A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Carrie and Melinda did a great job with this story. It was a cute love story that is so realistic. Will life fall into place for them? Will they have that forever kind of thing? A great quick and easy read!
Mina & Wesley were the best of friends growing up and both felt a terrible loss when Wesley suddenly moved. It’s been years, they’re back in each other’s lives but everything is different now. Or is it?
It takes a lot to rebuild your social standing and when you are torn between maintaining your position and figure it out if you can still be friends with someone who meant so much to you but disappeared, there is a lot of pressure. Private school has been great for Mina, but now what.
I truly felt all the emotions Mina and Wes were going through. I found myself wanting to listen to their struggles, be supportive and cheer them on as they went through a whole variety of situations both separate and together.
This book kept my interest and made me excited to keep reading as I was incredible curious what would happen next.
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really need to stop reading books that seem cool just from the blurb because they get me in the feels every time. EVERY Time. This one had me from the bullied 5th grader meeting her first friend on the first day of school until the reunion senior year of high school through the art project. No getting away from the feeling that these two, Mina and Wesley, were always meant to be.
Mina and her mom lived in a trailer park outside of town. This was the cause of her ridicule. Mina was teased and taunted because she was the poorest in a poor town. When she met him in the 5th grade, he became her best (and only) friend, her crush, her everything. He remained as such through middle school until the day he disappeared, leaving Mina alone. During her grief of losing her only friend, Mina’s life changed as her mom married a rich doctor, moving them out of the trailer to the mansion in the rich part of time.
Wesley started the 5th grade in yet another new school. That is what happens when you are a foster kid and your dad can’t manage to stay out of jail long enough to keep you for very long. When he saw her across the room, he knew that they would be friends. Wes didn’t realize that she would become his world, then and forever.
It is senior year and Wes is back in the boys’ home where he lived when he met Mina. Could he find her? When Wes started at some elite prep school, he was shocked to find his Mina there. But she wasn’t the same girl and she had a boyfriend. That is one thing that was going to have to change. As they faced the trials of the social stratus in high school, especially an elite one, both Mina and Wes rediscovered each other and themselves.
This was a beautiful story about forever love, finding that person that completes you, understands you better than maybe even yourself. From the first words through the last, this book keeps you deep in their world. I don’t wanna go back to high school, but I totally wanna be in their world. The world of complete love and understanding. I hope I can find that kind of connection.
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable and engaging YA contemporary romance which kept me happily turning the pages. The heroine of the story Mina had grown up on “the proverbial wrong side of the tracks,” and sadly had few friends and was bullied at school. She spent her childhood thinking of creative ways to escape Palmer, Georgia where she lived, until the first day of fifth grade when a new boy, Wes appeared and gave her a reason to stay. Unfortunately, Wes then left two years later, just disappeared without a word, leaving the thirteen year old Mina with a broken heart. Then Mina’s life changes and she’s gone from a Palmer trailer park to an Atlanta mansion and from wearing secondhand clothes to straight off the runway fashions. The other big change is that those that bullied her now want to be her best friend, and Mina now reigns supreme at her new prestigious high school. However, she’s still counting down the days until graduation and then a new boy arrives at her school, Wes. He just walks back into Mina’s life, threatening her new life in the process and her heart once again. This is a heartwarming teenage romance and a coming of age novel, and the storyline had me hooked. Both the characters and setting come to life through the descriptive narrative, and it has a likeable and relatable character in Mina, who I felt engaged with throughout the story.
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Star’s
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas and Melinda Harris
A Forever Kind of Thing is a wonderfully written Contemporary Romance/YA that once I started reading I couldn’t stop reading and read it in one long sitting. I’m new to these authors but im already a fan. Their style of writing and attention to detail made me feel like I was back in high school dealing with all the things that are high school. Their characters are relatable, fully developed and made the story come to life and made it fun to read. Mina and Wes have been best friends since fifth grade. Mina was the target of being bullied by many and didn’t feel like she belonged. But Wes saved her in more than one way that is until he up and left with no goodbye or nothing. Lots changed in five years and when Wes reappears senior year she finds herself struggling to keep up the appearance. I truly enjoyed reading this book and fell in love with both Wes and Mina. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I look forward to reading more from both these authors.
