Happily Never After

Heart Springs #1

by Paisley Nash

My life was supposed to be simple.

Grow old on my family's farm with my high school sweetheart. A few dogs, a bunch of kids. We had a plan.

I’d serve my country. She’d go to college. And then, we'd build our forever.

Four years in, forever together.

But life doesn’t always go as planned.

Now, I can’t even bring myself to step foot in the town I once loved. Heart Springs feels more like a ghost of the life I lost, a place filled with memories I’d rather forget. I’m an honorably discharged veteran, barely holding it together. Every day is a battle, and I’m just trying to make it to the next.

Then she shows up.

Georgia Rose.

A woman who doesn’t belong in my world.

Her sleek car and polished city-girl charm clash violently with my rough edges and the wreckage of who I used to be. She’s infuriating, too put-together for a man like me, and the sneer on her lips tells me she doesn’t think much of me either.

I don’t want anything to do with her.

But then she speaks the words that bring my world to a screeching halt.

Now, I have a choice. Face the ghosts of my past, or walk away and lose my chance at something I never thought I’d have again.

Can I take on the challenge she’s thrown in my lap? Or will the scars of my past keep me from the future I once dreamed of?

For fans

Small-town romance with big emotionsGrumpy heroes with broken heartsSlow-burn tension and undeniable chemistryForced proximity and unexpected second chancesElsie Silver’s Heartless and Devney Perry’s The EdensA gritty, heartfelt small-town romance about love lost, love found, and the fight to believe in a future worth taking a chance on. Preorder now and fall in love with Kade and Georgia’s unforgettable story.

Genres: Found Family, Enemies To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Small Town Romance, Romance, Slow Burn, Westerns

636 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 2025

Reviews

[Lori ◡̈]

No rating, DNF at 8%. This might be a great story, but I need a break from the vulgar grandmas and ott promiscuous girls best friend.

Chapter 1 - The 90-yr old landlady, renting a studio over her garage to the hero…. so she told her tenant, the hero, “you know what they say, once you go gray….” as she unbuttoned her moomoo dress to attempt to flash him her braless boobs… and then proceeded to threaten to send hookers up to his apartment since she never sees any lady friends visit him…. Her scene in Chapter 2 was just as uncharming too.

Chapter 2 - We have the standard female best friend of the heroine with her every thought and comment be focused on crass, sexual jokes. She basically asked the heroine if her new boss was bang worthy, and upon hearing that the guy was a 70-yr old with a cane, she joked that the cane could be used for some fun impact play… The heroine wasn’t amused and said she was stressed about her first day on the job, so the bff offers to text her a pic of her boobs. They are 30-yrs old. Is this supposed to be cute?

Why can’t we have supportive, intelligent, healthy relationships for our MCs and their best friends? Why is it every other newly released book now has grandparent-aged characters acting like vulgar teenagers? I don’t get it. It’s not cute. I want to smile when I read, not cringe.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was going to be a 5 ⭐️ read until the stupid as fuck 3rd act break up

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- social worker + veteran/cowboy
- surprise baby (not in the way you think)
- unconventional single father
- grumpy x grumpier
- forced proximity
- enemies to lovers (sort of)
- small town romance
- found family
- slow burn
- celiac disease rep
- bullshit third act break up 😒

[Kyla Honey · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

Releasing June 20th 🥰

Wow. This was such an amazing read, it started out slow for me at first but wow did it pick up and kept me in a chokehold. Once it grabbed me it didn’t let me go the entire rest of the book, I was so intrigued. Kade archer is such a beautiful broken soul until he meets Georgia. & then she really just shines a light on him.

Kades first “love” passes away and leaves her child to him in her will. Georgia is the case worker who breaks the news and the tension from there you could feel right away between them.

The storyline alone was super intriguing and watching Kade fall in love with aurora and fighting to do better so he could keep her 🥹 he really did a whole 360 to get his life back together after being in a bad depression over the loss of his father 💔

The found family in this book is so beautiful. I want a book about every side character in this just because how amazing everyone is. And the bread crumbs we got for the next book?? Sign me right up.

Not only did we get to watch Kade fall in love with Rory, but we also got to watch Georgia fall in love with her too. And of course Georgia and Kade falling head over heels for each other.

The note 😭 the note really tore my girl up and I felt so bad for Georgia. She has so much doubt in herself and doesn’t think she deserves anything good in life — but she really does. She was such a badass FMC from the start and always pushed Kades buttons 🤣😏 the banter was the cutest.

