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Theirs to Keep #1
Have Me Forever
How does one find himself in a complicated situation with his ex-girlfriend’s father? Well, turn to him for comfort when she stomps on your heart—sneak in a little kiss— wait. That wasn’t supposed to happen.
Elias Ruiz plays life safe, which means never rocking the boat with his overbearing parents. Enter Noah Baker, famed author, English Professor, and his girlfriend's father. He’s friendly, caring, and always knows how to put people at ease. But Eli’s parents hate Noah, which means he should avoid him at all costs. Eli tries, but soon the Baker house feels like home. It probably doesn’t help that Eli is a huge “Bakehead,” a diehard fan with a crush… on Noah’s written word? But what starts as innocent admiration quickly turns to passionate, reckless fun.
Despite the risk, they keep falling into each other’s bed. It’s a terrible idea. The complications are endless and he’s questioning everything he thought he knew about himself. When feelings get involved, he has to decide if he’s going to deny a part of who he is, or give in to the secret he’s hidden for so long. But what option does Eli have if he wants Noah forever?
Have Me Forever is a bi-awakening MM, ex-girlfriends father, age gap romance with searing heat, no cheating, and a HEA.
This book may be triggering for those with negative coming out experiences. Derogatory language is used against the LGBTQIA+ community by side characters. And, manipulation and negative role expectations set forth by family members are prominent throughout.
Elias Ruiz plays life safe, which means never rocking the boat with his overbearing parents. Enter Noah Baker, famed author, English Professor, and his girlfriend's father. He’s friendly, caring, and always knows how to put people at ease. But Eli’s parents hate Noah, which means he should avoid him at all costs. Eli tries, but soon the Baker house feels like home. It probably doesn’t help that Eli is a huge “Bakehead,” a diehard fan with a crush… on Noah’s written word? But what starts as innocent admiration quickly turns to passionate, reckless fun.
Despite the risk, they keep falling into each other’s bed. It’s a terrible idea. The complications are endless and he’s questioning everything he thought he knew about himself. When feelings get involved, he has to decide if he’s going to deny a part of who he is, or give in to the secret he’s hidden for so long. But what option does Eli have if he wants Noah forever?
Have Me Forever is a bi-awakening MM, ex-girlfriends father, age gap romance with searing heat, no cheating, and a HEA.
This book may be triggering for those with negative coming out experiences. Derogatory language is used against the LGBTQIA+ community by side characters. And, manipulation and negative role expectations set forth by family members are prominent throughout.
386 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2023
32 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Ally Blythe
1 book29 followersI am a contemporary author, with my debut novel, Have Me Forever, coming March 7th, 2023!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
March 9, 2023
3 - 3.5 ⭐
This was a new-to-me author and a girlfriend's dad, age gap? I was here for it!
Eli ha been with his girlfriend for a while. He loves her but she is considerably more wild than him. His parent are super-religious and have him on a very tight leash. After he , they break up but Eli is still a little drawn to her dad.
Eli and Noah start a sexual relationship of sorts, though both have been ostensibly straight up to this point. There is a little inconsistency with Eli denying his sexuality / desires but throwing himself at Noah at every given opportunity! The two are hot AF together. His (former) girlfriend is a total b*tch and his parents are truly awful (TW for major homophobia here).
This is very much a NA book though Noah is in this late 30s. The relationship between the two was a lot of push and pull, initially from both but as the book progresses, mainly from Eli. The reactions as their relationship is discovered from friends and family is predictable but the two together are so sweet. Both MCs are so likeable and Noah? 🥵
All in all a fun read.
ARC received for my honest review
This was a new-to-me author and a girlfriend's dad, age gap? I was here for it!
Eli ha been with his girlfriend for a while. He loves her but she is considerably more wild than him. His parent are super-religious and have him on a very tight leash. After he , they break up but Eli is still a little drawn to her dad.
Eli and Noah start a sexual relationship of sorts, though both have been ostensibly straight up to this point. There is a little inconsistency with Eli denying his sexuality / desires but throwing himself at Noah at every given opportunity! The two are hot AF together. His (former) girlfriend is a total b*tch and his parents are truly awful (TW for major homophobia here).
This is very much a NA book though Noah is in this late 30s. The relationship between the two was a lot of push and pull, initially from both but as the book progresses, mainly from Eli. The reactions as their relationship is discovered from friends and family is predictable but the two together are so sweet. Both MCs are so likeable and Noah? 🥵
All in all a fun read.
ARC received for my honest review
January 24, 2023
I LOVED this book. I hardly know where to begin so bear with me.
This is the story of Eli and Noah. Eli is a sheltered university student and Noah is an English professor at the same university. Ok, so that’s already incredibly hot, BUT Noah is also Eli’s girlfriend’s dad. Mmhmm. You read that correctly. Complications.
But here’s what I love about this book: the situation is treated with a lot of care by the author and she creates a really original take on something that would have been easy to turn into, well, something less than it is.
It’s never easy to like a cheater, and if you don’t like flawed and complicated characters, then maybe this isn’t the book for you, but there is so much depth in the backstory that subtly explains that person’s need for attention, feedback, control. It would have been so easy to make that character ‘the B* you love to hate’, but the author didn’t take the easy way out, and presents us with a somewhat confronting situation by making that person human. The thing is, life is complicated. People are complicated. This is exactly why so many of us love reading about complicated characters. Which brings me to the next point.
Eli… Now here’s another complex and flawed character, but so likeable. I don’t want to bring any spoilers into this review, but the deeper into this book you get, the more you understand why he is the way he is, and the more his actions start to make sense. I loved seeing his character growth throughout this story and he’s genuinely one of the sweetest characters around. I miss him already and I’m very much hoping to find out there’s more to come…
Anyway, then there’s Noah. Again, flawed and real. You can feel how tired this guy is from the start, but then you get to see the breath of fresh air that Eli is through his eyes. The writer perfectly captures his struggle, but also that growing interest and burgeoning love that is so irresistible (I mean, have you seen Eli? In your mind’s eye…)
Eli and Noah’s relationship is so gorgeous and so pure. They start out in the strangest situation, and it isn’t easy, but then you see them together and the tension is so intense it’s positively sparking, but then…
Ok, let’s talk spice. It’s top notch here. These scenes were plentiful but never pointless. You know those books where it’s just smut and pretty much no story? No, this one has the perfect balance. It was a delight to watch the relationship develop both emotionally and physically, and I won’t lie, these scenes were hot. That pool scene? Oh, you don’t know about the pool scene yet? Go read about the pool scene and report back. Splash splash. ;) But seriously, the author never shied away from a good description and she DELIVERED here. It’s a good thing I was so invested in the story because otherwise I may have just skipped ahead to the next tryst.
Behind all of this tension and romance, the book also deals with some pretty heavy issues, so definitely read the trigger warnings if you’re sensitive. To me, this makes the book well rounded. It’s more than a fluffy romance, but also delivers all the happy feels.
Oh, and I don’t know if I mentioned, but the author is really funny too, and the banter between Eli and Noah is fantastic. It’s a beautiful juxtaposition to all of the difficulties going on around them. You really get the sense of their relationship being a safe place.
Five stars from me. I adored this book and I hope there’s another -
HOLY! I just went to the website and there is ANOTHER book on the way. I cannot wait!!! Thanks so much to the author for this one. LOVED IT!
This is the story of Eli and Noah. Eli is a sheltered university student and Noah is an English professor at the same university. Ok, so that’s already incredibly hot, BUT Noah is also Eli’s girlfriend’s dad. Mmhmm. You read that correctly. Complications.
But here’s what I love about this book: the situation is treated with a lot of care by the author and she creates a really original take on something that would have been easy to turn into, well, something less than it is.
It’s never easy to like a cheater, and if you don’t like flawed and complicated characters, then maybe this isn’t the book for you, but there is so much depth in the backstory that subtly explains that person’s need for attention, feedback, control. It would have been so easy to make that character ‘the B* you love to hate’, but the author didn’t take the easy way out, and presents us with a somewhat confronting situation by making that person human. The thing is, life is complicated. People are complicated. This is exactly why so many of us love reading about complicated characters. Which brings me to the next point.
Eli… Now here’s another complex and flawed character, but so likeable. I don’t want to bring any spoilers into this review, but the deeper into this book you get, the more you understand why he is the way he is, and the more his actions start to make sense. I loved seeing his character growth throughout this story and he’s genuinely one of the sweetest characters around. I miss him already and I’m very much hoping to find out there’s more to come…
Anyway, then there’s Noah. Again, flawed and real. You can feel how tired this guy is from the start, but then you get to see the breath of fresh air that Eli is through his eyes. The writer perfectly captures his struggle, but also that growing interest and burgeoning love that is so irresistible (I mean, have you seen Eli? In your mind’s eye…)
Eli and Noah’s relationship is so gorgeous and so pure. They start out in the strangest situation, and it isn’t easy, but then you see them together and the tension is so intense it’s positively sparking, but then…
Ok, let’s talk spice. It’s top notch here. These scenes were plentiful but never pointless. You know those books where it’s just smut and pretty much no story? No, this one has the perfect balance. It was a delight to watch the relationship develop both emotionally and physically, and I won’t lie, these scenes were hot. That pool scene? Oh, you don’t know about the pool scene yet? Go read about the pool scene and report back. Splash splash. ;) But seriously, the author never shied away from a good description and she DELIVERED here. It’s a good thing I was so invested in the story because otherwise I may have just skipped ahead to the next tryst.
