Forever After

by Derek Robinson

Brayden Cross thought he had left his dangerous past behind. But when tragedy strikes at the heart of his family, he’s thrust into a life-or-death pursuit of both justice and revenge.

Following a mysterious trail of murders and disappearances across New England, Brayden finds clues that point to EverChat—an impressive but polarizing app that lets users communicate with digital versions of their departed loved ones.

As he inches closer and closer to the truth, it becomes clear that his enemy is much more than a killer. Behind the sleek veneer of groundbreaking innovation, a devastating plot is brewing that puts the future of humanity at stake.

Racing against the clock and hunted at every turn, Brayden must dismantle the operation before it reaches its endgame. But in a world where the line between humanity and technology blurs, how can he defeat an adversary that is always two steps ahead?

A pulse-pounding science fiction thriller that explores the dark intersection of technology and consciousness, Forever After paints a chilling story of love, loss, revenge, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be human in an increasingly artificial world.

Genres: Science Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2025

About the author

Hey there. I'm Derek Robinson. I live north of Boston with my wife Kathryn, and when I'm not writing stories, I work in software as a technical learning content developer. You can probably find me cheering on my hometown Boston teams in my free time.

My journey with Forever After began in 2021, and after numerous brainstorming sessions and creative hiatuses, the story finally came to fruition in 2025. For me, storytelling has always been a passion, and I can't wait to see what future stories entail.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is science gone wrong in a massive way. This was like the nightmare movies of the future, they scared people with years ago.

The movies were extreme, and I feel this was a field science has no business invading. Some things are meant to be enjoyed for a short finite period. The life death cycle is a one way trip ( or it should be). Lol. This was super creepy , and after I realized what was going on, it was another mindbender and gobsmacker!!! A page turning, hair raising, gripping experience that will make you think! I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever After sounded intriguing but it could also have been a disaster. But Derek Robinson created such a great Sci-Fi story that was easy to read ( even for a technical noob ), captivating and fast-paced.

I really liked Brayden as a character, he was determined, strong and had some brilliant ideas!

Also the rest of the characters worked perfectly.

The ending was "open-endish" so I really do hope we get more??

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lupita_333 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is told in the point of view of multiple characters. The present POVs consist of the progression of Brayden trying to solve the murder of his wife and the connection to her death with EverChat. The past POVs consist of the inspiration and creation of EverChat along with the build up of the malice it brings.

This was so good! The transition in POVs and timeline transitioned smoothly. I loved how all of the characters were very different from each other and each played a vital role in the story. Some were evil and others risked everything trying to stop them. Brayden proved his love to his wife with everything he did throughout the story. His grief and love for Sarah gave him strength to fight against the corruption. There were many mind blowing moments that I didn’t see coming epically the ones about Lacy and Vince.

Thank you BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Abhijeet Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She thought about how she would never go for another run. She would never feel rain on her skin, never smell freshly baked bread, never taste the sweetness of chocolate again."

Forever After by Derek Robinson is a debut novel about the haunting mix of tech and human consciousness. Received its ARC, and here goes my review.

This pulse-pounding sci-fi thriller follows Brayden Cross, an ex-CIA operative, on a mission to avenge his murdered wife, Sarah. This leads him into the shadowy world of EverChat app and a chilling threat to humankind.

The writing is fast-paced with vivid descriptions, and short chapters made multiple timelines flow smoothly. The storytelling is filled with love and emotions.

Initially, however, the book moved slowly. It remained intriguing throughout but the descriptions itself and unwanted details made it painful to read. And at times, few of the internal monologues killed the punch in dialogues.

Also, portraying Brayden as if a superhero, an one-man army, made it irritating. Adding a few members to his "team" was a welcome move though. Maybe that's when I begin liking this book.

Recommended for fans of science fictions who like to read stories about ethical dilemmas in tech. Forever After offers a compelling, thought-provoking ride.

[Ⓢ Ⓨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wished you could carry on talking to loved ones who have passed away? With Circuit’s app, Ever Chat, you can do just that!

Forever After is a futuristic thriller that follows former CIA operative, Brayden Cross, in his mission to avenge his murdered wife. Along the way he discovers a chilling operation but can he neutralise the threat to humankind before the timer counts down to zero?

This is a great debut offering from Derek Robinson. Action packed from the start with an imaginative plot and likeable characters. The chapters were short, engaging and kept me turning the pages.
Sci-fi isn’t usually my cup of tea, but the blurb piqued my interest and I’m glad I decided to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my advanced copy.

[Trisha Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever After is a smart and engaging blend of sci-fi and thriller. The story’s broad perspective and simplified scientific explanations make it easy to follow, even for readers new to the genre.

As someone who mostly reads thrillers, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the sci-fi elements. One small issue I initially noticed was the timeline around Sarah’s death—it’s mentioned as both a week and a year ago, which was a bit confusing. (After corresponding with the author, I learned this was due to some ambiguous wording, and he’s already aware of it. I really appreciated his openness and willingness to reflect on it for future works.)

Still, it's a great crossover read. I’d recommend it to fans of both genres!

[Maura Federico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut, bingeworthy novel from new writer Derek Robinson grabs you from the get go, and takes you on a fast paced, twisting mystery with plot twist that you don't see coming. It made me gasp out loud, more than once, anxiously stress over the nail biting journey of the protagonist and even tear up several times. I really felt like I was running thru the snowy back woods of Maine or covertly maneuvering through a sketchy, high tech lab in New York City. The language Mr. Robinson uses is so vibrant and detailed, he truly brings the world to life. The descriptions in this novel are like a camera's lens, zooming in to capture every detail and bring the setting to life. You are completely immersed in the excitement that is Brayden Cross' world. A world where the lines between artificial intelligence and human consciousness are blurred. Forever After explores what it truly means to be alive and what happens to us when we are no longer corporeal. It is a chilling story I could not put down till the thrilling conclusion. And what a perfect conclusion it was, expertly wrapping up all the loose ends, leaving a sense of completeness.

[VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all. Wow. From page one, this book had me in its grip and didn’t let go. Imagine the buzz of a midnight storm—sharp, charged, impossible to ignore. ⚡

Brayden Cross isn’t just chasing shadows; he’s chasing ghosts. The New England fog, the secrets of EverChat, the pivot from grief to gut-punch action—it all gave me chills.

This isn’t just a tech-thriller; it’s a raw look at love, loss, and the lengths we’ll go for the people we can’t let go of. Robinson blends suspense and humanity seamlessly.

By the end, my pulse was racing and my mind whispering, what if? Five stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a SiFi kinda reader, though this reads like a SiFi/phycological Thriller. In the age of AI this book can either make you curios or down right scared to the bone. Imagine your never saying goodbye to your loved ones. They are part of a computer program like talking face time with them at anytime. They look, act just like them and they have those special memories. That could have it's drawbacks. Like the guy whom created this program may have a bigger plan once this program controls the world. Limitless possibilities and total disaster. Will they be able to stop him and what he's already put into motion? Worth 5 stars.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever After by Derek Robinson
Published by Mia Bear Books — many thanks to the author for my gifted ARC.

Let me just start by saying: if you’ve ever thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if I could FaceTime my dead relatives?”—this book is either going to validate your curiosity or send you sprinting to bury your phone in a lead-lined box. Forever After is a whip-smart, emotionally bruising, occasionally terrifying sci-fi thriller that takes our real-life anxieties about AI, death, and privacy, throws them in a blender, and hits “pulverize.”

Brayden Cross is a former CIA operative with a backstory so intense you almost want to hand him a therapy punch card. He’s finally living a quiet, normal-ish life with his wife and kids—until tragedy slams through his front door like a wrecking ball. What follows is a gritty, high-stakes quest for truth, vengeance, and maybe a bit of redemption. The murder of his wife, Sarah, drags him into the shadows of EverChat—a sleek, shiny, disturbingly plausible app that lets users talk to digital replicas of their dead loved ones. It’s pitched as a miracle of modern technology, a way to grieve more gently. But surprise! The people running it aren’t exactly in it for closure and warm fuzzies.

