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Carrigan’s Christmasland #2
For Never & Always
One surprise inheritance, two best friends (now bitter exes), and three months to prove he loves her, forever and always, in this swoony second-chance romance for fans of Alexandria Bellefleur and Ashley Herring Blake.
Hannah Rosenstein should be happy: after a lonely childhood of traipsing all over the world, she finally has a home as the co-owner of destination inn Carrigan’s All Year. But her thoughts keep coming back to Levi "Blue" Matthews: her first love, worst heartbreak, and now, thanks to her great-aunt’s meddling will, absentee business partner.
When Levi left Carrigan's, he had good intentions. As the queer son of the inn's cook and groundskeeper, he never quite fit in their small town and desperately wanted to prove himself. Now that he’s a celebrity chef, he's ready to come home and make amends. Only his return goes nothing like he planned: his family's angry with him, his best friend is dating his nemesis, and Hannah just wants him to leave. Again.
Levi sees his chance when a VIP bride agrees to book Carrigan’s—if he’s the chef. He'll happily cook for the wedding, and in exchange, Hannah will give him five dates to win her back. Only Hannah doesn’t trust this new Levi, and Levi’s coming to realize Hannah’s grown too. But if they find the courage to learn from the past . . . they just might discover the love of your life is worth waiting for.
Hannah Rosenstein should be happy: after a lonely childhood of traipsing all over the world, she finally has a home as the co-owner of destination inn Carrigan’s All Year. But her thoughts keep coming back to Levi "Blue" Matthews: her first love, worst heartbreak, and now, thanks to her great-aunt’s meddling will, absentee business partner.
When Levi left Carrigan's, he had good intentions. As the queer son of the inn's cook and groundskeeper, he never quite fit in their small town and desperately wanted to prove himself. Now that he’s a celebrity chef, he's ready to come home and make amends. Only his return goes nothing like he planned: his family's angry with him, his best friend is dating his nemesis, and Hannah just wants him to leave. Again.
Levi sees his chance when a VIP bride agrees to book Carrigan’s—if he’s the chef. He'll happily cook for the wedding, and in exchange, Hannah will give him five dates to win her back. Only Hannah doesn’t trust this new Levi, and Levi’s coming to realize Hannah’s grown too. But if they find the courage to learn from the past . . . they just might discover the love of your life is worth waiting for.
368 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2023
About the author
Helena Greer
3 books245 followersHelena Greer writes contemporary romance novels that answer the question: What if this beloved trope were gay? She was born in Tucson, and her heart still lives there, although she no longer does. After earning a BA in writing and mythology, and a master’s in library science, she spent several years blogging about librarianship before returning to writing creatively. Helena loves cheesy pop culture, cats without tails, and ancient Greek murderesses. Season of Love is her debut novel.
Librarian note: There are other authors with the same name.
Librarian note: There are other authors with the same name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 417 reviews
July 24, 2023
3.5 ✨'s
When Levi left the love of his life, Hannah, four years ago to explore the world and become the chef he wanted, he never expected to be called back home to sell his share of the Inn he grew up in and permanently cut ties with Hannah. However, Levi is determined to get Hannah back and make it clear he has changed for the better; even if it means daring her to go on five dates with him to see if they can make it work. When she agrees in return for him staying on at the Inn to cook for a wedding, the two unravel the reasons why they separated and what they would both need for them to get back together.
I'm conflicted. While this book showcased serious character development and a beautiful connection between the two main characters, I honestly don't know if I loved it. The writing and plot are stellar yet at the same time so confusing and drawn out. There was so much going on and so many characters I couldn't keep track of, I was drowning and the flashbacks did not help the situation at all. What I did absolutely love about this book is the Jewish and queer representation, as well as the amount of work that was put into Levi and Hannah, individually and together. The second chance romance worked perfectly with both of them coming to terms with their issues and working on themselves and how they fit together.
~I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
When Levi left the love of his life, Hannah, four years ago to explore the world and become the chef he wanted, he never expected to be called back home to sell his share of the Inn he grew up in and permanently cut ties with Hannah. However, Levi is determined to get Hannah back and make it clear he has changed for the better; even if it means daring her to go on five dates with him to see if they can make it work. When she agrees in return for him staying on at the Inn to cook for a wedding, the two unravel the reasons why they separated and what they would both need for them to get back together.
I'm conflicted. While this book showcased serious character development and a beautiful connection between the two main characters, I honestly don't know if I loved it. The writing and plot are stellar yet at the same time so confusing and drawn out. There was so much going on and so many characters I couldn't keep track of, I was drowning and the flashbacks did not help the situation at all. What I did absolutely love about this book is the Jewish and queer representation, as well as the amount of work that was put into Levi and Hannah, individually and together. The second chance romance worked perfectly with both of them coming to terms with their issues and working on themselves and how they fit together.
~I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
June 27, 2023
There came a point in this book when I was just so tired. I was tired of every single character being so full of angst and pain and issues and I was tired of endless scenes full of therapy speak and "meaningful conversations" where old wounds were opened and then covered up again and people wrestled with who they were and what they wanted from life.
There were glimmers of levity and the kind of charming romance and genuine affection and growing together that I so enjoy in contemporary romance. But just glimmers before someone's social anxiety or past trauma reared its head and back to group we go!
Her two leads were so horrible together and so riddled with unresolved, deeply rooted, severe trauma and mental health problems they canceled out every other part of their personalities for me. I'm also getting bloody tired of the trope where a guy is a whiny, petulant, asshole to EVERYONE and the other characters say things like "yes but he's OUR asshole" as though treating people like shit is a charming quirk we should all look for in a partner. There's a LOT of that on display here
I have never rooted more for a romantic pairing to come to their senses and realize the last place they needed to be was together than I did with this book.
Relationships can be hard. This is very true. They are not supposed to be THIS hard. When they are this hard you need to say something like "I love you but I just can't" because sometimes that the best way to express your love.
Helena Greer seems like a genuinely talented writer, I mean it regardless of my feelings about this book. I love representation, it is so, so important, especially in genres historically populated entirely by cis white men and women. But, representation at the cost of story and characters you can actually like or at least grow to like just doesn't work for me.
There were glimmers of levity and the kind of charming romance and genuine affection and growing together that I so enjoy in contemporary romance. But just glimmers before someone's social anxiety or past trauma reared its head and back to group we go!
Her two leads were so horrible together and so riddled with unresolved, deeply rooted, severe trauma and mental health problems they canceled out every other part of their personalities for me. I'm also getting bloody tired of the trope where a guy is a whiny, petulant, asshole to EVERYONE and the other characters say things like "yes but he's OUR asshole" as though treating people like shit is a charming quirk we should all look for in a partner. There's a LOT of that on display here
I have never rooted more for a romantic pairing to come to their senses and realize the last place they needed to be was together than I did with this book.
Relationships can be hard. This is very true. They are not supposed to be THIS hard. When they are this hard you need to say something like "I love you but I just can't" because sometimes that the best way to express your love.
Helena Greer seems like a genuinely talented writer, I mean it regardless of my feelings about this book. I love representation, it is so, so important, especially in genres historically populated entirely by cis white men and women. But, representation at the cost of story and characters you can actually like or at least grow to like just doesn't work for me.
November 30, 2023
I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, Season of Love, and jumped at the chance to read this follow-up book, For Never And Always. I think that readers who haven’t read Season of Love will probably be a bit lost with all the characters in For Never And Always. This time the focus is on Hannah and Levi. Unfortunately, I just didn’t see them as a great couple, until possibly the very end of the book. They were fairly self-centered and acted younger than their age (mid-30s). If you like the friends-to-lovers trope, this book may appeal, even though it’s more friends-to-enemies-to-lovers.
