Scan barcode
ea82625's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I don’t understand the high scores for this book. The writing is extremely choppy and sometimes the jump for one sentence to another doesn’t even make sense because the action from the first sentence was just skipped over. And then the grammar and word choices make me think that this isn’t a native English speaker (child’s oncology instead of pediatric or at least children’s). It just reads really awkwardly at times. The author also summarizes the end one one chapter in the beginning of the other chapter but from the opposite pov, which is both repetitive and unnecessary.
So then onto the story itself. This was 100% insta-love from the second they laid eyes on each other. Not usually my cup of tea but I decided to stick with it to see if it got better but it really didn’t. What kind of mother moves their 8yr old into a house with someone they met one week earlier. At least let him set you up at an apartment or something.
I also can’t stand when a mmc exclusively uses a nickname, especially sweetheart. I searched the book and Caroline was used half of the number of times that Justin or Dylan were.
I would skip this one. Some of the authors more recent releases have been better, but I’m not going any further back into her catalog.
So then onto the story itself. This was 100% insta-love from the second they laid eyes on each other. Not usually my cup of tea but I decided to stick with it to see if it got better but it really didn’t. What kind of mother moves their 8yr old into a house with someone they met one week earlier. At least let him set you up at an apartment or something.
I also can’t stand when a mmc exclusively uses a nickname, especially sweetheart. I searched the book and Caroline was used half of the number of times that Justin or Dylan were.
I would skip this one. Some of the authors more recent releases have been better, but I’m not going any further back into her catalog.
tshepi_s's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.5
daydreamingreview's review against another edition
5.0
When I started reading this series I was told from the start that Justin's book was the best book and the hype was REAL! I was hooked from the start and finished it in a couple sittings. Justin is a dreamboat and adding in my favorite trope of single parent/guardian just made it an easy five stars.
My favorite thing about this trope is the relationship the love interest builds with the child in the situation because its usually so wholesome and Justin and Dylan's relationship had my heart MELTING. I appreciated and adored that Justin didn't want to come into her life and immediately solve all her problems (i.e a savior complex) but he wanted to lend a hand and be there for her like no one else had before. It was so sweet!! There was a little bit of suspense in here but it didn't feel unrealistic.
I want to keep this spoiling free but having Dylan accomplish what he did in the 2nd epilogue made this book even better then it already was.
This was just perfection I adored everything. The found family of this series is amazing and I love how the family continues to grow as relationships start and its like they've been there all along.
My favorite thing about this trope is the relationship the love interest builds with the child in the situation because its usually so wholesome and Justin and Dylan's relationship had my heart MELTING. I appreciated and adored that Justin didn't want to come into her life and immediately solve all her problems (i.e a savior complex) but he wanted to lend a hand and be there for her like no one else had before. It was so sweet!! There was a little bit of suspense in here but it didn't feel unrealistic.
I want to keep this spoiling free but having Dylan accomplish what he did in the 2nd epilogue made this book even better then it already was.
This was just perfection I adored everything. The found family of this series is amazing and I love how the family continues to grow as relationships start and its like they've been there all along.
lonn05's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
colleen1011's review against another edition
4.0
Justin and Caroline was an epic story. I loved everything about this book!! The story was well developed. I loved how Justin was all in with Caroline and how he stepped up to the plate. The family was wonderful. It was a delightful story.
jennyluvlitbooks's review
4.0
"The good thing about the heart is that it just grows with all the love you have."
"Family means protecting them, and most importantly, it means loving them with everything that you are."
This Is Forever is the fourth book in the series and the story of Justin, the baby of the Stone family.
Man, somebody catch me because I'm swooning; SWOONING! Justin Stone, in my opinion, rightfully earned his spot in my book boyfriend list because this guy, whew, he is a fucking dreamboat! His love for Caroline and her kid, Dylan will melt your heart, along with your panties, into a puddle. After reading this heart-warming, emotional (I may have cried a lot so be ready with the box of tissues!), sports romance, I think that every woman needs a Justin Stone in her life. Le sigh.
I loved it and again, another must read for fans of this author!
"Family means protecting them, and most importantly, it means loving them with everything that you are."
This Is Forever is the fourth book in the series and the story of Justin, the baby of the Stone family.
Man, somebody catch me because I'm swooning; SWOONING! Justin Stone, in my opinion, rightfully earned his spot in my book boyfriend list because this guy, whew, he is a fucking dreamboat! His love for Caroline and her kid, Dylan will melt your heart, along with your panties, into a puddle. After reading this heart-warming, emotional (I may have cried a lot so be ready with the box of tissues!), sports romance, I think that every woman needs a Justin Stone in her life. Le sigh.
I loved it and again, another must read for fans of this author!
obsessivegirl_4's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
charlottenw1's review
4.0
The final Stone child!
Justin was very mature for his age and he definitely followed in his dad's footsteps, actually, the whole story was a throwback to Cooper and Parker's story but upped up. Justin didn't seem to have a lad relationship with the other men like in the other books but his story definitely focused more on the safety of Caroline and Dylan.
I loved seeing their romance blossom and Caroline finally seeing a better side to the cards shes being dealt. Seeing Dylan progress so much and see how both Caroline and Justin had so much pride in him just makes it that much more heartwarming. I cannot wait to see how he grows as a character.
This was my favourite plotwise but the characters were sometimes overreactive to situations. Caroline wasn't my favourite heroine but I loved her relationship with her son and how she tried to protect him as much as possible.
Justin was very mature for his age and he definitely followed in his dad's footsteps, actually, the whole story was a throwback to Cooper and Parker's story but upped up. Justin didn't seem to have a lad relationship with the other men like in the other books but his story definitely focused more on the safety of Caroline and Dylan.
