I really liked the book, the characters are well developed and have interesting character arcs, the plot was very interesting and captivating and I couldn't put the book down. I enjoyed the multiple points of view and the way the themes, some more complicated and hard to talk about than others were handled and developed throughout the novel. Definitely a must read!

“And in the end, I’d rather let love break me open than never know its depths.”

FOREVER SOBBING!!!!!
Captivating love story with the author doing a beautiful job captivating you with the characters being so easily drawn towards!!

This book was thought-provoking and, while sad, showed the strength of love. The main characters were easy to love, and it definitely kept me turning the pages.

“And in the end, I’d rather let love break me open than never know its depths.”

➤Plot

This story follows two main characters: Hart Augusto and Ruby Armenta. Two people who loved each other for as far back as they could remember and will never stop loving each other. Their future was always with each other. However, that changes when one day Hart dies and everything changes. Their future they planned now gone in a blink of an eye. No closure to be had. That is... Until Hart is given a chance to come back. Not in his own body, but in the body of the man Ruby hates the most: Jameson.

This is a heart-wrenching plot that tugged on my heart multiple times throughout it. I was uncomfortable at first with the thought of Hart being inside Jameson's body and slowly losing his memories, slowly losing who Hart is. Honestly, it scared me a little and reminded me of Unwind as a supernatural horror that I am so glad does not exist in out real world. However, watching these characters and growing attached - I wanted them to get together again. For love to persist through all obstacles and hardships. If you liked You've Reached Sam, you will love this. Expect tears, bring tissues, and enjoy the ride.


➤Characters

Normally I always have at least one character that gets on my nerves or don't care much for. In this? I enjoyed them all. They were all unique and entertaining in their own ways. I can foresee some people having problems with Ruby but she is grieving and doesn't want to let go of the man that thought would be her forever. You can't blame her for that. We all grieve differently and her journey through this book is worth it.

The only character that I wish we saw more of is Jameson. We see a small part of him in the beginning before everything happens but we don't truly get a good idea of the long history he has between the two main characters and the hate that resides in them. We are suppose to just accept that they did. I wish I could of seen Ruby actually into conflict with Jameson. I do like what they did with Jameson's characters. Never truly seeing him as a full person (because Hart was never close to him) but getting a good glimpse of what made Jameson who he was.

➤Enjoyment

I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this book! I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. What really made me intrigued was the memories of Hart slowly disappearing and you have to watch as things getting harder and harder to remember. So great. I was so pulled in and hurt through all those scenes.

I highly recommend anyone looking for a story to tear your heart apart.

After Hart tragically dies, his soul is taken by an angel and put into the body of Jameson. Hart desperately wants to tell Ruby what has happened but cannot. As his memories are being taken away, Hart becomes determined to communicate with Ruby before he loses her all over again.
Always isn't Forever is a young adult novel by J.C. Cervantes that asks the question "can true love conquer death?". Throughout the story, readers will experience both Hart's and Ruby's points of views. It describes Hart's inner conflict and desire to reconnect with Ruby and Ruby's reluctance to move on. Both characters face multiple challenges but learn to overcome them. The characters in this book were very likeable and had good relationships with one another. The storyline of this book is separated into three parts and is nicely timed with no unnecessary sub-plots that waste time. The ending of this book was very good. When reading this, I found myself becoming sad at times, which is a green flag for me because I like sad books. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Do our spirits 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓰𝓮𝓽?
Does love have the power to be 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰?

Emotional, romantic, and heartfelt. Cue the ugly cry. I went through countless tissues reading Always Isn’t Forever. My heart ached for Jameson and Hart. This is one that stays with you.

I ended up purchasing the audiobook to accompany my ARC read, and I loved it! The narrators were fantastic and brought the story to life. I highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Razorbill, and PENGUIN GROUP for the gifted ARC.

Always Isn’t Forever is one of those books you sort of fall in to and don’t come up for air until finished.

While the beginning chapters aren’t super-fast, it feels like the story is moving quickly because the chapters are short. In fact, this writing style really pushes the story forward, even when you’re not quite as engaged as other times.

But it’s pretty easy to stay engaged. J. C. Cervantes’ narrative is compelling. Her protagonists are likeable. And the idea that someone might be able to come back from the dead is one that will resonate.

Always Isn’t Forever is not just a love story, though. Cervantes explores grief on a number of levels — the ones who are left behind. The loss of your own life and memories. The impact on a larger community. Combined with the romance elements, it really works.

Always Isn’t Forever is a strong YA romance that reads almost cinematically. It’s a good option for those who really want to hone in on relationships.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Razorbill & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

Over all this book was ok. It really targets the YA audience. I would recommend this book to people who enjoyed You’ve Reached Sam. I liked the concept and the inclusion of magical realism, and the plot was easy to consume, it was nice to read but I wasn’t very invested and it felt more like a snack read.

It’s been a little while since I’ve read a young adult novel and this was the perfect book to break back into the genre. I rarely cry when I read a book, but this one broke me.

