Be prepared to be in your feels. Always Isn't Forever will tug at your heartstrings in this second-chance romance.

Hart and Ruby are the poster children for finding forever love at a young age. They know they are meant to be with each other forever, but a tragic accident at sea cuts that dream short. That leaves Ruby in her senior year grieving the loss of her one true love.

It may not be the end of their love story yet. That's because Hart's soul comes to life as the bad boy in town, Jameson. When Hart takes over in his new body, he first wants to see Ruby and tell her everything. But it's harder than it looks. His guardian angel, Lourdes, is trying to help him in this position and lay down all the rules. He can't tell Ruby or anyone the truth and he will soon lose his memories as the days pass.

Ruby and Jameson/Hart can't deny the pull that happens when they are around. It is unexplainable but so touching. This story highlights how strong love can be. It's a moving, romantic, and sad YA read. The ending is bittersweet but so fitting for this book.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Always Isn’t Forever releases June 6, 2023

Ruby and Hart met when they were children and have been each others first love. They have many plans for the future when they reach college, but first they have to get through their senior year of highschool.

The story starts during the summer before senior year, on a day leading up to where Hart agreed to fill in for someone else’s job on a yacht. All along, Ruby had this ominous gut feeling that something was going to go wrong, but it wasn’t enough to stop the tragic and unexpected death of Hart as he was pulled into an undercurrent while saving a boy who fell overboard during a rainstorm with lightning.

Five months pass, and by some odd chance, Hart is given a second chance at life by some “death angel” named Lourdes while he’s been in this in-between state.
The only way for Hart to live again would be to put his soul into another body that was on the brink of death, and that just so happened to be a boy the same age named Jameson, whom they’ve gone to school together and been in the same social circles. The only problem is that Hart and Jameson are opposites in every way, and Ruby has a strong dislike towards him.

Hart doesn’t have it easy in Jameson's body — having to seamlessly adapt to his life and family, all the while being unable to tell anyone who he actually is.
Lourdes tells him that though his spirit will remain intact, his memories as Hart will slowly cease to exist, so time is of the essence to reestablish a connection with his love, Ruby.

Initially, I liked the concept but I don’t think it was executed that well. I wanted that heart wrenching love story but didn’t feel that at all, and most of the romance was left until the last 8%.
This story moved uncharacteristically fast, and I didn’t get the impression that Ruby hated Jameson, even though that’s what we were told to believe.
There was a lot going on at once with Lourdes becoming a human and having to navigate her own sort of deal, as well as Gabi with her tarot cards and thinking she has a connection to the “other side”, which didn’t leave much room to develop much of a romance with Jameson.

I honestly didn’t really understand the logic between the sacrifice of Lourdes' wings and the memories of Ruby and Hart and I wish the author didn’t skip past the first five months of Ruby’s grief. We never got that impactful scene where she found out the love of her life died, which was a missed opportunity for vulnerability and connection to the characters.

This title has been recommended as being similar to You’ve Reached Sam, and I personally don’t think it gives anywhere near the same heart wrenching experience. If anything, this kind of reminded me of The Host by Stephanie Meyer.

For a YA, this reads on the younger side.

I knew this would be heartbreaking, but while reading and sobbing, I also found a beautiful hopefulness in this story that I will not forget.

Ruby and Hart. They have their whole lives ahead of them, and they are lucky enough to have found each other and their impossible love so early in life. When Hart drowns while saving another, an angel takes pity and saves his soul for a new body. Hart winds up waking as Jameson. Jameson is everything Hart is not. A party boy who seems to not care about anything except football. Can Hart work his way back to Ruby in Jameson's body, with Jameson's history?

This book was heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. It is a story of loss and sadness,but also, real true love. Get the tissues ready now!!

Out June 6, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

"It's always been Ruby, it's been her from the start"

This story was a rollercoaster that I was NOT expecting (in the best way!). The cover alone made me think I would be reading something similar to "I Fell in Love with Hope" and "You've Reached Sam", and it didn't disappoint! My tears were falling 10% in, and they were falling by the end of it too.

I loved that Ruby and Hart's love was so deep that neither one of them would give it up easily. After a horrible incident happens, we see how Ruby struggles to come to terms with the changes in her life, while Hart has to accept his new reality. Their love helped them find each other, and it was written so beautifully that I was falling in love and getting my heart broken along with them. This book will be released June 6th, and I plan on grabbing a physical copy.

📚 Star-Crossed Lovers
📚 First Love
📚 Opposites Attract
📚 High School Romance

🐞⚓️🪽- always isn’t forever by JC Cervantes

‘ I was gifted an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review’

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

wow.. this made me sob my eyes out so hard i couldn’t breath- i knew i would be hit with an emotional truck based on what everyone said about ‘you’ve reached sam’ but i didn’t expect it to hurt this much- it was honestly a punch in the gut.

this book follows the story of ruby and hart who are the definition of soulmates- they understand each other on a deeper level and are just the cutest… until hart dies. and ruby’s left to wade through her grief- except this becomes much harder when jameson- someone ruby hates with a burning passion - suddenly takes interest in her. but why?

the characters in this book and their personalities is what made this so enjoyable I think- it was clear that jameson and hart were completely different people which made identifying what was going on a whole lot easier.. I also loved the clear distinction between ruby and gabi as sisters also made this resonate with me- me and my sister are COMPLETELY different- bit that didn’t mean they didn’t love each other any less.. in fact gabi was the one who pushed ruby to follow her heart.

the plot line was confusing at first? but when it all cleared up… FREAKING LOURDES. I didn’t know whether to hate her or love her… I just can’t believe most of the events happened in this book it was kinda weird, but an extremely good weird. even just thinking about what happens is going to make me cry..

i also loved learning slowly about jameson and how similar ruby and his situation really was- I cannot- this book is still making be bawl.

if you want a light read that will make you cry so hard it hurts this book is probably perfect for you .

Always Isn’t Forever by J. C. Cervantes, 384 pages. Razorbill (Penguin Random House), 2023. $20. lgbtqia
Language: R (172 swears, 6 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Hart and Ruby have always been together and always will be—and then Hart dies the summer before senior year. Neither of them are ready to let go, and Hart’s spirit is given the chance to go back—but not in the body he had. Through all the obstacles of life and death, can they still choose to always be together?
A tragic undercurrent pulled through every part of the story. While the angel/demon trope was originally off putting because of how it contrasted with that undercurrent, the story worked out well in the end. Sacrifices were made, lessons of love were learned, and some things do last forever.
Hart is Latino, Ruby is implied Latina, Jameson is White, and most of the other characters are implied Latinx or White. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, innuendo, and mentions of sex. The violence rating is for assault and death.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Thanks to NetGalley & Razorbill for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Hart & Ruby - best friends since they were kids. When Hart drowns due to a boating accident, Ruby’s world is shattered and she must learn to pick up the pieces. Due to divine intervention, Hart gets a second chance at life - returning to earth side in an unexpected body, the last person he would ever pick. As Ruby tries to move on and Hart figures out his new life, the two of them enter a weird dance, each feeling something familiar with the other. As he spends his days as Jameson, Hart’s personal memories fade slowly and his love for Ruby slowly slips by. How will Ruby and Hart make it through - together or pushing each other away?

This story broke my heart and I had tears in my eyes several times as I read. This book drug me in and didn’t let go until the last possible second. I really enjoyed this and was rooting hard for Ruby and Hart to get their happy ever after, though a late plot twist threw me as I didn’t see it coming. Highly recommend this as its heartbroken scenario with a really great outcome.

This is a heartwarming story about Hart who dies too young getting a second chance in life when an angel allows him to take the body of another young man who is moments from dying. Even though he gets to live in the same town as before, he can't tell anyone who he really is, plus in less than a month he will lose all his memories of dying. His essence will be the same, but he won't remember he was ever himself.

