I was diagnosed with Cancer and wasn't able to review for awhile. I barely remember reading this but I do know that I enjoyed it. There is not a single Brayden book I have not liked. She is my must read author.

I've read a few of Melissa Brayden's books and they always manage to make me smile. This one was no different. I adored the characters, the plot, and it's definitely one I'd reread if there was an audiobook to come out for it.

Bethany and Reid were girlfriends in high school when Reid's actions caused them to break up. 10 years later. Reid shows up. To Bethany's medical practice. I found the plot interesting and kept my attention. The plot revolves around if Bethany and Reid can overcome past hurts and be together. I recommend this book for romance readers.

This was cute. Super cute. Melissa Brayden does it again in delivering a happy balanced romance. The connection between Reid and Bethany felt absolutely genuine.

The challenge for me was the backwards and forwards in time. Admittedly it wasn't a lot, but it was a little frustrating to get so far into a part of their story and then switch to another part. I get it was all part of the whole though.

3.5 stars

Although I topically like second chance romances, I need to see why it'll work the second time around after the first lead to a break up. Unfortunately, I just didn't see it this time around as there was no great build up or character development from their teenage flashbacks to now. They both seemed quite young and the way the story is pieced together just led more to confusion then cohesion. The flashbacks just weren't necessary IMO.

An interesting premise but just wasn't a fan of the way the story played out.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars. Bethany and Reid knew each other 11 years ago, before Reid broke her heart. When she runs into her at he supermarket after all this time, she can't help buy wonder what happened. Bethany, now a doctor in town They were both cheerleaders in high school and got closer form there. Bethany and Reid do not want to re-live the heartbreak of the past but can't help but get close again.

This was an easy, fast read. It went back and forth between the past and present. It went from high school to back to present 11years ago when they ran into each other, I really liked this book when I read it, but I am writing this review a couple weeks later and I can't remember a lot of details of this book. I always like Melissa Brayden, but this book is seemingly very unmemorable. I liked the transition from the past to present and back again, it is a clever concept to talk about their past and worked well in this book..

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a second chance story by Brayden, featuring Bethany and Reid, who were together in high school and broke up for ‘reasons’ and the reunite 11 years later. Upon seeing each other again, Reid is all for trying to start over and Bethany is less interested, due to the ‘reasons’.

A lot of this story is told via flashbacks, one of my least favourite methods of storytelling. I prefer second chance stories where the reason for the breakup is known from the start and the book is about how the couple reconnects. It also meant that a large part of the book was YA, which is also not a favourite.

The back story for these two could have been handled in the first few chapters through a mature discussion between the two, not at the last possible minute. We did not need to spend endless chapters reading about cheerleading and Reid’s parents issues, that time would have been better spent on having the two reconnect as Reid’s situation has changed quite a bit but that reveal doesn’t come til the halfway mark, and it’s a big one.

Both MCs are fairly likeable, and I did believe they were each the others ‘one’, but I found the second stab at a relationship to be fairly superficial, with not a lot of substance to their reconnection. There are quite a few supporting characters, Bethany has two BFFs in the present, Reid has her family, and there’s a bunch of others characters from when they were younger, some of whom carry over into the present storyline, but none of whom are fully fleshed out.

The rest of the reveals about why they broke up and the ramifications of it don’t happen til around the 90% mark, making the ending much too rushed. Less time in the past would have allowed for a more realistic unfolding of their new relationship but as it was, I didn’t buy the neat resolutions, even with the time jump in the epilogue..

If you enjoy second chance stories with YA/present, then I recommend Brayden’s other second chance story Strawberry Summer, which has a similar premise but better execution. 3 stars.

The Forever Factor was a heart surprisingly emotional read about two women, Reid and Bethany, reconnecting years after their high school romance ended in heartbreak and misunderstandings. I think it’s hard to do second chance romances right sometimes, but Brayden nailed it! I loved how both women got to know each other again as adults rather than just picking up where they left off in high school on the cheer team. The flashbacks gave us a glimpse into their past relationships while building up to reveal what actually happened all those years ago. The only thing I struggled with was the time between flashbacks and present, as there would be so many chapters in between and I would sometimes forget where we left off in the present.

