June is a stay-at-home mom who feels stretched thin and unappreciated. While juggling the kids schedules, dinner time, and everything in between, she grows resentful toward her husband, Camp, who seems carefree and unavailable when she needs him. But after she tells him she wants a divorce, he seems to change overnight, confusing her even more.

This book was a great look into losing yourself in motherhood, unmet expectations, and realizing things aren’t always as they seem. I think Ashley gave us something new direction with this story and I loved it.

Some parts were cheesy, and June could have benefited from therapy to work through this, but overall I thought this was a solid 4 stars! There is a good bit of spice, but Ashley lists out which chapters to skip in the prologue, if you prefer that. I do think some of the scenes help further the plot.

Content Warning: Miscarriage

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my review!

4.5 stars rounded up!

I absolutely adored this story. I felt it captured motherhood perfectly; how lonely it can be, and just how much your entire personality and life shifts when children are involved. June was a great fmc and I really could relate to her worries and thoughts throughout this book. The running plot line of a marriage in trouble is also a topic that hit home for me and definitely made me emotional at times, but I felt this was approached and covered amazingly.

This was my first book from Ashley and I will definitely be checking out more books by this author!

I will be recommending this to my fellow book lovers who are mothers!

Loved this book. It was such a great story of motherhood, marriage and all the messy simple parts.

I was frustrated with June and Camp and their lack of communication. But this ended up being a huge part of their story and the silent sacrifices they made to love each other.

Ashley Manley has a way with words and her storytelling is amazing. I love all the little details along the way that lead to a great well rounded story. The characters were relatable and the ending was perfect. I cried!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wildflower Books, LLC for the early read in exchange for my honest review.

"Forever & Back" follows June Cannon, an exhausted mom who, after seventeen years of marriage, realizes that her identity and dreams have been overshadowed by her roles as a wife and mother. The novel portrays her struggles, reminding us that marriage and life can be messy and challenging, often overshadowing rewarding moments.

Although I may not have personal experiences like June’s just yet, I believe many women in similar situations will resonate with her story. I felt her pain as she wrestled with losing herself while her husband pursued his career, ultimately questioning her true desires. This emotional journey is relatable, regardless of whether you are a mother. It’s a compelling read that has deepened my appreciation for my own mom!

Be prepared to laugh, cry, and enjoy some spicy scenes, too.

This was my first book by Ashley Manley, and it definitely won’t be my last!

June Cannon has been married to her husband Camp for seventeen years and together they have three kids. One day she realizes that over the years she has put her dreams on hold. Camp has chased his dreams of playing baseball, being a revered athletic director and staple in their small town. June set aside her plan to be a photographer to be a stay at home mom. While she loves her kids, somewhere between her husband’s frequent travels, long work hours, and her young kid’s antics, she feels lost. She feels resentful. She feels like the woman she has become is a far cry from the woman she imagined she would be. There is so much noise in her head…the parenting books, expert podcasts, and the mom’s group ladies that seem to have their life in order but she seemingly has nothing in common with. She decides enough is enough and tells Camp it’s over. Camp begins to make an effort to change, while June explores the freedom & creativity that she always imagined her life would have. June finds herself opening up old wounds and discovering long ago secrets. She explores the idea that maybe women can be more than one thing- a mom…but also sexy/creative/fulfilled.
Forever & Back is a story that I think so many “middle aged” moms will easily connect with. It explores deeply relatable themes such as aging, marriage, & personal growth. Ashley Manley has done it again! She has gifted us with another beautiful story that will have you laughing out loud, teary, and ultimately pulling on your heartstrings.

4.5 stars rounded up.
Review to come and then favorite quotes from the book will be shared when the book is published in April. This book is the latest from one of my newest and most adored favorite authors. If you have not read any of her books, run to your nearest book source and pick up her previous 2 books! You will not regret it!

I was unsure how I was going to like this in the beginning. June springing a divorce on her long time spouse without at least trying to talk to him first (and him not objecting) just wasn’t for me and I couldn’t get behind the pretend happy marriage. But I moved passed it and I continued on because the motherhood aspect was very relatable and I could understand how she was feeling the more I read and got to know their story. It really portrays how communication can make or break a relationship.

Overall it was a wonderful heartfelt story of a woman finding happiness in herself, motherhood, and her marriage. I enjoyed reading it. 🫶🏼

Looking forward to reading the next book!
Thank you NetGalley and Ashley Manly for the ARC

Every mother should read this book! A very honest portrayal of an exhausted mom who one day realizes marriage and parenting has made her lose herself and her goals and she has to decide what she really wants and who she really is. Honestly Ashley Manley had me at the dedication alone. I think every mom can relate to this book in some way. It was an emotional roller coaster and the characters felt so real and authentic. By the end I was in tears and I felt like I was watching a friend find herself again. Ashley Manley has become an auto read author for me. Her writing style is smooth, her characters are in depth and her stories grab you from the start. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This should be on your buy list when it comes out April 1.

