Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Finding Our Forever (Silver Springs Book 1)

Top positive review

Great Book!!!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 19, 2022

I’ve read this maybe for the third or fourth time I can’t remember but it is good every time I read it. But one draw back for me is the sex scenes, so I skip those parts and go on with a great story. And still makes me cry.

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Resan

goodish

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 16, 2020

The dilemma of an adopted child, especially with loving parents. Cory's search for her bio mom and the reasons are very evocative. The reasons are something non-adoptees cannot really understand, which then adds huge guilt. This aspect of the story is well written and all three stars are for that.

The romance of Cora and Eli - does not really hit the right notes.

All the build up to the big reveal to Aiyana and Eli, in the end fizzles to nothing.

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From the United States

Jeannie Long

Great Book!!!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 19, 2022

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One person found this helpful

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Julie Kirby

Love, Trust and Friendship, Finding our Forever

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 21, 2017

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Arc received in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly have been entertained whilst reading Finding Our FOrever, by Brenda Novak. She has a way of enrapturing you into the story, getting to know the main characters along with the others within the story.

As with her other stories, once you open the book you NEED to know what happens next. Whether its a small town romance, or dark thriller. You get taken on an emotional journey, as you discover the unfolding story.

I loved Cora and Elijah, they both had big secrets, and histories preventing them both to open up and accept what they had. They both tried to ward the other off, but both let their defences down and the attraction was too strong to be ignored. nd whilst I thought this would go so horribly wrong, the secrets were hidden until things were needed to be divulged.

I thought the school setting was great, added an air of mystery, as to why make a decision to give up your child, then to go on and help as many as you could, but with very good reason, as we find out. It made me appreciate Aiyana so much more.

Cora was a very caring person, who worried about hiding secrets, but dealt with the situations with compassion and thoughfullness. She really wanted answers but did not want to hurt anyone in the process of finding out the truth, especially her adoptive parents Lilly and Brad, they were really lovely and had a strong loving bond with her.

Eli was very reserved and was shocked with how his feelings for Cora moved along.

They were so well suited, they will make a great team with the futures of the boys at the school.

I can't wait to see if we get more of all the main characters as wer learn more about the other occupants of Silver Springs.

No couple has an easy straight forward path to happiness, and Cora and Eli are testament to that, they did have an understanding of each other, when to push and when to leave!

A story of love against the odds, of trust and friendships, kindless and compassion with lots of lovely sexiness.

This had me gripped, didn't want to put it down, imagine a warm comfortable room, with a large glass of wine to help this story shine and come to life through the pages.

One person found this helpful

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Sheila M

Good Start to the Series

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 23, 2017

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FINAL DECISION: A book with characters who are really likeable and caring but are dealing with the pain in their lives, I really liked this book because it didn't go in the direction I would have expected for drama.

THE STORY: Cora Kelly has come to Silver Springs searching for her birth mother who runs the New Horizons Boys Ranch. But she decided not to reveal her identity until she determines whether she wants to. Applying to be a teacher at the school, Cora meets Elijah Turner who is the manager of the ranch and one of the adopted sons of Cora's birth mother. As Cora begins to build relationships with those at the ranch, the decision whether or not to reveal her secret becomes more difficult as she worries about destroying those relationships -- especially the one between her and Eli.

OPINION: I enjoyed this book because of the characters. There was a sense of reality and decency with these people. The book didn't feel like it was trying to tell an over dramatic adventure story. Rather this story stayed small and focused on the characters. Cora and Eli are a sweet couple. They start out as a "scratching an itch" relationship but quickly they find in one another a companion and their attempts to keep things at a distance are not very successful. I loved how their romance progressed in this manner. It also served to explain how Cora could keep her secret for so long. I really liked these characters who are always good people. They struggle with how to be a good person with their limitations (Cora's deception and Eli's fear of getting close), but they always act from a good place.

I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the other in the series I read, but this book was a good start to the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: I read the second book in this series first and didn't miss anything. These books are very separate from one another even though they occur in the same place.

CONNECTED BOOKS: FINDING OUR FOREVER is the first book in the Silver Springs series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

3 people found this helpful

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Madison W Fairbanks

Finding Our Forever by Brenda Novak

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 22, 2017

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Finding Our Forever by Brenda Novak

Adoption. Are the children instinctively wired to try to find their birth mothers?
While this is a beautiful and touching romance, it was also tense waiting for the unfortunate time when secrets are revealed. We don't want people to be hurt by our actions, but lies and secrets are often the catalyst for pain.
Superbly written covering all the family dynamics of adoption and abuse. And romance.