As a child, Hannah was dragged all over the world by her parents (documentary film makers) and all she wants now is to stay in one place (Carrigan’s) and run the place now that her great-aunt Cass has died. Levi grew up at Carrigan’s as the son of the cook and handyman/caretaker and never fit in, in their small town. He has been traveling the world, becoming a master chef in the process. How on earth will these two adults manage to reconcile such differing life choices, even though they say they love each other? That’s the story in a nutshell.
As with the first book, I loved all the Jewish representation, the LBGTQ+ representation, and the emphasis on mental health. Plus the location (Carrigan’s Christmasland, now called Carrigan’s All Year) in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains, is basically a character itself.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
As a child, Hannah was dragged all over the world by her parents (documentary film makers) and all she wants now is to stay in one place (Carrigan’s) and run the place now that her great-aunt Cass has died. Levi grew up at Carrigan’s as the son of the cook and handyman/caretaker and never fit in, in their small town. He has been traveling the world, becoming a master chef in the process. How on earth will these two adults manage to reconcile such differing life choices, even though they say they love each other? That’s the story in a nutshell.
As with the first book, I loved all the Jewish representation, the LBGTQ+ representation, and the emphasis on mental health. Plus the location (Carrigan’s Christmasland, now called Carrigan’s All Year) in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains, is basically a character itself.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 26, 2023
I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, I didn't. From the get-go, I found the story very confusing to follow (I now realize this book is a sequel). There were so many characters and side stories, and when adding in the constant flashbacks, I struggled to keep track of it all.
Overall, this book was sadly a miss for me, but I hope to have better luck with this author in the future.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
Overall, this book was sadly a miss for me, but I hope to have better luck with this author in the future.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
January 4, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
This was delightful! And a really strong second novel that improved upon some of the minor issues I had with the author's debut. For Never & Always is a childhood friends to lovers + second chance romance with a plus-size heroine with anxiety and and demi-sexual, probably also pansexual disaster boy, both of them Jewish and practicing. She hates traveling and wants to stay running the family Christmas tree farm and event location. He couldn't wait to leave the small town that didn't understand his weirdness or queerness and wanted to see the world and become a chef. But they fell in love and the differences destroyed everything. But years later could things be different?
I really enjoyed this. They have great banter, the progression of the relationship is believable and you really feel their chemistry. There's also a lot of family and friends around them in a lovely, supportive way as they're working through trauma and conflict. The pacing is a little weird just because there are so many flashbacks with a somewhat chaotic organization system, but overall I had a great time with this book! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
This was delightful! And a really strong second novel that improved upon some of the minor issues I had with the author's debut. For Never & Always is a childhood friends to lovers + second chance romance with a plus-size heroine with anxiety and and demi-sexual, probably also pansexual disaster boy, both of them Jewish and practicing. She hates traveling and wants to stay running the family Christmas tree farm and event location. He couldn't wait to leave the small town that didn't understand his weirdness or queerness and wanted to see the world and become a chef. But they fell in love and the differences destroyed everything. But years later could things be different?
I really enjoyed this. They have great banter, the progression of the relationship is believable and you really feel their chemistry. There's also a lot of family and friends around them in a lovely, supportive way as they're working through trauma and conflict. The pacing is a little weird just because there are so many flashbacks with a somewhat chaotic organization system, but overall I had a great time with this book! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
June 16, 2023
shoutout to caitlyn bc i live texted the entire book to her i feel bamboozled there is no way i read the same book everyone else did
June 4, 2023
I love books where you can tell the author really loves this book, & you just know from the get-go here how much Helena loves Hannah and Levi Blue.
May 7, 2024
A sweet, sappy, small-town romance that follows almost every classic trope with the edition of Judaism. I learned so much while laughing at their shenanigans. Every once in a while, you just need a quick little palate cleanse and this was great for that!
February 9, 2024
2023 Winter Bingo (#SnowInLoveBingo❄️): A Big Family
This has interesting things to say on memory and perception, specifically how people living in the same environment can have drastically different takeaways. Read via audio (narrated by Mara Wilson and Emil Benjamin).
Disclaimer: I received a free audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This has interesting things to say on memory and perception, specifically how people living in the same environment can have drastically different takeaways. Read via audio (narrated by Mara Wilson and Emil Benjamin).
Disclaimer: I received a free audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2023
For Never & Always captures the vibrancy of a 1940s black-and-white screwball film and displays it in bright, dazzling, inclusive color. Hannah and Levi’s love story is a jubilant reunion romance that deftly balances heartfelt angst and aching sweetness. A second trip to the enclave of Carrigan’s was just what my queer heart wanted!
December 17, 2023
This second chance romance exceeded all expectations! Hannah and Levi had an all-consuming relationship despite having very different visions for their lives. Hannah wanted to stay at Carrigan’s forever, while Levi couldn’t wait to escape. Four years ago, things came to a head and Levi left. Hannah has been recovering ever since. When Levi returns, her life is upended once again while they try to figure out if their connection is enough and what a healthy relationship might actually look like. Plus, their goals haven’t changed: Hannah loves her job at Carrigan’s and wants to stay while Levi does not.
Despite the ways they’ve hurt in each other in the past, Levi and Hannah have an undeniable connection and chemistry. This is likely why Levi stayed at the inn longer than wise. (I was really shocked he stayed until he was 32.) They love each other still but they’ve been locked into unhealthy pattern from when they were younger. Mainly, an inability to communicate because they think the other person should already know. So that’s the focus: figuring out if there’s a compromise and what that might be. Levi has to atone for his past selfishness and show that he’s changed, as well as figure out his career as a chef and reconnect with the family and friends he left behind. Hannah has to understand that Carrigan’s doesn’t hold the same meaning for him and in fact might stifle him, while she continues to go to therapy and work on her anxiety and agoraphobia.
One of the linchpins is Levi sharing a different perspective on Cass. Cass may have welcomed everyone with open arms but that welcome was not extended to Levi, despite him growing up on the property. He never shared that pain, knowing what Cass meant to Hannah and his parents. This answered the questions I had about her from the last book, though her mistreatment of Levi wasn’t exactly what I had imagined. I really appreciated this layer of grief. It’s so easy to idealize a loved one after they’re gone and forget that they were a flawed human being. Levi deserved so much better than a manipulative inheritance and napkin note after Cass died. He still has to make peace with that relationship and everyone else around him has to be open to seeing Cass in a new, more tarnished light.
Hannah was an administrative badass and I was filled with admiration for her, as well as empathy as a fellow agoraphobe. I would have liked more details about how she’s working through that and what the game plan is in therapy but that’s just out of idle curiosity. Levi was my actual favorite, moody feral cat that he is. I very much related to having all the feelings, although I’m not feral like him. It was so interesting to compare the few flashbacks we get of Levi growing up and see how he’s grown and changed since then. He and Hannah are not the same people they were four years ago and that was beautiful to see.
There were so many other things I loved about this: Kringle the cat, the fact that , celebrating Passover, the food descriptions, a transformational haircut (this gave me Felicity vibes), vibrant queer community, counseling with Rabbi Ruth, and . Plus we get enticing updates from Cole and Tara. I cannot wait for their respective books.
I also appreciated how Levi’s demisexuality figured in. He felt different than other people in town growing up but he didn’t figure out the word for it until he went away and more things clicked into place. He’s only ever been sexually attracted to Hannah and that was only after years of friendship, which could be a lot of pressure for her but he’s great at not positioning it that way. There’s some education of secondary characters about what demisexuality means but everyone is accepting. A few reviewers have dinged this for being closed door and I would like to challenge them to be mindful of their wording. It’s completely fine to prefer open door and/or high heat books but on page sex scenes are not a requirement of romance. Any claims along those lines can quickly become acephobic, which suggests those readers did not pay attention to what Levi shared. Perhaps one day Greer will write an open door book but I personally find it refreshing how horny her characters are in these closed door books. They have more chemistry than some of the erotic romances I’ve read recently. That is a sign of great skill.
