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Best Friends for Never
The movie star and the small-town girl he left behind. They have a lot of catching up to do in an emotional and rousing romantic comedy about fame, second chances, and making dreams come true.
Parker Pruitt’s dream is to restore her small town’s long-shuttered theater—one to be named in honor of Noel Carter, the boy who followed his dream from Emerald Grove, Washington, to Hollywood…and broke Parker’s heart. Now he’s back to attend the kickoff ceremony, and for Parker, that means smiling through a swell of mixed emotions at seeing her former best friend for the first time in a decade.
Noel may be one of the hottest actors in the world, but he’s still touched by the tribute. And a little nervous about seeing Parker again. But when his weekend jaunt extends into a six-week stay, long-repressed memories and feelings come rushing back. As the simmering attraction between them builds, Noel is determined not to ruin this second chance even if his return to LA is hanging over them.
They’re making the best of the time they have left, but is there any chance of a Hollywood ending?
Parker Pruitt’s dream is to restore her small town’s long-shuttered theater—one to be named in honor of Noel Carter, the boy who followed his dream from Emerald Grove, Washington, to Hollywood…and broke Parker’s heart. Now he’s back to attend the kickoff ceremony, and for Parker, that means smiling through a swell of mixed emotions at seeing her former best friend for the first time in a decade.
Noel may be one of the hottest actors in the world, but he’s still touched by the tribute. And a little nervous about seeing Parker again. But when his weekend jaunt extends into a six-week stay, long-repressed memories and feelings come rushing back. As the simmering attraction between them builds, Noel is determined not to ruin this second chance even if his return to LA is hanging over them.
They’re making the best of the time they have left, but is there any chance of a Hollywood ending?
Audible Audio
Published February 25, 2025
761 people are currently reading
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About the author
Teagan Hunter
50 books5,438 followersTEAGAN HUNTER writes steamy romantic comedies with lots of sarcasm and a side of heart. She loves pizza, hockey, and romance novels, though not in that order. When not writing, you can find her watching entirely too many hours of Supernatural, One Tree Hill, or New Girl. She’s mildly obsessed with Halloween and prefers cooler weather. She married her high school sweetheart, and they currently live in the PNW.
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FOLLOW HER AMAZON PAGE:
amazon.com/author/teaganhunter
FOLLOW HER FACEBOOK PAGE:
facebook.com/teaganhunterwrites
JOIN HER READER GROUP:
Teagan's Tidbits on Facebook
FOLLOW HER INSTAGRAM:
@teaganhunterwrites
SIGN UP FOR HER NEWSLETTER:
Teagan's Newsletter
READING ORDER:
Reading Order For Teagan's Books
________________
Teagan does not regularly check this account. Please visit her website to get in touch with her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 480 reviews
February 26, 2025
2.25 ⭐
Maybe it was more a me problem here, but I did not enjoy myself that much.
The author's writing is fine, maybe I'll give her another try with something else she wrote.
But this book didn't do it for me. I'm usually a sucker for second chance & friends-to-lovers, but here I found it unsatisfying.
Spoilers ahead!
I didn't like the fact that neither of them made a move, anything, for 10 whole years but still thought of each other during their whole separation. They each had 'meaningless' relationships, nothing serious as they said and still thought of each other, but the FMC couldn't try to reach him after ignoring him that long, and he couldn't try coming back, at least to see his grandmother? I just can't stand this kind of second chance anymore where both MCs could have done something to end the whole 'no talking for 10 years' but they are either too dumb or too coward to take the leap. Either ways, the explanation of what happened 10 years ago felt weak and a little ridiculous: what was the rush after spending so much time as only friends, to wait for her to be ready? Why did she promise if she felt it wasn't right? I got that she's scared but, her so wise and know-it-all mother couldn't put some sense back in her head or something? And I also felt like he could have tried harder too.
While they reconnected, they jumped right into the sex with benefits thing (without even talking about it by the way). It was just mentioned she had won the date with him, there was a lot of 'are you dating?' from nosy people, but it wasn't an official relationship. At least that's how I felt. It was more like friends to friends with benefits than lovers. Every time spent together was spent having sex and avoiding the big subjects as 'what are we?' 'what are we going to do after these 6 weeks?' 'what should we do for us to work?', nope, nothing important was discussed for this relationship to work.