Behind all of this tension and romance, the book also deals with some pretty heavy issues, so definitely read the trigger warnings if you’re sensitive. To me, this makes the book well rounded. It’s more than a fluffy romance, but also delivers all the happy feels.
Oh, and I don’t know if I mentioned, but the author is really funny too, and the banter between Eli and Noah is fantastic. It’s a beautiful juxtaposition to all of the difficulties going on around them. You really get the sense of their relationship being a safe place.
Five stars from me. I adored this book and I hope there’s another -
HOLY! I just went to the website and there is ANOTHER book on the way. I cannot wait!!! Thanks so much to the author for this one. LOVED IT!
March 8, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up.
The premise of this book intrigued me as it's a twist on the friend's dad trope: it's the ex-girlfriend's dad, instead! Ally Blythe is a brand-new author, and does well in her debut.
She's created well-rounded characters who are drawn to each other despite their age difference - which isn't as much as you'd think since Noah was a teen father.
There's plenty of steam, and solid character growth throughout the book, and I enjoyed reading Ally's clean prose. I look forward do more from her in the future!
The premise of this book intrigued me as it's a twist on the friend's dad trope: it's the ex-girlfriend's dad, instead! Ally Blythe is a brand-new author, and does well in her debut.
She's created well-rounded characters who are drawn to each other despite their age difference - which isn't as much as you'd think since Noah was a teen father.
There's plenty of steam, and solid character growth throughout the book, and I enjoyed reading Ally's clean prose. I look forward do more from her in the future!
January 30, 2023
Sometimes you find comfort in the place you least expect to find it.
Eli had a great girlfriend, a solid family at home and was hard working at school. Sure some of his friends thought he was boring and the mother hen of the group. But at least he was doing what he knew was right.
Noah is an acclaimed author and professor at his daughters school. He’s young handsome and all around a good person. The only person who doesn’t think so is his daughter. That’s okay though, Noah’s determined to get them to spend more time together. Even if that means having her boyfriend and all her friends over to hang out. Eli seems like a good kid anyways….sure his parents hate Noah but that’s fine.
This book is about two people who find comfort in each other. During the time they spend they feel an underlying connection between them that they ignored while Eli was dating Noah’s Daughter. But now that they’ve broken up Eli needs someone to lean on, he just never knew that person would be her Dad.
Eli knows what he’s doing is wrong. Being gay is a sin, his mother has always told him that. But also kissing his ex-girlfriends dad isn’t the best look either. But why can’t he stop doing it?
Putting distance between them, Eli goes out and tries to get the Bakers off his mind. But inevitably trouble finds him. When Noah sees Eli has been hurt and who’s hurt him, Daddy bear comes out in full force.
The hurt comfort in the book is beautiful. The MCs are able to lean on each other in a beautiful way. They know what they’re doing is wrong but also denying the hearts need for love is to painful.
For a debut novel the author did a killer job of keeping the story moving forward without things EVER getting boring.
The spice was INSANELY good and hot! Mr. Bakers dirty talk is ON POINT!
Read this when it comes out it will NOT disappoint!
4/4 Story 💖💖💖💖
4/4 Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Eli had a great girlfriend, a solid family at home and was hard working at school. Sure some of his friends thought he was boring and the mother hen of the group. But at least he was doing what he knew was right.
Noah is an acclaimed author and professor at his daughters school. He’s young handsome and all around a good person. The only person who doesn’t think so is his daughter. That’s okay though, Noah’s determined to get them to spend more time together. Even if that means having her boyfriend and all her friends over to hang out. Eli seems like a good kid anyways….sure his parents hate Noah but that’s fine.
This book is about two people who find comfort in each other. During the time they spend they feel an underlying connection between them that they ignored while Eli was dating Noah’s Daughter. But now that they’ve broken up Eli needs someone to lean on, he just never knew that person would be her Dad.
Eli knows what he’s doing is wrong. Being gay is a sin, his mother has always told him that. But also kissing his ex-girlfriends dad isn’t the best look either. But why can’t he stop doing it?
Putting distance between them, Eli goes out and tries to get the Bakers off his mind. But inevitably trouble finds him. When Noah sees Eli has been hurt and who’s hurt him, Daddy bear comes out in full force.
The hurt comfort in the book is beautiful. The MCs are able to lean on each other in a beautiful way. They know what they’re doing is wrong but also denying the hearts need for love is to painful.
For a debut novel the author did a killer job of keeping the story moving forward without things EVER getting boring.
The spice was INSANELY good and hot! Mr. Bakers dirty talk is ON POINT!
Read this when it comes out it will NOT disappoint!
4/4 Story 💖💖💖💖
4/4 Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
March 7, 2023
Thanks to GRR for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.
So. I did not really like this book. The main reason is that I did not connect with the characters. I had little sense of Eli or Noah as people, or anyone else.
Noah is father to Angel, Eli's girlfriend, and seems to be a pathetic doormat. We know that he is a university lecturer and a published author of fantasy novels. He "had Angel when he was a teenager" so we deduce that he is in his mid-thirties.
Eli is 20. He is in his second year of college. He lives in the dorms and is stalked by his parents who track his phone. They require his frequent presence to mind the other 57 or so children and eat dinner with them. We learn that he is doing business studies on the orders of his parents, but would rather do English. Eli's girlfriend is Angel. (okay, we learn he likes fantasy novels).
The book opens with Eli and Angel at her house with their friendship group. This is where I started having trouble. All the kids except Eli are rude contemptuous of him, disrespectful and disgusting. Angel is just awful. Eli does not have a problem with the awful way he is treated by his girlfriend, or by everyone else including his family. Also, these people are all 20, and peer pressuring him into drinking and smoking dope. At 20? Really?
Angel treats her boyfriend and her father with continuous withering contempt and rudeness. Her behaviour gets more awful. Other peoples' behaviour gets more awful. Everyone seems fine with this.
Eli and Noah just wander around the book being abused doormats. This includes Eli getting assaulted a couple of times. Noone calls the police or gets medical help.
Little is explained about the parents. We know they are strict Christians of some sort (Spanish speakers, so maybe Catholics?). There is something at the beginning about how the parents married "with the approval of both families" They track his phone and he is fine with this. He doesn't think to get another one and use call forwarding. He's 20 remember? Parents tracking 20-year-old's phones is not normal. This is not really explained except that the threat is that they will insist he move home with them.
As readers, we deduce that the parents hold the purse strings re university. They also pay for his phone and his car.
We are given absolutely nothing more about what the deal is with the parents. Are they part of a religious community or a church community? What church? What sort of Catholics (if they re Catholics) are they? Why did their families have to approve their marriage? What are their expectation for their children? Why? What are the repercussions of disobedience for them of their children? Do they go to hell? Would they be thrown out of their church? Why are they like they are?
As readers, we need to understand all this to understand Eli and why he is like he is. We were left with paper dolls.
All in all I was left frustrated and disappointed by a bunch of paper doll characters all of whom acted about 5 years younger than their actual age. Often very unpleasantly.
So. I did not really like this book. The main reason is that I did not connect with the characters. I had little sense of Eli or Noah as people, or anyone else.
Noah is father to Angel, Eli's girlfriend, and seems to be a pathetic doormat. We know that he is a university lecturer and a published author of fantasy novels. He "had Angel when he was a teenager" so we deduce that he is in his mid-thirties.
Eli is 20. He is in his second year of college. He lives in the dorms and is stalked by his parents who track his phone. They require his frequent presence to mind the other 57 or so children and eat dinner with them. We learn that he is doing business studies on the orders of his parents, but would rather do English. Eli's girlfriend is Angel. (okay, we learn he likes fantasy novels).
The book opens with Eli and Angel at her house with their friendship group. This is where I started having trouble. All the kids except Eli are rude contemptuous of him, disrespectful and disgusting. Angel is just awful. Eli does not have a problem with the awful way he is treated by his girlfriend, or by everyone else including his family. Also, these people are all 20, and peer pressuring him into drinking and smoking dope. At 20? Really?
Angel treats her boyfriend and her father with continuous withering contempt and rudeness. Her behaviour gets more awful. Other peoples' behaviour gets more awful. Everyone seems fine with this.
Eli and Noah just wander around the book being abused doormats. This includes Eli getting assaulted a couple of times. Noone calls the police or gets medical help.
Little is explained about the parents. We know they are strict Christians of some sort (Spanish speakers, so maybe Catholics?). There is something at the beginning about how the parents married "with the approval of both families" They track his phone and he is fine with this. He doesn't think to get another one and use call forwarding. He's 20 remember? Parents tracking 20-year-old's phones is not normal. This is not really explained except that the threat is that they will insist he move home with them.
As readers, we deduce that the parents hold the purse strings re university. They also pay for his phone and his car.
