The quick cut: A teen couple are split apart after one of them drowns in an accident. They're given a second chance, if they can make it together again.

A real review:
Thank you to Razorbill for providing the arc for an honest review.

Everyone wants to be loved and appreciated, but rarely do people experience the support of a true soulmate. It's a type of connection that can't be defined, yet inspires others when they see it. For soulmates Hart and Ruby, they'll need to overcome all odds to stay together.

Hart and Ruby have been best friends and soulmates as long as anyone can remember. They're a pair never apart until a tragic boating accident causes Hart to drown and Ruby devastated. Unexpectedly, an angel's actions give Hart a second chance at life - but in the body of a classmate who is in a coma. Can Hart and Ruby come together again? Or forever be apart?

This is a really cute story that runs the gamut from hopeful to sad over and over again. It's an interesting story and the characters are loveable, but I did find their emotions and character development a bit lacking in complexity and depth. This book would've been a knockout if that was better executed.

Hart goes through a real uphill battle with how he dies, ends up in limbo, and quickly has to choose whether to continue living in the body of classmate Jameson. Jameson's life is very different from Hart's and in the process discovers his seemingly easy life isn't as easy as it appears. He navigates difficult family relationships and differing needs while he attempts to win over Ruby. Oh yeah, and then there's the whole "losing his Hart" memories part. It's a lot to manage.

Ruby felt very simplistic in her emotions. I get they were soulmates, but not enough time was given in the beginning to establish that connected a relationship between them. She also seemingly did things that made in that position I never would've done. Maybe that's the point though - she followed her heart and not her head.

A cute story lacking in depth.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5

I thought that this was a cute book and a cute concept. It felt a little bit short to me and therefore maybe like it could have been a little more developed. It progressed a bit fast and I think it was over before I wanted it to be.

I liked the growth and change of the characters. They had to navigate some tough things and I think the author does the character arcs rather well.

While reading it I wasn’t quite sure what the ending of the book would look like, and I liked that, I liked that it wasn’t super obvious to me.

This book is definitely for fans of you’ve reached Sam. And I think it’s a good YA book that expands beyond just romance.

📚 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙄𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧
✍️ J. C. Cervantes
💬 English

3,5/5 rounded up to 4

I'll start with how much this book reminds me of an old Indonesian movie I once watched. If you search "Love is Cinta" up, you will know why.

It tells the story of Ruby and Hart, two lovebirds that have to be separated by death. Ruby has suffered tremendously since Hart passed away. On the other hand, Hart, who had died, was given the opportunity to live once again on the condition that he had to put off his old identity, and live as Jameson.

The conflict is very clear from the beginning: everything about letting go. Through two POVs, Cervantes tries to convey regret, emptiness, confusion, and rejection from Ruby's side, and hope, sacrifice and love from Hart's side.

This book romanticized life-and-death with a bit of fantasy thing with angels and supernatural ability (tarot reading, aura reading, etc)

The Q: is this book angst-worthy?
No precisely. There were 5 months gap after Hart's death (take it as the most angsty event) so the river-cry was no more. But some people might be need this as TW [death and grief]

Cervantes writing is simple, can be poetic-ly pretty in some parts, but overall the plot is well-known. No surprise turn of event (not as much at least).

As a reader of Cervantes' works (Storm Runner), this book doesn't have much difference in banter and vocabulary dynamics. Judging by the writing technique alone, this book is MG-worthy.

It's quite difficult to follow this book from Ruby's POV because we will feel a lot of the negative emotions that Ruby feels, over and over. I personally avoided the monologue a lot, and focused on the dialog with her younger sister.

This book is not as bad as my expectation (lol sorry everyone i need to because i kinda hate angsty cover). Again, don't judge a book by your assumption of the cover only. 🤣

Thank you Netgalley and PenguinTeen for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

#nyunreads

📚 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙄𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧
✍️ J. C. Cervantes
💬 English

3,5/5 rounded up to 4

I'll start with how much this book reminds me of an old Indonesian movie I once watched. If you search "Love is Cinta" up, you will know why.

It tells the story of Ruby and Hart, two lovebirds that have to be separated by death. Ruby has suffered tremendously since Hart passed away. On the other hand, Hart, who had died, was given the opportunity to live once again on the condition that he had to put off his old identity, and live as Jameson.

The conflict is very clear from the beginning: everything about letting go. Through two POVs, Cervantes tries to convey regret, emptiness, confusion, and rejection from Ruby's side, and hope, sacrifice and love from Hart's side.

This book romanticized life-and-death with a bit of fantasy thing with angels and supernatural ability (tarot reading, aura reading, etc)

The Q: is this book angst-worthy?
No precisely. There were 5 months gap after Hart's death (take it as the most angsty event) so the river-cry was no more. But some people might be need this as TW [death and grief]

Cervantes writing is simple, can be poetic-ly pretty in some parts, but overall the plot is well-known. No surprise turn of event (not as much at least).