Characters: Hannah is a 35 year old fat white Jewish inn co-owner and manager. Levi “Blue” is a 36 year old demisexual pansexual white Jewish reality show chef and inn co-owner who wears glasses. They’ve been estranged for four years. Kringle the cat is a Norwegian Forest tortoiseshell who lives at the inn. This is set at Carrigan’s Year Round in Advent, NY.
Content notes: anxiety, agoraphobia, estrangement, past death of great-aunt, past homophobia and recounted slur, past parental rejection for being gay (secondary character), past unstable childhood, past emotionally abusive father (secondary character), sober secondary character, secondary character who uses a cane, off page sex, alcohol, inebriation, gendered pejorative
Despite the ways they’ve hurt in each other in the past, Levi and Hannah have an undeniable connection and chemistry. This is likely why Levi stayed at the inn longer than wise. (I was really shocked he stayed until he was 32.) They love each other still but they’ve been locked into unhealthy pattern from when they were younger. Mainly, an inability to communicate because they think the other person should already know. So that’s the focus: figuring out if there’s a compromise and what that might be. Levi has to atone for his past selfishness and show that he’s changed, as well as figure out his career as a chef and reconnect with the family and friends he left behind. Hannah has to understand that Carrigan’s doesn’t hold the same meaning for him and in fact might stifle him, while she continues to go to therapy and work on her anxiety and agoraphobia.
One of the linchpins is Levi sharing a different perspective on Cass. Cass may have welcomed everyone with open arms but that welcome was not extended to Levi, despite him growing up on the property. He never shared that pain, knowing what Cass meant to Hannah and his parents. This answered the questions I had about her from the last book, though her mistreatment of Levi wasn’t exactly what I had imagined. I really appreciated this layer of grief. It’s so easy to idealize a loved one after they’re gone and forget that they were a flawed human being. Levi deserved so much better than a manipulative inheritance and napkin note after Cass died. He still has to make peace with that relationship and everyone else around him has to be open to seeing Cass in a new, more tarnished light.
Hannah was an administrative badass and I was filled with admiration for her, as well as empathy as a fellow agoraphobe. I would have liked more details about how she’s working through that and what the game plan is in therapy but that’s just out of idle curiosity. Levi was my actual favorite, moody feral cat that he is. I very much related to having all the feelings, although I’m not feral like him. It was so interesting to compare the few flashbacks we get of Levi growing up and see how he’s grown and changed since then. He and Hannah are not the same people they were four years ago and that was beautiful to see.
There were so many other things I loved about this: Kringle the cat, the fact that , celebrating Passover, the food descriptions, a transformational haircut (this gave me Felicity vibes), vibrant queer community, counseling with Rabbi Ruth, and . Plus we get enticing updates from Cole and Tara. I cannot wait for their respective books.
I also appreciated how Levi’s demisexuality figured in. He felt different than other people in town growing up but he didn’t figure out the word for it until he went away and more things clicked into place. He’s only ever been sexually attracted to Hannah and that was only after years of friendship, which could be a lot of pressure for her but he’s great at not positioning it that way. There’s some education of secondary characters about what demisexuality means but everyone is accepting. A few reviewers have dinged this for being closed door and I would like to challenge them to be mindful of their wording. It’s completely fine to prefer open door and/or high heat books but on page sex scenes are not a requirement of romance. Any claims along those lines can quickly become acephobic, which suggests those readers did not pay attention to what Levi shared. Perhaps one day Greer will write an open door book but I personally find it refreshing how horny her characters are in these closed door books. They have more chemistry than some of the erotic romances I’ve read recently. That is a sign of great skill.
Characters: Hannah is a 35 year old fat white Jewish inn co-owner and manager. Levi “Blue” is a 36 year old demisexual pansexual white Jewish reality show chef and inn co-owner who wears glasses. They’ve been estranged for four years. Kringle the cat is a Norwegian Forest tortoiseshell who lives at the inn. This is set at Carrigan’s Year Round in Advent, NY.
Content notes: anxiety, agoraphobia, estrangement, past death of great-aunt, past homophobia and recounted slur, past parental rejection for being gay (secondary character), past unstable childhood, past emotionally abusive father (secondary character), sober secondary character, secondary character who uses a cane, off page sex, alcohol, inebriation, gendered pejorative
June 19, 2023
IM SO FREIKEN EXCITED WERE GOING BACK TO CARRIGANS!!!! ❤💥🙌🎅
Update:
OMG I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF BEING BACK AT CARRIGANS!!!
Seriously yall, Season of Love was epic but this one was phenomenal. Hannah and Levi's story was the perfect second book and one of my favorite if not the best second chance love stories. The queer and Jewish representation was perfection, and the characters exploring their mental health issues was so damn heartwarming to read. Levi and Hannah are the picture perfect guide to how love sometimes isn't enough. Love is the foundation sure, but they both had to grow up, fix themselves, and then come together and fix each other. We're all a bunch of broken children after all, and it was nice to finally pick up a book that acknowledges that and doesn't simply have to perfect characters join their perfect bodies and perfect lives and ride off into the sunset. Levi explores his sexuality. Hannah deals with anxiety and is a curvy goddess. Noelle is a fat dapper butch. We have a world of NORMAL people with normal bodies and normal struggles.
I know I'm not the only one who feels this way, but Carrigans in my heart will always be a real place. (Don't judge me!) The icing on the cake was the absolute very end where we are given a sneak peek into the future. Now if only I could speed up time to get to Noelle and Miri's wedding! Helena Greer has crafted a magical world where everyone who's queer, struggles with mental health issues, or just always feels out of place like Levi can feel right at home. Normal and loved. I loved every single page. Even cried a little at the end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Helena Greer, and Forever Grand Central Publishing.
Update:
OMG I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF BEING BACK AT CARRIGANS!!!
Seriously yall, Season of Love was epic but this one was phenomenal. Hannah and Levi's story was the perfect second book and one of my favorite if not the best second chance love stories. The queer and Jewish representation was perfection, and the characters exploring their mental health issues was so damn heartwarming to read. Levi and Hannah are the picture perfect guide to how love sometimes isn't enough. Love is the foundation sure, but they both had to grow up, fix themselves, and then come together and fix each other. We're all a bunch of broken children after all, and it was nice to finally pick up a book that acknowledges that and doesn't simply have to perfect characters join their perfect bodies and perfect lives and ride off into the sunset. Levi explores his sexuality. Hannah deals with anxiety and is a curvy goddess. Noelle is a fat dapper butch. We have a world of NORMAL people with normal bodies and normal struggles.
I know I'm not the only one who feels this way, but Carrigans in my heart will always be a real place. (Don't judge me!) The icing on the cake was the absolute very end where we are given a sneak peek into the future. Now if only I could speed up time to get to Noelle and Miri's wedding! Helena Greer has crafted a magical world where everyone who's queer, struggles with mental health issues, or just always feels out of place like Levi can feel right at home. Normal and loved. I loved every single page. Even cried a little at the end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Helena Greer, and Forever Grand Central Publishing.
June 25, 2023
Season of Love was one of my favorite books I had read so far this year and For Never & Always was one of my most anticipated reads of the rest of the year, and I am ECSTATIC that it did not disappoint me in the slightest. The relationship redevelopment this in this was just *chef's kiss* and I love more than I can say that the author understands how one person can mean different things to different people and that it's important that everyone understands and accepts that. I love this series and I hope that there will be more eventually, but I think I will read anything that the author chooses in the future, because I now trust them so implicitly.
