Reviewed by: Sue Eaton
TITLE: Forever Love: The Complete Collection
AUTHOR: Charlie Novak
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 882 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 17, 2024
BLURB:
Enjoy the Forever Love series in one complete collection, and follow the Baker-Moore brothers as they find their happily ever afters in these fun and fluffy stories full of spice, sweetness and swoon-worthy romance.
This box set features all three original novels, plus four short stories, including the brand new shorts, Baubles And Bethmännchen and Rules? There Are No Rules!
Always Eli — When sassy drag queen Eli takes an office job to pay the bills he’s not expecting to run into his oldest brother’s best friend, the funny and sweet, Tristan Rose. The only problem is Eli can’t stand his brother and getting involved with Tristan could mean trouble. But Tristan is too intriguing, especially when he takes an interest in Eli’s life outside the office. And Eli’s never been one for following the rules.
Finding Finn — Finn has always been good at keeping people at arm’s length, but game designer Gem might be the exception to the rule. When Gem asks Finn to help him set up a new board game store, the two of them get closer than ever and lines begin to blur between them. But Finn has a secret, one that could change everything and one Gem already knows. All he has to do is convince Finn to share.
Oh So Oscar — Travel journalist Oscar hadn’t planned on accidentally convincing his boss he has a boyfriend while pitching a series on LGBTQ+ friendly hotels, but now he’s scrambling to find a fake date for a week long couple’s retreat in Hawaii. Turning to sunshine photographer Ilias is a last resort and his constant flirting grates on Oscar. Both men have their reasons for avoiding relationships, but maybe a fake one will give them a nudge in the right direction.
Content Warning: Oh So Oscar contains discussions of grief, including the past loss of a parent, and the past loss of a partner.
—–
This box set also includes the following four short stories.
When We Get Married — Tristan decides it’s time to turn his and Eli’s jokes about getting married into reality.
Pillows And Pancakes — Finn records an exclusive audio for Gem based on their perfect Monday morning.
Baubles And Bethmännchen — Oscar and Ilias head to Frankfurt Christmas market and go on the hunt for the perfect souvenirs.
Rules? There Are No Rules! — The Baker-Moore family are on a family holiday to remember. And what’s a holiday without a very competitive game of swimming pool keepy-uppy.
REVIEW:
I really enjoyed reading the complete collection with the 3 novels and 4 short stories, following the 3 brothers and getting to know the rest of Eli’s family and seeing characters from the other series arc’s.
Always Eli – I really enjoyed this book, we start with Eli facing the fact he can’t make Drag work full time and he has to take on a office job to pay the bills and eat. I loved how pragmatic he is, taking a temporary job to get back on his feet but determined that he will continue with Drag and find a way to make it work.
Eli has known Tristan for years, as he is his brother’s best friend. The brother that Tristan clashes with on a regular basis and has for years, they seem locked in this adversarial relationship which started in childhood but continues into adulthood. Eli’s relationship with his brother is a key element that adds depth to the plot. Their strained relationship serves as a catalyst for many of the conflicts and emotional moments in the story. Eli’s brother’s disapproval and past actions create tension and misunderstandings that Eli and Tristan must navigate. This relationship dynamic shapes Eli’s character and influences his decisions, making his journey towards self-acceptance and love even more compelling. Without these family tensions, the story wouldn’t have the same emotional impact or character development arcs. It’s a classic blend of family drama and romance that keeps you hooked.
Eli and Tristan’s relationship evolves from initial tension to a deep, passionate bond. At first, they’re wary of each other due to past baggage involving Eli’s brother. As they spend more time together at work and during Eli’s drag shows, they begin to see each other’s true selves.
Their banter turns to genuine conversations, and physical attraction grows into emotional intimacy. Despite challenges and misunderstandings, they both realize that they are stronger together and ultimately, their relationship flourishes into a loving, supportive partnership.
The story features fabulous drag shows, secret biscuits, an office romance, and plenty of family drama. It’s a heartwarming tale about love, family, and finding oneself, with a good dose of humour and steamy romance.
Finding Finn – this is a fun novel about growing a friendship into a relationship and the worries that entails, especially will you lose the friendship that means so much to you.
Finn is the quiet brother of the family, he watches and takes everything in but rarely voices his opinion. He is a narrator with a secret side project that only his best friend knows about. He has been building a friendship with Gem.
Gem has been trying to get his game design business off the ground, but feels like he is failing, working part time in the bookstore, his bright spot is his friendship with Finn.
Finn and Gem’s relationship unfolds beautifully from friendship to romance. Initially, they share a strong bond built on trust and mutual support. As they work together to open the board game store, their connection deepens. Finn’s quiet nature and Gem’s witty, self-deprecating personality complement each other well. Despite Finn’s worries about revealing his secret, Gem’sacceptance and understanding pave the way for their relationship to grow. Their late-night conversations and shared dreams create a space where both feel truly seen and appreciated, ultimately blossoming into a loving, supportive partnership.
Finn’s pansexuality is a significant aspect of his character and influences the story in several ways. It adds depth to his personal journey of self-acceptance and authenticity. His openness about his sexuality helps to normalize and celebrate diverse identities, making the story more inclusive and relatable. It also impacts his relationship with Gem, as it highlights the importance of love and connection. This aspect of Finn’s identity enriches the narrative, making it a heartfelt exploration of love, acceptance, and being true to oneself.
Oh So Oscar – this novel is based on a moment of madness, where Oscar lies to his boss whilst pitching a new story idea. He then needs to come up with a boyfriend to go with him to complete the assignment. Enter Ilias a photographer who Oscar barely knows. Oscar is annoyed by Ilias’s easy-going nature and flirting. However, as they spend time together on the couple’s retreat, Oscar starts to see past his initial judgments and recognizes Ilias’s kindness and depth.
Their chemistry intensifies as they pretend to be a couple and have to attend various romantic activities like star gazing and shared meals. The forced proximity allows them to open up to each other about their pasts, particularly their experiences with grief, and how that grief has shaped their adult lives. This vulnerability brings them closer, transforming their faked affection into genuine emotional connection and love.
Oscar’s guarded nature and reluctance to let people in pose challenges, as he struggles with past grief and trust issues. Ilias’s playful demeanor initially frustrates Oscar, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. Overcoming these barriers requires vulnerability, communication, and a willingness to confront and heal from their pasts.
It’s a delightful collection full of spice, sweetness, and emotional depth.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: