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!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all the stars. I loved this book. Motherhood can be so hard at times, I really connected with June and her story. Life can be so messy but beautiful at the same time. I can’t wait for the next one. Thank you for the ARC.

This is a new author to me, and after reading Forever and Back, it definitely won’t be my last! ✨ I truly couldn’t put this book down and read it in a day!! Ashley’s writing is so beautifully written, and every chapter is filled with emotion, tension, heat, angst, humor…. Even though I’m not a mother yet, I feel this book is portrayed so realistically with all the highs and lows that come with marriage/motherhood. ❤️ Can’t wait to read Scotty’s story!! 😍

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free ARC!! 🥰

This review will be posted on Amazon and BookBub on the day of its release.

Wow just wow!!! This book was amazing but of course it was look who wrote it.

I was hooked from the very start and it made me feel like I was there in June's shoes. But, I guess we all have lived her story in some sort of way. Life is hard and this story is so relatable and heartfelt. I laughed, I cried, got mad!--wash rinse repeat. All of the feels were out with this one. My first 5 star of the year. I would rate it a kabillion stars if I could. I didn't want the book to end.

Don't pass on this one you will regret it. And if you haven't read Ashley's other books run to add those to your cart too, they won't disappoint.

I will say that I don't usually write many reviews or read e-books. BUT....for an Ashley Manley masterpiece I will do it all. I can't wait until the Fall for the next part of the duet.

Thank you NetGalley and Ashley Manley for the ARC for a honest review. I'm so happy that I didn't have to have FOMO 🤣.

Identity crisis, relationship struggles, motherhood antics, influencer/expert culture.... this story touches on them all.

June is a 40-year-old SAHM who has reached her tipping point. Feeling alone, ignored, and unvalued, June decides she needs to blow it all up to find a way to a place where she will be happy. Along the way, she discovers more about herself and those around her.

I related to this story as a 41-year-old mom and wife. It is so easy to get lost in the day-to-day of keeping a house and family functioning; however, those around us cannot understand we are drowning if we do not communicate. It is so easy to think others and "experts" have the answers for us.
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Spoiler-ish:
I appreciated that the author did not make this a love triangle book. Reed was there to set some plot points in action, but it never delved into stereotypical who will she choose territory.
I thought June's source of therapy outlet was quirky and fun.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to Negalley and Victory Editing for this Advanced Reader Copy.

If you’re a mother you have probably felt this way at some point, stuck and giving so much of your self while your dreams are put on hold. They way that motherhood can feel lonely, the grieving of babies lost before birth that can only be understood by people have been through it. A marriage that needs some attention. This is the most relatable contemporary romance that I’ve read recently. Prepare to sob at the end.

Just finished Forever and Back. It was SO good. I actually wasn’t sure I liked it for the first 3/4 of the book. I mean the writing was done really well and I couldn’t stop reading, but the FMC June was kind of a brat and was self sabotaging which was hard. However, Ashley did an amazing job and she made this story relatable (at least on some degree) to all mothers. She wrapped it up beautifully at the end and I totally cried.

Manley's work is real and raw, managing to expose all the vulnerabilities that we can feel as a spouse and a mother. June Cannon is the main character that exemplifies this time in life. A time that is messy, complicated and overwhelming with life's obligations to where you feel like you have lost a piece of yourself. I've been there, and I dare say that many mothers (and most likely some fathers) have been there at least to a degree. This truly felt like reading a diary...uncensored, emotional and genuine. It's bound to resonate with many readers. BUT...let me take a moment to appreciate the character, Camp. As you turn the pages, the appreciation grows and grows. This is romance with depth, and I truly enjoyed it. (Tip: Be ready with the tissues.)

Thank you Victory Editing via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. These opinions are entirely my own. I will be quick to find more works from Ashley Manley, an author who has captured my attention!

Ashley has a gift for writing real women with real struggles that readers can relate to. I appreciated this book so much because every wife/mother has felt this way at some point. Lost and frustrated and stuck. I love June so much! I pictured Rachel McAdams as June and now I can totally see it as a movie in my mind. But who plays Camp? Chris Evans do we dare????