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A Love Story (Now and Forever #1)

by Jean Joachim (Goodreads Author)

4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 · rating details · 114 ratings · 34 reviews

Passion...

"I've been itching to get at you all evening. Ever since you walked out looking like that, I wanted to jump your bones right here in the living room. Watching those letches drool over you all night didn't make it any easier. They can drool all they want, I'm the one who is going to make love to you tonight," he said taking her in his arms, while her dress slipped

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Published August 6th 2010 by Author Solutions (first published June 7th 2010)

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Oct 05, 2010 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Now and Forever, a Love Story" by Jean C. Joachim
Contemporary Romance – August 4th, 2010
4 Stars

In this novel, the reader is introduced to Callie, a young woman reeling from the devastating loss of her beloved Kyle, a soldier who she loved dearly but who was killed in Iraq . Callie lives in an idealistic, Utopian world of naïveté and fear. While the reader wants to believe Callie is a true heroine and focal point of the story Joachim takes painstakingly steps to remind the reader its being tol...more Now and Forever, a Love Story" by Jean C. Joachim
Contemporary Romance – August 4th, 2010
4 Stars

In this novel, the reader is introduced to Callie, a young woman reeling from the devastating loss of her beloved Kyle, a soldier who she loved dearly but who was killed in Iraq . Callie lives in an idealistic, Utopian world of naïveté and fear. While the reader wants to believe Callie is a true heroine and focal point of the story Joachim takes painstakingly steps to remind the reader its being told a story as it is passed back and forth from being descriptive to foreshadowing, impending darkness.

The reader is soon introduced to the presumed hero, Mac Caldwell, a single father dealing with issues of his own while struggling to find love. The story has several different characters that helps move the story along including the nemesis to our heroine, Caldwell's ex-wife who tortures our hero in a deceitful manner upon his marriage to Callie. I did enjoy this story but Joachim keeps the story as a narrative for much too long and strives too much for realistic situations rather than focusing on character development.

Callie constantly refers back to her previous experience of love with Kyle. This makes it difficult for the reader to root for her. In one instance, Callie does the "normal" thing when someone is in jeopardy but is defeated by the narration spoiling the story. When Mac is allowed to rescue our heroine in her hour of need he is strong but has a burden of guilt that he is not allowed to express. I really liked Mac. I also found this story interesting but Joachim keeps the characters in a soft idealized world that separates the reader from actively believing in the story.

Because I am primarily a romance reader and thought this book could have more romance I was a bit disappointed. The author did a credible job of creating unusual characters in an interesting plot. With a little work this novel could be a book that readers could not put down.

Reviewed by Patricia from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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Feb 21, 2011 Dawne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Think boy meets girl. Boy wins girl's heart. Boy dies in a battle fighting for his country. Heroine Callie loses her beloved, Kyle, in the Iraq war but her life is still in topsy-turvy shape when single father Mac enters her world.

Callie and Mac deal with her memories of Kyle while Mac deals with his previous spouse.

Joachim spins a delightful yet innocent romance between the duo. The story crafted by Joachim is one inch shy of being a tissue-crying event. I loved the way she developed the charac...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Tobi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Do you have a first love? A High school sweetheart? Callie did after her parents died and her barely adult sister took custody of her she met Kyle. He looked after her. He was raising his brother due to their parents being in jail. He joined the military and his final assignment to Iraq he was killed.
Callie Mourned and after 2 years decided she was going to grad school for teaching. Little did she know whom she would meet and where she ends up working? It was instant attraction for both Callie...more

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Oct 05, 2011 Lady Raven RAVE! rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-romance, contemporary-romance

www.romancenoveljunkies.com

Two years after Callie lost her fiancé Kyle to the war taking place in Iraq, she decides to try and move on with her life. She is now attending Kensington State University to get her masters. Callie starts working in the administrative office where Mac happens to work and is the dean of the school. Mac is a single parent with a 2-year-old son named Jason. Working together both Mac and Callie will try to fight an attraction for each other, which will later turn into to...more www.romancenoveljunkies.com