Overall I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this arc!

Melissa Brayden is stretching her writing wings and delivers a book that's different than we might expect from her. This second chance romance has all of the familiar feels, banter and sigh-worthy romance scenes though so don't hesitate to pick up her latest.
Brayden does a good job of mixing flashbacks with present day storylines where oftentimes the flashbacks explain certain actions in the present day. Another great book by this author, any romance lover should not hesitate to grab one of her books!

***Thank you Netgalley and Bold Stroke Books for giving me the chance to read and review this book**

Brayden's Forever Factor is a second-chance romance and if you enjoy flashbacks, this book is for you.
This story takes us through a narrative in which much suffering could have been avoided if a conversation had taken place in the past.
I found the tone a little different from what I expected to find in a Brayden book, but it was also a good one.

This is a second chance romance written by one of my favorite authors. The premise of the book is that two young women who come from very different backgrounds, Bethany and Reid, meet in high school and fall in love over a period of time, then abruptly end their relationship through youthful mistakes.

Ms. Brayden tells the story with a series of flashbacks. Generally, I do not like this approach, but it works well in this book. Each flashback will lead the reader to understand what happened to Bethany and Reid from their initial relationship until they meet up again 12 years later.4

This story is sensitive, warm, and emotional. Young readers will be able to relate to the questions and hesitancy of love at a young age. Older readers might find that they, too, experienced situations similar to our main characters. Ms. Brayden’s writing style is always authentic and touching. Bethany and Reid’s characters are so believable and their story is realistic.

I highly recommend this book. Be sure that you add this one to your personal library. I rate this 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The main characters, Bethany and Reid were really close in high school until they weren't
Eleven years later, they meet again by accident, by bumping shopping carts in the grocery store. Neither of them have forgotten the attraction to each other. Reid gives Bethany her business card and tells her to call her. Bethany doesn't , so Reid shows up at her office as a patient. Reid wants to understand why Bethany ran away, She tries and finally gets Bethany to agree to meet her for coffee. This is the beginning of more meetings between the two. When Bethany tells Reid why she never contacted her after high school, this paves the way to a possible rekindling of that relationship.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Right from the get-go Melissa Brayden had me hooked with The Forever Factor. I was so glad when the timeline started jumping around, because Melissa Brayden does that beautifully! And I love a second chance romance!

I couldn’t help chuckling over the flashback to when Bethany and Reid meet. Fans of the movie Bring it On will enjoy the nod to Torrance and Missy’s friendship. (It sure had me thinking of that movie in a different light.)

Wonderful!

Having read practically all of Melissa Brayden's previous books provided me with the unique perspective of knowing that this is not her usual novel. I loved that the author stepped out of her 'comfort zone' to venture into the world of young adult with the series of flashbacks of Bethany and Reid's story. At first, I was not at all on board with this choice and only wanted to know about Bethany and Reid in the present, when they meet again by chance at the supermarket after being estranged for 10 years. I was more interested in the second chance than knowing why it didn't work out the first time.

But I slowly got hung up on the teen storyline, how they met and how they fell in love, until the inevitable drama and separation.

The fact that there are two different timelines really spiced up the narrative, but at the same time it can make everything seem a bit fast-paced. Especially the present storyline when Bethany has to decide whether or not she will be able to forgive Reid.

The switching between present and past should help us understand where the feeling is coming from but it can also make you forget that 10 years have passed for Bethany since that excruciating pain and therefore forgiveness is possible.
This is the only flaw I can find in this book, aside from that you can feel Melissa Brayden's style even if in this new form a bit different from the usual. Who says change isn't good?

