Secretly dating Coach Parker’s daughter was never part of the plan. Neither was becoming her dealer…
ADAMReturning to my drug-dealing past wasn’t on the agenda when I accepted the full ride to play ball at Cypress U. But Mom lost her job. And my sister’s medical bills are mounting. So, I’ve no choice but to change the playbook.When Emily walks into my life, like a fallen goddess with the … Emily walks into my life, like a fallen goddess with the ultimate power to destroy me, I know I’m screwed. I should steer clear, but I’m the one supplying her poison of choice. Falling for her is a complication I don’t need, but the more she’s around, the harder it gets to walk away. She needs me, and I crave her more than the sport I love.
Now, it’s all on the line. Including the NFL career that’s tantalizingly close.
The stakes are high, but family means everything, so I’ll take my chances.
EMILY
It’s only a problem if it’s out of control. And I have it in hand.
Except a certain a-hole discovers I’m using again, and he threatens to rat me out to my folks. Mom’s president of Cypress U, and Dad’s the illustrious football coach. Appearances mean everything to them, and I’m a continuous disappointment. They told me I’d be out on my ass if I fell off the wagon, so keeping it a secret is my number one priority.
Until the super-hot all-star QB takes more than a passing interest in me. Adam gets me, in a way no guy ever has, filling my head with ideas of forever—and now, I want more.
Dating my dealer is a recipe for disaster, especially when it’s forbidden, but I can’t help myself.
Because I’ve fallen too deep.
And the hole is too large to crawl out of.
Due to mature content and possible triggers, this book is recommended to readers aged eighteen and older. Please refer to the note at the start of the book. This is a full-length novel (93k words).
more
Holding On To Forever is a highly emotional read. One that had my emotions all over the place. I loved Adam and Emily. I could feel their struggles, the highs and the lows.
Emily appears to have it all. Her family has money and a beautiful home. But money can’t buy love. Money can’t take away the hurt. Money can’t solve emotional problems. Money can’t be there for you in times of trouble. My heart broke for her. Yes, she’s addicted to drugs. But that doesn’t define her. Once you here her story, you will start to understand. Adam didn’t know her story, and he still wanted to help her. I just wanted to hug tight and tell her it’s all going to be ok.
Adam’s life is a far cry from Emily’s. If it wasn’t for his football scholarship, he wouldn’t be in college. He couldn’t afford it. Family is everything to him. His dad left and never looked back. It’s up to him to make sure that his mom and his little sister are taken care of. More importantly, making sure that his little sister gets the care she needs for Cystic Fibrosis. He puts everything on the line to save his little sister. Then he starts dating the coach’s daughter.
The cards are stacked against these two. Their story is soooo much more than a drug dealer and drug addict. So.Much.More. It’s emotional and messy. But also sweet and altruistic.
While a huge fan of Siobhan Davis, I have never read anything by S.B. Alexander before. I was very eager to read this collaboration between the two. I was not disappointed. This novel has everything I love about Davis’ writing and it’s obvious that Alexander has similar talent.
This is a story that will touch people, all the while ripping their heart out. I can’t even imagine the life that poor Emily has suffered through. I’m a mother and the way Emily’s mother talks to and about her daughter made me physically ill. I can’t even fathom a parent feeling that way about their own children, but it happens more often than we’d care to admit.
Adam has it tough too, such a driving need to support his family at such a young age. Dealing with Phoebe and everything having a sister like that would entail. He is definitely a new book boyfriend. Such a big heart and a truly genuine good guy. So few of those left in the world.
If you like angsty romance novels that send you through twists and turns a plenty until you reach the very end… or if you simply like books that grab a hold of you and keep you reading WAY past your bedtime, this book is for you! Fellow Davis’ fans, you will NOT be disappointed!