The spice in this book.. the honey stick scene?? One of the hottest scenes I have ever read. And then the icing? Lord Jesus KADEEEE mf ARCHER 😏🤤😍

Can’t wait to see what’s next in this series ❤️

Tropes
💗unconventional single dad
🌺adoption
💗small town
🌺grumpy/grumpier
💗forced proximity
🌺found family
💗enemies to lovers
🌺small town
💗slow burn

[Megan Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Well this was refreshing.

Let’s start off with the tropes list which was a buffet of things I love.

Georgia & Kade 💕
Social worker x ex military/cowboy
A surprise baby
Grumpy x grumpier 🤣
Enemies to lovers
Celiac disease rep
Found family
Forced proximity
Spice

Please go check out this authors Instagram. Look at the microtropes. This man…
I’m fan casting him as a buffer Warren Zieders. That man’s hair is flawless.

I absolutely loved the setting. Small town South Dakota.
A freaking bee farm in the country!

But with all that was bags and bags of emotional damage, on both sides here. 😮‍💨 foster care, parental death etc

I like the little bit of a mystery/suspense plot that was sprinkled in and I’m assuming is going to continue through the series.

I struggle sometimes with longer books (over 600) it really has to hold my attention. Well I finished this so that deserves a star in its own.

Arc review ✨

[Ariana Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ | 2.5🌶️

ARC Review💗
First of all, what an amazing story. This was unlike anything I’ve read before, and I loved it for that and so many other reasons, mainly one called Kade Archer. There’s nothing I love more than a moody, broody, grumpy man who turns feral for his woman.

Even though this was a slow burn, baby, Mrs. Nash kept edging me with the way these two were bickering and throwing sexual innuendos left and right. Their chemistry, the buildup, the tension… it all kept me on the edge of my seat.

Kade was drowning in grief and guilt until one day, beautiful but broken Georgia Walker comes into his life with life-altering news. He has to decide if he’ll step up or keep spiraling. No surprise, he cleans up his act and becomes the man he was always meant to be, in pursuit of his happily ever after. He gets a second chance at the life he’s always wanted, and he’s not letting it pass him by.

I also really appreciated the representation of Celiac disease. I had no idea how much it truly impacts someone’s life, and I loved getting to learn and understand more about it.

Georgia, sweet girl… it took you a minute to accept the love you deserved, and while I struggled with some of your choices, I appreciated how real you felt.

This story had it all. The romance? So perfect. The banter? I was laughing out loud. The plot, the character depth, the spiceeeeee 🥵🍯? Unforgettable. I’m so invested in this series and cannot wait for Griffin and Abby’s story.

Also, thank you for showing us what healthy family dynamics and friendships can look like. 💛

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This is a review from an ARC I received*

I truly can’t say enough about this story! I’ve read other cowboy stories before but Kade and Georgia bring such life to this story and set it apart from others!

You could sense the chemistry right away with them and I just couldn’t wait to see their love story unfold. Yes they both had their own traumas and fears to overcome for their love to thrive but it’s done in such a beautiful way!

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves not only a cowboy/small town romance but also who loves a story with a great plot and some amazing spice thrown in! The spice complemented the story so well!

[Dawn Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tugged on all the emotional strings in the best kind of way. It was one of those slow-burn, small-town romances that feels both cozy and achy at the same time, and I was so here for it.

We’ve got Kade: grumpy, broody, guarded... a man weighed down by loss and haunted by the “what could’ve been.” And then there’s Georgia: sassy, polished, completely out of place in this dusty little town… or so it seems. Their banter? Perfection. Their tension? Off the charts. And when the “forced proximity” kicks in? Yeah, I couldn’t put it down. 👀🔥

This story isn’t just about romance, it’s about healing, second chances, and learning how to live again when life doesn’t go to plan. If you love emotional, character-driven romances with a strong sense of place and all the feels, you’ll want to curl up with this one.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK! Everything about this book is complete perfection. I was so captivated by this story and completely devoured it with the heartache, tension, spice. The way Paisley writes her romances is unmatched by others! I cannot wait to continue reading this series!
Thank you Paisley Nash for the ARC!

[⟡ Liz ⟡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off good, didn’t like the MMC much. Actually, I didn’t really like any of the characters. Got like 40% through and started skimming A LOT. This book was too long and I probably should’ve dnfed.

