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Never Too Late
What happens when a single night of unexpected passion with a stranger leaves you wanting more?
Twenty years later, Dr. Jamie Hammond thinks she’s put that night far behind her. She’s a successful chiropractor and is about to celebrate a ten-year anniversary with her partner. But instead of reaping the benefits of responsibility and hard work, she finds herself fighting to save her business and relationship as doubt, betrayal, and disappointment tear at the fabric of her life.
Carla Grant is looking for a new challenge after settling her daughter at college. She never imagines that applying for an office manager position will change her life.
As Jamie and Carla work to save Jamie’s business, they will have to examine everything they thought they knew about love, responsibility, and family. Can two women dare to believe that it’s never too late for happily ever after?
Twenty years later, Dr. Jamie Hammond thinks she’s put that night far behind her. She’s a successful chiropractor and is about to celebrate a ten-year anniversary with her partner. But instead of reaping the benefits of responsibility and hard work, she finds herself fighting to save her business and relationship as doubt, betrayal, and disappointment tear at the fabric of her life.
Carla Grant is looking for a new challenge after settling her daughter at college. She never imagines that applying for an office manager position will change her life.
As Jamie and Carla work to save Jamie’s business, they will have to examine everything they thought they knew about love, responsibility, and family. Can two women dare to believe that it’s never too late for happily ever after?
264 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2014
12 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Julie Blair
7 books49 followersJulie Blair has always believed that reading fiction is one of life’s great pleasures. From the time she was old enough to hold a book, escaping into worlds where anything is possible and endings are usually happy has been a favorite pastime. Growing up a tomboy before it was fashionable, Julie attached herself to sports, especially softball, which culminated in her pitching in the Women’s College World Series. Finally forced to grow up and get a job, she landed in restaurant management for a decade before entering chiropractic school. She has been a chiropractor for over twenty-five years.
Julie has travelled to Peru to see Machu Picchu and Uganda to see mountain gorillas, but her favorite place is curled up on her couch, reading or writing. A California native, she lives in the quiet of the redwoods in Boulder Creek with her partner, Pamela, and their two Labradors. She enjoys gardening, hiking, red wine, strong coffee, smooth jazz, and warm fall afternoons.
Never Too Late, Julie’s debut romance, won a Golden Crown Literary Society Award for Best Debut Author and Rainbow Award Runner-up in two categories. Her second romance, Making a Comeback, won a Rainbow Award for Best Lesbian Romance, was a Rainbow Award Runner-up for Best Lesbian Book of 2015, and a Lambda Literary Award finalist. She’s hard at work trying to give voices to other characters with stories to tell—their struggles, their triumphs, their love affairs—mostly in self defense, hoping they’ll stop waking her up in the middle of the night with snippets of dialogue or ideas for scenes and settings.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Julie has travelled to Peru to see Machu Picchu and Uganda to see mountain gorillas, but her favorite place is curled up on her couch, reading or writing. A California native, she lives in the quiet of the redwoods in Boulder Creek with her partner, Pamela, and their two Labradors. She enjoys gardening, hiking, red wine, strong coffee, smooth jazz, and warm fall afternoons.
Never Too Late, Julie’s debut romance, won a Golden Crown Literary Society Award for Best Debut Author and Rainbow Award Runner-up in two categories. Her second romance, Making a Comeback, won a Rainbow Award for Best Lesbian Romance, was a Rainbow Award Runner-up for Best Lesbian Book of 2015, and a Lambda Literary Award finalist. She’s hard at work trying to give voices to other characters with stories to tell—their struggles, their triumphs, their love affairs—mostly in self defense, hoping they’ll stop waking her up in the middle of the night with snippets of dialogue or ideas for scenes and settings.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 25, 2017
Captivating read! enjoyable,romance,likable characters and relatable issues all told in this well written story
June 2, 2017
4 1/2 Stars. This is my first book by this author and I will not hesitate to read more of hers. I think Bold Strokes Books has a great collection of F/F authors, and this book is no exception. This is truly a good solid romance. The story has a nice build up so when the characters come together you feel it more. Enough angst to keep the story moving but not too much to be annoying. I really enjoyed it!
November 6, 2014
3.5 stars - better than just okay (3 stars) but not enough to be a solid 4 star read, for me.
What happens when a single night of unexpected passion with a stranger leaves you wanting more?
The story opens with two strangers, Jamie and Carla, being thrown together due to unexpected circumstances. They make the best of their situation, go to a Melissa Etheridge concert and, spend what turns into, a steamy night together in a hotel room. A sexy scene so early in the story led me to believe the story would be full of all kinds of erotic delights…..not so!
From this point one would be forgiven for thinking Melissa was an actual character in the story. Actually I think it would be fair to say she was. By the time she had been referred to 30+ times I started to cringe at the mere mention of her name.
