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A review by adriannasophiabookss
Always Isn't Forever by J.C. Cervantes
4.0
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book to review! The premise sounded really unique and heart wrenching so I wanted to pick it up.
This is a YA romance novel with a hint of magical realism. Ruby and Hart have been best friends and soulmates since they were kids and when Hart tragically drowns in a boating accident Ruby is absolutely devastated. However, Hart has been given a second chance. The catch? His soul is transferred to the body of the local bad boy Jameson Romanelli who Ruby can’t stand. When he returns to town as Jameson his goal is to get Ruby back but forbidden to tell the truth about his situation, it may be harder than he thought. Ruby however is immediately drawn to Jameson when he emerges from his coma and the two develop a tentative friendship. Will Ruby work out the truth or is Hart destined to be lost to her forever?
This was heart wrenching. Although Hart dies within the first few chapters, through his inner monologue as Jameson you really get to see the depth of his love for Ruby and you get a sense of how their relationship was which causes you to root for them. The fact that nothing was simple in terms of Hart’s situation also made the plot more interesting and there were multiple times where I thought he had finally succeeded but then the moment would slip away. The whole thing with Josie is what really got me, I love my dog with my whole heart and it just made me think about how she would know me if I was in this situation and what that would be like.
The magical realism elements were really interesting. Lourdes was a really fun character and the added consequences for her made the stakes even higher. I’m really attached to these characters. The whole time I just fell a rollercoaster of emotions, there would be happy scenes and then tense scenes and sad scenes. This book is compared to You’ve Reached Sam which I haven’t read yet but from what I’ve heard I would say this packs the same emotional punch.
If you’re looking for a good angsty and emotional YA romance then this is for you. Also the cover is stunning which is a bonus. This came out on 6th June so you can pick it up now. Grab the tissues though.
This is a YA romance novel with a hint of magical realism. Ruby and Hart have been best friends and soulmates since they were kids and when Hart tragically drowns in a boating accident Ruby is absolutely devastated. However, Hart has been given a second chance. The catch? His soul is transferred to the body of the local bad boy Jameson Romanelli who Ruby can’t stand. When he returns to town as Jameson his goal is to get Ruby back but forbidden to tell the truth about his situation, it may be harder than he thought. Ruby however is immediately drawn to Jameson when he emerges from his coma and the two develop a tentative friendship. Will Ruby work out the truth or is Hart destined to be lost to her forever?
This was heart wrenching. Although Hart dies within the first few chapters, through his inner monologue as Jameson you really get to see the depth of his love for Ruby and you get a sense of how their relationship was which causes you to root for them. The fact that nothing was simple in terms of Hart’s situation also made the plot more interesting and there were multiple times where I thought he had finally succeeded but then the moment would slip away. The whole thing with Josie is what really got me, I love my dog with my whole heart and it just made me think about how she would know me if I was in this situation and what that would be like.
The magical realism elements were really interesting. Lourdes was a really fun character and the added consequences for her made the stakes even higher. I’m really attached to these characters. The whole time I just fell a rollercoaster of emotions, there would be happy scenes and then tense scenes and sad scenes. This book is compared to You’ve Reached Sam which I haven’t read yet but from what I’ve heard I would say this packs the same emotional punch.
If you’re looking for a good angsty and emotional YA romance then this is for you. Also the cover is stunning which is a bonus. This came out on 6th June so you can pick it up now. Grab the tissues though.