All I have to say is glory hallelujah! This book really spoke to me as a mom of four in my late thirties. "Forever and Back" was exactly what I needed. It was a beautiful reminder that life is hard and marriage is messy. It’s also beautiful and rewarding and sweet. But the beauty and reward and sweetness can often get lost in the monotony of the day to day demands. People change and grow and life throws curveballs; this book validates those who have been disappointed while also reminding that the truly important things are worth fighting for. "Forever and Back" highlights the very real sacrifices wives and mothers (esp SAHMs) make without taking away from the offerings given by fathers/husbands. It beautifully portrays the messy middle of life and finding love and happiness doesn’t have to be chased across state lines-it can be waiting in the life you already have.
I thought the author did a beautiful job tackling a tricky topic. The characters really needed to work for their reward and I was glued to the book the entire 24 hours it took me to read it. I laughed, I groaned in vicarious embarrassment, I felt all the tension and swoony feels-this book is the ultimate cat nip for me.
Four stars because I can only handle so much miscommunication. It went too far for me, and felt contrived to add extra drama. Otherwise-perfection!
Note: content warning for language and sexual content. The author has generously outlined which chapters contain sexual content and provided trigger warnings, both of which I found very helpful.

Wow! All moms should probably read this.

And grab your tissues you're probably going to need them at some point.

June is a 40-year-old mother of 3 and married to her high school sweetheart but what else is she really? This book focuses on her struggle with finding herself after being everything for everyone else and putting herself on the backburner.

I thought the characters/story were extremely relatable. I feel like at some point we've all felt like June in regard to motherhood. I loved that the book is only told in the perspective of June so we could experience every moment as she experienced it.

This was my first book from this author, and I'm beyond impressed. I will definitely be checking out her backlist and can't wait for book 2 of this duet.

Thank you Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for this ARC!

This review has been posted on Goodreads.

This book will be published on April 1, 2025

If you are a parent especially a mom I highly recommend picking this book up! This is a story that is one you will find hard to put down. It hits you on so many levels. Especially if you are struggling with where you fit in your life right now. It brings to life some of the struggles a mom goes through trying to navigate being a good wife, mother, friend and most of all finding you!! June is struggling trying to find a good balance between being there for your family and knowing where you belong. A very high five star. This story will definitely stick with you.

A very heartbreaking and raw story about a woman who has lost herself to her marriage, and taking the backseat to her husband and children’s needs and goals.

She has to recover who she really is and what she wants her marriage to look like.

With June feeling lost and underappreciated as a wife and a mom, she decides to make some immediate changes. Starting off with a separation from her husband, who is seemingly absent. She wants a chance to pursue her dreams, not just support her husband in reaching his. With the want for a divorce vocalized, is this the wakeup call her husband needs?

This book was heavy at times, and though I myself am not a mother, I really felt the pain June was showing us. Though on the other hand, I found June to be infuriating with her decisions, but I think that was purposeful to show us how difficult motherhood is with its ups and downs. I also hated Lyra in the beginning, teenagers have no filter = cruel, but that ending and her dedication to her mom made me cry. Regardless of if you are a parent or not, you need to read this. Makes me appreciate my own mom so much more.

Thank you to Ashley Manley and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!!

Ashley Manley writes with so much heart. Exceptional character development and a plot that weaves emotional depth with realism. June’s character growth and development is depicted with remarkable authenticity as she tries to build a life for herself outside of her family’s needs.

Forever and Back felt heavy at times, especially in its exploration of losing yourself in motherhood. The emotional weight of that theme really resonated, but I found June infuriating at times, which lessened my overall enjoyment. Her choices and perspective occasionally made it hard to fully connect, even though the story itself had a strong emotional core.

This was my first book by Ashley Manley and I absolutely loved it! I couldn't put it down!

So relatable to many moms out there. June is feeling invisible and lost as a wife and a mother and decides she needs to make some immediate changes. She wants a chance to pursue her dreams not just support her husband in reaching his. She's a little extreme in the way she plans to change things in her life but maybe that's the wakeup call her husband needs.

I was in tears at the end and loved every part of the story. I can't wait for Scotty's book!

There are no words to fully capture the journey I just experienced. One thing I’ve learned for sure: this book should be required reading for anyone navigating motherhood and marriage. From the dedication to the final word in the epilogue, every page was beautiful.

The story follows June Cannon, a 40-year-old mother of three in an unhappy marriage, as she sets out to rediscover herself.

Without giving too much away, I’ll just say this is a must-read for everyone. Ashley Manley is a gifted writer who draws you into every emotion with her words. As long as she continues to write, I’ll be there to read it all!

A huge thank you to Ashley Manley and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I will be singing Ashley’s praises for years to come. I already can’t wait for Scotty’s story, so I hope you’re writing quickly, Ashley!

I’m not a mom or a wife but daggumit this book wrecked me.

June has lost herself in motherhood and she decides it’s definitely, probably her golden boy husband’s fault. He’s busy being the high school athletic director and state champion baseball coach and oh building a new sports complex while he’s at it. June is trying to keep it together but her teenage daughter thinks her Mom is a dud and her twin four year-olds define mayhem. She’s convinced that her marriage is over, she needs a fresh start. She tells perfect Camp Cannon that once their daughter graduates it’s over but for the mean time they have to play house.

You’re just gonna have to read it y’all. You will laugh. You will fall in love. You will probably cry. You will definitely blush (marriage is spicy).

Thank you so much to Ashley Manley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the ARC. I can’t wait to read book 2! All opinions are my own.

My first read from this author has cemented her as a favourite - I already know this book will be one of my top reads of the year ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

While this story seems to be a small town romance/marriage in trouble trope - it’s so much more. I cried. I laughed. Then I cried some more. The storytelling is heartfelt and covers topics that every mum and wife deals with in a painfully honest way. I loved the raw look at marriage and how easily you can lose your way.

I loved everything about this book and definitely recommend.

Best book I have read in a long time. Ashley Manley knows how to write characters that are soo relatable. I am June. Most women feel like this at some point and it was so easy to relate. LOVED the ending! Please send more of her books. I am telling everyone I know to read them!