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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review. Gretchen is on a quest to find her bio family. When she does, she puts a secret plan into place to track them down. But the universe throws her a wildcard in the form of her first love joining her on her expedition. They haven’t spoken in years, destroyed by one night. Can five days turn all that hurt around?
This one hits the feels hard. A lot said here about the obstacles that stand in the way of your happiness. Gretchen is such a sweet, lonely soul. While she’s got a great adopted family, she’s also struggling with her place in things. And after losing the one person that was her foundation, it’s fundamentally changed things for her. Connor has realized for years now how bad of a train wreck one night became. And it cost him a chance with his person. He jumps at the chance for redemption, but has he truly learned the lessons to be the man she needs? There’s great care taken to address their history and age gap, and their story is so sad and rich. You root for them every painstaking step of the way.
This one hits the feels hard. A lot said here about the obstacles that stand in the way of your happiness. Gretchen is such a sweet, lonely soul. While she’s got a great adopted family, she’s also struggling with her place in things. And after losing the one person that was her foundation, it’s fundamentally changed things for her. Connor has realized for years now how bad of a train wreck one night became. And it cost him a chance with his person. He jumps at the chance for redemption, but has he truly learned the lessons to be the man she needs? There’s great care taken to address their history and age gap, and their story is so sad and rich. You root for them every painstaking step of the way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Forever Then
by Rachae Stevens
“I loved you long before I kissed you and every day since. All the days I wasn’t supposed to, all the days I shouldn’t have—I’ve loved you anyway.”
5⭐️
1.5🌶️
Have you ever started to read a book and you knew from the first chapter that it would consume your soul and emotionally destroy you in all the best ways! Well… this book did that !! 🩷 Loved it so much!!!
I loved every single chapter of this beautifully written love story! And it takes a lot for me to cry and feel such raw emotions about certain events and characters. But this story sucked me in and I was sobbing 😭 ( happy & sad tears) throughout this book 😅
‘“Forever Then” is a second chance romance, brother’s best friend , childhood friends to lovers, age gap , forced proximity, light spice 🌶️
is full of angst and self discovery, found family, a tearjerker, soul mates and ends with a HEA.
This story revolves around Connor and Gretchen .
They grew up together and Connor is best friends with Drew ( who is Gretchen’s big brother )
One of my favorite tropes “Brother’s Best Friend “ and it was done so well!
Connor and Gretchen try to navigate their secret attraction and love for each other when they go on a trip to Arizona to meet Gretchen’s biological mother.
The trip ends up being one of forgiveness, acceptance and the rekindling of a friendship and love that was lost.
The journey that Gretchen takes to discover her heritage and find her biological family is just so touching. And I loved that Connor was just so supportive and the perfect “book boyfriend “ I just loved his character so much!!
There’s so much more to this wonderful story and I could go on and on about it … but I don’t want to spoil it. So I highly recommend you read this beautifully written love story!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5/5 stars
Gretchen and Connor were best friends, with a relationship dating back almost 10 years, and an unexpected bond growing over a year filled with texts and late-night FaceTime calls. Everything changes when Connor leaves Gretchen, right after they both express their feelings, and ghosts her for 3 years.
I genuinely grew to love both of them so quickly. Their love for each other was so evident, clear, and wonderfully developed. I really did enjoy the amount of emotion in everything. All of the spicy scenes were filled with emotions and they just played a part of making their love for each other even more clear.
Gretchen's family reunion was absolutely beautiful, I was so happy that was able to go exactly the way she wanted, maybe even better than what she originally had in mind.
I adored this book so so much. I would be thrilled to read any other books that Rachae Steven's writes🩷
✨️ Brothers best friend
✨️ Friends to lovers
✨️ Second Chance
✨️ Pining
✨️ Virgin FMC
Gretchen and Connor were best friends, with a relationship dating back almost 10 years, and an unexpected bond growing over a year filled with texts and late-night FaceTime calls. Everything changes when Connor leaves Gretchen, right after they both express their feelings, and ghosts her for 3 years.
I genuinely grew to love both of them so quickly. Their love for each other was so evident, clear, and wonderfully developed. I really did enjoy the amount of emotion in everything. All of the spicy scenes were filled with emotions and they just played a part of making their love for each other even more clear.
Gretchen's family reunion was absolutely beautiful, I was so happy that was able to go exactly the way she wanted, maybe even better than what she originally had in mind.
