by: Kelly Cain
Series: Secret Ties
Genre: Contemporary African American/Multicultural Romance
Release Date: September 18, 2023
Publisher: Tule Publishing
She doesn't need a man, but she does want a family.
Tori Matheny comes from a family of strong women who are all close and happily single. She plans to live the same way-an occasional fling, but never settling down. What's the need? She is, however, curious about her birth family despite her adoptive mom and aunts strongly discouraging her search. Tori's always known she was adopted and has never been able to shake her lifelong curiosity. When she runs into a childhood friend with plenty of time on his hands, he seems like the ideal candidate to help with her search.
After a nomadic lifestyle serving for years in the Veterinarians Without Borders program, Ethan Borden is permanently home and finally ready to settle down-buy a home, marry, and have children. He's always had a crush on Tori, so when she asks him for help, he's hopeful it's the beginning of so much more.
Ethan is happy to help Tori find her birth family, but when Tori learns Ethan is hiding a deep family secret, can their budding relationship survive the generational betrayals?
The term, “You saved the best for last.” is often used a lot. In this case, that is such a true statement. I LOVED A Kiss From the Past, the first book in the series. I thought everything was perfect with that story. I liked Two Sides of a Secret. The hero and I have agreed to disagree. As much as I loved A Kiss From the Past, I thought The Key to Forever was even better. I honestly was surprised by my feelings. Kelly Cain is a great author and I love reading her stories. Her characters are people I generally like/love and wish I knew in real life. The Key to Forever had everything I love in romance books and life itself.
Tori Matheny and Ethan Borden have known each other since they were kids. Their relationship has always been that of family. Ethan’s mom Leah is best friends with Tori’s mom’s (Elizabeth) younger sister Melanie. With the women growing up together and both being single moms they created their own family unit. Tori has always known she was adopted and appreciated beyond measure the fact that her mother and the rest of her aunties (Leah, Melanie, Amy, Liz’s middle sister, and Mia, Liz’s best friend) lived fulfilling lives without the aid of men. This has affected Tori so much that she doesn’t see the need for men to be permanent fixtures in their lives emotionally or romantically.
Tori and Ethan, who has recently returned to Berkeley to be a vet and be closer to his mom reconnect when Tori takes her mom’s dog in for a check-up. While the two grew up as play cousins there is instant attraction between them. But Ethan is looking for a wife and forever, while Tori is only interested in a fling. Ethan definitely has his work cut out for him.
While Tori is navigating her relationship with Ethan, she starts to wonder more and more about her birth parents. With Tori coming up with no answers everywhere she turns, including her mother and aunts. Ethan starts to think something is going on and turns to a PI friend for help. As the details of Tori’s birth is revealed the two must decide if love and love of family truly conquers all.
From the moment I started reading The Key to Forever, I loved it. Tori and Ethan are opposites, but family means the world to them. This story is steamier than the other books in the series. Tori definitely taught Ethan a thing or two. The secret behind Tori’s birth was easy to figure out. The why was a different story. At times, the story is a little predictable, but Kelly still managed to put in a few surprises.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“We all make our choices in life.”
“You’re allowed to want what you want.”
“The unknown can be traumatizing.”
“An apology without atonement is worthless.”
“We’re not all meant to think alike.”
“You are too good for this world.”
“Love is amazing.”
**Received a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.**
Rating: 5
Purchase The Key to Forever from:
(Affiliate Links Used)
The Secret Ties Series:
A Kiss From the Past ~ Review
Two Sides of a Secret ~ Review
Kelly writes Black, Blewish, and multicultural romance with determined women directing their own fates, and the swoon-worthy men who adore them. She loves reading most genres but please don’t ask her to pick just one. However, she can pick her favorite book boyfriend – Will Herondale.
When she isn’t reading or writing, Kelly is most likely using a genealogy site to research her extended family, both old and new. Or cooking/baking something delightful. She has two adult daughters, and a granddaughter.
She is represented by Amy Brewer at Metamorphosis Literary Agency.
She has collaborated with a group of wonderful authors (and great friends), and their short story collection, Déjà You, is available.
Places to find Kelly Cain:
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