*I received an ARC copy of this book which I voluntarily reviewed.*
Adam would do anything for his mom and his sister, Phoebe. Even if he has to deal drugs to make enough money to pay for Phoebe’s necessary medical vest, he’ll do it. He just didn’t know, couldn’t have known, that he’d end up selling to the woman he’d fall in love with. The very off-limits woman who happens to be his coach’s daughter. Yikes…
I absolutely hate to admit this, because I normally LOVE Siobhan Davis’ writing, but I just could not really connect with Holding on to Forever. I think the reason why is because of Emily. I didn’t like her character, didn’t think she was good enough for Adam, and didn’t really believe he’d fall for someone like her. It can be a tricky thing writing about addicts and addiction, because usually the addict is not very nice while in the throes of their addiction. The trick is making him or her redeem themselves once they’ve sobered up (if they sober up). Unfortunately neither author made Emily into a likable character, not even at the end when things were going better with her. Yes, she had a hard life, had something horrible happen to her, but it did absolutely nothing for character, instead made her already obnoxious personality even more obnoxious. Sigh… So I give this 3 stars because the actual story is good, but Emily is completely unlikable. I did like Adam, and his roommate/friend, Sam, though, and they helped save this from an even lower rating. I will still read all of Siobhan Davis’ stories in the future, even though I didn’t like this particular one, because she’s proven to me that she’s normally a sure bet.
ARC via Social Butterfly PR.
The storyline was well written and the characters were so well detailed that this story kept my attention throughout the entire book!
This book, I don’t even know where to begin! I’ve read almost all of S.B Alexander’s books and I have to say this is the most real, raw, and amazing book!! It talks about real life problems and how (in some cases) people turn to drugs. The troubles and trials they go through. The raw truths and the life they live. What they go through and how they overcome the problems. Adam has his own problems and even though he didn’t turn to taking drugs he did still turn to them for help. And Emily she has a TON of baggage and issues that causes her to turn to drugs to help her cope. Together they make it through to the other side, better and happier! I totally recommend this book!!! Way to go Susan!
This book will give you soo many emotions!! Adam and Emily’s relationship is a roller coaster of events that makes you waiting for their HEA!!
A great read
Holding onto forever is a standalone novel. A highly emotional book that got me hooked from the first page.
Adam is a great guy, loyal to his family to the fault. H e would do anything for them – and he does. He doesn’t hesitate to cross the line, do illegal and dangerous things in order to support them, risking his own future. And he doesn’t blink once. Emily is a troubled girl. Her emotional suffering had led her to the dangerous path of drugs and substances. She comes from a rich, but fake in all the things that matter, family. There were moments that I literally wanted to struggle her mom. I have read about a lot of villains in books, but for me the worst are those whose hate extends to their own flesh and blood – and her mom checks all the boxes. Her dad is a great guy, but he has a secret that is holding him locked in place (my jaw hit the floor when everything revealed).
Adam and Emily’s road to happiness is not an easy or a conventional one. It’s bumpy and difficult and requires a lot of self discovery and pain. It is realistic – and this is exactly what I appreciated the most in the book. It states that you need to work every day to be a better version of yourself and that nothing is impossible when you have around you all the people that love and support you.
All in all, it was a great read that shouldn’t be missed. 4.5 stars from me and congratulations to Siobhan Davis and S.B. Alexander for being able to conduct all these feelings through their book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This was an incredible story about bullying, assault drug use and most of all…love. Adam is the star QV and Emily is the daughter of president of college but when they’re world’s collide it’s an epic love story. We see so many of today’s issues in one story, I laughed, cried, shook my head and all out thought yes they belong. I can’t describe in words what thi s story meant to me. I hope we get more out of the kids from this college. I give it 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book as an Advanced Reader’s Copy.
I love when authors take on the tough subjects and bring issues to light! There were many in this book from drug addiction, sexual assault, and dealing drugs just to get by! The story shows you that there are shades of grey and life isn’t just black and white, right or wrong! We make choices based on what we feel is necessity and Adam and Emily did just that!
Though Emily was dealing with her addictions she was also dealing with a much bigger monster! She had secrets and was scared to reveal them because speaking it out loud made it all the more real! It isn’t until she meets Adam that she begins to see just how wrong she is but with her demons lingering in the dark she doesnt know if love can be stronger this time!
Adam has his eye on he prize; the NFL but when family issues arose Adam has to make sacrifices to be there for the ones he loves. As he is trying to find a way out he might just end all their lives if he doesn’t start making smarter decisions!
