Far From Over

by Manda Mazanec

Kinsley Grant is not interested in falling in love. As a professional wedding canceler, she’s seen too many relationships fall apart in that final hour, just like her own did when she left her cheating fiancé at the altar.

When her next groom-to-be turns out to be her high school sweetheart, Ethan Tate, her relentless sister resolves to get them back together, and Kinsley resolves to teach her twin a long-overdue lesson. All she has to do is fake a relationship and turn the breakup into a train wreck, and Tessa will never play matchmaker again.

It’s the perfect plan—if Kinsley can avoid reigniting her feelings for the only man she ever really loved. As the Ice Queen, that shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, he obviously got over his feelings for her forever ago…Right?

Genres: Romance, Amazon, Contemporary

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first noticed how long it was I was a little bit preoccupied since it's a romcom, BUT it surprised the hell out of me.
This book needed all those pages, it gave it the time to breathe, develope, explain, grow.
I've always love the "fake dating" trope, but when he says 'oh, but this is real' while she's practically giggling? Oh how that brought me to heaven 🖤
It was sweet, full of little twists (especially at the end), adult thinking.
Tiny bit of ghosting but I can overlook that ahahah
The 'it's fare from over' quote 😭😭
It was such a good read and I just binged it in a day because, how can you put down a book that feels so right and keeps you hooked from start to finish!?

This looks like the coziest of rom-coms, but it's not, so *do check* the tw🖤

Also, the spice and slow burn were impeccable 🤤

If you like Emily Henry and/or Lauren Asher, you'll love this ✨

[Tiffany M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm Kinzie f-ng Grant. The girl who loves life. The girl who takes chances and knows exactly what she wants in life."

What a cute romance! We follow Kinsley (Kinzie) and the Ethan Michael as they re-discover their love. Kinsley is a "wedding canceler" (exactly what it sounds like...she breaks off engagements as a job!). Her job is to break off Victoria's wedding to Ethan Michael, but it turns out that Ethan Michael is Ethan, her first true love. Gotta be honest here - Ethan wasn't broken up at all over losing Victoria - like the dude took it in stride and was like yeah, meh, okay, moving on.

Now, flip side, Tessa (Kinsley's identical twin sister - Wakefield vibes anyone?!) is always trying to set Kinzie up on blind dates so Kinzie and Ethan hatch a plan to "fake date" until Tessa (FBI agent!) moves to Spain on a new assignment.

Of course they fall in love - I was rooting for them the whole time! Secrets are revealed, there is some chaos, Kinzie gets kidnapped....but yall gotta read it to find out why!

4.5 out of 5 stars
A cute read!
Oh and there are some spicy scenes but not too overwhelming

[Kandace Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book.

Ooo this was a good one.

Kinsley had experienced her own hardship in her last relationship that caused her to become a professional “wedding canceler”. Might I add her husband to be was screwing her best friend in a closet on their wedding day just minutes from going down the aisle. So now she helps other people with “calling it quits” on either an engagement or relationship when things start getting dull or they just know their partners a POS. While out doing her job she ended up serving someone she never expected.. her high school sweetheart that left her high and dry for the Marines.

I’m obsessed with the plot. It’s definitely something I’ve never read before and all the relationships behind it make for a fun sweet small town romance butttt with unexpected suspense twists. Such a fun read.

Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice 🌶️🌶️/5

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive the ARC for Far From Over.

I thought the characters were strong, lovable, but had their flaws due to life and circumstances, which in my opinion makes for great characters.

The story itself was actually unique, definitely not the same story written another way, especially when it comes to the Kinsley’s career.
Our FMC Kinsley is a wedding canceler/blogger.
The MMC Ethan is ex military turned police officer who also does outreach for military members.

-Slow Burn
-Second Chance
-Fake Dating
-Strong FMC
-Kind MMC
-Enjoyable Side Characters
-Witness Protection (No Spoilers)

[Cindy De · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to her small town, Kinzie, a wedding canceller, has an unexpected run-in with her high school sweetheart, Ethan, the once-love-of-her-life who disappeared to go into the Marines without so much as a goodbye.

