I really enjoyed the book and the characters. Unfortunately the slow pace/ part of the writing of the book just didn’t sit well with me and it made me feel the book was dragging on more than needed. I ended up skipping parts of the books that I felt were unnecessary.

I really sympathised with Gemma and her struggle to have to give up her child at a young age and still wondering over who that child has become and was it the right decision. Seeing how Gemma was raised the reader can see why she would feel that decision was the right one.

I actually likes Gemma's habit of counting things due to her anxiety and reciting random facts as they are things I can relate to both things and I love a good fact.

I did feel that Gemma’s character changed very quickly from shunning people out in order not to be hurt to welcoming multiple people into her life. I actually would have liked to have seen a slower acceptance journey of that. I couldn’t fully understand why Gemma lost contact with the social worker and foster mother who helped her so much. I felt if not the foster mother, she would have kept in touch with the social worker who helped her through all life’s event.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend cause despites its flaws it’s still a decent story.

This is another fabulous book from Debbie Johnson that sensitively deals with the complex emotional issues as well as the trials and tribulations of youngsters being in care, mental health issues, alcoholism, unwanted pregnancy and adoption.

This is not a predictable story, it's very poignant and heartwarming whilst also touching upon the very real traumas that occur for lots of youngsters when put into care. I instantly cared for the characters and there were twists and turns in the book which stopped it from being predictable and superficial.

Having read many of Debbie Johnson's books I feel that this was a grittier story than the other books that I have read by her (that I also loved) and it was a real success that I highly recommend to others.

I would just like to say a big thank you to NetGalley who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review.

I have read quite a few of this authors books before and have always thoroughly enjoyed them. What I was not prepared for was how emotional this book was - I was feeling all the feels right from the very beginning!

This book will definitely take you on an emotional roller coaster of a journey and it’s most definitely worth the ride!!

This was such an moving story. My emotions throughout were like a wave and the story completely gripped me. When Gemma was young, she made the hardest decision of her life, one that she still has problems dealing with even now. Deep down she knows she has done the right thing due to her own childhood but will her baby feel the same ?  
 
 
This book explores some deep topics, teenager pregnancy, drug addiction, adoption, OCD. It was beautifully written and dealt with the issues in a sensitive way:

A truly emotional book telling the tale of Gemma who had found herself pregnant at the age of 16. She had a complicated childhood herself and hopes for a better life for her baby. Well written and heart warming.

I like this book. I did find it a bit triggering due to my childhood but on the whole I thought it was a good read.

I absolutely love Debbie Johnson's books. Since the end of the Comfort Food cafe series, which I adored, her books have become more heartfelt and emotional and not as lighthearted. That said, I do really enjoy reading her books and this one has a very good storyline.
Gemma became pregnant at 16 and gave the baby up for adoption. As her Daughter approaches 18 years old she begins to wonder if her Daughter will try to find her.
I have read quite a few historical novels where a young mother puts her baby up for adoption, but it is not as common a theme in modern day novels. It is an emotional read and well written.
It is difficult to go into too much detail without giving away any spoilers. This is a good read and I enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

This book is beautifully written and sensitively approached. It’s moving and emotional and very poignant. Definitely one not to be missed.

You can always rely on any book written by this author and here is her latest. well worth a read, I enjoyed this and didn't want to put the book down. Plenty of emotions and romance. 5 stars given.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early copy.

This book is beautifully written, situation which many people do get in.

At 16, pregnant Gemma, decided to give her baby up for adoption, knowing she wasn’t in a position to look after it herself and also because of how she was brought up.

Following this, Gemma got herself a degree through hard work and make a success of her life. But, she’s never forgotten the daughter she gave up. She always, everyday wondered what she’d be doing now.

The tactics she used to live with this decision have always helped, but have they stopped her from growing and living the life she should?

Beautifully written, I was unable to put it down, some parts were heart breaking, a fabulous read.

I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this one. Full of hope and pain, and emotional turbulence. I really enjoyed Gemma's character, from too young for the responsibilities she faced to the wishful awakening in adulthood, and her progression throughout the book. It's really quite the read.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

With a very unstable upbringing, a pregnancy at just 16 years of age and no support from family Gemma is forced to give up her baby daughter, a fact that haunts her over the years. She has difficulties forming relationships and struggles with confidence and guilt issues. I liked her character and sympathized with all her little 'quirks' as she fought to overcome her past. The supporting cast were all very likeable. Karin, her love interest and a wonderfully romantic man, her friend and neighbour Maggie and her dog Bill and Erin and Katie - mother and daughter - are all so supportive of Gemma as she battles her demons. I found the book to be a slow starter but from about halfway through it really took off and I was gripped by the unfolding storyline and the satisfying conclusion. Not my favourite book by Debbie Johnson but an enjoyable one nevertheless. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC which was a pleasure to read and review.

