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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Such a cute story. I really enjoyed this book. This is my first Heidi McLaughlin book and it absolutely will not be my last. Absolutely a must read!!
Curses to my neurotic need to finish any book that I start!!!!!! There were so many times during this story that I wanted to pick up my kindle and smash it up against the wall ... and then burn it for good measure. Oh my word! I hated so many things about this story. I picked up this book because I got drawn in by the super cute trailers for the movie being released which is based on the book. It looked like the cute sort of second chance love story that I am always a sucker for. All I can say is that I hope that the screen version of this changes some significant things about the plot or it will be quite icky to watch, I think. At least it would be for me.
So what was the problem?
Well, lots of people adore this book, so maybe it's just me. Maybe. But I could not root for the main couple of this story as it was laid out. I couldn't buy into the characterizations that Heidi McLaughlin created for the people in this story. And the plot? Oh my goodness! I just hated it! So. So. Much. Liam and Josie were high school sweethearts. I would say that you could probably see a similar sort of "love" story played out in many a high school throughout the country. Star football player. Head cheerleader. Perfect couple. They had their lives planned out. And then Liam had a mid-life crisis at 18/19 and skipped out on everything. He dropped out of college, broke up with Josie, and headed off into the sunset without so much as an 'I'm sorry' as he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a famous musician. He cuts off all contact with anyone from his past. No conversations. No explanations. Nothing. He was a world class jerk to Josie. Then he spends ten (10!) years crying in his beers over her and his great love for her. He writes loads of music about his devotion to her and grabs replacement girls to try and help him forget her (whatever the heck that means) ... but never manages to call her. He is living the life of a world famous musician with all the excitement that life entails while Josie stays in the hometown, hanging out with all her high school buddies ... and moving on. She has a long term relationship (with a nice guy!!!) that finally turns into an engagement. But she has a little secret ... a nine(ish) year old boy. Liam's son ... only he never knew about him. BECAUSE HE NEVER BOTHERED TO TALK TO THIS WOMAN WHO WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE. FOR TEN FREAKING YEARS!!!!!
Well, tragedy brings Liam back into town, and he discovers this delightful little secret, and he, rightly, decides that he wants to be a part of this little boy's life. So fine. I get that. I see how these two need to figure out how to make this new relationship work. But this is not a story about a man forging a connection with a son he never knew. In fact, these two hit it off right away, and young Noah starts calling Liam Dad without a second thought ... even though he's been calling Nick (THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN TAKING CARE OF HIM FOR SIX(!!!!!!!!) YEARS) Dad. No confusion. No stress. He just jumps right into sonhood without a second glance. Goodbye, Nick! Hello, Liam! Isn't that convenient?
But that is not what really hacked me off about this story. It was the "love" story of Liam and Josie. I get that Liam and Josie were this wonderful high school couple. That happens all the time. And then people leave high school. Sometimes they stay together. But sometimes they grow apart and move on with their lives. And that's okay. That's what happens when we grow up and move apart and change in ways that make old relationships not work and create a need for new relationships which are better for us. It happens. That doesn't mean that we have to look on those old relationships badly. They were just our past. Liam and Josie, however, have this creepy attachment to the "good old days" of high school. They talk and act like they are still in high school ... except now they can legally drink, I guess. Liam shows up at Josie's store, and both of them seem to have this desire to just pick up where they left off. EVEN THOUGH LIAM HAS BEEN A ROYAL JERK TO JOSIE FOR TEN YEARS .... AND JOSIE IS ENGAGED!!!!!!!! There's no satisfactory explanation of Liam's abdication of responsibilities for ten years. There is not even a really great 'I'm sorry' moment. He just shows up and Josie immediately finds herself unable to stop fantasizing about him. Every stinking minute. While she is engaged and practically living with another man. Oh my goodness, this drove me insane! Nick had been loyal and caring and patient with Josie for six years. He cared for Noah and allowed Josie to have her weird difficulty in forgetting Liam. He was a genuinely nice guy. But as long as he was nice, it was hard for this story to push readers to root for Liam and Josie. No. Nick needed to end up being a jerk. So (conveniently) Nick ends up being a jerk. Never mind that his actions don't seem in character with the guy who has been loyal for six years. Nope. He needs to do something stupid so we can all say, "You go, Josie. Drop this idiot and go after Mr. Handsome!" But, I'm sorry. I don't buy it. I totally get why Nick would be ticked off at Josie's behavior when it came to Liam. I get why he would be ticked off at the way that Noah just jumps into Liam's arms without question even though Nick has been the one caring for him since he was a toddler. I get it. And I am Team Nick in this argument.