What appears to be a super sweet, really fun story between two incredibly likable characters, quickly takes an unexpected turn that you don’t want to miss. I found myself enthralled with the dynamic between Kinzie and Ethan, totally wrapped up in their traumatic pasts, and flying through the last 25% of the book because I JUST HAD TO KNOW where it was heading! Definitely an easy 5-star read!

[Farrahlea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! I absolutely fully resonate with Kenzie 100% its like the Author knew me in another life and she's a new to me author as well lol her relationship with her sister is like my two best friends I NEED this book on my shelf. If you love twists and definitely not like your typical romance read which is good cause sometime you get bored of romance. I would love a series of her as a wedding canceller there's so much you could do with it.

[Surille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kenzie approach to her wedding canceller job was not what I was expecting. Her delivery was quick, and ill-prepared for dangerous reactions. It's like she was giving a summons. BUT Kenzie had a good point that one should not give a glimmer of hope..so maybe the direct approach was necessary.

And if I were Kenzie, I would have mentioned Ramon earlier to Logan and Carter. Tessa's FBI subplot was out of place...but it's worth being a separate book of its own.

Both MC's had a lot of baggage. Normally I would think that's excessive, but I wasn't dissuaded from reading. Kenzie was almost annoying me because she got too self-pitying sometimes. The side characters' personal drama was juicy as well. The side characters were funny together.

Even though the main couple had chemistry, they were a little too "normal" and forgettable for me. I couldn't get attached to them. I was more interested in the side characters' subplots.

The book started out well and comical, but then it felt imbalanced and I couldn't tell which subgenre(s) it was trying to be. And this book felt almost like an introduction to a possible series or interconnected stand-alones.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so incredibly honored to have received a copy of this book from the author. Far From Over is truly such an amazing book and it gave me all of the feels like I do watching a Hallmark movie. Kinsley has been through so much in the past year. Her soon-to-be husband seriously cheated with her on their wedding day with her best friend. This led to Kinsley becoming a professional wedding canceller. However, when her next job involves her high school sweetheart and we get all of the drama. I additionally love Kinsley’s relationship with her sister Tessa. Their banter and conversations are truly so fun to read. I also love Ethan so much and I love the chemistry that him and Kinsley have. The last 25% of the book though is absolutely insane and I was shocked beyond shocked at the major plot twist. I audibly gasped and I thought it was honestly epic. I highly recommend reading this book and can’t wait to read more from Manda Mazanec

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars

This book was unlike any romance I’ve read before. I sometimes think romances have a way of dropping the plot in favour of spice, but that was not the case in this book. Just as I thought I had the hang of what was going on, something else would happen that would make me unable to put it down. At times, however, this felt like it made the plot a bit too complicated, and some side plots were unnecessary.

There was some heavy subject matter, but it was handled well. The characters were well-formed, and I grew to love them. Having grown up around cops, I was a little bit more critical than I usually am over some of the content, but it was easy enough to shrug off my little pedantic opinions.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kinsley Grant doesn’t do love or happy endings—she ends them. Over the years, she’s witnessed too many relationships crumble at the last minute, including her own, which fell apart just minutes before she was supposed to walk down the aisle. As a professional wedding canceler, she steps in to help others navigate these difficult moments.

Her next assignment just happens to be her high school sweetheart, Ethan Tate—the man who broke her heart. After his senior year, he left her suddenly with a Dear John letter mailed during the start of his time in the Marines. Devastated by the letter—and by secrets she was holding at the time—Kinsley is still reeling when he’s unexpectedly thrust back into her life.

Now back in her hometown, surrounded by memories of her first love, Kinsley finds herself entering a fake relationship with Ethan to appease her tenacious sister, who is determined to see her find love. The arrangement is simple: convince everyone they’re together and keep things strictly pretend.

But with unresolved history simmering beneath the surface, keeping things fake may be easier said than done. Can they maintain the charade without reopening old wounds—or falling in love all over again?

This book hooked me from the moment I saw the tropes in a post on Instagram. I instantly signed up and kept my fingers crossed for an ARC opportunity to read Far From Over. I was overjoyed when I received the email with the ARC!!

