A fellow bookish account put this on my radar and for that I’m so thankful. This was a new to me author and will be keeping an eye on all of her future releases. Loved this one!

Shaylin Gandhi’s When We Had Forever is an evocative and heartfelt novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and the passage of time. Set against the backdrop of life’s fleeting nature, the story follows two characters, Ella and Liam, whose connection transcends the ordinary as they grapple with their shared history and the deep emotions that continue to bind them, despite the years that have passed.

At its core, When We Had Forever is about the bittersweet tension between memory and reality. The novel shifts between past and present, weaving together moments of love and regret, hope and heartbreak. Ella and Liam’s relationship is marked by the intensity of first love, but as the story unfolds, readers come to understand that love—especially a love tied to the past—is complicated, and the ability to move forward is often more challenging than it seems.

Gandhi’s writing is beautifully lyrical, capturing the essence of longing and the pain of lost opportunities. Her descriptions are rich and immersive, drawing readers into Ella and Liam’s world as they navigate the emotions that come with revisiting a love that once felt like it could last forever. The alternating timelines provide a fascinating contrast, revealing the characters’ growth, mistakes, and the deep impact their relationship had on shaping who they are.

The character development is another strong point in the novel. Both Ella and Liam are multi-dimensional, flawed, and deeply human. Their journey is not just about rekindling a past romance, but about rediscovering who they have become in the years apart and whether they can reconcile their past with the people they have grown into. The tension between holding onto the past and forging a future is palpable, making for an emotionally charged reading experience.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Mina and Grayson. Mina is a widow. Grayson is her brother-in-law. They meet fourteen years ago at a fundraiser for a animal shelter. He offers her a ride to Seattle in the morning, she takes him up on it. Mina is trying to get over losing her husband. Grayson sends her an email to check up on her. They both have issues but together they worked them out and fall in love.

You will be left reeling by this dramatic, twisted, and addicting forbidden love story . I loved how the tale developed using the dual timelines and I am so glad I went into this book blind because I was quite surprised with how the story was written and developed. This book was an excellent, quick read as I could not put it down because I was curious about what might happen.

“Maybe. But if so, you’re in the process of waking up, and that’s all that really matters. Because if there’s no such thing as tomorrow, then there’s no such thing as yesterday, either. The only thing that counts is what you do with your right now.”

This book has so many beautiful sentiments, that I often literally had to pause, write it down and understand the depth of the sentiment. The scattering of these, combined with the sheer genius of the story, had me taking a lot longer than it normally would. There were parts that would bring me to tears, with the devastation you feel for Mina, and what she has lost, beyond just Michael. Everything that she gave up, compromised on and again this was so sad. You can't help but draw parallels with real life and assess whether you are where you expected to be, and what you've lost on the way to becoming who you are.

And then the twists that arise, I'm rarely surprised when I read but this gave me an actual AHA moment.

Pick this up for an entertaining read that still hits all the emotional and thought-provoking notes that make a story excellent.

Shaylin Gandhi is firmly on my auto-buy list and to top it all, she's an absolute sweetheart!

Thank You NetGalley, Shaylin Gandhi, and Canary Street Press for the ARC. I did wait for the audio to be available, and I am glad I did as the narrator, Carly Robbins was a good choice. This would make such a great movie. Romantic Suspense but in such a hidden form that Nina never even knew. As a reader you know something is wrong but until it is spelled out, you never would have guessed. Or maybe you would, but I didn't. This is not an "on the edge of your seat" suspense but I loved it. Go in as a Romance and you'll have fun. I absolutely loved how the ending played out.

Romance-check. Twins-check. An unexpected twist??-all the checks! This was an amazing story about love, grief, heartbreak and SECRETS! So many secrets! Mean, Michael, Greyson. All intertwined and each with antagonist qualities. I really enjoyed this one! I was able to tandem read and listen and so glad because I didn’t want to put this down for my drive into work. The female narrator, Carley Robbin’s did a great job portraying all the emotional aspects of this book.
4.25 stars

I caught on to the twist rather early in the book but didn't expect that it would be true because it was so far-fetched. The chemistry between the characters was what made this book so good. Overall, it was different than any other romance that I've read and I enjoyed that. It was not very believable which is why I didn't rate it higher.

Wow. I never could have anticipated where this book was going to go or the twists. This book evoked such thought and emotion, that of which I haven’t felt with a book in a while. It was thought provoking, heartbreaking and oddly a hopeful story. The author really blew me away with this one and I cannot wait to see more from them in the future! 4.5 rounded to 5 ⭐️

After Mina's husband passes, not only is she struggling with grief, but also the various secrets that begin to come out, shaking the foundation of everything she has known about her relationship. This one said it was perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover & Lucy Score, and I could see how that comparison is accurate. Unfortunately, in a similar vein to how I feel about most of Hoover's books, this one was a miss for me.

