Book Review: When We Had Forever by Shaylin Gandhi

Book Pub Day: December 10, 2024

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult Fiction

Trigger Warnings: Grief, death, loss of partner/husband, betrayal, manipulation, deception.

MY THOUGHTS:

I might be a bit biased because I adore this author, but When We Had Forever was an incredible read from start to finish!

Shaylin Gandhi has a way of weaving stories that are deeply emotional and yet feel entirely relatable. This book is no exception. It masterfully explores the complexities of love, grief, and rediscovery, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

The story kept me hooked with its well-paced twists and turns. The ending, in particular, took me completely by surprise. It was one of those rare moments where the twist was both shocking and perfectly logical once all the pieces fell into place. Gandhi’s ability to blend emotional depth with compelling revelations is a true testament to her storytelling prowess.

What struck me most was how real the characters felt. Grayson’s reflections on grief were raw and poignant, capturing emotions that resonated deeply with me. The line, “Grief. It’s the most challenging emotion in the human experience, isn’t it? The hardest to deal with. You’re not alone in that,” stayed with me long after I finished reading. It encapsulates the book’s profound exploration of loss and the courage it takes to move forward.

This novel is a beautifully written and refreshingly original take on love and loss, yet it carries a sense of familiarity that makes it impossible to put down. If you enjoy books that stir your heart and make you reflect, When We Had Forever should absolutely be your next read.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publishing house for granting me the incredible opportunity to read this ARC. It’s truly appreciated!

What will you find:

• Family Drama
• Romance Suspense
• Dual Timelines
• Open Door Romance
• Mystery
• Second Chance
• Love after Loss
• Insta Love
• Road to Self-Discovery
• Healing from Childhood Trauma
• Forgiveness

Here’s some rock-inspired playlist that captures the emotional intensity and themeof the book:

“Everlong (Acoustic)” by Foo Fighters – Captures the longing and deep connection Mina feels as she unravels her emotions.

“November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses – A sweeping epic about love, loss, and healing.

“With or Without You” by U2 – Represents the complicated, push-pull dynamics of Mina’s relationships.

“Broken” by Seether ft. Amy Lee – Reflects the pain of loss and the hope for connection amidst brokenness.

“Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence – Represents Mina’s awakening to new feelings and rediscovering herself.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day – Mirrors Mina’s solitary journey through grief and self-reflection.

“You Found Me” by The Fray – Highlights the serendipity of finding Grayson and the secrets that change everything.

“Shadow of the Day” by Linkin Park – A poignant track for themes of love, loss, and moving forward.

“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star – A dreamy, emotional song that reflects Mina’s pull toward Grayson.

“Patience” by Guns N’ Roses – A soft rock ballad about taking time to heal and find love again.

“Here Without You” by 3 Doors Down – Represents the lingering connection to Michael and the journey of letting go.

“All Apologies” by Nirvana (Unplugged) – A raw track reflecting forgiveness and the imperfections of love.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

An emotionally powerful roller coaster of a novel about losing and finding love, perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Lucy Score. Six months after her husband died in a car crash, Mina Drake is still mired in a haze of grief. Reminders of her years with Michael are everywhere, but beneath her heartache lies an even more painful emotion. It’s a guilty suspicion she can hardly admit to anyone, even herself that her marriage was over long before Michael’s accident.

They were good together once, she’s sure of it, sharing a connection so deep that Mina couldn’t understand how it unraveled. That is, until a chance discovery in her husband’s office, and the reappearance of Michael’s estranged brother, Grayson, a notorious bad-boy photographer-awakens her to possible answers. More shocking still is the pull Mina feels to tattooed, scarred Grayson, who’s nothing at all like the man she married.

But as feelings stir to life again, so do secrets, changing everything she thought she knew about her marriage, and about the risks and rewards of loving with no limits.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

SHAYLIN GANDHI is a traveler, scuba diver, and pianist. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, their identical twin daughters, and two rescue dogs. When not finagling words onto paper, Shaylin can be found hiking, biking, scheming up ways to add another stamp to her passport, or ingesting enough coffee to power a small city. Shaylin once spent forty-six days riding her bicycle from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic.

Authors Website:

www.shaylingandhi.com

Instagram: @AuthorShaylinGandhi 

Gandhi’s other books:

Once Charmed, Twice Cursed: A Standalone Fantasy Romance, Song of the Hundred-Year Summer: A Fairytale Romance Novella, By the Light of Embers, etc.

Happy Reading!

Sanna

You can follow me on Instagram @mugofreality

Latest post: Finding Myself

P.S.

I’ve taken individual images from Pinterest that were used to create a “poster” image in this post. If you’re the owner of any of them, please let me know so I can credit you. These were used solely for creative purposes.