I adored this book so so much. I would be thrilled to read any other books that Rachae Steven's writes🩷
✨️ Brothers best friend
✨️ Friends to lovers
✨️ Second Chance
✨️ Pining
✨️ Virgin FMC
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Forever Then by Rachae Stevens
4.25/5⭐️
2.5/3🌶️ (6ish scenes)
3/3🦋
•My Thoughts•
What a debut! I loved these characters and their journey to finding each other. I loved that Gretchen was introverted and shy but so brave. I adored how well Connor knew her, appreciated her and took care, SO swoony. This book dealt with heavy themes of adoption and I thought it was handled so beautifully. I definitely teared up and even more, loved reading the author’s personal connection at the end. We got a full journey from childhood flashbacks to the beginning of the relationship, to the “how do we make regular life work” phase and then the epilogue and I really feel like I got to know this couple. It’s one of my favorite things when a fictional couple starts to feel real! I did struggle a little with their age gap simply because of the stage of life timing of their relationship. Seven years isn’t that big of a gap but the flashbacks to when they were younger and her having just recently graduated college made them seem further apart. This was also uniquely spicy - it was steeped in emotional connection which I loved and yet pretty explicit making even heavy make outs pretty steamy. It felt raw and real and I loved how natural they were together. Their banter and chemistry was a lot fun and I even forgave the heavy pop culture references (this was an ode to Pitch Perfect) because I could feel how much they loved it. I had such a great time with this debut and absolutely recommend!
Thank you to Rachae Stevens and Love Notes PR for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
4.25/5⭐️
2.5/3🌶️ (6ish scenes)
3/3🦋
•My Thoughts•
What a debut! I loved these characters and their journey to finding each other. I loved that Gretchen was introverted and shy but so brave. I adored how well Connor knew her, appreciated her and took care, SO swoony. This book dealt with heavy themes of adoption and I thought it was handled so beautifully. I definitely teared up and even more, loved reading the author’s personal connection at the end. We got a full journey from childhood flashbacks to the beginning of the relationship, to the “how do we make regular life work” phase and then the epilogue and I really feel like I got to know this couple. It’s one of my favorite things when a fictional couple starts to feel real! I did struggle a little with their age gap simply because of the stage of life timing of their relationship. Seven years isn’t that big of a gap but the flashbacks to when they were younger and her having just recently graduated college made them seem further apart. This was also uniquely spicy - it was steeped in emotional connection which I loved and yet pretty explicit making even heavy make outs pretty steamy. It felt raw and real and I loved how natural they were together. Their banter and chemistry was a lot fun and I even forgave the heavy pop culture references (this was an ode to Pitch Perfect) because I could feel how much they loved it. I had such a great time with this debut and absolutely recommend!
Thank you to Rachae Stevens and Love Notes PR for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
"𝓢𝓸, 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓷?"
"𝓐𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷."
This summer romance is equal parts heartwarming and heart wrenching. On the surface, it’s a stunning debut novel with an amazing brother’s best friend trope. But it’s so much more than this. It’s about heart break, friendship in the face of hardships, forgiveness, self discovery, but above all, the unbreakable bond of family.
The best part of this novel (other than the romance because that aspect was so well written, I will be thinking about it for YEARS) was the adoption storyline. A chunk of this novel is dedicated to Gretchen finding her birth mom. I did NOT expect to shed tears BUT OH BOY, DID I EVER. It was a roller coaster of emotions, and I can only imagine what Gretchen would have felt in those moments.
Forever Then had me laughing, swooning, and crying - sometimes all at once. PLEASE do yourself a favour and add this to your summer TBR 🥹
"𝓐𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷."
This summer romance is equal parts heartwarming and heart wrenching. On the surface, it’s a stunning debut novel with an amazing brother’s best friend trope. But it’s so much more than this. It’s about heart break, friendship in the face of hardships, forgiveness, self discovery, but above all, the unbreakable bond of family.
The best part of this novel (other than the romance because that aspect was so well written, I will be thinking about it for YEARS) was the adoption storyline. A chunk of this novel is dedicated to Gretchen finding her birth mom. I did NOT expect to shed tears BUT OH BOY, DID I EVER. It was a roller coaster of emotions, and I can only imagine what Gretchen would have felt in those moments.
Forever Then had me laughing, swooning, and crying - sometimes all at once. PLEASE do yourself a favour and add this to your summer TBR 🥹
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first time I saw the cover of this book, I knew this book would make me cry. I didn't know why, but I just knew that I would. And cry I did! Many times! I lost count after the third time I cried.
I cried because of the hurt Gretchen felt because of a train of messy decisions Connor made.
I cried because of the love Gretchen got from her family.
I cried for Gretchen happiness she definitely deserved.
I loved Gretchen so much. I almost sure Connor didn't deserve Gretchen, but thankfully, Connor put up his groveling really good.
I am not a big fan of second chance romance, but this book was running on my money to prove that there are many good second chance books.
The brother best friend dramas were kinda too much for my life, but I understand why the dramas should be drama-ing. I just wish it was not that long to the point I felt like dragging.
There was this aspect of the book that I loved so much, but I can't say it blankly because it would be a major spoiler, so I would better just leave it as found-family aspect. I loved found-family trope so much. Hence, I loved this book.