I hated how, to make their relationship work, it was the MMC's grandmother and the FMC's mother and also, her new best-friend, that had to say the right thing for them to open their eyes about their feelings, what they wanted, what they should/could do... It was truly frustrating. MMC thinking of, maybe, staying in the small town? 'Yes, but she didn't ask me to stay'. Them confessing they'll miss each other, again, and having a goodbye sex? Nope, thank you, Grandma, for mentioning that long distance relationship is also a thing. It's like, they kept saying they loved each other but didn't want to be together.
At the end, it ended up working fine, but if nosy side characters weren't there, would they even be together? Pretty sure, they wouldn't.
Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake and Teagan Hunter for the free copy.
Maybe it was more a me problem here, but I did not enjoy myself that much.
The author's writing is fine, maybe I'll give her another try with something else she wrote.
But this book didn't do it for me. I'm usually a sucker for second chance & friends-to-lovers, but here I found it unsatisfying.
Spoilers ahead!
I didn't like the fact that neither of them made a move, anything, for 10 whole years but still thought of each other during their whole separation. They each had 'meaningless' relationships, nothing serious as they said and still thought of each other, but the FMC couldn't try to reach him after ignoring him that long, and he couldn't try coming back, at least to see his grandmother? I just can't stand this kind of second chance anymore where both MCs could have done something to end the whole 'no talking for 10 years' but they are either too dumb or too coward to take the leap. Either ways, the explanation of what happened 10 years ago felt weak and a little ridiculous: what was the rush after spending so much time as only friends, to wait for her to be ready? Why did she promise if she felt it wasn't right? I got that she's scared but, her so wise and know-it-all mother couldn't put some sense back in her head or something? And I also felt like he could have tried harder too.
While they reconnected, they jumped right into the sex with benefits thing (without even talking about it by the way). It was just mentioned she had won the date with him, there was a lot of 'are you dating?' from nosy people, but it wasn't an official relationship. At least that's how I felt. It was more like friends to friends with benefits than lovers. Every time spent together was spent having sex and avoiding the big subjects as 'what are we?' 'what are we going to do after these 6 weeks?' 'what should we do for us to work?', nope, nothing important was discussed for this relationship to work.
I hated how, to make their relationship work, it was the MMC's grandmother and the FMC's mother and also, her new best-friend, that had to say the right thing for them to open their eyes about their feelings, what they wanted, what they should/could do... It was truly frustrating. MMC thinking of, maybe, staying in the small town? 'Yes, but she didn't ask me to stay'. Them confessing they'll miss each other, again, and having a goodbye sex? Nope, thank you, Grandma, for mentioning that long distance relationship is also a thing. It's like, they kept saying they loved each other but didn't want to be together.
At the end, it ended up working fine, but if nosy side characters weren't there, would they even be together? Pretty sure, they wouldn't.
Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake and Teagan Hunter for the free copy.
March 28, 2025
3.5 stars
This was a cute small-town romance. I always enjoy Teagan Hunter’s writing. Parker and Noel were best friends, but they fell out. Now Noel’s back in town, and they can rekindle their friendship…and more. I liked this one, but it lacked something. I can’t put my finger on it. Enjoyable listen, but I wanted just a little something more.
This was a cute small-town romance. I always enjoy Teagan Hunter’s writing. Parker and Noel were best friends, but they fell out. Now Noel’s back in town, and they can rekindle their friendship…and more. I liked this one, but it lacked something. I can’t put my finger on it. Enjoyable listen, but I wanted just a little something more.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Lee Samuels & Emma Wilder
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 10h 9m
December 9, 2024
there are no two things i love more than a small town second chance romance and a teagan hunter book. her books are so well written but easy to breeze through, theyre always entertaining and always hot 🤭
the only thing that i wouldve loved to see more of is angst!! its one of my fav parts of a second chance and this could’ve definitely used more. other than that another TH win 🩷
the only thing that i wouldve loved to see more of is angst!! its one of my fav parts of a second chance and this could’ve definitely used more. other than that another TH win 🩷
Read
February 25, 2025Available now!
Download today or read and listen for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f5mAS7
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/BestFriendsForNever
Audible: https://adbl.co/3O56yf8
Narrated by: Lee Samuels & Emma Wilder
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3AyccTQ
What you can expect...
- small town
- second chance
- childhood friends to lovers
- celebrity + small town gal
- return to hometown
- public steamy times
- all the banter!
Download today or read and listen for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f5mAS7
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/BestFriendsForNever
Audible: https://adbl.co/3O56yf8
Narrated by: Lee Samuels & Emma Wilder
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3AyccTQ
What you can expect...
- small town
- second chance
- childhood friends to lovers
- celebrity + small town gal
- return to hometown
- public steamy times
- all the banter!
