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).
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A very emotional story that draws you into the struggles of what addiction and PTSD can really do to not only the person struggling but to all their family and friends. Emily is hiding her pain in the haze of drugs. Adam is struggling to help his family financially while hoping for a future in football after college. When these two worlds collide, the pains of the past are revealed and the plans for the future tested. The story shows how the strength of true friends and family can help in the struggles. I truly loved the characters and cheered on each victory and cried for each painful regression and memory. As a member of the ARC Team, I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I just loved this book! Emily and Adam have so much going on in this book it was just so amazing, entertaining, drama filled, sexy, sassy and so much more!!!! It was a well written drama filled loved story. The forbidden feeling when you read some of their secrets was really great. The story line was such a good one as well. It was overall an amazing read and i would definitely recommend for you to read!!!! I received an advance copy of this book and I am volunteering to leave this review.
Siobhan Davis and S. B. Alexander are two of My favorite authors so there was no way I was going to pass this book up! You will not be disappointed! This book tackles so many tough topics in one- drug abuse, alcoholism, rape, mental health, and verbal abuse. They tackle these tough issues with finesse!
Wow! This is a heartbreaking depiction of college life and how they process and deal with some difficult situations. It was such a real and raw portrayal of drug abuse and the toll that it takes on all of those involved. My heart absolutely ached for Emily and what she was going through. And Adam too. He had such a big heart and loved so hard. He sacrificed so much to protect and take care of those that he loved. It was the sole reason that he was driven to sell drugs. It was dangerous and reckless, but it was how he first met Emily. He was immediately drawn to her beauty, but there was just one problem. She was the coach’s daughter and completely off limits. But the two of them simply couldn’t fight this attraction, and what unfolds is a beautiful and heartfelt romance.
Holding on to Forever is a well written, emotional tale with some real gut-wrenching moments. This story will tear out your heart and then put it back together again. It is one that will touch everyone’s life as it takes you on the most soul-stirring journey. The whirlwind of events had me completely captivated and furiously turning the pages. If you’re looking for a story about love that’s not always easy, then make sure to pick this book up. I can promise you that it’s not one to be missed. Without a doubt, one of my favorite reads of the year!
Wow what a Touchdown
I couldn’t wait to read this book. As soon as I got it I sat down and devoured it like a hungry wolf. Adam and Emily have off the charts chemistry and the angst and let’s be honest hot times are on point. Siobhan Davis is always my one click Author so to hear she teamed up for a co-write with S.B. Alexander had me beyond excited. This book is a rollercoaster and takes you on an emotional journey. One click this book now.
I’m going to start by saying that this book comes with some trigger warnings. Drug abuse, sexual assault, graphic content. With that being said…wow!!!
I received this ARC from the authors in exchange for a review and I never even bothered to look into what the book was about before saying “yes” automatically because it’s Siobhan Davis…I just don’t question her. This is one of those books where I’m SO glad I went in blind.
The same heart wrenching emotions Siobhan was able to pull from me while I read her Ryderville Elite series were present here. This was dark, gritty, and at times uncomfortable to read.
This story contained graphic detail about the lives of two teens who carry the weight of too many demons. One selling drugs to try and save his little sister and one trying to escape her awful reality, despite her past of addiction.
Our main hero was truly a hero. He saw a haunted girl and tried to be exactly what she was missing even though he enabled her in the beginning. It wasn’t long before he started to carry her and shelter her, giving her a reason to fight for something. There were so many times I wanted to shake some sense into these characters but then we got a glimpse into the reasons WHY they acted the way they did and I felt ashamed for doubting them.
This is a forbidden romance between the football player and the coaches daughter but it is so much more than that. It was raw, real, and unputdownable.
How deep into the dark side of life would you go again, to save your family? Adam took that chance to leave his drug dealing days behind, but as his sister’s life lay in the balance and medical science needs money to perform its miracles, he resumes his old profession. Little did he know, he would be an enabler to the girl who steals his heart…can he save her from herself? Can he save his own soul or must he choose between family and his heart?
Siobhan Davis’s HOLDING ON TO FOREVER is a painful look into the world of addiction, guilt, and the price one is willing to pay when they have nowhere else to turn. Raw, gritty and filled with grueling, graphic detail, this one is not for the faint of heart or those who cannot believe in the possibilities that this is not a fantasy, but a possibility when people hit rock bottom and pride, ego and fear are the closest things they have to grab on to.
Once again, Siobhan Davis holds nothing back as she pushes the envelope of creativity and sometimes steps over the line of horror.
Did I believe in all of the characters? No, but I also know it wasn’t necessary as this twisted tale unfolded. It was the lack of perfectly drawn characters that made this one so magnetic.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Siobhan Davis! My review is honest and voluntary.
Amount of sex 3.5 / 5
How explicit are the sex scenes 3.5 / 5
Story 5 / 5
Overall: 5 / 5
Wow!
Holding on to Forever is an emotionally gripping story written by authors Siobhan Davis and S.B. Alexander. Not only is the book flawlessly written with an amazing storyline, but the characters are so well developed. I became completely engrossed, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Although, at the same time, I wanted to read slowly and savor each word.
Holding on to Forever tells the story of Adam, the star quarterback at Cypress U, and Emily, the coaches out of control daughter. Their path to happily ever after wasn’t an easy one. It was often rough and extremely painful at times. There was so much more to the characters than what they showed on the outside, and as I read, I felt like I was peeling the layers and uncovering Adam and Emily’s true selves.
This is one book you do not want to miss!
*Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Copy*
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
It seems that my reviews for Siobhan books are redundant but the woman sure can write! This review is spoiler free so allow me to apologize it is it s bit general and cryptic.
Holding on to Forever is a dual POV story told by Adam and Emily and both of them are perfectly flawed – making them so much more real and somehow much more suited for each other. Their relationship is well described and you have no other choice but plunge heart ( I do mean HEART) first in the story.
This story is so much more than a love story between a dealer and a druggie, much more than the forbidden love of a jock and the coach daughter. It’s a story about loss, hurt, sickness, trauma, disappointment, abandonment but also, love, healing, understanding, growing, accepting and so much more! Siobhan stories are never linear and always have so many layers that I always enjoy discovering.
Again, the writing, whilst not as vivid as usual in the description, is once again close to flawless and really take you in an emotional turmoil along characters.
The plot might seem predictable but here again you will be pleasantly surprised – The story and characters are taking some unexpected turned that made me go “no way!” Once think is sure, you never get bored written by Siobhan! The pace is constant and the story flows nicely – Nothing bad to say on this either!
The book is brilliant and will definitely please Siobhan fans and any NA Contemporary romance fans. Then you wonder why only 4 stars if you only have compliments? Well, simply because I took me a little longer to warm up to Emily and because whilst I absolutely loved the story, I didn’t adore it as much as I did other books written by Siobhan.
**Before I write my review, I want to state that this book contains drug use and sexual violence. If these are triggers for you, this is not a read for you.**
This book.. wow, am I ever blown away. This is not a light hearted meet cute story of two college aged people falling in love and facing diversity. This is a story of drug use, of sexual assault, of emotional demons, parental neglect, and depression. This is a book that needed to be written to shine light on what happens to someone’s psyche after sexual assault (especially with it happening at such a young age).
Emily is such a complex character, and my heart completely broke for her. Her drug use is a cry for help, one that her parents don’t see, or refuse to listen to. To be fair, her father does try to be there for her, which is definitely more than I can say for her heartless mother. Reading some of the things that came out of that woman mouth regarding her daughter made me pause a few times. I will never understand how some mothers can have such disdain for their children. Emily has two friends (who aren’t really friends) that she does Molly with, and then ends up in sexual situations with. (It’s powerful to note that Emily feels good in the moment, but afterward when she realizes what she’s done, her shame comes out in full force. It’s a vicious cycle, one she doesn’t know how to break.) When she goes to score more drugs, she meets Adam, who because of circumstances out of his control, becomes her drug dealer.
Adam is such a sweet young man. Focused on the football team (the coach is Emily’s father) and keeping his family intact, he has a lot riding on his shoulders. His little sister has Cystic Fibrosis, and his mother recently lost her job, so he ends up becoming a drug dealer in order to pay for his sister’s medical bills. When these two meet, the attraction is there in full force, but there’s so many reasons for them not to be together, but when a monster from Emily’s past threatens her, they become closer and fall in a deep and passionate love.
This book was hard to read at times, but that in no way takes away from the brilliant writing. The struggles that Emily faces is more than anyone ever should, and her inner strength (even when she crumbles) is amazing to witness. This is an important book to read, especially with the #metoo movement, and how prevalent rape culture is on college campuses. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it is something that should be read. Five plus stars!
**I received an advanced complimentary copy of this book.**
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book. I absolutely loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. Emily has had a tough go at life and really isn’t in a good place but once she meets Adam who has problems of his own you really get to see the type of person that emily could be. I adored Adam. The way he loves is amazing. His mother and sister are his world and you can tell he’s do anything for them. Siobhan and really becoming a new favorite author of mine. She writes the type of stories that you just have to know what’s going to happen next. S.B. Alexander is a new to me author but I will definitely be reading more of her books!
Five emotional stars for Emily and Adam !