As a reader of Cervantes' works (Storm Runner), this book doesn't have much difference in banter and vocabulary dynamics. Judging by the writing technique alone, this book is MG-worthy.

It's quite difficult to follow this book from Ruby's POV because we will feel a lot of the negative emotions that Ruby feels, over and over. I personally avoided the monologue a lot, and focused on the dialog with her younger sister.

This book is not as bad as my expectation (lol sorry everyone i need to because i kinda hate angsty cover). Again, don't judge a book by your assumption of the cover only. 🤣

Thank you Netgalley and PenguinTeen for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

#nyunreads

Thanks to Netgalley & Penguin Random House for the E-ARC! I actually really enjoyed this one! The storyline was really well written and it made me tear up a time or two. I loved the characters and the way they yearned for each other! Will definitely read more from this author!

Sadly this didn’t work for me. I was invested for the first couple chapters and then it very quickly went downhill. The whole afterlife but then coming back in someone else’s body didn’t work in this book. I would’ve preferred more time with Hart before he died so I could really connect with him & Ruby together. Hart coming back in Jameson’s body was weird and the dynamic felt off to me. Also took away the whole point of grieving with him coming back as somebody else.

"Always Isn't Forever" is a deeply moving and heartrending novel. J.C. Cervantes blends young love, loss, second chances, and the complexities of identity into an intricate narrative. Cervantes’ writing creates a brilliant balance between the lighthearted joy of first love and the shattering agony of unexpected loss.

The relationship between Hart and Ruby, childhood friends turned lovers, serves as the heart of “Always Isn’t Forever”. Their bond is evident, and readers will find themselves deeply invested in their dynamic. Ruby's character is especially well-executed. Her grief at Hart's sudden passing feels real, raw, and sometimes unbearable. It is in these moments of raw vulnerability where Cervantes shines, crafting a poignant depiction of human resilience and the power of love.

Hart's situation is a complex one, reincarnated in the body of the local bad boy, Jameson. This twist provides an intriguing twist to the story that, while challenging at times, adds a unique flavor to the plot. As Hart, now Jameson, grapples with his fading memories and his desperate need to reconnect with Ruby, readers will experience a multitude of emotions.

One area of potential improvement is the development of Jameson's character. While the premise of Hart's soul being transplanted into Jameson's body is undoubtedly intriguing, the execution sometimes feels lacking. Jameson's backstory could have been explored more thoroughly, granting readers a deeper understanding of his character and a more solid basis for the changes brought by Hart's soul.

"Always Isn't Forever" beautifully portrays the bitter-sweet duality of love and loss, challenging our conventional perceptions of identity and forever. Although there is the potential for the supernatural element to make things feel slightly convoluted, Cervantes manages to make it seamless and a natural part of events. Overall, “Always isn’t Forever” is a story that will leave readers deeply moved.

Gosh this is such a cute book with so much heartbreaking hope! I love Hart’s character and how he just goes along with every unbelievable experience that comes his way just for the chance to see Ruby again. His and Ruby’s love story is truly remarkable and a wonderful story to read. I am glad I got an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Razorbill. This book comes out June 6th, so make sure you add it to your June TBR! 🐞

I normally don’t really care for “sad” books but this wasn’t too sad to where it wasn’t enjoyable. It had a nice mix of heartfelt and sweet moments while also addressing grief and death and growing up in High school. I really enjoyed the romance between Hart and Ruby. It felt natural and I was rooting for them the whole time even knowing they were soulmates. I loved the premise of being “reborn” and how Hart held onto his own beliefs, dreams, and Ruby. He never wanted to give up and fought against forgetting who he was. I also really enjoyed seeing Hart and Lourdes the angel of death together. They had a great friendship and I appreciated how their relationship progressed and they each taught each other about life and what it means to be imperfect and human. This is a sweet summertime romance and while it does have it sad moments it’s a great coming of age star crossed lovers story. I think it would make an amazing movie adaptation and I can’t wait to see what the author writes next!

Thanks you Netgalley and Penguin Group/ Penguin Young Readers Group/ Razorbill for providing me with an eARC

I read "Always Isn't Forever" by J. C. Cervantes on NetGalley. This YA book was touching...I cried more that once while reading it. This is the story of Hart & Ruby, who have been friends for years. They are soul mates and when Hart drowns neither of them can let the other go. By divine intervention Hart gets a second chance when he comes back in the body of another local teen. But he can't keep his memories forever, there is a time frame and he tries to let Ruby know he is still there.