February 3, 2025
The mmc, a famous actor, returns to his hometown for the opening of an old theater, which has been named after him and is currently being restored. He immediately runs into his childhood friend with whom he has been in love since school. Despite ten years apart, the hero has never been able to forget her, and now he realizes he doesn’t want to miss his chance anymore.
I really enjoyed this book! The story is set in a small town where everyone knows each other. The book is so cozy and gives off only positive vibes! The main characters are cute, and I loved how, despite being a famous actor, Noel didn’t act arrogantly but instead was always supportive of Parker. I also can’t help but mention the secondary characters—Astrid, grandmother, and Axel! I was delighted by the relationship between Parker and Axel; I read those moments with a smile. He’s the true friend she deserved.
If you love small-town or second-chance romance tropes, this book is for you!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓ small town
✓ second chance
✓ childhood friends to lovers
✓ celebrity
✓ return to hometown
✓ banter
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book! The story is set in a small town where everyone knows each other. The book is so cozy and gives off only positive vibes! The main characters are cute, and I loved how, despite being a famous actor, Noel didn’t act arrogantly but instead was always supportive of Parker. I also can’t help but mention the secondary characters—Astrid, grandmother, and Axel! I was delighted by the relationship between Parker and Axel; I read those moments with a smile. He’s the true friend she deserved.
If you love small-town or second-chance romance tropes, this book is for you!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓ small town
✓ second chance
✓ childhood friends to lovers
✓ celebrity
✓ return to hometown
✓ banter
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 7, 2025
Second-chance romance with zero angst, zero yearning, and zero connection, just a pile of tropes holding hands in the void.
January 5, 2025
𝟹.𝟻⭐
I mean......you can never go wrong with a small-town romance, right?
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
𝕊𝕜𝕚𝕡 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤: 𝟡, 𝟙𝟙, 𝟙𝟚, 𝟙𝟞
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I DNF'd a book of hers before BUT I'm willing to try again, let's hope for the best 🫠 Huge thanks to Netgalley and Montlake 🫶🏻
I mean......you can never go wrong with a small-town romance, right?
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
𝕊𝕜𝕚𝕡 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤: 𝟡, 𝟙𝟙, 𝟙𝟚, 𝟙𝟞
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I DNF'd a book of hers before BUT I'm willing to try again, let's hope for the best 🫠 Huge thanks to Netgalley and Montlake 🫶🏻
March 3, 2025
This was a cute small-town romance that was a solid 3.5 stars for me! I liked the kind of element of second chance as well. The only reason this wasn't a 4 star for me was kind of the pacing and then I was a little confused on where the characters stood with each other. They would be mad and hurt then flirty and fun like nothing had happened. That part just felt a little stilted for me. Other than that-I really liked the quirky characters we got- Gran and Astrid. I liked the setting and the subtle jokes about who was Parker's best friend. I liked the fact that Noel was this big movie star who had left home and made a name for himself. I liked reading about how he now had mixed feelings about this whole situation because of how he feels about Parker. And I did like the chemistry between Noel and Parker. I liked how it was like something clicked for Noel and now that he wanted Parker he was going to pursue her. The spice came on fast which again with the pacing felt a little weird. I liked how both of them figured out what they wanted at the end and went after it.
Parker is proud of where she is in her life. She is part owner to a successful business. She is working to enrich her town and help open the theater that closed down all of those years ago. But none of that changes how she is feeling about seeing her old best friend that she hasn't talked to in 10 years now. She doesn't know what to expect. She has seen him on screen but how is it going to be seeing him in person? Awkward is the answer. But how could that be when they were inseparable all those years ago? And now she finds herself even more attracted to him than before. When he shows interest too they take their connection to a whole other level. And even though there is a deadline looming on when he will be leaving- Parker can't help but explore this thing. She can't help but talk about the past and explain her side. She can't help but become invested in whatever this thing is. But then plans change which she thought she was prepared for but reality is crashing in. And the question is she going to let him walk away again without explaining how she feels?
Noel is doing everything he can to avoid going home early. He wants to see Parker but he doesn't at the same time. There are just so many emotions from how they left things. But then he sees her and though it is awkward, he can't help but find himself wanting her even more than he did before. Somehow she has become more beautiful, more confident. He couldn't be more in awe of what she has accomplished. So he makes his move. He asks her out and it's like no time has passed but they have now experienced things to be ready for each other. It is nothing short of amazing what they share. And they continue to be amazing. Their time is running out though. Real life is calling Noel back to it, but he finds himself wanting things to be different than before. He finds himself thinking about the future and what that would look like without Parker. Now he has to figure out if that is a future he is ok with? Or if he is going to fight for what he wants.