3+

I was looking forward to reading this story. I love magical realism, and I think it's been some time since I had any to read. And the cover is super pretty! The story is cute at least. But the rules for how Hart's condition (going back to life as someone else) worked felt like... the author was making them as they went along. It made me not trust it much. I'm not sure how to explain this better, but that made the story lose a little of its magic.

The premise too made me anxious. I couldn't think what was best if Hart was going to lose his memories (and anyone who figured out who he is would also lose their memories in around two days). I wasn't sure what I cheering for. You'd usually just wish for the living to get through their grief, but by the time Hart comes back to life, months have passed, his girlfriend Ruby is already getting over it, so him being back felt more like reopening the wound only for it to hurt again.

There is a good ending, but was the plot necessary? What was there to gain? It made my reading a little tense.

The prose is still pretty, their romance is also sweet. This could have gotten very dramatic, but it isn't at all. I think this was my first book by this author, but it made me curious for the next releases.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Absolutely wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time. I literally cried and had goosebumps for most of the ending. But it was PERFECTION!!!! All the stars for this book and then some! I’m going to even buy a copy to permanently have because this was such a wonderful freaking read!!!!

Highly recommend. Ruby and Hart!!!!!!

This book is everything you could want and more!!!!!

After reading reviews, I don’t think I am in an emotionally stable enough place to read this book right now. If I decide to read after release, I will buy a physical copy.

Always Isn't Forever is a heart-wrenching and captivating tale of love, loss, and second chances, everything I love. This young adult novel follows the journey of Ruby Armenia, who is devastated by the tragic death of her best friend and soulmate, Hart Augusto. However, through a twist of fate, Hart is granted a second chance at life, but not in the way one would expect.

The premise of the story immediately drew me in, as the idea of love transcending death and the possibility of reuniting with a lost loved one is both compelling and emotional, especially the way Cervantes did it! The book explores themes of grief, destiny, and the power of love as Hart's soul is transferred into the body of Jameson, a local bad boy. As Hart navigates his new life as Jameson, he faces the challenge of keeping his true identity hidden from Ruby, complicating their already complex relationship.

Cervantes skillfully weaves a tale filled with mystery, romance, and unexpected twists. The short chapters and fast pacing make for an engaging reading experience, keeping readers hooked from beginning to end. The author tackles sensitive topics such as death and grief with sensitivity and provides a unique perspective on the complexities of navigating loss.

The characters in this are well-developed and relatable. Ruby's grief and longing for Hart is so captivating, and readers will empathize with her as she grapples with her feelings for Jameson, who reminds her so much of her lost love. Hart's determination to reach Ruby despite the challenges he faces adds a layer of tension and anticipation to the narrative. The supporting characters also contribute to the story, adding depth and complexity to the relationships and enhancing the overall reading experience.

While the book deals with heavy themes, it also incorporates moments of hope, resilience, and personal growth. The inclusion of spiritual elements, such as divine intervention and the presence of an angel, adds a touch of magic and wonder to the story.

Always isn't forever has all the elements of a captivating young adult romance. The book's intriguing plot, well-drawn characters, and emotional depth make it a compelling read for fans of love stories with a touch of the supernatural. With its surprising twists and turns, the novel keeps readers guessing and invested in the outcome until the very end.

In conclusion, this novel is a beautifully written and emotionally charged novel that explores the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. J. C. Cervantes delivers a moving story that will resonate with readers and leave them contemplating the true nature of fate and everlasting love.

I knew as soon as I saw the description that I was gonna love this book. It’s about a boy who drowns in a boating accident and gets a second chance at life in the body of the school’s most popular bad-boy jock. Now he’s trying to return to his grieving girlfriend in the body of someone she can’t stand.

I don’t wanna give too much away other than that because I enjoyed being surprised by everything after that.

Parts of this book were so sad but I really liked how the story wrapped up.

I enjoyed reading from Hart’s pov the most and I think my favorite character was probably Ruby’s sister.

