Forever Mason

Beaumont

by Heidi McLaughlin

The long-awaited prequel to Forever My Girl is here!

Mason Powell. Best friend. Boyfriend. Husband. Father.

He’s the young man you know but have never met.
He’s the man who chose love over friendship.
He’s the man who would do anything for his family and friends.
He’s the man who stepped up when someone wasn’t there.
He’s the man who has a story to tell.

Be there when Mason tells his life story.
Be there when Mason falls in love with Katelyn.
Be there when Mason makes the fateful decision that ends his friendship with Liam Westbury.
Be there when his life changes forever.
Be there when...

Genres: Romance, Slow Burn, High School

442 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2022

About the author

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.

Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.

To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com

Reviews

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Mason is the story that I have been begging for. I needed it like I needed my next breath. I have wanted, no needed to learn more about Mason's life. Each book in the series has given a little more, but I wanted to whole story. I honestly didn't think it would be written.

I knew it would be a heartbreaking prequel to the Beaumont Series. I had a feeling it would be a challenge for the author to write, but I still wanted Mason's story. I knew it would be hard to read. I didn't realize that it would be that difficult for me to read. I know from reading the Beaumont Series, that the series would not have existed if Mason had not died. But I can't stop thinking "what if."

Mason had one of those lives filled with love and friendship. He knew the importance of family first. He was the dedicated husband and father that you see praised on headstones. He impacted the characters in the Beaumont series. He impacted the readers of the series.

Grab the tissues!! You are going to need them. Be prepared to sit in silence, knowing how it will end but not wanting it. Fall in love with Mason Powell and be prepared to carry him in your heart forever. Celebrate his life. Mourn is death. Reread the series with new eyes. They would not be if it wasn't for Mason.

[book_nerd13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Mason is everything I never knew I needed. I have a much deeper love, appreciation, and understanding not only for Masons character, but Katelyn as well.

You’ll absolutely fall more in love with these already beloved characters and their childhood stories. This story made me laugh, feel the emotional angst of being a teen, and ugly cry only to laugh again.

It’s the perfect addition, to an already captivating story. Young love, lessons learned, heartbreak, and friendship are just a few things you can expect.

[MJLovestoRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, honestly, I never thought I'd see the day when Heidi McLaughlin would finally give us Mason Powell's story. And as a long-time fan of the Beaumont series, no one was happier to finally fill in some of the blanks that I've wondered about since first reading Forever My Girl way back in Dec 2012. Like many before me, I was almost hesitant to get started since we all know how his story ends. But with a box of tissues next to me, just in case, I got to reading and although I wish the conclusion could be different, what I discovered was truly worth all the tears.

I guess for me, what surprised me most is how different Mason, Katelyn, Josie, and Liam came across in this book. Getting a new perspective and perhaps it's because Mason was a very astute observer of others, showed new sides to this tight foursome and it made them even more endearing and real than ever before. We get to see Mason's world, his over-protective yet loving mother, the awe in his voice and heart for his best friend Liam, and the never-ending love for his Katelyn. He's such a devoted friend, always wanting Liam, in particular, to soar beyond wildest dreams. With absolute adoration for Katelyn, through high school, through college, and finally in marriage with twins Peyton and Elle making their family complete.

We get to see all that Josie went through (spoiler here if you've never read Forever My Girl) after Liam left her. Seeing Mason as the surrogate father to Noah, the love he has for that boy warmed my heart. The struggles with not understanding why his best friend up and left everyone behind with a fateful trip to L.A. and Mason briefly seeing Liam's best 'buddy' as a sort of premonition kind of moment. I knew Mason was a good guy but all he does for those he cares for in this book showed him to be the absolute best kind of man, period.

There were a few surprises especially wrt Nick Ashford and I was glad to see another side of the man so many 'hated' in FMG. With each turn of the page, Mason Powell became that lovable lug I didn't expect to like as much as I did. He's no saint but his heart is so full of love and anyone who was lucky enough to experience that love was indeed a lucky person.

Despite my sadness that we couldn't get a new ending for Mason, I feel completely satisfied with this new addition to this series and it even had me going back and rereading FMG for the umpteeth time! Forever Mason was worth the wait and for me, I feel as if this was the right time for his story to be told.

I'd encourage everyone to start at the beginning with FMG but I suppose Forever Mason might be the right book to begin with since you'll be curious for more.

4 big stars!

[Jennifer Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tissues Required!!!

If you’re like me and you’ve read all the Beaumont books, you know this story is one that we’ve needed and wanted. It’s hard going into a story knowing how it ends but Mason’s journey is worth every single tear shed. You couldn’t help but feel heartbroken from the 18 year old boy who lost his best friend and while angry and upset still yearned for him the entire time. The life he built with Katelyn, the friend he was to Josie through everything and the uncle/ dad to Noah us just a testament to how good of a man he was.