Two years after Callie lost her fiancé Kyle to the war taking place in Iraq, she decides to try and move on with her life. She is now attending Kensington State University to get her masters. Callie starts working in the administrative office where Mac happens to work and is the dean of the school. Mac is a single parent with a 2-year-old son named Jason. Working together both Mac and Callie will try to fight an attraction for each other, which will later turn into to an affair and a marriage proposal. While they are still getting to know each other, they have to get through Callie's past, Audrey, Mac's ex wife, illegal drugs on campus and death.

I have to admit, before reading the book I sort of had an idea how this book would turn out based on the title, but I was caught off guard. The book was an unexpected surprise for me and I really enjoyed it. The main story of the book is the love story involving Mac and Callie. However, so many unexpected twists vamped up the story for me.

There was the issue with Callie's past and Mac feeling as if he is competing with Kyle's ghost. We have the draining and annoying ex wife Audrey, which I have to say I was surprised by what she was plotting and what she did towards the end. Then we have someone trying to kill Callie that is connected to the illegal drug ring going on at the campus. I was so very shock to find out who was behind the drug ring; I never saw that coming, wow. All this leads up to a good read. If you are looking for a nice, sweet, light romance with a plot and twist then this is your read. If you are into the hardcore erotica then this will not be your sort of read.

PS: I love the song Unchained Melody by the Righteous brothers, Callie and Mac's first dance was to this song *sighing*. I actually played that song after I finish reading.

Storyline: GOOD
Intimacy: FAIR
Enjoyment: GOOD

www.romancenoveljunkies.com <----- authors & readers are welcome. While there check out link to Facebook group with 800 members consisting of authors and readers. Hope to see you there

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Aug 09, 2012 Kristy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, app-kindle, ebook, hott-spots, sniff, yay-quotes

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. UPDATE: 8/9/12

So after rereading this a couple of days later I realize I wasn't exactly fair. I want to preface my already written review by saying, despite my complaints this was still a good book. I ruined my own experience of it by reading the books in the series out of order. This is still a good love story between two people who are both lonely and sad. Callie is such a kind and tender-hearted person, you can't help but like her. I think my favorite scene had to be the dance contest scene....more

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Mar 08, 2012 Laura Mcquillen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

At the very beginning, the heart of this book exudes a sort of melancholy feeling. Callie is dealing with the grief from the death of her fiance. We learn a lot about her childhood and the things that she had to go through as she was growing up. Her childhood was not an easy or happy one. Consequently, it seemed and felt to her like Kyle was all she had. When he died, she was devastated. In the midst of the grief, she has decided that it's time to move on with her life, but she still has trouble...more At the very beginning, the heart of this book exudes a sort of melancholy feeling. Callie is dealing with the grief from the death of her fiance. We learn a lot about her childhood and the things that she had to go through as she was growing up. Her childhood was not an easy or happy one. Consequently, it seemed and felt to her like Kyle was all she had. When he died, she was devastated. In the midst of the grief, she has decided that it's time to move on with her life, but she still has trouble letting go of Kyle.

Callie is a quiet girl that stays to herself. She is believable in her grief and the way she relives things, not wanting to let them go and afraid she will forget. I enjoyed her as a character, as I did most of the characters from this book. Mac is just trying to deal with his life, not really looking to get involved with anyone. The fact that it is a relationship that is not sought out by either party seems to make the feelings more real.

The biggest problem I had with this book is only that the author did such a fantastic job of making Kyle such a great guy, to make him worthy of the level of grief Callie was feeling even after such a long time (I'm assuming), that by the time I met Mac I didn't care about him. I wanted Kyle! Even after a few chapters of Callie and Mac, and even rooting for them to get together on one level, I found myself still hoping that the military made a mistake and Kyle would come walking in. I will say that Callie's relationship with Mac was probably healthier. She had grown and matured a little more by the time she got involved with him, so he wasn't her entire life the way Kyle was. She was more her own person by this time, with her own identity.