I loved seeing their romance blossom and Caroline finally seeing a better side to the cards shes being dealt. Seeing Dylan progress so much and see how both Caroline and Justin had so much pride in him just makes it that much more heartwarming. I cannot wait to see how he grows as a character.
This was my favourite plotwise but the characters were sometimes overreactive to situations. Caroline wasn't my favourite heroine but I loved her relationship with her son and how she tried to protect him as much as possible.
read_on_reader's review
5.0
Justin was just beyond amazing and his character was perfection. He is running a hockey summer camp for underprivileged kids and this is where he meets Dylan and his mother, Caroline. For Justin the attraction was instant, but he also saw that there was something more between them and was bound and determined to explore it more. Justin discovers that Caroline is a single mother and even though she has been through so much and they are struggling financially, she has worked hard and made a life for her and her son, this makes Justin fall even harder for her. With a heart of gold and family ties so strong Justin doesn’t want to fix everything for Carolina, but rather be the one she can turn to and lend a helping hand. These two were perfect for each other and although Caroline struggles with asking for and expecting help, she finally lets Justin in. I loved we got to see more of the Stone family and that they stood by Justin no matter what even if at times they may not have seen eye to eye.
shelbylovestoread's review
5.0
Justin will forever be my favorite! Of all of the Stone/Grant/Horton men, I think Justin will always hold the favorite place in my heart! I love, love love this story, and I just love Justin, Dillon and Caroline.
Justin Stone is our hockey royalty, following in his dad and older brother's footsteps and becoming a professional hockey player. His career and his family name has afforded him a lot of opportunites in life, and to give back, Justin puts on a hockey camp every year for underprivledged families, which allows kids who might not be able to play the opportunity.
Caroline is a single mom to Dillon, a little boy who loves hockey, but Caroline is a struggling single income parent, with a dead beat ex who is just awful. Through his regular season coach, Dillon gets the opportunity to play at Justin's camp, and fate grants Justin and Caroline the chance to meet.
Justin falls hard. Honestly, I think it was almost love at first site for Justin, not just with Caroline, but also with Dillon. Caroline, not so much...she's leary of this famous and rich guy who has all the right words, but isn't really grasping what Caroline and Dillon have lived through or currently are living through.
Caroline has had a really rough go in life. She got knocked up early, and although she did think she loved Dillon's dad, they got married because of student housing. An injury lead to drug addiction, which pushed Caroline's ex to make very stupid and dangerous decisions. Caroline does what she needs to do to escape her ex and save her son from the horrors of that life.
Justin doesn't seem to understand what Caroline and Dillon have truly lived through and experienced because he has had a sheltered and priveledged life in comparison. His parents and siblings love him. He makes an incredible living. He has a great support system. Seeing what Caroline and Dillon live in was a shock to his system, and I think at first, Caroline thinks Justin being there is a charity, which Caroline is adamently against. But Justin felt something for Caroline the first time he saw her, and he loves seeing Dillon everyday.
I just love this story. The strength of Caroline and how she never stopped fighting for Dillon, Justin's persistence and patience with Caroline, and how he calls her "sweetheart", Dillon's sweet personality and how brings their family together, how Justin wanted a family with both Caroline and Dillon, and the whole Stone/Grant/Horton family vacation at the last quarter of the book was the best part!! I've read the ebook, paperbook, and audiobook more times then I can count, I've read all the hockey books, all the way to Dillon's story (which honestly competes with this one as my favorite), but there will always be something about Justin's book that calls to me and is one of my go to, all time favorite reads!! Love my Hockey Series, cannot wait to see what happens in the future with the Stone/Grant/Horton/extended clan!!
Justin Stone is our hockey royalty, following in his dad and older brother's footsteps and becoming a professional hockey player. His career and his family name has afforded him a lot of opportunites in life, and to give back, Justin puts on a hockey camp every year for underprivledged families, which allows kids who might not be able to play the opportunity.
Caroline is a single mom to Dillon, a little boy who loves hockey, but Caroline is a struggling single income parent, with a dead beat ex who is just awful. Through his regular season coach, Dillon gets the opportunity to play at Justin's camp, and fate grants Justin and Caroline the chance to meet.
Justin falls hard. Honestly, I think it was almost love at first site for Justin, not just with Caroline, but also with Dillon. Caroline, not so much...she's leary of this famous and rich guy who has all the right words, but isn't really grasping what Caroline and Dillon have lived through or currently are living through.
Caroline has had a really rough go in life. She got knocked up early, and although she did think she loved Dillon's dad, they got married because of student housing. An injury lead to drug addiction, which pushed Caroline's ex to make very stupid and dangerous decisions. Caroline does what she needs to do to escape her ex and save her son from the horrors of that life.
Justin doesn't seem to understand what Caroline and Dillon have truly lived through and experienced because he has had a sheltered and priveledged life in comparison. His parents and siblings love him. He makes an incredible living. He has a great support system. Seeing what Caroline and Dillon live in was a shock to his system, and I think at first, Caroline thinks Justin being there is a charity, which Caroline is adamently against. But Justin felt something for Caroline the first time he saw her, and he loves seeing Dillon everyday.
I just love this story. The strength of Caroline and how she never stopped fighting for Dillon, Justin's persistence and patience with Caroline, and how he calls her "sweetheart", Dillon's sweet personality and how brings their family together, how Justin wanted a family with both Caroline and Dillon, and the whole Stone/Grant/Horton family vacation at the last quarter of the book was the best part!! I've read the ebook, paperbook, and audiobook more times then I can count, I've read all the hockey books, all the way to Dillon's story (which honestly competes with this one as my favorite), but there will always be something about Justin's book that calls to me and is one of my go to, all time favorite reads!! Love my Hockey Series, cannot wait to see what happens in the future with the Stone/Grant/Horton/extended clan!!