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As children they fall and love. Then they are forced to be separated. After years apart there love is still as strong as before. Once reunited it seems they’re connection is still as strong. I really recommend this love story.
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas and Melinda Harris – Review by Jessica Stone
This book was so cuteee. I adored the writing style of both of these authors right off the bat, this being my first time devouring one of their works and I was not disappointed.
The story of weird boy meets equally weird girl, both living hard lives, they fall in love, then BOOM, they are suddenly separated, he disappears and she learns life doesn’t stop moving for anyone. Fast forward to the future, her mother has married into wealth and she’s now living the life he mom always wanted for her, popular, rich, all star boyfriend, soon to be prom queen, everything in her life is perfect.
Him on the other hand, life had different plans for him, he’s been in and out of foster care his entire life thanks to a dead beat father who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Finding any work he can and just trying to make it to 18, to start his life and hopefully make something of it.
Fate thrusts them both back into one another’s life suddenly and let the madness ensue. Some love just never dies.
I loved our girl Mina, she’s a real show of force even when she’s breaking inside, she’s rich and popular, but kind when it’s needed and knows not to take things for granted. Don’t get me wrong she definitely has a whole moral dilemma and makes some shitty choice, and there a few moments where she needs to check her privilege and remember where she comes from. But she’s a solid character who comes full circle and really blooms in this story.
Wes, oh Wes Wes Wes, what a baddieeeee. I loveeee Wes, I can’t tell you how much I enjoy his witty comments and snark when people come at him the wrong way. He’s a solid dude, with great morals and a real passion for the things he holds dear in his life. Seeing home fight his wants and needs throughout this book and demand the same goodness he shows from other characters in his Wes way was delightful to read.
The story is terrific, the relationship between all of the characters was awesome, honestly, for it being set in a high-school setting (which I normally avoid due)I enjoyed the heck out of this read!! Could not recommend it enough, I am beyond excited to read more from these authors!
A Forever Kind of Thing, Carrie Thomas, Melinda Harris, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Contemporary Romance, Romance, YA, Young Adult, Jessica Stone, August 2023
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book, I thought that it was a really good read and I find it easy to read. The characters were easy to engage with and I can imagine many young adult readers would really enjoy it.
There was a lot going on for our main character, Mina. She was the target of many bullies during her younger years and I really did feel for her, school can be an awful time for some people. I liked Wes, I didn’t think I would but he surprised me.
I loved the story was written by two authors and you had no idea! Their writing styles matched each other perfectly.
Overall this was a really enjoyed able read and one I would definitely recommend. I will be looking forward to reading more from these authors in the future.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I felt the book had a younger tone of voice, abbreviations like WTF and IRL were used. Saying that I think younger crowds will enjoy this, maybe as young as middle school who are venturing into young adult books. Not going to lie, other reviewers had me believing her uncle was going to play a more major role, still a horrible guy but he doesn’t make much of an appearance. I loved the friendship between her and Maddie, she sounds like a ride or die best friend which I love reading. Chad had me questioning things, he sounded too good to be true and after his plan to help Claire I honestly wasn’t sure if he could be trusted. But I’m glad it turned out to just be silly teenager thinking. After finding out who Harry’s real father is I would have liked to see more of what happened after that, if Claire decided she was still going to stay close to home or if her college plans went back to what they were before. Still a great read though.
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a great read! I was pulled in immediately and hooked. I didn’t want to put it down. I really felt all the emotions for Wes and Mina. You can feel the emotions jumping off the page. I haven’t read this author before, but I can’t wait to see what else I can read by her. I highly recommend it.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Powerful is the best description for this book! Claire was a very strong-willed and strong minded character! This book was so amazing and sometimes emotional.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman is an emotional story that hit home for me on so many levels. This book will pull on your heartstrings, will leave you in awe and will leave you thinking about any teenager that is out there going through similar situations! This story is about choices of a seventeen-year-old young woman, her self-discovery, family drama, responsibility, many challenges, overall teenage drama, issues, secrets, dramatic developments, and most of all…… heartwarming moments.
Claire is a high school senior who has so many life-changing choices to make and feels like she doesn’t know which ones will be the right ones, especially when an unplanned pregnancy leaves her with a baby to take care of. And it’s not just any baby, it happens to be her baby brother, and her uncle comes in trying to be the hero, but then shows his true colors as the story progresses. What is Claire to do with her baby brother, her mother, uncle and the joys of trying to be a senior in high school, what happens makes this an emotional and heartwarming journey. This story is guaranteed to make you shed a tear or two, so make sure you have tissue handy as you embark on the choices of Claire!
Mary Espinoza, August 2023
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
From the moment I started reading, I couldn’t put this book down! I felt so connected to Claire! Mentally, she is your typical teenager but she has been given some unfortunate choices. After her father leaving and her mother having an unplanned pregnancy, Claire has been “babysitting” her baby brother Harry during the summer months as her mother has been incapable of doing so. Through unfortunate circumstances, her mother ends up hospitalized and in the midst of it all, her uncle gets involved and tries to help Claire in continuing her life as planned of experiencing her senior year of high school and money for college but only if Harry is put up for adoption. Such a heartbreaking decision to make at such a young age. Claire has such a good heart and is only doing what she thinks needs to be done. Very thought provoking!
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a new to me author and a really good book. The title is perfect for the storyline.
Our main characters are almost 18 yr old Claire, baby- Harry, 18-19 yr old Chad, 18 yr old best friend Madison and Melanie the mom. Mom is recently divorced and turns up pregnant from a mysterious one-night stand. She refuses to name the father or even discuss the situation. After the birth of the baby, she falls into a deep depression, leaving her almost 18 yr old daughter Claire, in charge of the baby and nearly every household responsibility. Being so responsible is not exactly how Claire was planning on spending her last summer before senior year. Claire and Madison meet Chad just before school starts and he easily steps up to help and support Claire with her choices.
This story could have gone many different ways. There are a few other storylines within this book. Chad’s anger “issues” as well as his own family situation. Even Melanie’s issues are not truly resolved. Madison, the best friend, is a little too self-centered for my liking. Wonder if she matures in time? What happens to Claire’s dad and his new wife? Too many unanswered questions for me! Hoping there is more from this author. However, the author did tie up this particular part of the story nicely while leaving it open for future stories.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a YA family story. It is a story of strength resistance and so much love. It is a very moving story about a young girl called Claire who has her whole future ahead of her. But when her mum has another baby and then falls into a pit of depression and despair it is up to Claire to raise her brother. Dealing with a parent that is unwell is hard enough but also dealing with the responsibility of a newborn is more than any young person should have to shoulder. But Claire steps up and does that. Putting her life and dreams and ambitions on hold to care for her mum and brother.
There is a member of the family who seems to want to help though and that’s Claires Uncle. He offers to give her the money for her college fund but there’s a catch, she has to give up her brother for adoption.
Now Claire has a decision to make that doesn’t just affect her but everyone she loves. Should she allow her brother to be put up for adoption so that her life can return to normal? Or should she fight to keep her brother and her family together?
This is is a very moving and inspiring story and Claires character is so well written. You feel every emotion she goes through and you feel like your fighting every fight that she does.
Overall I enjoyed this story and everything it was trying to teach us but more importantly I loved Claire. Her strong character is what really made this story for me. The strength it took to not only care for herself and her brother but also her mum was amazing I’m not sure I could have been that strong at her age.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Claire has her future planned out, until her mother has a second child and Claire’s life is upended. Her mother is struggling with this surprise pregnancy and Claire goes from only child to taking on the mother role for her mom and her brother, Harry. As secrets come to light, Claire’s planned out future is no longer attainable…and her family might be torn apart. With the help of her best friend, Mads, and their new friend, Chad, Claire is forced to make decisions that will change the course of her life. When push comes to shove, which is more important…family or future?
Claire’s sense of loyalty to family is inspiring. She is willing to do whatever it takes in the name of family. At times, my heart broke for her and the situation she was in. And that final shocker…I was so mad for her. I enjoyed the loyalty her friends had, as well, and the support they gave her less than ideal situation. This was a story that I could not put down until the end. There were twists and turns along the way that kept me invested. Overall, a good story that I enjoyed reading.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When her mom falls apart, Claire shelters their little family and takes on more responsibility than any 17-year-old should have to. She gives up her summer to care for her baby brother. She feels like all of her hopes and dreams are going down the drain as she realizes how deep her mother’s betrayal goes. Her protective side leads her to find the inner strength she didn’t know she had. There are secrets to learn and a new future to explore.
