Forever My Girl (Beaumont #1) by Heidi McLaughlin Series: Beaumont #1
Published by Bandit Publishing Company on December 27, 2012
Pages: 302
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Nelson Hobbs, Stephanie Rose
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
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I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.
I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I've poured my soul into my music, but I've never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.
And now I'm going back.
After ten years.
I hope I can explain that after all this time.
I still want her to be my forever girl.
I read Forever My Girl as part of the Ultimate Reading Challenge to read a book that has been adapted into a movie. I have to wonder if this is one of those rare cases where the movie is better than the book because the book just didn’t do it for me.
The premise is great, but when you come down to it, Liam’s reasons for ghosting Josie for a decade are massively lame and seem to come out of nowhere. Cutting his best friend out of his life also doesn’t make sense. **SPOILER ALERT: It is impossible to address the rest of my issues without revealing a pivotal part of the plot, so stop reading now if want to be surprised.** While Liam regrets abandoning the love of his life, his apology comes with a “but” as he places some of the blame on Josie for not knowing he has a son. Um, excuse me? He’s the one who went out of his way to make sure she couldn’t get in touch with him.
Despite his selfishness, I like the man Liam grew up to be and I respected Josie. She welcomes him back into her life with too much ease to be believable, though. I also found it unrealistic for their son to unquestioningly accept their new family dynamics unquestioningly and with little to no difficulty.
Overall, while I was fond of the characters, the illogical plot aspects and choppy, repetitive storytelling made this a less than stellar read for me.
I listened to the audio book version, and Stephanie Rose and Nelson Hobbs do a fine job with the narration. Stephanie’s delivery as Josie tends to be somewhat flat. Funny enough, I actually liked her interpretation of Liam more. Both voice actors, however, deserve credit for increasing my enjoyment of the so-so story.
The #UltimateReadingChallenge for July is to read a book with a cover you love. There are so many books to choose from! I’ll be combing through my hefty TBR pile soon.
▸ Submit your review link for previous months ➙ http://bit.ly/2m50x4P.
▸ For details & to sign up for the challenge ➙ https://wp.me/p6Rh5Y-1Mq
#UltimateReadingChallenge is co-hosted with Collector of Book Boyfriends.
About Heidi McLaughlin
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
When writing isn’t occupying her time, you can find her sitting courtside at either of her daughters’ basketball games.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
Oh wow. The movie was better than the book? That says A LOT. I’m going to skip the book and aim for the movie then.