Thank you NetGalley for this wonderful book, I was so excited to receive an advance reader copy. I am a big fan of Ashley Manley and this book did not disappoint. It is so relatable to feel lost in a marriage. I loved how this story brought that struggle to life, worked through the conflicts, personal growth, and depth of a long lasting marriage. It left me with a sense of hope, and a sweet reminder that love is worth the fight.

This was a book written for mothers, and she did an outstanding job! I related, almost a little too much, to some of the things going on in June's life. How she feels as a person, a wife and a mom and just feeling as if you lost yourself along the way when life takes over. I laughed and teared up at times while reading. It was a great book, but a little on the heavier side.

Spiciness: 2/5 🌶️

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!

The dedication in this book was beautiful, and it made me so excited to read it.

Unfortunately, I did not like June at all. I didn’t root for her. I felt that she was selfish, immature, and unaware. There were so many ‘I-I-I’, ‘well-well-well’, and ‘you, you, you’ comments throughout the book that made me cringe as well. I get having an impassioned speech, but June worked herself up just talking. I’m not sure if these were supposed to serve as an endearing stutter, but it didn’t work for me. It just made me want to scream at her: USE YOUR BIG GIRL VOICE!

I understand that people (myself included) can be drawn to comparison, and I feel like the author did a good job of showing June losing herself into the task of being a parent, trying to gauge how she was doing, and wanting things for herself. I just didn’t like her. I thought she was a jerk to her husband, and she went about things in unnecessary ways. Of course, I am sure if she handled it like an adult, it wouldn’t be a book. So there’s that.

When I read though, I want to like my FMC. There were a few times her behavior was such that I almost threw in the towel.

The last 10% of the book made up for June. The author did a fantastic job circling back and closing loops. She kept her characters consistent, and while I didn’t necessarily wish June a happy ending, she showed growth.

I’m giving this book three stars. A star for good writing and editing. A star for closing loops, and circling back, and a star for the dedication.

•Struggling marriage
•High school sweethearts
•Second chance romance
•Love triangle
•Slow burn

4/5 ⭐️
2/5🌶️

This one is for the mamas. Burnt out, struggling, under appreciated or overlooked. I wasn't sure how I'd like the whole love triangle bit with a marriage and family on the line but it turned out better than I could've imagined. The whole story felt very raw & real. Excited to read more of the author's work.

Thank you to Ashley Manley & NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book sucked me in right away as I could so easily identify with the main character, June. How she feels as a mom, a wife, a person, and just feeling as if you lost yourself along the way. Not only could identify with June, but some of her thoughts had me laughing out loud due to the relatability. I was torn while reading how I wanted this book to end, but I think it did end in the appropriate way and wrapped it up nicely. I am crossing my fingers that the duet focuses more on June's best friend, Scotty!

Recently I have been hearing rave after rave review for Ashley Manley’s books and I’m here to say this was even better than I expected. This book is about June a mother to a teenager and twin 4 year old boys. She’s a SAHM and feels unseen in her marriage and by her children.

This is one of the most relatable books I’ve ever read regarding motherhood and marriage. All moms need to read this novel. She perfectly captures the tough parts of marriage and motherhood. I loved her sense of humor about motherhood and mommy culture. I did find some of June’s actions cringy at times. There were times I found Camp annoying and other times I thought he was hot. I loved the ending and will absolutely be buying a physical copy of this one. A favorite for sure.

I was so delighted to get an EARC of Forever and Back. A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Ashley Manley for the copy.

Shewww this book hit hard! If you are a mom and have been through the trenches.. this one is for you! As a mom of 2 littles myself - I related on so many occasions. This book had me laughing, crying, cheering the characters on, and feeling like I was a part of the Ledger community.

This story follows our girl June and her journey through self discovery. She is a mom FIRST. Always. But what about her herself? Ashley Manley takes us through a journey of learning about ourselves, how to balance it all, and most importantly how to love forever and back.

I was up so late feverishly turning the pages to see how June and Camp’s story ended. If you need a mom friend - pick up this book and join June on her journey!

Thank you so much @netgally and @ashleymanleywrites for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars!!

This book was raw and heartfelt and I loved it. It was such a relatable glimpse into the role of motherhood in often feeling forgotten, under appreciated, and even simple at times. I liked reading a story about a woman in her 40s for a change. I could definitely relate to how June learns to find herself again after being lost in the shuffle of dinners, driving kids to and from places, and keeping the house in order. It was also a great discourse on perception in marriage and how we often feel like we are the only one sacrificing.

It made me laugh and cry and think about my own life.

I felt like a couple things were too predictable - like who was crowned prom king/queen and also valedictorian. I know it's a small town, but not that small. I wanted to get to know Scotty more - it seemed like their interactions were very much focused on June. So I'm excited for the next book about her. I didn't love the stuttering from June - it felt very repetitive at times. But I could see how it demonstrated her lack of self-esteem through most of the book.

Thanks to Net Galley for the eARC!

Trigger warnings: talk of miscarriage, some language, several open door scenes

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review. While I was not a super fan of this book and premise, it introduced me to an author I had not heard of before and checked out her previously written books, which I devoured.

Our FMC June, has lost herself. She's been married to her high school sweetheart forever, but he seems to be more invested in his work and adult baseball league then coming home to his wife and family. Then one day her teenager daughter (who is kind of the worse) calls her simple, alluding to the fact that she's a stay at home mom. June snaps after listening to a podcast and asks her husband for a divorce, but they should wait until their daughter graduates from high school, He is shocked at this and is determined to win her back. She is determined to win herself back and decides to give her passion of photography a shot, and, uh oh, one of her formal high school classmates is back in the picture and he is just as hot as before.

