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Best I Never Had: A Romance Novel
Sometimes, the one who got away is closer than you think.
Natalia Marquez thought she'd left her high school memories behind—awkward lab partners, football jocks, and the lingering sting of unspoken feelings. Eight years later, she’s navigating life in New York City, mending a broken heart and trying to find purpose in a job she doesn’t love. The last thing she expects is to run into Hayden Marshall, the boy who made AP Biology unexpectedly thrilling.
Once the school’s star athlete, Hayden has traded touchdowns for chef whites, carving out a life in the culinary world. But his move to the city isn’t just about career aspirations—it’s about starting over. When fate reunites Natalia and Hayden, the connection they once shared sparks anew.
As their friendship deepens, so do the unspoken truths they left behind. Can they reconcile who they were with who they’ve become? And will revisiting the past risk their fragile present—or unlock a future that could be the best they’ve ever had?
Best I Never Had is a swoon-worthy, slow-burn romance brimming with second-chance sparks, heartfelt banter, and the unforgettable pull of “it’s always been you” vibes. Perfect for fans of People We Meet on Vacation and Love and Other Words.
Natalia Marquez thought she'd left her high school memories behind—awkward lab partners, football jocks, and the lingering sting of unspoken feelings. Eight years later, she’s navigating life in New York City, mending a broken heart and trying to find purpose in a job she doesn’t love. The last thing she expects is to run into Hayden Marshall, the boy who made AP Biology unexpectedly thrilling.
Once the school’s star athlete, Hayden has traded touchdowns for chef whites, carving out a life in the culinary world. But his move to the city isn’t just about career aspirations—it’s about starting over. When fate reunites Natalia and Hayden, the connection they once shared sparks anew.
As their friendship deepens, so do the unspoken truths they left behind. Can they reconcile who they were with who they’ve become? And will revisiting the past risk their fragile present—or unlock a future that could be the best they’ve ever had?
Best I Never Had is a swoon-worthy, slow-burn romance brimming with second-chance sparks, heartfelt banter, and the unforgettable pull of “it’s always been you” vibes. Perfect for fans of People We Meet on Vacation and Love and Other Words.
350 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2025
48 people are currently reading
1671 people want to read
About the author
Jeannie Choe
6 books101 followersFiguring out the indie-author world one happily ever after at a time...
Specializing in New Adult/Contemporary Romance Novels, Jeannie offers stories ranging from angsty/emotional to heartfelt and outright adorable. Because who doesn't love a happily ever after filled with squeal-inducing moments of romantic gestures?
Jeannie lives in Southern California with her hubby, two babies, and fur babies.
All of Jeannie's books are available on Kindle Unlimited. For more information on upcoming new releases, check out Jeannie's Instagram page.
Specializing in New Adult/Contemporary Romance Novels, Jeannie offers stories ranging from angsty/emotional to heartfelt and outright adorable. Because who doesn't love a happily ever after filled with squeal-inducing moments of romantic gestures?
Jeannie lives in Southern California with her hubby, two babies, and fur babies.
All of Jeannie's books are available on Kindle Unlimited. For more information on upcoming new releases, check out Jeannie's Instagram page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
June 24, 2023
*:･ﾟ｡➷*❞ One of the best books I've read this year!!! Best I Never Had is a estranged friends to best friends to lovers romance set in NYC.
I saw this book on IG, I was scrolling my 'search' tab and a post from the author appeared. I was so very intrigued about the book after I saw all the reels the author uploaded lmao. You're telling me this has a cinnamon roll hero, he falls first, "it has always been you" trope, and best friends to lovers? Of course I was going to read it.
And it ended up being such a HIT. I finished this in less than a day. Started it at work (lmao) and between eating, hanging out with my mom, and things I did as well, I finished this at 1:30 am. I don't regret how I lost sleep because I focused more on finishing the book. I needed to know how this ended!!! The ending tho >>>> I've never read a Jeannie Choe book but omg the way this author writes- I'm obsessed. I loved every little detail in this book. Maybe one thing I could say is that I had some moments where I wanted more of the NOW chapters instead of the YEARS AGO chapters lol. But the YEARS AGO parts are really short, so it def didn't mess up my reading either.
If you love strangers who become best friends on page, this book is for you. It reminds me of books like The Brightest Light of Sunshine because of that same trope. It's a slow-burn romance as well, so if you loved Lisina's book, you definitely will love Choe's novel as well. Another book that made me think about this one is Bide by EJ Blaise. It was maybe the characters, their lifestyles, their friendships, and the romance itself that reminded me of Bide - which is also one of my favorite books of this year.
Hayden and Natalia knew each other back in high school - they were lab partners in one class. He was a jock and she wasn't really popular, kept to herself a bit. But that semester being lab partners changed everything. Hayden quickly fell in love with her, even though he has lots going on in that time as well. But their friendship was very cute and it bonded them. It bonded them so much that when 8 years later they bumped into each other in NYC, they want to get back to that friendship. During those 8 years, they didn't talk so I would catalog this trope as estranged friends in a way. They were basically strangers again and had to learn each other once again. It was cute to experience that!!!
They quickly become best friends after Hayden tells Natalia that she can call him whenever she feels lonely. And if he ever feels lonely, he will call her too. So, their relationship starts in that way. They continue to contact each other and quickly the bond appears once again. They do everything together, are very affectionate towards each other, hold hands, even though they still think each other only as friends lmao. THEY WERE ALREADY HALF IN LOVE WITH EACH OTHER, YOUR HONOR.
I also cried a lot reading this book, and I do want to put a trigger warning so you know beforehand. Content warning for death of a parent (heart attack). There's also a sexual assault scene later in the book that happened to Natalia. (A boy in her high school kissed her and she told him numerous times to stop and he didn't - he tried to touch her too. She was able to open the door and run).
I feel like I wrote too much and no one is reading this huge review lmao but the important thing is that YOU SHOULD ALL READ THIS BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. It's a longish book, a bit over 400 pages. It's a slow burn where you'll have to wait a lot of time for them to realize their feelings, but Choe provides so many cute scenes in between that HEA and the beginnings that you will experience how they're slowly falling in love. It's a wonderful book and I highly recommend it.
I saw this book on IG, I was scrolling my 'search' tab and a post from the author appeared. I was so very intrigued about the book after I saw all the reels the author uploaded lmao. You're telling me this has a cinnamon roll hero, he falls first, "it has always been you" trope, and best friends to lovers? Of course I was going to read it.
And it ended up being such a HIT. I finished this in less than a day. Started it at work (lmao) and between eating, hanging out with my mom, and things I did as well, I finished this at 1:30 am. I don't regret how I lost sleep because I focused more on finishing the book. I needed to know how this ended!!! The ending tho >>>> I've never read a Jeannie Choe book but omg the way this author writes- I'm obsessed. I loved every little detail in this book. Maybe one thing I could say is that I had some moments where I wanted more of the NOW chapters instead of the YEARS AGO chapters lol. But the YEARS AGO parts are really short, so it def didn't mess up my reading either.
If you love strangers who become best friends on page, this book is for you. It reminds me of books like The Brightest Light of Sunshine because of that same trope. It's a slow-burn romance as well, so if you loved Lisina's book, you definitely will love Choe's novel as well. Another book that made me think about this one is Bide by EJ Blaise. It was maybe the characters, their lifestyles, their friendships, and the romance itself that reminded me of Bide - which is also one of my favorite books of this year.