We are given absolutely nothing more about what the deal is with the parents. Are they part of a religious community or a church community? What church? What sort of Catholics (if they re Catholics) are they? Why did their families have to approve their marriage? What are their expectation for their children? Why? What are the repercussions of disobedience for them of their children? Do they go to hell? Would they be thrown out of their church? Why are they like they are?
As readers, we need to understand all this to understand Eli and why he is like he is. We were left with paper dolls.
All in all I was left frustrated and disappointed by a bunch of paper doll characters all of whom acted about 5 years younger than their actual age. Often very unpleasantly.
Read
March 10, 2023Potentially interesting, but fatally let down by the author dragging in zillions of sources of conflict without exploring any one or two of them in enough depth to make this actually interesting.
And don't get me started on the improbability of the central relationship. Nor the tiresome "We must"—"We musn't"—"We should"—"We shouldn't".
And don't get me started on the improbability of the central relationship. Nor the tiresome "We must"—"We musn't"—"We should"—"We shouldn't".
February 3, 2023
This was a very enjoyable read for me. Eli’s circumstances and the crap he had to put up with, both from his ‘friend’ Tom and his parents was quite sad but his relationship with Noah helped him through that which was lovely. There was some angst from the family dynamics but it only made the end result that much sweeter. I loved these two together and could have read a lot more about them.
January 16, 2023
***Received an eARC of this novel from GRR in exchange for an honest review***
Have me forever was a power-packed book that diving into so many significant issues that youth goes through. Furthermore, I felt like the author has written these with experience.
Firstly it speaks about overbearing parents that have too strong religious beliefs.
Secondly, finding yourself, uncertain of your sexuality. Thirdly, people are homophobic, Fourthly, parents manipulate their children for their benefit, and the last is abandonment issues.
But even though the topics were sensitive the book was written in a lighter tone so that you enjoy it and it brings joy to the readers. There were incredible and intense sex scenes between Noah and Elias. Their romance was beautiful and the love story was incredible.
Noah has a beautiful personality, he is mature, and he is courteous. He is understanding, caring and so very protective. Elias is 20 years old and growing up with so many restrictions and parents monitoring every single move. He is sweet, sensitive and so lovable.
The best part of the book was that you get to see parallel stories of both characters. There is a background story for both characters. Elias's issues with his parents and his sister and questioning his sexuality. On the other hand, how Noah handles his teenage rebellious daughter. So you can see it's not all about them falling in love and being together but personal development too.
The book had so many genuine human complexities which we glimpse in the modern world. These are the demons that don't let humans grow and move on. This was a wholesome book with a purpose.
Have me forever was a power-packed book that diving into so many significant issues that youth goes through. Furthermore, I felt like the author has written these with experience.
Firstly it speaks about overbearing parents that have too strong religious beliefs.
Secondly, finding yourself, uncertain of your sexuality. Thirdly, people are homophobic, Fourthly, parents manipulate their children for their benefit, and the last is abandonment issues.
But even though the topics were sensitive the book was written in a lighter tone so that you enjoy it and it brings joy to the readers. There were incredible and intense sex scenes between Noah and Elias. Their romance was beautiful and the love story was incredible.
Noah has a beautiful personality, he is mature, and he is courteous. He is understanding, caring and so very protective. Elias is 20 years old and growing up with so many restrictions and parents monitoring every single move. He is sweet, sensitive and so lovable.
The best part of the book was that you get to see parallel stories of both characters. There is a background story for both characters. Elias's issues with his parents and his sister and questioning his sexuality. On the other hand, how Noah handles his teenage rebellious daughter. So you can see it's not all about them falling in love and being together but personal development too.
The book had so many genuine human complexities which we glimpse in the modern world. These are the demons that don't let humans grow and move on. This was a wholesome book with a purpose.
Read
January 24, 2023DNF
I was annoyed with almost every character in this book. Their actions were over the top, overboard stupid and often just felt stilted and forced. I hate to not finish books, but I couldn’t keep going.
I was annoyed with almost every character in this book. Their actions were over the top, overboard stupid and often just felt stilted and forced. I hate to not finish books, but I couldn’t keep going.
January 30, 2023
Eli (20) is a student trying to find his way in the world, whilst still remaining true and loyal to the values his parents drilled into him growing up.
Noah (35) is a single dad working at the local university, trying to guide his 19 year old daughter, Angel, as best as he can.
The link between them? Angel is Eli's girlfriend. At least she was, until Eli found her in bed with Eli's best friend and roommate.
When Eli times his visit to Angel's house to retrieve some of his cherished belongings whilst avoiding Angel, he runs into Noah and they talk. Pretty quickly, though, that talk turns into a moment between the pair of them, and the spark of maybe something more is set into motion.
I really enjoyed this book. Both MCs were adorably sweet, but that didn't take away from the angst in the book. Both MCs had to come to turns with their sexuality and what it means not just to them, but to the people that are nearest and dearest to them.
Noah found it a slightly easier journey than Eli in many ways, but their development rang true to their ages in the story. This is very much a story driven by family and how your upbringing can define who you are as an adult or who you are destined to become.
For a debut book, Ally has delivered what few people in the world have done - written a heart-wrenching story with two incredibly sweet MCs that have what seems to be the whole world against them for simply being themselves.
Noah (35) is a single dad working at the local university, trying to guide his 19 year old daughter, Angel, as best as he can.
The link between them? Angel is Eli's girlfriend. At least she was, until Eli found her in bed with Eli's best friend and roommate.
When Eli times his visit to Angel's house to retrieve some of his cherished belongings whilst avoiding Angel, he runs into Noah and they talk. Pretty quickly, though, that talk turns into a moment between the pair of them, and the spark of maybe something more is set into motion.
I really enjoyed this book. Both MCs were adorably sweet, but that didn't take away from the angst in the book. Both MCs had to come to turns with their sexuality and what it means not just to them, but to the people that are nearest and dearest to them.
Noah found it a slightly easier journey than Eli in many ways, but their development rang true to their ages in the story. This is very much a story driven by family and how your upbringing can define who you are as an adult or who you are destined to become.
For a debut book, Ally has delivered what few people in the world have done - written a heart-wrenching story with two incredibly sweet MCs that have what seems to be the whole world against them for simply being themselves.
February 1, 2023
The plot of this book had me in a chokehold! While I’m known to be a fan of an age gap romance, pair that with student/ professor and girlfriends dad this novel had me diving deep and ingesting this masterpiece in as little time as possible! I loved Eli and his chapter growth through out this book, even though he was taught that liking men wasn’t appropriate he pushed through and found his way to love. Eli and Noah relationship was a blast to read and I can’t wait to read more by Ally.
February 27, 2023
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3.5 🌟
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
This was cute and hoooot!
As soon as I read the blurb, I was in. The ex-girlfriend's father? Come on! The drama!! I couldn't resist it. How would that go? How would the start their relationship? I was so intrigued!
I liked how every character was different. We have some hateful ones, some that can be redeemed and then our mains and their close ones.
Eli comes from a big latin family. A truly overbearing family. Could we call them overprotective? I wouldn't say so. His parents are the kind of parents that impose everything on their kids: how to be, what to, who to like. They check his phone to see where he is, they visit him constantly to control what he does and make him go back home from time to time even though he's already in college. I hated them, but they were well depicted.
I could understand Eli's fear of losing them. No one wishes to lose their parents, their family, and so Eli hides who he is even from himself. But Noah makes it impossible.
And how I liked Noah! Man, their first time together, that kiss and make out session was hot af! As well as every of their times together. These two together are fire, passion and need. I loved seeing them losing control. It was unexpected even for them, but they couldn't control what they felt, what the needed. And things only grow as time goes on.
Noah has a difficult task as a father, since Angel is not an easy daughter. But he tries and fights for her, the same way he ends fighting for Eli.
Seeing Noah get protective, possessive, demanding... All his sides were amazing and made melt from the inside out. His love for Eli is impossible to miss, and he fights for it without caring what others will think not only about their age difference or the fact that they are both men who never dated other men, but also about the fact Eli previously dated his daughter.
And of course, as I was expecting, there was drama! So much of it, but not to the point of making it too much.
The main focus is their relationship, how they try to resist and then make it work. How they start as "casual" but end hopelessly in love. But from time to time we get glimpses of the issues they must overcome. From Angel and her snappy attitude, to Eli's parents being as they are. And in the middle, Noah trying to be a better dad, Eli forgiving the older sister who once left and never came back.
Overall, I found this to be a cute and charming story about finding love and fighting for it, consequences be damned. The steamy scenes were EVERYTHING, so hot and enthralling I couldn't help but wish for more.
A perfect read when you want something with drama bur that leaves you with a soft feeling, smiling and loving the main couple.
3.5 🌟
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
This was cute and hoooot!
As soon as I read the blurb, I was in. The ex-girlfriend's father? Come on! The drama!! I couldn't resist it. How would that go? How would the start their relationship? I was so intrigued!
I liked how every character was different. We have some hateful ones, some that can be redeemed and then our mains and their close ones.
Eli comes from a big latin family. A truly overbearing family. Could we call them overprotective? I wouldn't say so. His parents are the kind of parents that impose everything on their kids: how to be, what to, who to like. They check his phone to see where he is, they visit him constantly to control what he does and make him go back home from time to time even though he's already in college. I hated them, but they were well depicted.