Taylor Swift said "unconditional true love is like you will love them even if they doesn't love you back" in this case even if they are not in this world any more. It's good how this book portraits grief and loss that it grabs your heart and squeeze it hard. I love when book can make you feel, and I dream about a love like Ruby's and Hart's.

Always isn't Forever is a sweet, somewhat haunted romance about two teenagers who are determined to fight against fate for their happy ending.

Cervantes creates a story that resembles an early '00s romance movie. Childhood friends turned romantic partners Hart and Ruby thought they would have forever. Until an accident leaves Ruby distraught with grief and Hart in the unconscious body of their school's bad boy, his original body already in a grave. Knowing not to give up his second chance, Hart fights to keep his memories as Jameson's complicated life takes over his own. Full of questions about identity and a swoony romance, it's hard not to get invested in Hart's turmoil. Without Ruby, his family, and a community, who is Hart Augusto?

While the three different first-person POVs felt redundant for parts of the plot, there is genuine heart at the center of the story.

NetGalley provided a copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating:4/5
"And the word love? Well, humans fling it around like loose change, but rarely have they tasted its true essence"
Always Isn't Forever is a story heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal parts, and so utterly romantic. I loved it! Heart and Ruby are great MCs and you'll definitely root for them until the end. The side characters are really great too. The book is not completely sadd, though. There are several funny moments as well. It ends on a hopeful note, with a happy ending. Although YA contemporary romance isn't a genre I often read, I found this one to be really well-written. It hooked me and I found myself continuously flipping the pages to know the outcome. So, readers, this June, prepare to bawl your eyes over this beautiful love story!
"The ocean rushes by so fast
Moonlight splinters through the mast.
Our hands stretch tall toward the stars
.Oh, yes. Yes, the future is ours."

.

I have few words to describe how BEAUTIFUL this book is! The writing was so captivating and did a fantastic job of showing the struggle of grief and learning to let go to those you love. The characters were written so well and each now hold a very special place in my heart. The ending was written very well and was not how I expected for it to end. I’ve already started recommending this book to friends, and I’ll definitely be adding it to my physical collection when it’s released.

This is a YA book intended for 7th graders and above. With that in mind, this had a lot of swearing and adult themes. It spoke of an afterlife but referred to God, Jesus and Christ as swear words and the "angel of death" is glorified or at least written in a way that leads you to feel for her. There is a central theme throughout that involves Tarot reading and being able to communicate with the dead. While I know many people like that sort of thing, it just didn't feel right to me for a reader as young as seventh grade.

Other than that, I still gave it three stars because I did think the characters acted appropriately for teens. They were impulsive and self focused in many ways. It seems that most young people think deeply about their first loves and believe they are soulmates. The relationship between the two main characters was sweet. The ending seemed unbelievable. It would have been more realistic if they didn't get the happily ever after yet I suppose disappointing too.
Overall, I didn't like the way it was written but I did like the young love aspect.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for and advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Would you love me if I was a snail? Would you love me if I was a lamp? Would you love me if...the age old question. But would you love me if I was your worst enemy?
Hart has died, well in some ways at least. He has been given another opportunity at life... but how can Hart when all he wants is his girlfriend Ruby back? And how can he have her back if he is trapped as her worst enemy now?
A enthralling story about love, loss and fate.

I loved this book. I was so invested in the story.

I've read Flirting With Fate and loved it. This book is even better!

It gives you all the ✨feels✨, I mean being on earth, but not being able to be with the one you love. 😭

DNF @35%
I thought I would like the premise, but I didn't. I didn't like the characters or the writing either.

Always Isn’t Forever is a masterpiece.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group penguin young read group for an e-arc for an honest review.


I know that I would cry and sob my eyes out, but I didn’t realize that simultaneously I would find hope, happiness, and human emotions in this book.
Ruby and Hart are two childhood friends that have always been together and fallen in love. They have always chosen each other, and have all their lives to be together until one tragic night, Hart died, but it wasn’t his time yet. And one angel takes pity and saves his soul into a new body. In that part, enter Jameson, the “bad boy,” football-loving guy Ruby can’t stand it. And can Hart get into Ruby's heart again with the story between Jameson and Ruby?


Get ready to grab your tissues and have you torn apart and mended simultaneously. I love their story so much, and the representation of grief, sadness, and depression it’s so real and handled so well. Ruby and Hart own my heart and mind.

TW: Grief, Dead, drowning, substance abuse & depression.

Thank you to NetGallery for this amazing ARC. This was such a cute and heartwarming story. Loved reading about Ruby and Jameson/Hart! I don’t think I have ever read a book like this one, but the writing, storytelling, and the fact that angels were involved made it a really good book. I’m excited for it to be published as I definitely think it is going to become a best-selling book!