I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Leslie Reta shares a heartfelt, emotional story of love, addiction, and family in “Always, Forever.”

The Synopsis

Always, Forever

A memoir of loving an addict, surviving trauma, and learning to breathe again

Some love stories don’t end with a breakup.
Some grief doesn’t wait for death.
And some goodbyes happen slowly—quietly—over years.

Always, Forever is a raw, unfiltered memoir about loving someone with addiction, raising a child in the shadow of chaos, and learning what survival costs when hope refuses to die.

Told through lived moments, diary entries, and reflection, this book follows one woman’s journey from teenage love to motherhood, from endurance to reckoning. It is the story of staying longer than intended, leaving in pieces, and carrying responsibility long after it should have ended.

This is not a book about fixing addiction.
It is a book about what addiction fixes inside a family.

It explores:

• Loving someone who cannot stay sober
• Parenting while bracing for the next crisis
• The invisible trauma that lingers after the chaos ends
• The quiet guilt of choosing between hope and safety
• Healing that doesn’t erase survival—but integrates it

At its heart, Always, Forever is about a mother and daughter who survived what they didn’t choose, a love that shaped an entire life, and the slow, honest work of learning how to live in peace without waiting for disaster.

This book is for:

• Anyone who has loved an addict
• Adult children and partners of addiction
• Survivors of long-term emotional trauma
• Parents protecting their children while breaking themselves
• Readers who need to know they weren’t weak, crazy, or imagining it

This book is for the partners, children, and caregivers who carry the consequences of addiction without being recognized by the system.

This story is not polished.
It is not clean.
It is honest.

And sometimes, honesty is the beginning of healing.

THE REVIEW

This was an emotional and honest read. The author heartbreakingly brought to life the harsh realities of living with and loving someone struggling with addiction, and the line that people often have to draw for themselves when survival becomes more important than love. The level of detail and the engaging writing style the author uses in this book not only illustrate the experiences that shaped her and her daughter’s lives, but also let the reader feel the weight of those experiences over time. 

The insight and care the author brought to this subject matter were much appreciated. Geared toward readers who have ever been the partner, child, or loved one of someone who struggles with addiction, this book packs a lot of memories and experiences into a short read. The way the author explores the ways in which addiction and love are not so cut and dry, and instead breaking away and setting boundaries is a slow, often painful, and emotional process that doesn’t happen overnight, will resonate with so many people, and the experiences found in this book could help others struggling through similar things manage their emotions and struggles greatly.

THE VERDICT

Thoughtful, engaging, and heartfelt, author Leslie Reta’s “Always, Forever” is a must-read nonfiction memoir on addiction, family, and love. The realities of addiction and the way the author delves deeper into the experiences of being the loved one of an addict to tell her story were powerful and compelling, and kept the reader invested as they gained a better understanding of what so many people experience throughout their lives when trying to separate love from survival and the slow process of making that a reality. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leslie Reta is a family systems practitioner, trauma-informed trainer, and author whose work explores trauma, caregiving, addiction, burnout, and the emotional impact of surviving complex systems.

With professional experience in child welfare and dual-generation work, she has spent years working alongside families navigating trauma, addiction, instability, and systemic pressure. Her work focuses on compassionate accountability, sustainability in helping professions, and the long-term impact of survival-based roles.

She facilitates trainings and reflective conversations on trauma-informed practice, burnout, family systems, and the space between empathy and self-abandonment.

She is the author of Always, Forever and The Space Between Safety and Survival.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/lesliereta 

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