What do you think?
Rate this book
Never Again
There could only be one reason why Quinn Jackson had taken her to a secondary location…revenge.
From New York Times and USA Today’s bestselling author R.L. Mathewson comes a new standalone romantic comedy with down-to-earth characters that will have you laughing out loud and leave you with no choice but to fall in love.
She should probably be concerned that the incredibly handsome man that she’d screwed over years ago had finally found her, and she was, but at the moment, Bailey had more important things to worry about, like how she was going to finish this project on time, figure out what her brother was hiding from her, and how she was going to get her hands on more caffeine.
That was going to be a problem with her brother hiring Quinn to watch her every move, but that was fine because she had a plan, one that, unfortunately for her, didn’t exactly go the way that she’d hoped.
And now…
She had no choice but to take matters into her own hands and figure out who’d betrayed her before it was too late.
Quinn would do anything to keep her safe and Bailey…
Had absolutely no idea that she was in danger.
He’d waited so long for this moment and now that it was here, he wanted to savor this moment, but that wasn’t an option. Not with the little caffeine addict in denial about all of those “accidents” that have been happening over the past year.
He never should have taken this job, but once he found out the truth about their past, he couldn’t walk away.
Now, Quinn was left with no choice but to cross a line to keep the little caffeine addict safe. He needed to keep her out of trouble, tell himself that Bailey was just another job, and figure out who was behind the attacks before it was too late and if he couldn’t…
He would never survive.
From New York Times and USA Today’s bestselling author R.L. Mathewson comes a new standalone romantic comedy with down-to-earth characters that will have you laughing out loud and leave you with no choice but to fall in love.
She should probably be concerned that the incredibly handsome man that she’d screwed over years ago had finally found her, and she was, but at the moment, Bailey had more important things to worry about, like how she was going to finish this project on time, figure out what her brother was hiding from her, and how she was going to get her hands on more caffeine.
That was going to be a problem with her brother hiring Quinn to watch her every move, but that was fine because she had a plan, one that, unfortunately for her, didn’t exactly go the way that she’d hoped.
And now…
She had no choice but to take matters into her own hands and figure out who’d betrayed her before it was too late.
Quinn would do anything to keep her safe and Bailey…
Had absolutely no idea that she was in danger.
He’d waited so long for this moment and now that it was here, he wanted to savor this moment, but that wasn’t an option. Not with the little caffeine addict in denial about all of those “accidents” that have been happening over the past year.
He never should have taken this job, but once he found out the truth about their past, he couldn’t walk away.
Now, Quinn was left with no choice but to cross a line to keep the little caffeine addict safe. He needed to keep her out of trouble, tell himself that Bailey was just another job, and figure out who was behind the attacks before it was too late and if he couldn’t…
He would never survive.
363 pages, ebook
First published October 9, 2023
739 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Mathewson
71 books15.5k followersNew York Times Bestselling author, R.L. Mathewson was born in Massachusetts. She’s known for her humor, quick wit and ability to write relatable characters. She currently has several paranormal and contemporary romance series published including the Neighbor from Hell series.
Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast food cook, and a museum worker until she decided to take an EMT course. Working as an EMT helped her get over her shyness as well as left her with some fond memories and some rather disturbing ones that from time to time show up in one of her books.
Today, R.L. Mathewson is the single mother of two children that keep her on her toes. She has a bit of a romance novel addiction as well as a major hot chocolate addiction and on a perfect day, she combines the two.
In 2019/2020, R.L. Mathewson will be publishing Devastated, the first Anger Management novel, Tall, Dark & Furious, the 6th installment to the Pyte/Sentinel series, Irresistible, the long anticipated novel for the Neighbor from Hell Series as well as many more books throughout the year, paranormals, contemporaries, and YAs.
Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast food cook, and a museum worker until she decided to take an EMT course. Working as an EMT helped her get over her shyness as well as left her with some fond memories and some rather disturbing ones that from time to time show up in one of her books.
Today, R.L. Mathewson is the single mother of two children that keep her on her toes. She has a bit of a romance novel addiction as well as a major hot chocolate addiction and on a perfect day, she combines the two.
In 2019/2020, R.L. Mathewson will be publishing Devastated, the first Anger Management novel, Tall, Dark & Furious, the 6th installment to the Pyte/Sentinel series, Irresistible, the long anticipated novel for the Neighbor from Hell Series as well as many more books throughout the year, paranormals, contemporaries, and YAs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
October 17, 2023
DNF at 27%.
I found pretend the same as this book, it’s hard work. Stuff happens off page and it becomes confusing to follow. The conversations are just repetitive, I’m already sick of sighs and mumbles. I can’t bare the thought of reading anymore. It’s a shame because this author is a auto buy for me. I’m addicted to the NFH series and I reread all the time. I also adore her anger management series but her last 2 books have not hit the mark for me.
I found pretend the same as this book, it’s hard work. Stuff happens off page and it becomes confusing to follow. The conversations are just repetitive, I’m already sick of sighs and mumbles. I can’t bare the thought of reading anymore. It’s a shame because this author is a auto buy for me. I’m addicted to the NFH series and I reread all the time. I also adore her anger management series but her last 2 books have not hit the mark for me.
October 26, 2023
Just wasn't what I expected
There were several parts that made me laugh but its pretty much the same story every time. I do like her characters and this one had a mystery to boot but it just missed the mark for me. This one had a lot of intimate scenes too which I skimmed over but I don't remember her writing like that. She will always be my favorite authors so I can't give her less than 3 stars. I liked Quinn the hero and Bailey but it was like the same stuff over and over. After a while you just stop reading it and start skimming. I needed to know who the villain was. I didn't guess right either. A good read but just not great.
There were several parts that made me laugh but its pretty much the same story every time. I do like her characters and this one had a mystery to boot but it just missed the mark for me. This one had a lot of intimate scenes too which I skimmed over but I don't remember her writing like that. She will always be my favorite authors so I can't give her less than 3 stars. I liked Quinn the hero and Bailey but it was like the same stuff over and over. After a while you just stop reading it and start skimming. I needed to know who the villain was. I didn't guess right either. A good read but just not great.
October 22, 2023
What the hell is this???
Difficult to find the words to adequately describe this mess. The first chapter was fine, with me expecting Bailey and Quinn to meet years later, enemies to lovers trope, then I began to read the second and it was chaotic nonsense. I assume the author was aiming for cute, eccentric, heart of gold, tech genius with Bailey: failed miserably. I couldn't connect with her and didn't care who was behind the attempts on her life. The caffeine addiction was OTT and I was inwardly screaming whenever Quinn referred to her as "the little addict" or “brat” by the third chapter. I gave up at 17%. I began to wonder if the author was going to reveal Bailey being on the spectrum but decided I didn't care enough to find out and, if that were the intent, it was a pi** poor attempt in any case. One of the worst books I've come across. An unusual miss from this author, especially when a previous book, “The Project” has a wonderful, quirky FMC and is one of my favourites.
Difficult to find the words to adequately describe this mess. The first chapter was fine, with me expecting Bailey and Quinn to meet years later, enemies to lovers trope, then I began to read the second and it was chaotic nonsense. I assume the author was aiming for cute, eccentric, heart of gold, tech genius with Bailey: failed miserably. I couldn't connect with her and didn't care who was behind the attempts on her life. The caffeine addiction was OTT and I was inwardly screaming whenever Quinn referred to her as "the little addict" or “brat” by the third chapter. I gave up at 17%. I began to wonder if the author was going to reveal Bailey being on the spectrum but decided I didn't care enough to find out and, if that were the intent, it was a pi** poor attempt in any case. One of the worst books I've come across. An unusual miss from this author, especially when a previous book, “The Project” has a wonderful, quirky FMC and is one of my favourites.
Read
April 2, 2025I was actually enjoying this book until I noticed the unreasonably overused referral to our FMC as ‘the small woman’. It’s used 72 times. 72. And the book is only like 300 pages. I just couldn’t get over it.
November 30, 2023
Quirky characters are enjoyable. Making an entire book about someone’s personality or physical quirks is a self help book or a biography not a novel. A grown woman who isn’t able to control her compulsion to drink caffeine for an entire book isn’t amusing. This behavioral quirk feels like the author is trying to force a comparison to another series and the Bradford males love of food. Men who treat a grown woman like a petulant child and threaten her with a physical reprimand when she doesn’t act in accordance isn’t endearing. Reading threats of “spank your ass” for what feels like every single communication between the main characters is grating. I enjoy this author and have read many of her books. IMO this book would have greatly benefited from additional structural editing. I have no idea how this book is being rated in the 4 and 5 star category. Honestly if this was my first book by the author it would be my last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2023
An impulse buy since I love a lot of this author's work, I struggled with this one.
That's on me for assuming it was a new NFH novel. That assumption lead to me being disappointed and struggling to connect with the characters or the plot. That disconnect followed for the entire novel though, so maybe this one just wasn't for me.
