When I chose to read this title I knew it would be a story about
forbidden love and I am a sucker for those types of stories.   However,
as I delved deeper I realized that there was more to this story than meets the
eye. This is a beautiful story that will touch your heart. It will have you
laughing and crying along with Bartholomew and Ariah as you follow them on
their journey of pain, heartache, jealousy, guilt and love.  

Initially, when I realized that the story was broaching the
topic of adultery I was a bit skeptical about reading further.  However, I was glad I was able to move past my
skepticism and in doing so, I discovered that there was more to this story than
I originally thought.

Bartholomew Noon was a lighthouse keeper who had been trapped
in a loveless marriage for the past seven years. As a result he led a lonely
existence. This would change when he met Ariah Scott.  Ariah having lost her parents and on the run
from her mother’s family signed up to become a mail order bride.  It so happened that she was to become the
bride of Bartholomew’s nephew, Pritchard. 
Sparks flew when Ariah and Bartholomew met for the first time.

At first  I was not
sure what to make of Bartholomew.  Here
we have a man that was broken and depressed from being trapped in a loveless
marriage with a woman who is determined to make his life a living hell.  I kept asking why would any well thinking person
remain in such a situation?  When the
truth was revealed I could not help but feel his pain.  Ariah was a very outspoken woman. Not the type
of characteristic that was expected from women of that era.   From
the moment Ariah met Bartholomew she knew she found her soulmate.  However, in light of the fact that he was married,
she knew that he would be off limits. However, unforeseen circumstances placed
them in a precarious position that will see them being tested to their limits.  At first I didn’t like Ariah as I thought she
was deliberately trying to tempt Bartholomew. I found it hard to believe that
she was not aware of the torment her actions were causing.  However, as I read further I came to realise
that she was sweet and caring in nature.

 I enjoyed reading
about the secondary characters. Some were likeable, some not so much. Hester,
Bartholomew’s wife was the worst of all. 
I thought that she must be crazy for that type of behavior.  The reason for actions eventually became
clear.  Then there is Pritchard.  He was immature and it was clear that he was
not ready for marriage. His reason for wanting to get married was a sure recipe
for a failed marriage.  What I liked was
that at the time when it counted most he proved that he had become a man.

The story started out slowly and took some time to build up,
but once it did there was no holding back. It had me hooked and I could not
wait to find out if true love would prevail. 
The romance was realistic and it did not come easily for these two. They
had to fight for the right to be together.

Forever Mine depicts how the guilt of our past actions can
destroy our future. At times we may do things that we will regret, but we need
to forgive ourselves and move on.   Overall,
I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to more from this author.