Hayden and Natalia knew each other back in high school - they were lab partners in one class. He was a jock and she wasn't really popular, kept to herself a bit. But that semester being lab partners changed everything. Hayden quickly fell in love with her, even though he has lots going on in that time as well. But their friendship was very cute and it bonded them. It bonded them so much that when 8 years later they bumped into each other in NYC, they want to get back to that friendship. During those 8 years, they didn't talk so I would catalog this trope as estranged friends in a way. They were basically strangers again and had to learn each other once again. It was cute to experience that!!!
They quickly become best friends after Hayden tells Natalia that she can call him whenever she feels lonely. And if he ever feels lonely, he will call her too. So, their relationship starts in that way. They continue to contact each other and quickly the bond appears once again. They do everything together, are very affectionate towards each other, hold hands, even though they still think each other only as friends lmao. THEY WERE ALREADY HALF IN LOVE WITH EACH OTHER, YOUR HONOR.
I also cried a lot reading this book, and I do want to put a trigger warning so you know beforehand. Content warning for death of a parent (heart attack). There's also a sexual assault scene later in the book that happened to Natalia. (A boy in her high school kissed her and she told him numerous times to stop and he didn't - he tried to touch her too. She was able to open the door and run).
I feel like I wrote too much and no one is reading this huge review lmao but the important thing is that YOU SHOULD ALL READ THIS BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. It's a longish book, a bit over 400 pages. It's a slow burn where you'll have to wait a lot of time for them to realize their feelings, but Choe provides so many cute scenes in between that HEA and the beginnings that you will experience how they're slowly falling in love. It's a wonderful book and I highly recommend it.
June 29, 2023
This book had no business on being so damn cute! I absolutely loved the past to present. We see Hayden really did have very strong feelings for Natalia back in high school and those feelings never left. And I smiled big time later on with the past scenes towards the end of the book where they were so close yet so far. IYKYK.
Keeping this author on my radar from now on.
Keeping this author on my radar from now on.
June 24, 2023
Nat and Hayden were lab partners their senior year and formed a friendship. They reconnect by a random run in in New York where they both now live. This books takes place during then (hs) and now chapters. In both sides you see how their friendship slowly turns into more.
I really did enjoy their friendship however it got old how Hayden kept talking himself out of pursuing anymore more with Nat because he didn’t want to lose their friendship. In high school he kept going back to his on-off again girlfriend (Jenny) and anytime Nat thought he might like her more than a friend the next day she would see him with Jenny.
In the present he was on a dating app and constantly getting messages from other women, going out and sleeping with them. While i get him and Nat we’re just friends (🙄) I don’t like seeing H with ow especially after meeting (in this case reconnecting) with h.
Hayden literally left after getting a drink with Nat to go out with ow and we got to see him with her in bed
So he’s been with multiple ow meanwhile she’s heartbroken over her ex. 🫥🫥
He finally decided he wanted her as more than a friend (but still wouldn’t do anything about it!!!) and got mad at her for going on a date with another man. They hook up and the next day he lets her leave and doesn’t go after her??
The third act conflict that followed was so not needed and then for them to spend a month apart?? Of course he came back the day she decided to see another man. Nat immediately gives into him and boom happily ever after.
I really did enjoy their friendship however it got old how Hayden kept talking himself out of pursuing anymore more with Nat because he didn’t want to lose their friendship. In high school he kept going back to his on-off again girlfriend (Jenny) and anytime Nat thought he might like her more than a friend the next day she would see him with Jenny.
In the present he was on a dating app and constantly getting messages from other women, going out and sleeping with them. While i get him and Nat we’re just friends (🙄) I don’t like seeing H with ow especially after meeting (in this case reconnecting) with h.
Hayden literally left after getting a drink with Nat to go out with ow and we got to see him with her in bed
So he’s been with multiple ow meanwhile she’s heartbroken over her ex. 🫥🫥
He finally decided he wanted her as more than a friend (but still wouldn’t do anything about it!!!) and got mad at her for going on a date with another man. They hook up and the next day he lets her leave and doesn’t go after her??
The third act conflict that followed was so not needed and then for them to spend a month apart?? Of course he came back the day she decided to see another man. Nat immediately gives into him and boom happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2023
This was a fun read but the last 15%ish had me skimming due to the 3rd act breakup 🙄
July 4, 2023
This book has my whole heart! I love a story with a good slow burn if it is done right! Jeannie did her thing!! This was a beautiful second chance story with a lot of ups and downs! The chemistry between Hayden and Natalia were off the charts!
Hayden is without a doubt my #1 cinnamon roll! Natalia is one of the best main characters I have read! I loved the dual POV timeline going back from present day to their high school days. Their reconnection felt so natural to me like they didn’t lose any time at all.
I have to admit I had butterflies in my stomach reading some parts! I kept saying come on can’t you see what’s right in front of you!?! Lol Who’s going to make the first move!!!
Read this book if you LOVE:
🩷Friends to Lovers
🩷Dual POV
🩷Lots of angst and pining
Hayden is without a doubt my #1 cinnamon roll! Natalia is one of the best main characters I have read! I loved the dual POV timeline going back from present day to their high school days. Their reconnection felt so natural to me like they didn’t lose any time at all.
I have to admit I had butterflies in my stomach reading some parts! I kept saying come on can’t you see what’s right in front of you!?! Lol Who’s going to make the first move!!!
Read this book if you LOVE:
🩷Friends to Lovers
🩷Dual POV
🩷Lots of angst and pining
June 25, 2023
NO BUT THE WAY I LITERALLY WENT FERAL OVER HAYDEN MARSHALL???????
OH MY LANTA.
This book?????? Incredible. Oh my god, oh my god.
*deep breath to figure out how to compose a decent enough review*
Okay. I think I’m ready.
I am melting into bits and pieces. I loved everything about this book —— from the high school flashbacks into seeing both Hayden and Natalia grow together, the banter, the humor, the cute cheesy scenes that I’ve always wanted to see written in books, THE SLOW, SLOW, SLOWWWWWWWWWW burn that had me ripping my hair out because I just wanted them to be together??????????? There isn’t a perfect enough for each other as these two.
I LOVED seeing Hayden’s vulnerable side. Ugh. Oh my god. I won’t give spoilers but when he went through that awful experience in adulthood RIGHT after making amends, only to have that taken away? We see Hayden experience grief and as heartbreaking as it was, I loved seeing it in him. We don’t see enough men showing their vulnerabilities and that was huge. I thought this was replicated perfectly, especially while trying to navigate a friendship/relationship and not really knowing how…. to manage all of that. I could just visualize his character so deeply and I knew he was a good guy with so much on his plate.
And sweet Natalia. The rock. The understanding one, the patient one. SHE NEEDED HAYDEN LIKE HAYDEN NEEDED HER OK???????? I adored her and her willingness to be open and honest about her struggles and feelings of loneliness while navigating a tough breakup. I loved that her heart was still open and she developed a friendship with Hayden again only to have that transform into something so raw, beautiful, and REAL.
UGHHHHHHHHH OH MY GOD. I’m literally not over this yet. Even the parts with Matteo were brought in so perfectly. They didn’t feel rushed or forced or like a placeholder. I thought they all landed where they needed and I was SO PROUD of Natalia in that end scene with him! POP OFF QUEEN. LOVE TO SEE IT.
AND THE END END SCENE WITH HAYDEN GOING FERAL WHEN SHE GOES TO HIS APARTMENT AFTER HER DATE???? SAY LESS OK. POP OFF KING!! AS YOU SHOULD KING!! I was losing my absolute mind. YES YES YES YES!!!
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect going into this book but I LOVEEEEEEEED it. It WILL be a physical on my shelf because I’m obsessed.
Thank you so much, Jeannie for allowing me to be an ARC reader! SO MUCH LOVE.
OH MY LANTA.
This book?????? Incredible. Oh my god, oh my god.
*deep breath to figure out how to compose a decent enough review*
Okay. I think I’m ready.
I am melting into bits and pieces. I loved everything about this book —— from the high school flashbacks into seeing both Hayden and Natalia grow together, the banter, the humor, the cute cheesy scenes that I’ve always wanted to see written in books, THE SLOW, SLOW, SLOWWWWWWWWWW burn that had me ripping my hair out because I just wanted them to be together??????????? There isn’t a perfect enough for each other as these two.
I LOVED seeing Hayden’s vulnerable side. Ugh. Oh my god. I won’t give spoilers but when he went through that awful experience in adulthood RIGHT after making amends, only to have that taken away? We see Hayden experience grief and as heartbreaking as it was, I loved seeing it in him. We don’t see enough men showing their vulnerabilities and that was huge. I thought this was replicated perfectly, especially while trying to navigate a friendship/relationship and not really knowing how…. to manage all of that. I could just visualize his character so deeply and I knew he was a good guy with so much on his plate.
And sweet Natalia. The rock. The understanding one, the patient one. SHE NEEDED HAYDEN LIKE HAYDEN NEEDED HER OK???????? I adored her and her willingness to be open and honest about her struggles and feelings of loneliness while navigating a tough breakup. I loved that her heart was still open and she developed a friendship with Hayden again only to have that transform into something so raw, beautiful, and REAL.
UGHHHHHHHHH OH MY GOD. I’m literally not over this yet. Even the parts with Matteo were brought in so perfectly. They didn’t feel rushed or forced or like a placeholder. I thought they all landed where they needed and I was SO PROUD of Natalia in that end scene with him! POP OFF QUEEN. LOVE TO SEE IT.
AND THE END END SCENE WITH HAYDEN GOING FERAL WHEN SHE GOES TO HIS APARTMENT AFTER HER DATE???? SAY LESS OK. POP OFF KING!! AS YOU SHOULD KING!! I was losing my absolute mind. YES YES YES YES!!!
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect going into this book but I LOVEEEEEEEED it. It WILL be a physical on my shelf because I’m obsessed.
Thank you so much, Jeannie for allowing me to be an ARC reader! SO MUCH LOVE.
November 29, 2023
Here’s a recap of my review cuz I was all up in my feels and now you can be too 😂.
This is all over the place because I AM ALL OVER THE PLACE after finishing the book 😭. This is a second chance, friends to lovers, all the feels, all the heartache story. Natalia and Hayden are so incredibly easy to fall in love with because they’re SO REAL. Natalia believed she was unwanted and abandoned, Hayden felt adrift and empty. They are two lonely souls reaching out for something to tether themselves to before they drift away. Like I said. SO. REAL.
This book feels like a love letter written to me and to anyone that’s ever felt alone.
And I wanted to write one back.
Thank you for making me feel again. From the butterflies I want to squash (because feelings are scary), to the heartache I want to cut out, I felt it all. Thank you for reminding me what real love is like. It is beautiful and it is hard and it is work (omg do these characters work for it 😂). Thank you for reminding me that no matter what, I am worthy too.
This book is worth it. All the smiles that’ll break your face, the laughs you’ll snort out. The tears you’ll shed, both in happiness and in pain. You won’t regret reading this. I sure as hell don’t 😂♥️.
Thank you, Jeannie, for having me on as an ARC reader and for creating Best I Never Had. You made ME of all people an emotional mess! I don’t do emotions, cuz ew. Congratulations on that and for this beautiful book baby!
I’ll be sending you my next therapy bill 😉🤣.
This is all over the place because I AM ALL OVER THE PLACE after finishing the book 😭. This is a second chance, friends to lovers, all the feels, all the heartache story. Natalia and Hayden are so incredibly easy to fall in love with because they’re SO REAL. Natalia believed she was unwanted and abandoned, Hayden felt adrift and empty. They are two lonely souls reaching out for something to tether themselves to before they drift away. Like I said. SO. REAL.
This book feels like a love letter written to me and to anyone that’s ever felt alone.
And I wanted to write one back.
Thank you for making me feel again. From the butterflies I want to squash (because feelings are scary), to the heartache I want to cut out, I felt it all. Thank you for reminding me what real love is like. It is beautiful and it is hard and it is work (omg do these characters work for it 😂). Thank you for reminding me that no matter what, I am worthy too.
This book is worth it. All the smiles that’ll break your face, the laughs you’ll snort out. The tears you’ll shed, both in happiness and in pain. You won’t regret reading this. I sure as hell don’t 😂♥️.
Thank you, Jeannie, for having me on as an ARC reader and for creating Best I Never Had. You made ME of all people an emotional mess! I don’t do emotions, cuz ew. Congratulations on that and for this beautiful book baby!
I’ll be sending you my next therapy bill 😉🤣.
June 27, 2023
very much a slowburn and dual time line but also these characters truly are so infuriating sometimes that the slowburn felt more miscommunication than anything
July 29, 2024
I wasn’t loving this book at the beginning, and it’s still not my favourite, but it definitely got better.
The characters were very two-dimensional and there wasn’t much driving the plot. Despite the fact that we went back and forth between past and present, I felt like we didn’t really delve very deep into the protagonists’ backgrounds. I wish there was more than just Hayden and Natalia hanging out and being completely oblivious to one another’s feelings for each other - it just got a bit repetitive. Don’t get me wrong, they were very cute, but as a whole this book just felt a bit underdeveloped for me :(
The characters were very two-dimensional and there wasn’t much driving the plot. Despite the fact that we went back and forth between past and present, I felt like we didn’t really delve very deep into the protagonists’ backgrounds. I wish there was more than just Hayden and Natalia hanging out and being completely oblivious to one another’s feelings for each other - it just got a bit repetitive. Don’t get me wrong, they were very cute, but as a whole this book just felt a bit underdeveloped for me :(
February 23, 2024
Super adorable romcom novel. This book had me smiling from ear to ear. Hayden is a true golden retriever ideal book boyfriend.
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Second chance
Touch her and d!e
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Second chance
Touch her and d!e
September 9, 2023
Oh how much i liked this book. I literally started it with no expectations whatsoever and honestly, i loved it. I was in a bit of a reading slump and I couldn’t have chosen a better book to get over it.
I loved the slow-burn between Hayden and Natalia. From the first chapter I knew it was going to be great!! And of course, i loved both characters so much <3
The second chance romance trope is slowly getting into my top 5 of favorite tropes🤭
Also, can we talk about how cute this book is as a whole but then suddenly feels like the spiciest thing ever for like 2 chapters?😭 I was speechless. shocked. And then it turned back to being so cute, what the hell?😭
There were two things that I loved the most about the book: One is that we go back to high school in every chapter and reminiscing their interactions alongside their present interactions, which it was literally the most adorable thing to read. And the second is the dual pov🩷. I am obsessed with dual povs and getting to know the thoughts of both characters. I loved it so much.