Quinn was interesting as a male lead, if a bit light with personality. Bailey was an amusing fmc, even with her infuriating self-sabotage habits. The game development aspect had potential, but something just kept me from falling into this story. I don't see myself rereading it.
That's on me for assuming it was a new NFH novel. That assumption lead to me being disappointed and struggling to connect with the characters or the plot. That disconnect followed for the entire novel though, so maybe this one just wasn't for me.
Quinn was interesting as a male lead, if a bit light with personality. Bailey was an amusing fmc, even with her infuriating self-sabotage habits. The game development aspect had potential, but something just kept me from falling into this story. I don't see myself rereading it.
October 27, 2023
If I took a shot every time I came across the remark “pain in my a**” I would have died of alcohol poisoning. And this is by no means an exaggeration. I would guesstimate that that expression was used no less than thirty time throughout the book.
This is the first story I’ve read from RL Mathewson so I’m not entirely familiar with his/her work and writing style. All I can say is while the story was amusing, and it’s FMC very entertaining, I found that it was at times hard to follow. The sentences where disjointed and I was a bit confused with the type of writing structure it was written in. I do appreciate that Never Again wasn’t a POV first person type of story. It was refreshing to get to read everyone’s thoughts rather than just the main characters. It made for quite a dynamic read and was a nice break from the first person POV style type of writing that most romance writers love to adopt.
This is the first story I’ve read from RL Mathewson so I’m not entirely familiar with his/her work and writing style. All I can say is while the story was amusing, and it’s FMC very entertaining, I found that it was at times hard to follow. The sentences where disjointed and I was a bit confused with the type of writing structure it was written in. I do appreciate that Never Again wasn’t a POV first person type of story. It was refreshing to get to read everyone’s thoughts rather than just the main characters. It made for quite a dynamic read and was a nice break from the first person POV style type of writing that most romance writers love to adopt.
July 27, 2025
Quinn Jackson hoped he would never see Bailey again, she almost ruined his life years ago but when he finds out he has been assigned to protect her he wants his revenge. Bailey has a stalker/enemy trying to kill her and she does not think she needs the protection. When Quinn marches in and sees her with what looks like a macabre reaction to caffeine, he knows he is going to have his hands full. Quinn does his best to try and stay angry with Bailey, but the more he is with her the more he can't deny she is becoming his world. Can Quinn protect her from the threat and most importantly from herself?
This was delightful. Laugh out loud funny, Bailey reminds me of a Tasmanian devil mixed with a sloth, while Quinn is rigid and has a glare you can feel off the pages. I thought the characters were terrific and hope some of them get their own story.
This was delightful. Laugh out loud funny, Bailey reminds me of a Tasmanian devil mixed with a sloth, while Quinn is rigid and has a glare you can feel off the pages. I thought the characters were terrific and hope some of them get their own story.
October 21, 2023
2.5 stars
The title of this book is what i said to myself a lot while reading this book.
I'm familiar with this author tendancy to repeat a lot of words everytime like mumbling sighing (and here pain in the ass) so i was prepared but i was still really bothered by it.
There's no real connexion between the main couple, i mean they never really have a normal conversation but of course they fall in love like that.
The story itself is bad. I read until the end just to know the bad guy and understand why but nothing made sense honestly. I think the way the chapters were done didn't help because it was messy.
I feel like this author found a recipe many moons ago and don't want to change it or at least better it ... What could be an entertaining sweet and fun book is just an annoying one with characters i feel i don't know at all even after 200 pages with them.
The title of this book is what i said to myself a lot while reading this book.
I'm familiar with this author tendancy to repeat a lot of words everytime like mumbling sighing (and here pain in the ass) so i was prepared but i was still really bothered by it.
There's no real connexion between the main couple, i mean they never really have a normal conversation but of course they fall in love like that.
The story itself is bad. I read until the end just to know the bad guy and understand why but nothing made sense honestly. I think the way the chapters were done didn't help because it was messy.
I feel like this author found a recipe many moons ago and don't want to change it or at least better it ... What could be an entertaining sweet and fun book is just an annoying one with characters i feel i don't know at all even after 200 pages with them.
Want to read
November 8, 2023DNF @ 24%
This just wasn’t working for me. I wanted it to – R. L. Mathewson was a favourite author of mine when I first started getting into romance as a teenager, and I still fondly reread some of her earlier books.
