I thoroughly enjoyed When We Had Forever by Shaylin Gandhi. It was everything I was looking for in a book: a truly intriguing story paired with a beautifully written love story that tugged at my heartstrings. The writing was captivating, making it an absolute pleasure to read.

While I found the plot twist a little over the top and perhaps not entirely realistic, it didn't detract much from my overall experience. The idea behind it was great, and even though I saw it coming, it was executed in a way that kept me engaged and invested in the characters.

If you're in the mood for an easy, heartfelt read with a beautiful love story at its core, I highly recommend When We Had Forever. It's the perfect escape for readers looking for something both light and emotionally satisfying.

I enjoyed the story and emotional ride but overall I had a hard time diving into it. I don't think the story was for me entirely but I ended up liking it and the heart wrenching, suspenseful story.

4.5 ⭐️

This was a fantastic emotional and suspenseful romance that is best to go into blind. All you need to know is that this is a story about Mina, whose world is turned completely upside down when her husband dies and she discovers a myriad of secrets he left behind. It is full of heartbreak, healing, secrets, hope, and second chances. While "suspenseful," this is not a thriller-- I'd describe the suspense as more intrigue in that I couldn't put it down!

4.5 stars

This book hooked me right from the start! It’s a compelling story about grief, love, and starting new. I couldn’t wait to see how everything unfolded, even though I knew it was going to hurt. Yes, you have to suspend disbelief a time or two along the way, but overall I liked how all the threads came together. I figured out the big twists pretty early on (thank you Sarah for chatting theories with me!), but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story.

The audiobook was narrated wonderfully by Carly Robins. She did such a great job conveying all the vulnerability, pain, and emotion of these characters.

Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars

I’m really impressed this was a debut novel. The before and after chapter format worked really well to slowly reveal the story and I loved how it all came full circle in the end. I’m looking forward to see what Shaylin Gandhi writes next!

CW: death of loved ones (past), death of spouse (past), grief, alcoholism and rehab, fighting, brief incarceration, fear of flying

*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*

(4.5 stars, rounded up)
When We Had Forever kept me absolutely hooked. I plowed through it in two days, mostly via the audiobook version, so I kept finding excuses to put my earbuds in so I could keep listening! This is a romance, for sure, but it has a lot of twists, so I might call it romantic suspense, but that doesn’t seem quite right either. Maybe a new subgenre? Romantic mystery?

It’s difficult to be very specific about the plot without spoilers. I can say that the book opens with Mina reflecting on what she was doing when her marriage ended (her husband Michael died in a car crash). The book then bounces back and forth in time, with chapters labeled Before or After.

Mina is still reeling from Michael’s sudden death, some months afterwards. She starts going through things in his office and comes across something startling. She retreats to a family cabin in the woods (this is somewhere in Washington State), because she realized that being in nature calmed her after a friend died, when she was younger. And then her husband’s estranged brother contacts her out of the blue.

Over the course of the book, we learn that Mina always wanted to travel but her overprotective parents kept her in place, due to a family tragedy, and later Michael didn’t want to travel either. She wanted to be a travel writer but wound up writing scientific medical articles instead. I really felt for her!

This story is such an emotional one. I’ve been recommending it to everyone!

The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Carly Robins, who I’m going to add to my list of favorite narrators.

Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to a review copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I loved it! Although I could see where it was going I had so much anticipation to get there that I could not put it down. Loved the story line and how different it was from other books I have read. I really enjoyed the writing style of the author!

I read this book last week. In one day. Turned the last page around 1:00 AM then was awake at least another hour thinking about these characters, their journey, and the - OMG - unexpected revelations. Fell asleep and dreamed about them. Woke up thinking about them. It's been six days and I still haven't been able to start reading a new book. When We Had Forever is part women's fiction, part contemporary romance, part psychological thriller, and one of my top books of 2024, putting Shaylin Gandhi firmly on my must-buy author list.

Do yourself a favor and buy this deeply emotional, beautifully written novel but be prepared to not be able to put it down. It's just that good.

Short synopsis: Mina is a recent widow. After her husband’s death she finds out all the secrets he’d hidden from her.

My thoughts: I loved reading this with my Bookclub, it was such a fun one to discuss! I’m keeping my review fairly vague because I feel like this is a great one to go into blind. The authors writing in this was so well done. Seamlessly telling the “before” and “after” while keeping the reading eager to piece together what actually happened.

I did actually guess a fairly large twist early on, but I still really loved watching this one unfold! It ended the way I secretly hoped it would.