[Isabella Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀʟᴋ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴀ ʀᴏᴏᴍ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ʙʀᴇᴀᴛʜᴇ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ’ꜱ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ, ɢᴇᴏʀɢɪᴀ ᴡᴀʟᴋᴇʀ.”

I was so incredibly excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. I’m obsessed when we have grumpy meets grumpier because you know that deep down one or both is actually a secret softie and this book was no exception.

We meet our sweet , sassy and grumpy FMC , Georgia. Georgia is me and I am Georgia. Haha both have jobs helping people yet can get annoyed with people. It makes no sense but I get it and it made me love her more. Georgia is a social worker, celiac warrior and godsend to the town of Heart Springs. But when she comes into town with a sweet little girl in tow, one of the grumpier residents of this quiet town is about to have his life turned upside down.

Kade Archer…our MMC…full on grump, army vet and now…new dad. To say his hands are full is an understatement. But when the little Aurora shows up on his doorstep with the fiery red head, he knows that’s his little girl and vows to do everything he can to be the dad she needs and give her the life she deserves.

Georgia and Kade and their banter back and forth was the best. They had me laughing, crying and kicking my feet. Georgia was just wanting to help Kade get acclimated to being a new dad but his growing attraction to her has him spinning out and I was SCREAMING. This man could not control himself so he was just like…get away 😂😂 please 😂😂 because Georgia…sweet and sassy would just look at him and say…. No 🤭

Eventually we see how these two start falling for each other. Those hard grumpy walks we talked about? Yeah…the cracked…and inside were two people who were just trying to protect themselves from heartache, but in each other found everything they never knew they needed. And in the bedroom?? 🥵🥵 this man has a filthy mouth and there is nothing more that I love than a man who is in charge and knows exactly what to do, and trust me…Kade Archer is that man! Also, I’ll never look at honey sticks the same. Just saying 👀

I really loved seeing how Kade changed and his love for Aurora grew. She became his world. And this grumpy loner became a man that would do anything for HIS GIRLS. And watching Georgia fall in love with not just Kade but Aurora too?? My heart was so full 🩷

Thank you so much to Paisley Nash for the opportunity to ARC read this amazing book🩷

🌸Small Town Romance
🏍️Grumpy x Grumpier
🌸Forced Proximity
🏍️Single Dad
🌸Celiac Rep
🏍️Found Family
🌸Adoption
🏍️Suspense
🌸Angst/Tension
🏍️Slow Burn
🌸Second Chance at Love
🏍️Emotional Healing
🌸Guarded Heroine
🏍️Devoted Hero
🌸Mental Health Rep
🏍️Cowboys
🌸Enemies to Lovers
🏍️Dual POV
🌸HEA

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

I LOVED every single second of "Happily Never After" by Paisley Nash, a slow-burning, spicy, small-town single dad novel that made me laugh and cry and pine all at once! I was a little nervous when I saw the page length, but don't be alarmed: every single page is GOOD, GOOD, GOOD. I connected with this book from the very first page. It gripped me and never let me go. It's got drama, swoon-worthy romance, trauma resolution, letting go, forgiveness, altered lives, changed paths, hugs, love, snuggles, nights under the stars, self-reflection, a little grit, some red tape, and some sadness. It is equally breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreakingly sad, an ode to staying open about what you really want in life, about your true path. I absolutely adored Kade, Georgia, and Aurora! Kade starts the book as an unlikable brute-like-grump-of-a-person, but under his boozing and depressing attitude is someone who has been deeply wounded and scarred by what he has experienced in life. Georgia, too, but in different ways. These are both broken, flawed people searching for where they belong. When they find each other, the sparks fly instantly. Though they bicker and fight at first, the tension between them, the pining, the yearning, is sooooo delicious. The way Paisley Nash writes the chemistry between these characters is off the charts good. Like, "remember it for years to come," good. Several scenes in this book will stay in my head rent-free forever. I loved all of the side characters, too, including Kade's siblings and mother, Georgia's best friend (one of the better friendships I have read recently!), and Kade's best friends/former military comrades. Ugh, I could sing this book's praises forever. Please give this book a chance!

Thank you to Paisley Nash for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[LT Rosado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never wanted to stop reading this! I ate this book up within 8 hours. I seriously COULD NOT put it down & was sad when it ended because I wanted more.

I loved how grumpy met grumpier and they both get their happily ever after. Usually it's a grumpy meets sunshine, seeing two shattered souls come together & heal for each other & an adopted baby was just so moving.