I loved the slow-burn between Hayden and Natalia. From the first chapter I knew it was going to be great!! And of course, i loved both characters so much <3
The second chance romance trope is slowly getting into my top 5 of favorite tropes🤭
Also, can we talk about how cute this book is as a whole but then suddenly feels like the spiciest thing ever for like 2 chapters?😭 I was speechless. shocked. And then it turned back to being so cute, what the hell?😭
There were two things that I loved the most about the book: One is that we go back to high school in every chapter and reminiscing their interactions alongside their present interactions, which it was literally the most adorable thing to read. And the second is the dual pov🩷. I am obsessed with dual povs and getting to know the thoughts of both characters. I loved it so much.
Read
June 6, 2023General disclaimer if you've read other reviews by me (mostly on StoryGraph) and are noticing a pattern: You're correct that I don't really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don't like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. Thus, no stars doesn't indicate that the book wasn't worthy of any starred system. It just means I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all, even if the lesson is that I'm a ho for the smut, or confronting my own mommy/daddy issues lol. Everyone's reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Happy reading! Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial
Pub date: June 23rd — I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review :D
This fluffy romance felt like a warm hug, & though I was yelling “just tell her how you feel!!!” I loved Hayden & Natalia’s journeys back to each other. This is the perfect breezy little beach read so if you're traveling this summer, make sure you buy this & load up your e-reader so you can swoon beach or pool-side hehe.
Premise:
-Contemporary fictional romance based in New York City, NY & Chicago, Illinois
-told in dual first-person POV of the love interests
-Natalia bumps into an old high school acquaintance, Hayden, and they become friends
-Chapters begin with a flashback to eight years ago (senior year of high school, as Natalia & Hayden spark a friendship in AP biology class)
-Natalia is healing from a breakup (she was with her ex Matteo for four years & now he’s engaged to someone else) while Hayden navigates a complicated relationship with his father
Read if you like:
-friends-to-lovers
-it’s-always-been-you moments
-delightful steamy scenes with a bit of praise (would say a solid 2/5 for the amount of steam)
-main characters who finally recognize their value and worth
-dual points of view (POV) of love interests
-a LOT of angst & pining
Quotations I Loved:
-All because I would have Hayden by my side to loosen the tightness in my chest that I’ve become all too familiar with.
-The smile that spreads across her face makes my heart thaw. Not in the sense that it was frozen or hard in the first place. But in the way that her warmth spreads through to all the neglected ridges that I’m not even aware of.
-Do I take his hand in mine? Do we continue this dance, this push and pull of electricity between us?
-“You shine, Nat,” I whisper. “You glow so brightly, and you don’t even realize it.”
-We took a chance. That’s what this was, us taking a shot at something great. Because we deserve it. Don’t we? After all of this time, didn’t we earn that road that led to all the what-ifs being answered?
-I didn’t know I could physically feel gravity shift as the weight lifts off my entire body.
Content warnings can be found on her website but review at your own risk, as they may have potential spoilers: https://www.jeanniechoeauthor.com/tri...
And last but not least, a shameless plug for my faves over at Steamy Lit:
-If you want a chance to meet Jeannie Choe, she will be attending Steamy Lit Con (https://www.steamylitcon.com/) in August !!!
-Additionally, a few signed copies of her other book “Written in the Oceans” is up for sale on the SteamBox site too https://www.steamylit.com/shop/p/writ.... You can use my code BRITTANY15 for a discount :)
Pub date: June 23rd — I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review :D
This fluffy romance felt like a warm hug, & though I was yelling “just tell her how you feel!!!” I loved Hayden & Natalia’s journeys back to each other. This is the perfect breezy little beach read so if you're traveling this summer, make sure you buy this & load up your e-reader so you can swoon beach or pool-side hehe.
Premise:
-Contemporary fictional romance based in New York City, NY & Chicago, Illinois
-told in dual first-person POV of the love interests
-Natalia bumps into an old high school acquaintance, Hayden, and they become friends
-Chapters begin with a flashback to eight years ago (senior year of high school, as Natalia & Hayden spark a friendship in AP biology class)
-Natalia is healing from a breakup (she was with her ex Matteo for four years & now he’s engaged to someone else) while Hayden navigates a complicated relationship with his father
Read if you like:
-friends-to-lovers
-it’s-always-been-you moments
-delightful steamy scenes with a bit of praise (would say a solid 2/5 for the amount of steam)
-main characters who finally recognize their value and worth
-dual points of view (POV) of love interests
-a LOT of angst & pining
Quotations I Loved:
-All because I would have Hayden by my side to loosen the tightness in my chest that I’ve become all too familiar with.
-The smile that spreads across her face makes my heart thaw. Not in the sense that it was frozen or hard in the first place. But in the way that her warmth spreads through to all the neglected ridges that I’m not even aware of.
-Do I take his hand in mine? Do we continue this dance, this push and pull of electricity between us?
-“You shine, Nat,” I whisper. “You glow so brightly, and you don’t even realize it.”
-We took a chance. That’s what this was, us taking a shot at something great. Because we deserve it. Don’t we? After all of this time, didn’t we earn that road that led to all the what-ifs being answered?
-I didn’t know I could physically feel gravity shift as the weight lifts off my entire body.
Content warnings can be found on her website but review at your own risk, as they may have potential spoilers: https://www.jeanniechoeauthor.com/tri...
And last but not least, a shameless plug for my faves over at Steamy Lit:
-If you want a chance to meet Jeannie Choe, she will be attending Steamy Lit Con (https://www.steamylitcon.com/) in August !!!
-Additionally, a few signed copies of her other book “Written in the Oceans” is up for sale on the SteamBox site too https://www.steamylit.com/shop/p/writ.... You can use my code BRITTANY15 for a discount :)
June 5, 2023
Book review !!!
Best I never had by @not_choe.typicalwriter
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐/5
Spice: 🌶🌶
Emotional: 💧💧
Dual: Natalia & Hayden
Trigger warning: Death of a parent
I received this ARC ...
Senior year of high school seems like an entire lifetime ago when you’re an adult adjusting to real-life responsibilities and real-life heartbreak. When Hayden Marshall and Natalia Marquez run into each other on the busy streets of New York City, hundreds of miles away from their hometown and years after their high school graduation, it seems kismet is more common than either one of them thought.
While Natalia is going through the ups and downs of a post-breakup slump, Hayden has his own set of personal woes that bring the two to one single-minded conclusion: they are lonely. But when they strike up a deal to ease those bouts of loneliness, old feelings start to resurface. Feelings that were kept hidden during the small moments in a crowded classroom and glimpses in school hallways. Feelings that start to burst at the seams when all of the tricky emotions begin to intertwine within their complicated lives and rekindled friendship.
But when they slowly learn what’s at stake, neither Natalia or Hayden knows if it’s worth the risk. To lose a friendship they didn’t realize they couldn’t live without or to take a chance on something great.
My thoughts : This story was amazing! I love the growth that these two had. You get a prefect little glimpse of them as teenagers. Just enough to show case how close they had become and their feelings. I absolutely LOVE Hayden, but I mean who doesn't ever love their book boyfriends ?? Hes definitely a best friend anyone should have . Now they both just needed to wake up.....I awed in this book , cried a good amount I should have put 3 tears, I think I even laughed some . And got upset maybe once lol. That one scene outside the restroom with Hayden little outburst ( 😮🥵) her come back when she was at his apt about to walk away ( 😎 💅🏽Tell him girl ). Just overall was a really good story .