This was a super easy and fast read. I would recommend it if someone is looking for a small town romance with found family that has the best quirks. I liked how both of them supported each other and were aware of what they both wanted to achieve. They were willing to do things different if it ended up with them being together- which who doesn't love that??
Thank you to Valentine PR, NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Parker is proud of where she is in her life. She is part owner to a successful business. She is working to enrich her town and help open the theater that closed down all of those years ago. But none of that changes how she is feeling about seeing her old best friend that she hasn't talked to in 10 years now. She doesn't know what to expect. She has seen him on screen but how is it going to be seeing him in person? Awkward is the answer. But how could that be when they were inseparable all those years ago? And now she finds herself even more attracted to him than before. When he shows interest too they take their connection to a whole other level. And even though there is a deadline looming on when he will be leaving- Parker can't help but explore this thing. She can't help but talk about the past and explain her side. She can't help but become invested in whatever this thing is. But then plans change which she thought she was prepared for but reality is crashing in. And the question is she going to let him walk away again without explaining how she feels?
Noel is doing everything he can to avoid going home early. He wants to see Parker but he doesn't at the same time. There are just so many emotions from how they left things. But then he sees her and though it is awkward, he can't help but find himself wanting her even more than he did before. Somehow she has become more beautiful, more confident. He couldn't be more in awe of what she has accomplished. So he makes his move. He asks her out and it's like no time has passed but they have now experienced things to be ready for each other. It is nothing short of amazing what they share. And they continue to be amazing. Their time is running out though. Real life is calling Noel back to it, but he finds himself wanting things to be different than before. He finds himself thinking about the future and what that would look like without Parker. Now he has to figure out if that is a future he is ok with? Or if he is going to fight for what he wants.
This was a super easy and fast read. I would recommend it if someone is looking for a small town romance with found family that has the best quirks. I liked how both of them supported each other and were aware of what they both wanted to achieve. They were willing to do things different if it ended up with them being together- which who doesn't love that??
Thank you to Valentine PR, NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 28, 2025
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️.5
This book is like a warm hug in the very best ways. I love Teagan's hockey series and I was definitely down for the change of pace with this small town romance. I just loved the characters, Teagan's easy writing style and the quirky town itself.
And Noel and Parker were everything. Your honor I love them and will accept no criticism on them, because I swear that second chance just hots differently in a small town romance.
Noal and Parker were best friends, until right before he was leaving to chase his acting dream in LA, and they became more for just a little while until they fell apart. Now, ten years later, Noel a famous Hollywood actor coming back to his small toewn and the best friend he left behind.
I just loved them, I love the whole cast of side characters and the "its always been you vibes" are immaculate. I love seeing two people who messed up when they were younger find their way back to each other when the timing is right. And I loved watching them reconnect.
Read this, I swear you will not be able to put it down. AndIf you need something that's going to make you giggle and kick your feet, this is the book for you.
- small town
- Hollywood Actor x designer
- friends to strangers to lovers
- its always been you
-golden retriever MMC
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️.5
This book is like a warm hug in the very best ways. I love Teagan's hockey series and I was definitely down for the change of pace with this small town romance. I just loved the characters, Teagan's easy writing style and the quirky town itself.
And Noel and Parker were everything. Your honor I love them and will accept no criticism on them, because I swear that second chance just hots differently in a small town romance.
Noal and Parker were best friends, until right before he was leaving to chase his acting dream in LA, and they became more for just a little while until they fell apart. Now, ten years later, Noel a famous Hollywood actor coming back to his small toewn and the best friend he left behind.
I just loved them, I love the whole cast of side characters and the "its always been you vibes" are immaculate. I love seeing two people who messed up when they were younger find their way back to each other when the timing is right. And I loved watching them reconnect.
Read this, I swear you will not be able to put it down. AndIf you need something that's going to make you giggle and kick your feet, this is the book for you.
- small town
- Hollywood Actor x designer
- friends to strangers to lovers
- its always been you
-golden retriever MMC
February 17, 2025
This was a quick read. It defenitely is'nt a world changing, eye opening romance but It does what most small town romance books do, it makes you feel good. I don't really LOVE small town romances but I do love second chance romance so I was eating the first half up because of all those longing, push and pull and all.