The found family trope in this book was so heartwarming. A social worker trying to save kids from going through what she went through meanwhile a case falls in her lap that leads her straight to a cowboy with a family who accepts her as their own.

This is no ordinary cowboy, small town romance. I've read Elsie Silver & other authors in this genre, Paisley Nash was the only one who hooked me in. Paisley Nash's book made me feel everything I want to feel when reading a romance. I cried, I squealed, I got angry, I laughed out loud. Oh & the spice was spicyyyy, 3 out of 5 spices but felt like a 4. As great as the spice was, the plot is really what makes the book while the spice was little treats sprinkled as rewards for following along. Absolutely loved it!

Ladies .... If you love a sarcastic & witty emotionally damaged but will kick you butt FMC , a dirty mouthed ex military broody MMC who becomes the best father to a child who isn't his......THEN READ THIS!!!

[Cokiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!

Georgia Walker works for Child Protective Servies. New to the area, one of her cases is a sweet baby named Aurora. Aurora has a named guardian... a man named Kade.

Kade's first meeting with Aurora doesn't exactly go well. She's springs some news on him that he had no idea about (not her fault, tho she didn't know!), and he is not a happy camper. She's seeing him at a low point and isn't impressed with what she's sees.

Kade really steps up. This new development gets him out of the path he's been living and gives him new purposes. And a chance to reconnect with his family. Kade has had a rough few years. So he's grumpy, but I'll give him a pass.

Georgia has a reason to be in this area. She's looking into her own past to get what she never had.

They're attracted to each other, but there's a few obstacles in their way. And of course, the banter between the two is top notch. The chemistry seems to burn when they're together.

Kade's mom and sisters are fantastic. They immediately latch onto Georgia, seeing her for her. The twins were so fun, and his mom is so sweet.

More please!

[Erika Bonsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review ✨4.5⭐️ my first Paisley Nash book and it didn’t disappoint! Small Town? Check. Cowboys? Check. Military man!? Check. MMC to swoon over? Check. The cutest FMC? Check. Slow Burn that HEATS UP? Check and check! This book tugs at so many different emotions FLAWLESSLY. Every page brings to the story, never leaving you thinking “ok get to it” which can happen in some longer length books!

[Kassandra Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨I received this book as an ARC, and let me tell you I am glad I did!

⭐4.5 stars!

🤎 This book has it all, spice, family that makes you feel like family, a hot cowboy 🥵, past traumas, love and more. It will make you laugh, cry and want to yell at the characters to get it together. That ending OMG! Can the next book be out already? Give this book a go! You won’t be disappointed. It comes out on June 20th, 2025. 💕

[ZaBrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished my ARC of Happily Never After by Paisley Nash (her debut!!) and I am OBSESSED. Small-town ranch vibes, broody cowboy MMC, a feisty heroine who’s looking for family and actually finds it, and a slow burn that’s chef’s kiss.

There’s a third-act breakup that had me screaming 😤 but the HEA healed all the wounds 🥹💛

Also?? The spice??? HOT HOT HOT 🔥🔥🔥

I need book 2 like yesterday. Paisley Nash, what are you doing?? Drop it now please 😭💕

[Samantha Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and it did not disappoint! It started out slower for me and I was worried about some of the tropes/warnings including someone with an autoimmune disease but she portrayed it so well through the pages. I absolutely fell for these characters and the banter and tension that built between them. This isn’t your typical single dad romance, it’s so much more and I’ve never read a story like it. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Can’t wait for book two!! ✌🏻

[Tammi Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a determined woman with a plan meets a guarded, grieving veteran desperate to escape his past? In Happily Never After by Paisley Nash, sparks ignite, hearts heal, and love shows up in the most surprising ways. This small-town, enemies-to-lovers romance captivated me with its emotional depth, slow-burn tension, and undeniable charm. If you enjoy stories where broken people discover beautiful second chances, keep reading, this one may just capture your heart.

Welcome to Heart Springs, South Dakota, home of Honey Bea Farm, where the honey is sweet, and the cowboys are spicy. It is also home to Georgia Walker, and Kade Archer, two characters bound to steal your heart. Kade is rugged and emotionally guarded, yet gentle and protective when it matters. As he transitions from military life and wrestles with past pain and loss, he has distanced himself from the life he once knew, and the people who care for him. Georgia? She is all fire, wit, and vulnerability. Searching for something or someone, she is not sure what, she relocates to Heart Springs for her job, where her first assignment is none other than Kade Archer.