This book is a delightful read filled with so many emotions—and at times, suspense! I love when I find a romance that steps outside the typical genre and incorporates elements of thrill and suspense. This story even weaves in military and veteran moments in emotional and heartwarming ways.

The history and love that Kinsley and Ethan share over the years is so beautiful. Manda does an amazing job of portraying their emotions through both the past and present. I found myself gasping, swooning, and even tearing up during several emotional moments. There are also some genuinely funny scenes that add great balance.

Ethan’s siblings play a big role in this story and provide so much support—not only to Ethan, but to Kinsley as well. I loved how they continued to care for her even after the initial breakup in their teenage years. While reading, I kept thinking, “I really hope Jill gets her own story,” and “I’d love the chance to read about Carter’s journey too.”

This book will be re-released on April 14 after a lot of love and effort went into this new edition. What was once a romantic thriller has been reimagined as a romantic comedy with moments of suspense throughout. Definitely read Manda’s note to the reader—she shares how much this story means to her, along with some of the heavier topics explored. That note added even more depth and emotion to the characters and events in Far From Over.

Manda also has other books out now, along with a new release coming in August 2026. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out to add it to my Kindle! Amanda, thank you so much for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Hurting . . .

Kinsley Grant is well over ever falling in love, especially after she discovered her ex-fiance Jay with her ex-best friend Chastity blatantly going-at-it with each other right before Kinsley’s wedding was to begin. So now, two years later, she functions as a popular lifestyle blogger for hire, a professional “wedding canceler”. Her sister Tessa doesn’t like what she is doing and has already suggested therapy for her since Kinsley can’t seem to move on from Jay’s cheating on their wedding day. And if therapy doesn’t work, Tessa also keeps trying to set Kinsley up with nice guys so her sister will let go of her painful past. But when Kinsley arrives at her next cancellation assignment, she is totally blindsided to find the groom she comes face-to-face with is her high school sweetheart Ethan, the one person she ever truly loved and never got over when he left her 12 years ago to join the marines when she was 17. Ethan is struggling to understand why Kinsley is here and what is going on. He wants answers. How could Kinsley so coldly break people apart like this? And why does she now feel so empty and hollow instead of vindicated? He calls Victoria but she ignores his call following Kinsley’s orders until the deed is completed, and it won’t matter then. And Ethan knows Kinsley is hurting right now seeing him again, but it’s not the right time to talk about it.

Tessa is hoping to use this opportunity to get them back together again and fix her sister’s heartbreak. But Kinsley wants to end Tessa’s matchmaking efforts permanently. Will Kinsley try to fake feelings for Ethan, then sabotage the relationship and walk away from him just to teach Tessa that second chances never work? She figures she can’t miss with this since Ethan is most definitely over her after all this time… or is he? Will she ever know why he left her? Will they want another chance to do things right this time? Or is it really over now?

[herbookcorner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story and the interactions funny and cute. The supporting characters were amusing and interesting. The plot was also engaging, although I would have liked more detail on that front. At times, I felt like I was following two different storylines. The connections made during the resolution of the conflict were sometimes hard to follow and felt complex, especially with so many characters involved.

I found that some important moments lacked enough detail, even though they were essential to the overall understanding of the story. For example, the conflict between the two sisters was a bit difficult to grasp. Out of nowhere, one sister starts calling the FMC a “bitch” who only thinks about herself, without the conflict being fully explored or resolved, it just gets brushed aside. Additionally, some time jumps between paragraphs made it harder to follow, as we moved from one moment to another without clear transitions. At times, it felt more like I was reading a script than a novel. More detail would have been beneficial, even if it meant the book exceeded 400 pages.

I also had difficulty fully understanding the love between the two main characters. I didn’t completely feel their connection, especially from the FMC’s perspective. She remained quite closed off and kept insisting it was just fake dating, without really giving us access to her deeper thoughts, or at least not enough. Meanwhile, it was clear that the MMC still loved her, and he expressed it well. At times, the relationship felt a bit one-sided.

Overall, it’s a light and easy read, but you do need to stay attentive to the shifts between different time periods.