I could understand Eli's fear of losing them. No one wishes to lose their parents, their family, and so Eli hides who he is even from himself. But Noah makes it impossible.
And how I liked Noah! Man, their first time together, that kiss and make out session was hot af! As well as every of their times together. These two together are fire, passion and need. I loved seeing them losing control. It was unexpected even for them, but they couldn't control what they felt, what the needed. And things only grow as time goes on.
Noah has a difficult task as a father, since Angel is not an easy daughter. But he tries and fights for her, the same way he ends fighting for Eli.
Seeing Noah get protective, possessive, demanding... All his sides were amazing and made melt from the inside out. His love for Eli is impossible to miss, and he fights for it without caring what others will think not only about their age difference or the fact that they are both men who never dated other men, but also about the fact Eli previously dated his daughter.
And of course, as I was expecting, there was drama! So much of it, but not to the point of making it too much.
The main focus is their relationship, how they try to resist and then make it work. How they start as "casual" but end hopelessly in love. But from time to time we get glimpses of the issues they must overcome. From Angel and her snappy attitude, to Eli's parents being as they are. And in the middle, Noah trying to be a better dad, Eli forgiving the older sister who once left and never came back.
Overall, I found this to be a cute and charming story about finding love and fighting for it, consequences be damned. The steamy scenes were EVERYTHING, so hot and enthralling I couldn't help but wish for more.
A perfect read when you want something with drama bur that leaves you with a soft feeling, smiling and loving the main couple.
March 13, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
2 stars
Have Me Forever is a debut book from this author and the short review is that it didn’t work for me at all. I didn’t like any of the characters, I didn’t care for their lives, and I didn’t care for the writing that got them through to the end.
Eli is a college student and he’s dating Angel. Eli has met Angel’s father, Noah, a few times, but hasn’t spent much time with him and Angel is incredibly rude to Noah. Angel is nineteen and acts out all of the time, mouthing off to Noah who accepts it all, as he wants to be a friend to Angel, and their dynamics were awful. Angel was yelling at Noah all of the time and she really didn’t do anything besides that. It’s mentioned she works one day a week and she’s always off partying or taking trips with friends and Noah pays for it all and her actions are destructive to both Noah and Eli.
I never felt that spark between Eli and Noah. We didn’t see them interact much when Eli was with Angel and then we are told about the attraction between the men, but the chemistry was never there for me. There is also a lot of drama going on.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
2 stars
Have Me Forever is a debut book from this author and the short review is that it didn’t work for me at all. I didn’t like any of the characters, I didn’t care for their lives, and I didn’t care for the writing that got them through to the end.
Eli is a college student and he’s dating Angel. Eli has met Angel’s father, Noah, a few times, but hasn’t spent much time with him and Angel is incredibly rude to Noah. Angel is nineteen and acts out all of the time, mouthing off to Noah who accepts it all, as he wants to be a friend to Angel, and their dynamics were awful. Angel was yelling at Noah all of the time and she really didn’t do anything besides that. It’s mentioned she works one day a week and she’s always off partying or taking trips with friends and Noah pays for it all and her actions are destructive to both Noah and Eli.
I never felt that spark between Eli and Noah. We didn’t see them interact much when Eli was with Angel and then we are told about the attraction between the men, but the chemistry was never there for me. There is also a lot of drama going on.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
January 13, 2023
I feel like I have gone through the ringer in this story. There is a lot to get through. First off we have to deal with Eli and Angel and the fall out, then the complications of bi-awakening from both MC's. This is not an easy concept when both MC's have not realised this before. This in itself brings up emotions, problems with friendships, secrecy and lies. All of this is a heavy burden which you kind of take on as the reader. I am so glad Eli had Vi as a great friend, boy did he need it. The mood swings rapidly in this story depending who is present at the time; Eli's parents are absolutely toxic and makes difficult reading with their coercive controlling and can turn the page sour in an instant. When it is just Noah and Eli the relationship is perfect. They just fit, the age gap isn't even an afterthought and they certainly have a lovely connection. There are underlying D/s ripples starting to emerge as the words 'Sir' and 'brat' are thrown around but nothing really comes of this other than Eli needing Noah to take control in a freeing kind of way. Crinkles between families are ironed out in the end and the two different epilogue time frames provide some good closure. It is definitely a HEA and felt very welcomed. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 7, 2023
What an enjoyable book! This one is a rich and complete story that takes you on a journey through the many challenges facing Noah and Eli as they struggle to figure out what HEA means to each of them and how to get there. Eli has a family he loves, although he struggles with his mother who is very controlling, and he's having trouble balancing how to be there for his siblings, meet the expectations of his parents, and be true to himself. He thought he was in love with his best friend turned girlfriend Angel, but she becomes increasingly belligerent, and Eli is devastated when he finds her in bed with his roommate. He's always gotten along well with Angel's father Noah, who is a professor at the university that Eli and Angel attend and the writer of Eli's favorite books. When Eli goes to Noah and Angel's house to get some personal items, Eli and Noah talk and find that their mutual attraction is strong.
Noah has his own challenges to face beyond being attracted to a student and his daughter's ex-boyfriend. He and Angel have a complex relationship because of his ex-wife's lies, and he is trying to build a relationship with Angel while also pursuing a relationship with Eli. This story is so well written that I couldn't put it down. Every plot line was well developed, and while there was angst, it was not too much and really just right for the story. The chemistry between Noah and Eli was also off the charts. I really enjoyed this first book from Ally Blythe and hope to read many more in the future. Highly recommend!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Noah has his own challenges to face beyond being attracted to a student and his daughter's ex-boyfriend. He and Angel have a complex relationship because of his ex-wife's lies, and he is trying to build a relationship with Angel while also pursuing a relationship with Eli. This story is so well written that I couldn't put it down. Every plot line was well developed, and while there was angst, it was not too much and really just right for the story. The chemistry between Noah and Eli was also off the charts. I really enjoyed this first book from Ally Blythe and hope to read many more in the future. Highly recommend!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 8, 2023
AHHH THIS BOOK WAS SOOOO GOOD!!!
INFINITY STARS FOR THOS AMAZING NEW RELEASE!!!
I’ve been waiting for this book to be released since i first heard about it not too long ago. Come on, it’s a ex-girlfriend’s dad romance. Who wouldn’t want to read something like that.
In all honesty, this book was far more than just a romance between Eli and Noah. There was so much more to this plot than getting to see them fall in love. My heart HURT the whole time I was reading this story. Eli has such a hard life with how controlling both his parents are even at the age of 20 years old. He wasn’t allowed to be who he truly was and wanted to be. He had to be what his parents wanted him to be and they were definitely very manipulative to the point where Eli didn’t even realize it anymore.
What I loved lost about this book is how much Eli had grown throughout the story. Being with Noah and getting to experience this journey on his own terms made me so happy. He got to reconnect with his older sister and be surrounded by so many people who loved him for who is was no matter what. He learned to accept that who he loved was perfectly okay and was nothing to be ashamed. This book had me on such an emotional roller coaster but I loved every single second of it.
INFINITY STARS FOR THOS AMAZING NEW RELEASE!!!
I’ve been waiting for this book to be released since i first heard about it not too long ago. Come on, it’s a ex-girlfriend’s dad romance. Who wouldn’t want to read something like that.
In all honesty, this book was far more than just a romance between Eli and Noah. There was so much more to this plot than getting to see them fall in love. My heart HURT the whole time I was reading this story. Eli has such a hard life with how controlling both his parents are even at the age of 20 years old. He wasn’t allowed to be who he truly was and wanted to be. He had to be what his parents wanted him to be and they were definitely very manipulative to the point where Eli didn’t even realize it anymore.
What I loved lost about this book is how much Eli had grown throughout the story. Being with Noah and getting to experience this journey on his own terms made me so happy. He got to reconnect with his older sister and be surrounded by so many people who loved him for who is was no matter what. He learned to accept that who he loved was perfectly okay and was nothing to be ashamed. This book had me on such an emotional roller coaster but I loved every single second of it.
January 15, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up!
Have Me Forever has the YA feel the cover suggests, but with sex scenes.
It's a double bi-awakening between a college student, Eli, and Noah, his ex-girlfriend's father.
Besides their struggle with their feelings towards one another and navigating the sticky situation of hooking up with your ex's father / your daughter's ex, there is a lot of focus on Eli dealing with his overbearing parents, processing his feelings over being abandoned by his older sister years ago, and having been cheated on (by his now ex-girlfriend and ex-friend).
I found it engaging enough, though sometimes the many tropes were a little bit too much for me.
I would recommend this if you're looking for a YA/NA story with a bonus of forbidden romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Have Me Forever has the YA feel the cover suggests, but with sex scenes.
It's a double bi-awakening between a college student, Eli, and Noah, his ex-girlfriend's father.
Besides their struggle with their feelings towards one another and navigating the sticky situation of hooking up with your ex's father / your daughter's ex, there is a lot of focus on Eli dealing with his overbearing parents, processing his feelings over being abandoned by his older sister years ago, and having been cheated on (by his now ex-girlfriend and ex-friend).