**ARC provided by Forever**
**ARC provided by Forever**
January 30, 2024
A well done second chance romance with colorful characters that are very likeable. Mental health issues, such as anxiety, are very well represented. Likewise, there is wonderful representation of Jewish and LGBTQ+ characters. This is a technically a sequel to Season of Love but can be read as a stand-alone book, although I would recommend reading the previous book to learn the backgrounds of all the characters in these two books.
I did enjoy this book but felt it was a bit melodramatic at the beginning. The main characters of Hannah and Levi were fun to get to know better but their relationship felt more juvenile than needed. It did start to get better as they addressed the more complex issues in their relationship and how they worked through the issues.
Overall, the characters carried this book through with success. The setting and supporting characters are fabulous and add so much throughout this second chance romance plot. I look forward to the next installment of books taking place at Carringan’s!
I am grateful to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this heartwarming book.
I did enjoy this book but felt it was a bit melodramatic at the beginning. The main characters of Hannah and Levi were fun to get to know better but their relationship felt more juvenile than needed. It did start to get better as they addressed the more complex issues in their relationship and how they worked through the issues.
Overall, the characters carried this book through with success. The setting and supporting characters are fabulous and add so much throughout this second chance romance plot. I look forward to the next installment of books taking place at Carringan’s!
I am grateful to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this heartwarming book.
Read
April 15, 2024DNF. I just can't convince myself to pick this back up. It might seem better if I'd read the first book in the series first.
June 25, 2023
After really enjoying Season of Love, I've been anticipating the sequel for almost a year. I definitely think you should read book 1 before going into this one, because I feel like you need an existing connection with these characters for it to work. Most of the more negative reviews I've read, have mentioned that they didn't read book 1, in which case I definitely understand not enjoying it.
While I did enjoy this, I have some complicated feelings about this. This book is just a LOT in terms of how melodramatic it gets, and it definitely annoyed me at times. But there's nothing I could say to criticize this that wasn't also addressed in the book, because the book is actually really self aware about this. So while I did get annoyed at times, I also think the book did a great job addressing this, and this made the book work for me despite my annoyance, especially when the story started to progress.
I loved the setting and characters in the first book, and again loved them here. Especially because there was even more room for complex feelings and flaws. Like I already said, the book starts out really melodramatic, and in ways it stays like that, but these feelings also do get a lot of depth, and the characters do work through them. And I can't say I'm not a sucker for a second chance romance where characters feel like they belong together.
While I did enjoy this, I have some complicated feelings about this. This book is just a LOT in terms of how melodramatic it gets, and it definitely annoyed me at times. But there's nothing I could say to criticize this that wasn't also addressed in the book, because the book is actually really self aware about this. So while I did get annoyed at times, I also think the book did a great job addressing this, and this made the book work for me despite my annoyance, especially when the story started to progress.
I loved the setting and characters in the first book, and again loved them here. Especially because there was even more room for complex feelings and flaws. Like I already said, the book starts out really melodramatic, and in ways it stays like that, but these feelings also do get a lot of depth, and the characters do work through them. And I can't say I'm not a sucker for a second chance romance where characters feel like they belong together.
November 25, 2023
This book was sent to me on Net Galley for honest review by the publisher.
Greer's nuanced look at an imploding marriage is striking take on second chance romance and queer love. Hannah is a self described control freak and swears to herself to remain stationary after having not been given a choice as a child. Levi longs to escape where he and Hannah grew up because of a woman who verbally berated him and ignored him. When they converge back together it's and explosive battle to see who will come out the victor of their relationship, but there is no victor and it takes understanding and care for the couple to be able to puzzle out their relationship.
The friendships in this book are wonderful and also show change and growth throughout. Overall, the book has a good handle on the need for communication in relationships, and if that isn't possible, there is no shame in getting/asking for help. This is a fade to black romance book. The relationship was swoon worthy and extremely heartfelt.
Levi is queer and talks to Hannah about being Demisexual but it is treated normally, it's a normal conversation and then they move on which I believe is the best way to deal with something like that. Queer identities don't need to be a big deal, they are informational but should be treated like any other person/identity.
Overall, I would recommend this book. I think it's a great read to understand processing personal trauma and having to solve your own problems before solving the problems of a relationship.
Greer's nuanced look at an imploding marriage is striking take on second chance romance and queer love. Hannah is a self described control freak and swears to herself to remain stationary after having not been given a choice as a child. Levi longs to escape where he and Hannah grew up because of a woman who verbally berated him and ignored him. When they converge back together it's and explosive battle to see who will come out the victor of their relationship, but there is no victor and it takes understanding and care for the couple to be able to puzzle out their relationship.
The friendships in this book are wonderful and also show change and growth throughout. Overall, the book has a good handle on the need for communication in relationships, and if that isn't possible, there is no shame in getting/asking for help. This is a fade to black romance book. The relationship was swoon worthy and extremely heartfelt.
Levi is queer and talks to Hannah about being Demisexual but it is treated normally, it's a normal conversation and then they move on which I believe is the best way to deal with something like that. Queer identities don't need to be a big deal, they are informational but should be treated like any other person/identity.
Overall, I would recommend this book. I think it's a great read to understand processing personal trauma and having to solve your own problems before solving the problems of a relationship.
November 16, 2023
Oh how I love this book and Carrigan's and Helena <3 AND IF U GET THE CHANCE DO WHAT I DID AND LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK BC MARA WILSON IS THE NARRATOR FOR HANNAH !!!!!!
June 26, 2023
i did not like this book at all but that is my fault for not reading the blurb or recognizing the author is the same author of another book i did not like. here is my bulleted review on why i did not like this book:
- all of the characters talk exclusively in therapyspeak which is Not how people talk in real life and if they do they’re just as insufferable as everyone in this book
- seriously. i did not like anyone in this book except for the cat. and the lawyer. but he’s on thin ice
- this author’s works continue to be fade to black which i can understand some people enjoy, but i do not. if the main characters are alluding to fucking, let them fuck on the page! but that’s just me.
- there are some good things, like demi rep and jewish rep, but this is easily overshadowed (see point number two)
if you liked seasons of love, you will like this book. i did not. (thanks to netgalley for letting me download this, and not thanks for being the reason i didn’t dnf the many times i wanted to)
(ps the bulleted list thing is a callback to the book. i’m being funny and cheeky not viscerally mean)
- all of the characters talk exclusively in therapyspeak which is Not how people talk in real life and if they do they’re just as insufferable as everyone in this book
- seriously. i did not like anyone in this book except for the cat. and the lawyer. but he’s on thin ice
- this author’s works continue to be fade to black which i can understand some people enjoy, but i do not. if the main characters are alluding to fucking, let them fuck on the page! but that’s just me.
- there are some good things, like demi rep and jewish rep, but this is easily overshadowed (see point number two)
if you liked seasons of love, you will like this book. i did not. (thanks to netgalley for letting me download this, and not thanks for being the reason i didn’t dnf the many times i wanted to)
(ps the bulleted list thing is a callback to the book. i’m being funny and cheeky not viscerally mean)
December 5, 2023
THIS IS A SEQUEL. (and also a closed door romance. There will be NO shitting on the fact that this is closed door. If it's not your cup of tea, move the fuck along)
I don't know why this is not listed as a sequel or as a series but this is not a standalone book. You cannot read it by itself and enjoy it. There are too many characters and too much baggage and drama between them all to fully understand what's happening and that is extremely relevant if you go through some of these reviews.
Moving on, when I read Season of Love last year I was especially excited for the fat queer representation and it delivered on that but I didn't love the story. A lot of it felt pretty rushed and as much as I liked the atmosphere I wasn't drawn to it. That changed with this one. I did have to go back and revisit some of my notes about Season of Love and the Carrigan Christmas farm and everything but once I realized who the characters were I was excited to see their story.