A few examples
Speaking of characters, this story had an abundance of them. More so than I expected. I think this was my biggest problem with the story. I wanted more about the budding romance/second chance of love between Carla and Jamie. Instead the story was full of details about both of their (separate) lives.
Jamie started as a strong character and then became a door mat. I understand some people get lost in a relationship, been there done that, but what she put up with became absurd. I got to the point that I almost, almost, hoped she would miss the opportunity to rekindle with Carla.
Carla was a sweetheart but again, there was an abundance of information about her, and what I call little side stories. The end of her marriage and why. I liked that they were grown up enough to split on friendly terms but I did not expect her husband to play a part throughout the story. Likewise with her daughter....ship the kid off to college time to live a little, but nope the daughter and her 'love life' feature throughout the story as well.Sure some of this help to drive the story, but OMG the story became so bogged down. It was like a whole lot of sub-plots were thrown together to make one big story.
I feel terrible reviewing negatively as this story was, extremely well written, extremely well edited, extremely descriptive, extremely angsty and extremely detailed. But too many extremes are not always a good thing. What comes to mind is 'sometimes less is best'.
As fore-mentioned I wish the story had focused more on the two main characters, and their second chance of love.
On the positive - I really enjoyed the subplot of the business fraud and investigation. The big discovery threw me for a loop and was probably the saving grace of this story, for me.
copy provided by publisher, via NetGalley
What happens when a single night of unexpected passion with a stranger leaves you wanting more?
The story opens with two strangers, Jamie and Carla, being thrown together due to unexpected circumstances. They make the best of their situation, go to a Melissa Etheridge concert and, spend what turns into, a steamy night together in a hotel room. A sexy scene so early in the story led me to believe the story would be full of all kinds of erotic delights…..not so!
From this point one would be forgiven for thinking Melissa was an actual character in the story. Actually I think it would be fair to say she was. By the time she had been referred to 30+ times I started to cringe at the mere mention of her name.
A few examples
Speaking of characters, this story had an abundance of them. More so than I expected. I think this was my biggest problem with the story. I wanted more about the budding romance/second chance of love between Carla and Jamie. Instead the story was full of details about both of their (separate) lives.
Jamie started as a strong character and then became a door mat. I understand some people get lost in a relationship, been there done that, but what she put up with became absurd. I got to the point that I almost, almost, hoped she would miss the opportunity to rekindle with Carla.
Carla was a sweetheart but again, there was an abundance of information about her, and what I call little side stories. The end of her marriage and why. I liked that they were grown up enough to split on friendly terms but I did not expect her husband to play a part throughout the story. Likewise with her daughter....ship the kid off to college time to live a little, but nope the daughter and her 'love life' feature throughout the story as well.Sure some of this help to drive the story, but OMG the story became so bogged down. It was like a whole lot of sub-plots were thrown together to make one big story.
I feel terrible reviewing negatively as this story was, extremely well written, extremely well edited, extremely descriptive, extremely angsty and extremely detailed. But too many extremes are not always a good thing. What comes to mind is 'sometimes less is best'.
As fore-mentioned I wish the story had focused more on the two main characters, and their second chance of love.
On the positive - I really enjoyed the subplot of the business fraud and investigation. The big discovery threw me for a loop and was probably the saving grace of this story, for me.
copy provided by publisher, via NetGalley
July 3, 2016
4.5 rounded up to 5. I really enjoyed this story! Characters are very likeable and the investigation part gave it a twist especially the ending part which was quite unexpected. Writing is very solid and oh how I love happy endings :) just one question I had in mind after finishing the book.. What would Melissa Etheridge feel about this book? Did she read it? :)
October 26, 2014
I received a copy if this book from Bold Strokes Books via Net Galley for an honest review.
Twenty years after Jamie and Carla meet and spend an unforgettable passion filled night together their paths cross once again.
Jamie runs a successful chiropractic office and excels in her field of practice. She is in a ten year relationship with her ambitious partner, Sheryl. She has fond memories of her college years as an out and proud lesbian playing softball, spending time with friends in the Castro and camping under the stars at women's music weekend retreats. Her sound track in life then as it is now is populated with tunes by her favourite performer, Melissa Etheridge.
While her youth was idyllic, Jamie is now facing financial and legal problems at the office thanks to an unscrupulous former employee. She loves Sheryl but wishes her partner would show as much interest in her as she does in her drive for promotion at work.
Carla's backstory is less fully explored. She is excited to move on with her life and the opportunity to be Jamie's office manager is the perfect distraction to missing her daughter now that she has headed off to college.
As I read this book the lyrics to Stephen Stills, Love the One You're With kept rolling through my head. Both women have moved on with their lives and love the ones they are with but never forget the connection they felt for each other on that one amazing weekend.
