Rae never expected to be a widow at twenty-six, and she has no idea how she’d have gotten through the last year if not for Dylan. He’s become her best friend. One day he’ll make some woman a wonderful husband. Sometimes, late at night when she’s feeling especially alone, Rae wishes it could be her. But she’s committed to not remarry until her children are grown. He’ll be taken by the time she’s … she’s free.Dylan is in love with Rae but is hesitant to act on his feelings because he knows she needs time to heal. But when a guy at work begins to show interest in her, Dylan worries she’ll never see him as more than a friend.Rae seems content without a social life, but a coworker convinces them both to sign up with an online dating service. Dylan jumps in with the desperate hope it will make Rae see him as husband material. But if it doesn’t work, he risks the torture of being her best friend while watching as she falls for another man.
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I loved this story. I went back and reread The Gift of a Child before I read this one just to remember the story. I’m glad I did, because I love that story. However, this book can be read as a stand alone. I just love Rae and Dylan. They fit so perfectly. I was kind of surprised by Rae’s hesitation, especially with how amazing Dylan is, luckily there are some great secondary characters to help these two out. This story has all the emotions, but is so good.
5 stars
I received a copy of the novel The Forever Gift: The Gift Series book 2 by Donna K Weaver and this review was given freely.
Realistic and emotion packed with wonderful characters and all the heartache and happiness that occurs during the busy lives of young single parents who begin to consider reopening their hearts to love.
In this heartwarming sequel to the clean novel The Gift of a Child,the first year anniversary of Mike’s death approaches, Rae and her best friend Dylan the singing exterminator take a foray into dating with the help from well meaning Amelia and other persistent coworkers while struggling with feelings for eachother, single parenting, Dylan’s dysfunctional family and changes at Green Pest Control.
A captivating sweet heartwarming best friends romance. This engaging well paced storyline was realistic with wonderful characters and was really emotion packed with heartache and happiness of busy lives of single parenthood after hard grief and dealing with dysfunctional family members. Perfect narration with a great job of differentiating many characters voices really bring to the story to life.
Rae and Dylan are best friends, who live next door and help each other out. In the last book he took in his drug addicted sister’s son. He loves him and Rae’s children like they were his own. He loves Rae too, but she refuses to be with anyone until her children are grown for fear of what a step father would do to them. Their coworker Amelia knows about his feelings and gets them to sign up for online dating to help Rae see the light. They meet some interesting characters and some nice ones too. I laughed about someone of the crazy people they met and I wouldn’t mind reading stories about the nice ones finding their own to love, even playboy Jason Lee from the office.
The narrator has a nice southern accent with voice changes and inflections in the right places.
I loved The Gift of a Child and wanted a sequel!!! The author didn’t disappoint. Rae is a very young widow and she hasn’t been one for very long. She and Dylan click and become fast friends. He wants more but she isn’t ready. Loved their co worker who just had to help them out. Can you really love again after you have loved fully? Dylan was one patient man and I’m glad Rae finally go over her fear. Awesome ending!!!
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars
Story Rating: 4.5 stars
Narrator-Sandra W. Parker: 4 stars
What I liked or thought of this book:
• I enjoyed the funny situations that Rae and Dylan found themselves in because they were using a dating online app.
• This was such a sweet romance. Dylan was such a likeable patient person. Rae was in such an emotionally confused state. Mostly, because she was fighting her feelings about if it is alright to remarry if you have children.
• There were many secondary players in this novel. They were varied, well developed, and interesting. They added depth to the storyline.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I felt a part of the scenes.
• The pacing of this story was good. It was neither too fast nor too slow.
• There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book. The author was a great writer.
• This was a clean read and I appreciated that.
The narrator did a very good job of differentiating the many character voices.
At my request, I was given a free copy of this audiobook from the author through Story Origin App. I have voluntarily left my review and my opinions were my own.
An emotional journey. I loved it. You need to read “A gift of a child” first to get the full story. This is a beautiful love story.
Any woman’s dream comes true in this book. I loved the characters and the world build they live in. What can be more perfect than a man that loves your kids like his own and is there when you need him. Any woman’s dream I would say. This was like a true love story for me. I read in one day so it is simple to read and is very entertaining. I can keep going on about this book but then I would ruin it for all you that want to read it. So, I will just leave you with this bit — buy and read the book it will not disappoint you one bit.
5 stars
I received a copy of the novel The Forever Gift: The Gift Series book 2 by Donna K Weaver and this review was given freely.
Realistic and emotion packed with wonderful characters and all the heartache and happiness that occurs during the busy lives of young single parents who begin to consider reopening their hearts to love.
In this heartwarming sequel to the clean novel The Gift of a Child,the first year anniversary of Mike’s death approaches, Rae and her best friend Dylan the singing exterminator take a foray into dating with the help from well meaning Amelia and other persistent coworkers while struggling with feelings for eachother, single parenting, Dylan’s dysfunctional family and changes at Green Pest Control.
When confronted by coworkers about getting back to life, Rae and Dylan are basically forced by Amelia to fill out the questionnaire for a dating website. Their first date was a double date…it really turned out good…their dates had a lot in common with each other!
Finally forced to see what the TV psychologist was saying was not necessarily right, Rae knew she had to decide what to do for her and her kids.
Good story on a tough subject.
Rae & Dylan are friends who could be more, but their situations are complicated by children. Dylan is willing to try to make it work, but Rae is convinced by a radio advice dr that it would be better for her son not to.
Rae’s naivete is a little frustrating, and Dylan is kind of a saint for his patience, but knowing the premise of the story allows you to accept it going in.
It is a very good story, well written & with likeable characters, even the secondary ones but especially the children.
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
I enjoyed the story and the characters in it. I liked the closeness of Rae, Dillon and the kids. I do find Rae a little naive in some things… especially in seeing Dillon as only a friend, seems like it took her a little too long. I was happy to see some family restoration as well as the love of a good blended family. I received a free copy of this and have willingly left this unbiased review.
This is a sweet story about Rae who has lost a husband and has two small children to raise and Dylan who is single and raising his young nephew. It is about finding love and being good parents. Moving on must be difficult and Rae struggles not only with loving again but trusting that she can bring someone else in to help raise her children. I got a bit frustrated with her and her taking advantage of Dylan but I can see her point of view too.
The Forever Gift is one sweet and easy to read tale featuring most of the classic themes of a Holiday Romance. While the storyline is simple, however, the cast of characters stands out for vivacity and the vividness of the interactions. Dylan, the protagonist, captivates the reader with his loving and generous personality. Gradually, he reveals himself as an intelligent and mature individual. Rae is a dedicated and sweet mother, a reliable and responsible young woman striving to overcome her grief and build a new life for her family.
The entire story revolves around Dylan’s and Rae’s children. Their spontaneity and innocence pervade the book creating a warm and cosy atmosphere. A diverse and animated cast of co-protagonists surrounds the main characters. Each one of them has specific peculiarities, many of them revealing different traits as the story evolves, intriguing and captivating the reader.
Finally, The Forever Gift is a relaxing and entertaining read, perfect for evoking the mood of the Holiday spirit
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions and comments are solely my own
“The Forever Gift” by Donna K. Weaver
I really liked this story. I received an ARC of ‘The Forever Gift’ from the author Donna K. Weaver with the request for an honest review. I did/do really like this story a clean sweet second chances romance. I was also asked to watch for typo’s, but alas I got too caught up in the story and forgot to notice. Since I do like sweet clean stories and if you do also, then I think you will like this story, too. Happy Reading ! !