Book Review: When Forever Comes (Forever Duet #1) by Tawni Suchy

About the Book:

A surfing accident brought them back together.
Only obedience to God can guarantee their happily ever after.

Dana

Taking on the role of a “Christian influencer” should have pushed me deeper into my relationship with Jesus, but instead, it brought more questions. Especially when it came to finding love. I shouldn’t have felt like a spinster at twenty-four but as the self-proclaimed Last Bachelorette Standing, I wondered if my desire for a husband was truly from God.

Then Rhett Stryker–the gorgeous guy who ghosted me–literally washed onto my shore and threw me for the biggest plot twist of my life.

Rhett

Waking up with memory loss was jarring, to say the least. Yet even without my missing memories, I knew Dana Swann–the beautiful woman who rescued me–was someone special. She claimed we were just a fling, but flings don’t produce the deep connection we shared. More than anything, I wanted to prove to her we were more.

Then when my memories returned, including the huge secret I kept from her, I realized there was no piecing together the shattered remains of our delicate relationship.

Will Rhett and Dana claim their forever? Or will Rhett’s deception tear them apart for good?

| Goodreads |

My Review:

When Forever Stays by Tawni Suchy
Rating: 3/5
Pages: 262
Published: February 12, 2025
Series: Forever Duet

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This was a fun read, and one I enjoyed, but I can also see how it could be problematic. Dana is a little all-over-the-place in both her faith and relationship status. She seems to see her worth and identity in other people, from her sister, to Rhett, to others in her life. Plus, both her and Rhett tend to be very focused on the ‘physical’ attraction, even though they try to pretend otherwise. Rhett especially tends to really toe, and even crosses that line a couple of times between off-handed comments to the clear impact and desire he displays when things get a little…tense. I know his past is part of this, but often even though he does catch himself, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of effort made in stopping or curbing the thoughts, so long as he doesn’t ‘touch’ her, no matter how kissable her lips are…(Wait, what?)

Dana likewise has a similar approach, and while she does seem slightly uncomfortable with how brash and bold he is when he actually says something less than proper, she never speaks up, and it’s clear that for the most part she welcomes the attention, and enjoys being the object of his desire. This both impacts the testimony and faith aspect, potentially sending the wrong message to some readers. I know I’m personally one who is called to a life of singlehood, and had I read this a few years ago would have likely come away with a very different message and focus, one not on God, but more on finding fulfillment in this life, whether it’s in the potential of a ‘future relationship’ or simply always hoping the God will simply change His mind about my relationship status…Neither of which are helpful or healthy.

There is some wisdom and good reminders shared along the way, and I can see why readers enjoy this one, but it also seems to appeal to the flesh a bit too much, being more ’emotionalism’ in the name of faith, and less the biblical faith we are called to. I am glad that the living arrangement was something she clearly wasn’t in favor of, but even that seemed to be more about appearances than true godly obedience to live a life dictated by scripture. So, while there is some good, there’s also some concerning messages and elements to this one that kept me from being able to rate this one higher. I also wasn’t a fan of the term ‘siren’ and especially not when he started saying that was was not only a ‘siren’ but also an ‘angel’. I know people will argue or disagree, but the Bible is clear that neither are we supernatural monsters or are we angels, and to call someone by either name is incorrect and carries its own problems.

Overall, this was an entertaining read, but not without some considerations. It is a clean fiction story, for the most part, with faith references. But the psychical attraction the becomes almost the focus of their relationship at times might be worth being aware of. Plus, while the story doesn’t make it clear at all, there are some who are called to a life of singleness, who like Paul are called to be focused on God, and who spend all of their days serving Him without a marriage or family being a part of their story. That doesn’t mean that their are any less-than or that God is punishing them in some way, but simply that He has a different plan for them and their lives. We find out identity in God alone, it’s Him who defines us. Not our relationship status, significant other, friends, family or otherwise. God alone, and I would have loved to find that message here, but it clearly wasn’t the intended message or focus here.

Other books in the series:
_{(Below is a list of the other books I’ve read & reviewed for this series)}

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