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R.I.L.Y Forever

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Remember I Love You Forever...

When Julia Walker unexpectedly runs into Dr. Ethan Sullivan, the man who stole her heart twenty-two years ago and whose heart she shredded in return, their reunion is emotional and explosive. While sparks fly and their passion reignites, the past rears its ugly head and the lovers soon discover that a foundation built on secrets and lies will always crumble. Can Ethan and Julia overcome their painful past and learn the lessons of honesty, trust, and forgiveness in time to save their love?

Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2016

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About the author

Norah Bennett

3 books135 followers
Norah is a contemporary romance writer living deep in the woods on a lake in NW Jersey. She has been married for thirty years to the love of her life. She has two adult children, a Great Dane, a Maltipoo, and a Cockatoo. There is never any peace in her house and she likes it that way.

By day she is a serious professor and administrator at a university in the Northeast. By night she lets her imagination flow as a romance writer. Although it is incredibly hard to balance both worlds, it’s a hell of a lot of fun walking around having this delicious secret, this alternate life that few people know about. Welcome to the world of Norah Bennett.

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5 stars
16 (48%)
4 stars
14 (42%)
3 stars
1 (3%)
2 stars
2 (6%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 21, 2016
4 Stars From Sammy's Book Obsession!

TITLE~ R.I.L.Y. Forever
AUTHOR~ Norah Bennett
GENRE~ Contemporary-Romance
PUBLISHED~ Evernight Publishing
PURCHASED~ ARC/Review Copy
MY RATING~ 4.4/5

Emotional Impact
5/5 Stars
There are emotional issues throughout the entire story. Some are handled well, some not so much. Regardless though, they all leave you thinking.

Grammar
5/5 Stars
Well written.

Story Pace
5/5 Stars
The pace is pretty steady throughout. It moved right along.

Twists, Turns, & Unpredictability
3/5 Stars
I didn't find much unpredictable in this book. I won't say much here though, because I don't want to spoil anything.

Likeliness to Recommend
5/5 Stars
I will recommend this book to those that enjoy second chance love stories.

Likeliness to Read More from Author
4/5

Overall
4.4/5 Stars
3 reviews
July 24, 2016
I loved reading Ehan and Julia's love story. I could not put this book down and found myself quickly attached to the characters. This was a fantastic, hopeful love story. I look forward to reading more books by Norah Bennett!
Profile Image for Sarah.
4 reviews10 followers
July 18, 2016
This is an excellent first book by Norah Bennett!! I was instantly engulfed the the world of Ethan and Julia that I simply couldn't put the book down. I was so easily attached to the characters that I just had to know what happened next. I can't wait to read more from Norah!
Profile Image for Amy Miller.
3,476 reviews28 followers
August 3, 2016
This is such a sweet love story. I loved how after all the years apart their love never went away. This was a great story and I look forward to reading more from the author.
Profile Image for Jules.
1,378 reviews78 followers
March 18, 2017
R.I.L.Y. Forever by Norah Bennett is a straightforward, sweet romance. I would call it a second-chance at love romance, however, another reviewer’s classification of the story as a “reunion romance” is very fitting.

The characters in R.I.L.Y. are all introduced in the opening scene. As the story unfolds, the character development continues and the relationships to the secondary characters are revealed. I loved that this romance involved mature adults. The characters are in their late 30’s and early 40’s. They have accomplishments and setbacks. They’ve developed careers, loved and lost, and they have endured some very trying situations. The characters are at a point in life when they know what they want and need, and they know what truly matters to them.

Julia has had her share of real life trauma, and throughout the book, it is apparent just how much life has worn her down and eaten away at her confidence. Julia’s physical responses to her triggers are very affecting. I couldn’t help but feel her pain, and I was desperate to learn her secrets. Ethan grew up rather privileged in comparison, but he has had his share of disappointments. His biggest disappointment was losing his high school sweetheart, Julia, but the dreamy pediatrician has made peace with her leaving him and let go of his anger. Good thing, because Julia’s daughter, Lily, is over-the-moon with Ethan. Lily is struggling through the terrible twos, but Ethan has just the right demeanor to charm her into good behavior. He has always wanted children, and she needs a daddy figure; they’re the perfect match--they just need Julia on board so everyone can have a happily-ever-after.

The story of Julia and Ethan’s reunion is told in a third person narrative from both characters’ point of view. Ms. Bennett is very descriptive, so I felt like I was living the story with the characters. The plot is well paced, and even though there are no huge surprises, the story is engaging from start to finish. I felt a couple conflicts were too easily wrapped up, and I would have liked a more realistic conflict build-up and resolution to at least one of them.

Overall, R.I.L.Y. Forever is a charming romance. The characters are interesting and the story premise is touching. Ms. Bennett’s debut novel is good, and I’m looking forward to her future books!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official: www.nerdgirlofficial.com
Profile Image for Laurie Beemer.
679 reviews27 followers
August 13, 2017
I actually read this book twice before writing this review because it was so emotional and romantic. Norah Bennett thank you for putting this story into words. The beginning reconnect between Ethan and Julia shows just how much they meant to each other from the beginning in high school and just how much that affected their entire lives. Secrets that were hidden in the past to protect may end up stopping them from finding their love once again, or will strength guarantee that they will be together forever? The strength that Julia shows for her daughter Lilly is amazingly well written and shows the importance of what unconditional love really is. This book shows that love is the most important ingredient for happiness.
Thank you NetGalley and Norah Bennett for letting me read and review this book.
Profile Image for Sarah Butland.
Author 21 books58 followers
May 5, 2017
A very well written and compelling story of a high school romance gone terribly wrong.