The Forever Factor follows two used-to-be lovers, Reid and Bethany, from high school reconnecting ten years later, both with two broken hearts that have never fully healed.
The book goes back and forth between past and present. Young Reid and Bethany has the
Best 1st kiss ever. And their chemistry is off the charts.
Reid is a popular cheerleader and Bethany is a gymnast who they ask to come onto the team. Reid is popular and Bethany is quiet and shy but there is a spark between them.
10 years later Reid is a teacher and Bethany is a Dr. They meet at a grocery store and the old feeling and hurt comes out
I loved both characters. Ms Brayden is the queen of banter and makes all the characters in the book likeable. Bethany’s Dad made me laugh more than any other character. A single burley man raising a daughter. I absolutely loved this book. Fun read but pulls at your heartstrings

Who doesn't love a second-chance romance? The plot appealed to me, and as a Melissa Brayden fan, I was excited to read this. But the book was only okay. I actually enjoyed the flash-back portions more than the current-day portion. I think this could have been crafted better if the background information was spread out first, or if the current story bookended the history. It was difficult going back and forth, and I felt that the current-day romance happened way too quickly. It went from Bethany not wanting to see Reid, to suddenly wanting to have drinks and be friends again, and then from there, the romance happened like a slap in the face - instantaneously. I would have liked more of a slow burn to add believability.

This is the second MB book I've read where I wasn't completely drawn into the story. I hope it's not a continuing trend.

As always, huge fan of anything Melissa Brayden puts out. I did initially have a hard time getting in to this book, but once I overcame the initial hurdle, I enjoyed it.

Second chance romances are one of my favorites and this one was written really well. It was interesting to combine the flashbacks with the current timeline and they really added to the overall story. In my opinion, Melissa Brayden always does a phenomenal job writing and flushing out characters. This book was no different. I enjoyed the romance and the chemistry.

I recommend reading if you're as big of a fan of Melissa Brayden as I am! I also recommend reading if you enjoy a second chance romance.

I was given an ARC for my honest review.

Bethany and Reid were high school sweethearts, each other’s first love, and their relationship at the time felt much deeper and stronger than teenage lust and first love, even if that’s also what it was. They were kids though and dealt with problems in very teenagery ways: badly. When they literally bump into each other again eleven years later, they’re both obviously different people but the connexion and attraction are the same.

I have a lot of feelings about this book, not all good I’m afraid. It feels like a missed opportunity, the story could have easily been a 5⭐️. I’m not sure what happened but some chapters flow easily while in others, the writing feels choppy, clunky. As if the chapters in which Reid and Bethany are teenagers were complete and some of the ones with them as adults were left hanging, whether at the writing stage or in editing.

Don’t let that stop you from reading, though. The “then” chapters are excellent and gave me all the feels. The “now” ones aren’t perfect but they have that Brayden quality of story and the same wonderfully flawed and lovely characters. Through lessons learned, life experience and unexpected detours, the author gives MCs and secondary characters alike substance and depth and a few issues in the writing can’t ruin that.

I noticed some reviewers called this a YA book, but I really don’t think it is. Sure, the characters are teens for part of the story but it wasn’t written for teenagers, and even though it’s very well-written, with all the sensitivity I felt was needed, it’s still adult literature in my eyes. And not only because of how hot the sex scenes are.

The reconciliation happens very quickly and it should bother me, but I was too interested in Bethany and Reid moving on with each other rather than with how they got there to care for very long. Brayden writes longing and questioning beautifully. The Forever Factor would have been an easy 5⭐️ if the whole book sustained that level of storytelling. It ends up with 4⭐️ but I’ll hold on to these breathtaking moments.

Bethany runs into Reid Thatcher and still hasn't forgotten how the latter broke her heart. Yet she can't help the fact that she still has feelings and Reid genuinely wants to make amends. Can she forgive Reid so they can have a second chance? The flashback scene do help us see how the two of them fell in love and how it all fell apart. I felt they overshadowed the storyline in the present. Also felt the end tied up a bit too quickly. Even though I wanted to be more invested, I feel story was just okay. I would rate this a 3/5.

Friends to cheerleaders to lovers to enemies to lovers? I'm here for it!

Melissa has a way of coming up with characters you are instantly drawn to. Whether it's because you hate them or love them, you will have feelings.

I loved the back and forth to the past and present. It took a long time to get to what happened between Reid and Beth but I did not mind at all. I enjoyed both timelines next to each other as well as seeing the way their past had influenced their present adult versions.

The little shoutout to another book by Melissa was a fun addition as well and had me chuckling while reading..

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.