Ruby & Hart have been in love since they were seven years old. About to start their senior year of high school, they’re committed and looking forward to their future together. Their plans are abruptly shattered when Hart drowns while saving a young child. When he reaches the other side, an angel named Lourdes informs Hart he has the opportunity to get a second chance at life under two conditions: he’ll resume life in the body of Jameson, a classmate that Ruby hates; and there will be no way for him to tell Ruby who he is. Accepting the deal, Hart finds himself in Jameson’s body with a third condition to his new existence - he has approximately three weeks before he loses all the memories of his previous life.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Ruby & Hart are so in love, which makes Hart’s death absolutely excruciating. As he begins to lose his memories the angst ramps up as you root for Hart to somehow reach Ruby before his time is up. My sentimental heart almost broke towards the end…this book has all the feels ❤️

Paranormal romance isn't my usual genre, but the cover on this book grabbed me. And boy, am I glad I took the chance on Always Isn't Forever...the story really drew me in, and I've been thinking about it for the past day or two. I only wish there had been more to the story before (and after, really) -- more character development before Hart's death would have been great, and maybe more than just a quick epilogue at the end? I would have enjoyed seeing Whitney and Victoria's reactions to the "new" Jameson...

I was so excited to get this book. Told from multiple points of view, Always Isn't Forever, by J.C. Cervantes, is a quick read with lots of feels. It's about love, loss, healing, and the possibilities of an unexpected future. If you loved You’ve Reached Sam, by Dustin Thao, you will love this one. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

They say we're too young to be in love, so the song says. But for Hart and Ruby, there's no such thing as too young for true love. This is a story about love, a story of live which got even better after death.

Hart and Ruby's love story will remind you that love truly conquers all...even death.

This is a story about love, grief, and loss. It’s about how love remains even after we say goodbye. One of my favorite movie quotes that I feel sums this book up perfectly… “Death can not stop true love, it can only delay it for awhile.”- The Princess Bride.

While I did loved the overall premise, plot, and character growth, the ending kind of fell flat for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for a happy ending. I guess I just would have rather seen how Jameson/Hart and Ruby’s relationship grew even beyond the loss of Harts memories..
How new memories would have been made and together a new path was laid out before them. In the end it just felt like a magic wand was waved and all was put back together again.

I do want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for graciously allowing me to read this arc!

Always Isn't Forever by J.C. Cervantes makes you wonder if there really are angels and if you love enough a miracle can happen.

I loved this book. The characters were beautifully written and well developed. I loved getting to see Ruby in her journey of healing after the death of Hart. I also loved getting to see Hart in the body of the local bad boy trying to get Ruby to fall for him and trust him again. It was just such a heartbreaking and heartwarming story. I enjoyed every single page of it and I highly recommend it. I loved how the story had a bit of a magical undertone to it with Hart being a spirit in a new body and all that. It was such a good read.

Really glad I read this as I enjoyed it immensely!! This was such an emotional read that portrayed love and loss and grief so beautifully it hurt my heart so so much. If you enjoyed ‘you’ve reached Sam’ you’ll really enjoy this one!

This is such a beautiful multi-POV book with a touch of paranormal romance.

Hart and Ruby are in high school and truly in love when the worst happens -- Hart drowns. Ruby is left to face senior year and the future without her best friend and her love. Hart gets a second chance, only as Jameson, a boy Ruby can't stand, which makes his goal of winning her back all the more difficult.

I loved seeing the connection that tethered Ruby and Hart draw them back together. There's a great cast of secondary characters that are funny and endearing as well, which just made the story all the more pleasurable to read.

Overall, it's a sweet, touching story of finding your true love in high school, second chances, and moving on. The story is told mostly through Hart and Ruby, but there's an occasional Lourdes, the celestial being, POV to fill in some gaps.

Thank you NetGalley and Razorbill for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know if I have the right words to describe how beautiful this book was!!!! It had me crying hysterically and at the same time warming my heart!!! I don’t want to give too much about the plot but that ending had me crying happy tears!!! This just might be my favorite of this year!!!

Imagine finding your soulmate at such a young age in high school, oh what a wonderful feeling. Knowing you'll get to spend the most and rest of your life with that person.
Only for tragedy to strike.
This emotional journey took me through all the feels, it managed to portray a story of grief and loss, into a beautifully written journey of Hart & Ruby,
It was absolutely extra special that the narrative was in the form of first person multiple point of view.
Loved. Every single bit.

Five stars! This book was immensely enjoyable. The author took great care at the beginning of the novel to show the readers how special Hart and Ruby's relationship was, which definitely helped me feel all the feels as I kept reading. Ruby's pain was palpable, as was Hart's frustration at essentially being stuck in Jameson's body. By the end of the book the tears were really flowing!

This is a paranormal romance but it's different from others in that the paranormality, although it certainly drives the plot, isn't the main focus of the book. And as predictable at the plot sounds by reading the description, it certainly took a different, more emotional journey than I was expecting... as did the ending, which was not something I predicted. On the other hand, Always Isn't Forever falls for the typical YA trap of oblivious and absent parents to a fault... why isn't Jameson's mom more concerned about her son WHO JUST WOKE UP FROM A COMA and takes everything he says at face value.

But overall, Always Isn't Forever is a spectacular YA novel that I didn't want to put down. Five stars! Thank you to Razorbill and NetGalley for the advanced copy; as always, opinions are my own.