I love Siobhan’s and Susan’s writing style and this is the first book I’ve read that it was written by both authors. I love their co-writing and can’t wait for their next book.
I have to admit that this book shocked but in a good way because I didn’t expect that this book will be so emotional.
I thought it will be typical college romance but it wasn’t and because of that, I love it more.
It was more than romance…
It was a story about a broken person who finds her soul mate and then everything had changed.
“Holding on to Forever” is the book which will break your heart a thousand times but it will show you that with a right person who believes in you everything can change and that person can love you, no matter of your past.
I would love to read more books like this one because it’s not a book filled with flowers and rainbows but after all, it still has HEA.
If you’re looking for a not typical romance book with emotional parts in it, you should read this book!
Highly recommended!!!
I’m always wary about books written by 2 authors but I had no need to be with this one. Great characters, great story and fantastic writing by two brilliant authors. Hope there are more collaborations in the future!
Together, these two fabulous ladies have created something magical.
This story was so good, you won’t want to stop reading, I found this story to be refreshing and had a great storyline that drew you in from the start.
This is a book that grabs you from the get go and makes you not able to stop reading until you finish the last page. I couldn’t help but want to keep going to find out what happens to Emily and where things are going to go.
Emily is one of those characters that even though she does some things that are annoying you can’t help but have her in your heart and want to help her along the way. She is a super smart give that makes bad decisions until you find out why she does them then you will have your jaw on the floor.
Adam sucks you in from the start and you can’t help but stay on his team through it all. He is the quarterback that isn’t your typical jock that makes you love him right away and holds your heart as you keep turning each back.
There are secondary characters that also make you love them too, Sam is one of them. I could easily follow a story on him *hint hint* The authors do a great job of making you feel for all the characters whether it is bad or good, they have you hooked. The emotion that they could pack into each and every one is incredible and proves their skills.
I love this book, and I know it will suck anyone else into it as well. Even with the touchy subjects it will still hold your grasp until the very end and even after that. I still find myself rehashing the book in my mind and wanting to follow them all some more.
Siobhan stories i read are gripping and soul consuming but this is the first book i have read of S.B Alexander where these two authors have collaborated together to give you an addictive story of selling a part of your soul to help a loved one, no matter the cost.
College life and drugs are the main themes of this story but there is also survival and love. There
are themes of selling drugs that might leave people feeling uncomfortable but sometimes life is known to rattle our cages and make us do things to help someone who is worse off than ourselves. In this story Adam has a a sister who is very sick and he needs to find a way to help her out so he does things that doesn’t sit well with him.
Adam and Emily’s story is heart-wrenching and devastatingly beautiful. I love how the authors made me see a point of view of the other side of drugs and what it can do do the people you love. It was raw, gripping and painfully beautiful.
I highly recommend this read. Its not for the rose coloured glass viewers
Wow what a read ,this book had chemistry that was off the charts …….you could feel it through every word as you read…. it’s full of action , your emotions go from being happy , laughing to angry emotional wreck wanting to punch and hurt certain characters ….this book is everything you want in a great I loved every single word wrote , it played like a movie in my head and I had trouble putting it down …..brilliant recommended to all that love to read
This is a beautifully written story that deals with some tough subjects. Holding on to Forever centers around Adam and Emily. Emily and Adam attend Cypress University and Adam is very attracted to her from the first time he sees her. Emily is off-limits, since she is Coach Parker’s daughter. Adam is the quarterback. Emily has an addiction to “Molly” and when Adam’s family has some financial troubles, Adam starts dealing. I won’t leave any spoilers as to what lead Emily to using, but no one should have to endure what she did, especially not with Carole for a mother. This book has some wonderful characters and some horrible characters, but I’m so glad I read this amazing story.
Holding On To Forever by Siobhan Davis and S.B Alexander have blown me away with this tragic and emotional, new adult, college romance! This book was sp seamlessly written and just flowed so well that there’s no way I would have known it was a collaboration between TWO authors if I hadn’t already known. Siobhan is one of my TOP 3 all-time favorite authors and although S.B Alexander is a new to me, author, I most definitely wouldn’t be upset if these two decided to do another collaboration!
Adam Miller is the talented quarterback of Cypress University in South Carolina. But Adam’s home life has been a struggle. When his mother loses her job and his little sister who has cystic fibrosis gets sick, he makes a decision that could cost him everything…
Emily Parker, daughter of the University President AND the head football coach. From the outside looking in, it looks like Emily has everything that she could ever ask for. But on the inside… Emily and her family are falling apart. With a mother that’s so cruel, she wishes her own daughter was never born, and an absentee father who just doesn’t notice the change and the emotional turmoil happening within his daughter, Emily is struggling. The horrific events of one night set her out on a path towards absolute destruction and after that, it’s one bad choice after another.