I'm looking forced to more of this series.

Excerpt:
“As promised, in a short time, he had her vehicle completely unloaded.
“Thank you,” she said as he put down the last box.
“See you later.” His conscience appeased, he started toward his truck.
“Eli?"
He stopped again. “Yes?”
“I—I have a boyfriend. Sort of.”
He felt his eyebrows slide up. Then he almost laughed. She was assuming he had an ulterior motive for helping her. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression,” he said. “I was only trying to make your move a little easier.”
Her cheeks bloomed red. “Right. Of course you were. I’m sorry.”

Cora’s face burned as she watched Eli drive off. “What’s wrong with you?” she muttered to herself. “Of course he was just trying to help. It’s not as if he asked for your number.”
That blunder actually said more about her than it did him, she realized. He hadn’t been anything but circumspect. She was the one who’d had a difficult time keeping her eyes off him. She was so aware of him on a sexual level that it was hard to act as if she wasn’t, which was odd. She couldn’t remember having such a strong reaction to any other man. That was the reason she’d suddenly tried to throw up a barrier. She’d been hoping to give him a reason to look at her differently—or stay away entirely—and wound up making a fool of herself instead.
“I told you I didn’t need your help,” she grumbled to him even though he was gone, and cringed at the prospect of having to face him at the staff meeting in a few hours.
“You had to do that on your first day here, Cora?” she said as she started to unpack.”
Excerpt From: Novak, Brenda. “Finding Our Forever.”

5 people found this helpful

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CINDY F.

A phenomenal book, that's so different from all the rest out there!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 12, 2017

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I loved this book! I won't go into a long drawn out description of what this book is about; there are many others who've already done that...and probably a lot better than I could have. I will say.... that I loved that the story had a few angst moments to make the story more interesting, but I'm even more appreciative that they weren't the long drawn out kind I'm used to seeing. I could give you several examples of what I'm talking about, but I won't since I don't want to give the story away.

I will say:
1) I understand fully why Cora needed to search for her birth mother, first and foremost it would finally satisfy her curiosity, and if nothing else....it would bring her closer.
2) I wanted to cry when I heard what happened to Eli. It's no wonder he had trust issues, anyone in his postion would have.
3) I also understand why Aiyana kept Cora's birth a deep dark secret all these years, and why she felt the need to help these poor children to have a better life..
4) I despised Cora's ex-boyfriend for what he did out of spite. What did he think he'd accomplish by doing what he did? Just boggles my mind.
5) I loved Cora's parents but...I thought Lilly acted a bit selfish and childish, when she heard why Cora was really at the ranch. Instead of supporting her daughter, she made it all about me, me, me!!! That in my book is unforgivable. IMO- your child and their happiness should always come first..

6) And last but not least....I absolutely loved the relationship between Eli and Cora. It helped that they felt like they could open up and be honest with one another, without being judged harshly. IMO- that is what makes for a very HEA.

This book is a keeper, for sure. One that I will probably read over and over again. And one that I would highly recommend to all of you.

2 people found this helpful

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Danielle Urban

Silver Springs...a journey you won't forget!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 30, 2017

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Finding Our Forever by Brenda Novak is the beginning to a new series. Talk about a starter...this novella is packed full of emotional journeys. In this tale, I met a young woman who was adopted. Luckily for her, her adoptive mother and father were good people. That doesn't happen much for orphans. Yet, Cora lucked out and she's about to luck out further. Cora is a twenty-eight year old woman who hired an investigation into who her birth mom was and where she could find her. Finally, she has her answers. Little did she know that she would not only met her mom but her future husband, too. I was ecstatic. Neverous, happy, and sad. The intensity of the story kept building up to where it could end badly...I wasn't sure which way the news would swing.

Brenda Novak has once more impressed me with her writing. This writer is a pro at coming up with plots that are engaging. From the beginning to end, I was tailing after Cora every second. Left in suspense as to what will happen next and what Cora might decide to do. I was happy to have read this new novella by Brenda Novak. She truly, knows what her readers want and expect. I have read many of her books....and I love them all. There's always some form of an emotional attachment that has me connecting immediately with the main charcaters. There's either a dilemma that has me on edge of my seat guessing or a romance that has me hooked. Either way, I'm always left feeling satisfied having read each of her works. Finding Our Forever had a theme of adoption and family. I thought it was brilliant. A believable tale with all its craziness just like the real world brings. Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers worldwide.