Seeing Hannah and Levi figure out their shit was really satisfying. I am such a sucker for friends to lovers and for second chance romances and so this was right up my alley. Not to mention that we have a fat FMC and a queer MMC. Having fat representation and demisexual representation brought me so much joy and I loved it. I also really loved that they're both kind of grumpy and that they obviously love each other so much but they hate that they love each other so much. I'm here for it.
One of my favorite parts of this entire book were all of The flashbacks and I can see how those would be super confusing to someone who was unfamiliar with the characters and the setting But reading this as a sequel and seeing those flashbacks was great.
I also think that one of my main issues in Season of Love was that the initial romance between the two main characters was glossed over and this book got that a little bit more right. I do still wish there were some more development and more conversations and such but I think with the addition of the flashbacks and them having a relationship prior to their romance it was easier for me to believe their romance.
One of my favorite parts of this book though is when each of our main characters have their own coming of age moment. It doesn't matter that they're in their thirties It is never too late for coming of age moments. Seeing Hannah embrace her own wants and believe that she's worthy of her own enjoyment and likes and then similarly seeing Levi really embrace his demisexuality and fight for his right to love the way he does was really heartwarming.
One of my frustrations unfortunately with this book was the way Levi's demisexuality was treated by the other characters. Levi doesn't figure out that he's demi until later in life and he's kind of had a falling out with all the rest of the characters in this book so when he comes back into the picture and is identifying as queer and they know that he has had a sexual relationship in the past, every single person that he comes out to as demi immediately responds with " but you have sex " or " but you like sex " and I cannot express how annoying that is. I don't actually think that this is a flaw with the book but it is a flaw within the queer community that collectively needs to be worked on. All the characters Levi comes out to are queer with the exception of Hannah. They should know. Please please please educate yourselves on the ins and outs of the asexuality spectrum because we aces are begging you to do the bare minimum. I commend Levi for not snapping at them or punching someone to be completely honest.
Fully aware that I'm rambling now but also loved how emotional Levi was. I may sucker for men who cry and have ditched their toxic masculinity and are in touch with all of their emotions and we love to see it.
Overall this book is exceptional and one I really enjoyed and it has fat representation, queer representation, and Jewish representation.
I don't know why this is not listed as a sequel or as a series but this is not a standalone book. You cannot read it by itself and enjoy it. There are too many characters and too much baggage and drama between them all to fully understand what's happening and that is extremely relevant if you go through some of these reviews.
Moving on, when I read Season of Love last year I was especially excited for the fat queer representation and it delivered on that but I didn't love the story. A lot of it felt pretty rushed and as much as I liked the atmosphere I wasn't drawn to it. That changed with this one. I did have to go back and revisit some of my notes about Season of Love and the Carrigan Christmas farm and everything but once I realized who the characters were I was excited to see their story.
Seeing Hannah and Levi figure out their shit was really satisfying. I am such a sucker for friends to lovers and for second chance romances and so this was right up my alley. Not to mention that we have a fat FMC and a queer MMC. Having fat representation and demisexual representation brought me so much joy and I loved it. I also really loved that they're both kind of grumpy and that they obviously love each other so much but they hate that they love each other so much. I'm here for it.
One of my favorite parts of this entire book were all of The flashbacks and I can see how those would be super confusing to someone who was unfamiliar with the characters and the setting But reading this as a sequel and seeing those flashbacks was great.
I also think that one of my main issues in Season of Love was that the initial romance between the two main characters was glossed over and this book got that a little bit more right. I do still wish there were some more development and more conversations and such but I think with the addition of the flashbacks and them having a relationship prior to their romance it was easier for me to believe their romance.
One of my favorite parts of this book though is when each of our main characters have their own coming of age moment. It doesn't matter that they're in their thirties It is never too late for coming of age moments. Seeing Hannah embrace her own wants and believe that she's worthy of her own enjoyment and likes and then similarly seeing Levi really embrace his demisexuality and fight for his right to love the way he does was really heartwarming.
One of my frustrations unfortunately with this book was the way Levi's demisexuality was treated by the other characters. Levi doesn't figure out that he's demi until later in life and he's kind of had a falling out with all the rest of the characters in this book so when he comes back into the picture and is identifying as queer and they know that he has had a sexual relationship in the past, every single person that he comes out to as demi immediately responds with " but you have sex " or " but you like sex " and I cannot express how annoying that is. I don't actually think that this is a flaw with the book but it is a flaw within the queer community that collectively needs to be worked on. All the characters Levi comes out to are queer with the exception of Hannah. They should know. Please please please educate yourselves on the ins and outs of the asexuality spectrum because we aces are begging you to do the bare minimum. I commend Levi for not snapping at them or punching someone to be completely honest.
Fully aware that I'm rambling now but also loved how emotional Levi was. I may sucker for men who cry and have ditched their toxic masculinity and are in touch with all of their emotions and we love to see it.
Overall this book is exceptional and one I really enjoyed and it has fat representation, queer representation, and Jewish representation.
December 16, 2023
thank you to forever (grand central publishing) and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
i think it would be remiss of me if i didn’t start by saying levi is a FAR more patient human than i am. for the multiple times he came out as demi and every. single. person. asked how it’s possible when he likes sex. i— listen, i understand (and have essentially experienced myself) that this is the reality for many aces that have and/or like sex. i just deeply wish as least one person responded even slightly more positively than to immediately question his identity. i just know if that was me, i would not have been so nice about it the 3rd or 4th time in a row. so, i repeat. levi is a much more patient human than i.
okay, onto the actual romance between levi and hannah. i know we’re following the current time where they’re still freshly reclaiming carrigans. and that we periodically flash back to different points in their relationship, from as early as young childhood. i can see what helena was intending. to show us how they came together in the beginning and eventually split. i just personally do not totally believe that their relationship issues were resolved well enough by the end. to me, personally, their chemistry just wasn’t there? and i don’t know how i can explain it.
they spend most of the book both being like we love each other a lot but we have this pile high of concerns and i don’t think we can fix what’s broke. but by the end with one grand gesture and a plan, it’s all fixed. and i truly hope that it *is* enough for them. i guess with lots of work they can get somewhere where it’s healthy and true for them. but i just wasn’t totally feeling it where we end off. here’s to hoping.
i am, however, still very much looking forward to tara’s story (and maybe hopefully cole’s too). she’s an underrated fave of mine and i’m very excited to see what her happy ending entails.
i think it would be remiss of me if i didn’t start by saying levi is a FAR more patient human than i am. for the multiple times he came out as demi and every. single. person. asked how it’s possible when he likes sex. i— listen, i understand (and have essentially experienced myself) that this is the reality for many aces that have and/or like sex. i just deeply wish as least one person responded even slightly more positively than to immediately question his identity. i just know if that was me, i would not have been so nice about it the 3rd or 4th time in a row. so, i repeat. levi is a much more patient human than i.
okay, onto the actual romance between levi and hannah. i know we’re following the current time where they’re still freshly reclaiming carrigans. and that we periodically flash back to different points in their relationship, from as early as young childhood. i can see what helena was intending. to show us how they came together in the beginning and eventually split. i just personally do not totally believe that their relationship issues were resolved well enough by the end. to me, personally, their chemistry just wasn’t there? and i don’t know how i can explain it.
they spend most of the book both being like we love each other a lot but we have this pile high of concerns and i don’t think we can fix what’s broke. but by the end with one grand gesture and a plan, it’s all fixed. and i truly hope that it *is* enough for them. i guess with lots of work they can get somewhere where it’s healthy and true for them. but i just wasn’t totally feeling it where we end off. here’s to hoping.
i am, however, still very much looking forward to tara’s story (and maybe hopefully cole’s too). she’s an underrated fave of mine and i’m very excited to see what her happy ending entails.