Thank you to Rachae Stevens and Love Notes PR for the ARC.
I cried because of the hurt Gretchen felt because of a train of messy decisions Connor made.
I cried because of the love Gretchen got from her family.
I cried for Gretchen happiness she definitely deserved.
I loved Gretchen so much. I almost sure Connor didn't deserve Gretchen, but thankfully, Connor put up his groveling really good.
I am not a big fan of second chance romance, but this book was running on my money to prove that there are many good second chance books.
The brother best friend dramas were kinda too much for my life, but I understand why the dramas should be drama-ing. I just wish it was not that long to the point I felt like dragging.
There was this aspect of the book that I loved so much, but I can't say it blankly because it would be a major spoiler, so I would better just leave it as found-family aspect. I loved found-family trope so much. Hence, I loved this book.
Thank you to Rachae Stevens and Love Notes PR for the ARC.
First off, I’m so grateful to have been an ARC reader for this book! That being said, this is one of the best ARCs I’ve read. Yes this book was a romance (that I absolutely loved), but this book is so much more than that. This book had such a sweet emotional side with Gretchen trying to find her birth mother, and her and Connor finding and reconnecting with each other was a sweet bonus. The story was very emotional in itself, but the way it was written truly added an extra punch. In short, this book was absolutely fantastic, and I would re-read it any day of the week! I would totally recommend this book over and over!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
✨ARC Review✨
Forever Then by @rachae.stevens.author
Release Date: 6/25/25
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
I feel undeserving of this ARC, it is easily one of my top 5 books I’ve read this year. I absolutely loved it.
Connor and Gretchen’s story is all consuming, it sucks you in instantly and invokes so many feelings. I love a book that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and this one takes you on a ride. I cried multiple times.
A second chance romance, Conner is Gretchen’s brother’s best friend and older than her, but he has always had a love and fondness for her. Gretchen feels like maybe they could finally be more than friends and one moment changes everything. Fast forward three years, Gretchen makes the decision to find her birth mother. As fate would have it, last minute changes result in Connor joining Gretchen on this life-changing adventure. Despite their history, there isn’t anyone else that Gretchen could see by her side for this moment.
Gretchen has an instant pull to her that makes you fall in love with her immediately. She really lets you into her head, she’s relatable, full of self doubt, and navigating a life-altering discovery with absolute grace. Conner is the definition of a book boyfriend with golden retriever vibes all day long. The world really does need more men like him. He is by Gretchen’s side every step of the way and incredibly supportive.
Rachae knocked it out of the park with this book. Epic love story, check. Brutal second chance romance, check. Multiple storylines running at the same time seamlessly, check. Their connection was magical, you sensed they belonged together right from the start. Their love is like the best hug or the feeling of home.
Rachae Stevens is now an automatic read author for me, and I am desperate for more, - no lie, it was refreshing, all consuming, and such a joy to read. Do yourself a favor and read this book? Trust me, you’ll love it.
Thank you for selecting me to be an ARC reader for this book, it was an absolute honor. I was thrilled to be able to provide my honest thoughts, opinions and review. 💖
Forever Then by @rachae.stevens.author
Release Date: 6/25/25
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
I feel undeserving of this ARC, it is easily one of my top 5 books I’ve read this year. I absolutely loved it.
Connor and Gretchen’s story is all consuming, it sucks you in instantly and invokes so many feelings. I love a book that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and this one takes you on a ride. I cried multiple times.
A second chance romance, Conner is Gretchen’s brother’s best friend and older than her, but he has always had a love and fondness for her. Gretchen feels like maybe they could finally be more than friends and one moment changes everything. Fast forward three years, Gretchen makes the decision to find her birth mother. As fate would have it, last minute changes result in Connor joining Gretchen on this life-changing adventure. Despite their history, there isn’t anyone else that Gretchen could see by her side for this moment.
Gretchen has an instant pull to her that makes you fall in love with her immediately. She really lets you into her head, she’s relatable, full of self doubt, and navigating a life-altering discovery with absolute grace. Conner is the definition of a book boyfriend with golden retriever vibes all day long. The world really does need more men like him. He is by Gretchen’s side every step of the way and incredibly supportive.
Rachae knocked it out of the park with this book. Epic love story, check. Brutal second chance romance, check. Multiple storylines running at the same time seamlessly, check. Their connection was magical, you sensed they belonged together right from the start. Their love is like the best hug or the feeling of home.
Rachae Stevens is now an automatic read author for me, and I am desperate for more, - no lie, it was refreshing, all consuming, and such a joy to read. Do yourself a favor and read this book? Trust me, you’ll love it.
Thank you for selecting me to be an ARC reader for this book, it was an absolute honor. I was thrilled to be able to provide my honest thoughts, opinions and review. 💖
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No