However, this just didn’t gel with me, mostly because of the writing style. I don’t know why – I’m very familiar with how she writes – but it really started to grate on me. There were some very repetitive habits that the author has got into. One was splitting up paragraphs with dialogue – this got very annoying and broke up the flow of the text in a way that wasn’t enjoyable to read.
The other was repetitive use of phrases. The epithet ‘large man’ is used constantly to describe Quinn, which stood out quite a lot, but the major one was his narrative calling Bailey a pain in his ass, or some variation of it. The prologue used this phrase constantly and it just got on my nerves.
The other thing was some of the humour – R. L. Mathewson’s books always have a quirky, somewhat cartoonish sense of humour – but it really fell flat in this one for me. The caffeine addiction joke got old very, very quickly.
I just couldn’t read any more of it. The writing style just grated on my nerves and I just couldn’t stomach reading another few hundred pages of it. It’s a shame because I normally have a lot of fun with this author’s books, but this one just wasn’t for me.
Content Notes: These warnings are not complete, but are based off the portion of the book I read.
Warnings:
This just wasn’t working for me. I wanted it to – R. L. Mathewson was a favourite author of mine when I first started getting into romance as a teenager, and I still fondly reread some of her earlier books.
However, this just didn’t gel with me, mostly because of the writing style. I don’t know why – I’m very familiar with how she writes – but it really started to grate on me. There were some very repetitive habits that the author has got into. One was splitting up paragraphs with dialogue – this got very annoying and broke up the flow of the text in a way that wasn’t enjoyable to read.
The other was repetitive use of phrases. The epithet ‘large man’ is used constantly to describe Quinn, which stood out quite a lot, but the major one was his narrative calling Bailey a pain in his ass, or some variation of it. The prologue used this phrase constantly and it just got on my nerves.
The other thing was some of the humour – R. L. Mathewson’s books always have a quirky, somewhat cartoonish sense of humour – but it really fell flat in this one for me. The caffeine addiction joke got old very, very quickly.
I just couldn’t read any more of it. The writing style just grated on my nerves and I just couldn’t stomach reading another few hundred pages of it. It’s a shame because I normally have a lot of fun with this author’s books, but this one just wasn’t for me.
Content Notes: These warnings are not complete, but are based off the portion of the book I read.
Warnings:
November 16, 2023
This title is really fitting since i won't be reading any more books by this author. At the beginning the "writing style " was funny and quirky but after few books it became exhausting and annoying AF
October 9, 2023
Fun and entertaining, especially when it splits between Bailey and Quinn
and Casey and Nathan.
Lots of zany humour, quirky mannerisms and twisty plot-line keep you turning the pages to see what’s coming next.
A bit repetitive with some of the quirks, sighs and caffeine addiction we are subjected to, but that is part of this authors trademark formulaic writing style.
But the ending was a bit of a let down.
And towards the end chapters, Bailey and Quinn were pretty much more sex scenes that only added small amounts of information to the espionage story.
All fell apart when the baddie was finally revealed. After they had suspected everyone else but the one it obviously was.
The whole ending was just frustrating. I rolled my eyes quite a bit at some things that happened.
I never understand when people give up their weapons or advantage.
Bailey drinking the coke left sitting there by the baddie. The others
letting Bailey drink coke, when every other time it’s been taken away from her.
Looking forward to Casey and Nathan getting a story.
This is my honest review of this book.
and Casey and Nathan.
Lots of zany humour, quirky mannerisms and twisty plot-line keep you turning the pages to see what’s coming next.
A bit repetitive with some of the quirks, sighs and caffeine addiction we are subjected to, but that is part of this authors trademark formulaic writing style.
But the ending was a bit of a let down.
And towards the end chapters, Bailey and Quinn were pretty much more sex scenes that only added small amounts of information to the espionage story.
All fell apart when the baddie was finally revealed. After they had suspected everyone else but the one it obviously was.
The whole ending was just frustrating. I rolled my eyes quite a bit at some things that happened.
I never understand when people give up their weapons or advantage.
Bailey drinking the coke left sitting there by the baddie. The others
letting Bailey drink coke, when every other time it’s been taken away from her.
Looking forward to Casey and Nathan getting a story.
This is my honest review of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2023
I was gifted the ARC of this book by the amazingly generous author and all I have to say is even though the name of the book is Never Again, I will definitely be reading this again!
And I’m not just saying this because I was gifted the book, I’m being honest.
As all the books from this author, it was funny, heartwarming, steamy, intriguing as heck, fast-passed and not one boring moment in it! Some twists here and there (loved the main one!).
I especially loved the fact that the mystery part of the history was in fact intriguing and kept me guessing till the end!
Now I’m hoping for the next books in the series (hopefully there will be a series!!!!!🤞) because I loved all the characters introduced and their stories.
I don’t know what you put in your books R L Mathewson to make them so addictive but keep doing it! 😍
And I’m not just saying this because I was gifted the book, I’m being honest.
As all the books from this author, it was funny, heartwarming, steamy, intriguing as heck, fast-passed and not one boring moment in it! Some twists here and there (loved the main one!).
I especially loved the fact that the mystery part of the history was in fact intriguing and kept me guessing till the end!
Now I’m hoping for the next books in the series (hopefully there will be a series!!!!!🤞) because I loved all the characters introduced and their stories.
I don’t know what you put in your books R L Mathewson to make them so addictive but keep doing it! 😍
November 3, 2023
R.L. Mathewson never disappoints me. Whether she's writing contemporary or PNR. She makes me laugh. Her females are always snarky and their men always want to spank their ass. I loved Bailey and Quinn. Can not wait for the next book.
October 7, 2023
I usually love all of the books by this author, but this one missed the mark a little bit for me so I had to give it only 4 stars. I've seen comments about it in the past and it hasn't really bothered me before but I think some of the little jokey mannerisms were just a little too repetitive for me this time. I also thought Bailey came off as a little too little girl-ish. I am usually totally behind the men finding the flaws of the women adorable, but this time she came across as childish instead of adorable and quirky. Despite those couple of complaints, I did still enjoy this book even though it was outside of the normal genres for this author.
October 9, 2023
This is filled with humor, intrigue, mystery and romance. Zany and highly intelligent Bailey is in need of protection. Quinn, her friend from school days, comes to the rescue to ensure her safety. I loved every minute of it. The writing style keeps just the right amount of lighthearted moments to make it a fun read while the characters try to find the evil one who is trying to destroy Bailey and her computer game company. I started it and did not stop until it ended. It is a well developed story with charming characters and a zany wonderfully entertaining story that I have come to expect from this author, even though it does get a little heavy on the physical moments. HEA, no cheating, no cliffhanger. Highly recommend.
I was gifted this book by the author as part of the her ARC team. I stayed up to finish it again when it just appeared in my kindle.
I was gifted this book by the author as part of the her ARC team. I stayed up to finish it again when it just appeared in my kindle.
October 11, 2023
Tech nerd
Loved this book! I've been reading the chapters R.L. released on her website and was so excited to read the full story! Bailey your tech nerd / troublemaker and Quinn your grumpy glaring hero...through video games, chaos, hackers and secrets you can still find time for smexy time and gun fights! 5 stars all the way
Loved this book! I've been reading the chapters R.L. released on her website and was so excited to read the full story! Bailey your tech nerd / troublemaker and Quinn your grumpy glaring hero...through video games, chaos, hackers and secrets you can still find time for smexy time and gun fights! 5 stars all the way
October 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I was gifted the ARC for this book and I won’t share any spoilers but I enjoy RL Mathewson’s writing style. I love the quick wit and snarky reparte amongst the characters. I do hope that this book gets moved from stand-alone to a book 1 of a series! I want to follow along with the characters
October 2, 2023
Received an ARC and as soon as it appeared on my kindle, nothing else was happening at home. Bailey and Quinn's story was so enjoyable but if I was faced with a character like Bailey, I would be bald from pulling my hair out and swear a lot more! As usual, I devoured this book in a few hours then was left wondering what to read next!
October 12, 2023
This book is sooo funny. I wish we could have read more about them together in the past. The author should have focused more on this and less on the "bad guy". And also we need a book about her brother. It's only fair.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2023
ARC provided by author :)
November 3, 2023
Confused that what I was feeling while reading this book and even afterwards.
The repetitive saying that I’m to believe two characters use every few minutes is not something I’ve noticed in this author’s NIH series but now I couldn’t ignore it. It was truly a PITA.
I finished the book trying to figure out who the villain was. I didn’t guess correctly but then again I thought it was them early on but somehow the convulsed story said it wasn’t them. Quinn and Tristan were bested ant every turn by someone who lacked their supposed military training makes it unbelievable. The childhood relationship between Quinn and Bailey is discussed very little but never seems as deep looking back as it seemed at the beginning. Normally this author is a 5 star but this book was too chaotic for me. So much potential with this story but it missed the mark.