Reviewed by @daree222
View all my reviews
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed reading this romance story. This is a newer author for me which I enjoy their writing style and their attention to details that gave the story a realistic feel. I found this book to be well written, fast paced and engaging. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into their world from the start. A world of young love, secrets that threaten and what you are willing to risk for said love. I enjoyed watching the growth of the plot as well as the characters which made the story easy to read. I enjoyed what they brought to the story which added to the entertainment value of the story. This is a great romance story that I highly recommend.
Review by @bjwagner
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a young adult/ new adult romance. It was such a good read!
Mina and Wesley are the best of friends until one day he’s gone with no notice. A lot has changed for Mina since she was the bullied kid in elementary school. It’s some kind of luck that Wesley ends up at Mina’s high school. They can’t believe it but they aren’t the same kids they once were. Can they get back the relationship they once had or is it gone forever?
This was a very well written story. I was pulled in almost immediately and couldn’t put it down. You really feel for the characters and their experiences. It’s very relatable even if it’s been awhile since you’ve been in high school. I really enjoyed this one.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐ Book Review
Complicated Choices brings us the story of Claire and Harry. Clair is a senior in high school and Harry is her unplanned, fatherless four month old brother. Clair puts aside her needs to care for her brother during a very difficult time. Instead of focusing on high school and college, she finds herself raising her baby brother while her mom is hospitalized for postpartum depression. Amongst it all, her Uncle Pat is trying to take Harry away from them stating he would be better off being put up for adoption. Clair will not let him rip apart their family no matter the costs.
Complicated choices is full of……well, complicated choices. Our main character Clair is strong, resilient, and determined. She is faced with numerous confrontations not only with her Uncle but with friends who had no idea she had a baby brother. Clair is exposed to secrets and lies by the people she should trust the most. Clair finds her first love and has to put those feelings aside to focus on what matters most right now, Harry. This novel is a perfect example of how teenagers in today’s society are expected to grow up way too fast for all the wrong reasons. This was my first time reading a novel written by Nyman and I was extremely pleased. The story line made perfect sense and flowed well with just the right amount of detail. The characters were all lovable and had me rooting for them the entire way. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to a friend. Definitely a five star rating from me!
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I never quite know what I’m getting into when I picked up YA or teen fiction. So many times I can not connect with young main characters due to their immaturity or… age. Complicated Choices by Risa Niman was really well written without my perception of awkward, uncomfortable characters. I loved Claire, our main character and felt she had the right balance of being a teenager and being a smart, driven and enjoyable leading female. The author wrote the story really well and often times I could imagine I was there conversing with Claire and Mads. The plot was great and the book flowed well, I didn’t want to put the book down.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really loved Complicated Choices. Like way more that I expected. Its a good YA coming of age Book. Claire is saddled with more than any 17 year old should be. She is dealing with being a teen mom, without being the mom. Her mom had an unexpected child later in life, and is left in a crippling position. She has an extreme case of post partum depression, and Claire has had to pickup the slack. Like all of it. She finds herself raising her brother, while trying to get her mom the help she needs. She has done this all in private, keeping the baby a secret from everyone except her best friend Madison. Then enters Chad. Chad is amazing. He is such a great guy and so different than most male lead characters. He is like a 18 year old knight in shining armor for Claire. There is some shockers at the end, that I wont spoil. The book wrapped up well, and had a good ending. But to be honest, I’d be happy If it was turned into a series. I got really invested in the characters and want to see what happens next. What are Chad and Claire and Madison’s first year of college like. What happens with Claire’s mom? I want answers!!!
Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I’m so glad I did! This is a standalone novel.
Claire has the weight of the world on her shoulders. It’s her senior year and she’s got a lot of decisions to make. One thing she shouldn’t have to do is take care of her baby brother. She also shouldn’t be worrying about her mother and taking care of the house. She should be having fun with her friends and living up senior year. When he uncle gets involved, it seems like the problems will be solved. However, he places a pretty steep condition on his assistance. Put Harry up for adoption. Claire is not about to let her family be torn apart so while it seems like everything is in despair, Claire gears up for a fight with the help of some friends. What lengths would you go to to keep your family together?
This book was tough to read in the sense that you just know so many kids and teens are faced with the same or worse issues. It was very engaging. I was very impressed with Claire’s growth. At the beginning, she didn’t seem to care too much about her brother or having to take care of him. While she still resented being his sole caretaker, she definitely bonded and attached to him by the end of the book. The characters were well written as were the dynamics between everyone. I definitely suggest this book!
A Forever Kind of Thing by Melinda Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Forever Kind of Thing
By: Carrie Thomas and Melinda Harris
This is a fantastic look at the ups and downs of being in high school from the view point of two girls from two very different upbringings. The authors do a fantastic job of making you feel like you are in high school experiencing every piece of drama as you are reading. This is a great teenage romance and the authors are fantastic at creating believable teenage characters who have the kind of teenage love we all know. That tumultuous love where each truly has the others back at the end of the day. This book is amazingly well written and I definitely recommend it.
Sage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sage Advice
By: Cori Cooper
This was such a sweet story. I loved Pyper as a character. She seemed so self-confident and sure of herself. She also knew exactly what she wanted. However, she also knew what she didn’t want. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Pyper and her efforts to cancel prom. However, I love the bigger story that that part of the plot lent itself to. I loved the lessons that were found in this story. This story gave me all the feels and transported me back to my own high school days, my insecurities and my feelings that I really knew everything. I definitely recommend this story!!
A Forever Kind of Thing by Melinda Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a well written and fun YA romance story. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book going into it. Both of these authors are new to me so I was unfamiliar with either writing style. But, I connected with the story quite easily and thought their individuals styles of writing clearly worked well together.
I enjoyed reading about the characters of this book. They really were the heart of the story and I found them interesting and engaging. Their journey was evident on each and every page and I really wanted to see where they would end up. I enjoyed the overall story too. I thought the authors did a great job at getting you, as the reader, interested in what was going on. The book was well paced and a generally good story. This is one I thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to more from this duo.
A Forever Kind of Thing by Melinda Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
All the feels
This YA/NA contemporary romance is slow at the start, but takes off about a quarter of the way in. The emotions are raw and the issues all to real. The MC has had a hard life which comes to light throughout the story but she endures. With angst, heartache, suspicions, hard held secrets and betrayal there is so much between the pages and it is not all smooth sailing. A worthy read.
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
3 Stars
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas and Melinda Harris is a YA romance woven with plenty of teen drama, angst, and emotion. Not having read any of these two authors work before, I wasn’t sure of what to expect from one of their stories, but I do enjoy YA books, and the cover piqued my curiosity enough to want to find out, plus I really needed a ‘break’ from the heavier reads I have been devouring of late, so I took a chance and set off to explore.
The story is kind of sweet, with teen issues that we can all relate to that added drama and angst to the story. Mina and Wes are great characters who were lovingly crafted by the authors into fully realised individuals with their own unique personalities, quirks, and flaws. They were realistic and believable. I just wish I had been able to connect with them enough to really invest in their story. I did like the story but didn’t love it as much as I was hoping to. But that might be a ‘me’ thing, as I have been reading a lot of heavier/darker stories of late- so I have decided to revisit this book again soon to see if perhaps I was just having an ‘off’ reading day with this book the first time around.
But, if you love angsty teen stories with heartache, opposites attract, second chances, and plenty of emotion- then you will probably want to add this to you TBR.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Carrie Thomas & Melinda Harris!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
A Forever Kind of Thing by Melinda Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
I just finished the summer I turned pretty and was very happy for this to be my next read. It’s all the teenage feelings that make you swoon and giddy. It is such a good book and very well written even though it’s about high schoolers. I didn’t feel too old to be reading it. Definitely recommend.
A Forever Kind of Thing by Melinda Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this book, we meet Mina and Wes, childhood best friends in the fifth grade. Later, they meet again in their senior year of high school. Do they have what it takes to love one another forever?
I really enjoyed this book. I love the author’s details of the characters and their surroundings. I could envision being on the campus of Ridgefield Academy. I liked the characters, especially Mina and Wes. I love how they had a back-story then came together again when they were older. The romance was steamy without being graphic. I was excited for the ending of the book and it did not disappoint me. I recommend this read for older teens, young adults, and anyone else who loves a good romance.