Best I never had by @not_choe.typicalwriter
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐/5
Spice: 🌶🌶
Emotional: 💧💧
Dual: Natalia & Hayden
Trigger warning: Death of a parent
I received this ARC ...
Senior year of high school seems like an entire lifetime ago when you’re an adult adjusting to real-life responsibilities and real-life heartbreak. When Hayden Marshall and Natalia Marquez run into each other on the busy streets of New York City, hundreds of miles away from their hometown and years after their high school graduation, it seems kismet is more common than either one of them thought.
While Natalia is going through the ups and downs of a post-breakup slump, Hayden has his own set of personal woes that bring the two to one single-minded conclusion: they are lonely. But when they strike up a deal to ease those bouts of loneliness, old feelings start to resurface. Feelings that were kept hidden during the small moments in a crowded classroom and glimpses in school hallways. Feelings that start to burst at the seams when all of the tricky emotions begin to intertwine within their complicated lives and rekindled friendship.
But when they slowly learn what’s at stake, neither Natalia or Hayden knows if it’s worth the risk. To lose a friendship they didn’t realize they couldn’t live without or to take a chance on something great.
My thoughts : This story was amazing! I love the growth that these two had. You get a prefect little glimpse of them as teenagers. Just enough to show case how close they had become and their feelings. I absolutely LOVE Hayden, but I mean who doesn't ever love their book boyfriends ?? Hes definitely a best friend anyone should have . Now they both just needed to wake up.....I awed in this book , cried a good amount I should have put 3 tears, I think I even laughed some . And got upset maybe once lol. That one scene outside the restroom with Hayden little outburst ( 😮🥵) her come back when she was at his apt about to walk away ( 😎 💅🏽Tell him girl ). Just overall was a really good story .
June 7, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where do I start?
When I saw a girl crying over Written in the Oceans on tiktok, I knew I had to read it immediately. When I saw that Jeannie was writing a new book, I knew I had to be on her team. I’ve been patiently waiting for this ARC of Best I Never had, in exchange for an honest review.
When I read Written in the Oceans I had no idea who Jeannie was, and didn’t know that she would become the best booksta bestie, and that she would be so special to me. 🥹💞
So here I am, giving my honest review for her book baby that I had the honor to read early 💞
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭,“ 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫. “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐢𝐭.“
𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐈 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐝 - 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟑𝐫𝐝 ✨
❥This was beautiful. I flew through this book and enjoyed every last bit of it. The banter, the heartbreak, the push and pull, and the SLOW BURN. THAT SLOW BURN? I found myself reading at all hours of the day just to get to the part where they ✨exploded✨
I think I devoured this in 1-2 days? Honestly, if it wasn’t for Goodreads telling me, I wouldn’t know. I kind of blacked out. Kind of like when you drink too much, but I wasn’t drunk alcohol, just Hayden. 💞🥹 Not only did I have a WIDE range of emotions reading this book, tears were shed ya’ll. Hell, the ACKNOWLEDGMENTS made me cry.
I never wanted their story to end, so Jeannie do me a solid and give me a novella, please? Best I 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 Had? 🤏🏻😭I just need an endless book of these two.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬/𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭
❥friends to lovers
❥second chance romance
❥who did this to you
❥it’s always been you
❥growth
❥angst, pining
❥slow burn
❥dual POV, timeline
❥protective cinnamon roll mmc with a spicy side
❥Thank you Jeannie for this ARC, and for melting my heart and f*cking with my emotions, again. You’ll always have full permission to do so.
Where do I start?
When I saw a girl crying over Written in the Oceans on tiktok, I knew I had to read it immediately. When I saw that Jeannie was writing a new book, I knew I had to be on her team. I’ve been patiently waiting for this ARC of Best I Never had, in exchange for an honest review.
When I read Written in the Oceans I had no idea who Jeannie was, and didn’t know that she would become the best booksta bestie, and that she would be so special to me. 🥹💞
So here I am, giving my honest review for her book baby that I had the honor to read early 💞
“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭,“ 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫. “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐢𝐭.“
𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐈 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐝 - 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟑𝐫𝐝 ✨
❥This was beautiful. I flew through this book and enjoyed every last bit of it. The banter, the heartbreak, the push and pull, and the SLOW BURN. THAT SLOW BURN? I found myself reading at all hours of the day just to get to the part where they ✨exploded✨
I think I devoured this in 1-2 days? Honestly, if it wasn’t for Goodreads telling me, I wouldn’t know. I kind of blacked out. Kind of like when you drink too much, but I wasn’t drunk alcohol, just Hayden. 💞🥹 Not only did I have a WIDE range of emotions reading this book, tears were shed ya’ll. Hell, the ACKNOWLEDGMENTS made me cry.
I never wanted their story to end, so Jeannie do me a solid and give me a novella, please? Best I 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 Had? 🤏🏻😭I just need an endless book of these two.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬/𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭
❥friends to lovers
❥second chance romance
❥who did this to you
❥it’s always been you
❥growth
❥angst, pining
❥slow burn
❥dual POV, timeline
❥protective cinnamon roll mmc with a spicy side
❥Thank you Jeannie for this ARC, and for melting my heart and f*cking with my emotions, again. You’ll always have full permission to do so.
June 30, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5 (4.5) Thank you so much to the author for an e-ARC of this book! I really enjoyed her debut, Written In the Oceans, and so I was quick to sign up for an ARC for this book! Overall, I was not disappointed. This is such a cute and wholesome friends to lovers, second chance romance. Natalia and Hayden were friends in high school, and this book alternates POVs from then to now(8 years later). Sometimes dual timeline and dual POVs can be iffy, but I thought they were done really well in this case! This book definitely stands out as a very well-done friends to lovers, 2nd chance. I loved getting a glimpse into their friendship as teenagers just as much as their friendship in the present time! Both characters were wonderful: Natalia is great and Hayden is so sweet and kind! the guy everyone would want as a best friend or significant other <3 the way he cared for her was so sweet! I started this yesterday and finished it this afternoon, so that should tell you how good it is! It’s a pretty bingeable read in my opinion :) I thought the author also did such a good job of including heavier topics such as grief(specifically death), moving on/heartbreak, and more. These subjects were addressed so well and with care, but also in a way that didn’t take away from the essence of the romance or make it feel too heavy as a whole. This releases on the 23rd: definitely check it out if you’re looking for a wonderful friends to lovers 2nd chance!💓
July 19, 2023
This book was so cute and sweet! I was drawn in immediately. And Hayden’s baked goods had me craving something sweet the whole time I was reading. I loved the alternating timelines between now and when Natalia and Hayden were in high school. Natalia is going through a rough breakup when she randomly runs into her old lab partner in the middle of NYC. Hayden is having a hard time dealing with some issues of his own. They decide to strike up a deal to reach out to each other whenever they’re feeling lonely. They immediately fall back into the friendship they’re so familiar with. They both soon learn that they may have deeper feelings for one another. But their friendship is so invaluable, neither is sure it’s worth risking to tell the other how they feel.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤/𝔽𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕤:
♡︎Friends to lovers
♥︎Second chance romance
♡︎Slow burn (reallyyyy slow)
♥︎He falls first
Cinnamon roll MMC
♡︎Alternating timelines
♥︎Dual POV
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤/𝔽𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕤:
♡︎Friends to lovers
♥︎Second chance romance
♡︎Slow burn (reallyyyy slow)
♥︎He falls first
Cinnamon roll MMC
♡︎Alternating timelines
♥︎Dual POV
June 23, 2023
I received an ARC of this lovely book (thank Jeannie!) but these are my own honest opinions.