Never Too Late is an interesting first novel by debut author Julie Blair.
If you are a fan of Melissa Etheridge you will love the many, many, many references to her music. If like this reader you are not a fan the constant ME references to times and places may grate on your nerves. This novel at times reads like a trip down memory lane. We get how difficult being out and proud was back in the day. I recognize it adds to Jamie's sense of what she has lost in her current domestic situation. I'm just not sure this generation of readers will be as interested in reading about all those good old days.
Jamie is a well drawn multidimensional character. The reader can see the effects a dominating father has had on her life. Her need to please extends to her personal relationship with her partner Sheryl. Sheryl is a piece of work. I can't remember when I have enjoyed hating a character as much as I did with Jamie's partner. The pair are so incompatible I struggled to understand what ever brought the two together in the first place.
Carla is everyone's dream date with her Southern charm and curious nature. She becomes that office coworker we all want to have, the one who brings in flowers and home baked cookies. Her efforts at dating are entertaining while she does her best to be the friend Jamie needs all the while hoping they could be so much more.
There were times when I got as frustrated as the characters with all of their misunderstandings. The ending wrapped up all of the issues a bit too neatly and the constant Melissa Etheridge references were tiresome.
Eye rolling aside, I struggled to put the book down. I had to find out what would happen next.
A good first effort.
Twenty years after Jamie and Carla meet and spend an unforgettable passion filled night together their paths cross once again.
Jamie runs a successful chiropractic office and excels in her field of practice. She is in a ten year relationship with her ambitious partner, Sheryl. She has fond memories of her college years as an out and proud lesbian playing softball, spending time with friends in the Castro and camping under the stars at women's music weekend retreats. Her sound track in life then as it is now is populated with tunes by her favourite performer, Melissa Etheridge.
While her youth was idyllic, Jamie is now facing financial and legal problems at the office thanks to an unscrupulous former employee. She loves Sheryl but wishes her partner would show as much interest in her as she does in her drive for promotion at work.
Carla's backstory is less fully explored. She is excited to move on with her life and the opportunity to be Jamie's office manager is the perfect distraction to missing her daughter now that she has headed off to college.
As I read this book the lyrics to Stephen Stills, Love the One You're With kept rolling through my head. Both women have moved on with their lives and love the ones they are with but never forget the connection they felt for each other on that one amazing weekend.
Never Too Late is an interesting first novel by debut author Julie Blair.
If you are a fan of Melissa Etheridge you will love the many, many, many references to her music. If like this reader you are not a fan the constant ME references to times and places may grate on your nerves. This novel at times reads like a trip down memory lane. We get how difficult being out and proud was back in the day. I recognize it adds to Jamie's sense of what she has lost in her current domestic situation. I'm just not sure this generation of readers will be as interested in reading about all those good old days.
Jamie is a well drawn multidimensional character. The reader can see the effects a dominating father has had on her life. Her need to please extends to her personal relationship with her partner Sheryl. Sheryl is a piece of work. I can't remember when I have enjoyed hating a character as much as I did with Jamie's partner. The pair are so incompatible I struggled to understand what ever brought the two together in the first place.
Carla is everyone's dream date with her Southern charm and curious nature. She becomes that office coworker we all want to have, the one who brings in flowers and home baked cookies. Her efforts at dating are entertaining while she does her best to be the friend Jamie needs all the while hoping they could be so much more.
There were times when I got as frustrated as the characters with all of their misunderstandings. The ending wrapped up all of the issues a bit too neatly and the constant Melissa Etheridge references were tiresome.
Eye rolling aside, I struggled to put the book down. I had to find out what would happen next.
A good first effort.
February 13, 2017
Almost 3 stars because Julie Blair is not a bad writer, but oh man what a bucket of angst this was. Sheryl was an even bigger cow than first expected and for the life of me I could not understand Jamie's unwavering devotion to this woman. Just ugh! I don't need to rivisit this again.
November 16, 2014
I was really torn between 3 and 4 stars when I finished reading this book (a few days ago), so I decided to wait to write a review. Bad move. The first thing I remember now, when I think of Never Too Late? Melissa Etheridge! Julie Blair is a fan of hers and she likes to show her undying devotion. That’s what I felt when the author mentioned Melissa Etheridge for what seemed like the thousandth time:
BUT… I like this story. Carla is sweet, Jamie is sexy as hell (especially in the first part of the story) and the sexual tension between them is delicious. I had to wait a long time for the , and I'm not exactly complaining, but an epilogue would be perfect.
*ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley.*
BUT… I like this story. Carla is sweet, Jamie is sexy as hell (especially in the first part of the story) and the sexual tension between them is delicious. I had to wait a long time for the , and I'm not exactly complaining, but an epilogue would be perfect.
*ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley.*
December 17, 2016
This read was a rollercoaster ride for me. Engaging at times and equally not engaging. Dr. Jamie Hammond, thinking she was happy in a ten year relationship with the ambitious Sheryl that I had a difficult time liking. I kept thinking, what the heck, you can not be serious. Jamie get on the clue bus and get out! Carly/Carla Grant uncertain and determined there is life after divorce. Being a fan of Melissa Etheridge, I enjoyed the frequent references to her songs.
November 25, 2018
This was a refreshing book that did not follow typical lesfic pacing or story lines. I struggled with the first chapter or so. Then I fell in and read it straight through in one sitting, staying up until about 1AM to finish it. It was well written, and set in the Bay Area. My one complaint
January 1, 2015
What a sweet story! I loved it from the start, from Carla and Jamie's first meeting. And I loved also the wonderful supporting characters. And Carla is so sweet...
June 17, 2023
In 1991, 20-somethings Jamie and Carly (later Carla) meet in the Atlanta airport when their flights are cancelled. Jamie, an out lesbian, convinces Carly to join her for a night on the town that ends up as a night of shared passion until Carly leaves a sleeping Jamie early in the morning.
Twenty years later, Jamie is a successful, overworked chiropractor in California in a troubled 10-year relationship, who is facing multiple charges related to the embezzlement of funds by her former office manager. Carla is now the mother of a college-age daughter and is about to become divorced from her husband after both admit that they are gay.
The two meet again when Carla is hired as the new office manager of Jamie's clinic.
There are a number of positive aspects to this debut novel of Julie Blair's. The larger plot points kept me turning pages with enough tension to keep me engaged in a 400 page book. The problems have to do with smaller and medium sized plot points, including not feeling convinced as a reader that the connection between the two MCs was strong enough to warrant the feelings of "in love" that both walked away from after just one night. There's also a smaller quibble toward the end when Carla realizes who Jamie's partner is. I didn't understand how she figured that out so quickly.
These are likely the shortcomings of a first-time author in which is otherwise a really good romance.
Twenty years later, Jamie is a successful, overworked chiropractor in California in a troubled 10-year relationship, who is facing multiple charges related to the embezzlement of funds by her former office manager. Carla is now the mother of a college-age daughter and is about to become divorced from her husband after both admit that they are gay.
The two meet again when Carla is hired as the new office manager of Jamie's clinic.
There are a number of positive aspects to this debut novel of Julie Blair's. The larger plot points kept me turning pages with enough tension to keep me engaged in a 400 page book. The problems have to do with smaller and medium sized plot points, including not feeling convinced as a reader that the connection between the two MCs was strong enough to warrant the feelings of "in love" that both walked away from after just one night. There's also a smaller quibble toward the end when Carla realizes who Jamie's partner is. I didn't understand how she figured that out so quickly.
These are likely the shortcomings of a first-time author in which is otherwise a really good romance.
January 31, 2021
Well what can i say. this hooked me in. I know there was a lot of cheating mentioned and stuff but it worked so well for the story. I like how in the beginning Jamie was the loud out spoken one but in the end it's Carla who brings Jamie out of herself. I also enjoyed the fact that the characters were older and even when Carla was trying to date they were older women and not young enough to be her daughter. This was a nice feel good read for a cold Sunday.
November 29, 2014
I really liked this one, everything more or less about it. ;)
June 8, 2016
3.5 stars rounded up. Nice read, likeable main characters and absolutely not groundbreaking. A pleasant and undemanding piece of escapism.
April 7, 2020
The premise is good and Julie Blair writes beautifully but the chemistry between the characters wasn’t there for me. Carla is sweet and thoughtful and I see she is changing her whole life so brave can be added to her description but sometimes it felt like she was like a kid with a tantrum about how she wanted things and they wouldn’t happen.
Then we have Jamie, who I liked so very much since the beginning but sometimes came as too stubborn. I get she loves Sheryl but keeping up with how she treated her is too much even for a woman so loyal.
So we have two good characters and a potential crazy ride but they spent 80% of the book apart and even if I get how they felt that huge spark 20 years ago, at the present and given how much they have interacted, the pull was missing for me.
Then we have Jamie, who I liked so very much since the beginning but sometimes came as too stubborn. I get she loves Sheryl but keeping up with how she treated her is too much even for a woman so loyal.
So we have two good characters and a potential crazy ride but they spent 80% of the book apart and even if I get how they felt that huge spark 20 years ago, at the present and given how much they have interacted, the pull was missing for me.
October 26, 2014
200+ pages of angsty, romantic tension. Not a bad thing, but just so you know what you're getting into.
Jamie (an out and proud lesbian) and Carla (a southern girl about to be married to her best friend) meet randomly in an airport and fall into, well, a "night of passion." Then they go their separate ways for 20 years, until Carla comes to work for Jamie's chiropractic practice.
What I enjoyed most in the novel was actually the non-romance part - I loved learning about chiropraction (apparently this is actually a word, according to google) and I was intrigued by the sub-plot of business difficulties. I appreciated that Julie Blair drew a full and well-populated world for her characters, with interesting supporting characters (loved Penni) and things for them to think about / reasons for them to be pushed together.
As for the purely romantic aspect... there was definitely tension, and lots of forbidden-fruit-oh-I-want-it moments. There were actually more than were probably needed. Jamie's present-day partner was such a horrible, unmitigated jerk that in my eyes, it made no sense whatsoever for Jamie to stay with her. Thus, she didn't seem like an actual barrier to our two main characters' reunion. Had she (the partner) had some redeeming qualities, it would have made the story more interesting and the tension stronger and given some weight to the angst.
Overall, a fun read, with an interesting backdrop for the romance.
Jamie (an out and proud lesbian) and Carla (a southern girl about to be married to her best friend) meet randomly in an airport and fall into, well, a "night of passion." Then they go their separate ways for 20 years, until Carla comes to work for Jamie's chiropractic practice.
What I enjoyed most in the novel was actually the non-romance part - I loved learning about chiropraction (apparently this is actually a word, according to google) and I was intrigued by the sub-plot of business difficulties. I appreciated that Julie Blair drew a full and well-populated world for her characters, with interesting supporting characters (loved Penni) and things for them to think about / reasons for them to be pushed together.
As for the purely romantic aspect... there was definitely tension, and lots of forbidden-fruit-oh-I-want-it moments. There were actually more than were probably needed. Jamie's present-day partner was such a horrible, unmitigated jerk that in my eyes, it made no sense whatsoever for Jamie to stay with her. Thus, she didn't seem like an actual barrier to our two main characters' reunion. Had she (the partner) had some redeeming qualities, it would have made the story more interesting and the tension stronger and given some weight to the angst.
Overall, a fun read, with an interesting backdrop for the romance.
October 13, 2018
Not bad for a first effort.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2019
Published in 2014, this is Blair's first novel and it's clear to see she is a strong author. It reads a lot better than many books I've come across from longer published authors.
This was quite an enjoyable read (style, characters, plot) - definitely a romance with the theme of true love will always prevail and that is is never too late - either to pursue your own course or to find the one you are meant to be with.
I suppose I would classify this as a second chance romance - the main characters meet randomly when their flight is delayed and end up spending the evening and night together. One night only, but it made enough of an impact in both of their lives that they never forgot and always regretted that they parted ways. Twenty years they reconnect and the connection is still there ... as are a number of obstacles before they get the HEA. This is definitely a slow burn - the reconnecting of both women and their coming to terms with the fact that the attraction and connection is still there.
At both times that Jamie and Carly meet they are in the midst of some pretty life changing/turning points in their lives. At their first meeting, Jamie is struggling with having to put aside her own dreams/desires to follow her father's expectations in joining his chiropractor practice while Carla is returning from a difficult meeting with parents and heading back to California and the man she has promised to marry. Decisions made, paths chosen - neither one is really doing what they want but what others want them to do. The second time they meet, twenty years later, Jamie's practice is under investigation for fraud and tax evasion due to an unscrupulous office manager, her partner is becoming more distant and focused on her career rather than their relationship and Jamie is all but overwhelmed with having to be everything to everyone and taking on the responsibility for everything. Carly, now Carla, and her husband have both come to the realization that although they love each other and have raised a daughter together, their marriage is is one of best friends and they have split amicably. Now that Carla is able to be honest with herself, she is starting a new life (and a new job as Jamie's new office manager) and embracing the fact that she has always been attracted to women - and is still hopelessly in love with Jamie.
The two characters are pretty well developed and explored - both as individuals as well as together. Although this is predicated on an insta-love premise - the time apart as each character grows and matures as well the slow build up of their present relationship make this work. There's a pretty palpable chemistry between them - at times though, Carla is a bit too obsessed with Jamie. There's a fair bit of tension between them as Jamie is married - and is so focused on trying to fix all the messes in her life. Jamie's partner is pretty much a piece of work - selfish, calculating, materialistic and without a drop of empathy. This kind of depiction makes the reader root for the main character to cheat on her because it is so very obvious (to everyone but Jamie who keeps trying to re-ignite their relationship) what a horrible person she is and just how wrong she is for Jamie. At times I felt for Jamie, but at other times I was on Penny's side and hoping she'd dump that bitch.
The overarching story revolving around the fraud and investigations adds nicely to the romance and a bit of a twist. It is a great method of "showing" rather than telling the character development through their actions and reactions. It also is adds a nice dollop of angst as they dig deeper and what comes out of the whole thing.