The different things that are dealt with in this book are portrayed very well and realistically. The levels of grief, trying to move on without forgetting, becoming your own, independent person apart from the grief and the person that you are grieving are all a part of the story, but not overwhelmingly so. I loved the box of Kyle's things that Callie keeps, and Mac's reaction to it when he finds it. I could see myself doing something like that in Callie's place.

A very bittersweet love story that will take you through the whole spectrum of emotions. I found myself proud of Callie by the end, as though she was a friend I knew, rather than a character in a book. This is a great read - another win for Ms. Joachim.(less)

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Aug 20, 2012 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

A tearjerker for sure! Callie has had it rough. She lost her parents at 16 and then lost her fiancé to the war. Two years later, she starts to move on by going back to school for her Master’s degree. While there she meets Mac, the dean of the school. While working together, they fall in love.

Their love story isn’t an easy one. It comes with several trials and obstacles. Right after one works itself out, they are hit with another. You know you have a story of true love when they turn to each oth...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Wendy Mckillip rated it 4 of 5 stars

After getting a chance to explore the writings of Jean Joachim with the introduction to Now and Forever: Callie's story, I found myself HAVING to buy this book! When I read the prelude to this series I couldn't stop crying at the REAL life events that unfolded and I HAD to read the next book to find out what happened to Callie and if she is able to move forward and have a normal existence.

Callie was crushed from the loss of her fiances death and after two years of barely living she is forced int...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Lady Raven RAVE! rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-romance, contemporary-romance

Two years after Callie lost her fiancé Kyle to the war taking place in Iraq, she decides to try and move on with her life. She is now attending Kensington State University to get her masters. Callie starts working in the administrative office where Mac happens to work and is the dean of the school. Mac is a single parent with a 2-year-old son named Jason. Working together both Mac and Callie will try to fight an attraction for each other, which will later turn into to an affair and a marriage pr...more Two years after Callie lost her fiancé Kyle to the war taking place in Iraq, she decides to try and move on with her life. She is now attending Kensington State University to get her masters. Callie starts working in the administrative office where Mac happens to work and is the dean of the school. Mac is a single parent with a 2-year-old son named Jason. Working together both Mac and Callie will try to fight an attraction for each other, which will later turn into to an affair and a marriage proposal. While they are still getting to know each other, they have to get through Callie's past, Audrey, Mac's ex wife, illegal drugs on campus and death.

I have to admit, before reading the book I sort of had an idea how this book would turn out based on the title, but I was caught off guard. The book was an unexpected surprise for me and I really enjoyed it. The main story of the book is the love story involving Mac and Callie. However, so many unexpected twists vamped up the story for me.

There was the issue with Callie's past and Mac feeling as if he is competing with Kyle's ghost. We have the draining and annoying ex wife Audrey, which I have to say I was surprised by what she was plotting and what she did towards the end. Then we have someone trying to kill Callie that is connected to the illegal drug ring going on at the campus. I was so very shock to find out who was behind the drug ring; I never saw that coming, wow. All this leads up to a good read. If you are looking for a nice, sweet, light romance with a plot and twist then this is your read. if your a hardcore erotica fan this probably is not your thing.

PS: I love the song Unchained Melody by the Righteous brothers, Callie and Mac’s first dance was to this song *sighing*. I actually played that song after I finish reading.

Storyline: GOOD
Intimacy: FAIR
Enjoyment: GOOD

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Mar 04, 2011 The Pen & Muse rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Now and Forever, a Love Story is, as its title states, is a love story. We meet Callie, who is haunted by her previous love for Kyle, who was unfortunately killed in the army. However, we meet a strong Callie, who though still pained at losing him, is ready to move on with her life.

She meets Mac at the university, and the pair are drawn to each other immediately – we follow their exploration of each other, their falling in love, even though Mac has a young son.

Their love story is the ultimate ro...more

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Feb 12, 2011 ൠSinful rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, romance, suspense, mystery, college-professor

Now and Forever is Jean Joachim's debut in fiction. It centers around two likeable, yet lonely individuals who are seeking healing from their past.

Callie lost her beloved parents at the age of sixteen and turned to older friend, Kyle for support and compassion. Over eight years the two fell deeply in love, but before they could be wed, Kyle, a soldier, was killed in Iraq. After grieving his loss for two years, Callie packed her bags and headed to Kenisington State University in hopes of putting...more Now and Forever is Jean Joachim's debut in fiction. It centers around two likeable, yet lonely individuals who are seeking healing from their past.

Callie lost her beloved parents at the age of sixteen and turned to older friend, Kyle for support and compassion. Over eight years the two fell deeply in love, but before they could be wed, Kyle, a soldier, was killed in Iraq. After grieving his loss for two years, Callie packed her bags and headed to Kenisington State University in hopes of putting her life back on track.

Mac Caldwell, a dean at the university, spied Callie from his office window. Instantly attracted, the divorced father of a two-year old forced himself to deny his desires even though fate seems to be throwing Callie in his path more than he could bear. After Callie lands a job in the dean's office, there seemed to be no way to hold the two apart and sparks fly.

You would think that the two tortured souls would have been through enough but the following year is filled with twists and turns, ups and downs that even the most resilient of us would have needed some heavy medication for.

I liked Callie and Mac and rooted for them whole-heartedly. I loved how it seemed almost kismet that they should be together as they kept bumping into each other. The fact that Mac saw her that first day as she leaned outside against a tree, trying to deal with moving on without Kyle, was touching beyond belief. I was bawling like a baby before the first chapter was even finished.

Callie and Mac had a set of great friends to support the story and detailed plot line to revel in. I wish that it had actually been simplified. For a short novel, a surprising number of big life events took place. In my opinion, fewer events that were delved into with greater intensity would have helped to deepen the characters and their relationship. In general, I wanted more out of less. I wanted them to struggle longer to move forward and to really see how the trials bring them together. It was the nuances that I missed.

If you are a romance junkie who prefers a gentler description of one's love life, this is going to be more to your liking. I, however, like to have the deets of what went on in between the sheets. When someone climbs into bed, one sentence doesn't satisfy me, but I know that just happens to be my personal taste. There are a few times you get a little more substance, but most of the time, sex is a one liner.

Joachim's style is really abrupt. I needed more transition to keep up with where we were, who was talking and what was going on. In the first paragraph, Callie is turning in her check to the dean's office. In the second paragraph, she is leaning against a tree. Wait. How did she get to the tree? Another time, they are reading a letter and discussing a trip two months away, and then, in the next sentence, they are loading the car. Maybe I just needed a space between paragraphs to ready me for the transition, but the technique constantly left me rereading to keep up.

There is a huge mystery/ suspense element to the story that many may enjoy. I know I was surprised by the choices some ‘evil' characters made more than once and you tell me if you saw the end coming. She totally got me on that one. I would have nevah guessed who done it. Or frankly, who all done it. They all took me by surprise.

If you are in the mood to watch two loveable characters being taken for a wild and scary ride by the fates, this is one romantic suspense you just might want to check out. Enjoy!(less)