While I didn't guess the main twist (because I'm bad at guessing twists, and usually just go along for the ride), I could not get past the toxicity of the relationships. It is absolutely wild to me that despite the toxicity that emerged very quickly after that first week with Michael, she still decided to stay with him. I would argue that no one is shocked that it's an unhappy relationship.

There were definitely moments of this book that I enjoyed, including some of the interactions between Mena and her estranged brother-in-law, but there was too much I couldn't get past in this one. I really wanted Mena to finally go to Greece and then find new love and, more importantly, herself (& maybe an island cat) there. Her brother-in-law wasn't the good guy I needed and wanted him to be.

Interesting premise, not a bad book, just not for me! Thank you to Harlequin, Harlequin Audio & NetGalley for an eARC and ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the audio version more than the physical arc. of this one, but were really good though. I would recommend it. I rated it 3 stars.

Absolutely captivating romance! When We Had Forever is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the secrets we keep.

"When We Had Forever" by Shaylin Gandhi is an absolute page-turner! This dual-timeline mystery romance had me completely captivated from the very first page. The story is well-written, and the prose is beautiful. I found myself highlighting many phrases. The story follows Mina, who is grappling with grief after losing her husband in a car accident. As she delves deeper into their past, a hidden truth emerges, shattering her perception of their marriage.

The mystery unfolds at a perfect pace, keeping you guessing until the jaw-dropping reveal. The emotional core of the story lies in the poignant exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of human connection. Mina's journey of self-discovery as she navigates grief and confronts the truth about her past is both heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful.

The romance between Mina and Grayson has depth with an undeniable chemistry. Their connection is raw and passionate, adding another layer of intrigue to the already compelling narrative. Shaylin masterfully weaves together elements of suspense, romance, and emotional depth, creating a truly unforgettable reading experience.

Thank you, NetGalley, Harlequin Trade & Harlequin Audio for this ALC!

. 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 NetGalley for this advanced copy!

Shaylin Gandhi's "When We Had Forever" is a stunning debut that weaves heartbreak, betrayal, and second chances into an unforgettable story. Freshly widowed Mina Drake discovers shocking secrets about her late husband, plunging her into a journey of grief and self-discovery. Her connection with Grayson, her husband's estranged and brooding brother, adds forbidden romance and undeniable chemistry to this emotional rollercoaster.

The writing was a masterclass in conveying raw emotion on a page. Gandhi captured Mina's turmoil and Grayson's complexity with impeccable depth and made every twist and tender moment feel vivid and authentic. Fans of Colleen Hoover and Mia Sheridan will love this slow-burn romance packed with family secrets and intense emotions. "When We Had Forever" was gripping, heartfelt, and impossible to put down.

I give this book a 4.25/5 stars! Would recommend this book to any readers looking for an emotional, twist-filled journey of heartbreak, secrets, and swoony romance with a touch of suspense!

I really enjoyed this book. It surprised me actually how much. I did guess the big secret at about 50% but even knowing it was coming, it was such a good story. I really liked the characters and felt that they were complicated and thought provoking in a beautiful way. I listened to this on audio and it was very well done.

Heartfelt and beautifully written, When We Had Forever by Shaylin Gandhi is a unique and deeply moving story that stays with you long after the last page. The author weaves a heartfelt narrative filled with raw emotion, compelling characters, and profound reflections on love and loss. Shaylin's prose is delicate and gorgeously written, yet relatable. It draws you into a world of tender moments and heartbreakingly bittersweet realities. This is must-read for anyone who enjoys stories that touch the soul. Highly recommend!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

This one was really good - was more of a romantic suspense than just a romance, but I really found myself enjoying the twists and turns as Mia tries to navigate her new world - a world in which her husband, Michael is dead. The book does bounce back and forth between before, and after which I feel like that just adds to the overall story!

This story was so emotional, and so very good - I also absolutely love the writing style!

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

If this is romantic suspense, then sign me up for all the stories filled with romantic suspense! This was beautifully written, filled with character depth, passion and a story filled with twists and turns. So many that I don’t think I can share anything about the book without giving any spoilers away!

I will say that I absolutely adored Mina and her complex story, and loved every part of of her whirlwind romance! I went into this story blind and highly suggest going into this one blind!

Read this if you love:
✨ Romantic suspense
✨ Slow burn
✨ Second chance romance
✨ Forbidden love

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and harlequin books for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

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.