When Forever Comes: An LDS Romance for the Here and Now

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Jun 5, 2001

Anyone who has suffered the loss of a friend or family member will understand Hilary Smith, the heroine in Anita Stansfield?s When Forever Comes(Covenant, 1998). Hilary, a BYU student from Mt. Pleasant, Utah, cannot wait to get back to school. She loves her family, but everything about her hometown reminds her of Jeff, the brother she lost to a freak farming accident. Her bitterness increases when she meets Jack Hayden, a friend of Jeff?s, who weasels his way into her parents? favor. She hates Jack?s habit of chewing on toothpicks and every other trait that makes him the small town hick that he is. To make matters worse, her parents adore the easy-going return missionary. When they arrange for her to ride to Provo with Jack, Hilary is furious. However, the ride proves to be the catalyst for a deep friendship between the two. Hilary knows that Jack cares for her as more than a friend, but she is determined to be honest with him: she is not interested in him romantically. As time wears on, however, Hilary?s feelings begin to change. When the couple finally finds their way to each other, their happiness is threatened by a cruel twist of fate. Together, they must find the strength to carry each other through. Still, Hilary can?t help but wonder if things will ever be right between them. Can they make their relationship work in the here and now or will it crumble before it has even had a chance to begin? When Forever Comes tells the story of this courageous couple who must overcome unthinkable odds to remain together.

Although this book could easily be categorized as another cheesy LDS romance, it offers a realistic look at life, love and marriage, an element that is sometimes lacking in novels of its kind. For one thing, Jack and Hilary are not typical LDS young adults: Jack comes from a background of drinkers and smokers and has no relationship with his mother and brothers, while Hilary suffers from past sins and present bitterness. Secondly, their lives are both littered with problems, from roommate trouble to financial worries to a heartbreaking divorce. Their friends have also had their troubles, including abuse, violence and depression. Although the cast does not come alive as well as it could, at least their lives are realistically thorny. Also, the story seeks to prove that marriage?even in the temple and to the right person?can be difficult. However, the novel points out that through love and faith, even the most impossible obstacles can be overcome.

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The copyright of the article When Forever Comes: An LDS Romance for the Here and Now in Mormon (LDS) Literature is owned by Eric Jordan Jensen. Permission to republish When Forever Comes: An LDS Romance for the Here and Now in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.