Adam and Em….I felt so strongly for you both for different reasons! Adam is a collegiate football player waiting to go to the NFL and taking care of his mom and sister the best way possible. Emily is the football coach’s daughter, struggling with addiction and parents who don’t seem to care for her. They meet in what are certainly not the best of circumstances and you see their relationship grow throughout the book.
This was a great college sports romance! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this title.
*** I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book. ***
5 stars
I swear Siobhan is killing me slowly with Holding on to Forever! This book is at times hard to read at times as there is rape and abuse. But there is also a lot of angst, heartache, addiction, redemption. This one will slowly gut you and then put you back together. I make it a point to never a miss anything by the angst queen, Siobhan Davis, and I highly suggest you always run her to the top of your TBR list.
This book was an interesting read. I’m not a big fan of overly angsty books, so while the writing and plot weren’t a problem for me, it just wasn’t my favorite. The Emily & Adam are going through some seriously heavy stuff & it was intriguing to see how they both coped with the overwhelming stuff.
“Getting involved with my drug dealer is a mistake, and he’s a football player too, which is a double no.”
Adam’s life is not easy. Thanks to the scholarship he got, he was able to go to college, and being on the football team is his chance to get into the NFL. With an absent father, a hard working mother who can barely pay the bills and a sick sister, money has always been a problem in his life. When his sister is taken to the hospital, and he finds that the problems go deeper than he thinks, he decides to return to his old job: selling drugs.
Emily may look like the perfect girl with the exemplary family, but in fact her life is imploding. After some time in rehab, she did not fully heal, and the drugs mask her feelings. With a narcissistic mother who cares for appearances rather than for her daughter, and with an omission and weak father, she’s sinking deeper and deeper. To make matters worse, she’s being blackmailed, and if the truth comes out, she’s in even more trouble.
Adam and Emily’s paths will cross, and this will put them in a tricky situation, for if the truth is discovered, they both have much to lose. Adam is Emily’s new supplier. And also her father’s team player. Selling drugs to the dean’s and coach’s daughter is Adam’s worst nightmare.
And with their closeness, Adam will try hard to help Emily by making her see that the path she is taking is very dangerous. Saving the woman he loves will become his only goal. Even with that, his life implodes.
Sorry, but I didn’t connect with any characters or the story. Despite what happened to Emily at the age of fifteen being traumatic and triggering her behavior, she seemed spoiled and weak. She does drugs for not to deal with real life, besides being promiscuous in the extreme, were not features that made her interesting. Unfortunately I have no way to defend her.
Adam has the most dramatic plot and perhaps the best reason for his behavior, but it is one succession of stupidity after another.
Several plots make up the narrative, which does not favor. The dealer problem was solved very easily. In the end, Adam lost everything but won the girl. I didn’t find a good exchange, in my humble opinion.
Unfortunately I did not like it. The book is well written, some parts hold interest, but overall something is missing.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *
So I’m not new to Siobhan Davis but S.B Alexander is a new to me author, so when I saw that SD had calibrated with her… someone I had never read before I was intrigued, and holy crap… I’m not sure what I was expecting when I went it to this book, but it sure as hell wasn’t what I go, but that’s not a bad thing. This book had me clenching my kindle, on the edge of my seat and totally and utterly obsessed with this plot.
It’s definitely not a light hearted read. It hit some pretty real and relatable topics for me. The past abuse, addiction, and heartache, all things I can relate to on a deep level.
Now to give a spoiler free review!… gah!
In this we’ve got Emily and Adam,
Adam is collage student, young, his whole life a head off him, he’s a quarterback for his school, but there are two sides to this guy. The Quarterback and the drug dealer. He’s forced to sell drugs to support his family. For that level of responsibility and the fact he had to sell drugs for his family, that broke my heart… but for him, it’s what he had to do to make sure his family were okay. He was so sweet, he caring and loving, I could help but fall for then character and it was much the same for Emily, now she comes into the picture when Adam and her cross each other’s paths and she turns out to be one of his customers,. things take a turn, and everything starts to change as we progress into the book.
Emily was definitely different to what I usually look for in a female lead character, but that isn’t a bad thing, she was misunderstood and the things she was going through made my heart ache… and she was trying to mask her demons…
These two were on fire and have that familiar push and pull, the angst factor is high as fuck and it was enough to send crazy…. but I I loved every god damn word of it..