The repetitive saying that I’m to believe two characters use every few minutes is not something I’ve noticed in this author’s NIH series but now I couldn’t ignore it. It was truly a PITA.
I finished the book trying to figure out who the villain was. I didn’t guess correctly but then again I thought it was them early on but somehow the convulsed story said it wasn’t them. Quinn and Tristan were bested ant every turn by someone who lacked their supposed military training makes it unbelievable. The childhood relationship between Quinn and Bailey is discussed very little but never seems as deep looking back as it seemed at the beginning. Normally this author is a 5 star but this book was too chaotic for me. So much potential with this story but it missed the mark.
April 11, 2024
The heroine in this book is a classic example of what neurotypical people who have never interacted with someone with an attention disorder think ADHD is like. She's an adult woman who acts like a 2 year old experiencing the sugar rush to end all sugar rushes, no impulse control and no independence. The hero started to disgust me just for liking her. He's an adult, is it too much to ask that he also be attracted to people who are adults (emotionally speaking here)? It started to feel very creepy. Truly painful to read, DNFed at 35%
September 21, 2025
R.L. Mathewson has written some of my favorite books of all time and-
Some of my least favorite books of all time. Murmuring absently, I buy every contemporary Ms. Mathewson writes and sometimes it’s awesome and sometimes it's awful. The good ones are worth the time spent reading the-
Bad ones.
The first 30% of this book was very confusing with convoluted sentences that went on forever. I kept reading, hoping the writing would start to shake out and make sense. It did, but reading it was still hard going. I can say, however, that I didn’t notice any typos.
This book features some of my least favorite Mathewsonisms:
1- The heroine spouting random words that eventually have something to do with the plot.
2- An inordinate amount of lip twitching.
3- Something the heroine can’t have because she can’t tolerate it, but adorably wants it at all times. I have three words: caffeine-free Coke.
4- Overuse of some phrase. Previously it was “kicked in the balls” and in this book it’s “pain in the ass”.
5- Chapters that start in the middle of a scene.
6- Random paragraphs that end with hyphen. The next paragraph is usually just the second half of the sentence or sometimes “pain in the ass”.
There are a bunch of Mathewsonisms that are funny when used sparingly that make appearances:
1- sad mumbles
2- wistful sighs, heartfelt sighs
3- solemn nods
4- sad head shaking
I didn’t get why Quinn didn’t just use his phone if he needed the internet and leave the laptop and iPad at the office if Bailey wasn’t supposed to use a screen. How about at least locking them in the trunk of his car? Why didn’t he lock the Cokes and coffee in the trunk after he found out Bailey couldn’t tolerate them? Why was he drinking coffee in front of her at all?
Still, I can’t wait until Ms. Mathewson's next contemporary. Another super funny book? We’ll find out.
Some of my least favorite books of all time. Murmuring absently, I buy every contemporary Ms. Mathewson writes and sometimes it’s awesome and sometimes it's awful. The good ones are worth the time spent reading the-
Bad ones.
The first 30% of this book was very confusing with convoluted sentences that went on forever. I kept reading, hoping the writing would start to shake out and make sense. It did, but reading it was still hard going. I can say, however, that I didn’t notice any typos.
This book features some of my least favorite Mathewsonisms:
1- The heroine spouting random words that eventually have something to do with the plot.
2- An inordinate amount of lip twitching.
3- Something the heroine can’t have because she can’t tolerate it, but adorably wants it at all times. I have three words: caffeine-free Coke.
4- Overuse of some phrase. Previously it was “kicked in the balls” and in this book it’s “pain in the ass”.
5- Chapters that start in the middle of a scene.
6- Random paragraphs that end with hyphen. The next paragraph is usually just the second half of the sentence or sometimes “pain in the ass”.
There are a bunch of Mathewsonisms that are funny when used sparingly that make appearances:
1- sad mumbles
2- wistful sighs, heartfelt sighs
3- solemn nods
4- sad head shaking
I didn’t get why Quinn didn’t just use his phone if he needed the internet and leave the laptop and iPad at the office if Bailey wasn’t supposed to use a screen. How about at least locking them in the trunk of his car? Why didn’t he lock the Cokes and coffee in the trunk after he found out Bailey couldn’t tolerate them? Why was he drinking coffee in front of her at all?
Still, I can’t wait until Ms. Mathewson's next contemporary. Another super funny book? We’ll find out.