While I appreciate the idea of a 40-something mom/wife reclaiming her self and her place in the world, this felt a little uneven to me.

This book is for every mom that has felt exhausted and ready to give up. June felt unseen and unfulfilled and as a mom I know I've felt that way too at times. This book was a great reminder to keep going and that we can be the hero too. I cried at Lyra's speech at the end and I just loved it so much!

Unfortunately I didn't love this book as much as I'd hoped that I would. Reading other reviews makes it clear that I'm in the minority, and that's ok, not every book fits every reader.

June came across to me as an immature woman, despite her age and the fact she is a mother of 3. Camp, her husband and for most of the book, the bane of her current existence, is oblivious to her dissatisfaction. June has found a supportive theory in her anger, a series of podcasts that she listens to when angry. Being vulnerable, she accepts what she hears without context and lets it guide her decisions.

I didn't care for their parenting styles, but that's an individual choice not open to judgement. One other thing that drove me crazy was when June is trying to make a point, she repeats herself, like and-and-and. Often.

I won't let this dissuade me from reading other books by this author, I rated her last book 5 stars, it was so good. This just wasn't a good fit for me.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I laughed. I cried. I celebrated. I swooned. I mourned. I related. I rejoiced. I felt seen.

This book spoke to me on so many levels. It wrecked me and then put me back together again.

Written for all women who have sacrificed some part of their identities for marriage and motherhood, Ashley truly hits the nail on the head over and over again with this one. She has so perfectly captured the raw parts of marriage and motherhood that often go unspoken about.

Our FMC, June, battles with losing herself in marriage and motherhood and goes through the triumphant journey of finding herself again. The journey is so captivating and empowering, you’ll find yourself utterly invested in where it’s headed next.

Thank you, Ashley, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Wow! When my friend Mo recommends a book or an author, you don't question it. You just dive in! I went in blind to Forever and Back.

In my current life events, I am someone who relates so much to June. This book me laugh....A Lot! And it also made me SOB! Ashley manley sucks you in with her real ife events, and she makes you believe, that everything is going to be okay, and you're going to figure it all out.

Well done as always, Ashley! I can't wait to see what's next!

11/10 stars!

First of all, I just want to say how stunning and relatable I found this book as a mum and wife. Ashley’s writing is so beautiful and for any mum who’s going through similar or knows what it’s like to be in the trenches of motherhood - you have to read this book.

We don’t often see, if ever, stay at home FMC mums or relatable stories for your every day person but this story was so perfectly human and messy and dare I say the Bridget Jones energy with the messy life tellings. It was so gut wrenching and raw. I’ve never seen a story told like this before. Just perfect.

Life truly is so beautiful in the messy moments ♥️

This was my first arc review via NetGalley so thank you so much to them and Ashley for this opportunity 🫶♥️.

Loved this book! There were a few times I was upset at the main characters and their communication. But overall loved this story of a mom and her experience with her husband and children as they figure out life! Enjoyable, real life, love story.

there is too much to say and not enough to say regarding this book. i cant give spoilers. i cant give a adequate review from it (sorry as that IS why im here,right) but there just arent the words for it. there arent the descriptors. and that really runs parallel with there not being the words enough for our description on mothers. on all they are. all they give. the small and big bits. the micro ways, the huge ways. the divine ways of mothers who are our everything.
i cannot thanks mothers enough. i know certainly this isnt a given with all mothers. but not lets have to caveat everything! so for the sake of just needing to praise and love and think wonderous things of all mothers this book explores it all. and its a little love letter to them all.
and its so much more. im really sorry. what a horrific review. because i cant describe it enough. the plot is what it is but then there resounds so much more to this book that you just must read. and you must read to understand when i say whatever i write here wont do it justice.
for the small points i can give is here we have a mother. one who is fed up. pushed over the edge by her husband coming home late she asks for their divorce. but then he becomes something other. so what now? what next? what does this all mean? with kids to deal with on top of this. who are as kids are... what ever next for our mother.
this author is incredible and has done the incredible with this book.

What a beautiful, humorous and real-life story Ashley has woven together. I found myself relating and understanding the concepts, and situations. I was able to see myself in the MC and understand everything. And what a powerful author to be able to do that. I couldn't put this down and look forward to reading her other work.

After reading Every Beautiful Mile, I knew I had to get my hands on more of Ashley Manley’s books - so I was thrilled to get my first ever ARC of Forever and Back! Ashley really has an amazing way of building characters that feel real and relatable. I found myself wanting to read just one more chapter to learn more about June.

Contemporary romance is such a hard genre for me because I don’t want a complete fluff piece, but I do want to be happy that everything is tied up well at the end. I want amazing, fun banter, a real “issue” to work through, some fun sexy scenes that are natural and not forced, but ultimately a fun, funny, read with substance. Ashley Manley keeps delivering on all of these!

I know it’s a winner when I finish a book, wishing the main character was real and that I could be friends with them!

It’s also really refreshing to read about a woman who is in her 40’s, with teenagers and young kids - I really connected with that on multiple levels!

Thank you Ashley, for this ARC!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. This book made me cry. Really enjoyed this book. Will definitely buy this book and recommend it to others.

Wow. I really resonated with this book as a 40 year old woman who's been married over a decade. I loved it. It pulled all my heart strings. Very very good!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!