I found it engaging enough, though sometimes the many tropes were a little bit too much for me.
I would recommend this if you're looking for a YA/NA story with a bonus of forbidden romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 9, 2023
Have Me Forever is wonderful!
The characters are real, fully fleshed out, with strengths and weaknesses, flaws, and a whole lot of heart. This was very much up my ally as I’m the type of reader who wants to see real life reflected, flaws and all, but I also want to connect with the characters and root for their happy ending. This book fulfilled my needs perfectly. I was happy when they were happy, anxious when they were anxious, and I celebrated when they celebrated.
I was hesitant at first because I’m not typically into romances involving the parents of the ex, but I felt that this was addressed well.
If you enjoy m/m romance with real character and relationship development, genuine challenges to overcome, excellent side characters, and great banter, this is for you.
I don’t want to give the plot away, but the blurb says it all, as do the trigger warnings – do read them.
The characters are real, fully fleshed out, with strengths and weaknesses, flaws, and a whole lot of heart. This was very much up my ally as I’m the type of reader who wants to see real life reflected, flaws and all, but I also want to connect with the characters and root for their happy ending. This book fulfilled my needs perfectly. I was happy when they were happy, anxious when they were anxious, and I celebrated when they celebrated.
I was hesitant at first because I’m not typically into romances involving the parents of the ex, but I felt that this was addressed well.
If you enjoy m/m romance with real character and relationship development, genuine challenges to overcome, excellent side characters, and great banter, this is for you.
I don’t want to give the plot away, but the blurb says it all, as do the trigger warnings – do read them.
March 2, 2023
This is a brand new to me author and I must say I was blown away! I love books with a slight bit of taboo and what can be better than a father falling for his daughters ex boyfriend.
Elia's had so much to figure out about himself and so much growth to go through. His parents were truly awful but it speaks to individuals who have intolerant people in their lives due to religious beliefs and other forms of discrimination.
Noah has his own issues to work through with his daughter Angel who was nasty until she finally began to redeem herself in the end.
This book was the total package with the love developing between Eli and Noah being tender, comforting, hot and taboo. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see more from this author in the future.
Elia's had so much to figure out about himself and so much growth to go through. His parents were truly awful but it speaks to individuals who have intolerant people in their lives due to religious beliefs and other forms of discrimination.
Noah has his own issues to work through with his daughter Angel who was nasty until she finally began to redeem herself in the end.
This book was the total package with the love developing between Eli and Noah being tender, comforting, hot and taboo. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see more from this author in the future.
March 7, 2023
Overall this book was just not for me. I've been a fan of this trope in the past, but it didn't work for me here at all. The writing style just didn't mesh with me and I felt there was very little actual character development (and 90% of the side characters were just the most villiain-y characters with no other qualities). There was no real build up to the two MCs wanting each other, Eli is literally picking up his stuff and sad about to his breakup when he comes on to Noah for the first time; and then it went from sex to love in about another second. It just felt like nothing really happened except a cycle of sex and then the MCs being jerks.
Like I said, not for me, but 2 stars because I can see that there will be people that will like it, and I did keep reading until I finished.
Like I said, not for me, but 2 stars because I can see that there will be people that will like it, and I did keep reading until I finished.
March 2, 2023
I loved the blurb for this book but it fell a bit flat for me. These characters were high drama and it needed to be flushed a bit more. We didn't get enough back story on the chemistry between Noah and Eli before they got involved so it felt a bit forced. Same with Angel, she was downright awful for most of the book and then poof, suddenly she's an almost semi decent person without any time elapsed. This was a cute story just had some tweaks it needed to work through.
August 16, 2023
I’ll admit I accepted the ARC because I was curious to see how you could make a “ex girlfriend’s father” story work. I didn’t see how it was possible but I saw some positive reviews on GR so I wanted to give it a shot. I don’t like to leave negative reviews but I also like to warn potential readers about some things that might trigger them so here’s my honest review.
I’ll start by saying I don’t mind the age difference, that was not an issue for me. The problem was that for me, the story can’t work if Eli and his ex girlfriend had sex in the past. I thought the new love story could work if they had never slept together (for various reasons) but we learn at the very end that Ang took Eli’s virginity so for me that’s a big no. I’m no prude but sleeping with the daughter and the dad is too much for me.
I would have love to see Eli and Noah’s attraction toward each other explained more before their kiss to believe in their story. It didn’t feel balance between their vague interest for the other one before and then their sudden passion worth risking everything.
I’m way older than the characters but I’m pretty sure college students don’t talk like teenagers. They all acted like they were still 15, in high school. Both Ang and Tom are truly awful characters and Ang is such a brat toward her dad that I wanted to punch her everytime she spoke. Yes they talk at the end but for me it still doesn’t justify her behaviour toward him when she’s a 19 year old woman! She’s not 10 anymore even though she talks like it. And apparently he’s fine with it. She can treat him like dirt and it’s ok. She’s 19, if she’s not happy she can just go live somewhere else. Their relationship wasn’t justified in my opinion.
Every scenes with Eli’s parents were so intense that I had to skip some. I get the fact that he might not see the toxicity of their behaviour as he was raised in it but come on, the man is 20 and finds it ok to have his parents track his phone at all time like a criminal! They treat him like dirt and force him to live at home for a week or 2 to “pay for his sins” when they judge he didn’t behave well (way before they learn he’s queer) It gave some creepy Carrie’s vibes that were too much for me. I’m honestly surprised to find so much negativity from a book with a cute cover. It doesn’t match and it’ll probably leave some readers confused so I prefer to tell it honestly here.
Sex wise, the scenes were ok, nothing special and sometimes ridiculous. I’m still wondering how a guy who only had sex with women all his life has lube in his shower, “always ready to use”? And how come they’re both quickly expert in bed despite never realising they were also attracted to men? But the worst is that there’s a sex scene when they have sudden unprotected sex without talking about it before (talking about it while already doing it is not the same) It gave some bad YAOI vibes.
Read it if you think it’s for you despite the negativity. For me the hateful behavior was too much for a love story that didn’t feel that strong in the first place.
I’ll start by saying I don’t mind the age difference, that was not an issue for me. The problem was that for me, the story can’t work if Eli and his ex girlfriend had sex in the past. I thought the new love story could work if they had never slept together (for various reasons) but we learn at the very end that Ang took Eli’s virginity so for me that’s a big no. I’m no prude but sleeping with the daughter and the dad is too much for me.
I would have love to see Eli and Noah’s attraction toward each other explained more before their kiss to believe in their story. It didn’t feel balance between their vague interest for the other one before and then their sudden passion worth risking everything.
I’m way older than the characters but I’m pretty sure college students don’t talk like teenagers. They all acted like they were still 15, in high school. Both Ang and Tom are truly awful characters and Ang is such a brat toward her dad that I wanted to punch her everytime she spoke. Yes they talk at the end but for me it still doesn’t justify her behaviour toward him when she’s a 19 year old woman! She’s not 10 anymore even though she talks like it. And apparently he’s fine with it. She can treat him like dirt and it’s ok. She’s 19, if she’s not happy she can just go live somewhere else. Their relationship wasn’t justified in my opinion.
Every scenes with Eli’s parents were so intense that I had to skip some. I get the fact that he might not see the toxicity of their behaviour as he was raised in it but come on, the man is 20 and finds it ok to have his parents track his phone at all time like a criminal! They treat him like dirt and force him to live at home for a week or 2 to “pay for his sins” when they judge he didn’t behave well (way before they learn he’s queer) It gave some creepy Carrie’s vibes that were too much for me. I’m honestly surprised to find so much negativity from a book with a cute cover. It doesn’t match and it’ll probably leave some readers confused so I prefer to tell it honestly here.
Sex wise, the scenes were ok, nothing special and sometimes ridiculous. I’m still wondering how a guy who only had sex with women all his life has lube in his shower, “always ready to use”? And how come they’re both quickly expert in bed despite never realising they were also attracted to men? But the worst is that there’s a sex scene when they have sudden unprotected sex without talking about it before (talking about it while already doing it is not the same) It gave some bad YAOI vibes.
Read it if you think it’s for you despite the negativity. For me the hateful behavior was too much for a love story that didn’t feel that strong in the first place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2023
**2 stars**
I really tried to like this age-gap, ex’s father, professor/student bi-awakening. It hits all my buttons! There’s a visibly brown man of color on the cover! It’s a debut novel so I get to support a new writer and look forward to their future work! However, it all fell so, so flat.
First off, Eli’s background. His father is Mexican and I’m assuming his mom is white? She’s from Atlanta and met his father on a church trip but I’m gonna assume white because there’s no mention of her being another race. Which red flag number 1: you’re not being diverse if you point out one character’s race/culture and don’t bring up the others. Assuming white is the default is part of the problem.
Red flag number 2: Eli’s family speaks Spanish at home exclusively, so they can honor his dad’s culture. Great! However, in the next sentence, he says, “It seems silly, considering we do nothing to appreciate Mamá’s culture, but I’ve never said as much.” WHAT CULTURE?? You haven’t established her culture! Do you mean white?? Are you for real going to have a POC main character lament that they don’t celebrate white culture??? To be all “boo, we don’t celebrate Mom’s culture,” and then never establish the culture is a huge oversight. But if the mom is white, saying they don’t celebrate her culture is akin to those people that go “so when is white history month?”