Best I Never Had is a slow burn, friends to lovers, “I have always liked you” type of vibe all rolled into one book.
I absolutely loved it. The spice was perfectly played, the characters were ones that you rooted for, and the flashback scenes weren’t repetitive; they gave you a true insight into the character’s relationship.
If you like a real slow burn but with a bit of sexual tension, this book should be on your list to read, ASAP.
Best I Never Had is a slow burn, friends to lovers, “I have always liked you” type of vibe all rolled into one book.
I absolutely loved it. The spice was perfectly played, the characters were ones that you rooted for, and the flashback scenes weren’t repetitive; they gave you a true insight into the character’s relationship.
If you like a real slow burn but with a bit of sexual tension, this book should be on your list to read, ASAP.
July 5, 2023
What a book! Jeannie Choe take a bow. This story truly gave that warm vanilla feeling. I absolutely loved Natalia and Hayden and their chemistry. Their camaderie felt so natural. I relate to Natalia so much and am very much like her irl, that's why this story felt truly special to me. This book felt like a comforting hug and I'm gonna revert to it whenever I'm feeling low. Jeannie Choe you've made a fan of me, that's for sure.
July 10, 2023
3.5** twas cute y lo leí en una senta pero no me hizo sentir nada JAJAJAJ i think que i’m too pessimistic este mes so i’ll take a break from romance 😵💫 in this one i didn’t like the reason de porque they never got together mas rapidito porque literally nothing fuerte was holding them back me thinks
June 27, 2023
2.5?
July 14, 2023
what a shame, it had so much potential
July 25, 2023
talk about a SLOWBURN
April 14, 2024
**Book title:**
The Best I Never Had.
**Author:**
Jeannie Choe.
**Genre:**
New adult contemporary romance.
**How did I feel about this book?**
I loved the writing a lot!
**Rating:**
⭐⭐⭐⭐
**Book summary:**
This book was so warm, cosy and comforting to read. I really enjoyed my time reading this novel! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book this long this fast. OH MY! The tension between the two main characters Natalia and Hayden was out of this world 🌶️✨ We have the (very) slowburn to thank for that ❤️🩹❤️🔥 These two are soulmates for real! In every lifetime they were always going to end up together 🥹 AHHH I can’t put all my feelings into words as of right now but it was an amazing read. Choe’s novel has melted my heart into a gooey mess. Unfortunately, since I had read Written in the oceans before this and that is my favourite read of the year so far, this book couldn’t top that for me personally and I’m unsure how many times my mind will wander back to this story so I have given the novel a 4 star rating instead of 5 for now. I feel like I may have been introduced to my new favourite author 🫣 JEANNIE HAS DONE IT ONCE AGAIN! SHE DOESN’T MISS 💗
**Best parts:**
1. The slowburn !!
2. Dual POV & timeline.
**Worst parts:**
1. Miscommunication trope.
2. 3rd act breakup.
**Favourite quotes:**
- “But if someone asked me right then and there if I love him, if I could picture spending the rest of my life with him, imagining a future together, the answer would be yes. It would be yes a thousand times over because I can’t imagine saying no. I can’t imagine walking away from this with anything other than the greatest love story of my life.”
- “You shine. You glow so brightly and you don’t even realize it.”
- “That’s what Natalia smells like. Like coming to a warm home after a long day at school in the dead of winter where everything bites from the coldness.”
- “When I think of her, I think of home.”
- “You think my eyes are pretty?”
- “The smile that spreads across her face makes my heart thaw. Not in the sense that it was frozen or hard in the first place. But in the way that her warmth spreads through to all the neglected ridges that I’m not even aware of.”
- “Instead, I’ll build my life around it, weaving my future and my past as I discover what forever feels like.”
- “I thank her instead of saying what I really want to say: I’m falling for you all over again.”
- “Her presence lights every room, every dull place she walks into. Like the sun peeking through the clouds at sunset, when you can appreciate its beauty without it being overwhelming.”
- “I saw the way he looked at you.”
- “I want her to want me more than I need air to breathe or the sunlight to warm me.”
- “I can’t survive doing that again. I can’t let you go and let another eight years pass by sitting here just thinking about you. I *can’t* do that again.”
The Best I Never Had.
**Author:**
Jeannie Choe.
**Genre:**
New adult contemporary romance.
**How did I feel about this book?**
I loved the writing a lot!
**Rating:**
⭐⭐⭐⭐
**Book summary:**
This book was so warm, cosy and comforting to read. I really enjoyed my time reading this novel! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book this long this fast. OH MY! The tension between the two main characters Natalia and Hayden was out of this world 🌶️✨ We have the (very) slowburn to thank for that ❤️🩹❤️🔥 These two are soulmates for real! In every lifetime they were always going to end up together 🥹 AHHH I can’t put all my feelings into words as of right now but it was an amazing read. Choe’s novel has melted my heart into a gooey mess. Unfortunately, since I had read Written in the oceans before this and that is my favourite read of the year so far, this book couldn’t top that for me personally and I’m unsure how many times my mind will wander back to this story so I have given the novel a 4 star rating instead of 5 for now. I feel like I may have been introduced to my new favourite author 🫣 JEANNIE HAS DONE IT ONCE AGAIN! SHE DOESN’T MISS 💗
**Best parts:**
1. The slowburn !!
2. Dual POV & timeline.
**Worst parts:**
1. Miscommunication trope.
2. 3rd act breakup.
**Favourite quotes:**
- “But if someone asked me right then and there if I love him, if I could picture spending the rest of my life with him, imagining a future together, the answer would be yes. It would be yes a thousand times over because I can’t imagine saying no. I can’t imagine walking away from this with anything other than the greatest love story of my life.”
- “You shine. You glow so brightly and you don’t even realize it.”
- “That’s what Natalia smells like. Like coming to a warm home after a long day at school in the dead of winter where everything bites from the coldness.”
- “When I think of her, I think of home.”
- “You think my eyes are pretty?”
- “The smile that spreads across her face makes my heart thaw. Not in the sense that it was frozen or hard in the first place. But in the way that her warmth spreads through to all the neglected ridges that I’m not even aware of.”
- “Instead, I’ll build my life around it, weaving my future and my past as I discover what forever feels like.”
- “I thank her instead of saying what I really want to say: I’m falling for you all over again.”
- “Her presence lights every room, every dull place she walks into. Like the sun peeking through the clouds at sunset, when you can appreciate its beauty without it being overwhelming.”
- “I saw the way he looked at you.”
- “I want her to want me more than I need air to breathe or the sunlight to warm me.”
- “I can’t survive doing that again. I can’t let you go and let another eight years pass by sitting here just thinking about you. I *can’t* do that again.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2024
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️4.5/5 🌶️2/5
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: 1st Person Dual POV, Friends to Lovers, He Falls First, Dual Timelines, Its Always Been You, Slow Burn, Second Chance Vibes
𝗧𝗪𝘀: Loss of a Loved One, Underage Drinking, Sexual Assault
I loved this one! 🥹 A story about two people who developed an unlikely friendship in high school, becoming strangers thru college, finding each other as adults living in the same city, and rekindling a friendship that conjured up past memories and feelings. Jeannie gave us such a cute and beautiful love story full of pining and angst that will have you begging for more. Told in alternating timelines, you get to witness the journey of Natalia + Hayden find their way to each other. This had everything I wanted in a Friends to Lovers book - the little nuances, the inner monologues with all the pining, and the tension! My god, I was screaming because it was so good.