December 7, 2023
Trigger Warnings: mental health, cursing, alcohol, medication, death of a family member, past emotional abuse, sex, coming out, discussion of therapy, mentions of panic attacks, homophobia
Representation:
Levi- Jewish, ADHD, Demisexual, Pansexual
Hannah- Anxiety, OCD
Other characters- Lesbian, Gay, they/them pronouns
For Never & Always is a second chance romance with one surprise inheritance, two best friends (now bitter exes), and three months to prove he loves her, forever and always.
Hannah Rosenstein should be after a lonely childhood of traipsing all over the world, she finally has a home as the co-owner of destination inn Carrigan’s All Year. But her thoughts keep coming back to Levi "Blue" her first love, worst heartbreak, and now, thanks to her great-aunt’s meddling will, absentee business partner.
When Levi left Carrigan's, he had good intentions. As the queer son of the inn's cook and groundskeeper, he never quite fit in their small town and desperately wanted to prove himself. Now that he’s a celebrity chef, he's ready to come home and make amends. Only his return goes nothing like he his family's angry with him, his best friend is dating his nemesis, and Hannah just wants him to leave. Again .
Levi sees his chance when a VIP bride agrees to book Carrigan’s—if he’s the chef. He'll happily cook for the wedding, and in exchange, Hannah will give him five dates to win her back. Only Hannah doesn’t trust this new Levi, and Levi’s coming to realize Hannah’s grown too. But if they find the courage to learn from the past . . . they just might discover the love of your life is worth waiting for.
It was so nice getting to go back to Carrigan’s! This second-chance romance is absolutely perfect for fans of Alexandria Bellefleur! I thought Levi reminded me so much of Brendon! Overall, this was another gem from this author and I cannot wait until the third installment comes out! This book showcased some serious character development and a beautiful connection between the two main characters. The amount of work that is shown for Levi and Hannah, individually and together, was truly inspiring. The second chance romance worked perfectly with both of them coming to terms with their issues and working on themselves and how they fit together. It also includes great Jewish and queer representation!
Representation:
Levi- Jewish, ADHD, Demisexual, Pansexual
Hannah- Anxiety, OCD
Other characters- Lesbian, Gay, they/them pronouns
For Never & Always is a second chance romance with one surprise inheritance, two best friends (now bitter exes), and three months to prove he loves her, forever and always.
Hannah Rosenstein should be after a lonely childhood of traipsing all over the world, she finally has a home as the co-owner of destination inn Carrigan’s All Year. But her thoughts keep coming back to Levi "Blue" her first love, worst heartbreak, and now, thanks to her great-aunt’s meddling will, absentee business partner.
When Levi left Carrigan's, he had good intentions. As the queer son of the inn's cook and groundskeeper, he never quite fit in their small town and desperately wanted to prove himself. Now that he’s a celebrity chef, he's ready to come home and make amends. Only his return goes nothing like he his family's angry with him, his best friend is dating his nemesis, and Hannah just wants him to leave. Again .
Levi sees his chance when a VIP bride agrees to book Carrigan’s—if he’s the chef. He'll happily cook for the wedding, and in exchange, Hannah will give him five dates to win her back. Only Hannah doesn’t trust this new Levi, and Levi’s coming to realize Hannah’s grown too. But if they find the courage to learn from the past . . . they just might discover the love of your life is worth waiting for.
It was so nice getting to go back to Carrigan’s! This second-chance romance is absolutely perfect for fans of Alexandria Bellefleur! I thought Levi reminded me so much of Brendon! Overall, this was another gem from this author and I cannot wait until the third installment comes out! This book showcased some serious character development and a beautiful connection between the two main characters. The amount of work that is shown for Levi and Hannah, individually and together, was truly inspiring. The second chance romance worked perfectly with both of them coming to terms with their issues and working on themselves and how they fit together. It also includes great Jewish and queer representation!
November 12, 2023
ARC Review: For Never and Always, by Helene Greer.
Here's a bullet point pros vs. cons review for you.
The basics:
Low-angst second-chance contemporary romance, demi M + straight F couple; takes place on a Christmas tree farm in upstate New York; all of the main characters and most of the supporting cast are Jewish.
Pros:
Mental health is a huge component of the romance; Hannah has panic attacks if she leaves the farm, while Blue is recovering from childhood trauma (specifically bullying, both from classmates and from a trusted adult).
Many of Greer's characters are queer, and they don't have internal angst around it.
Blue and Hannah, the MCs, are never mean to each other, even when they don't know quite how to treat each other.
Cons:
There's just too much time spent detailing Blue's quirky outfits. I'm sorry, I'm supposed to believe that a 36-year-old man who wears cutoff jorts, t-shirts with feminist slogans, and vintage silk dressing gowns to a romantic picnic is sexy? I just can't. (It could be a me problem, YMMV, but THIS IS AN ACTUAL OUTFIT that Blue wears.)
I can't believe I'm going to say this but - I wanted more angst(?!?). I don't usually love angst, so a second-chance romance between two characters who respect each other and work through their differences in an adult way should have been perfect for me. I actually think that it might have been OK if there had been some plot besides "how will they make it work?"
It's closed door 😞
So, y'know, a mixed review. I don't regret reading this one, but I think it just wasn't for me.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Here's a bullet point pros vs. cons review for you.
The basics:
Low-angst second-chance contemporary romance, demi M + straight F couple; takes place on a Christmas tree farm in upstate New York; all of the main characters and most of the supporting cast are Jewish.
Pros:
Mental health is a huge component of the romance; Hannah has panic attacks if she leaves the farm, while Blue is recovering from childhood trauma (specifically bullying, both from classmates and from a trusted adult).
Many of Greer's characters are queer, and they don't have internal angst around it.
Blue and Hannah, the MCs, are never mean to each other, even when they don't know quite how to treat each other.
Cons:
There's just too much time spent detailing Blue's quirky outfits. I'm sorry, I'm supposed to believe that a 36-year-old man who wears cutoff jorts, t-shirts with feminist slogans, and vintage silk dressing gowns to a romantic picnic is sexy? I just can't. (It could be a me problem, YMMV, but THIS IS AN ACTUAL OUTFIT that Blue wears.)
I can't believe I'm going to say this but - I wanted more angst(?!?). I don't usually love angst, so a second-chance romance between two characters who respect each other and work through their differences in an adult way should have been perfect for me. I actually think that it might have been OK if there had been some plot besides "how will they make it work?"
It's closed door 😞
So, y'know, a mixed review. I don't regret reading this one, but I think it just wasn't for me.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
June 15, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for the honest review
The second book in the series this one can be enjoyed entirely as a standalone but I think you'll enjoy it more having read Season of Love
CW: homophobia (past as experienced growing up in the early 90s/early aughts that manifests in symptoms similar to agoraphobia and treatment thereof, and briefly current to a side character), death of a loved one (past), grief, severe anxiety over traveling,
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f contemporary romance
-second chance romance
-childhood best friends to lovers to estranged to lovers
-Jewish and queer rep
-It has only ever been you
-opposites attract
-feeding people is my love language
This was second chance and angsty and an amazing return back to Carrigan's. I was so intrigued about the hints of Hannah and Levi in book one, but gosh that twist at the beginning of the book had my jaw on the ground and these two just kept pushing and pulling. Wanting to be together but both wanting different things.
Hannah is a homebody, her dream of making Carrigan's successful and with her best friends is coming true minus her whole love of her life leaving her behind four years ago. She was a burst of organized sunshine and I just enjoyed her confidence in what she wanted, she pushed right back at Levi and made that man grovel.
Levi was chaotic, hurt, and not perfect in his choices. But he also wants to come home, He misses his friends, his family, and most of all he misses Hannah. I loved that he was just all in about her, this book never hides for a minute that Levi is here for Hannah and will do anything to get her back. But he also is a talented chef with a bit of an ego and wants to keep on with his career. And a man who quotes Logan Echolls, too good.