The chemistry between Georgia and Kade feels real and dangerously magnetic. Both Kade and Georgia are dealing with the raw grief and regret of their pasts. Georgia challenges Kade in every way possible, their personalities clashing like oil and water. Yet, something about her makes him want to be a better man, pulling him away from a dark place. The way they lean on each other while slowly learning to trust and hope again truly touched my heart.

Happily Never After artfully navigates challenging themes such as military trauma, grief, the loss of loved ones, health issues, and foster care, all beautifully written by Paisley with tender healing and irresistible romance intertwined. It left me with a smile, a few tears, and hopeful. Two broken hearts, a sleepy town, and an unexpected baby neither planned for, but was everything they both needed… how can you not fall in love with Kade and Georgia? For fans of heart-wrenching grumpy‑meets‑grumpier romances, or for anyone craving a heartfelt second‑chance love story filled with grit, warmth, and a touch of small-town magic, this book is for you.

A heartfelt thank you to Paisley Nash for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

[Lydia Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wooooowwwwww!!! A bajillion stars! I LOVED this book!! This book is amazing! I knew I was going to love it and have a good time! I did not expect to fall in love with Heart Springs, Kade Archer (Yummy!), Georgia (baddie!), Aurora, and the rest of the gang!!

We have Kade, who has been through some stuff, in the middle of stuff. He gets life-changing news dropped on him by our baddie Georgia! Then Kade and Georgia’s life gets turned upside down!

I’m seriously obsessed with this book!! Kade Archer, you had dethroned Ford Freakin Grant as my favorite book boyfriend! I love this man so much!! Georgia is one of my favorite FMC! She’s a spitfire, wildfire (iykyk) and totally baddie!!
There is so much love, growth, and the family in this book!! I LOVE IT!! I can’t wait for book two!

Small Town ✅
Broody Ex-Military and now Cowboy MMC ✅
Firecracker and Take no Crap FMC ✅
An amazing story ✅✅✅✅✅
Humor✅
Heartbreaking moments ✅
Growth ✅

[Julia Noack · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐡
5⭐️

Okay I loved this and we have SO many favorite tropes in here so excuse the fuck out of me (and some poolside vodka tonics) for this all over the place review..

For starters- CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS COVER?!!

We LOVE a good “wear the hat, ride the cowboy” rule, especially when it comes true.

Paisley gives us a FEMALE “fuck it” moment- like UNO REVERSE CARD and I’m here for the empowerment.

Single dad cowboy in the most unconventional way.

“Get your fuckin’ hands off my woman NOW” I mean holy swoon.

Never looking at a honey dowel the same again IYKYK but it was hot.

Okay okay but if you want a swoony, sexy, single dad/social worker with lots of healing from past trauma and a little honey bee babe, look no further.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
♥️Enemies to Lovers
♥️Surprise Baby
♥️Grumpy Cowboy Hero
♥️Forced Proximity
♥️Found Family
♥️Small Town
♥️Emotional Healing

Kade Archer is the grumpy cowboy emotionally shut down. He enlisted in the military after high school thinking he had life figured out with his high school sweetheart. Little did he know she had other plans. 10 years later his life takes a turn. Georgia, she’s the girl you don’t want to mess with, turns Kade world upside down. Not what you want your first interaction to be with a hot guy. Delivering bad news just messes everyone up and not what you expected to hear. They both have baggage from there past and now to move on and create the life they always wanted. I love how they both helped each other and how their relationship grew and became stronger. These two are what we want in a relationship and what the first should be. Baby Aurora is so cute and how she brings the best out of Kade and Georgia is adorable. Go read and find out what mess these two created for eachother and how they became a couple.

Xoxo

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and heartwarming read! I loved the banter between Kade and Georgia, quick, witty, and full of chemistry that practically jumped off the page. Mrs. Whittaker had me laughing out loud every time she appeared, an absolute scene-stealer!

What truly tugged at my heart, though, was the found family aspect. Watching Kade step into a father figure role for that sweet little girl melted me. Seeing him open his heart and become exactly what she needed was so touching. This story had just the right balance of humor, heart, and swoon-worthy moments.