Red flag 3: the ex in the “ex-girlfriend’s father” is a fucking monster. Like cartoonish levels of bratty villainy. And while I might be able to overlook an age gap in my fiction, I cannot overlook such massively bad parenting that allowed Noah to raise such a jerk. I ended up thinking badly of Eli for dating her and of Noah for allowing his daughter to be such a terrible person.
Red flag 4: Eli’s parents are also stereotypical villains. They’re opposed to homosexuality due to…something?? Possibly their religion, but their religion is never established, though they pray and talk about “Him” forgiving sins. But without knowing for sure, we have no idea why the parents (mom in particular) are so awful.
Providing specificity in a character’s background serves as a shortcut to understanding the character and their actions. Giving Eli’s mom a specific religion or background lets us understand her. Absent of motivation like that, she just looks like a terrible person just for the sake of being terrible.
Red flag 4: The characters have wildly varying behavior that is not consistent. Eli gives in to his parents' whims and is tracked by his phone, but also Noah is a professor and single father and supposedly straight, but jumps into a relationship with his daughter’s ex with gusto and is an expert at gay sex despite only having ever touched his own dick. They felt like different people at times.
Red flag 5: Eli and Angel are 20. Noah is 35. THIRTY-FRIGGING-FIVE. He's doing well for himself considering he had a teen pregnancy that led to marriage and divorce; he’s got a two-story house big enough for his daughter’s friends to stay at, with a hot tub and a pool, plus he’s near tenure. Plus he knew child/teenager Eli, because Eli knew Angel before the divorce. I’m okay with age gap and ex’s father tropes, but not when the man knew the other when they were a kid…
Overall, the writing isn’t bad, but the characterization and plot are just all over the place. I have a STRONG feeling this book started as fanfic or is based on a fanfic couple, and that the pairing was originally underage. The younger characters all act like they’re teenagers, especially Angel, and the parents treat them like teens. Eli has his phone tracked and gets in trouble when he’s not where his parents think he should be. Angel lives with Noah because her mom didn’t want to take her teenager (yes, it said teenager) with her while she traveled with her boyfriend, but she is bribed to live with Noah instead of the dorm because he’ll buy her things. Angel has friends over but pulls the “omg dad, you’re embarrassing me!!” attitude when her father dares talk to her friends. All of this is teen behavior! And sure, a 20-year-old could act like that but honestly, the only mature thing Eli does is bang a 35-year-old.
That, plus the weird characterization, makes me feel like the author took an underage fanfic or a pairing and then aged them up enough to be acceptable, but left in behavior and details from the fandom. It makes no sense for Angel to be so devious, but if that was an established character trait from fandom, then it seems fine. Ambiguously religious and incredibly strict parents who meddle in their adult son’s life make more sense if they behaved like that in canon.
And don’t be me wrong, I love fanfic and fanfic turned novel (hello, Game Changers by Rachel Reid.) but it has to be done well and this was not done well.
Hell, maybe I’m wrong. But if this wasn’t fanfic, that makes my criticisms all the more stark.
Overall, I cannot recommend this book. Maybe if age gap is your thing, or you are just jonesing for some ex’s father stories. Otherwise, give this one a pass.
***I received this as an ARC and this has been my honest review***
I really tried to like this age-gap, ex’s father, professor/student bi-awakening. It hits all my buttons! There’s a visibly brown man of color on the cover! It’s a debut novel so I get to support a new writer and look forward to their future work! However, it all fell so, so flat.
First off, Eli’s background. His father is Mexican and I’m assuming his mom is white? She’s from Atlanta and met his father on a church trip but I’m gonna assume white because there’s no mention of her being another race. Which red flag number 1: you’re not being diverse if you point out one character’s race/culture and don’t bring up the others. Assuming white is the default is part of the problem.
Red flag number 2: Eli’s family speaks Spanish at home exclusively, so they can honor his dad’s culture. Great! However, in the next sentence, he says, “It seems silly, considering we do nothing to appreciate Mamá’s culture, but I’ve never said as much.” WHAT CULTURE?? You haven’t established her culture! Do you mean white?? Are you for real going to have a POC main character lament that they don’t celebrate white culture??? To be all “boo, we don’t celebrate Mom’s culture,” and then never establish the culture is a huge oversight. But if the mom is white, saying they don’t celebrate her culture is akin to those people that go “so when is white history month?”
Red flag 3: the ex in the “ex-girlfriend’s father” is a fucking monster. Like cartoonish levels of bratty villainy. And while I might be able to overlook an age gap in my fiction, I cannot overlook such massively bad parenting that allowed Noah to raise such a jerk. I ended up thinking badly of Eli for dating her and of Noah for allowing his daughter to be such a terrible person.
Red flag 4: Eli’s parents are also stereotypical villains. They’re opposed to homosexuality due to…something?? Possibly their religion, but their religion is never established, though they pray and talk about “Him” forgiving sins. But without knowing for sure, we have no idea why the parents (mom in particular) are so awful.
Providing specificity in a character’s background serves as a shortcut to understanding the character and their actions. Giving Eli’s mom a specific religion or background lets us understand her. Absent of motivation like that, she just looks like a terrible person just for the sake of being terrible.
Red flag 4: The characters have wildly varying behavior that is not consistent. Eli gives in to his parents' whims and is tracked by his phone, but also Noah is a professor and single father and supposedly straight, but jumps into a relationship with his daughter’s ex with gusto and is an expert at gay sex despite only having ever touched his own dick. They felt like different people at times.
Red flag 5: Eli and Angel are 20. Noah is 35. THIRTY-FRIGGING-FIVE. He's doing well for himself considering he had a teen pregnancy that led to marriage and divorce; he’s got a two-story house big enough for his daughter’s friends to stay at, with a hot tub and a pool, plus he’s near tenure. Plus he knew child/teenager Eli, because Eli knew Angel before the divorce. I’m okay with age gap and ex’s father tropes, but not when the man knew the other when they were a kid…
Overall, the writing isn’t bad, but the characterization and plot are just all over the place. I have a STRONG feeling this book started as fanfic or is based on a fanfic couple, and that the pairing was originally underage. The younger characters all act like they’re teenagers, especially Angel, and the parents treat them like teens. Eli has his phone tracked and gets in trouble when he’s not where his parents think he should be. Angel lives with Noah because her mom didn’t want to take her teenager (yes, it said teenager) with her while she traveled with her boyfriend, but she is bribed to live with Noah instead of the dorm because he’ll buy her things. Angel has friends over but pulls the “omg dad, you’re embarrassing me!!” attitude when her father dares talk to her friends. All of this is teen behavior! And sure, a 20-year-old could act like that but honestly, the only mature thing Eli does is bang a 35-year-old.
That, plus the weird characterization, makes me feel like the author took an underage fanfic or a pairing and then aged them up enough to be acceptable, but left in behavior and details from the fandom. It makes no sense for Angel to be so devious, but if that was an established character trait from fandom, then it seems fine. Ambiguously religious and incredibly strict parents who meddle in their adult son’s life make more sense if they behaved like that in canon.
And don’t be me wrong, I love fanfic and fanfic turned novel (hello, Game Changers by Rachel Reid.) but it has to be done well and this was not done well.
Hell, maybe I’m wrong. But if this wasn’t fanfic, that makes my criticisms all the more stark.
Overall, I cannot recommend this book. Maybe if age gap is your thing, or you are just jonesing for some ex’s father stories. Otherwise, give this one a pass.
***I received this as an ARC and this has been my honest review***
March 13, 2023
3.5⭐️
Elias grew up the second oldest of eight kids with very strict, religious parents, and his main experience with love is that it is demanding, overbearing and (whether he can admit it to himself or not) conditional. So it makes sense that he finds himself in a relationship with Angela, his longtime friend turned girlfriend who is as uninterested in who he is and what he wants as his parents. Even though Angela can be a bit mean and difficult, her father (and Elias’s favorite author), Noah is almost her complete opposite, and some of Elias’s favorite times when he comes to visit Angela are the conversations he has with her dad. Being loyal and wholly credulous, Elias believes that all he has to do is give Angela whatever she wants and be supportive no matter what to prove his love for her and make her happy. Unfortunately, he finds out in the most painful way that his love and loyalty are most certainly not reciprocated; his devastation is tempered only by the different devastation the unexpectedly passionate kiss he shares with Noah wreaks on his mind and body.
For Noah, reconnecting with his daughter Angela has been his mission since she moved in with him when she started college; unfortunately, his efforts are met mostly with disdain and disregard and he’s afraid to really delve into their relationship for fear of losing Angela completely. So he pretty much lets her say and do anything, but even Noah is upset with her cheating on Elias—the young man who somehow became the bright spot in Noah’s days anytime he was at the house. When confronted with is unexpected attraction to Elias, he is determined to stay away from him. Not only is Elias his daughter’s ex but Noah is fifteen years his senior and a professor at his college, but there is just something about Elias that pushes all his buttons.
Of course they try to keep it causal since nothing can come of it, but between their years of friendship and camaraderie, the fact that Noah supports Elias in a way no one in his life ever has and that the feelings Elias inspires in Noah are ones he always wished for but never thought he’d find, each man is soon falling in love and unable to walk away. Unfortunately, Elias knows his parents will never accept him with a man, let alone Noah. In the darkest corners of his mind Elias hid his interest in men even from himself, and he knows that if his parents find out not only will he lose their financial support but they will keep him from his siblings as well. Elias’s parents control everything about him: his major, his car, even his freedom. Though 20 years old, he gets punished when they feel like he’s stepped out of line by making him live at home, and Elias lets them bc he loves them and just assumes this is how love works. The only person that sticks up for him is Noah, even Elias doesn’t stick up for Elias.
Although the story is told in dual 1st person POV, the bulk of the story is Elias’s as he is the MC in need of character development. Noah is settled, confident and clear on who he is; even his sudden attraction to a man doesn’t put much of a hitch in his step. Noah isn’t one dimensional and has his worries about the relationship, but he’s not angsty about it. Even his constant troubles with Angela are important to him but he doesn’t brood or torment himself about it. Elias is the one that needs to learn that his needs and opinions matter and that love shouldn’t come with hoops and conditions. Thus, much of the drama and angst revolves around him, his family, Angela and the guy she cheated with.
For the most part, the complicated family dynamics for Elias are interesting and add weight to his uncertainty and struggles when it comes to being bi and what he stands to lose if he comes out, but I can see them being eye-rolling and a bit much for others. Additionally, there’s a plot point after he breaks up with Angela that gets introduced and kind of dropped so while it highlights just how far Elias will go to please his parents, given how controlling they are the fact that it disappears from the story other than a throwaway line from Angela makes no sense and makes it feel added more for the drama, in an already rather dramatic story. However, all in all, I commiserated a lot with Elias and could understand how and why he allowed his parents to control him like they did, but I can see many readers being frustrated and disbelieving of his actions.
In general, Elias and Noah are compelling together, and Elias’s bf Violet and their relationship is solid, supportive and fun. As this is a forbidden lover's story, there is always the tension of 'will they get caught', and it's done pretty well here. I also enjoyed how the inevitable showdown with Elias’s family goes. It was believable for what the story portrays them to be, but the way the blow is mitigated is a lovely moment during Elias’s hardest time.
While I think the narrative could do with some tightening up and Angela is just the worst no matter how you want to spin her actions in the end since there isn’t much time to see her not be a ragingly selfish and amnipulative bitch, I think this is an interesting, sexy new adult story and a solid debut effort by Blythe.
Elias grew up the second oldest of eight kids with very strict, religious parents, and his main experience with love is that it is demanding, overbearing and (whether he can admit it to himself or not) conditional. So it makes sense that he finds himself in a relationship with Angela, his longtime friend turned girlfriend who is as uninterested in who he is and what he wants as his parents. Even though Angela can be a bit mean and difficult, her father (and Elias’s favorite author), Noah is almost her complete opposite, and some of Elias’s favorite times when he comes to visit Angela are the conversations he has with her dad. Being loyal and wholly credulous, Elias believes that all he has to do is give Angela whatever she wants and be supportive no matter what to prove his love for her and make her happy. Unfortunately, he finds out in the most painful way that his love and loyalty are most certainly not reciprocated; his devastation is tempered only by the different devastation the unexpectedly passionate kiss he shares with Noah wreaks on his mind and body.
For Noah, reconnecting with his daughter Angela has been his mission since she moved in with him when she started college; unfortunately, his efforts are met mostly with disdain and disregard and he’s afraid to really delve into their relationship for fear of losing Angela completely. So he pretty much lets her say and do anything, but even Noah is upset with her cheating on Elias—the young man who somehow became the bright spot in Noah’s days anytime he was at the house. When confronted with is unexpected attraction to Elias, he is determined to stay away from him. Not only is Elias his daughter’s ex but Noah is fifteen years his senior and a professor at his college, but there is just something about Elias that pushes all his buttons.
Of course they try to keep it causal since nothing can come of it, but between their years of friendship and camaraderie, the fact that Noah supports Elias in a way no one in his life ever has and that the feelings Elias inspires in Noah are ones he always wished for but never thought he’d find, each man is soon falling in love and unable to walk away. Unfortunately, Elias knows his parents will never accept him with a man, let alone Noah. In the darkest corners of his mind Elias hid his interest in men even from himself, and he knows that if his parents find out not only will he lose their financial support but they will keep him from his siblings as well. Elias’s parents control everything about him: his major, his car, even his freedom. Though 20 years old, he gets punished when they feel like he’s stepped out of line by making him live at home, and Elias lets them bc he loves them and just assumes this is how love works. The only person that sticks up for him is Noah, even Elias doesn’t stick up for Elias.
Although the story is told in dual 1st person POV, the bulk of the story is Elias’s as he is the MC in need of character development. Noah is settled, confident and clear on who he is; even his sudden attraction to a man doesn’t put much of a hitch in his step. Noah isn’t one dimensional and has his worries about the relationship, but he’s not angsty about it. Even his constant troubles with Angela are important to him but he doesn’t brood or torment himself about it. Elias is the one that needs to learn that his needs and opinions matter and that love shouldn’t come with hoops and conditions. Thus, much of the drama and angst revolves around him, his family, Angela and the guy she cheated with.
For the most part, the complicated family dynamics for Elias are interesting and add weight to his uncertainty and struggles when it comes to being bi and what he stands to lose if he comes out, but I can see them being eye-rolling and a bit much for others. Additionally, there’s a plot point after he breaks up with Angela that gets introduced and kind of dropped so while it highlights just how far Elias will go to please his parents, given how controlling they are the fact that it disappears from the story other than a throwaway line from Angela makes no sense and makes it feel added more for the drama, in an already rather dramatic story. However, all in all, I commiserated a lot with Elias and could understand how and why he allowed his parents to control him like they did, but I can see many readers being frustrated and disbelieving of his actions.
In general, Elias and Noah are compelling together, and Elias’s bf Violet and their relationship is solid, supportive and fun. As this is a forbidden lover's story, there is always the tension of 'will they get caught', and it's done pretty well here. I also enjoyed how the inevitable showdown with Elias’s family goes. It was believable for what the story portrays them to be, but the way the blow is mitigated is a lovely moment during Elias’s hardest time.
While I think the narrative could do with some tightening up and Angela is just the worst no matter how you want to spin her actions in the end since there isn’t much time to see her not be a ragingly selfish and amnipulative bitch, I think this is an interesting, sexy new adult story and a solid debut effort by Blythe.
March 9, 2023
First Take: I’ll state once more for the record that the age gap trope is not my favorite. I find gaps > 15 years to be a little unbelievable. There’s an entire generation of difference there, a lifetime of experience. I just can’t help but imagine more of a father/son relationship than a romantic one in my head as I’m reading, and it weirds me out a little. Of course, I have read romance novels that are just so well done the age gap has me fully on board or else doesn’t seem to matter, but I don’t think this book is one of them. I found myself vaguely creeped out at times– but I think this is just a “me” thing. That being said, there were definitely some things I liked about this story! I really liked Noah and Elias, they were the two most rational characters in the whole book. And I have to admit, their sexy times were very sexy.
Praises: Whatever their personal motivations, the chemistry between Elias and Noah was smokin’ hot. I did enjoy their character development and how they managed to learn and grow from their experience and work through some serious issues together.
Critiques: This book is an emotional roller coaster. There’s a TON of angst, to the point where I might have rolled my eyes once or twice. The characters could be really petty about things, almost creating drama for the sake of drama and it annoyed me a little. And, to be honest, I just didn’t really ever fully buy into Elias and Noah’s relationship. I really liked them as characters, and their chemistry was pretty hot… I totally understand Elias’s crush on Noah, but Noah’s interest in Elias was a bit of a mystery to me– and it’s a central theme of the entire book.
Steam: 4/5
Swear Jar: 5/5
Trigger Warnings: Homophobia.
Tropes: Girlfriend’s Dad, Betrayal, Bisexual Awakening, Coming of Age, Coming Out, Forbidden Love, Friends-to-Lovers, Guardian Love, May-December Romance, Single Parent
Check out the full review here: The Hopeless Romanticist
Praises: Whatever their personal motivations, the chemistry between Elias and Noah was smokin’ hot. I did enjoy their character development and how they managed to learn and grow from their experience and work through some serious issues together.
Critiques: This book is an emotional roller coaster. There’s a TON of angst, to the point where I might have rolled my eyes once or twice. The characters could be really petty about things, almost creating drama for the sake of drama and it annoyed me a little. And, to be honest, I just didn’t really ever fully buy into Elias and Noah’s relationship. I really liked them as characters, and their chemistry was pretty hot… I totally understand Elias’s crush on Noah, but Noah’s interest in Elias was a bit of a mystery to me– and it’s a central theme of the entire book.
Steam: 4/5
Swear Jar: 5/5
Trigger Warnings: Homophobia.
Tropes: Girlfriend’s Dad, Betrayal, Bisexual Awakening, Coming of Age, Coming Out, Forbidden Love, Friends-to-Lovers, Guardian Love, May-December Romance, Single Parent
Check out the full review here: The Hopeless Romanticist
July 1, 2023
▪️About this book:
-MM Romance
-Age Gap
-Hurt/Comfort
▪️ Thoughts: Have Me Forever is about Elias and Noah. And in a way it's much more than just them. This book brought so many emotions in me I was mad, happy, and awwed.
Elias is a sweetheart the love he has for his siblings is very kind and selfless. The love he has for them makes him see just how much attention they need from him and because of that he would never leave them, they need him as much as he needs them.
Noah being a young father has not been the easiest for him. He had to go through a nasty divorce which left him not able to see this daughter Angel. Angel is just a whole character in itself I had a love hate relationship with her, but the way the author turned things around she pulled the unexpected and changed every feeling I had towards Angel by the end.
The love in this book is not just about Noah and Elias we get to see unconditional love from friends like Violet, and Carmen, Elias older sister, who never had the opportunity to be with her family she still loved them and cared for them from afar. Also the difficult dinamic of Elias family and Noah's situation with Angel.
Overall Noah and Elias love flourished upon years of getting to talk and know each other. It's not one of those oh I'm instantly infatuated with you, it's more of he sees me and understands me like no one else has or ever will. Those are the types of loves that gets my heart pumping and my emotions derailed because when someone finds their true person because it's in their best interest to care for them and protect them from harm is what love is truly about.
This is a new to me author and I'm so happy to have had the chance to read this book I loved reading this so much. Some situations that arose in this read were difficult to read, but the way the author went through with them was great. I recommend to give this book and author a try💓.
-MM Romance
-Age Gap
-Hurt/Comfort
▪️ Thoughts: Have Me Forever is about Elias and Noah. And in a way it's much more than just them. This book brought so many emotions in me I was mad, happy, and awwed.
Elias is a sweetheart the love he has for his siblings is very kind and selfless. The love he has for them makes him see just how much attention they need from him and because of that he would never leave them, they need him as much as he needs them.
Noah being a young father has not been the easiest for him. He had to go through a nasty divorce which left him not able to see this daughter Angel. Angel is just a whole character in itself I had a love hate relationship with her, but the way the author turned things around she pulled the unexpected and changed every feeling I had towards Angel by the end.
The love in this book is not just about Noah and Elias we get to see unconditional love from friends like Violet, and Carmen, Elias older sister, who never had the opportunity to be with her family she still loved them and cared for them from afar. Also the difficult dinamic of Elias family and Noah's situation with Angel.
Overall Noah and Elias love flourished upon years of getting to talk and know each other. It's not one of those oh I'm instantly infatuated with you, it's more of he sees me and understands me like no one else has or ever will. Those are the types of loves that gets my heart pumping and my emotions derailed because when someone finds their true person because it's in their best interest to care for them and protect them from harm is what love is truly about.
This is a new to me author and I'm so happy to have had the chance to read this book I loved reading this so much. Some situations that arose in this read were difficult to read, but the way the author went through with them was great. I recommend to give this book and author a try💓.
January 28, 2023
When I picked up this book it hit all my boxes. The cover was so cute and well done. Age gap, taboos, forbidden love, bi awakening, a smattering of d/c. Eli is a 20-year-old college student who falls for his ex-girlfriend’s 35-year-old dad, an English professor and writer. I didn’t so much love the execution. I liked the chemistry of Eli and Noah and the tension between them, which kept me reading through the end. The sex scenes were spicy and always drove the story.
But I found the characters unrealistic and inauthentic. Eli and Noah didn’t really struggle with their sexuality in a very convincing way; their bi awakenings felt rushed and clumsy, never fully articulated to themselves before they came out. Eli’s mom was a stereotype of a homophobic religious person and her dialogue felt like stilted talking points. Angel, Eli’s ex-girlfriend, acted like an over-the-top 12-year-old instead of a 19-year-old. Even Eli’s realization of his parents’ controlling abuse was inconsistent and not believable.
All the characters were over the top and the external conflicts were melodramatic. The dialogue also had a lot of over-explaining monologues that sounded the same between characters.
But the love story itself was sweet. It had some highlights but I was hoping for more.
Thank you to Booksprout for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
But I found the characters unrealistic and inauthentic. Eli and Noah didn’t really struggle with their sexuality in a very convincing way; their bi awakenings felt rushed and clumsy, never fully articulated to themselves before they came out. Eli’s mom was a stereotype of a homophobic religious person and her dialogue felt like stilted talking points. Angel, Eli’s ex-girlfriend, acted like an over-the-top 12-year-old instead of a 19-year-old. Even Eli’s realization of his parents’ controlling abuse was inconsistent and not believable.
All the characters were over the top and the external conflicts were melodramatic. The dialogue also had a lot of over-explaining monologues that sounded the same between characters.
But the love story itself was sweet. It had some highlights but I was hoping for more.
Thank you to Booksprout for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2023
Have Me Forever is a mix of student/ professor, age gap, mm, ex-girlfriends dad, bi-awakening, steamy first times, emotionally charged. It has it all.
I loved reading this book but I have to say my frustration was at an all time high! I had to walk away several times just to calm and breathe lol but I guess thats the power of a good book.
I wanted to scream and shout and tell Eli to just open his eyes. Im not sure if that's the right reaction or if everyone would feel the same but that's how I felt.
I was beyond angry and frustrated but felt so bad for these two guys too. Eli has been conditioned a certain way by his parents so its hard to him and I felt immensely bad for his sister Carmen too.
Noah is such a sweetheart and kind and patient. He certainly tries his best for Eli all the time. He always seems to get the raw deal and blamed for everything but I loved his character.
You start to see a change in Eli's character throughout the book and it's great to see. It must be hard for him.
This book brought forward so many emotions and I truly loved it.
Im looking forward to reading more from this author.
A massive 5 stars from me.
It does have controlling parents with certain views that could be triggering to some and a few other triggers you may want to read. If you can push through that I promise the book is so worth it.
Im definatly going to buy the paperback!
I loved reading this book but I have to say my frustration was at an all time high! I had to walk away several times just to calm and breathe lol but I guess thats the power of a good book.
I wanted to scream and shout and tell Eli to just open his eyes. Im not sure if that's the right reaction or if everyone would feel the same but that's how I felt.
I was beyond angry and frustrated but felt so bad for these two guys too. Eli has been conditioned a certain way by his parents so its hard to him and I felt immensely bad for his sister Carmen too.
Noah is such a sweetheart and kind and patient. He certainly tries his best for Eli all the time. He always seems to get the raw deal and blamed for everything but I loved his character.
You start to see a change in Eli's character throughout the book and it's great to see. It must be hard for him.
This book brought forward so many emotions and I truly loved it.
Im looking forward to reading more from this author.
A massive 5 stars from me.
It does have controlling parents with certain views that could be triggering to some and a few other triggers you may want to read. If you can push through that I promise the book is so worth it.
Im definatly going to buy the paperback!
March 6, 2023
I loved the premise here, there are so many good things- ex girlfriend’s father, age gap, professor/student. I genuinely loved Eli in this - his growth and self discovery is so compelling. Eli’s parents are so suffocating and controlling, to an extent that feels abusive and not just overprotective. His girlfriend Angel is also quite selfish and controlling, they clearly are not a good fit. I loved the change in him after his break up, when Eli slowly starts taking some control of his life back, of leaning into his attraction to Noah. It’s complicated, messy, and definitely a bad idea, but I loved these two characters together. It felt like a ticking time bomb, the connection between Noah and Eli is so powerful and it is only a matter of time before it blows up. The intensity when they are together was off the charts, these two have amazing chemistry together. This book is also rich with strong characters, some very hard to like, but so very interesting. I even came to appreciate Angel. She was a very challenging character but there is growth for her and her relationship with her dad, Noah. It’s not easy or pretty, but I liked that they still pushed through the hurt and awkwardness to try and move forward. Zero complaints with this book, I loved it start to finish. Highly recommend!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
March 9, 2023
Both Elias and Noah find themselves living their lives according to someone else's rules in a way. Eli, which is what Elias goes by, is dealing with overbearing parents and an overbearing, spoiled and angry girlfriend. Neither the parents or the girlfriend are particularly considerate and he feels hemmed in by both relationships but not sure how to get out. Noah is Eli's girlfriend's dad and he is trying to rebuild his relationship with his angry child who is inconsiderate mostly because her mother has taught her to treat him poorly and lied to her about what happened to their family. When Noah and Eli get together it is a good thing for both of them. It causes both of them to do something for themselves and to move forward. Noah breaks free from the controlling parents who cruelly refuse him support but he lands with his sister who likewise went her way and is there for him and his bestie who is also there for him when the stuff hits the fan. I understood Noah wanting to consider his kid, but I am glad that he finally hashed it out with her which caused her to wake up and realize which parent was truly there for her. Strangely the pairing of Noah and Eli made sense to me as both are into literature and reading. And both are good, sometimes overly considerate men. That they found each other and hung on was neat.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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