Book Review: Finn Rhodes, Forever by Stephanie Archer

‘Finn Rhodes, Forever’ is the last book of Stephanie Archer’s series following the Rhodes brothers and explores the relationship between baby of the family Finn Rhodes and his childhood sweetheart, Olivia Morgan. It was released in 2023 and is available to read via Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Of the four books, this was the one that I was looking forward to reading the most. I knew it would tie up the loose threads of Queen’s Cove deliciously and whenever I felt a lull, particularly when reading Book Three, I was spurred on that we were learning more and more about this infamous split between Finn and Olivia after High School.

I love a second chance romance and the he falls first trope. Especially when the reality is that they never fell out of love, not really, things just got complicated. And I loved how real and raw and silly things were, from meddling friends and families to their history, I just adored it. All of it.

I found the way that the banter and the silliness existed from the get go incredibly immersive, along with Olivia’s quest to successfully complete her PhD. Academic validation when the world is against you is something I could eat up in spades. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, so of course I wanted to see her succeed! I was rooting for her, while also rooting for her and Finn to get back together. Their love story was imperative to the outcome of their respective books in a concrete and tangible way that I didn’t necessarily get at the same levels from some of the other novels in the series.

Of the four, this one had me cackling the most, I was in stitches throughout. Archer utilised the lore from three books, gave nods back to fun highlights from other stories in the series and I ate it up. Turtles in Town Hall, terrorising the Mayor? Yes please! Miri Yang tormenting everyone with her shenanigans? I’m going to miss her meddling! And don’t get me started on anything to do with Don and Miri’s erotica book club at Pemberly Books! I cried laughing!

What I loved specifically about Finn and Olivia’s story is how maturely it was written, navigating themes of regret and feeling unworthy and how it can manifest, both in imposter syndrome like Olivia, or in isolating yourself in fear of ruining things. God, the parallels between Avery’s father and Emmett and Olivia’s father and Finn crushed me. Seeing those original themes of being so much like someone you hate or resent is just gut wrenching.

I liked how low-key but equally cataclysmic the inevitable slam on the breaks scenario was. Seeing the horror of a what if the way Finn did is enough to just destroy you. Furthermore, I was kicking my legs and squealing at the twist on the obligatory ride in Sam’s swanky car in the grandiose gesture of love. There was so much to love. I loved getting to see everyone be happy, just like Elizabeth was, and ‘Finn Rhodes, Forever’ really tied Queen’s Cove up in a bow. This series was truly a fun laugh-out-loud breath of fresh air, and I will definitely come back and reread these books!

I look forward to coming back when Archer releases Beck’s love story whenever that may be.