The way this book had me in a chokehold going how the heck are these two going to work it out. Full of big feelings and just tender emotions. The angst, the messiness, but also just the nostalgia of this is your person with all of your core memories who just means the world to you. My heart ached reading this one.
Steam: 1
The second book in the series this one can be enjoyed entirely as a standalone but I think you'll enjoy it more having read Season of Love
CW: homophobia (past as experienced growing up in the early 90s/early aughts that manifests in symptoms similar to agoraphobia and treatment thereof, and briefly current to a side character), death of a loved one (past), grief, severe anxiety over traveling,
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f contemporary romance
-second chance romance
-childhood best friends to lovers to estranged to lovers
-Jewish and queer rep
-It has only ever been you
-opposites attract
-feeding people is my love language
This was second chance and angsty and an amazing return back to Carrigan's. I was so intrigued about the hints of Hannah and Levi in book one, but gosh that twist at the beginning of the book had my jaw on the ground and these two just kept pushing and pulling. Wanting to be together but both wanting different things.
Hannah is a homebody, her dream of making Carrigan's successful and with her best friends is coming true minus her whole love of her life leaving her behind four years ago. She was a burst of organized sunshine and I just enjoyed her confidence in what she wanted, she pushed right back at Levi and made that man grovel.
Levi was chaotic, hurt, and not perfect in his choices. But he also wants to come home, He misses his friends, his family, and most of all he misses Hannah. I loved that he was just all in about her, this book never hides for a minute that Levi is here for Hannah and will do anything to get her back. But he also is a talented chef with a bit of an ego and wants to keep on with his career. And a man who quotes Logan Echolls, too good.
The way this book had me in a chokehold going how the heck are these two going to work it out. Full of big feelings and just tender emotions. The angst, the messiness, but also just the nostalgia of this is your person with all of your core memories who just means the world to you. My heart ached reading this one.
Steam: 1
December 10, 2023
Helena Greer takes readers back to Carrigan’s Christmas-land for another enjoyable Queer love story. For Never & Always has the same cozy vibes of Season of Love paired with an emotional, second chance romance.
I’ve been ready for my trip back to Carrigan’s since the end of Season of Love. Levi “Blue” Matthews returns in the last chapter, after an extended absence traveling the world, to deal with his inheritance to a piece of the inn.
After a devastating breakup, Hannah is not ready to see Levi again, but she has no choice; it is time to deal with his ownership shares. Hannah expects to find the same Levi who broke her heart years earlier, but the Levi she finds is self-assured, confident, and grown.
Levi convinces Hannah to give him 5 dates in hopes of a second chance in exchange for his celebrity culinary services for an important wedding. While working together, Hannah realizes Levi has grown up and Levi realizes Hannah has changed as well. Will it be enough to foster their happily ever after?
🎄THOUGHTS🎄
This book has so much heart and is beautifully written. Greer has a unique writing voice full of humor, tenderness, and introspection. Greer doesn’t shy away from tough topics; the characters in this book are still reeling from the loss of Cass and dealing with their complicated grief as they make revelations about her imperfections. For Never & Always balances the heaviness of grief and trauma with an idyllic setting and an endearing cast of supporting characters.
I loved the emotional journey that Levi and Hannah went through to find their happily ever after. For a second chance romance to work for me, I need to see lots of effort from the couple. Levi and Hannah put in the WORK to make their relationship healthy and sustainable. By the end of the book, I was all in on Team Levi/ Hannah.
I am DYING for the next book with Tara; Greer has gifted us another Sapphic romance. And the cover, DEAD.
Read if you like:
·Second chance romances
·Jewish representation✡️
·Plus size rep
·Found family👨👩👧👦
·Making peace with the past
·Complicated family relationships
·Queer representation- Demi & Pan
·Dual POV, Dual timeline
· Closed door 🚪romances
*If you enjoyed Luck & Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder- Ruiz, you need to read this one.
Overall rating- 4.25
I’ve been ready for my trip back to Carrigan’s since the end of Season of Love. Levi “Blue” Matthews returns in the last chapter, after an extended absence traveling the world, to deal with his inheritance to a piece of the inn.
After a devastating breakup, Hannah is not ready to see Levi again, but she has no choice; it is time to deal with his ownership shares. Hannah expects to find the same Levi who broke her heart years earlier, but the Levi she finds is self-assured, confident, and grown.
Levi convinces Hannah to give him 5 dates in hopes of a second chance in exchange for his celebrity culinary services for an important wedding. While working together, Hannah realizes Levi has grown up and Levi realizes Hannah has changed as well. Will it be enough to foster their happily ever after?
🎄THOUGHTS🎄
This book has so much heart and is beautifully written. Greer has a unique writing voice full of humor, tenderness, and introspection. Greer doesn’t shy away from tough topics; the characters in this book are still reeling from the loss of Cass and dealing with their complicated grief as they make revelations about her imperfections. For Never & Always balances the heaviness of grief and trauma with an idyllic setting and an endearing cast of supporting characters.
I loved the emotional journey that Levi and Hannah went through to find their happily ever after. For a second chance romance to work for me, I need to see lots of effort from the couple. Levi and Hannah put in the WORK to make their relationship healthy and sustainable. By the end of the book, I was all in on Team Levi/ Hannah.
I am DYING for the next book with Tara; Greer has gifted us another Sapphic romance. And the cover, DEAD.
Read if you like:
·Second chance romances
·Jewish representation✡️
·Plus size rep
·Found family👨👩👧👦
·Making peace with the past
·Complicated family relationships
·Queer representation- Demi & Pan
·Dual POV, Dual timeline
· Closed door 🚪romances
*If you enjoyed Luck & Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder- Ruiz, you need to read this one.
Overall rating- 4.25
February 26, 2024
For me this one was just okay. I really loved the first book in this series and this didn’t quite match up to my expectations. I loved the queer (especially demisexual) and Jewish representation in the novel though!
While Hannah and Blue (Levi) are childhood best friends to lovers to strangers and then it’s revealed almost immediately that surprise they’ve been married for years but the entirety of that time Blue has been in Australia and the two haven’t had any contact. The coming back together so suddenly even with their issues just didn’t feel realistic. I did enjoy the layers of complexity with familial and non familial relationships and grief represented but I almost wish the author had shown Hannah and Blue inside the therapy office together on-page breaking down these dynamics (though I understand why they didn’t). Ultimately I had mixed feelings on rooting for the couple and that definitely affected my enjoyment.
3 stars
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While Hannah and Blue (Levi) are childhood best friends to lovers to strangers and then it’s revealed almost immediately that surprise they’ve been married for years but the entirety of that time Blue has been in Australia and the two haven’t had any contact. The coming back together so suddenly even with their issues just didn’t feel realistic. I did enjoy the layers of complexity with familial and non familial relationships and grief represented but I almost wish the author had shown Hannah and Blue inside the therapy office together on-page breaking down these dynamics (though I understand why they didn’t). Ultimately I had mixed feelings on rooting for the couple and that definitely affected my enjoyment.
3 stars
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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December 5, 2023dnf at 40%
There are so many characters I'm very overwhelmed. The main characters don't seem right for each other to me. They have so many unresolved, deeply rooted issues to work through independently before they can ever consider working on themselves as a couple.
I'm not vibing with this and my tbr is too long for me to continue trying to read it.
The writing in general was great, and I'd happily read another story from this author in the future, this story just wasn't for me!
Thank you so much to netgalley for eARC!
There are so many characters I'm very overwhelmed. The main characters don't seem right for each other to me. They have so many unresolved, deeply rooted issues to work through independently before they can ever consider working on themselves as a couple.
I'm not vibing with this and my tbr is too long for me to continue trying to read it.
The writing in general was great, and I'd happily read another story from this author in the future, this story just wasn't for me!
Thank you so much to netgalley for eARC!
January 1, 2024
DNF
I rarely ‘do not finish’ a romance novel. But, as I found myself hating more and more of “For Never and Always”, my absolute disgust with this book forced me to stop.
Hannah and Levi have been friends / in love with each other all their lives; they haven’t seen each other for a number of years after Levi asks Hannah to leave the farm/hotel where they all live to explore the world and Hannah refuses because her aunt (who owns the property) is sick, and the hotel is her happy/safe place. Levi’s back and wants to reunite.
Levi hates the farm and small-town for various reasons I won’t get into. But what is important is that everyone dismisses or doesn’t know about how bad it was for him. Hannah says something to the effect of “I guess we should have believed you instead of thinking you were an exaggerating, moody teenager”; everyone is shocked at how poorly the perfect aunt treated him. Did these people not have functioning eyes or ears?
I stopped reading when a side character says to Levi (I paraphrase) “I thought you were a just a whining cisgendered white man, but now that I know you’re queer, your trauma is real / justifiable.”
Hannah is terrible. She and Levi are having dinner, and she wants to know about why his childhood was so bad, and Levi explains some of the ways the aunt treated him. Her response: “I can’t believe you’re trying to ruin the memories of someone I love.” And then she runs out of the restaurant.
Levi is described as "selfish" or self-centred, but I saw little evidence of it. He is a person who filters events through his own experience - not sure that makes him selfish or simply human? And, when he's spent most of his life not fitting in and told he's a drama-queen, all my sympathy was for him. I could only think - you can do better!
I found all the "best friends" immature and similarly terrible, and I just could not bring myself to finish this book. I received an ARC of this book, but the review is my own.
I rarely ‘do not finish’ a romance novel. But, as I found myself hating more and more of “For Never and Always”, my absolute disgust with this book forced me to stop.
Hannah and Levi have been friends / in love with each other all their lives; they haven’t seen each other for a number of years after Levi asks Hannah to leave the farm/hotel where they all live to explore the world and Hannah refuses because her aunt (who owns the property) is sick, and the hotel is her happy/safe place. Levi’s back and wants to reunite.
Levi hates the farm and small-town for various reasons I won’t get into. But what is important is that everyone dismisses or doesn’t know about how bad it was for him. Hannah says something to the effect of “I guess we should have believed you instead of thinking you were an exaggerating, moody teenager”; everyone is shocked at how poorly the perfect aunt treated him. Did these people not have functioning eyes or ears?
I stopped reading when a side character says to Levi (I paraphrase) “I thought you were a just a whining cisgendered white man, but now that I know you’re queer, your trauma is real / justifiable.”
Hannah is terrible. She and Levi are having dinner, and she wants to know about why his childhood was so bad, and Levi explains some of the ways the aunt treated him. Her response: “I can’t believe you’re trying to ruin the memories of someone I love.” And then she runs out of the restaurant.
Levi is described as "selfish" or self-centred, but I saw little evidence of it. He is a person who filters events through his own experience - not sure that makes him selfish or simply human? And, when he's spent most of his life not fitting in and told he's a drama-queen, all my sympathy was for him. I could only think - you can do better!
I found all the "best friends" immature and similarly terrible, and I just could not bring myself to finish this book. I received an ARC of this book, but the review is my own.
February 12, 2024
2/11/24
TW/CW: homophobia (past), death of a loved one (past), grief, anxiety, childhood emotional abuse, toxic relationship (past)
LGBT+ Rep: queer demisexual hero, sapphic side couple and side characters, achillean side couple and side characters
This can be read as a standalone, but as someone who only vaguely remembered Season of Love, things definitely make more sense if you’ve read the first book.
Second chance romance! Childhood friends to lovers! Grumpy sunshine! Oh my!
I have mixed feelings on this. I was so intrigued by Levi and Hannah because of book one - and the messy relationship that’s foreshadowed there is definitely delivered here. Expect angst, complex feelings, and a lot of introspection.
I won’t lie - this book kinda drags at time. But the writing is excellent and the characters are compelling enough to make you push through.
As I mentioned before, Levi and Hannah have a messy past. They were not good for each other when they were younger and had awful communication skills that inevitably led to their downfall.
But, for better or for worse, they’re still connected to each other.
They have a lot of baggage to overcome, and they somehow manage to do that. Their fight to the end, to be together, to make it work is beautiful :,)
Last thing - I love the growth we get to see between Miriam and Noelle, I’m so excited for the next book! And Cole is still the best character (seriously - when do we get his love story??).
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for an ARC of this!
1/29/23
Just finished Season of Love. And with that ending? I need this ASAP.
TW/CW: homophobia (past), death of a loved one (past), grief, anxiety, childhood emotional abuse, toxic relationship (past)
LGBT+ Rep: queer demisexual hero, sapphic side couple and side characters, achillean side couple and side characters
This can be read as a standalone, but as someone who only vaguely remembered Season of Love, things definitely make more sense if you’ve read the first book.
Second chance romance! Childhood friends to lovers! Grumpy sunshine! Oh my!
I have mixed feelings on this. I was so intrigued by Levi and Hannah because of book one - and the messy relationship that’s foreshadowed there is definitely delivered here. Expect angst, complex feelings, and a lot of introspection.
I won’t lie - this book kinda drags at time. But the writing is excellent and the characters are compelling enough to make you push through.
As I mentioned before, Levi and Hannah have a messy past. They were not good for each other when they were younger and had awful communication skills that inevitably led to their downfall.
But, for better or for worse, they’re still connected to each other.
They have a lot of baggage to overcome, and they somehow manage to do that. Their fight to the end, to be together, to make it work is beautiful :,)
Last thing - I love the growth we get to see between Miriam and Noelle, I’m so excited for the next book! And Cole is still the best character (seriously - when do we get his love story??).
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for an ARC of this!
1/29/23
Just finished Season of Love. And with that ending? I need this ASAP.
June 10, 2023
I'm a sucker for second chance romances when done well, AND THIS WAS DONE SO WELL 😭 this book is like a manifestation of "How You Get The Girl" by Tay Swift
Technically, it's a childhood best friends to lovers to estranged couple who love/hate each other to second chance romance, and every aspect of this journey was written so well. Most of the book takes place in the present (the second chance romance), and there are chapters sprinkled in throughout the book showing the past.
This book has demisexual rep!! The author has done an amazing job of writing the confusion pre-discovery, the discovery process itself, and the discussions that happened when the MC mentioned this to the others.
Also! I have to point out the mental health journeys taken by the MCs! It was a long and hard road with plenty of self-introspection and understanding and healing, and, at the risk of repeating myself, this was also written so well 😭 I loved the hea so much, it was perfect, and it perfectly factored in the mental holdups and healings of both the MCs.
TWs - anxiety with symptoms similar to agoraphobia, homophobia (in the past, in a school setting), death of a family member in the past and the grief surrounding it
-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
Technically, it's a childhood best friends to lovers to estranged couple who love/hate each other to second chance romance, and every aspect of this journey was written so well. Most of the book takes place in the present (the second chance romance), and there are chapters sprinkled in throughout the book showing the past.
This book has demisexual rep!! The author has done an amazing job of writing the confusion pre-discovery, the discovery process itself, and the discussions that happened when the MC mentioned this to the others.
Also! I have to point out the mental health journeys taken by the MCs! It was a long and hard road with plenty of self-introspection and understanding and healing, and, at the risk of repeating myself, this was also written so well 😭 I loved the hea so much, it was perfect, and it perfectly factored in the mental holdups and healings of both the MCs.
TWs - anxiety with symptoms similar to agoraphobia, homophobia (in the past, in a school setting), death of a family member in the past and the grief surrounding it
-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
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