Natalia is very sweet and soft-spoken; Hayden is confident, protective, and a cinnamon roll at heart. You will love their humor, how they gravitate so much towards each other and the little moments where the world around them doesn’t seem to exist. Their chemistry was molten! 🔥I loved seeing their friendship develop from being innocent and wholesome to something more. There was such a realistic approach given to them taking on a friendship based on sadness & loneliness that once they got together, it was just explosive. That sudden unexpected free-fall they take will make you squeal.
There were pivotal moments that shape our characters and their decisions. Yes, there were times I was infuriated that was fueled by all the tension and restraint, but it was worth it. This was so good you guys! 🩵🩷🩵
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: 1st Person Dual POV, Friends to Lovers, He Falls First, Dual Timelines, Its Always Been You, Slow Burn, Second Chance Vibes
𝗧𝗪𝘀: Loss of a Loved One, Underage Drinking, Sexual Assault
I loved this one! 🥹 A story about two people who developed an unlikely friendship in high school, becoming strangers thru college, finding each other as adults living in the same city, and rekindling a friendship that conjured up past memories and feelings. Jeannie gave us such a cute and beautiful love story full of pining and angst that will have you begging for more. Told in alternating timelines, you get to witness the journey of Natalia + Hayden find their way to each other. This had everything I wanted in a Friends to Lovers book - the little nuances, the inner monologues with all the pining, and the tension! My god, I was screaming because it was so good.
Natalia is very sweet and soft-spoken; Hayden is confident, protective, and a cinnamon roll at heart. You will love their humor, how they gravitate so much towards each other and the little moments where the world around them doesn’t seem to exist. Their chemistry was molten! 🔥I loved seeing their friendship develop from being innocent and wholesome to something more. There was such a realistic approach given to them taking on a friendship based on sadness & loneliness that once they got together, it was just explosive. That sudden unexpected free-fall they take will make you squeal.
There were pivotal moments that shape our characters and their decisions. Yes, there were times I was infuriated that was fueled by all the tension and restraint, but it was worth it. This was so good you guys! 🩵🩷🩵
February 5, 2025
This book was captivating—I enjoyed every moment from start to finish!
Best I Never Had by Jeannie Choe is a captivating romance novel that follows the story of Natalia Marquez and Hayden Marshall. Natalia, who thought she had left her high school memories behind, is now navigating life in New York City, mending a broken heart and trying to find purpose in a job she doesn't love. Unexpectedly, she runs into Hayden, the boy who made AP Biology thrilling, now a chef in the culinary world. As fate reunites them, the connection they once shared sparks anew. Their friendship deepens, and so do the unspoken truths they left behind. The novel beautifully explores their journey of reconciling who they were with who they've become and whether revisiting the past risks their fragile present or unlocks a future that could be the best they've ever had.
Choe's writing is filled with heartfelt banter, second-chance sparks, and the unforgettable pull of "it's always been you" vibes. The slow-burn romance between Natalia and Hayden is both swoon-worthy and emotionally engaging, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. Overall, Best I Never Had is a delightful and heartwarming tale that captures the essence of love, friendship, and the power of second chances. It's a story that will leave readers rooting for Natalia and Hayden from start to finish. So, pick up your copy today and enjoy this fantastic read.
• ASIN: B0DS43KT4P
• Publisher: Love N. Books Press
• Publication Date: 2/4/2025
• File Size: 2683 KB
• Print Length: 397 pages
• Genre: Romantic Comedy - Contemporary Romance Fiction - Romantic Comedy
Best I Never Had by Jeannie Choe is a captivating romance novel that follows the story of Natalia Marquez and Hayden Marshall. Natalia, who thought she had left her high school memories behind, is now navigating life in New York City, mending a broken heart and trying to find purpose in a job she doesn't love. Unexpectedly, she runs into Hayden, the boy who made AP Biology thrilling, now a chef in the culinary world. As fate reunites them, the connection they once shared sparks anew. Their friendship deepens, and so do the unspoken truths they left behind. The novel beautifully explores their journey of reconciling who they were with who they've become and whether revisiting the past risks their fragile present or unlocks a future that could be the best they've ever had.
Choe's writing is filled with heartfelt banter, second-chance sparks, and the unforgettable pull of "it's always been you" vibes. The slow-burn romance between Natalia and Hayden is both swoon-worthy and emotionally engaging, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. Overall, Best I Never Had is a delightful and heartwarming tale that captures the essence of love, friendship, and the power of second chances. It's a story that will leave readers rooting for Natalia and Hayden from start to finish. So, pick up your copy today and enjoy this fantastic read.
• ASIN: B0DS43KT4P
• Publisher: Love N. Books Press
• Publication Date: 2/4/2025
• File Size: 2683 KB
• Print Length: 397 pages
• Genre: Romantic Comedy - Contemporary Romance Fiction - Romantic Comedy
February 5, 2025
This book was captivating—I enjoyed every moment from start to finish!
Best I Never Had by Jeannie Choe is a captivating romance novel that follows the story of Natalia Marquez and Hayden Marshall. Natalia, who thought she had left her high school memories behind, is now navigating life in New York City, mending a broken heart and trying to find purpose in a job she doesn't love. Unexpectedly, she runs into Hayden, the boy who made AP Biology thrilling, now a chef in the culinary world. As fate reunites them, the connection they once shared sparks anew. Their friendship deepens, and so do the unspoken truths they left behind. The novel beautifully explores their journey of reconciling who they were with who they've become and whether revisiting the past risks their fragile present or unlocks a future that could be the best they've ever had.
Choe's writing is filled with heartfelt banter, second-chance sparks, and the unforgettable pull of "it's always been you" vibes. The slow-burn romance between Natalia and Hayden is both swoon-worthy and emotionally engaging, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. Overall, Best I Never Had is a delightful and heartwarming tale that captures the essence of love, friendship, and the power of second chances. It's a story that will leave readers rooting for Natalia and Hayden from start to finish. So, pick up your copy today and enjoy this fantastic read.
• ASIN: B0DS43KT4P
• Publisher: Love N. Books Press
• Publication Date: 2/4/2025
• File Size: 2683 KB
• Print Length: 397 pages
• Genre: Romantic Comedy - Contemporary Romance Fiction - Romantic Comedy
Best I Never Had by Jeannie Choe is a captivating romance novel that follows the story of Natalia Marquez and Hayden Marshall. Natalia, who thought she had left her high school memories behind, is now navigating life in New York City, mending a broken heart and trying to find purpose in a job she doesn't love. Unexpectedly, she runs into Hayden, the boy who made AP Biology thrilling, now a chef in the culinary world. As fate reunites them, the connection they once shared sparks anew. Their friendship deepens, and so do the unspoken truths they left behind. The novel beautifully explores their journey of reconciling who they were with who they've become and whether revisiting the past risks their fragile present or unlocks a future that could be the best they've ever had.
Choe's writing is filled with heartfelt banter, second-chance sparks, and the unforgettable pull of "it's always been you" vibes. The slow-burn romance between Natalia and Hayden is both swoon-worthy and emotionally engaging, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. Overall, Best I Never Had is a delightful and heartwarming tale that captures the essence of love, friendship, and the power of second chances. It's a story that will leave readers rooting for Natalia and Hayden from start to finish. So, pick up your copy today and enjoy this fantastic read.
