Member Reviews

Forever Hold Your Peace is a study about relationships, cynicism, love, and lies. The lives of six people are intertwined through love, friendship, hurt, and lies. Too bad they left more than two decades go by to address the problems and get hold of their lives in full again. Beautifully written, full of emotion, and gives a lot of food for thought regarding life, family, love, and what is really important to be held dearly in our hearts.
I thank Ms. Fenton and Ms. Steinke, their publisher, and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Forever Hold Your Peace is a gripping story of love, secrets and unexpected revelations that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke masterfully weave a mystery through the book that both fascinates and surprises the reader.
The novel focuses on the marriage of the main character, which should be a happy event, but instead descends on a roller coaster of emotions and hidden truths. The authors' skillful storytelling allows for a deep connection with the characters, making their struggles and mysteries even more exciting. I found myself empathizing with their flaws and vulnerabilities, which made the story even more real and relatable. One of the book's strengths is its ability to keep you guessing. Just when I thought I figured out the secrets behind the characters, the plot twists and reveals new layers I wouldn't have expected. This surprise moment is cleverly crafted and adds wonderful tension and intrigue to the story.
In addition, the pace of the book is excellent and the story flows smoothly from chapter to chapter. The authors' writing style is descriptive but concise, allowing the reader to delve into the story without getting bogged down in unnecessary details. However, I have to admit that the ending left me with mixed feelings. While the resolution tied up most of the loose ends, I felt that some aspects could have been explored in more detail or given more closure. It made me want a little more depth in certain characters.
Overall, Forever Hold Your Peace is a fascinating read that I recommend to anyone who likes psychological thrillers with a romantic twist. Fenton and Steinke have created a compelling story that will keep you guessing until the last page. Despite a slight reservation about the ending, this novel is definitely worth diving into for an entertaining and engaging read.

Was this review helpful?

This is a fun read, part rom-com, part crazy family drama. Olivia and Zach meet in Italy and quickly get engaged. When they return home to California, they get their parents together to meet and plan the wedding, only to realize some of them know each other and share secrets from their past. Chaos ensues!

Was this review helpful?

This was an entertaining book to read. It had so many interesting storylines and characters. Young love, first loves, betrayal, unresolved relationships, and secrets made the book difficult to put down. Thanks #NetGalley #AlcovePress

Was this review helpful?

I always enjoy a book by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. Their writing is always on par and never disappoints.

I think Forever Hold Your Peace is a little different than their other books, but I think that’s a great thing! I loved how they brought the past to the present and reunited two estranged families. Overall it’s a great book about family and forgiveness.

I highly recommend this book and any other books from these two authors!

Was this review helpful?

I was excited for the new book by these authors and it was another good one. Two ex best friends unexpectantly come together to plan the wedding of their children. Having not seen each other for more than 25 years it is a shock when their children meet and fall in love. When June and Amy’s friendship exploded it was because Amy slept with June’s boyfriend and it’s hard to come back from that. When an unplanned pregnancy is in the mix it complicates things even further. Now the woman have to try and work together planning the wedding. I loved the character development and growth of all the characters and I enjoyed getting the POV from more than one character. There were important lessons learned by all the characters and I loved the humour and the heartwarming moments. I’m glad to see Lisa and Liz back with another great book. This is a perfect read for summer.

Was this review helpful?

Small world. Meet the love of your life in Europe when both of you are from the greater Los Angeles area. That is only the beginning of the small world happenings. Some fun twists, but mostly they are the results of bad behaviors in the past. Interesting family dynamics. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Was this review helpful?

I’m guessing that if I were Olivia and Zach, I would have preferred to stay in Italy instead of dealing with their mothers drama that they create. I’m pretty sure I would have eloped if I were them.

I loved all the Italy parts but I found June and Amy’s antics a bit much for their ages.

I definitely look forward to their next book.

Was this review helpful?

These are two of my favorite authors! This book was a switch from what I’m used to from these two. Typically their books are domestic dramas and this was much more light. This was like a spring and beach read in one. It was HILARIOUS! I had so much fun reading this. I hope they write more like it!

Was this review helpful?

I just finished Forever hold your peace by Liz Fenton; Lisa Steinke and here is my review

When Zack proposes and Olivia accepts their parents don’t understand the rush, they’ve only known each for weeks. All 4 parents make the effort to go to a family brunch to see how the others feel about the rushed engagement.

Olivia’s mother is alway late. It’s June’s trademark but little does June know what she is walking into… As she walks in to meet Zack’s parents she gets hit with a blast from the past…. Her ex best friend…. Sitting next to her…. Her ex-fiance. The man who cheated on June with Amy.

Amy cannot believe her eyes when her old friend walks in. Which mother will come unhinged first? Will their shenanigans tear their children apart? Or will it be the secret Zack and his dad are hiding?

This book was a hoot! I laughed so hard at the mother in law antics! Firstly I can see why they were all shaken up. Their barely adult kids are rushing into marriage. That would be the first earth shaking thing for me then to find out that the parents were all connected with a past? I really felt for June. She was my favorite out of them all. I felt she got the raw end of a stick. I couldn’t imagine coming face to face with the friend I loved like a sister and the man I loved and nearly married until they had one drunken night together? They stayed together because she got pregnant which was the right thing to do but the loss. GUH my heart aches for them all.

I loved that the book had such beautifully descriptive scenes and some heartwarming moments. The writing was really solid and flowed really nicely. It was a thoroughly enjoyable book.

I love books that have weddings in them and this one was well worth the read.

4.5 stars.

Thank you @netgalley and @alcovepress for my gifted copy

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited for this one from Lisa and Liz, and it was worth the wait! I loved getting the perspective of the different characters involved in this story, and there was so much love and warmth, even through the hurt that they have to address and grow through. It's at its best when June and Amy are connecting.

Was this review helpful?

Another charming wonderful novel by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinbeck .A truly messy love story in the best way.A young girl madly in love newly engaged all is wonderful till the couple introduces their parents and complications are revealed.Will be recommending #netgalley #alcovepress

Was this review helpful?

In what felt like a throwback to their earlier work, the dynamic duo of Liz & Lisa have returned to the world of women's fiction. What happens when a friendship died over one friend sleeping with the other's boyfriend? And now those frenemies children are engaged? A whole lot of chaos!

I enjoyed all the family drama and shenanigans in Forever Hold Your Peace and truly loved the return to this genre for Liz & Lisa!

Thank you to Alcove Press for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

“I truly believe some of our worst choices lead us to things we didn’t know we needed. That a scar tissue from our mistakes is what makes us interesting.”

It was love at first sight when Olivia and Zack met on the Almafi coast. Instantly smitten, Zack proposes and Olivia accepts. Even more amazing? The lovebirds are from the same area. All that’s left to do is share the good news with their respective families.

Both Olivia and Zack’s parents are in amicable divorces, but all four parental units still have differing feelings about the impending nuptials. The mothers, Amy and June, are particularly concerned. Also weighing in are Olivia’s grandmother, more or less estranged from her mother, June, and Olivia’s younger sister and best friend, Chloe.

Finally the big day before THE big day arrives. Only when June finally gets to the brunch she realizes Zack’s parents are not strangers at all- in fact she was once engaged to Zack’s dad and best friend’s with Zack’s mom-well before they slept with each other on the eve of her wedding and had a kid together, that is.

Complicit in the understanding they need to keep it together for the sake of the “kids”, Amy and June still can’t help but to try to outdo the other in an effort to create the perfect wedding, albeit, not one that’s perfect for Olivia or Zack. As old wounds are reopened and secrets are revealed, it isn’t long before one has to wonder how much the upheavals will alter these two getting to the altar.

Forever Hold Your Peace is a rom com with Father of the Bride, old school 90s vibes. While some moments are intentionally ridiculous, others are annoyingly so. I could see it all playing out on the big screen, but in print all I could focus on at times was how childish the older characters acted in contrast to their younger counterparts. That being said, there are some tender moments and an underlying theme of second chances.

Was this review helpful?

Amid the love connections and relationships in the romantic novel are scandals, drama, and secrets, all needing to be sorted out. The book begins in picturesque Positano, on the gorgeous Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy. What a beautiful backdrop this is to be drawn into right away. Here, Olivia and Zach are very much in love and become engaged. When the couple return to California to meet with family, things get complicated and complex very quickly. Past relationships and history unfold with hurt, betrayal, forgiveness and trust all front and center.

I fully enjoyed the drama, comedy, chaos, and romance in Fenton and Seinke's story. This was my first time reading a book by this duo, which definitely has a chemistry in putting together such a fun summer read, with the bonus of substance. Add this to your summer tote bag, for your favorite reading destination. It's also perfect for a staycation!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance reader's copy. My review is my own.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a cute story. It begins with a young couple who meet on vacation in Italy. They fall in love and decide to return home together and get married. It’s one of those whirlwind courtships that have the potential to not end well.

Zach and Olivia definitely have something special and it’s obvious to everyone they are deeply in love. They broke the news to their families about their intent to marry and the two families are meeting at a restaurant for dinner. What could go wrong?

It turns out that 3 of the four parents have a past. A past that is not so easily gotten over. After the shock of realizing how they are all connected, the two families attempt to make the best of it. This is not so easy for the two mothers who find themselves trying to one-up each other throughout the wedding planning process.

I’m reluctant to share more in case it spoils the story for other readers, but take my word for it, this was a rollercoaster of a family drama. I loved how it all came together at the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A story of a couple who meet on the Amalfi coast, find true love, and then go home to discover longheld secrets of their family that threaten to ruin it all…an interesting take on a romance involving the two generations. Really enjoyed this one. Had a unique take on romance.

Was this review helpful?

an easy read when you want to relax. Good storyline, one you should read. 4 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Was this review helpful?

Didn’t refresh myself before reading this book and really was surprised by the storyline from these authors. I loved the ending and yes sometimes events seemed pretty impossible to believe but it was a good family drama. A bit repetitive and not a book that I couldn’t put down, but entertaining and a book that I am glad I read..

Was this review helpful?

Forever Hold Your Peace is the story of a young couple who falls in love and gets engaged after less than 2 months, only to tell their parents and reopen a messy history. Oh, this was fun. This was so much fun. The dynamics among the parents, the kids and the grandma all planning the wedding were the absolute perfect mix of hilarity and raw emotion, regrets, friendship, guilt, love and forgiveness with the most perfectly timed pop culture references sprinkled throughout. What book has the Trader Joe’s woman, a Friday Night Lights quote and Debbie Gibson? I was smiling, guffawing and clutching my heart all during the same chapter. Can someone please make this into a movie?

Was this review helpful?