A.L. Jackson

Say It's Forever

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️

Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻.75 

Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒.75

 Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂 

I never expected you… to find someone who would make me dream beyond the hope of only surviving.

Say Its Forever is the second book in her 'Redemption Hills' and this is Jud's book. I was really excited for his story after the first book, because he is the most broody of the brothers. Seeing his story come to life was just brilliant. I did buy this one in audiobook, and it just took a while to actually get to the story since its been a busy work week, but I finally was able to put this one on and had a blast with it. There is something about the way that this author writes, and its downright beautiful in every way. I know her writing style isn't for everyone, if you struggle with her writing style, do it in AUDIO. It just hits different. I actually won't physically read her books because I am afraid I wouldn't get into it. But in Audio its just a delightful experience. This couple completely humbled me. It was such a humbling experience because you have TWO tortured characters who just deserve a happy ending more than most couples you see. 

I wanted her in a way that wasn’t right. In a way that slanted dangerous. In a way that was at odds with every damned thing I’d been living for. 

It was just before ten when I slowed my bike and made a right onto Dawson. 

Where I felt the world falling away and the steady beat of this man taking its place.

From the moment that Salem meets Jud in the middle of a rainstorm with a broken down car, there is a instant chemistry that so quickly builds into a firestorm but Jud and Salem both have broken pasts and trust is a leap of faith neither of them know if they can take a risk on. Salem has come home to her brother after years of being on the run from her dangerous ex who was once her high school sweetheart. He is the father of her daughter, who is the greatest danger to them. Jud has a past of being forced to commit horrible acts to protect his family and lost the only family he had because of it. But just when Jud and Salem are starting to find common ground with each other and learning to trust, their pasts collide in the most horrific of ways, but will their love be enough to overcome the tests about to threaten to break it apart? 

"Since the moment I found you, you've been the only thing I could see."

This book completely BLEW me away. I still don't know what I think about it yet in some ways because this author wrote a true treasure of a read here and once you get into it, you aren't going to want to put it down at all. It was so epic in so many ways, and this author definitely knows how to bring the emotion to the surface for the reader in a way that will break your heart but at the same time heal it in the next breath. My heart bled for both Jud and Salem, they both have really gone through hell and back for those they love. I just admired their inner strength and passion and never giving up no matter what life threw at them. But this third act, had me at the edge of my seat and gasping all over the place. I just wanted so much for Jud and Salem to find their way despite the secrets that come revealed and the connection. And once you discover what they go through, man, it hurts the heart to see what they go through. But the author really delivers on such a satisfying ending to solidify the joy in their connection and what makes them such a beautiful team together. 

And lastly I want to mention the moments with the kiddies. My HEART!!! It really added some balance of light and laughter to a story that was very serious and emotionally centered. The relationship that forms between Jud and Selena's young daughter was beyond precious. It melted me in every single way. 

Some choose light in this life, Salem, others choose darkness. And some? Some get lost along the way, but inside of them, they burn with the fire of goodness.

The only thing I struggled with is how flakey the heroine was at times, she was always ready to leave him at a moments notice and it just seemed like the hero was willing to give everything for her and she didn't quite return it as much as I think he deserved. I know she was running scared but he was such a fighter and she felt a bit flakey in some instances, it was just enough to keep it from a 6 star read for me. 

“Sometimes the scariest journeys are the ones where the lost finally find the right path to lead them home.”

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review. 

 Book Evaluation: 
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻.75 
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒.75
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
 Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂 
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖.5
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
 Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

 I never expected you… to find someone who would make me dream beyond the hope of only surviving. 

First Impressions
Say Its Forever is the second book in her 'Redemption Hills' and this is Jud's book. I was really excited for his story after the first book, because he is the most broody of the brothers. Seeing his story come to life was just brilliant. I did buy this one in audiobook, and it just took a while to actually get to the story since its been a busy work week, but I finally was able to put this one on and had a blast with it. There is something about the way that this author writes, and its downright beautiful in every way. I know her writing style isn't for everyone, if you struggle with her writing style, do it in AUDIO. It just hits different. I actually won't physically read her books because I am afraid I wouldn't get into it. But in Audio its just a delightful experience. This couple completely humbled me. It was such a humbling experience because you have TWO tortured characters who just deserve a happy ending more than most couples you see. 

 I wanted her in a way that wasn’t right. In a way that slanted dangerous. In a way that was at odds with every damned thing I’d been living for. 

First Line 
It was just before ten when I slowed my bike and made a right onto Dawson. 

The Main Protagonists 
 The Hero: Jud 
 The Heroine: Salem 

 Where I felt the world falling away and the steady beat of this man taking its place. 