• ASIN: B0DS43KT4P
• Publisher: Love N. Books Press
• Publication Date: 2/4/2025
• File Size: 2683 KB
• Print Length: 397 pages
• Genre: Romantic Comedy - Contemporary Romance Fiction - Romantic Comedy
December 6, 2025
ᯓ★ three ½ stars!
This is sooooo delightful! Hayden and Natalia have been friends since high school, being partners in AP Biology. From then on, the sweet and cute (hidden) romantic relationship started to grow. When they met again, Natalia—fresh from a breakup—and Hayden, working hard to build his own restaurant, started to get to know each other again on the second time around.
First of all, I love how adorable and wholesome the two characters are. They were friends, grew apart, then met again, became friends, and slowly faced their own feelings toward each other. Basically, a very slow-paced friends-to-lovers novel. Though I wouldn't classify this as "slow burn," because the first half of the book wasn't doing anything at all for me. I sensed a bit of chemistry (maybe?), but as the story went on, I only felt the chemistry between them at the climax of the story. It started to get intense; the story played on stretching that tension and longing feeling in the book very well.
Secondly, I also love how very mature and chill this is. No intense or furious breakup. It's also dual POV and has alternate chapters of the backstory from their friendship when they were in high school.
The only letdown was that it was slow-paced (I won't consider it a slow burn); the climax happened sooo late (nearly at the end of the book), so the ending felt rushed. Still, I enjoyed this book. Just all the friends-to-lovers feels, and I'M ON IT!
This is sooooo delightful! Hayden and Natalia have been friends since high school, being partners in AP Biology. From then on, the sweet and cute (hidden) romantic relationship started to grow. When they met again, Natalia—fresh from a breakup—and Hayden, working hard to build his own restaurant, started to get to know each other again on the second time around.
First of all, I love how adorable and wholesome the two characters are. They were friends, grew apart, then met again, became friends, and slowly faced their own feelings toward each other. Basically, a very slow-paced friends-to-lovers novel. Though I wouldn't classify this as "slow burn," because the first half of the book wasn't doing anything at all for me. I sensed a bit of chemistry (maybe?), but as the story went on, I only felt the chemistry between them at the climax of the story. It started to get intense; the story played on stretching that tension and longing feeling in the book very well.
Secondly, I also love how very mature and chill this is. No intense or furious breakup. It's also dual POV and has alternate chapters of the backstory from their friendship when they were in high school.
The only letdown was that it was slow-paced (I won't consider it a slow burn); the climax happened sooo late (nearly at the end of the book), so the ending felt rushed. Still, I enjoyed this book. Just all the friends-to-lovers feels, and I'M ON IT!
July 26, 2023
This was a cute friends-to-lovers slow burn romance. It had a lot of potential, but I liked their friendship more than their romance. I also struggled to connect to the Hayden.
OW:
OM:
Cheating:
Separation:
HEA:
OW:
OM:
Cheating:
Separation:
HEA:
July 1, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I loved this story so so much! This was one of the best reads I’ve read of ‘23!!!
Best I Never Had was full of so many emotions. If you love strangers to best friends to strangers again to finally realizing their feelings and jumping all in, this book is for you! This is slow burn, strangers to friends to strangers to lovers, he falls first but she’s not far behind, dual POV and dual timelines.
Hayden and Natalia knew each other in high school when they were lab partners. Hayden is a football jock and Natalia is a young girl who keeps to herself. But their senior year changes everything.
8 years later after losing communication with one another after high school graduation Hayden and Natalia run into each other in NYC. They begin their friendship all over again.
They fall back into their friendship hanging out and calling each other when they need to get anything off their minds. Their friendship becomes renewed and feelings begin to peak out and truly show themselves. Hayden and Natalia are half in love with one another and it’s kismet how everything explodes around them and their feelings.
I loved this book so much! I loved the dual POV’s abs the timelines between the present and the past where chef’s kiss. And the spice was 🌶️🔥🥵👌🏼
Hayden and Natalia are the couple I live reading!
🌶️🌶️
I loved this story so so much! This was one of the best reads I’ve read of ‘23!!!
Best I Never Had was full of so many emotions. If you love strangers to best friends to strangers again to finally realizing their feelings and jumping all in, this book is for you! This is slow burn, strangers to friends to strangers to lovers, he falls first but she’s not far behind, dual POV and dual timelines.
Hayden and Natalia knew each other in high school when they were lab partners. Hayden is a football jock and Natalia is a young girl who keeps to herself. But their senior year changes everything.
8 years later after losing communication with one another after high school graduation Hayden and Natalia run into each other in NYC. They begin their friendship all over again.
They fall back into their friendship hanging out and calling each other when they need to get anything off their minds. Their friendship becomes renewed and feelings begin to peak out and truly show themselves. Hayden and Natalia are half in love with one another and it’s kismet how everything explodes around them and their feelings.
I loved this book so much! I loved the dual POV’s abs the timelines between the present and the past where chef’s kiss. And the spice was 🌶️🔥🥵👌🏼
Hayden and Natalia are the couple I live reading!
June 21, 2023
Oh my sweet loves
Natalia and Hayden have my heart.
OMG NATALIA AND HAYDEN!!!!
😍😍😍😍😍🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Okay so a little bit about them. Nat and Hayden have known each other almost their entire lives, however it wasn't until senior year of high school that they got close.
The time they spend as lab partners that year begins a relationship neither thought would have much impact on them, however it becomes everything and more.
Here's my two cents, the chemistry between these two is so off the charts that whenever they say they are "just friends' one can't help but roll their eyes. I'm a sucker for second chance(which technically thus story is and is not)/friends to lovers tropes and this one took it far beyond my wildest imagination.
As fun as it was the emotional scenes ripped my heart out. I love how they both have to deal with their emotional shortcomings before they are ready for each other and how supportive they are of each other.
I loved how we get to see how these two became friends at a time when they both needed a friend then and now.
That confrontation where Hayden just could not hold back his feelings anymore had me screaming.
The angst of will they or won't they, had me on edge. Natalia and Hayden are the true definition of soulmates in every sense of the word.
I loved this so much. Jeannie Choe has done it once again.
👌🏽👌🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥🥵🥵🥵🥵😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤
Natalia and Hayden have my heart.
OMG NATALIA AND HAYDEN!!!!
😍😍😍😍😍🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Okay so a little bit about them. Nat and Hayden have known each other almost their entire lives, however it wasn't until senior year of high school that they got close.
The time they spend as lab partners that year begins a relationship neither thought would have much impact on them, however it becomes everything and more.
Here's my two cents, the chemistry between these two is so off the charts that whenever they say they are "just friends' one can't help but roll their eyes. I'm a sucker for second chance(which technically thus story is and is not)/friends to lovers tropes and this one took it far beyond my wildest imagination.
As fun as it was the emotional scenes ripped my heart out. I love how they both have to deal with their emotional shortcomings before they are ready for each other and how supportive they are of each other.
I loved how we get to see how these two became friends at a time when they both needed a friend then and now.
That confrontation where Hayden just could not hold back his feelings anymore had me screaming.
The angst of will they or won't they, had me on edge. Natalia and Hayden are the true definition of soulmates in every sense of the word.
I loved this so much. Jeannie Choe has done it once again.
👌🏽👌🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥🥵🥵🥵🥵😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤
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