And that leads to one more thing that I hated about this story. Any time there was a character who threw some sort of complication into the Liam and Josie Love Drama, that character was painted as a complete tool. An awful person. Liam's manager? A crazy psychopath who can't take a hint and is manipulative as she tries to manufacture a relationship with him. Nick? Manipulative and a drunkard who freaks out and fights with Josie in front of young and impressionable Noah. Any female fans of Liam? Crazy women who don't bother wearing appropriate clothing and push themselves on him despite his love for Josie. Liam's mom and dad? Snobby country club elitists who drink too much and unfairly cut their son off for disappointing them. None of these characters have layers. They are just nasty. Because that's the easy way to drive us to root for Liam and Josie, two characters who, frankly, are pretty selfish ... but saints when compared these yahoos who they are surrounded by.
And never mind that Noah's playing in this peewee football league that seems to be running plays like a mid-level college team. Or the fact that these people in their late twenties are sitting around and discussing their high school life like they can't quite move past that time of their lives. Or this weird relationship between Liam and his parents that is talked about incessantly throughout the story, but never really gets resolved or explained. Ugh!
So, needless to say, I didn't like this one at all. I'm obviously in the minority here. And obviously someone thought this had money making potential as a wide release movie. So, maybe this is all just my opinion. But I really, really, really did not like this story. And that probably means I will not be watching the movie. One star. I did not like this.
So what was the problem?
Well, lots of people adore this book, so maybe it's just me. Maybe. But I could not root for the main couple of this story as it was laid out. I couldn't buy into the characterizations that Heidi McLaughlin created for the people in this story. And the plot? Oh my goodness! I just hated it! So. So. Much. Liam and Josie were high school sweethearts. I would say that you could probably see a similar sort of "love" story played out in many a high school throughout the country. Star football player. Head cheerleader. Perfect couple. They had their lives planned out. And then Liam had a mid-life crisis at 18/19 and skipped out on everything. He dropped out of college, broke up with Josie, and headed off into the sunset without so much as an 'I'm sorry' as he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a famous musician. He cuts off all contact with anyone from his past. No conversations. No explanations. Nothing. He was a world class jerk to Josie. Then he spends ten (10!) years crying in his beers over her and his great love for her. He writes loads of music about his devotion to her and grabs replacement girls to try and help him forget her (whatever the heck that means) ... but never manages to call her. He is living the life of a world famous musician with all the excitement that life entails while Josie stays in the hometown, hanging out with all her high school buddies ... and moving on. She has a long term relationship (with a nice guy!!!) that finally turns into an engagement. But she has a little secret ... a nine(ish) year old boy. Liam's son ... only he never knew about him. BECAUSE HE NEVER BOTHERED TO TALK TO THIS WOMAN WHO WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE. FOR TEN FREAKING YEARS!!!!!
Well, tragedy brings Liam back into town, and he discovers this delightful little secret, and he, rightly, decides that he wants to be a part of this little boy's life. So fine. I get that. I see how these two need to figure out how to make this new relationship work. But this is not a story about a man forging a connection with a son he never knew. In fact, these two hit it off right away, and young Noah starts calling Liam Dad without a second thought ... even though he's been calling Nick (THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN TAKING CARE OF HIM FOR SIX(!!!!!!!!) YEARS) Dad. No confusion. No stress. He just jumps right into sonhood without a second glance. Goodbye, Nick! Hello, Liam! Isn't that convenient?
But that is not what really hacked me off about this story. It was the "love" story of Liam and Josie. I get that Liam and Josie were this wonderful high school couple. That happens all the time. And then people leave high school. Sometimes they stay together. But sometimes they grow apart and move on with their lives. And that's okay. That's what happens when we grow up and move apart and change in ways that make old relationships not work and create a need for new relationships which are better for us. It happens. That doesn't mean that we have to look on those old relationships badly. They were just our past. Liam and Josie, however, have this creepy attachment to the "good old days" of high school. They talk and act like they are still in high school ... except now they can legally drink, I guess. Liam shows up at Josie's store, and both of them seem to have this desire to just pick up where they left off. EVEN THOUGH LIAM HAS BEEN A ROYAL JERK TO JOSIE FOR TEN YEARS .... AND JOSIE IS ENGAGED!!!!!!!! There's no satisfactory explanation of Liam's abdication of responsibilities for ten years. There is not even a really great 'I'm sorry' moment. He just shows up and Josie immediately finds herself unable to stop fantasizing about him. Every stinking minute. While she is engaged and practically living with another man. Oh my goodness, this drove me insane! Nick had been loyal and caring and patient with Josie for six years. He cared for Noah and allowed Josie to have her weird difficulty in forgetting Liam. He was a genuinely nice guy. But as long as he was nice, it was hard for this story to push readers to root for Liam and Josie. No. Nick needed to end up being a jerk. So (conveniently) Nick ends up being a jerk. Never mind that his actions don't seem in character with the guy who has been loyal for six years. Nope. He needs to do something stupid so we can all say, "You go, Josie. Drop this idiot and go after Mr. Handsome!" But, I'm sorry. I don't buy it. I totally get why Nick would be ticked off at Josie's behavior when it came to Liam. I get why he would be ticked off at the way that Noah just jumps into Liam's arms without question even though Nick has been the one caring for him since he was a toddler. I get it. And I am Team Nick in this argument.