[Kristen Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything small town, enemies to lovers, angst, hurt/comfort should be. Nash and Georgia, Nash especially, reminded me of Knox and Naomi from Things We Never Got Over which is a huge win from me as I LOVE that grumpy dynamic.
I love all of the side characters in this, none of them felt superfluous or confused the storylines, and there’s such a good balance of wit, spice and angst.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review!

This book was so cute! Like so many “awww” moments, because it was so dang cute!

Kade and Georgia were so great together! She’s grumpy and he’s grumpier, and it’s a kind of enemies to lovers in a sense. These two bantered and then when they finally gave in *faints*

It was a slow burn, like a SLLLOOOOWWWW burn. But the payoff was worth it!

I’m excited for the next one because that ending was jaw dropping!

(Also glad Marlee is fictional because I would throw hands)

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 of the Heart Springs series which follows Kade and Georgia. Georgia has returned to Heart Springs in search of her family history. She grew up a foster kid and became a social worker to help other kids avoid what happened to her. She is assigned a case of baby Aurora whose parents died in a car accident and Kade Archer was listed as the guardian. Georgia can't help but fall for this broken army vet even though she is broken herself. Kade wants to be a better man for Aurora and for Georgia.

This book is a long one so buckle up but so worth it. It was a roller coaster of emotions. I loved Kade and Georgia so much. Their banter, their relationship and their chemistry was chef's kiss. The spice was spicing too. Phew! There is also some suspense and a plot twist I did not see coming! It was such a great read. I have read other books by this author under her other pen name Bex Dawn but this is a new series and new characters and it did not disappoint! I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you Paisley Nash for a complimentary eArc copy of this book!

Tropes:

💗enemies to friends to lovers
🌹Single dad
💗Slowburn
🌹Army vet cowboy MMC
💗Social worker FMC
🌹Small town
💗adoption
🌹Celiac disease rep
💗Found family

[ale · Rating 5 out of 5]

My immediate thought after reading, “Happily Never After” by Paisley Nash was I need more, NOW.

The start, the middle and the end were all chef kisses. I thought I was romanced out after a couple of books. Everything seems rather repetitive, but this book took me out of the hole.

This book had what every small-town book should have – the grumpy single father, adoption, found family, celiac disease representation, and the perfect amount of spice.

You are immediately captivated by the story from the first chapter to the very end.

Listen, when I saw the length of this book I had my reservations but within the first chapter I was in. I was able to read through the book within a couple days. The humor is right up my alley and the banter between the main characters is unmatched. I have been aching for a good banter. You know that sarcastic smart witty sass – like that is a dial ten in this. A damn rare gem.

There are so many questions that are raised within the first half of the book that are mainly resolved by the end. You can feel the pain of the trauma that Georgia and Kade both have gone through in their lives. You feel how Georgia feels like she’s too much because of her disease – how her story before she was born with this fear of abandonment. Then you have Kade and his issues with how he left things unresolved with his father and his first love was perhaps not the best choice.

These two broken people find a way to come together and heal each other while at the same time creating a perfect second home for THEIR daughter. I could literally sing praises about this book forever.

For the longest time I did not understand the appeal of small-town cowboy romances but after reading this – sign me up to ride a cowboy and save the horses.

Thank you so much, Paisley Nash for letting me be part of the ARC team of this book.

[Becca :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has anyone ever read a book that made them feel a little crazy? Like one moment you’re sobbing over something that feels so devastating and you’re feeling so deeply for the characters and their experiences and then the next second you’re genuinely laughing out loud because the tone of the book got lighter and something funny was said? If you have, then you know what I’m talking about when I say it’s the most incredible feeling connecting with a book enough to outwardly express the emotions alongside the characters as the reader. If you’ve never experienced this you most def need to and this book is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Kade and Georgia are two of the most amazingly written characters that I’ve gotten the privilege to read and connect with. They are so beautifully written with layers that reflect each other’s inner turmoil. They each come in with their own baggage and their own self doubts, and an individuality that creates a wall of independence and silent strength. Yet as the story progresses we see strengths and weaknesses coming from all of these descriptors. The baggage they carry while seemingly heavy and unmanageable, has given them a view of the world that helps them to protect themselves and each other. Connecting their personal experiences helps them to complete each other, which is an incredible message that baggage being brought into a relationship is not inherently a negative thing. It’s something that can benefit the partnership if both individuals choose to view them as a testament to strength and not weakness. The doubt that each individual carries serves as a reminder for implementing a healthy level of self reflection. Too much creates a negative self imagine but too little creates an individual that is not in touch with themselves, their partner, and what they both need. Their fierce independence can create some roadblocks in their connection through a difficult time with communication on both of their ends, but ultimately it helps them to build a relationship that isn’t built on dependence or reliance. Instead they simply compliment each other, bringing things to the table the other is unable to.