I think fans of other sad YA contemporary like You’ve Reached Sam and 13 Reasons Why may like this book.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Razorbill for providing me with an early access copy of this book.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

What would you do if your true love died unexpectedly? That's what happens to Ruby. The boy who meant everything to her, Hart, dies in a boating accident. She is struggling to live let alone move on when all of a sudden a guy who she hates all of a sudden is acting different. Jameson drinks and parties a lot. Unlike Hart, he's into football and girls. Where Hart is into music and Ruby. An unfortunate accident causes Jameson to end up in a coma and Hart to take his place. And now is when all the fun of the book begins.

I read everything, but YA will always hold a spot close to my heart. Hart, Jameson, Ruby, Lourdes, Gabi, and George are character I got hooked one from page 1. I wanted to see how this story ended. I needed closure for Ruby and Hart since their story ended so unexpectedly. And boy to get to that ending the author tugged at my heartstrings. Guys, it's a good one. No, it's a great one. It's the perfect amount of heartbreak, romance, comedy, to make the book one I won't forget.

Always Isn’t Forever by @authorjcervantes is a beautifully written of ode to death, true love, and the power of second chances!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I loved this book so much!!! It was a very cool concept crafted into an amazing love story. All the characters were complex and beautiful!!! I loved how the author tackled the topics of death, resurrection, angels, and the afterlife. Plus, the ending was PERFECT!!! All in all, a must-have for your book collection. Thank you @netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful novel! 🥰✨📚

#review #bookrecommendation #bookobsessed #instabook #booklovers #instabooks #fiction #readingtime #currentlyreading #readmorebooks #bookgram #author #amreading #novel #ilovebooks #booksofig #romance #fantasy #bookishlove #authorsofinstagram #readersofig #igbooks #writersofinstagram #yabooks #literature #thriller #bookaesthetic #love #nonfiction #booklife

It's always been Ruby

Let me start off by saying that I don't enjoy reading romance (books) but this romantic tragedy probably changed me. She's not like other books 💅 To think that one day suddenly you lose the love of your life only for them to come back to life in a different body and they can't reveal anything to you is heartbreaking and devastating isn't it? Well, sign me up.

It was easy to read thanks to the writing, fast pace and short chapters but really the characters' personalities and twists/reveals were probably why it was an easy read. I think my complain here would be that I wasn't a fan of the ending (I won't give any spoilers but I would have liked it to be a bit bittersweet)

Anyway, absolutely great, 100% would recommend, read this if you get the chance

DNF 19%

I can’t get over the fact the MMC who is latine dies and the only option to come back to life is to go into a white persons body that is his and his girlfriends enemy. I also just don’t care about any of the characters almost 20% in.

I definitely want to start this by saying thank you for the arc and letting me read this story . This was one of my favorite reads so far this year and if you want to embark on the journey with this book you’re gonna want tissues for sure ! Absolutely loved reading this arc

First of all, I want to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

Now I want to talk about this gem. I loved this book so much and I need everyone to read it, to begin with.

The book deals with many topics and I think that it does it in a very nice way and that it teaches you a lot. You learn to love the characters and become very attached to them and their stories. You want them to do well and to be well. I really loved that about the book, the way you connect with them anyhow. It also helps that you have the point of view of both and you can see what they think at all times.

Yes, it was a very sad book that makes you cry and you´ll want to hug the characters, but it has a very nice ending that melts your heart. It's worth everything to get to that beautiful ending.

It is a very nice book and one that I wish to remember because it deserves it and I hope that when it comes out it will have the recognition it deserves <3. From now on in love with this masterpiece forever.

I was very fortunate to receive this arc from NetGalley. This book had me hooked from the beginning. I loved the different POVs. I almost cried the entire time when reading this book. It was so good and emotional.

Get the tissues ready 🤧 this was beautifully written. My heart broke for Ruby and Hart, I cried smiled cried then smiled. This is my fav read of 2023 so far.

Thankyou for giving me the chance to read this on netgallery, I can't wait for the release date so I can have it on my bookshelf. Deffo one to read over and over again