And that leads to one more thing that I hated about this story. Any time there was a character who threw some sort of complication into the Liam and Josie Love Drama, that character was painted as a complete tool. An awful person. Liam's manager? A crazy psychopath who can't take a hint and is manipulative as she tries to manufacture a relationship with him. Nick? Manipulative and a drunkard who freaks out and fights with Josie in front of young and impressionable Noah. Any female fans of Liam? Crazy women who don't bother wearing appropriate clothing and push themselves on him despite his love for Josie. Liam's mom and dad? Snobby country club elitists who drink too much and unfairly cut their son off for disappointing them. None of these characters have layers. They are just nasty. Because that's the easy way to drive us to root for Liam and Josie, two characters who, frankly, are pretty selfish ... but saints when compared these yahoos who they are surrounded by.
And never mind that Noah's playing in this peewee football league that seems to be running plays like a mid-level college team. Or the fact that these people in their late twenties are sitting around and discussing their high school life like they can't quite move past that time of their lives. Or this weird relationship between Liam and his parents that is talked about incessantly throughout the story, but never really gets resolved or explained. Ugh!
So, needless to say, I didn't like this one at all. I'm obviously in the minority here. And obviously someone thought this had money making potential as a wide release movie. So, maybe this is all just my opinion. But I really, really, really did not like this story. And that probably means I will not be watching the movie. One star. I did not like this.
So, I'm not sure whether to classify this as new adult or adult literature, so I did both. I finished this last night, and I just absolutely loved it.
I think I'll have to come back in a bit and actually leave a proper review. There are things I want to mention that I can't quite remember since I finished the book at, like, 3AM and I went to sleep soon after. For now, know that I really loved this book. It was a cute, sweet love story that was just innocent and beautiful.
I think I'll have to come back in a bit and actually leave a proper review. There are things I want to mention that I can't quite remember since I finished the book at, like, 3AM and I went to sleep soon after. For now, know that I really loved this book. It was a cute, sweet love story that was just innocent and beautiful.
One of the things I love about book signings is that it exposes me to new authors that I might not otherwise read. Heidi McLaughlin was on the list for the Mile High Author Event, so I purchased Forever My Girl, Beaumont Series #1, on audio. And I was hooked!
Forever My Girl is a fantastic second chance romance with a little sports twist and a whole-lot-a-hot-rocker! The book opens with a death that changes EVERYTHING for all of the characters in the book. That death and how each of the characters deal with it brings a tear-jerker aspect of the story. How the death impacts each of the characters and the secrets that are revealed is exciting to uncover.
At the heart of this story is the love between Liam and Josie. After all the years and all of the heartache, can Josie forgive Liam and find a happily ever after?
BONUS, Forever My Girl will soon be a Major Motion Picture, so I've been stalking Heidi McLaughlin's social media and website. I can't wait to see these characters and this story unfold on the screen!
BFF Book Blog uses a set of icon ratings. This book received additional ratings for: Angst, Butterflies, Character Development, Happily Ever After, Hero, Romance, Sweet, and Tears.
Forever My Girl is a fantastic second chance romance with a little sports twist and a whole-lot-a-hot-rocker! The book opens with a death that changes EVERYTHING for all of the characters in the book. That death and how each of the characters deal with it brings a tear-jerker aspect of the story. How the death impacts each of the characters and the secrets that are revealed is exciting to uncover.
At the heart of this story is the love between Liam and Josie. After all the years and all of the heartache, can Josie forgive Liam and find a happily ever after?
BONUS, Forever My Girl will soon be a Major Motion Picture, so I've been stalking Heidi McLaughlin's social media and website. I can't wait to see these characters and this story unfold on the screen!
BFF Book Blog uses a set of icon ratings. This book received additional ratings for: Angst, Butterflies, Character Development, Happily Ever After, Hero, Romance, Sweet, and Tears.
An hour left in the audiobook and I'm already giving it 1 star. It's just so unrealistic? Liam is wtf. Josie??? I can't imagine someone cheating on a 6 yr partner for an ex who left like shit. Like. No. Wtf. Poor Nick.
3.5
I was quickly caught up in the story of these characters. There were a lot of sad moments right away and my heart ached for the main characters and minor ones as well.