[thisBandherbooks ✨☀️🌻Buffy🌻☀️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. Wow.
Hold on lemme clean up all the tissues…
Where do I even start?! I guess the plot….OBSESSED. Can this please be a series of her doing her job?!?
I mean professional wedding canceller… Kinz the Canzeller? Anyone? No?
Sir Arthur agrees with me, I bet 🤣
This book had layers though. It’s not your typical romance. It was thrilling and suspenseful as well as swoonworthy, and also gut wrenching. I really enjoyed the emotional joyride this book put me through.
Unless you follow my reviews closely, you don’t know that I don’t really cry when I read. Pretty sure it’s only happened a handful of times. Ethan and Kinzie were thrown into a fake dating situation (my favorite) and quickly realized it wasn’t fake.
They both had past trauma to deal with and heal from and they had to rediscover what love and life after it all, meant for them.
I was here for all of it.
I’m also here for Beckett and Carter and I’m hoping there’s a story there for us to read one day. Oh and then maybe a love for Jill too? 🤣

This is an engaging and enthralling story with many likeable characters. I read it in one sitting. I cannot wait to read more from you.

Manda, thank you. I appreciated the content warnings in the beginning. My heart went out to Kinz as I’ve suffered multiple miscarriages, 2 of them being at 3 months as well. I also had to go thru with my grandmother what Kinzie had to experience with Maggie and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. And also, thank you for trusting me with this arc.

And lastly,

“Know your worth” 🫶🏻

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kinsley is a wedding canceler. What that means is when one party, the Groom or Bride decides they want to cancel the wedding. They hire her to do their dirty work and let the other person know they are cancelling it. Kinsley is on another job to cancel a wedding. When she realizes that the groom she needs to tell. Happens to be her first love, Ethan. The boy who wrote her a dear Jane letter. Then life starts to put them in the same place at the same time. And Kinsley is tired of her sister playing as a match maker. So she asks Ethan if he will pretend to date her. To get her sister off her back. Ethan says yes. Because he knows they have unresolved issues from 12 years ago. What neither expect is the chemistry they have. Despite how much they have changed since they were kids.
Loved their story! Love how Ethan keeps trying to talk to Kinsley about what happened years ago. Even though life keeps interrupting them from having a heart to heart conversation. Ethan had a lot he was working through on his own, back then. But he didn't communicate with Kinz, about any of it. Then he basically ghosted her. Thinking he wouldn't be holding her back. From living her dreams and life. Not knowing the life altering problems she would be going through! Neither one ever forgot about the other. Which you could see from Their first interaction with each other.Their story just flowed along. Very engaging story that I just couldn't put down! I highly recommend their story!!

[Shania Kappes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far From Over by: @mandamazanec.author

🌶️🌶️

I had the fantastic opportunity to ARC read this and absolutely loved it!

Ethan, MMC, is the healthy book boyfriend we all want. He won’t let you run away when things get tough and understands when you need time to process your own thoughts before you share them. A true gem 🥲

Kinsley, FMC, is portrayed as an ice queen, but truly she’s a softy. Kinzie went through a lot in this book and definitely had her moments of “girl WTH are you doing!?!” But overall, I loved her.

There was a suspense arc in this book that I was not prepared for but enjoyed enough. I do feel like the house storyline was more of a side quest, but I’m not mad at it.

Overall, this was such a fun and easy read. I definitely recommend all of my contemporary romance girlies (and guys) read this!

Far From Over is being released September 24th 💕

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazanec is a new author for me and I so enjoyed this book! A second chance romance read, with our main characters Kinz and Ethan. High school sweethearts who lost touch when Ethan left for the military. I found that Kinz's profession as a wedding canceller was unique. I loved the chemistry and their meet up, the dual point of view was well done, and the cast of supporting characters is great. Overall, I found this to be a captivating and well written romance that kept me engaged and entertained with sweet and heat and an ending with a bit of a twist, this was a great first read by this author and definitely has me wanting to read more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Soncee Daniels Cathcart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I read this in two days but the time I took, it was one day. I could not put this down. I just wanted to know what was going on and how the end was going to be. Possible triggers, but it was sooooo good. I never read a book more than once but I could read this one again. I can’t get enough of this book. The connection between characters and also just the pain in the book that the main character went through, you felt it. It has a lot of emotions. Fake dating, military, wedding canceler, like what more can you ask for. Go check this book out.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC

I loved this story. A great twist in a second chance love! Kinz and Ethan were high school sweethearts and lost touch after Ethan left for the Marines.