Their bad decisions lead them into each other’s paths.
Both of them are making mistakes.
Both of them stands to lose everything.
Can they save one another before it’s too late?
You’ll have to check out Holding On To Forever to find out!
What an emotional college romance! This one was a bit different than the books I’ve been reading lately and I really enjoyed it. This book really hit home for me. Honestly, more then I wish it did. This is NOT something I broadcast, and I’m pretty sure this is the FIRST (and probably last) time I have ever mentioned this in or on my blog and reviews and I am really hoping I don’t receive negative backlash for this but… I am a recovering drug addict. I have been clean and sober for 5 years. Some days are harder than others but I couldn’t ask for a better life than what mine is now. I credit a lot of my recovery to my husband. He has been my biggest cheerleader and the greatest support system I could have ever asked for. So, yea… Holding On To Forever hit me RIGHT in the feels!
Adam Miller is far from the normal cocky star quarterback football player. He’s just a GOOD, wholesome guy and EXACTLY the kind of man Emily needed in her life. Adam makes some bad decisions but his motivations behind those decisions were good, Adam will do anything in the world to protect and provide for his family… no matter the consequences. It was so refreshing to see a character like Adam! I have gotten sooo used to bully romances and enemies to lovers, that I’m used to seeing the male protagonist being a total asshole, especially in a sports romance that Adam came outta left field! He is most definitely one of a kind. You could NOT ask for a better book boyfriend then Adam!
Emily Parker, I could FEEL what Emily was going through and could relate to her so, so much. Her life was spinning out of control and she had all these chaotic debilitating thoughts and emotions inside of her… so she found a way to quiet her thoughts. She’s a sassy, tough chick but everyone needs help now and again and without a support system, she was drowning. Despite her mistakes, you can’t help but root for Emily to get the help she needs and to pull through. Gahhh, yea this one hit home.
These two. Gahh… they found each other at exactly the right time. These are two people that NEEDED to find each other. Emily seems tough but she has an air of vulnerability to her that Adam’s instincts immediately reacts to causing him to want to wrap her up and help her. Adam is literally Emily’s knight in shoulder pads and a helmet!
There was an amazing cast of secondary characters! Sam and Phoebe made my heart pitter-patter! You honestly can’t ask for a better friend then Sam is to Adam. And little Phoebe, I won’t give away spoilers but I’ll just say I thought something really, really bad was going to happen and when I got to the end of the book I was so, soo relieved that it hadn’t. Emily’s friends… Scarlett and Zach. Ugh. I really wanted to like Scarlett, I really did. And at first I did, but BOTH of them went from friends to enablers when they were pretty much pressuring Emily NOT to quit doing the things she was doing. I would like to see Scarlett or even Zach have a story of their own and be getting their life together… I haven’t heard of any follow-up books and I know this is a standalone so not sure if it’ll happen or not.
This one was a more of a “sweet” romance then I’m used to seeing from Siobhan, and I must admit that it wasn’t my favorite BUT I did enjoy it! If you like more of a sweeter but sexy romance with some angst, and conflict then I highly recommend checking out Holding On To Forever!
Confessions Of A Bibliophile Overall Ratings:
– I liked this one! It wasn’t my favorite, but I enjoyed it! Readers who enjoy YA/NA, college romance, sports romance, sweet romances with a little angst and conflict would really enjoy this one!
– Not a whole ton of steamy scenes, but the scenes that are there are pretty spicy!
Cliffhanger Warning – No cliffhanger, the ending was all wrapped up in a sweet little epilogue!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
Holding on to Forever was well written – it didn’t even feel like there was two authors; it flowed so consistently. It was emotional and angsty and intense.
That being said, I didn’t really connect with either Emily or Adam. Emily seemed immature and weak. I tried to be sympathetic because her parents were extremely questionable, but I still couldn’t make myself like her. And I really had a hard time understanding what Adam saw in her.
Speaking of Adam and their relationship, I don’t even know how they fell in love? It felt like it literally just happened one day. Y’all know I am a total fan of instalove, but it really didn’t feel right for this story.
Okay, next point here. Adam gets into drug dealing to help with his sister’s medical bills. When I’m not being a Library Queen, my alter ego works in a health care field. So I am especially suspicious that she was not on state medicaid or involved with social work. There was literally no other way to pay for her bills??
Ahh, rant over. Regardless of the bad, I still enjoyed Holding on to Forever and would definitely pick up another cowritten by these two authors. But there was a little too much going on for me here, and I didn’t connect with the characters.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book