3.5/5⭐️

This story centers around teenage love and how all-consuming and fraught it can be.

Ruby and Hart have known each other since early childhood and have become soulmates. Following a devastating turn of events Ruby loses Hart. But through an angel’s intervention, he returns in the body of their school’s troubled and arrogant bad-boy quarterback Jameson. Will Ruby realize what has happened before all of Hart’s memories are taken away? Can a powerful “always” kind of love really be a “forever” kind of love?

While this was fine and had its good moments and points (and kudos for keeping the relationship chaste), I didn’t really get all the feels of an emotionally compelling love story and loss that I was hoping for. I also felt like while the focus was on the couple’s relationship, I didn’t have enough background/insight into each protagonist, so I didn’t get a good sense of them as individuals. So unfortunately, I just didn’t feel that invested.

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin/Razorbill for providing the free early arc of Always Isn’t Forever for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

This story takes the idea of soulmates to a whole new level, and I absolutely loved it. Ruby and Hart's story is a beautiful and emotional one that paints a really good picture of the ways grief can hit different people. Ruby has lost the love of her life in a sudden and tragic way, and months later she's still learning how to let herself heal without completely letting him go. And while Hart is gifted a second chance, he doesn't get to just tell everyone what happened and pick up where he left off. He also has to grieve the loss of his previous life, witnessing the pain his loved ones are in, and also the reality that sometimes loving someone does mean letting them go. We all face those moments where we have to learn to accept what is, even when it's painful. At the same time, Hart refuses to give up on the belief that love is worth fighting for. It's a heartbreaking struggle that is so well-written, raw, and realistic. I definitely felt all of the emotions these characters were experiencing. I really wasn't sure what kind of ending this story would have, and while I won't spoil it, I will say that it was really well done. It's a well-paced, engaging story that swept me in from the very beginning all the way to the very end.

I really loved both Ruby and Hart as characters, and I'm glad the book is told from both of their perspectives. We not only get to see how grief looks for both of them, but we get sweet little flashbacks of their relationship throughout the years (because they met as adorable little kids) and what it was like for them to fall together. Of course, it makes their separation all the more heartbreaking. But it's so easy to care about and root for them both. I enjoyed all of the side characters as well, and even getting to learn more about who Jameson was before Hart became him. And these characters give the story more than just grief and sadness – there's humor, warmth, and hope all throughout. It's an emotional story, but also a really beautiful one about relationship and connection.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this for anyone who loves a story that pulls at the heartstrings while still leaving you with hope. At its core it's a story about love, a force so powerful it can transcend death. And honestly, what better kind of story is there?

This book is absolutely adorable! It's heartbreak and hope with a little bit of mystical spiritual stuff mixed in. The way the book ended is so heartwarming. I Love the spin on "meant to be" and its just something you'll have to read for yourself to understand.

The fact that I read most of this book in one sitting tells me how much I loved it. I've read four other books by the author. But they were all firmly in the fantasy/mythology genre, so this was the first time I read a story from her that was much more contemporary in feel (besides the magical realism of the supernatural). While some of the rules of what was allowed and what wasn't seemed rather arbitrary, once I got past that, I was able just to sit back and enjoy watching the story unfold.

I liked the (mostly) dual points of view as the story went back and forth between Ruby and Hart/Jameson, and having Lourdes and Gabi fill out critical parts was well done. Whether I was in the right frame of mind or the author is just really good at pushing my buttons, I ended up needing a lot of Kleenex. Any time a book can move me to tears, it means I connected strongly with the characters. There were more than a few moments when I felt really sad for who Jameson had been!

J. C. Cervantes is now on my list of authors to watch.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Still reeling from the unexpected death by drowning of her best friend turned boyfriend Hart, Ruby is struggling to cope with senior year, a decision to sell the boat they had restored, and college decisions. The powers that be decide to give Hart another chance by reincarnating his soul into a classmate who suffered an accident; the trade off is Hart will have access to Jameson’s memories as Hart’s fade—and he may miss the chance to reconnect with Ruby and for her to realize who he really is, since he can’t actually tell anyone.

Ruby can’t figure out why she is suddenly so drawn to Jameson, who actually screwed Hart’s dad out of some money for a car repair job in the past—she just knows she feels something, and keeps agreeing to spend time with him, much to the amazement and speculation of friends and relatives. Jameson could barely carry a tune and tries to complete one of Hart’s songs; he can suddenly play football but also recalls Hart’s signature wrestling move. Jameson’s craving for — and dislike of — tortillas is bittersweet. Cervantes shows the other side of the reckless popular boy: one who also lost someone close to home and has high familial expectations to live up to.

Also getting a second chance is angel Lourdes. Serving as guide for Hart/Jameson and doing random acts of kindness (mitzvot, one might say…). Told in three points of view, Cervantes carefully constructs a boundaried universe and then has the characters look for workarounds. Pacing is good, the story will resonate with empathetic teens, and the sprinkling of spirituality seasoned with Latino/Latina culture and CA setting is a wonderful mix. Since the lovers has been saving themselves for college, there are no intimate details beyond longing and impassioned kissing.

The cover art is gorgeous, with underwater and above, and the split indicating both the rift between them and Hart/Jameson’s shared body.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of AlwaysIsntForever from NetGalley.

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 received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)