This was such a beautiful love story. Always Isn't Forever earns a one way ticket to the top of my favorites list. Author J.C. Cervantes delivers a one in a million love story with Hart and Ruby. This book had me hiding my tears as I flew home from my vacation.

The first time Hart Augusto laid eyes on Ruby Armenta she was covered in ladybugs. The little six year old rebel was fast at work, freeing them from captivity. From that moment on Ruby had won Hart's undying admiration. Now in the summer before their senior year Hart is preparing to give Ruby a special gift to show her what she means to him. When tragedy strikes will Hart get a chance to deliver his message?

This is a story of love and loss and finding yourself once again. How do we cope with grief and learn to live in another reality from the one we had planned. Most of all this story is about the power and strength of love. How it can bend and break and still find a way to survive. True love is rare, but always worth searching for.

This book took my heart on an emotional roller coaster and in the end left me feeling so hopeful I wanted to turn back to the beginning and immediately read it again. I can't wait to get a copy of this book into my daughter's hands.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group. I am choosing to leave this review here voluntarily.

The beginning really sucked me in. Hart drowns and winds up in a fellow classmates body. While the beginning started out strong, it was WAY too drawn out and then really rushed at the end. I would have liked a quicker pace throughout the book with a slowed down ending.

It was a very sweet book and I did like the concept. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review!

absolutely masterpiece like my brain is still processing what i just read i don’t even feel as if i even read this book i feel like i just finished watching an entire series rather than read it

honestly i didn’t know how i was gonna feel about this book from the blurb the cover say one thing but when you read then blurb then see the cover it’s another i really wasn’t expecting it but the blurb sounded so good and the cover look great so i gave it a try (best idea)

im not a fan of sad books personally and this book broken me but in the best way like i went through all kinds of emotion reading this book and you really get to love the characters like hart onfg don’t even get me started on him literally loved him from the very start but reading about him and the way he feels for ruby the the things he would do for her <3

and ruby you cannot not like ruby like maybe not love but you cannot hate her i love her i don’t know how she does it but i would have gone crazy you can really tell you treasure the relationship she had with hart and omfg their relationship and she just great like i feel like we don’t get too too much on her but the plot however she honestly is so strong especially when it came to memories and old things from hart

plot man i pretty much knew the plot going into this book but like all kind of scenarios were going through my mind while reading this like i was coming up with all kinds of ways for him to tell her and getting mad when he couldn’t just tell her up straight honestly i very and i mean very suprise on who found out first i will admit it was a bit confuse with the whole heave angles law and etc but eventually kind of i understood and like i don’t even think there was a single time where i got bored or tried of reading this long book

and the side characters too like ella onfg and don’t even get me started on lourdes she’s a literally angle and gabi and serena <3

this plot still blows my mind like you don’t even understand the love i have for hart/jameson and ruby

(arc review)

Always Isn't Forever by author J.C. Cervantes is a book I had apprehensions about, for some reason. I wasn't convinced it would be one that I'd end up loving, but let me just say, that I was 100% wrong! It was amazing! I was drawn in from the first few chapters and it didn't take long for me to fall in love with the characters Hart Augusto and Ruby Armenta. Jameson, Lourdes, Gabi, and George were great characters too. This book is one all readers will need to have tissues on hand, just in case those tears come flowing. It was an emotional rollercoaster, full of a lot of heart, sadness, grief, hope, and so much more, but it was worth the ride! I'm so grateful I got to read this book, thanks to the publishers and of course, author J.C. Cervantes, who I will continue to support through her books. This was the second book of hers that I've read but not my last!

Can soul mates live past death? J.C. Cervantes looks at this idea in the YA Always Isn’t Forever.
Best friends and soul mates since they were kids, Hart Augusto and Ruby Armenta had big dreams of traveling on the sea. These plans are cut short when Hart tragically drowns saving a young boy. On Earth, Ruby can’t move on from the person she knows is her forever love.

Due to some divine intervention, Hart is offered a second chance to live. Hart's soul is transferred to the body of a local bad boy who was scheduled to die. As the two souls pass each other, Hart is given valuable advice. When Hart returns to town as Jameson, he realizes that winning Ruby back will be more challenging than he'd imagined. For one, he’s been told to forget about her and his old life Second, he's forbidden from telling Ruby the truth. What the angel didn’t tell him about going into a new body? Memories of his life as Hart will fade away until his soul is finally at home in Jameson’s body. Will Ruby find out that Hart is still alive? Will she fall for Jameson for who he is? What does Hart’s new life mean for soulmates?

I enjoyed the idea that a soul and a body had a chance to live on. But the fact that Hart gets rid of all those in his life before bothered me. I get it; he had to separate from the partiers and the drinkers, but he hurt others by being so selfish. And yes, that selfishness is romantic as all he can think about is Ruby. I enjoyed seeing how he is able to communicate with her and his old friends without breaking celestial rules. Watching Ruby seeing Jameson as someone else is beautiful and I wish there had been a beautiful mix of Hart and Jameson, but the author decides we don’t need that. Instead, she cops out and gives an overly mushy story and doesn’t manage to prove that souls will recognize and love their partners.
This book has a great premise and I had looked forward to seeing what would be done and if true love could prevail. But the author goes the easy route, and I left the book disappointed.
Publication Date: June 6
I received an ARC for review; all opinions are my own.

Poignant, sweet, and emotional, this book tugs mightily on your heartstrings. With very intriguing characters and an engaging storyline that I feel almost anyone can relate to, this book offers up a romance packed with heart, feels, tension and twists that will have you eagerly reading just a few more pages every chance you get.

A great emotional read by J.C. Cervantes. I had such a great time being emotionally wrecked by this book. The cover initially caught my attention, and I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer emotion that was in this book.

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.

★.·´¯`·.·★ A R C Review ★·.·`¯´·.★
✨ Always isn’t Forever by J.C. Cervantes ✨
💭 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💭
⚠️ TW: Grief, Death, Loss of a loved one, Therapy sessions

“I’d rather let love break me open than never know its depths.”

°•*⁀➷

I want to express my gratitude to Netgalley, JC Cervantes, and Penguin Random House for providing me with both a physical and digital ARC of this incredibly moving and uplifting book. HAPPY PUB DAY TO THIS BEAUTIFUL BOOK TOO!!!

Initially, I was drawn to this book on Netgalley because of its stunning cover. When I read the description, my interest was immediately piqued. The concept is refreshingly unique, unlike anything I've come across before. I must admit, though, that I was a bit hesitant at first. I've reached a point in my life where I tend to shy away from overly youthful reads, unless they fall into the realm of high fantasy. However, I'm thrilled that I decided to give it a chance and requested a copy. I'm grateful that PRH reached out to me and sent me a physical copy of the book.

From the very beginning, the story captivated me, and I never found myself getting bored. It was an emotional rollercoaster, even from the first few pages. The moment Hart Agusto chose to save that boy from drowning and sacrificed his own life, leaving behind the love of his life, Ruby, until the final pages, I was deeply invested. There were also plenty of lighthearted and funny moments scattered throughout.

Cervantes' writing style and the flow of her words are exceptional. This made the book incredibly easy to read, to the point where I would have devoured it in one sitting if given the chance. She has a talent for creating relatable characters, and connecting with them was a breeze. Each character felt genuine and realistic, and I could feel their emotions seeping through the pages. My heart ached during the heartbreaking scenes, and I appreciated the well-paced chapters that didn't drag on unnecessarily.

This book delves into themes of loss, grief, letting go, and finding closure, while also highlighting the power of true love and perseverance. It was my first time reading Cervantes' work, and it certainly won't be my last. I fell in love with Hart and Ruby, and I admired how Cervantes expertly weaved this beautiful afterlife concept and the stages of grief into their compelling story.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone in search of a heartwarming, easy-to-follow, and tear-inducing read.

°•*⁀➷ Recommended for those who like:
✨ Romance, Sports Romance
✨ Fantasy, Paranormal
✨ Heartbreaking and uplifting stories
✨ Second chances
✨ Multiple POV
✨ YA, Small town romance
✨ Soulmates
✨ Sister bond, Family, Found family
✨ Short chapters

I was taken aback by the profound emotional depth of this book—it truly took me on an intense and heartfelt journey. In comparison to "You've Reached Sam," I found it to be executed far more masterfully. The inclusion of multiple perspectives added a layer of adoration for me, as it allowed us to intimately experience each character's unique vantage point. The book's poignant exploration of loss and tragedy struck a chord with me, showcasing its exceptional handling of these themes.

It’s been so long since a book made me cry but it just couldn’t b helped with this beautiful story. I’m having trouble putting my thoughts into words, but this book was just such an emotional story about two teens cruelly taken from each other. 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. It is a story of loss and sadness but also, real true love. 100% worth the read!

The story was so beautifully written and I can't stop thinking about it. Hart's journey was absolutely incredible and I loved every minute of it. I found myself crying throughout the whole book. But let me tell you, those tears were worth it! The story was just so heartfelt and touching. I can't thank J.C. Cervantes, Netgalley and Penguin Group enough for the ARC!

hart and ruby were destined to be together, but then hart tragically dies in a boating accident. he’s given another chance, though, through inhabiting the body of a classmate of his who was on the verge of dying. with cosmic forces preventing him from telling anyone the truth, and taking his memories along the way, will hart—who now appears as the bad boy jameson—be able to win ruby back?

it’s been so long since a book made me cry, so i was oddly pleased when i started crying just 14% into this. i’m having trouble putting my thoughts into words, but this book was just such an emotional story about two teens cruelly taken from each other. i loved how much it was shown that hart and ruby’s souls were intrinsically linked and that they would always fight to find their ways back to each other. i also loved the role friendship and familial bonds played in this book!

i would highly recommend this to anyone wanting a tearjerking read.

🐞⚓️🛟Always Isn’t Forever- J.C Cervantes 🛟⚓️🐞

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

“I should have stopped you. Deep down I knew something bad was going to happen. I could feel those thorny branches of my intuition days before. I’d never felt something so powerful, and I ignored it because I didn’t want it to be true. And maybe I was hoping that whatever it was wouldn’t turn out to be that bad. I was wrong. Anyways, wherever you are—I hope you’re happy and you have a guitar. And maybe if you’re not too busy, you can send me a sign? Just so I know you’re okay, that . . .” 🐞

Absolute gem that swept me away on a breathtaking journey of love, courage, and self-discovery. I’m not kidding. I need to give credit where it’s due and commend J.C Cervantes for crafting a story that seamlessly blends genres, effortlessly intertwining romance, fantasy, and adventure. The pacing is perfect, with a well-balanced mix of heart-pounding action and heartfelt introspection that kept me engrossed throughout. This releases tomorrow (6/7/2023) and I’m so so excited for you all to pick this up! If you’re a fan of crying, second chance romance, undefinable love. GO GET THIS!!!

Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher for this opportunity.

#BookReview #AlwaysIsntForever #JCCervantes #UnforgettableReads #MagicalJourney #Netgalley #NetgalleyArc

I really wanted to love this book. I really did-! When I read the summary, I was absolutely hooked! I could already tell it was going to be filled with both angst and fluff.

Immediately starting, the opening chapters- were SUPER SLOW AND BORING… Which, I didn’t mind, since some books start out like that and pick up shortly (give it some time that’s all). Sadly, that wasn’t the case here…

Unfortunately the story , continued having this cycle of being boring then slowly good. Only for it go back into the pattern again .

Ultimately in my opinion, Chapter 30 and onward, the story finally started picking up in pacing, and plot.

Moving on, at first none of the characters really caught my attention. The more it went on, I really enjoyed the encounters between Hart and Ruby, also the minor character’s also.

Oh my goodness, the ending was so perfectly written! I thought I had an idea how was it going to end, only to be caught off guard. But would I recommend to friends, no.

This novel has somewhat of a Freaky Friday vibe to it - in fact, Freaky Friday is mentioned in the novel. Ruby and Hart are high school seniors, best friends from childhood whose friendship morphed into love, who enjoy many of the same activities, and work for the same employer. They plan to spend their lives together. But then a terrible accident occurs, and Hart dies saving a child's life - or does he?

This is a story of love, loss, grief, and learning to live again. It is also a somewhat sappy YA romance novel, but it goes deeper than that. For anyone who has had to deal with loss - especially the loss of a partner - this novel deals with grief and depression in a very real way, but it also has an outcome that many grief-stricken people hope for and can never have; in that sense, those having difficulty dealing with loss may want to avoid this novel. Appropriate for high school and adult.

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

This was a 4.5-5 star review for me.

First off - I cried. A lot; Like snot cried. this story was absolutely beautifully written and the heartache could be felt through the pages. I really enjoyed 'You Reached Sam' and this gave the same vibes, but IMO was amplified and more emotionally involved for the reader.

Losing the love of your life is something no one wants to ever experience. But this story is about second chances and when the love of your life comes back in another body to fight for love - Can you say "star-crossed lovers"?! Hart and Ruby are a phenomenal couple but even as individuals, they were two characters that had so much heart and dedication. Their relationship leaves goosebumps on your skin and butterflies in your gut. The grief wrapped into this story was so well done, that I seriously had a hard time not crying. The way the grief didn't just define this story, but helped develop the plot and character growth was something I applaud. The plot of this book wasn't just about Ruby moving on but how she was coping with the loss.

The pacing of this book was perfect, I also loved that the chapters weren't super long. The cover alone had me hooked. So if anything you see about this book sparks your interest - Please pick this book up.

Please check the trigger warnings as this story contains grief, drowning, and substance abuse.

whelp. ouch. This book hits you right in the feels from the get go. Felt very similar to You've reached Sam but J.C was able to encompass more of that feeling of grief, it was difficult not to empathize with Ruby and not cry for her and what was lost. I really liked how we also got to see other characters and how Harts death effected them as well, it felt more natural to read when the impact was more widespread that the MC. The only off-putting part of this story for me was Lourdes, I felt like aspect didn't blend well into the story and its something I believe could have been written a little better.

Always Isn't Forever was a beautifully written story and I can't stop thinking about it. I wasn't sure how I was going to like it since there it revolves around death but the author handled it respectfully and honestly. Without giving too many spoilers, I absolutely adored Hart and the journey he went on. Ruby's grief was raw and heart wrenching and I found myself crying throughout the whole book. The supporting characters were wonderful; Gabi and Lourdes, George and even Jameson. It was just fantastic and I am so grateful to J.C. Cervantes, Netgalley and Penguin Group Razorbill for the ARC!

Always Isn't Forever is a book that took me on an emotional journey. The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it a thrilling read. The pacing is quick, and the chapters are brief, making it easy to get lost in the story. While some of the supernatural elements could have been better explained, the characters were well-developed and captivating.