I absolutely adored this book! From the beginning, Johnson captured my attention and my heart. I really took to Gemma and loved reading her story and getting to know her. There is a lot of emotion in this and Johnson gets it just right, not overly dramatic but it is there and it is powerful.
Gemma's story has a lot of sadness and tough times in it but I was left feeling nothing but hopeful, Gemma and the people around her are some very special characters and I really connected to them in a way I do not usually.
I cannot recommend this book enough, it is very special and absolutely glorious.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion for an advance copy.

FOREVER YOURS
BY
DEBBIE JOHNSON.

At the age of 16 Gemma finds herself pregnant.
Having had a less than straightforward childhood herself, Gemma wants better for her baby and makes a decision that will impact both of their lives.
Eighteen years later, Gemma has moved around and not really settled anywhere. However, now living in Liverpool, she unexpectedly and unintentionally begins to put down roots.
A new student at the college where Gemma teaches sets off a chain of events that will help Gemma to put some ghosts to rest and finally find some peace in her life.

This story is an emotional journey that takes Gemma from existing back to living.

I like Debbie’s writing style a lot. Forever Yours is most definitely the same high standard that I’ve come to expect from her.

With a likeable bunch of characters, strong friendships, a sweet romance and a plot that will keep you glued, Forever Yours is a must read that will truly warm your heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for a digital arc of this title.

This is my second book in a row by this author! Her books are so good, I just can’t get enough of them! Main character, Gemma had a baby when she was 16 and gave her up for adoption. 18 years later, she is wondering what ever happened to the baby girl she gave away.

This was a lovely, heart-warming and emotional read. Gemma is a great character and I connected with her straight away. I couldn’t begin to imagine what Gemma must have gone through as a teenager, but the author picks us up and transports us straight into Gemma’s life, feelings and emotions! The supporting characters in the book are all likeable, and when I’ve come to say which character I liked the most I couldn’t pick between them – they all fitted into the storyline perfectly. Erin and Katie are a great inclusion into Gemma’s life, Karim sounds like the ideal love interest and Margie and Bill are just adorable.

The storyline flows along so well and by the end of the first chapter I was hooked! The author takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey right from the first page to the last. It is a sad book at times, and it does focus largely on the subject of adoption, but it’s written so wonderfully that I couldn’t help but be drawn into it. Filled with family, friendship and a little bit of romance, I absolutely loved this book! Would definitely recommend!

A different genre to my normal reads but I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I found quite emotional reading about Gemma and her past.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend and I will read more from this author in the future.

Gemma is the main protagonist in this book and we learn at the age of sixteen she had a child and gave it up for adoption. Gemma has has a turbulent life and has grown up keeping people at bay with almost building a wall around herself. She realises her child will be coming up to eighteen years of age and there may be a chance they will want to make contact. This is a story of relationships, love and troubled upbringings.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Debbie is probably my most favorite author and I will read anything she writes unputdownable

Don't miss the next unmissable novel from Debbie Johnson - coming soon!*

'Emotional, beautiful, wonderful' MILLY JOHNSON

'A simply beautiful, emotional book' RONALI COLLINGS

A love to last a lifetime...

Gemma knows perfectly well how one moment can change your life forever. That's why, for two decades, she's lived life by the rulebook.

But this year, everything is different. The beloved daughter she gave up for adoption all those years ago is about to turn eighteen - and that means, there's a chance of being found.

For the first time in her life, Gemma can no longer run from her secrets. And she begins to realise that when everything is falling apart, love can be found in the unlikeliest of places.

Because sometimes your true family is the one you pick for yourself...

****

I wasn't keen on this book for the first few chapters because the main character Gemma is hard to understand. You start to understand why she is the way she is because of her past. She is independent and relies on no one. .

I've read everything this author has published so was delighted to be granted an ARC of this title and settled down expecting a treat, and whilst generally enjoying this book it didn't grab me like many of her other titles.
It felt that whilst the author was doing a great job illustrating how the main character's troubled past had meant she had created a protective mechanism of not letting anyone get too close, this was also the case with the reader. I didn't 'get' Gemma. I couldn't empathise the way I think you needed to in an attempt to understand why she made the decisions she did.
I got frustrated at her constantly analysing / explaining her motives and behaviour and the references to constant counting was rather trying as you progressed.
That said the general premise of the book was good and I loved the supporting characters.