This was quite an enjoyable read (style, characters, plot) - definitely a romance with the theme of true love will always prevail and that is is never too late - either to pursue your own course or to find the one you are meant to be with.
I suppose I would classify this as a second chance romance - the main characters meet randomly when their flight is delayed and end up spending the evening and night together. One night only, but it made enough of an impact in both of their lives that they never forgot and always regretted that they parted ways. Twenty years they reconnect and the connection is still there ... as are a number of obstacles before they get the HEA. This is definitely a slow burn - the reconnecting of both women and their coming to terms with the fact that the attraction and connection is still there.
At both times that Jamie and Carly meet they are in the midst of some pretty life changing/turning points in their lives. At their first meeting, Jamie is struggling with having to put aside her own dreams/desires to follow her father's expectations in joining his chiropractor practice while Carla is returning from a difficult meeting with parents and heading back to California and the man she has promised to marry. Decisions made, paths chosen - neither one is really doing what they want but what others want them to do. The second time they meet, twenty years later, Jamie's practice is under investigation for fraud and tax evasion due to an unscrupulous office manager, her partner is becoming more distant and focused on her career rather than their relationship and Jamie is all but overwhelmed with having to be everything to everyone and taking on the responsibility for everything. Carly, now Carla, and her husband have both come to the realization that although they love each other and have raised a daughter together, their marriage is is one of best friends and they have split amicably. Now that Carla is able to be honest with herself, she is starting a new life (and a new job as Jamie's new office manager) and embracing the fact that she has always been attracted to women - and is still hopelessly in love with Jamie.
The two characters are pretty well developed and explored - both as individuals as well as together. Although this is predicated on an insta-love premise - the time apart as each character grows and matures as well the slow build up of their present relationship make this work. There's a pretty palpable chemistry between them - at times though, Carla is a bit too obsessed with Jamie. There's a fair bit of tension between them as Jamie is married - and is so focused on trying to fix all the messes in her life. Jamie's partner is pretty much a piece of work - selfish, calculating, materialistic and without a drop of empathy. This kind of depiction makes the reader root for the main character to cheat on her because it is so very obvious (to everyone but Jamie who keeps trying to re-ignite their relationship) what a horrible person she is and just how wrong she is for Jamie. At times I felt for Jamie, but at other times I was on Penny's side and hoping she'd dump that bitch.
The overarching story revolving around the fraud and investigations adds nicely to the romance and a bit of a twist. It is a great method of "showing" rather than telling the character development through their actions and reactions. It also is adds a nice dollop of angst as they dig deeper and what comes out of the whole thing.
August 7, 2023
Julie Blair burst onto the Sapphic romance scene in 2014, wrote three back-to-back novels, and then disappeared in a puff of smoke as a fourth novel was heading for the publisher. Too bad! All three novels were excellent, each one very different. (If anyone knows what happened to the author, please drop me a line in the comments – I am curious!)
In this - her debut - two young women from drastically different worlds meet one night in Atlanta when their flight is cancelled. They attend a Melissa Etheridge concert, share a night of passion, and then go their separate ways. Twenty years later, they happen to meet again. They’ve never forgotten their blazing-hot night together, but their lives went in very different directions. Will they be able to get clear of other entanglements and find true love?
Solid romance with likeable characters and good writing. Bonus points for mention of Amelia’s, an iconic bar on Valencia Street in San Francisco that has gone the way of all good things lesbian.
In this - her debut - two young women from drastically different worlds meet one night in Atlanta when their flight is cancelled. They attend a Melissa Etheridge concert, share a night of passion, and then go their separate ways. Twenty years later, they happen to meet again. They’ve never forgotten their blazing-hot night together, but their lives went in very different directions. Will they be able to get clear of other entanglements and find true love?
Solid romance with likeable characters and good writing. Bonus points for mention of Amelia’s, an iconic bar on Valencia Street in San Francisco that has gone the way of all good things lesbian.
January 19, 2021
Can one night change your world 20 years later
Is there a spectacular, passionate, memorable, enjoyable, adventurous, gratifying, fulfilling, exciting enough it resonates & impacts such that one night is so transformative that it can change your world 20 years later?
It may just be a really good fiction storyline in a really good book, but best believe, that'd be one helluva extraordinary time worth having that's for damn sure!
Is there a spectacular, passionate, memorable, enjoyable, adventurous, gratifying, fulfilling, exciting enough it resonates & impacts such that one night is so transformative that it can change your world 20 years later?
It may just be a really good fiction storyline in a really good book, but best believe, that'd be one helluva extraordinary time worth having that's for damn sure!
August 19, 2018
Reunited trope well executed
Great first meeting and an interesting reconnection. The main character is obviously in an unhappy relationship but chooses loyalty first. I loved Carla, her character was so well developed. Easy to root for and Jamie.
Great first meeting and an interesting reconnection. The main character is obviously in an unhappy relationship but chooses loyalty first. I loved Carla, her character was so well developed. Easy to root for and Jamie.
February 9, 2017
This book had an amazing story line. It made you feel the emotion of the characters. I would love to see a part 2
July 11, 2017
I liked this book. The characters are very likable and just a great feel good book!
July 24, 2017
Pleasant enough, but a little realism wouldn't hurt either.
August 22, 2023
This wasn't a bad read. However, I found myself frustrated that one of the characters was with another person for around 90% of the book. On top of that, that person was really terrible and I was very much ready for her to be gone.
December 13, 2014
There are so many things to love about Never Too Late that it’s almost difficult to know where to start.
When the book opens with Carla and Jamie’s first meeting, that’s when I knew I was falling in love with the book. Right at the start.
You have Jamie, who’s an out and proud lesbian, high on just having come home from a music festival, when she discovers she has to stay an extra night in Atlanta. And then she meets Carla at the airport–a complete stranger. Carla’s shy and quiet, and Jamie goes out on a limb when she sees that Carla needs help. The courage that Jamie shows in those first few moments is off the charts, and immediately makes her character go from likable to wholeheartedly endearing. As someone who’s flirted with straight girls (in my baby lesbian years!) and been totally shot down, I know exactly what it takes to put yourself out on the line like that: to be completely vulnerable and show your interest in someone when the possibility that she’s going to completely shoot you down is there and palpable.
Thankfully, in the opening pages of the book, Carla does NOT shoot Jamie down. And what happens next is a passionate night that made my heart ache to read it. It starts out as pure attraction–girl meets girl, girl finds girl attractive, girl takes girl back to her place. But at the end of the evening, it’s so much more than that pure attraction. Jamie and Carla are falling in love.
I know there are people who don’t like that instant sort of attraction, falling-in-love vibe in their romances. While I understand that everyone has their own likes and dislikes in the books they read, I LOVE instant sort of attraction love stories, because that’s how I fell in love with my wife. I saw her, I met her, I knew I loved her, and on the very first date we were moving pretty darn fast. :) Sometimes that’s how love works, and I saw so much of how it works well in those first pages of Never Too Late. Miss Blair made me love these characters together so much, in fact, that the poignancy and heartache when Jamie wakes up and Carla isn’t there touched me deeply, and at that point, I was utterly hooked.
I had to see what happened next. I actually had to see what happened next so much that I stayed up all night to finish the damn novel. :) It’s been a long time for me since I became so entranced with a story, and Never Too Late pulled me in, hook, link and sinker.
I was utterly shocked upon completing Never Too Late and learning that this was Miss Blair’s first published novel. This is a skillful romance that handles a lot of difficult subjects with grace and creativity. The characters are fully formed and lovable. You root for them wholly, and you want them to be happy and together. But Miss Blair’s superb skill is found most in keeping her characters apart until the very end.
That sort of agony was delicious as a reader. So often in romances the characters have a very easy time of coming together. Here it was so difficult, and following their struggle was so incredibly rewarding as a reader. I ached for them and wanted them to be together SO MUCH that by the time they finally were able to come together, it was so utterly triumphant that I almost found myself in tears.
If you’re looking for a fantastic romance with lovable characters, a lot of heartache and poignancy and one of the most satisfying endings in recent memory, you will absolutely love Never Too Late by Julie Blair!
Full disclosure: I was provided with a free copy via NetGalley for an honest review.
When the book opens with Carla and Jamie’s first meeting, that’s when I knew I was falling in love with the book. Right at the start.
You have Jamie, who’s an out and proud lesbian, high on just having come home from a music festival, when she discovers she has to stay an extra night in Atlanta. And then she meets Carla at the airport–a complete stranger. Carla’s shy and quiet, and Jamie goes out on a limb when she sees that Carla needs help. The courage that Jamie shows in those first few moments is off the charts, and immediately makes her character go from likable to wholeheartedly endearing. As someone who’s flirted with straight girls (in my baby lesbian years!) and been totally shot down, I know exactly what it takes to put yourself out on the line like that: to be completely vulnerable and show your interest in someone when the possibility that she’s going to completely shoot you down is there and palpable.
Thankfully, in the opening pages of the book, Carla does NOT shoot Jamie down. And what happens next is a passionate night that made my heart ache to read it. It starts out as pure attraction–girl meets girl, girl finds girl attractive, girl takes girl back to her place. But at the end of the evening, it’s so much more than that pure attraction. Jamie and Carla are falling in love.
I know there are people who don’t like that instant sort of attraction, falling-in-love vibe in their romances. While I understand that everyone has their own likes and dislikes in the books they read, I LOVE instant sort of attraction love stories, because that’s how I fell in love with my wife. I saw her, I met her, I knew I loved her, and on the very first date we were moving pretty darn fast. :) Sometimes that’s how love works, and I saw so much of how it works well in those first pages of Never Too Late. Miss Blair made me love these characters together so much, in fact, that the poignancy and heartache when Jamie wakes up and Carla isn’t there touched me deeply, and at that point, I was utterly hooked.
I had to see what happened next. I actually had to see what happened next so much that I stayed up all night to finish the damn novel. :) It’s been a long time for me since I became so entranced with a story, and Never Too Late pulled me in, hook, link and sinker.
I was utterly shocked upon completing Never Too Late and learning that this was Miss Blair’s first published novel. This is a skillful romance that handles a lot of difficult subjects with grace and creativity. The characters are fully formed and lovable. You root for them wholly, and you want them to be happy and together. But Miss Blair’s superb skill is found most in keeping her characters apart until the very end.
That sort of agony was delicious as a reader. So often in romances the characters have a very easy time of coming together. Here it was so difficult, and following their struggle was so incredibly rewarding as a reader. I ached for them and wanted them to be together SO MUCH that by the time they finally were able to come together, it was so utterly triumphant that I almost found myself in tears.
If you’re looking for a fantastic romance with lovable characters, a lot of heartache and poignancy and one of the most satisfying endings in recent memory, you will absolutely love Never Too Late by Julie Blair!
Full disclosure: I was provided with a free copy via NetGalley for an honest review.
July 22, 2015
I received a copy from the author (Thanks!!!). There were no strings attached, no promise to do a review but I love the book enough to add one.
You can read the description to get an idea of the plot without me going into it and anything I added could be a spoiler so I won't do that.
I loved the overall story line. Sure it was fiction and it was a one and a million shot that Jamie and Carla would meet again 20 years later but just the possibility made this enjoyable. I found almost all the characters very believable, something that is rare for a new author. Primary characters were well filled out and secondary ones stayed in the back where they belonged. I found it easy to relate to the main characters, and admit to forming a bit of a crush on Jamie. I will say that I in no way condone or explain away what Marjorie had done to Jamie. But lets get real, Marjorie got the short stick in life through no fault of her own and to say why would include a spoiler. She deserves to be punished for what she did but I wish someone would reach out to her.
I loved the theme of Melissa Etheridge running through the book. It had me reaching for my music and getting back into her. I too have seen her in concert multiple times and would again. Music has a means to draw up memories we have sometimes buried.
The romance was very well done. As for the sex scenes, they were so nicely done, nothing over the top and nothing missing. There was just enough left for the imagination.
I was surprised to find this was a debut novel. I don't expect something this good from a first published book. I highly recommend you pick this up if you like lesbian romance or even romance in general. The prologue had me hooked and wanting to read it all at once (although life kept me from doing that)
You can read the description to get an idea of the plot without me going into it and anything I added could be a spoiler so I won't do that.
I loved the overall story line. Sure it was fiction and it was a one and a million shot that Jamie and Carla would meet again 20 years later but just the possibility made this enjoyable. I found almost all the characters very believable, something that is rare for a new author. Primary characters were well filled out and secondary ones stayed in the back where they belonged. I found it easy to relate to the main characters, and admit to forming a bit of a crush on Jamie. I will say that I in no way condone or explain away what Marjorie had done to Jamie. But lets get real, Marjorie got the short stick in life through no fault of her own and to say why would include a spoiler. She deserves to be punished for what she did but I wish someone would reach out to her.
I loved the theme of Melissa Etheridge running through the book. It had me reaching for my music and getting back into her. I too have seen her in concert multiple times and would again. Music has a means to draw up memories we have sometimes buried.
The romance was very well done. As for the sex scenes, they were so nicely done, nothing over the top and nothing missing. There was just enough left for the imagination.
I was surprised to find this was a debut novel. I don't expect something this good from a first published book. I highly recommend you pick this up if you like lesbian romance or even romance in general. The prologue had me hooked and wanting to read it all at once (although life kept me from doing that)
February 8, 2020
I keep going back to this book and rereading it because I enjoyed it so much. There's so much longing and tenderness between the two main characters. There are so many different elements in this book; first and lost love, a character haunted by the weight of responsibility, trying to save a failing and very unbalanced relationship, and a business rocked by the deceit of another. The only false note, hence the 4 stars, was that so many of the minor characters were gay / lesbian that it seemed like a stretch to me.
December 5, 2014
Right from the first page, this book was always going to be fun. What was a lovely surprise was how well the characters developed and how Blair built the story so that it made absolute sense for the characters to behave in the way they did. Jamie Hammond and Carla Grant are wonderful creations. The details of these characters are so well described and it is clear that the author has taken the characters to heart. I won’t tell you the plot; just jump in and enjoy this lesbian romance. I highly recommend it.
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