The story snowballs quickly from “this app is kind of weird” to “oh God, is it trying to kill us?” territory. As Brayden hunts for answers across wintry New England towns and cold, high-tech labs, the narrative builds into something much bigger: a conspiracy that touches on corporate greed, transhumanism, and the terrifying question of what happens when tech companies try to outsmart death—and morality.

Now let’s talk tone. This isn’t just a whiz-bang action thriller. Yes, there are chase scenes, shootouts, ticking clocks. But what really got me was the emotional core. Derek Robinson writes grief with care and complexity, especially in scenes between Brayden and the digital Sarah. Those moments aren’t just there to fill in the backstory—they ask real questions about memory, identity, and whether we’re honoring the dead or turning them into products. There’s a quote that hit me like a punch to the ribs:
“She thought about how she would never go for another run. She would never feel rain on her skin, never smell freshly baked bread, never taste the sweetness of chocolate again.”
It’s quietly devastating. Not flashy. Just painfully human. The kind of line that sits in your chest long after you’ve put the book down.

Structurally, the book bounces between multiple POVs and timelines, and I was impressed with how cleanly it all flowed. We get flashbacks to the origin of EverChat, glimpses of the tech founders’ morally slippery decisions, and just enough insight into side characters to make the stakes feel massive. While Brayden is the obvious emotional anchor, the supporting cast—scientists, family, villains, and victims—add texture without ever bogging things down. (Though I wouldn’t have said no to a little more complexity for the antagonist, who teeters a bit too close to Bond villain now and then.)

A few nitpicks. Brayden sometimes feels less like a person and more like a grief-powered Terminator. He’s always prepared, always ten steps ahead, and at one point I half expected him to scale a building with his bare hands. That said, the book wisely introduces some allies along the way, which makes him feel less like a one-man plot machine and more like a leader who learns to lean on others.

The science itself is handled well—technical enough to feel believable, but not so dense that you need a PhD to follow. Think Michael Crichton meets Blake Crouch, with a pinch of Black Mirror paranoia. The book’s real genius is how it takes a speculative concept (digitizing consciousness) and grounds it in universal experiences: grief, love, guilt, revenge. The tech is wild, but the emotions are grounded.

The ending? It sticks the landing. There’s resolution, but not in a way that ties everything in a neat little bow. Robinson leaves enough open threads to keep you thinking, and maybe a little worried about your Alexa listening in at night. I appreciated that he didn’t go full dystopian gloom or naïve techno-optimism. Instead, he landed somewhere in the messy, uncomfortable middle, which is probably the most honest place to be when writing about the future.

All in all, Forever After is a standout debut that balances action, emotional depth, and social commentary without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard. It’s smart, heartfelt, and just cynical enough to feel relevant in our current age of tech anxiety. Also, the pacing is tight—I finished it in two sittings and immediately started texting friends, “You need to read this, but also maybe unplug your router.”

Final rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 stars, rounded up because my digital ghost told me to)

#ForeverAfter #DerekRobinson #BookReview #SciFiThriller #AIandGrief #DigitalConsciousness #EverChat #DebutNovel #GrippingReads #MoralDilemmasInTech #WhatItMeansToBeHuman

[N3UR4L Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Echoes of Secrets in a Digital Age

Derek Robinson’s Forever After weaves a gripping tale of Brayden Cross, a former field agent grappling with the psychological remnants of his covert past. Set against the backdrop of a cozy ski lodge and culminating in a high-stakes incident in Manhattan, the narrative follows Brayden as he navigates a family gathering that triggers his ingrained instincts to detect danger.

The novel explores themes of trust, identity, and the lingering effects of trauma. Brayden’s struggle to reconcile his secretive past with his present family life underscores the tension between truth and deception. The theme of technology’s double-edged sword emerges subtly, particularly in the enigmatic final scene involving a quantum network, suggesting a world where digital advancements pose both opportunity and threat. These themes are woven into the narrative through Brayden’s internal conflicts and interactions with his family, particularly his wife, Sarah, whose patience contrasts with his guarded nature.