3 people found this helpful

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Kaylin

Finding Forever

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 2, 2017

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Cora was adopted and she has always wondered about her mother and why she gave Cora up. She has also wanted to know her family background, nationalities. She has dark eyes and skin that would suggest some Spanish or Indian blood. Her adoptive parents said the adoption was closed and no information was given. When she was old enough to search on her own, she did. Finding a private investigator helped and once the information on her mother was given, she searched her out on the Net.

Her bio-mom had started a school for boys with problem and had actually adopted several of the boys from the school. The wad an opening for an art teacher, which was exactly what Cora was, so she applied. The oldest adopted Don helped to run the school. He interviewed Cora gave her the job.

She wasn't sure whether to say anything about the adoption so just boxed her time for the right moment. Once she got to know Aiyana, She was able to find out some of the things she needed to know, but was still hesitant to say anything. Meanwhile, she and Eli were getting along great.

This is an interesting story about adoption and some of the problems that stem from it. It is also a wonderful love story. Lots of secrets that need to be exercised. I liked this book and would recommend it to others.

2 people found this helpful

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MeezCarrie

Likable characters & compelling storyline

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

3.5 stars

Finding Our Forever is a romance, yes, but it’s also a story of overcoming the worst of the worst and learning to trust someone else with your heart. It’s a story of letting your past refine you, rather than define you. And it’s a story about the difference we can make in even just one person that feels truly loved.

Eli suffered horrible abuse at the hands of the people who were supposed to love him, so naturally his heart stays pretty closed off to being vulnerable. Cora is on a quest to learn more about her birth mother, and her attraction to Eli complicates matters – especially considering that he’s the birth mother’s adopted son. I have to admit that I had to separate that last fact out and quarantine it while I read their story. Cora and Eli falling in love is sweet and full of emotion as they each learn to trust the other with their heart, but considering that they were technically brother and sister for all intents and purposes? Though not blood related, it still was too icky for me.

Bottom Line: With likable characters and a compelling storyline, Finding Our Forever tugs at the heart. Great for fans of Susan Mallery or RaeAnne Thayne, it’s a sweet and sizzling romance with an inspiring plot. Eli especially works his way in to your heart, and you’ll find yourself rooting for a happily ever after!

3 people found this helpful

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mytatteredpages

You're going to read it in one sitting!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 27, 2017

Verified Purchase

I "met" Brenda Novak back in her Stillwater series and I loved everything I read! I absolutely love suspense or romantic suspense so this author was great. Recently I've joined her online book group (you can find it on FB or her website) and I'd known she was coming out with several new books this year and a new series called Silver Springs, of which Finding Our Forever, is the first book. Honestly I wasn't going to read it as this genre isn't my cup of tea but it went on sale! Well let me just tell you that I couldn't put it down. I read it in one 3 1/2 hour sitting. Now I can't wait for the other books!
Basically the story is about a young girl who wants to connect with her birth mother and ends up getting a job where her birth mother works (she actually owns the place) so that she can get to know her better before she decides if she's going to tell her she's her daughter. Understandable. But life gets a little more complicated for her and her choices put her at risk for losing not only her biological mother but what could very well be the love of her life.
It was actually so suspenseful for me. And the characters were written so well that they become people I cared about. Oh and there are a couple of Love scenes...let me just tell you the couple in this book didn't need a red room!

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Carol Smith - Kindle Customer

Brenda Novak's Finding Our Forever

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 11, 2017

Verified Purchase

Welcome to Silver Springs, California area. We will
be visiting the New Horizons Boys Ranch. This is a
boarding school for troubled teens. It was founded
by Aiyana Turner who works with her staff to help
heal these troubled teen boys. She has even adopted
eight of these boys.
Cora Kelly applied to teach art at New Horizons. She
was interviewed and hired by Elijah, the oldest of
Aiyana's adopted sons.
All is well but Cora has a secret.....Aiyana is Cora's
biological mother whose identity was discovered
with the aide of a private detective. Cora wanted to
meet her biological mother and decided to teach as
a means to this end.
What Cora never expected was the undeniable
chemistry that would occurred between Elijah and
Cora.
How will she reveal her true identity ??
This was an emotional stunning story. The author
puts the reader into the feelings of the adopted
Cora. You feel as she feels and thinks as she starts
on her quest, gets to the Ranch, deals with her
parents that raised her, until the final page. The
reader get to feel and think the way the parents that
raised her feel.
You experience what all the characters are feeling.
You discover that ALL people and characters have flaws
but with trust, love and forgiveness are able to
overcome life's circumstances.
I volunteered to read this eBook. Thanks to the author
for the opportunity. My opinion is my own

2 people found this helpful

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