The only things I didn't like were the jumps in time that often happened at the beginning of chapters.
Also, the flashbacks felt abrupt as well. I probably would have liked the book better than the audio. I did like the dual narration though. I'll probably continue the rest of the series, but maybe not in audio format.
I was quickly caught up in the story of these characters. There were a lot of sad moments right away and my heart ached for the main characters and minor ones as well.
The only things I didn't like were the jumps in time that often happened at the beginning of chapters.
Also, the flashbacks felt abrupt as well. I probably would have liked the book better than the audio. I did like the dual narration though. I'll probably continue the rest of the series, but maybe not in audio format.
Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads.
So, first off let me say I'm about a week late on this review. Forever My Girl was my TBR List pick for July and I didn't get it read in time to review by the last Saturday of the month. Womp womp. I blame the other book series I was devouring. Ha! Now that we've cleared that up, on with the review...
I'm kinda sad this one has been sitting on my TBR as long as it has, to be honest. I probably should've read it long before now. Y'all know how much I love my second chance stories and Liam and Josie's story really worked for me. It was sweet and sexy, but also fairly angsty. There is a love triangle here as Josie is with someone else, but it didn't really bother me. It was pretty obvious she belonged with Liam, so I figured it was just a matter of time before Nick disappeared entirely. I was ok with that because I didn't feel any type of connection to him anyhow. It was clear he was a stand in for Liam, the man she never stopped loving. Of course, there was plenty of drama and angst along the way, but it felt realistic. There were plenty of feels in this book as Josie and Liam tried to figure out how to reconcile their past with their present and future.
Liam and Josie were wonderful characters. I found it really easy to root for them, both together and separately. Watching them grow and find themselves while working their way back to the other was one of my favorite parts of the book. One of my other favorite parts? Noah. I adored that little guy and his scenes, particularly with Liam, gave me feels. This book also had some wonderful secondary characters and I can't wait to get more from this world. I really enjoyed the combination of sweet and sexy times, with swoons and even the angst.
Forever My Girl is my first Heidi McLaughlin book, but it certainly won't be my last. I can't wait to read more about the Beaumont gang. What a great start to a series from a new favorite new-to-me author!
FAVORITE QUOTES
Even if I did the unthinkable and left her, it's not like I didn't love her. Leaving her broke my heart too.
I thought for sure we'd spend forever together. I thought our love was one of a kind.
"I'm standing in front of you, Josie. You just have to turn around."
So, first off let me say I'm about a week late on this review. Forever My Girl was my TBR List pick for July and I didn't get it read in time to review by the last Saturday of the month. Womp womp. I blame the other book series I was devouring. Ha! Now that we've cleared that up, on with the review...
I'm kinda sad this one has been sitting on my TBR as long as it has, to be honest. I probably should've read it long before now. Y'all know how much I love my second chance stories and Liam and Josie's story really worked for me. It was sweet and sexy, but also fairly angsty. There is a love triangle here as Josie is with someone else, but it didn't really bother me. It was pretty obvious she belonged with Liam, so I figured it was just a matter of time before Nick disappeared entirely. I was ok with that because I didn't feel any type of connection to him anyhow. It was clear he was a stand in for Liam, the man she never stopped loving. Of course, there was plenty of drama and angst along the way, but it felt realistic. There were plenty of feels in this book as Josie and Liam tried to figure out how to reconcile their past with their present and future.
Liam and Josie were wonderful characters. I found it really easy to root for them, both together and separately. Watching them grow and find themselves while working their way back to the other was one of my favorite parts of the book. One of my other favorite parts? Noah. I adored that little guy and his scenes, particularly with Liam, gave me feels. This book also had some wonderful secondary characters and I can't wait to get more from this world. I really enjoyed the combination of sweet and sexy times, with swoons and even the angst.
Forever My Girl is my first Heidi McLaughlin book, but it certainly won't be my last. I can't wait to read more about the Beaumont gang. What a great start to a series from a new favorite new-to-me author!
FAVORITE QUOTES
Even if I did the unthinkable and left her, it's not like I didn't love her. Leaving her broke my heart too.
I thought for sure we'd spend forever together. I thought our love was one of a kind.
"I'm standing in front of you, Josie. You just have to turn around."
I saw this book on a list of movie adaptations for 2018 and noted that it was rated PG. I am a lover of sweet romance so I was excited to give it a try. I made it to chapter 10 but have been uncomfortable pretty much from the first sentence. I just finished reading a Sarah Eden book and the wonderful feeling I had while reading it was completely absent with this one. So I put it down. I think I'll go see the movie, though. Remarkably, it would appear that they actually cleaned up the book for the big screen.