“Sometimes people don’t understand the promises they’re making when they make them.” ― John Green, “The Fault in Our Stars”
Title: Love You Forever
Author: Amelia Bishop
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages/Word Count: 217 Pages
Rating: 5 Stars
Blurb: They grew up together, and fell in love along the way. But the night Cole & Rick came out to their parents their lives changed in ways they never expected. Before their romance could stand on its own, they were cursed by the gods to remain together, or die.
What happens when kissing your boyfriend becomes a life or death situation? When you have to stay together no matter how your feelings change?
Cole promised he’d love Rick forever. He had no idea how difficult that would prove to be.
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Review: As much as I love reading most books in this genre, it can be difficult to find something fresh and new. When I read this blurb, I was intrigued with the “cursed by the Gods” route the author took. After reading this book I am SO glad I gave it a chance. Amelia Bishop took a chance, and she made it work.
Cole and Rick have known each other for years and eventually, in high school, they became lovers. Both of these boys decide to come out to their parents on the same night and even though it goes very well for Cole, Rick gets a not so great reception from his parents.
After fooling around at their spot by the river they are visited by two gods and after getting an unsettling reading from one of the gods, they are cursed. The curse requires them to be together at the exact same time everyday, or perish alone.
For Cole this seems like the best thing that could have happened for them. He has doubts about their relationship working out once they both go off to college, and this curse will help them keep it together. Rick, on the other hand, knows he loves Cole, and it is hard for him to accept the changes he will have to make to accommodate the curse.
The first part of this book covers the ups and downs of their relationship, and trying to find a way to free themselves from the curse. The next part is one of the hardest parts to read, in my opinion. These two boys, now men, have struggled with their forced closeness and instead of keeping them together, the curse seems to push them apart.
Even without breaking the curse they do get a seven year reprieve, and during this time Rick seems to be doing fine and moving on, while Cole is barely surviving. Cole never lets Rick know how low he has sunk because he still loves him and wants him to be happy.
Near the end of the seven year reprieve, Cole and Rick have a “come to jesus” meeting, and many hurtful truths are shared. This leads them on a path of rediscovery with one another. They get another meeting with the gods that cursed them, and it seems that this time they may be getting things right. There is a HEA but getting there was almost more than I could handle reading.
Amelia Bishop has done a fabulous job showing how “forced” closeness can eventually push two people apart, no matter how much they love one another. As human beings it seems that we need free will, even in love, if we expect any relationship to grow and prosper. Cole and Rick find this out the hard way.
This book truly caused me to stop and think about how two people in love can grow apart yet find their way back to each other. It is a true example of letting someone you love go and knowing they will find their way back if it is meant to be.
I have to say this is one of the best books I have read so far this year, and I am going out on a limb and calling it a “must read” for 2014. I don’t believe you could read this and not cry for these two, as well as celebrate the full circle of their relationship.
You can buy Love You Forever here:
Very interesting premise. Goes on my TBR list. Thanks, Jackie, for a great review. :)
I hope you love it as much as I do Paul. I cannot recommend it enough. :)