Read if you love:
- Car rides with strangers - Instalove
- Travel
- Dual timelines
- Tension
- Romantic suspense
- Secrets

A romantic suspense story that follows a new widow who realizes she didn’t know her husband as well as she thought she did. This story has so many layers, and I love how Gandhi started slow with the action and gradually built up the events and tension, leaving me hooked during the last 30%. The romance was one I couldn’t stop rooting for and the mystery had me on my toes. Full of twists and turns, I had a ton of fun trying to guess what would happen next. The audiobook was narrated by one of my favorites, Carly Robins, who did a tremendous job keeping me engaged and making me feel all the emotions!

Read if you like:
▪️Romantic suspense
▪️Forbidden love
▪️Second chances
▪️Before/after timelines
▪️Twists

At what moment did I stop being a wife?

When We Had Forever was a literary romance soap opera of a ride. I've been baptized in the waters of Harlequin Presents, so it's not really a brag when I say, within ten pages, I knew what was going on. Whether you immediately catch the clues like I did, or aren't aware until around seventy percent when the Big Secret is revealed, I think both avenues would offer different kinds of enjoyment. The story is told all from Mina's point-of-view and instead of divided into chapters, we get Before and After timeline switches. I know some struggle with flashbacks but the structure of the story being told this way really supports the plot and the ride of emotions you the reader are supposed to go on.

Whatever happened between them that day, it was the spark that lit the fire of my husband changing. Which is why I hate Grayson and always will.

The story opens up with After, Mina struggling emotionally six months after the death of her husband Michael. They were married for over a decade but in first person pov, we really get an in depth feel for Mina's emotions and it's clear right away that everything wasn't rosy in her marriage, especially when it's revealed that she had divorce papers printed out. The jump to Before gives us Mina and Michael meeting, we get a look at young Mina wanting to escape her hometown and travel but having to deal with a mother who is severely traumatized over the death of Mina's brother and a bestfriend of Mina's who also died overseas. Mina and Michael have an instant chemistry but it's clear that Michael is holding something back from her and also doesn't want to persuade her from making the jump to travel to Greece at the end of the month. As the story moves back and forth from After and Before we see how the two fell in love and how Mina is trying to work through how their marriage ended up in the emotional place it did before Michael died.

“You were right before. You can never start over. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start new.”

This had some of that overly descriptive literary writing feel and the vast majority of the story is more sedately paced as we spend it in Mina's head and swimming through her emotions. The second half, especially the latter part almost felt rushed as Mina learns Michael had an identical twin brother, Grayson, and he contacts her after Michael's death. When they meet face-to-face it all starts to move pretty quickly as secrets are revealed and Mina has whole new emotions to work through. While the writing was literary, the plot was soap opera flair and I can't help but feel Mina worked through and forgave a bit too much and a bit too quickly. I felt Mina, personally, got a happily ever after and more of a happily for now romantically but that HFN could easily read more HEA for people who buy into immediate no questions asked soulmates. If you're looking to wade around in some emotional angst, this would be a compelling debut to pick up.

4 ⭐️

Received an ARC through Netgally and I couldn’t be more grateful at the opportunity to read a new book from a newly discovered, favorite author.

Stunning story about loss and all that entails and living life to its fullest even when it seems impossible. I never expected the twists and turns and I was pleasantly surprised by what ended up happening for our MC, Mina. She lost but found something even better and something even truer than she ever had before and I fell in love with this story.

Thank you to Shaylin Gandhi for writing this!!!

Unforgettable, that's what you arrrreeee (currently singing to this beautiful book).
Luckily for Mina, she married the love of her life. They met and it was better than fate. But Michael dies and she's left grieving the life she dreamed of when they first met but was never quite realized in the years since. Michael's estranged brother, Grayson, sends her an email that has Mina spiraling for answers to everything she previously held dear.
My biggest recommendation? Go in blind. Shaylin's writing is gorgeous - I devoured the prose and really struggled to put the book down. It's the most thrilling book I've read that is not, in fact, a thriller. I didn't know how Shaylin would be able to make me okay with every single one of her decisions, but she did it and I will never forget. It's my first but absolutely will not be my last read from her.
Thank you to HTP Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

I had to DNF. Between the awkward dialogue and plot and the obsession fat phobia I just couldn't finish.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster and kept me captivated from start to finish. I found myself on the brink of tears multiple times, so deeply moved by Mina's love and grief. The story had so many layers and the dual timeline added a cathartic depth and complexity. The ending was both surprising and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression. This is definitely one of those books that will stick with you for a long time. If you're looking for a truly original and heartfelt read, look no further. Excellent debut!

Thank you to NetGalley and HTP / Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rating — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format — 📖

Read if you like —

🕰️Dual timelines
❤️‍🩹Grief & healing
🥀Angsty, romantic suspense
🌲Woodsy, cabin atmosphere
🪞Self discovery
✍🏻Poetic writing
🏃🏼‍♀️Fast-paced read

Favorite quotes —

“I don’t know much… but I do know you shouldn’t tame yourself for other people sake.”