I went into this book blind and I’m glad I did, because as soon as I hit half way through the first chapter, I was hooked.
I couldn’t get enough. The way the authors played these characters out was pure perfection!! Boys personalities were different yet, the balanced each other out an in way their personality bounced off each other.
Seriously, I wouldn’t get enough. It was captivating, all-consuming, adding and I struggled to put it down!
I came recommend this book enough.
5 angsty stars!!!
I fell in love with this story from the very beginning. Going in to it I was surprised with what I got (which was a deeper story then I originally thought)but devoured it even more! Adam was a great character and so far off the typical athlete you read in books. He has deeper substance and a unwavering no matter the cost devotion to his family and then he meets Emily who is off limits in so many ways but none of them matter to him. These two are in so over there heads but they also need each other which neither wants to acknowledge. Don’t want to give anything away but this author combo rocked
I voluntarily reviewed a advanced readers copy of this book
Holding Onto Forever is a NA romance that deals with some serious themes of drug abuse and assault. This story was unlike anything I’ve read before.Its real, raw and sad and will evoke a range of emotions from you. Told in dual POV, with twists and turns you won’t see coming, flawed well-developed characters and an tale about how two people decisions almost ruins their future, this well written novel will give you all the feels. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to all lovers of NA romances.
I was lucky to beta read this book.
I’ve never read anything before by S.B. Alexander, but I beta read all of Siobhan Davis’s books, so beta reading this one was a no brainer for me. If Siobhan is involved, I’m reading it, and if I can get it earlier, then hell yes.
If I hadn’t known that two authors wrote this together, I would have had no idea. It really flowed so well. There’s something so beautiful about stand-alone novels. Maybe it’s the sense of completion you get when you read them. I LOVE series, but especially when you have the cliffhanger queen around, they can leave you just jonesing for the next hit.
There is such tragedy in these characters lives. They have both been through so much. The way they meet is not your typical boy meets girl story. But, I’m so glad they find each other. I was so shocked by so many of the revelations. I really loved the ending.
I don’t want to say more without giving it away, but I would highly recommend this book!
Ive been looking forward to this release since it was announced. Being on Siobhan’s advanced reader copy team I have the privilege of reading before d day and taking time to reflect.
In this story you will meet Adam and Emily. Two young adults, each with demons nipping at their heels. In each other they find love, but it isn’t straightforward. It’s important to note that this story could be triggering for some so please use your support networks or the numbers listed in the book. I know Siobhan touches on many issues in her stories and I applaud her for not shying away from controversial topics.
Adam is a fairly stand up guy, intelligent, kind and loving. Emily is a hurt but stronger than she realizes young woman.
A fantastic collaboration that I voluntarily reviewed in return for my honest review.
It was a little slow for me at first and I honestly wasn’t sure if I would finish it. It’s hard for me to get into a book where the characters are into drugs. But after a few chapters I finally go into it.The main heroine in the book seems a little juvenile for a college student in my opinion but I absolutely adored Adam.
4.5 Stars
Holding On To Forever the collaborative work of Siobhan Davis and S.B. Alexander had all the elements that retain their loyal fan bases and that makes them stand out as writers.
Ms. Davis and Ms. Alexander created sincere and gritty portrayals in Adam and Em. These characters did not have it easy as they battled personal demons as well as actual villains even as they surrendered to their attraction. There was a real connection between this couple that was expressed beautifully by these authors. Adam’s need to fix problems could have been his down downfall but his straightforward goodness effectively negated any questionable means he resorted to right things. Em’s past and present were a cocktail designed for disaster, but even with her falling victim to a continuous loop of haunting memories she still strived to overcome them when she found something worth fighting for with Adam. This pair’s relationship was hard to watch play out even as it offered glimmers of promise insuring reader’s full attention to this story.
This work was slow to start as it found it’s footing but once it’s stride was established it moved effortlessly with a nice balance of these author’s strengths. A prevailing sense of hopelessness was overcome with strong writing that bravely tackled dark subject matter. Holding On To Forever was full of emotional struggles and depth filled portrayals that will touch readers and have them rooting for it’s characters to the very end!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*