They happen to bump into each other at the most inconvenient times, and stumble into a fake dating romance to appease Kinzie’s sister!

The family dynamic with Ethan’s family is so heartwarming, I would love to see this stand alone turn into a series of books that follow the siblings!!

The end has quite a twist, which I wasn’t expecting!

This was such a fun read!

[Ashley Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kinsley is sent to cancel a wedding she is surprised when the groom to be is her ex boyfriend. From there things move quickly and her twin sister is trying to get them together again.

Before they could get too far though they both needed to talk about their past. Both of these MCs have trauma they have worked through and are still working through.

I read this book in 2 days. It was so easy to read and to get caught up in the MCs lives. There is also mental health rep, not only for the MCs but also for veterans that they volunteer with. Ethan is an ex-marine and wants to help others like him.

It is also easy to see that these two MCs never stopped caring for each other. Even while fake dating you can see how both of them still have a spark for each other.

This book touches on some tough topics. Definitely make sure to check the content warnings.



CW
- Miscarriage
- Cancer
- Su!c!de
- Death of a parent

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute read! I loved the main character’s job! I think she was a super bad*ss to save people from marrying the wrong people. I loved the way the characters were developed and how each one moved the storyline along. Pick this one up, you’ll love it.

[J.N. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Manda Mazanec book yet! The chemistry between Kinzie and Ethan was so well written. It had me rooting for them from the start. The supporting cast was great, and the side story (woven throughout) added a surprise to the ending that I wasn’t expecting. I loved the dual POV. It was the perfect end of summer read. Highly recommend!!!

[Rebekah Saulmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to do an ARC read for this one! And I ate it up! Loved this second chance romance! Emotional for me but in all the great ways! Highly recommend reading!

[Jessica Jeffreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love

Absolutely loved, only started it last night and I'm already done. I couldn't put it down. I am ready for some spin offs already!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed every piece of ethan and kinsley’s story!! it was the perfect mix of romance, comedy, and a little bit of suspense. beyond happy to be a beta reader for this book!

[Ashley Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake dating a highschool sweetheart that broke your heart. What could go wrong?

It was cute and had me feeling all the emotions! I was hooked from the start.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leí algunos comentarios y el supuesto plot twist no fue espectacular; de hecho, fue muy predecible.

[Samantha Normoyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in just one day! The plot was very captivating. I found myself wanting to know “what happens next” the entire time! I love the relationship between the characters and how genuine the characters feel. I loved this book! 100% recommend reading this!

[Brenley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️’s Thank you Manda for the eARC! Far From Over is out on 9/24.

WOW. I read this book in ONE DAY. Like I’m talking a 12 hour time span. I seriously was hooked from the first chapter!!

Firstly, I’m so glad the author provided an authors note in the beginning and I’d advise all readers to check those trigger warnings. Take care of yourself and take care of your own mental health!

Okay so here’s what I loved about this book: I loved how this is a romance novel with suspense and mystery elements. It made the story that much more engaging and interesting. I loved both MC’s and loved reading about their families. The characters felt complex and their connection felt real. Sometimes with romance novels the connections can feel forced or too insta lovey. I appreciated the way the author approached mental health by including accurate descriptions of ptsd, depression and grief and loss. She did a good job of depicting them while also highlighting what it looks like when healing happens. There was also minimal spice in this one which I personally appreciated. It felt like the MC’s relationship was more focused on their shared history and friendship rather than a physical connection.

Overall I’d absolutely recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Kinzie and Ethan’s “love story” from beginning to end. There was moments where I laughed and gasped.

[☺️🧁🥸🙂‍↕️]

DNF at 30%