Brayden is a compelling protagonist, his paranoia and quick thinking making him both relatable and flawed. Sarah’s calm diplomacy and their children’s innocence provide emotional depth, grounding the story in familial warmth. However, secondary characters, such as Brayden’s brother Riley, feel less developed, serving more as plot catalysts than fully realized figures. The settings, from the vivid ski lodge to the chaotic Manhattan backdrop, are richly described, enhancing the story’s tension and grounding its speculative elements in a tangible reality.

The narrative’s engagement lies in its ability to shift from mundane family moments to pulse-pounding suspense. The ski lodge scene, where Brayden’s instincts misinterpret a birthday celebration as a terrorist threat, is particularly gripping, blending humor with high stakes. However, the pacing falters in the middle, with repetitive reflections on Brayden’s past slowing the momentum. The writing style is clear and accessible, with a conversational tone that suits the domestic scenes but occasionally lacks the polish needed for the novel’s more ambitious technological themes. The use of fragmented, almost stream-of-consciousness passages during Brayden’s panic effectively mirrors his mental state.

Standout moments include the tender depiction of Brayden and Sarah’s meeting on the slopes, which radiates authenticity, and the bittersweet portrayal of their daughter Mari inheriting her mother’s compassion. The novel’s strengths lie in its emotional core and suspenseful opening, but its weaknesses include underdeveloped subplots and an abrupt shift to speculative elements in the climax. Forever After succeeds as a character-driven thriller with sci-fi undertones, appealing to readers who enjoy domestic dramas laced with intrigue, such as fans of Blake Crouch’s accessible sci-fi. Despite its flaws, the novel’s heartfelt dedication and engaging premise make it a recommended read for those seeking a blend of family dynamics and suspense.

This is a voluntary review of a free advance review copy.

[David Cordrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step into the future-and not such a distant future at that. As man contemplates issues as diverse as the conquest of the vast distances of space to the dream of immortality through artificial beings digitally housing human consciousness, what are the advantages, the dangers?

For as long as man has been around, human consciousness has been pondered. In Forever After, Derek Robinson's outstanding debut entry into the realm of Science Fiction, he provides a bold look into these issues, revealing he has given the topic much thought, research and discussion. As an author in this genre myself, the deeply disturbing storm surrounding how science might house a human soul in the hardware and software of an artificial existence-a machine-and what that would mean for humanity-these are the issues science is considering at this very moment. Mr. Robinson captures that tempest, translating it into a powerful story that is ominous, disquieting, and yet thrilling. His background in computer software as a technical learning content developer contributed, no doubt, to the creative reflection that eventually brought about Forever After; and although he modestly contends that this book wasn't intended to produce hard sci-fi, (with its demands for close adherence to fact) he did an excellent job with the "suspension of disbelief" as a compromise. As I discovered in writing my own science fiction series, Penitence, while we are not scientists, both Derek and I have experienced the same opportunity to examine how science fiction turns into true discovery-through curiosity and the ability sometimes to waive our self-assured hubris. This story does that well.

Forever After in imminently readable, with nearly zero grammatical or spelling errors to distract, and a writing style that is easy enough to follow. He keeps things interesting with flashbacks to explain current events, and descriptions of "consciousness uploading, of humanoids, [and] of the philosophical dilemmas intersecting technology and humanity"* (*from his afterword).

As a thriller, frenetic action is interspersed with interludes of cool, calculated research by the geniuses the main character, Brayden Cross recruits to help him. Beginning with the murder of his wife Sarah, Brayden accepts his calling-to do nothing less than save the world.

In Forever After, Mr. Robinson creates a fast-paced techno-thriller that thoughtfully contemplates the tension between humanity's search for the understanding of his own soul, and his often ill-prepared march into the sometimes fearful technology of tomorrow.

Forever After is highly recommended read!

[Courtney (why did I request all these!?) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions

DNF at 20%

I think calling this book scifi is a bit generous, as 20% into the book there was one brief mention of any scifi element, with the book to that point mostly reading like an action book/cop book/vengeance story that reminded me of Taken. The book uses quite a lot of movie tropes interestingly, which I suppose is a change of pace from using book tropes.