They are both such complex individuals who have so much going on that this story truly feels real. It’s tangible in a way that is often difficult for an author to achieve. There is a pull within this story that connects the reader to the writing in a way that I don’t often experience, no matter how much I love a book or author. That is such an incredible feeling to have when reading a new book. It’s the reason why I was unable to put this book down until I finished it. I spent an entire day devouring this story and I was more than happy to be doing so the entire time.

[Vivi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia and Kade tugged at my heart strings and I am still not over them! The slow burn was delightful and once it burned it hit hard! The layers of depth in their characters made them to be complex on their own, and together they were so powerfully written!

[Michelle K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always been a romance novel book girlie…but the small town country romance books are slowly becoming a new love of mine.

I’m going to dive right into the pros…

I really like the way the atmosphere of the Heart Springs and the Farm is described. The depth in which the author describes the world she created is amazing. There were so many times that I could vividly picture it…as if I’ve been there before. Like I could breathe in the flowers of the smell of the rainstorms. I felt so immersed by the world in the book.

Her characters…so soooo good!!! Within the first few pages I felt drawn to Georgia. I adored Abby….i mean she seems like an epic best friend and who wouldn’t love a friend like that…weird nicknames and all. Then there’s Kade. I won’t lie…I didn’t like him at first. But…he grew on me. He became so much more than what I thought. I loved watching him work through things and get to the point where we ended. Even the smaller characters like Kades family were described in a way where I felt like I knew them.

This book is full of such wonderful journeys for the characters! I enjoyed a book that puts focus on family found in an adoption sort of way. It spoke to me. There is so much that happened in the book that made you feel big feelings. I found myself feeling angry or sad or excited and happy right along with the characters. It was beautifully written in so many ways.

The only con I have is some of the words/terms used for the spicy scenes. There are certain words and phrases that I am not really comfortable with that came up in this book a lot. Like every intimate scene. It was kind of a turn off for me and I got to the point where I was skipping over some things for that reason. But…I know that is just a personal preference. I probably would have given it 4 stars if it weren’t for that. In my mind it’s more of a 3.5 for that reason.

Again, the characters, story line, and everything else were wonderful and right up my alley. If you don’t mind more of the crude language/words that has more of a negative connotation with your spicy scenes… I’m sure you will 100% love this book! If you think you can look past it…you’ll probably still enjoy it as much as I did. If you don’t…I have you a heads up. Lol

Thank you to the Paisley Nash for sending me an ARC of her beautiful story to read and review! I look forward to seeing more about Griff & Abbey!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley Nash delivers a heartfelt and emotionally layered small-town romance in her book Happily Never After. The story managed to pull me in from the first page and didn’t let go. It’s a story about grief, healing, and second chances, but at its core, it’s about two broken people learning how to trust and love again.

Kade Archer is a recently discharged veteran grappling with the weight of his past and is completely blindsided when he becomes the guardian of a baby because of a ghost from his past. He is not prepared, emotionally or otherwise, and the last thing he needs is the caseworker who shows up on his doorstep. Georgia Walker is a straight-laced, determined caseworker who needs to evaluate Kade’s readiness for fatherhood. Initially, they have friction and chemistry. What begins as guarded hostility slowly evolves into a genuine connection. Can Kade take on the challenge he has been given, or will the ghosts of the past catch up to him?

I loved how the author portrayed both characters; they felt so real and raw. Kade’s internal struggles are written with such care and nuance, while Georgia is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for; she is smart and strong, but just as scarred beneath the surface. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, but it isn’t until she is no longer working with him, and they are thrown together multiple times, often through Kade’s family’s meddling, that they act on it. The author doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life, and that is what makes this book so powerful.

The romance is slow-burn perfection, with just the right amount of steam and a whole lot of heart. The emotional moments hit hard, and the touches of humour and small-town charm give the story the warmth that balances the tough times. By the final chapter, I was not only emotionally invested in Kade and Georgia but also in the life they are building.

This book is exactly what I want in a romance: layered with pain and trauma, delightful found family, and a dash of mystery. This one is a top read, and I can’t wait for the next story in Heart Springs.