A good palette cleanser when you are in the midst of reading all those romantasy and dark romance books.😂
A good palette cleanser when you are in the midst of reading all those romantasy and dark romance books.😂
February 25, 2025
I love a good friends to lovers romance - make it friends to enemies to lovers romance - even better! Noel & Parker are best friends growing up. Noel has big dreams of heading to LA to become an actor after they graduate. The night before he leaves he tells Parker how he truly feels about her & asks her to come with him.
Ten years later, he returns to town and they finally reconnect. This one has a bit of a slow start, but once it gets going, it really pulls you in. I really enjoyed the entire cast of characters of this one. I love a small-town with a found family vibe. It's one of my absolute favorite things.
Thank you to the author, Montlake & Netgalley for this complimentary early copy.
Ten years later, he returns to town and they finally reconnect. This one has a bit of a slow start, but once it gets going, it really pulls you in. I really enjoyed the entire cast of characters of this one. I love a small-town with a found family vibe. It's one of my absolute favorite things.
Thank you to the author, Montlake & Netgalley for this complimentary early copy.
March 21, 2025
Cute second chance romance!
I will say that it took a while for me to start to really feel the chemistry between the main characters. But once their relationship started to heat up, the story got so much better.
Honestly, one of the best parts of this book is the side characters! Parker's mother, Noel's grandmother, and Axel collectively made this story more enjoyable 😊 Overall, I liked it!
I will say that it took a while for me to start to really feel the chemistry between the main characters. But once their relationship started to heat up, the story got so much better.
Honestly, one of the best parts of this book is the side characters! Parker's mother, Noel's grandmother, and Axel collectively made this story more enjoyable 😊 Overall, I liked it!
February 25, 2025
4.5 stars!
I do love this author’s books, and this one was another winner! The small town was so cute, and I loved so much about it. Lots of fun characters to get to know, plus a villain that was so easy to hate, because he had no reason to continue being such a butthead! The names, well at least Noel, messed me up at first, because Noel has just always been a female name for me. But once I realized Noel was our male love interest I was good. I loved how his nickname for Parker, also a male name usually for me, was Peter. These two definitely had chemistry, and the. history the more we learned about it was so sweet and so perfect!
Both characters had sad parent stories, but both also had a wonderful support with either Parker’s mom or Noel’s grandmother. Those two ladies were a whole part of the story that I adored as well! Then there was Axel, Parker’s business partner and best friend at the start. He was a wonderful part of the story too.
I’ve mentioned before that I’m not the biggest fan of movie star romances, but Noel wasn’t like the type of character that is all about whining about how terrible his life is. No, he was doing what he loved. So coming home was definitely a big deal for him, but he learned a lot once he got there. What I loved about this story was that there was the fact that neither wanted to pressure the other again about staying or going, so in a way it could be considered a miscommunication. However, the way this was done was so realistic for me, and I could totally see it happening, and it wasn’t just drama for drama’s sake. I loved how in the end the two of them kind of came to the same conclusions separately, well with some help from family, friends, etc. So getting back together in the end was a fun and sweet scene. There was the usual steamy bits I expect and enjoy from the author. All in all I loved it. I did feel at times the story was a little slow for me, but overall it was a great small town, second chance romance!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
I do love this author’s books, and this one was another winner! The small town was so cute, and I loved so much about it. Lots of fun characters to get to know, plus a villain that was so easy to hate, because he had no reason to continue being such a butthead! The names, well at least Noel, messed me up at first, because Noel has just always been a female name for me. But once I realized Noel was our male love interest I was good. I loved how his nickname for Parker, also a male name usually for me, was Peter. These two definitely had chemistry, and the. history the more we learned about it was so sweet and so perfect!
Both characters had sad parent stories, but both also had a wonderful support with either Parker’s mom or Noel’s grandmother. Those two ladies were a whole part of the story that I adored as well! Then there was Axel, Parker’s business partner and best friend at the start. He was a wonderful part of the story too.
I’ve mentioned before that I’m not the biggest fan of movie star romances, but Noel wasn’t like the type of character that is all about whining about how terrible his life is. No, he was doing what he loved. So coming home was definitely a big deal for him, but he learned a lot once he got there. What I loved about this story was that there was the fact that neither wanted to pressure the other again about staying or going, so in a way it could be considered a miscommunication. However, the way this was done was so realistic for me, and I could totally see it happening, and it wasn’t just drama for drama’s sake. I loved how in the end the two of them kind of came to the same conclusions separately, well with some help from family, friends, etc. So getting back together in the end was a fun and sweet scene. There was the usual steamy bits I expect and enjoy from the author. All in all I loved it. I did feel at times the story was a little slow for me, but overall it was a great small town, second chance romance!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
February 27, 2025
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Montlake and Teagan Hunter for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review purposes!
