Sixteen year old Olivia Bloom has had a difficult life going in and out of foster homes until she is adopted at the beginning of her teens. She isn't able to actually bond emotionally with her adoptive parents, but she is grateful to them for getting her out of the foster care revolving door. Her passion in life is art. She loves to draw and paint and has a true talent for it. Her dream of a true art education comes true when she is accepted into the exclusive Wickham Hall, a boarding school for the elite.

Once Liv arrives at Wickham Hall, she is puzzled and a bit intimidated by both the students and the traditions. She meets another student at her first dinner at the school who is also on scholarship. His name is Gabe Nichols and is rather odd, but they make conversation. Then she meets Malcolm Astor; rich, handsome, and totally interested in her. This causes plenty of jealousy among the other rich kids in his circle, and Liv becomes the victim of a rather mean practical joke. She calls out the perpetrators, though, and escapes into the night. Malcolm comes after her and apologizes for the ignorance of his friends.

Two things happen next. She and Malcolm begin to grow closer and she and Gabe are paired up to do a work study project. Gabe acts rather oddly at times and finally confesses to Liv that he can see ghosts. She tries not to think he is crazy, but she is certainly puzzled.

Then, the unthinkable happens. Just as Liv is experiencing the most exciting and happiest time in her life, someone murders her. At first, she doesn't understand what has happened, but when she does, she goes straight to Gabe. When her death is ruled a suicide, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm start investigating to discover the identity of the killer. As they dig into things, they find many more puzzling and scary facts about Wickham Hall.

Although Amy Talkington has plenty of experience in writing screen plays and directing movies, LIV, FOREVER is her first novel. I find it to be very captivating, beginning from the first page. The plot is unique as are the characters. LIV, FOREVER might be listed as a Young Adult novel, but I adore it. In addition, even though the writing is for a novel, I can easily see it transferred to either the small or big screen. I found myself thinking of what actors would be great in the roles of Liv, Malcolm, and Gabe. The mystery is a good one that is revealed in stages which is the sign of a great book.

LIV, FOREVER is a sweet, spooky, and romantic book that I was sorry to see end. I would love to see a series come out of this.

Book Summary

When Liv Bloom lands an art scholarship at Wickham Hall, it's her ticket out of the foster system. Liv isn't sure what to make of the school's weird traditions and rituals, but she couldn't be happier. For the first time ever, she has her own studio, her own supply of paints. Everything she could want.

Then she meets Malcolm Astor, a legacy student, a fellow artist, and the one person who's ever been able to melt her defenses. Liv's only friend at Wickham, fellow scholarship kid Gabe Nichols, warns her not to get involved, but life is finally going Liv's way, and all she wants to do is enjoy the ride.

But Liv's bliss is doomed. Weeks after arriving, she is viciously murdered and, in death, she discovers that she's the latest victim of a dark conspiracy that has claimed many lives. Cursed with the ability to see the many ghosts on Wickham's campus, Gabe is now Liv's only link to the world of the living. To Malcolm.

Together, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm fight to expose the terrible truth that haunts the halls of Wickham. But Liv must fight alone to come to grips with the ultimate star-crossed love.