October 3, 2023
Title: An Adorable and Suspenseful Delight - "Never Again" by R.L. Mathewson
"Never Again" by R.L. Mathewson is an adorable and light-hearted romance infused with just the right amount of suspense. From the very beginning, it captivates readers with its clever and sweet main characters, creating a delightful love story that will warm your heart.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its ability to balance humor and suspense. As a fan of the author, you can expect plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that R.L. Mathewson is known for. The witty banter and amusing situations throughout the story will leave you smiling and chuckling.
What truly sets this book apart is the unexpected twist in the plot. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, R.L. Mathewson throws in a curveball that keeps you glued to the pages. The element of suspense adds another layer of excitement to the romance, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next.
Additionally, the side characters in "Never Again" are a pleasant surprise. Their depth and charisma shine through, leaving you with a desire to know more about their stories. It's a testament to the author's skill in crafting compelling characters, and you can't help but hope that they might just get their own books in the future.
Overall, "Never Again" is a heartwarming and enjoyable read. With its adorable and clever main characters, a perfect balance of humor and suspense, and a twist that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this book is an excellent choice for fans of romantic comedies. R.L. Mathewson once again delivers a fun and entertaining story that will leave readers wanting more.
Rating: ★★★★☆
"Never Again" by R.L. Mathewson is an adorable and light-hearted romance infused with just the right amount of suspense. From the very beginning, it captivates readers with its clever and sweet main characters, creating a delightful love story that will warm your heart.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its ability to balance humor and suspense. As a fan of the author, you can expect plenty of laugh-out-loud moments that R.L. Mathewson is known for. The witty banter and amusing situations throughout the story will leave you smiling and chuckling.
What truly sets this book apart is the unexpected twist in the plot. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, R.L. Mathewson throws in a curveball that keeps you glued to the pages. The element of suspense adds another layer of excitement to the romance, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next.
Additionally, the side characters in "Never Again" are a pleasant surprise. Their depth and charisma shine through, leaving you with a desire to know more about their stories. It's a testament to the author's skill in crafting compelling characters, and you can't help but hope that they might just get their own books in the future.
Overall, "Never Again" is a heartwarming and enjoyable read. With its adorable and clever main characters, a perfect balance of humor and suspense, and a twist that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this book is an excellent choice for fans of romantic comedies. R.L. Mathewson once again delivers a fun and entertaining story that will leave readers wanting more.
Rating: ★★★★☆
November 19, 2023
3.5 Stars
“Am I your dream, Quinn?”
“No,” he said softly, “you’re my everything.”
This was our first R.L. Mathewson book in some time, and Never Again proved to be an, at times, giggle worthy enemies to lovers with a mystery and intrigue thrown into the mix.
The prologue to Never Again immediately pulled us in, however, after that it did take us a little while to get into Quinn and Bailey’s story, which, at times felt a little disorderly in its writing. We couldn’t really decipher exactly how the story was transpiring, with Bailey coming across a little confusing.
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“What exactly am I doing?”
“Falling in love with me.”
It was round the 20% mark where we found our stride and eventually settled into the romance, humour and mystery surrounded this couple, as we slowly uncovered exactly who was out to get her and why. Luckily Bailey Smith, had Quinn Jackson, a blast from her past, on hand to protect her, even if she was a slippery little eel.
“What’s the plan?”
“To keep her safe.”
All in all, Never Again proved to be a light-hearted read, and we were invested in the story to see it through to the end, enjoying Bailey and Quinn’s adventurous love story.
November 20, 2023
3.5 Stars
“Am I your dream, Quinn?”
“No,” he said softly, “you’re my everything.”
This was our first R.L. Mathewson book in some time, and Never Again proved to be an, at times, giggle-worthy enemy to lovers with a mystery and intrigue thrown into the mix.
The prologue to Never Again immediately pulled us in, however, after that, it did take us a little while to get into Quinn and Bailey’s story, which, at times felt a little disorderly in its writing. We couldn’t really decipher exactly how the story was transpiring, with Bailey coming across a little confusing.
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“What exactly am I doing?”
“Falling in love with me.”
It was around the 20% mark when we found our stride and eventually settled into the romance, humour and mystery surrounding this couple, as we slowly uncovered exactly who was out to get her and why. Luckily Bailey Smith, had Quinn Jackson, a blast from her past, on hand to protect her, even if she was a slippery little eel.
“What’s the plan?”
“To keep her safe.”
All in all, Never Again proved to be a light-hearted read, and we were invested in the story to see it through to the end, enjoying Bailey and Quinn’s adventurous love story.
October 14, 2023
I have loved this author's work in the past but this one was confusing and disappointing.