Summary 
From the moment that Salem meets Jud in the middle of a rainstorm with a broken down car, there is a instant chemistry that so quickly builds into a firestorm but Jud and Salem both have broken pasts and trust is a leap of faith neither of them know if they can take a risk on. Salem has come home to her brother after years of being on the run from her dangerous ex who was once her high school sweetheart. He is the father of her daughter, who is the greatest danger to them. Jud has a past of being forced to commit horrible acts to protect his family and lost the only family he had because of it. But just when Jud and Salem are starting to find common ground with each other and learning to trust, their pasts collide in the most horrific of ways, but will their love be enough to overcome the tests about to threaten to break it apart? 

 "Since the moment I found you, you've been the only thing I could see." 

What I Loved 
This book completely BLEW me away. I still don't know what I think about it yet in some ways because this author wrote a true treasure of a read here and once you get into it, you aren't going to want to put it down at all. It was so epic in so many ways, and this author definitely knows how to bring the emotion to the surface for the reader in a way that will break your heart but at the same time heal it in the next breath. My heart bled for both Jud and Salem, they both have really gone through hell and back for those they love. I just admired their inner strength and passion and never giving up no matter what life threw at them. But this third act, had me at the edge of my seat and gasping all over the place. I just wanted so much for Jud and Salem to find their way despite the secrets that come revealed and the connection. And once you discover what they go through, man, it hurts the heart to see what they go through. But the author really delivers on such a satisfying ending to solidify the joy in their connection and what makes them such a beautiful team together. 

And lastly I want to mention the moments with the kiddies. My HEART!!! It really added some balance of light and laughter to a story that was very serious and emotionally centered. The relationship that forms between Jud and Selena's young daughter was beyond precious. It melted me in every single way. 

 Some choose light in this life, Salem, others choose darkness. And some? Some get lost along the way, but inside of them, they burn with the fire of goodness. 

What I Struggled With
The only thing I struggled with is how flakey the heroine was at times, she was always ready to leave him at a moments notice and it just seemed like the hero was willing to give everything for her and she didn't quite return it as much as I think he deserved. I know she was running scared but he was such a fighter and she felt a bit flakey in some instances, it was just enough to keep it from a 6 star read for me. 

 “Sometimes the scariest journeys are the ones where the lost finally find the right path to lead them home.” 

Narration 
BEAUTIFUL AND CAPTIVATING in every single way! The way that these two narrator this author's stories is so endearing and poignant and they really bring out the lyrical writing so well. 

Overall View 
Say Its Forever is a romance that will make you swoon, leave you breathless and yet yearning for more from Jud and Selena. Its a tale of true loss, growth in the moments of hellfire and learning to take the leap of faith into love's arms. A GEM OF STUNNING LOVE! 

 “Say it’s forever. It’s forever, baby. Today, tomorrow, and always.” 

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Broody Hero, Tortured Hero, Abused Heroine, Single Mom, Bad Boy Hero 
Themes: Tear Jerker, Kids/Children, Danger/Suspense, Family Saga Bonds, Heart/Emotional
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Boss and Employee 

Book Perspective 
Duo POV 

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both 

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Catherine Cowles 
Jennifer Ryan 
Melissa Foster 

Song This Book Inspires
Safety Net by Ariana Grande 

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes---You can still read as a standalone, but some of the character connections make more sense if you read in order 

Steam/Spice Explanations 

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy 
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments. 
 Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. 
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators: 
Joe Arden, Andi Arndt

Sara Uribe

I received a copy of this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh my little heart! I’m not crying, you are 😭😭

I’m LOVING this series so much and cannot wait for the next book already. Salem Aguilar and Jud Lawson really hooked me in from the first chapter. I mean they have such great piping hot chemistry and an unbelievable connection. Jud is such a great guy, no matter what he thinks of himself. He’s sweet, an unstoppable protector, sexy, and selfless. Salem, I just loved her from the get-go. She is one tough cookie, fierce, relentless and always trying to make the absolute best life for her daughter. I’m not the biggest fan of single parent romances, but with this series it seems to be just perfect. All of the characters so far in the series are all great. I want to know all of their backstories. These Lawson men really get your heart pumping. It’s a big old yep from me!!! And this audiobook?!?! AMAZING! It’s so delicious and heart pounding. If you’re looking for a book that you won’t be able to put down, will put you through an emotional ringer and is masterfully written, then this is a great book for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jacquelyn Hood

If you enjoyed Redemption Hills, #1 you will love this book. You get more of Eden and Trent while going along the ride for Salem and Jud. A single mom running right into the arms of the delicious and tortured man named Jud. 

This couple is so sweet with how tortured both of their pasts are. I loved how they were a mess but somehow completed each other. Jud is your cocky, sure of himself man, but only to the outside world. He had his heart broken by showing her who he really is and he doesn't want to go through that again. There is something about Salem that just speaks to his soul and he feels like he can open up to her.

Salem has been on the run with her daughter for a long time. Running from a scary man she thought she could trust but he has taught her she cannot trust anyone. She starts to lean on Jud though.

This book was beautifully thought out and well-executed. The ending was magnificent.