Forever Right Now by Emma Scott Published by Selfpublished on October 24, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 299
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Purchase
Darlene Montgomery has been to hell and back…more than once. After a stint in jail for drug possession, she is finally clean and ready to start over. Yet another failed relationship is just the motivation she needs to move from New York to San Francisco with the hopes of resurrecting her dance career and discovering that she is more than the sum of her rap sheet. As Darlene struggles in her new city, the last thing she wants is to become entangled with her handsome—but cranky—neighbor and his adorable little girl...
Sawyer Haas is weeks away from finishing law school, but exhaustion, dwindling finances, and the pressure to provide for himself and his daughter, Olivia, are wearing him down. A federal clerkship--a job he desperately needs--awaits him after graduation, but only if he passes the Bar Exam. Sawyer doesn’t have the time or patience for the capricious—if beautiful—dancer who moves into the apartment above his. But Darlene’s easy laugh and cheerful spirit seep into the cracks of his hardened heart, and slowly break down the walls he’s resurrected to keep from being betrayed ever again.
When the parents of Olivia’s absentee mother come to fight for custody, Sawyer could lose everything. To have any chance at happiness, he must trust Darlene, the woman who has somehow found her way past his brittle barbs, and Darlene must decide how much of her own bruised heart she is willing to give to Sawyer and Olivia, especially when the ghosts of her troubled past refuse to stay buried.
Forever Right Now was an emotionally gripping story that took on several challenging topics. And EScott handled it all with aplomb. This was my first read from EScott and it certainly won’t be that last as I was impressed with her story writing!
Darlene has come to San Francisco for a fresh start. Having hit rock bottom – and serving time for it – she is desperate for that proverbial clean slate. She wants to prove to herself, and her family and friends, that she’s got it together now. She needs to focus on herself but she can’t seem to help being drawn to her new neighbor and his little girl. And honestly, showing kindness is something that fills her up, so to speak.
Sawyer’s life changed irrevocably on a night the police came to his door to say there’d been an accident involving his mother. He was 8. His life changed irrevocably once again when a girl showed up at this door with a baby…his daughter. Being a law student, he’d always seen things in black and white – he’d chosen law for that reason. But living under a cloud of uncertainty where his future is concerned and being weeks away from graduation, he doesn’t want or need change in his life. However, Darlene blew in like a tornado and things changed once again.
Omigosh, these two! Or I should say three because Sawyer’s daughter, Olivia, was integral as well. I adored Darlene. Yes, she’s an addict – a recovering one, but still. She wanted to be the woman Sawyer saw when he looked at her. I admired her description of how and why she’d gotten involved with drugs because it was so very realistic. I think we all experience what Darlene described. We all just deal with it differently. I loved seeing how she was with Sawyer and Olivia because you could see that being with them gave her something she needed. It “filled her up” and that was a necessary element as she worked on herself.
Sawyer was this brilliant guy with a photographic memory but he wasn’t really living. He was so single-minded in his pursuit of what he was as justice (and maybe a bit of vengeance) hat he didn’t see anything outside of school, studying, and Olivia. I admired him so much for immersing himself so fully in his role as Olivia’s dad. Not many 24 year olds would be capable of doing that. And he was a wonderful daddy. But it took the tornado that was Darlene to knock him off-ilter to realize he needed balance.
There was a bit of angst and lots of personal growth as well as an adorable, precocious little girl. Forever Right Now was engaging, emotional, and thought-provoking – especially on the topics of second chances and parental rights where law is concerned. My only complaint would be that I’d have liked more on-page development of the relationship between Darlene and her sponsor. They seemed to have such a strong bond but we didn’t get to see much of the development of that. Otherwise, Forever Right Now was an impressive introduction to EScott for me. I can’t wait to meet her at RARE!
About Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Brandee is a mom of 3 and a soon-to-be empty nester. She is also an avid reader, a genre omnivore, and a compulsive one-clicker - but she's in recovery. Besides being a reader, she's also a writer and hopes to divide the vast quantities of spare time she'll soon have between reading and finally publishing her first book.
Brandee I looove Darlene! I am happy that you are going to Paris! Come say hi please! I will be assisting Scarlett Cole and should have a T Shirt with my blog logo!
LOL Sophie, Brandee is assisting Scarlett Cole, too! And we are having tote bags with our blog logo, so we should definitely be able to find each other!
I’m assisting Ilona Andrews 🙂 I’m SO excited!
Oh, now I see this reply…sorry Sophie! LOL But still, I’ll see you next week!
Omigosh, Sophie! Are you doing Scarlett’s line in the morning or afternoon? Because I’m working her line in the morning! I’ll definitely say hello. I won’t have a t-shirt with our blog logo but I do have a tote bag. 😉 See you next week!
And I’m happy to know you loved Darlene as well. 🙂
I really liked this one too, Brandee! I loved Darlene and Sawyer.
Yay! I can’t believe I hadn’t read EScott before but I’m so glad to have “met” her. 🙂
It is so tough to take on topics like this so I am glad to hear the author handled it well. Great review!
Thanks, Teresa! It was a great read – one I think you’d like too. 😉
Sawyer and his little girl sound adorable together! ♥
They were so cute, Stephanie! I just love seeing daddies and their little girls…in fiction and in real life! 🙂
Love growth in books and the characters sound very intriguing. Hm… I do think you have me interested in this one.
I think you’d enjoy this read, Melissa. It’s really well done. 🙂
ohhh a “Omigosh, these two!” book! I love those! 🙂 especially when it includes the kids 🙂 I think it’s great you connected so well with Darlene despite her flaws. or I should say BECAUSE of her flaws 🙂 Great review B!
Yes! This book is one I’m *still* thinking about, D! It’s that good. And I got to meet EScott in Paris and she’s just such a warm and generous person. I can’t wait to read more from her. Thanks!
Twitter: Northwomn
I really love the sound of this one. Character development and personal growth are what make a book, especially if it is realistic. Wonderful review! You must be getting so excited for your trip!
Thanks, Anne. You’ll love this one and anything from EScott, I’m thinking. I haven’t read more from her but Lexxie has and I’m eager to. My trip was AMAZING!!!
I was so excited that Scott gave Darlene her HEA. I grew quite fond of her when I read The Butterfly Project, and I wanted something great for her, and WOW! Scott made all sort of goodness rain down on her. I couldn’t help but root for her, because she had hit bottom, but was still trying to achieve her dreams.
Wait. I’m gonna meet Darlene (again) in The Butterfly Project?!? Scurries around to grab kindle and one-click. 😉 Thanks for that info, Sam. I didn’t know! But I’m going to read it. And ALL of EScott’s books because her writing is amazing and she’s a wonderful lady in person. 🙂
Oh, yes. Emma Scott is such a wonderful author. I haven’t read this one, but it does look so good! 🙂
It is sooo good, Angie, and I can’t wait to read more from her! 🙂