“The whole scene hit me right here in the heart, and it felt like life was reminding me that no matter how fucked up things get, there’s always something beautiful somewhere, balancing it out.”

“It’s a breaking down of mental walls, a reclamation of your own sovereignty.”

My thoughts —

I tried to take my time, sipping at this delicious book like a fine wine in the evenings. But man was that difficult because this was a bingeable masterpiece. I will read anything by Shaylin Gandhi and this book solidified my decision. Also…I suddenly find myself wanting to find solace in the woods, stargazing and running when trouble finds me.

When We Had Forever had it ALL. This book was so refreshingly original. I found the big twists and turns pretty predictable for the most part, but I read a LOT of mystery/thrillers so that was to be expected. That does not, however, take away anything from my enjoyment of the book! We have an edible MMC, an FMC rediscovering herself after countless regrets and losses, and of course a messy, angsty and beautiful romance with breadcrumbs throughout that make it completely unputdownable. The way the story unfolded was so well done! Also, everyone needs a best friend like Kate in their lives.

I found myself audibly giggling, getting “clench-my-pearls” shocked, and utter devastation all in one sitting — just overall all the feelings reading this book. This was an absolute treat. I ate it up!!

💌Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Thanks to Canary Street Press and the author for the gifted copy of this book!

What a wild ride! I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense but books like these that I can’t put down make me think I should read more 😂 WHEN WE HAD FOREVER is emotional, twisty, and addictive — a forbidden love story that will leave you reeling. I don’t want to say too much because think it’s fun to go into this one blind, but I loved how the story unfolded using the before / after timelines. That made for a great, fast reading pace and a book where I just wanted to know what happened and needed to keep reading. If you’re ready to swoon and gasp while being emotional and on the edge of yours seat, pick this one up!

This book kept me glued from start to finish! It’s a riveting mix of suspense, romance, grief, and mystery, with themes of starting fresh—or starting over, depending on how you see it (as the reader)!

Shaylin Gandhi weaves a story that’s both heart-wrenching and steamy, (a lot steamier than I would normally read) pulling you into the characters’ struggles and resilience.

That said, I did feel the pacing in the beginning was a little rushed in parts, which made it hard to fully sink into some parts—maybe it was by design— even with that, it was a page-turner I couldn’t put down.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Shaylin Gandhi, and Harlequin Publishers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was okay. I thought the best friend had potential, but we only saw her quickly at the start, and that impression could've been stronger. Their friendship, what makes them truly great friends, could've been stronger. It needed a save the cat moment, given how much of a personality her friend is.

I had trouble getting into it, and then I had trouble seeing the attraction between the main characters. I think their romance felt rushed, and I would've liked to see more about the main character's past up front, not just with the eventual love interest, but also with her then-husband. The back and forth time jump confused that for me.

5 ⭐️

This was a story with twists, turns, romance, some spice, grief, and so many layers. I was invested right away and couldn’t stop reading.

This flashes back to the past and then is also present time, which I really enjoyed. You see the story come together this way, and I loved that.

Processing grief and confusion with the FMC was such a ride. I felt like I was experiencing it with her. Seeing her in complete devastation and loss, in the middle of confusion, and then coming back into herself was just really beautiful.

The conflict was very understandable and not at all anxiety inducing or frustrating. It felt so natural and exactly the way the story should go.

I absolutely loved the flow of this. At first, I thought it was a little fast paced, but then it just made sense.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this read!

Quick Summary: An altered reality romance

My Review: When We Had Forever: A Novel by Shaylin Gandhi is a 2024 women's fiction release.

About the Book: "Six months after her husband died in a car crash, Mina Drake is still mired in a haze of grief. Reminders of her years with Michael are everywhere, but beneath her heartache lies an even more painful emotion. It’s a guilty suspicion she can hardly admit to anyone, even herself..."

In My Own Words: Often the truth of what we hope for is not the truth that we must live. Such is the story where Mina Drake is concerned. Everything she longed for always seemed to be a breath away. Will she ever be able to exhale and live freely in the place where her dreams are realized?

My Favorite Quote: "I’m seizing a moment, a right now no one can rob me of, if only this once."

My Final Say: This reminds me so much of the TV movie Deceptions (1985). It is somewhat different, but it has that same feel. This, much like that, is memorable. It is textured and disturbing. It is emotional and has a degree of darkness. I loved it.

Other: This would be a great book club read. There is so much room for discussion on the presented issues.

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Status/Level:🕸💬👍
Special Note: I would LOVE to listen to the audiobook of this; better yet, sign me up to watch the Netflix movie.

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this novel. I look forward to acquainting myself with more of this writer's work.