The second book I've read of Bennett's, I understand more of what to expected (many very detailed heated scenes) so was more accepting of them this round.

An opening scene of Julia meeting her long lost love, Ethan drove home the severity of what they meant to each other and made me very curious to understand why they didn't see each other for over 20 years. A story of past mistakes, fear and over coming so much, the characters feel real to me and have me wanting things to work out as they should have.

A recommended read,

Sarah
Profile Image for Karen Shortridge.
1,426 reviews14 followers
September 25, 2017
This is an amazing story of teenage sweethearts who broke up, Julia never told Ethan the truth of why because she had to protect them both. He took her heart twenty-two years ago with him and she shattered his in return, their reunion is truly emotional. They both had failed marriages behind them and have been left with the scars to deal with, never getting over their first love. While they rekindle their passion the past comes back and may ruin what they have, what is built on secrets and lies may just destroy their happy ever after. In their battle the truth, honesty, trust, and forgiveness will need to come out and save their love. Great read and will be reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Caroline Woodhall.
113 reviews4 followers
September 22, 2017
this is a very emotional read . a second time romance which covers quiet a few issues. I loved the story it had me drawn into right from the very start I couldn't put this book down. it's very well written and you instantly fall in love with little Lilly. I felt so sorry both Ethan and Julia for the broken marriage and Julia had such a bad childhood delt to her and she was so sure she was going to give Lilly a good one.
Everything was written in such detail you could imagine you were at Ethan's farmhouse , yep a beautiful read I loved it. 5 🌟
Profile Image for Kimberley.
208 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2017
Julia had a two year old daughter and a ex that did not want to spend time with his child. Lilly was a handful and at times Julia wondered if she was a good mom. Ethan and Julia loved each other as teenagers and parted ways. Ethan did not know why but now a Dr and recently divorced he was in the same town as Julia again. This story has caught my heart there was laughter and tears I loved it
Profile Image for Tami .
1,123 reviews33 followers
August 13, 2017
I enjoyed reading this well- written and fast-paced second chance romance.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Wilma Bates.
39 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2017
This beautiful story gives Ethan and Julia a second chance to find happiness with one another. It was hard to put down and left crying at times. If you enjoy a good love story this one will not disappoint you.. I give it 5 stars
10.1k reviews112 followers
February 14, 2018
What a wonderful romance story of two people who met years ago and hurt each other. Now , will they get back together? I had to finish it as fast as I could to find out what happens at the end. Enjoyed the interaction of the two main characters. Ready for more.
Profile Image for Julie.
25 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2016
Teaser
R.I.L.Y. Forever, by Norah Bennett, is definitely a four heart read that I will be recommending to my friends.

For those of you who are crier’s like me I recommend you have Kleenex close by. Norah Bennett's writing absolutely makes you feel for her characters.

Read Full Review at Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter
http://bit.ly/2ev61TS
Profile Image for Kimberly Miller.
Author 4 books191 followers
November 24, 2016
RILY is a sweet, feel good romance by debut author Norah Bennett. Her characters are well written with complicated pasts that have you rooting for them till the end. I'll definitely be watching for more books from this author! Recommend for anyone who enjoys a sweet romance with an ending that makes you melt :)
Profile Image for Rhi.
203 reviews11 followers
May 1, 2017
Twenty-two years after Julie left Ethan, they meet once again in a small town in New Jersey. Both are divorced, Julie has a two-year old daughter - and they are both drawn to one another. Can the two of them overcome their past to find happily ever after or will secret threaten what they have?

Julie hasn't had the easiest life and the decision she made at eighteen still haunts her. Despite being married - and now divorced - she has never gotten over Ethan. By coincidence, he is friends with the same people Julie is and when he moves to Lake Crossing, she has to confront the past in a way she never thought she would. Then there is her ex-husband who consistently flakes out on their daughter's life. Ethan is back in her life and Matt is causing problems, which means she needs to stand up to him to protect their daughter.

Ethan for his part, is recently divorced and looking for a new start in Lake Crossing. He doesn't expect to see Julie again but once he does, all the old feelings he had for her emerge once again. These feelings soon encompass Julie's two year old daughter, Lilly. Ethan is determined to make Julie his again and he won't allow her to push him away.

Overall, this is a sweet contemporary romance. It hardly feels like a second-chance story but rather a relationship that was put on hiatus for a while. While Julie and Ethan are both older and have lived life without each other, they still connect to one another. I appreciated that Lilly was a part of their relationship and not just pushed to the side.

My biggest complaint is that I wish the author had done more show rather than tell. I also found the conclusion of the Matt arc disappointing. But, ultimately, this was an enjoyable afternoon read and a great start to a series.

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Emily Dickson.
1,063 reviews4 followers
May 3, 2017
This was a sweet romance. Julia had a lot of secrets from Ethan which in turn created a lot of emotional distress. This was a good first start to a series which I plan to read the next in this series. The story flowed at a slower pace than I would of preferred. But all in all a good read. The characters were developed as far as Julia and Ethan. Lilly who was Julia's 2 year old daughter was also well written and acted exactly as any child that age does. However there was very little involving secondary characters. We met some briefly but without enough development to develop likes or dislikes of them.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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