The prologue pulled me in and introduced Quinn and Bailey during their last interaction in their youth and I couldn't wait to see them reunited as adults. But from this point on, the confusion comes in for the next 40% or more of the book. The writing style is very jerky, jumping from one thing to the next. An event will happen like an attack of some kind and it jumps straight to the aftermath where the characters are in different rooms or different locations. I found it hard to follow. It was like characters had ADHD and it was impossible to keep track of them.
I liked the humour but I found it icky that grown women were constantly being called little brats by the men. And why was Quinn constantly picking Bailey up like a little girl, carrying her about everywhere and dropping her on the bed? I just would have liked Bailey to have been more mature and not behave or be treated like the underage child she was in the prologue.
The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I liked the side characters Nathan and Pam although both have carbon copy traits of Bailey and Quinn.
The prologue pulled me in and introduced Quinn and Bailey during their last interaction in their youth and I couldn't wait to see them reunited as adults. But from this point on, the confusion comes in for the next 40% or more of the book. The writing style is very jerky, jumping from one thing to the next. An event will happen like an attack of some kind and it jumps straight to the aftermath where the characters are in different rooms or different locations. I found it hard to follow. It was like characters had ADHD and it was impossible to keep track of them.
I liked the humour but I found it icky that grown women were constantly being called little brats by the men. And why was Quinn constantly picking Bailey up like a little girl, carrying her about everywhere and dropping her on the bed? I just would have liked Bailey to have been more mature and not behave or be treated like the underage child she was in the prologue.
The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I liked the side characters Nathan and Pam although both have carbon copy traits of Bailey and Quinn.
October 3, 2023
Bailey has always been a pain in the butt. She grew up in foster care and was extremely smart. When she was a teenager she caused Quinn to be late for boot camp. Now Bailey owns a gaming company and her brother is keeping secrets from her. He has hired a bodyguard for her and Quinn is sent because there have been some accidents happen to Bailey.
After leaving the Marines, Quinn goes to work with a security company. When he realizes Bailey is his client, he thinks he'll finally get her back for all she did to him when they were younger. Quinn must protect Bailey and not cross a line. But the more time he spends around the little caffeine addict, the more he falls for her. Can they save her and her company before it's destroyed?
Super sexy. Mystery. A woman who can't handle her caffeine. A man who didn't know what he was missing until he meets Bailey. I loved Ms. Mathewson's books! They are so funny. I think I had a grin the whole time I read it. What an imagination.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed. Received a copy from Book funnel *
After leaving the Marines, Quinn goes to work with a security company. When he realizes Bailey is his client, he thinks he'll finally get her back for all she did to him when they were younger. Quinn must protect Bailey and not cross a line. But the more time he spends around the little caffeine addict, the more he falls for her. Can they save her and her company before it's destroyed?
Super sexy. Mystery. A woman who can't handle her caffeine. A man who didn't know what he was missing until he meets Bailey. I loved Ms. Mathewson's books! They are so funny. I think I had a grin the whole time I read it. What an imagination.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed. Received a copy from Book funnel *
February 8, 2024
I am a big fan of the Neighbor From Hell series, so it hurts to give this story so few stars. The characters quirks and banter were annoying to the extreme, as was the over use of caffeinated drinks as props and the word "drawled". The mystery side of the book was good but took too long to get to the villain reveal.
Fav Quote:
“Is that why you left the Marines?” “No, it was time to move on.” “That answer’s vague,” Bailey pointed out. “It’s the only answer that you’re going to get.” Bailey was quiet for a moment and he could honestly say that he’d never been more thankful for anything in his life. He adjusted his hold around her legs and-“You have no idea why you left, do you?” No, he didn’t and that was the problem.
Star Ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I can't stop daydreaming and telling everyone about this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A great read with all the feels. I would read again.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book but wouldn't it read again.
⭐⭐ - Usually in the DNF pile or I suffered until the end for whatever reason.
⭐- Just no
Fav Quote:
“Is that why you left the Marines?” “No, it was time to move on.” “That answer’s vague,” Bailey pointed out. “It’s the only answer that you’re going to get.” Bailey was quiet for a moment and he could honestly say that he’d never been more thankful for anything in his life. He adjusted his hold around her legs and-“You have no idea why you left, do you?” No, he didn’t and that was the problem.
Star Ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I can't stop daydreaming and telling everyone about this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A great read with all the feels. I would read again.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book but wouldn't it read again.
⭐⭐ - Usually in the DNF pile or I suffered until the end for whatever reason.
⭐- Just no
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews