then left her and broke up in an e-mail with no explanation at all. For some reason after setting my kindle down for a bit I decided to come back to it instead. I’m glad I did because I did enjoy the story and I don’t want to leave too many spoilers so I won’t go into a lot of detail with my review.
Overall I really did like the characters for the most part. There were a few times April annoyed me but I pushed through it. I wanted to stay mad at Ash for how he treated her in college but after seeing the family dynamics I realized he was just a young adult doing the best he could and while he could have handled the breakup better he did what he thought was best and had good intentions.
I am disappointed in the ending and the fact that we don’t know how their HEA really exists in the future. Does she move in with them, do they get married, does she ever get to have a child? It would have been a 4 star if we had gotten those answers in this book. I would love to read more about the other siblings and what things look like for them.
I am going to start by saying I almost dnf this in chapter 1 after hearing about Ash sleeping with the school secretary for 2 years. I felt like that was such a slap in the face to April after he dated her for 2 years and then left her and broke up in an e-mail with no explanation at all. For some reason after setting my kindle down for a bit I decided to come back to it instead. I’m glad I did because I did enjoy the story and I don’t want to leave too many spoilers so I won’t go into a lot of detail with my review.
Overall I really did like the characters for the most part. There were a few times April annoyed me but I pushed through it. I wanted to stay mad at Ash for how he treated her in college but after seeing the family dynamics I realized he was just a young adult doing the best he could and while he could have handled the breakup better he did what he thought was best and had good intentions.
I am disappointed in the ending and the fact that we don’t know how their HEA really exists in the future. Does she move in with them, do they get married, does she ever get to have a child? It would have been a 4 star if we had gotten those answers in this book. I would love to read more about the other siblings and what things look like for them.
February 20, 2021
Whoa! I loved this. Hanna is my sorority sister and I obviously wanted to give her all the support I could when I found out she was publishing a book; I even signed up for an ARC (sadly the start of my year, when the ARC was released, wasn’t good to me and I fell into a reading slump). I actually didn’t know how I’d feel about it because typically I don’t read second-chance romance, but I was really blown away. This debut novel was so well written and hit me right in the feels. I really loved how each chapter (or every other chapter) alternated between Ash and April so readers could get both sides of the story. The level of detail and description in the writing was awesome, and clearly Hanna did her research when writing about the topics in the book. There were a few questions I had still once I finished that were either unintentionally missed or skipped over to leave room for interpretation. But overall I really loved the story! Hanna self-published this after months (maybe years?) of hard work. I know a lot of authors self-publish their books, especially in the beginning of their careers, but it’s really inspired me! I’ve even opened the draft of my nine-year-old novel (that I cast aside a long time ago) again😊
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