Never Too Late

by Danielle Steel

An act of terror. A summer of change . . .

Never Too Late is a stirring drama about the power of human connection and embracing brave change, from the billion copy bestseller, Danielle Steel.

Following the death of her beloved husband, Kezia Cooper Hobson decides to leave her home in San Francisco and move to a luxury penthouse in Manhattan, where she’ll be closer to her two adult daughters.

As she watches the 4th July firework display from her terrace, Kezia is shocked to see smoke and flames pouring from famous landmarks across New York City. Her neighbour, the famous movie star Sam Stewart, is also aware of the crisis, and watches in horror as the terrifying drama unfolds.

Determined to offer their assistance, Kezia and Sam hasten to the site and swiftly become involved in the rescue effort. Shocked and traumatized by the events they experience, Kezia and Sam bond in the days and weeks that follow one of the worst nights the country has ever known.

What follows is a summer of healing and change, and the discovery that it's never too late for dreams to be born again . . .

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Ebooks, Contemporary, Adult, Womens Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 27, 2024

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unexpected plot line as New York faces another act of terrorism, 24 years after the real tragedy of 9/11. This time it was carried out by a group of unhappy ex military personnel most who served in the Middle East, hailing from Texas.

This thread was covered in unnecessary detail, yet it never really fit in, apart from providing the meeting place for our next duo from Danielle Steel, who just happen to be wealthy, beautiful, widowed and share adjoining apartment buildings. Sam, the movie star makes a gap in their balcony hedges to visit, when travelling up and down on their own elevators to commute to the 60th floor is too much.

Models, writers, ungrateful children and entitled adults make up the majority of this latest offering (and lets not forget planning an ever present wedding), which I listened to while shelving books.

I listened to this via the Libby platform and my public library.

[Howard · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars for Never Too Late (audiobook) Danielle Steel read by Dan John Miller.

This just didn’t work for me. The story and characters didn’t seem real or plausible.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book.
I liked the characters and the family dynamics between the mom and the daughters and Sam and his son. I do think at times Kezia was comparing Kate and Felicity a little too much.

The reason for the three stars was the traumatic event that the author wrote into the book. I didn’t like it and it doesn’t sit right with me. Yes, they caught the people who did it very quickly. But I still didn’t like the event. She could have written a different type of tragic event.

I also feel like the book was a little short and went between all the characters so much. I felt like I didn’t get to know them enough. Between the different perspectives and the case/praicetuin of the bad guys. The book felt a little flustered.

[Stephanie Hale · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was it too late to find an editor? Even a copy editor?

[Wendy Nunn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love reading Danielle Steel novels; it’s the ultimate relax and forget the world thing to do. But I’ve wondered lately whether anyone edits her books anymore. I find ideas repeated, inconsistencies and general sloppiness. So I started “Never Too Late” a bit hesitantly. And there it was, in just the first few pages … main character is living in San Francisco, both her daughters went east to college. Not a page later one of her daughters had gone to college at USC in Los Angeles. Turned back to make sure I had read correctly. I had. I know it’s just a small thing, but darn is it annoying. Just can’t get back into the book.

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one never came completely together for me. There is too much telling and not enough showing, which I know is common for Steel's novels, but did not work here. A major terrorist attack on New York is mentioned but not too closely explored. Kate was the most complex character, in my opinion, and managed to elevate this book a bit.

All in all, it's not my favorite Steel novel, but I love most of her work.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never Too Late is book #51 I’ve read by Danielle Steel. On July 4th, a horrible attack happens in NYC - worse than 911 and I can’t imagine anything worse than that. Danielle Steels latest book tells her story and it kept me intrigued until the very last page. I loved the characters and despite the horrible attack that thousands more lost their lives, some new relationships and friends were also made. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. To be published March 2024.

[Stormaloo · Rating 1 out of 5]

The characters didn't feel real or interesting, and the story lacked depth and connection. Even though it was short, there wasn't enough character growth. The terrorist attack plot felt like it was thrown in without much thought, and the story felt like it was trying to be two different types of books at once.
I don't think I was the right audience for this book.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one, but I’ve noticed that Danielle Steel’s books are getting much shorter and a little too contrite. Everything wrapped up so quickly without much depth or plot development. However, it’s always good for a quick fantasy or escape.

[Cassandra Burger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very boring. The characters and storyline lacked depth. The writing was so repetitive it made it hard to read.

[Zoe C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read with zero substance but the middle age housewives are gonna eat this up

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Title: Never too Late: A Novel
Author: Danielle Steel
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine ~ Delacorte Press
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Pages: 256

Kezia Cooper and her husband Andrew had a great marriage but he died five years ago and at Kezia decides it is time to move from San Francisco to NYC - a place she always loved; additionally is where her two adult daughters live.. Her sixth birthday is coming up and she thinks – it is never too late to try something new and perhaps find happiness again.
As she is settling into her new apartment, she finds that her terrace is next to Sam Stewart a movie star! Things click for them.

Although I wasn't thrilled with NYC having another disaster – most of the story was an enjoyable read

I have been a Danielle Steel fan since 1977. At that time I could not wait until her next novel was release. Although I did move onto Psychological Thrillers but there is a magnet holding as well as a soft spot for Ms. Steel. This is #49 for me ~ so yes we Danielle Steel fans are a unique group and I am proud to be a member!

Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine ~ Delacorte Press for granting my “Wish”!!!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 5, 2024

[Deity World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Danielle steel book a must read she always turns tragedy into a positive

[Lauren Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical DS book. I’ve read her books since for years but every book gets more and more predictable filled with rich entitled characters and redundancy in the storyline and themes. No depth.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Pan Macmillan for sending us a copy to read and review.
Danielle Steel, popular New York Times bestseller, delivers a story with a message.
It’s never too late….. to do anything in life.
After her husband dies and to be close to her two daughters, Kezia Cooper Hobson moves to New York and to a luxury penthouse.
The apartment opposite her lives Sam Stewart, a successful film star.
While watching celebration fireworks, they both witness disaster strike on New York landmarks.
A suspected terrorist attack, Kezia and Sam rush to the scene to offer assistance.
A bond forms and love blossoms and as time moves on family situations and life does as well.
Sharing one of most terrifying nights in the country, will they both heal and be happy together…….
Another month, another Steel story.
True to her trademark style, writing and formula especially of last decade or so.
There’s romance, drama, tragedy, family dynamics and of course the obligatory happy ending.
An easy, predictable and simple read.

[paige (ptsungirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Loss is a strange thing, they take a part of you with them. A big part."

[Therese Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a Danielle Steel book in a while. This did not disappoint. Enjoyable characters, however, it is a simple story that takes place amid a horrific even that I was unable to emotionally grasp on to.

[Nicoletriana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Characters were extremely flat and also repetitive. The author does a lot of background dumping which was really distracting. MFC asked the MMC about one thing and he ends up telling us about his childhood, his wife, his kid, his career in like five minutes. It felt SO rushed. And then oddly a few oages later a lot of similar information would be shared again. I don’t know the writing is just kind of blah. And then there’s this whole terrorism thing in the background? I just didn’t find myself giving a crap about any of the characters.

[Tara's Bookshelf · Rating 1 out of 5]

This will be my last Danielle Steel book I read. It has been decades since I read one of hers and now I remember why. Predictable, flat, and hard to finish.

[Morgan Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Danielle Steel book! So easy to read, felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, a quick, easy from the author. She's pretty predictable in her story line, but I definitely like the family connections she made in this one. A bit of an "odd" event brings characters together, but other than that easy to like. 5 out of 10.

[Ginny Muse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m pretty disappointed in my first Danielle Steel book.

There is great potential with a decent story, but I did not connect with or enjoy the style in which the story is presented. Which means I did not appreciate Steel’s writing style - at all.

It could be interesting to follow Kezia, who is in her early 50’s and moving to her fancy new penthouse apartment in NYC after being a widow for 5 years. She’ll be closer to her two grown daughters, one of which is a famous supermodel (Felicity) and the other an aspiring writer (Kate.) And it might be exciting with her neighbor being a famous actor (Sam.)
But - it’s not very interesting at all. The 3rd person writing style can be okay sometimes, but this writing left me feeling removed from the story - very much on the outside being told what is going on. So I never really connected with the characters or their experiences. The story telling is also very repetitive, and gives details of minutia that I didn’t care about.
Are any of the characters even very likable? Kezia and Sam are okay, but all of the characters seem spoiled and entitled (more than just rich.) At least Kezia and Sam try to help others when tragedy strikes. But it seems to be more to ease their own discomfort in many ways.
I felt that the storyline of the tragedy in NYC was very tasteless. It was too close to 9/11, the writing doesn’t connect with the deep tragedy that’s presented, and the follow up to who caused it and other aspects seemed random and tacky. Just not well done. It’s too big of a deal to just be a backdrop of helping the neighbors bond quickly.
Which brings up the romances, which just seemed kind of icky to me. I didn’t feel great about any of them, and certainly didn’t feel any chemistry. The storylines of the daughters seem almost pathetic. Felicity has everything going for her, but she’s given no depth. And Kate’s sour attitude and stupidity didn’t help me care much for her either. I couldn’t wait for the book to be over and move on from their lives. I was glad for a happy ending, but even the ending was predictable and lackluster. The best part was that it was over.

I guess I can say I finally read a Danielle Steel book. But I doubt I’ll read another anytime soon.

[Patty Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

The book was somewhat maudlin with the attacks by American terrorists on buildings in NYC. I found it to be both sad and depressing. The main characters helped for one night; but spent the remainder of the book traveling and living their high lifestyles. Not my favorite DS book, for sure.

[LeAnne Kilman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was almost relieved when I finished this book. The characters were just basically out to sleep with the next person and the tragedy wasn’t done well. Her books all center around being attracted to red flags, break ups and sleeping together out of marriage. Not interested.

[Brittany Lauren]

DNF - Picked this book up at the airport, thought it might be promising since the author is a Bestseller. I was almost halfway through it and had no desire to continue reading. Too repetitive and boring. Not sure why readers are giving this book 4 stars.

[Lynnis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 I always like to read Danielle Steel books for a quick read and feel good book. However, this book was so repetitive. Blah , blah!

[Paige Graham]

Sweet book, but a little too happily ever after.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed 📚

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book proves that it’s never too late to start over, to start a new love interest, or recover from tragedy. This is the story of Kezia who moves to New York City from San Francisco five years after her husband died. She has a penthouse in a building and shares a balcony with a person that lives in the other penthouse. Sam lives next-door who is a famous actor and when tragedy strikes on the Fourth of July Sam and Kezia find themselves talking and supporting each other. Throughout the book we meet their families and find out all of the background necessary for a wonderful story.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read -- 4/B