2.5 ⭐
Best friends for never is the story of Parker of Noel, two childhood best friends that haven’t seen each other in 10 years but never stopped thinking about each other.
Flagging the next part as spoilers, just to make sure no one reads anything that might ruin the reading experience for them.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, and I know she also writes sport romances, so I will definitely check out some of her other books!
2.5 ⭐
Best friends for never is the story of Parker of Noel, two childhood best friends that haven’t seen each other in 10 years but never stopped thinking about each other.
Flagging the next part as spoilers, just to make sure no one reads anything that might ruin the reading experience for them.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, and I know she also writes sport romances, so I will definitely check out some of her other books!
December 11, 2024
I already know I’m going to obsess over this.
11/25/24 FUCK YES I GOT THE ARC 😭 immediately starting this gem.
Updates: Axel is the BEST best friend ever, he’s the best.
I’m so sad I had to sleep last night, I just wanted to stay up and read 😭
58% in and I’m just 😭🫶🏻🖤🥹
I love Teagan’s writing so much.
Officially finished! 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I feel incredibly fucking invested into that small town and I love the entire vibe of it all, coming from a small town myself. I hope and pray to the book Gods that Teagan will turn this into a series, I AM DESPERATE FOR MORE AXEL. I need him and his wife’s story, I need more with their sweet babies and damn it I need a good enemies to lovers about Cliff and Astrid.
11/25/24 FUCK YES I GOT THE ARC 😭 immediately starting this gem.
Updates: Axel is the BEST best friend ever, he’s the best.
I’m so sad I had to sleep last night, I just wanted to stay up and read 😭
58% in and I’m just 😭🫶🏻🖤🥹
I love Teagan’s writing so much.
Officially finished! 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I feel incredibly fucking invested into that small town and I love the entire vibe of it all, coming from a small town myself. I hope and pray to the book Gods that Teagan will turn this into a series, I AM DESPERATE FOR MORE AXEL. I need him and his wife’s story, I need more with their sweet babies and damn it I need a good enemies to lovers about Cliff and Astrid.
November 29, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️ Swoooooon. I devoured this in less than 24 hours, it was such a sweet story.
Best Friends for Never is a small town, second chance romance set in Washington. Parker and Noel were childhood best friends who became a little more than friends shortly before graduating high school. Noel went off to Hollywood to become a famous actor, and Parker loved their small hometown, so she stayed and ran a small construction remodel business. Her project remodeling the town theater brings Parker back to Emerald Grove where the two of them reconnect, and their rekindling love story has all the spice but also lots of butterflies in your belly moments.
The setting gives major Gilmore Girls vibes - hello Fran’s Pie Shop and “town meetings”. A must read for my fellow GG fans.
While I don’t usually reach for celebrity love stories, this one just worked and Noel’s character was written into such an easy to like guy. The hallmark type story makes this book a nice palette cleanser read, especially if you’re reading a lot of heavy fantasy or dark romances and you just need a reset. The way Teagan described Emerald Grove made me feel like I was there, and honestly is the setting of my dream home town that I have yet to find in real life.
The side characters, like Noel’s Nan, and Parker’s friend Axel are such a hoot and well written, I’d love to see a book for Axel in the future.
🎬 Small town
🎬 Second chance romance
🎬 Childhood friends to lovers
🎬 Celebrity + small town girl
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for sending this book for my review. All opinions are my own.
Best Friends for Never is a small town, second chance romance set in Washington. Parker and Noel were childhood best friends who became a little more than friends shortly before graduating high school. Noel went off to Hollywood to become a famous actor, and Parker loved their small hometown, so she stayed and ran a small construction remodel business. Her project remodeling the town theater brings Parker back to Emerald Grove where the two of them reconnect, and their rekindling love story has all the spice but also lots of butterflies in your belly moments.
The setting gives major Gilmore Girls vibes - hello Fran’s Pie Shop and “town meetings”. A must read for my fellow GG fans.
While I don’t usually reach for celebrity love stories, this one just worked and Noel’s character was written into such an easy to like guy. The hallmark type story makes this book a nice palette cleanser read, especially if you’re reading a lot of heavy fantasy or dark romances and you just need a reset. The way Teagan described Emerald Grove made me feel like I was there, and honestly is the setting of my dream home town that I have yet to find in real life.
The side characters, like Noel’s Nan, and Parker’s friend Axel are such a hoot and well written, I’d love to see a book for Axel in the future.
🎬 Small town
🎬 Second chance romance
🎬 Childhood friends to lovers
🎬 Celebrity + small town girl
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for sending this book for my review. All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2025
Parker and Noel were everything to one another, until they weren't. Until his big dreams took him to LA and she stayed back in Washington, in their small town. He wanted her to come, but she didn't want to stand in the way of his dreams or worse.. get sick of her.
Now Noel is back and the theatre they once loved is getting an overhaul so it can reopen. A donor gave money to the project and requested that it be named after him. So while Parker is spearheading the project, she isn't sure how she is going to feel when Noel comes home for the dedication.
Immediately when they see one another there is a spark, a connection, a pull. The ten years that has gone by isn't there anymore and it is just them, back together, trying to navigate old and new feelings.
They were in love then, but the kind of love that has grown over the last ten years, just simmering waiting to boil over is what takes hold now. He's scared to ask her to come again, she's scared to ask him to stay, but they both know they can't live without the other.
I loved these two. You could feel just how in love they were from the moment they saw one another again. Those feelings never changed and needed to finally be released. I really loved that in no way at the end did I even question if they would end up together. It was low angst but high on swoon. 4.5 stars.
Now Noel is back and the theatre they once loved is getting an overhaul so it can reopen. A donor gave money to the project and requested that it be named after him. So while Parker is spearheading the project, she isn't sure how she is going to feel when Noel comes home for the dedication.
Immediately when they see one another there is a spark, a connection, a pull. The ten years that has gone by isn't there anymore and it is just them, back together, trying to navigate old and new feelings.
They were in love then, but the kind of love that has grown over the last ten years, just simmering waiting to boil over is what takes hold now. He's scared to ask her to come again, she's scared to ask him to stay, but they both know they can't live without the other.
I loved these two. You could feel just how in love they were from the moment they saw one another again. Those feelings never changed and needed to finally be released. I really loved that in no way at the end did I even question if they would end up together. It was low angst but high on swoon. 4.5 stars.
December 23, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ A small town second chance with a different vibe to it.
Parker, but he calls her Peter, for Peter Parker. And his childhood sheets are Spider-Man…
Parker, I love when a FMC makes something of herself in their “time apart”.
Noel. Nerdy theatre boy to movie star heart throb.
It’s always been you.
Meddling Gran.
Theater restoration to bring them back together.
This was cute.
Ten years was a long time tho…
Arc review ✨
Parker, but he calls her Peter, for Peter Parker. And his childhood sheets are Spider-Man…
Parker, I love when a FMC makes something of herself in their “time apart”.
Noel. Nerdy theatre boy to movie star heart throb.
It’s always been you.
Meddling Gran.
Theater restoration to bring them back together.
This was cute.
Ten years was a long time tho…
Arc review ✨
May 13, 2025
So this one is cute. It is a second chance, childhood love, and small town romance. Pretty Angsty. I cant really say it’s a slow burn, because that burn never really died, like most second chance romance with their bestie they fell in love with. We know, and LOVE this trope. I do want to say they take their time getting into a relationship though, so it is a slow burn in a way. It actually was written really nicely. It reminds of a really popular author. Ive only read two of Meghan Quinn books, and honestly this writing style is very much like those two. Assuming all her books are like those two, if you like her books then I think you absolutely would probably love this one too. There is some spice later on in the book. When it gets to the spice, it is spicen. I did find myself crying once, and giggling a few times. The book was an easy read. I just picked it up, and devoured it. As usual I did immersed reading. The audio version is available on kindle unlimited as well as the ebook (on my Ipad I can do both at the same time. Not sure if you can on a kindle. But you could always do the audio on your phone). Anywho. Cute, and an easy light read with the plenty of angst to keep you wrapped up in the story.
This is a delightful Contemporary Romance. The Romance in this Book is a Second Chance Romance. The book does have spice, and the spice is descriptive. The book moves at a steady pace following Noel as he travels home for a remodeling of a theater thats being done in his name, now that he is a big movie star. Noel hasn’t been home in 10yrs. Not since the night he kissed his best friend Parker, and told her his feeling for her. Parker has done her best to move on from Noel leaving town, and never looking back. But seeing him back in town has opened old wounds she kept locked away in her chest. Things have changed in this small town since Noel has left but, one thing hasn’t. His feelings for Parker. This is an emotional, and cute romance that is a great addition to any TBR.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is a delightful Contemporary Romance. The Romance in this Book is a Second Chance Romance. The book does have spice, and the spice is descriptive. The book moves at a steady pace following Noel as he travels home for a remodeling of a theater thats being done in his name, now that he is a big movie star. Noel hasn’t been home in 10yrs. Not since the night he kissed his best friend Parker, and told her his feeling for her. Parker has done her best to move on from Noel leaving town, and never looking back. But seeing him back in town has opened old wounds she kept locked away in her chest. Things have changed in this small town since Noel has left but, one thing hasn’t. His feelings for Parker. This is an emotional, and cute romance that is a great addition to any TBR.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
January 23, 2025
oh miss hunter, how i missed you in second chance territory!
