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Title: Almost Forever (A Hanover Falls Novel #1)
Author: Deborah Raney
Story Length: 326
Year: 2010
Publisher: Howard Books
Garrett Edmonds is a fifth grade teacher and his wife, Molly, is a firefighter. He loves his wife and his life as it is. They have been married a little over a year and have begun attending church when possible. Bryn Hennesey works part-time at the local library and a homeless shelter while her husband, Adam, is a firefighter. He and Molly work at the same fire station. Bryn has been working at the shelter against her husband’s wishes as it isn’t in the safest area and some of the men who stay at the shelter are dangerous. She has been sneaking behind his back to work at the shelter when he has a night shift at the fire house. One night something happens that will change all four peoples’ lives forever.
After this event, the media hoopla and paparazzi hounding begins. Two people are faced with a mountain of numbing grief and the sense of “What am I going to do now?” As time goes on, they find solace in their tenuous friendship. They begin to spend more time together at ease in each other’s presence as they don’t have to pretend they’re doing “fine”; they can be real with one another. Then, a forgotten memory returns and once again, lives are turned upside down. Both individuals learn how much they need God in their lives to see them through each moment of every day and how important it is to forgive for the one seeking forgiveness and the one giving it.
This is the first book by this author for me to read and it won’t be the last! She has written an emotional, thought-provoking, warm-hearted story that will leave readers wanting more. It’s a good thing there are two more books in the series! Book two is titled, Forever After and I am excited to read it soon and review it here. I just fell in love with Garrett and Bryn. I have not experienced the tragedy that they experienced, but the writing was so good I could put myself in their place, feeling their emotions. What a touching story! Don’t miss this one!
My rating is 5 stars.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )

NCLA Review -In the first of the Hanover Falls Series, we meet Bryn Hennesey, who volunteers at a homeless shelter, against the wishes of her husband, a firefighter, who thinks it’s too dangerous. Bryn is secretly volunteering the night the shelter burns to the ground. Her husband and four other firefighters die. Bryn and the other surviving spouses must deal with the losses and not knowing what caused the fire. Garrett Edmond’s wife was one of the firefighters. He and Bryn develop a friendship that may turn into more, but is complicated by a secret. This book was very well-written with believable characters that readers can relate to and care about. The book is about friendship, love, betrayal, healing, honesty, guilt, and God’s enduring guidance. This was a book that I couldn’t put down; I can’t wait for the next in the series. Rating: 4 —VJ ( )

No joke...Deborah Raney gets better with every single book she writes! This has to be her best book yet, and she's written some pretty awesome books! Her trademark is evoking emotion through her characters, which in turn, sucks the reader into an unforgettable story. Another author who does this well is Karen Kingsbury, but I don't think she's got anything on Deborah Raney!

The action begins in the very first chapter, and that is my kind of book. Unfortunately, it starts with a huge tragedy that affects 5 families and the community around them. As the days go by, the questions start to pile up. "Who's responsible?" "What started the fire?" Bryn thinks she knows how it started, but after awhile she convinces herself that she had nothing to do with it. It's not long, though, before the doubt starts to creep in, and she wonders if she truly was responsible.

Garrett's wife, Molly, was one of the firefighters who died in the fire, along with Bryn's husband, Adam. Even though I never got to read about them while they were among the living, I thought Deborah did an awesome job of portraying them after their tragic deaths. She also did an incredible job writing the emotions of the surviving spouses, and the incredible grief that each one felt.

There is so much more about this story I could share, but if I did, I would honestly be spoiling it for you! If you love stories that pull on your heartstrings, make you shed a few tears (I certainly did), and ones that just stay with you for days and weeks, then you need to get your hands on every single Deb Raney book available! I assure you....you will not be sorry! :o) ( )