Thank you to Heidi for writing his story and giving all us fans what we do desperately wanted. Mason is forever!!!

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bittersweet one to read, the series opens with Mason's death. Through the series Mason has always been around, the ghost watching over them all. I liked getting to know Mason better, to see how his relationship with Katelyn started and how it grew, even if when they were in high school it was a bit too much drama for me. I also didn't expect for the book to end with Mason's literal death, thought we might get more.

The high points in this one was how smitten Mason was with Katelyn, with his girls and Noah. All of them knew they were loved without a doubt.

[Luchi Rzezak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so so much! Now I need more. I’d love a dream where Mason and Liam could talk…awwww now I’m
Crying all over again. 4 star because I always need my HEA.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. There are times when you get a book that just changes how you see characters, for the good or the bad and this was one.
I don’t think it was quite fair to have made Mason into this Barney Fife type. He was portrayed as extremely clueless and not very smart. In the original books I never got that impression of him. I didn’t like the way Katelyn was so angry elf toward him at times, times when it wasn’t at all deserved.
No new insight with Josie and Liam, he still remains the jerk.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series ❤️❤️❤️I love Mason..a more perfect hero I don’t think has been written…Jack Mac in Big Sone Gap is close💕..Knowing how this story ends from the beginning makes it even more everything.. I need to reread Forever My Girl now..Really liked it but some of last chapter didn’t flow like the rest of the book.. felt a little like it needed a proof or edit in one or two spots..but still loved it 💕

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book! I felt this sadness throughout most of it….just knowing what happens. It was great to see Mason as a teen fumbling his way through how to be and act around girls!

I LOVED him as a husband and father! He was GREAT with the girls! That was THE best getting to see him with them!!!! xo.

[Stacie Stroup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Forever Mason will take you on a life journey. Experience friendship,love and loss. Mason Powell is a truly amazing person. Always there for his friends and loves his family fiercely. When one fateful decision has him choosing Katelyn over his best friend Liam his life changes forever. Pick up this book and experience the ups and downs of life. This book really makes an impression and will stay with you.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mason is one amazing loyal man. Katelyn is one amazing strong woman.
Everyone needs a Mason in there life. Could not wait to see where the story was going. Love that they found each other and were able to build such an amazing life together.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mason and Kaitlyn. This is young love that is beautiful and enduring. This story goes from innocent and sweet to sexy and fun to heartbreaking. These characters will stay in my heart … FOREVER

[Isha Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A celebration of life that spans friendships lost, heartaches found and a love story that will forever stay in your heart. Forever Mason is a life well lived. McLaughlin takes emotions on a turbulent trek through love and loss that plows it's way into a heart and makes an impression on the soul.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know how I feel after reading Forever Mason. It beautifully chronicles the life of Mason Powell. A man who, until now, seemed more like a mythical superhero for Katelyn and Josie who no man could live up too.
This book if packed full of events for Mason and Katelyn, Josie and Liam. It brings back memories of reading Liam’s story in Finding My Way and makes me want to read Forever My Girl again.
But I didn’t get the feeling of Liam and Mason being best friends in this book. In Liam’s book, he sees Mason as a true friend. In this one, it comes across like as much as Mason pities Liam, he also wishes he could be Liam. Obviously this is just my interpretation, but there seems to be a disconnect between Mason calling Liam his best friend and actually being best friends.
Seeing him step up for Josie and becoming the man adored by his wife and daughters was great. His story is so well written and jam packed full of emotion.
The prologue and ending from Katelyn’s POV hammered the emotion home.
I would jump at the chance to read both Katelyn and Josie’s POV for the same time period.

[litljen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I'll be honest- I wasn't sure I wanted to read Forever Mason. Not because I don't love Heidi McLaughlin's writing or the Beaumont series. Don't get me wrong, it's one of my all-time favorites. Truthfully, I wasn't sure if I was ready to read Mason's story because I knew it would completely gut me. But I'm sooooo glad that I read it and am forever grateful for McLaughlin for giving us the story I never knew that I needed. Knowing how this story was going to end going into it was a tough pill to swallow and McLaughlin immediately had me in tears on the first page. Friends, for the love of all that is holy, make sure you have tissues handy because this one is a tearjerker! You will ugly cry---for Mason, for Kately, for her kids, for Josie, and for all that they lost. But Mason's life was one that was memorable and special and I loved watching him grow up and become the man he was.

Forever Mason has it all: laughs, tears, and everything in between. All of the awkward teenage scenarios will keep you in stitches and you'll love this coming-of-age story. It gave me a deeper understanding of his and Liam's relationship and a different perspective on everything that happened in Forever My Girl. Honestly, this story rocked my world and it'll do the same for you. You won't want the ending to come even when you know it will but without Mason's death, Liam never would've come back and there wouldn't have been a Forever My Girl series. Thank you Ms. McLaughlin for giving us a story that is sure to stay with us for a long, long time. 5 stars

[DrBobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review has spoilers for Forever My Girl!
I loved the way this book filled out the Beaumont story, for Mason, Katelyn, Josie, Noah and Nick, and even for the twins and Mr. Powell. That being said, it is a bit disappointing that Ms. Mclaughlin didn't do a more careful research job for consistency. Probably like many other readers, I was immediately compelled to reread Forever My Girl, and I'm finding (still early in that reread) a number of jarring items. For instance, at the funeral Liam is initially surprised that Nick is present, thinking back that Nick and Mason weren't friends. But in FM that's anything but the case, with that pair being good friends; surely Liam would have known! I guess this is forgivable, since the Nick-Mason friendship is important to the plot of FM. Also understandable, since FMG was written first, is that the reason for the cancellation of the high school's football game isn't stated to be that their coach died, not just a local HS football celebrity. I don't think Mason is mentioned as the HS coach in FMG. My last point is nitpicking in that it has no bearing on the story, but Katelyn's family name is Bishop in FMG but Cohen in FM. Just annoying because it's a bit sloppy.
Looking this over, I guess this is excessively picky. FM is very good, important to the series, and absolutely worth the read.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY EVER LOVIN' HELL! I've been all in with this series so I already knew some things, but man it was so painful to read his story in its entirety, and my heart will never be the same. Mason, what can I say about Mason in a small dose so no spoilers are involved since people could be coming in late to this world. Well, he's the guy with the biggest heart, and would do anything for any of his friends no matter what they may or may not have done. And his Katelyn, there was no one else for this perfect man after his Katelyn. I'm trying hard to not cry again while writing this but the struggle is real! So, I'm just going to make this review on the shorter side because compared to Heidi McLaughlin's words, mine aren't nearly as beautiful, and you probably shouldn't waste time on them when you can actually experience all the goodness we all needed in our lives by hitting those one click buttons but be prepared with all the kleenex by your side. I LOVE this author so much so I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!

[Meaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of the Beaumont series this is a must read to wrap everything up. Last year we got the Christmas book which showed us where everyone was going and now this year we get Forever Mason which showed us where everyone came from. Mason is lovable, loyal, and amazingly goofy. We see him as a 15 year old and watch him up to his last day. You see him struggle with being a teenager in love, helping raise his best friend’s baby, then eventually have his own babies with the love of his life. If you’re a fan of Liam this will hurt a bit because he is obviously shown in a bad light (although we all know his reasons and his own struggles from prior books). If you’re a Nick fan you see him enter Josie and Noah’s lives. And if you’re a Noah and Peyton fan hold on and be prepared for all the feels because you see their bond from the beginning and it’s everything you could hope for! Heidi has said on social media that she wasn’t sure if this book would ever get written and I just need to personally thank her for doing so and giving Mason his voice!

[Robin Santley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Holy cow. Where do I even start? Mason is someone who has always been mentioned. You “meet” him a bit in Peyton’s story but he’s always had a mythical feel to me. And if he hadn’t had his ending, who knows if Liam and Josie would have ever met again, and JD and Jenna, and most of the other couples in the Beaumont series. This book, however, brought Mason Powell to light and life. The scenes where he mentions growing old with Katelyn or bringing the twins to college made me cry for what they (and he) missed. And even though I knew the whole time I was reading this what happens in the end, I found myself bawling when it actually happened, and now I’m grieving for him. It helps that I know his girls find happiness again, but still, what an incredible man. Thanks so much to the author for introducing us to him. And, if she happens to read this, I need Elle and Ben’s wedding like yesterday 😉

[Jade DeMonaco (international_bibliophiles) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much-needed story

This book is a remembrance to Heidi’s character Mason Powell, as we know he’s liams best friend. This story brings such a nostalgic feel, because we get to see masons point of view. It’s nice to see how masons character was when he and Katelyn first became something. How he made an impact on the characters within the Beaumont series. His story lives on, I loved it! Mason is everything you want in a fictional boyfriend, while Liam is the rockstar bad boy. Mason is the all American of the series, it shows you how much of an impact he had on Liam’s arc as a character. He changed the characters lives so much. Mason Powell is always going to be a memorable character. If there was such thing as a 10 star rating on either here or GR I would be hitting it so many times. Thank you Heidi for this emotional story, masons story needed to be told. This is the way to do it :(

[Michelle Quintana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional

I'm so glad that Mason finally gets his own book. Forever My Girl started with Mason's funeral but I didn't know much about Mason himself. The beginning and ending of the book had me bawling my eyes out but parts of the book also had me laughing. His 16th birthday really had me laughing. This book gives me the background as to how he met the love of his life and what went wrong with his friendship to Liam. I thought it ironic that Mason sees the the guy who replaced him as best buds with Liam but that he will also be the same guy who ends up with Katelyn. The closer I got to the end of the book, the more emotional it became. After reading Mason"s story, I now want to go back and re-read the series again.

[Robin Dowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos to the author for so beautifully delivering Mason's, long awaited heattbreaking story. This is a story that could not have been easy to write. It wasn't easy to read knowing the tragic outcome. However in my opinion this story was necessary to be told. It filled in so many gaps and most importantly gave us the connection to Mason that he deserved. We needed to know who he was, how he thought and how he loved our base Beaumont characters . It was amazing to get to know them through his eyes. His story is the foundation to Forever My Girl and all the Beaumont books that followed. His story is hard to read but knowing Mason when he was alive, made his death and each story that came after, all the more meaningful. Bottom line...a must read!!!!!!!

[Bryan Thomas Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Mason makes a great part of your character and it was fun to see a different point of you on events of the other book, FOREVER MY GIRL, but there was some repetition in here that really started to bother me where the same things were being said over and over again by the character about his feelings on Liam and other things that I just started to feel like it was very repetitive and dragged out in the end. The book was already long enough and I think a little bit of editing trimming would’ve helped. Nonetheless McLaughlin writes male point of view very well and does a great job with the teenagers. A touching and compelling story that just went on a little bit long. Recommended especially for fans of the series

[Kt · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read the Beaumont Series I wasn’t connected to Mason. I was happy that Katelyn found someone new but now this is a gut punch! It broke my heart when Mason saw Katelyn’s future husband in the bar as soon as he said friend with beanie I knew right away who it was.

It’s sad that Mason died thinking Liam knew he had a son but didn’t come home for him. It’s also sad that Mason had to die in order for Liam to come home.

I’m going to re-read the series now that I have a better idea of who Mason was as a friend and father. I didn’t think Mason and Josie were so close and it was a nice introduction to Jenna.

I still cannot stand Nick at all… he sounds so pushy but it would be interesting to get his story especially his heart break over Josie and Mason.

[Krista Ricchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start with this journey I took when reading this book. I feel like even though it's a stand alone book (well the ending is not really) you get more character development if you read the other books in the series. It's beautiful and broken in ways that made my heart simply hurt. What if.... What if the end was different? What if this tragedy never happened? Would forever my girl still exist? The writing is incredible and I got lost in this heartbreaking world. I can honestly say I love this series more after reading this book. It's so much more than I could have wanted for Mason. I look forward to reading more for this talented author.

[Karla Vértiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Forever my girl a while ago and this summer I reread the whole series plus the next generation. I wanted to read this book but knowing the end resisted. But I overcome the dread and started. What a beautiful story. Mason is so important in the whole Beaumont and Next generation series because you know if the event that took him wouldn’t have happened the whole series would go to flames. Seeing the same story through his eyes is so heartwarming. He is such a lovely guy. His love for his girl and family is wonderful and his last thought for his missing friend was a foretell of what was coming. I want to read the series again. Splendid book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad that Heidi McLaughlin decided to write Mason's story. The way the author writes him seamlessly into the complicated plot line that crossed over many books in the series was so well done. I feel like this was a much-needed piece to the story. This is a must-read for fans of this timeless series but I'm also excited for all the new readers to this series - this is a great book to kick off the series and set the back story for everything that unfolds for these characters.
Either at the beginning or at the end - it's a great book/series to add to your collection.
Happy Reading...enjoy!

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mason is a man that anyone would aspire to be as his loyalty, commitment and love towards those he cares about is unrivaled. This story takes us on an emotional journey as we get to experience the beautiful love that he and Katelyn that prevailed despite the challenges and sacrifices that were made.

Katelyn was his other half, and they created a beautiful life together that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. They were so supportive of each other from beginning to end and their story will affect you far beyond anything you may be prepared for.

[Sue Milne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally Heartbreaking!

After reading Masons and Katelyn’s story, I am left feeling heartbroken. Their love story was epic. School sweethearts from the age of 15, support from only one set of parents, they were best friends with Jose and Liam and their lives revolved around football, cheerleading and each other. This book goes through their teenage years and beyond. How could it go so devastatingly/heartbreakingly wrong?

[Jessie Sandhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, if you have read the beginning of the Beaumont series, we all know how this ends.

But somehow, I still felt myself feeling hopefully that we wouldn't reach that ending and that by some miracle that things would be different.

Mason was an absolutely beautiful individual, soul and the reason that this series began.

I think I will have to go back and re-read this from the beginning to the end.

Just remember to have your tissues ready!