Briefly, Forever

Full of joy and wisdom, a heart-stopping, emotional debut showing that a life isn't measured in how long it stretches, but in how much love it can hold.

“Fans of A Man Called Ove will devour this, as I did. Like a perfect piece of music, there is not an off note in this entire book. I loved it.” —Annabel Monaghan, New York Times bestselling author of Dolly All the Time

Alexander Kirk writes perfect love stories—but he doesn’t believe in them.

When his favorite café is taken over by Wendy, a quirky single mother with two kids and strawberry earrings, their relationship unfolds exactly like the romances Alexander pens: enemies to lovers, laughter, longing, and a happiness that feels almost scripted. Except this isn’t one of Alexander’s stories.

Briefly, Forever begins where most love stories end—with loss. Told through three timelines, the novel traces the tender beginnings of Alexander and Wendy’s relationship while following Alexander as he learns how to parent—and love—her children without her. It is a story about grief and joy, about the power and limits of art, and about loving fully even when happily ever after isn’t guaranteed.

Briefly, Forever reminds us that the most important part of a love story is not how it ends, but how we embrace the strangeness and beauty of being alive, loving and living.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs