This is the latest novel from romance writer D.E. Haggerty, an author who has spent the majority of her adult life abroad, living in cool-sounding places like Istanbul, Heidelberg, and The Hague, and who has job-hopped from military policewoman to lawyer to B&B owner. Just For Forever falls in the Winter Falls series but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
In Winter Falls, Ellery is a workaholic operating a bed and breakfast and doesn’t have time for men. Nor does she trust them, especially out-of-towners. When she finally decides she deserves a night of fun with a sexy stranger, she meets Cole Hawkins at the local “Inn on Main.” After one look at each other, they are deep in conversation and end up spending the night together. After Cole leaves town unexpectedly, Ellery is hell-bent on forgetting him until she discovers that their one night of passion has led to unplanned consequences—a pregnancy. When Cole returns to Winter Falls and discovers Ellery is pregnant, he starts pushing for them to become a couple. Ellery is far from convinced that he’s suddenly trustworthy and doesn’t want another long-distance relationship ending with a broken heart. As Cole attempts to convince her to give him a chance at forever, Ellery’s stubbornness and insecurities keep getting the best of her. With sisters who want to try their hands at matchmaking and a whole town where everyone knows everyone’s business, Ellery’s new baby and her baby daddy become a public affair!
This is a funny, light, and heartwarming romantic comedy with some added spice. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone or can be read or listened to as the third book in the series. Some of the events in this book also take place in books 1 and 2, but since this novel gives the full backstory of the characters, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. The other novels in the “Winter Falls” series have centred around the other sisters, but in this book, love-cynic Ellery takes centre stage. She is the most down-to-earth, hardworking sister and is fully committed to staying in Winter Falls after having built up her own successful business, the Inn on Main. Ellery’s naivety in thinking she can keep her pregnancy a secret from the town is somewhat absurd but also provides a lot of comedy to the story, especially when she discovers her secret has been known all along. Ellery’s attitude towards Cole shifts throughout the novel, and although their relationship is quite implausible, there are many tender, lovely moments between them that make the story very compelling. At the same time, Cole’s sweet and persistent pursuit of Ellery is quite admirable and makes him a very likeable character. Ellery definitely has legitimate reasons to distrust Cole, especially as their relationship is long-distance, but her stubbornness in allowing him a chance and changing her cynicism from past experiences is a major flaw she has to overcome. The story also includes many colourful and hilarious residents of Winter Falls and their entertaining antics. The nosy gossip team of Petal, Feather, Sage, Cayenne and Clove is especially entertaining, especially in their conversations with Ellery in town, constantly prodding for information and gossip.
Narrator Rachel Woods delivers an exhuberant performance filled with plenty of humour and sarcasm that makes for a very enjoyable listen. The narration is also very well paced, and all the unique characters’ voices are expertly performed with individual personalities and emotions. If you’ve listened to or read the other books in this series or are looking for a fun and hilarious romance with a bit of added spice, then you’ll surely enjoy this book!