As the story went on and got more and more predictable, I found myself getting frustrated and bored. Of course there was a genius hacker available at Brayden's disposal. Of course the big baddie is named Vinny (really?)

The naming in particular really bugged me. I can't picture a grizzled ex CIA as someone named Brayden. I'm assuming, given the careers and children's ages, that Brayden and Sarah are mid 30s or early 40s. In the 80s names like Brayden and Riley were not common. I associate the name Brayden with teenagers and younger. It read like the author wanted to name his children that so he named his characters that instead. But if it doesn't fit the timeline of when the characters were born... then you really pull the reader out of the story by doing so. I kept confusing Brayden with his children during the first two chapters.

I also couldn't handle the absolutely over the top way that Sarah was so ✨perfect.✨ She is endlessly patient with her husband's awful work life balance and doing dangerous work? She is always patient with their children and knows how to talk to them calmly and diplomatically? And oh, she has a career doing therapy with foster children who have been traumatized. She's a saint. Movie tropes in abundance here.

Once the suspicious-but-obviously-bad-guy character was introduced and his name was seriously Vinny like he's in the mafia, I couldn't take anymore. Maybe once the scifi elements get actually introduced the story picks up, but I wasn't interested in sticking it out that far.

Best wishes to Derek Robinson and their future works!

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever After is a gripping and thought-provoking sci-fi thriller that seamlessly blends high-stakes suspense with profound questions about humanity, technology, and grief. Derek Robinson delivers a pulse-pounding narrative where Brayden Cross confronts both a personal tragedy and a technological conspiracy that threatens the future of humanity. The story’s tension is relentless, the stakes are both intimate and global, and the exploration of digital consciousness adds a chilling layer of contemporary relevance.

Robinson’s worldbuilding is precise and immersive, painting a near-future New England where advanced technology reshapes morality, memory, and identity. From the twists of EverChat’s dark secrets to the emotional core of Brayden’s family struggle, every page reinforces the novel’s blend of action, suspense, and ethical reflection. Forever After is not just a thriller, it’s a meditation on love, loss, and what it means to remain human in a world increasingly defined by artificial intelligence.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed by this story since it is a debut effort. I would consider it primarily in the hard science fiction genre, with a murder mystery element added. The story introduced most of the moral questions that would be wrestled with first. The action took a little longer to pick up, but once the murder at the heart of the mystery occurred, it didn’t stop.
This story had a bit of a Michael Crichton feel to it. There was the science, that, while not currently available, did not seem completely implausible either. And, also like many Crichton stories, there was a bit of an open ended conclusion.
I would highly recommend this to you if you were a fan of Michael Crichton’s Prey or Daniel Suarez’s Influx.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tim Wirzburger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome debut novel from Derek. Forever After tackles so many of the complex issues that we're all facing with AI and other emergent technologies. Where's the ethical line between humans and robotics? What role does AI play in the future of humanity? And most importantly, what place is there left for humans in this new future we're creating for ourselves?

Forever After helps readers all of these questions by blending them into a story that's suspenseful, engaging, and action-packed. Highly recommend!

[Alie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brayden is a former CIA agent trying his best to live a normal life with his wife, Sarah, and their two kids. However, AI technology has become extremely advanced and begins to horrifically disrupt their “normal” life. Brayden goes on a journey to stop the powers at be before they commit atrocities that could never be reversed. This was great! It gives a look into the vastness of AI, but also how terrifying it can be when in the wrong hands. The characters was believable and well-built.

[Wes Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever After is a thought-provoking exploration of AI, morality, and what it means to be human. The story balances big philosophical questions with gripping, personal stakes -- making it both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant. It’s the kind of sci-fi that lingers with you long after you finish the last page. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys smart, heartfelt science fiction. With a truly amazing debut, I hope this isn't the last for this author!!

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 - An interesting concept with a LOT of ideas. There were a few points in the story that felt a bit repetitive, but ultimately this was a fun, debut sci-fi novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy!

[Doug Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and timely concept

I have thought about ideas like this as AI has gotten better and better. Derek took it to a whole new level. Great action and good twists. Can't wait to see what you do next!