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Jan 30, 2011 Rita Jett rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wish there was a 3 and 1/2 because as a whole, this book was all right, but there were many moments when it shined which bump up its rating a bit to me. 3 seems too low, but anyway: The more I read, the more involved I became. The begining hooked me for some reason, but just as quickly as I was engaged, I was annoyed. There were points in the book early on where it seemed the writing was rushed. Sort of went like this (extreme exaggeration ahead, take with a grain of salt): The protagonist (Call...more Wish there was a 3 and 1/2 because as a whole, this book was all right, but there were many moments when it shined which bump up its rating a bit to me. 3 seems too low, but anyway: The more I read, the more involved I became. The begining hooked me for some reason, but just as quickly as I was engaged, I was annoyed. There were points in the book early on where it seemed the writing was rushed. Sort of went like this (extreme exaggeration ahead, take with a grain of salt): The protagonist (Callie) goes to school. It was a lonely yet exhilirating experience. She then walks home. Two weeks later she walks into the quad, sit at the bench, and thinks these thoughts (insert thoughts about dead fiancee' here), then she walks to the diner to get something to eat. The next day, she began working in an office on campus.- End of exaggeration-. It just felt like there was slices of little inane doings that threw me as the reader off and gave me a warped sense of time. Was it her first day of school or is she 4 weeks in? I caught myself saying. Couldn't get a good sense of time for some while.

Aside from that, like I said, the story really picks up towards the middle/end. Although it is labeled a Romantic suspense novel, I was disappointed to find that the 'suspense' part took place way later in the story. For a while there I thought there would never be any. It's almost as if you are reading two stories: the first one being the begining where Callie meets/falls for Mac and they work on building a relationship, and the second starting towards the end when we finally get some real suspense. There was a bit of forshadowing when we read mentions of a mysterious white van that seems to pop up all the time, but it took a while to get suspensful. You'll get a lot of story for 196 pages. It's great in some respects and not so great in others.

Overall, I began to care for the characters and realized I really enjoyed the book once I hit the back cover. Theres some sweet romance that is really enjoyable and emotion that makes you feel more than you'd think you would while reading a book. It was a real full novel that didn't skimp on backstory, romance, or drama. Check this one out! (less)

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Jul 11, 2012 Lacie Nation rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book touched my heart. It was sweet and full of love. The added mystery was a major plus for me. Jean Joanchim kept me entertained from start to finish with her writing style. I highly recommend this series!

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Sep 22, 2012 Dorel rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really wanted to read this book since I loved the first one. I am happy Callie found love after all the loss she's been through, but this book just didn't hold my interest like the first one.

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Apr 07, 2012 Makayla Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a heartbreaking story at first (to me anyway), Callie returns to college to continue her education after losing her husband to the war in Iraq a couple of years before. When she meets Mac in school, things are roughy at best, at least at first.

I truly....

READ MY FULL REVIEW http://makaylasbookreviews.blogspot.c...

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Dec 03, 2011 Lindsay rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you don't believe in true love and that it can survive then you haven't read this book. Jean tells a story of two people that meet fall in love and marry. So what else is new with that, eveything. The events Callie and Mac go through would crumble a weaker team but their love stays strong and grows stronger with each page.

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Jan 31, 2013 Marisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great read. Loved the surprises....Callie a sharp shooter? Nice! It was a good story about loving, losing and being able to love again.

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Aug 22, 2011 Brea Essex rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed Mac and Callie’s story. It definitely proved that love can conquer anything. I especially loved Callie’s interaction with Jason, Mac’s small son. Mac’s ex-wife Audrey drove me crazy (as she well should—the woman was crazy). She surprised me in the end. What surprised me the most, however, was who was behind the drug gang.

The characters were well developed and believable. Jonesy, Callie’s nosy and gossipy supervisor, was by far my favorite. All in all, I thought the story was well done...more

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Oct 05, 2012 Tammy Lane rated it 5 of 5 stars

GREAT BOOK!!!

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Nov 14, 2012 Jenn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own-booksonboard, type-series

I loved the story and want to read the rest if the series. The characters are well-written and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the book. However, the author could benefit from a good editor. Many times the phrasing was choppy, and there were several grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. While they made the book harder to read, I enjoyed the story enough to keep going.

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About Jean Joachim

I write contemporary romance. I started my writing career writing non-fiction and have seven non-fiction books published. I have 11 novels and novellas published with seven more contracted and scheduled for release. I write both sweet romance and spicy, sensual romance.
I live in New York City. I'm married, have two sons and a rescued pug named Homer.

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