i had a blast with parker and noel. childhood best friends to lovers with second chance will always be my most favorite trope combo and teagan did it so well with them. all that banter and intimacy that even a decade apart couldn't erase, adding longing and angst because of the pain they caused each other — so good!
i liked how it didn't feel like the whole angry/grudge part lasted very long, because they were glad to have each other back in their lives again. it made it sweeter than a lot of second chance romances, and i appreciate that.
another thing i loved, the small town aspect! i love romances set in small towns because of noisy neighbors, people meddling that's always entertaining to see the main characters dealing with, but also that loving support you know they have with everyone from the community, and on 'best friends for never' we have that 1000%. it makes me wish we had more books set in the town, so i could visit again.
and as a sucker for opposite sex friendships, i have to mention axel and parker's relationship! i loved how axel was such an important character throughout the story, and seeing him being there for parker for everything was very touching and cute. more of that in romances, please and thank you!
lastly, all the 'text me baby one more time' parallels were INSANE. i'm kinda hoping teagan will release some kind of bonus content with denver and shep interacting with parker and noel because that would be too good (i'm not above begging)
ARC kindly provided by the publisher through Netgalley.
i had a blast with parker and noel. childhood best friends to lovers with second chance will always be my most favorite trope combo and teagan did it so well with them. all that banter and intimacy that even a decade apart couldn't erase, adding longing and angst because of the pain they caused each other — so good!
i liked how it didn't feel like the whole angry/grudge part lasted very long, because they were glad to have each other back in their lives again. it made it sweeter than a lot of second chance romances, and i appreciate that.
another thing i loved, the small town aspect! i love romances set in small towns because of noisy neighbors, people meddling that's always entertaining to see the main characters dealing with, but also that loving support you know they have with everyone from the community, and on 'best friends for never' we have that 1000%. it makes me wish we had more books set in the town, so i could visit again.
and as a sucker for opposite sex friendships, i have to mention axel and parker's relationship! i loved how axel was such an important character throughout the story, and seeing him being there for parker for everything was very touching and cute. more of that in romances, please and thank you!
lastly, all the 'text me baby one more time' parallels were INSANE. i'm kinda hoping teagan will release some kind of bonus content with denver and shep interacting with parker and noel because that would be too good (i'm not above begging)
ARC kindly provided by the publisher through Netgalley.
February 20, 2025
Loved this second chance, childhood best friends story.
Spicy 🌶️
RomCom
Sweet
Lovable characters
Dual narration
Both narrators did a great job bringing these two lovable characters to life
This story follows Noel Carter a movie star who is returning to his small hometown for the first time in 10 years. He has stayed away because of her. She had rejected him all those years ago. So he kept his distance.
Parker Pruitt small town girl who has her own business with a friend. They renovate anything and everything. She’s had a dream to renovate the towns theater for years but the owner wouldn’t budge. Now there is a new owner and an anonymous donor. The catch is the theater has to be named after Noel Carter the boy who left her.
Childhood best friends that haven’t seen each other in 10 years are thrown back together for an event. Both hurting still over what happened. This follows them on their journey back to each other.
Very sweet and heartwarming.
This was my first Teagan Hunter book and I am instantly a fan!
Spicy 🌶️
RomCom
Sweet
Lovable characters
Dual narration
Both narrators did a great job bringing these two lovable characters to life
This story follows Noel Carter a movie star who is returning to his small hometown for the first time in 10 years. He has stayed away because of her. She had rejected him all those years ago. So he kept his distance.
Parker Pruitt small town girl who has her own business with a friend. They renovate anything and everything. She’s had a dream to renovate the towns theater for years but the owner wouldn’t budge. Now there is a new owner and an anonymous donor. The catch is the theater has to be named after Noel Carter the boy who left her.
Childhood best friends that haven’t seen each other in 10 years are thrown back together for an event. Both hurting still over what happened. This follows them on their journey back to each other.
Very sweet and heartwarming.
This was my first Teagan Hunter book and I am instantly a fan!
Read
December 6, 2024When I read the blurb, I was super excited to dive into the book. I was hoping for that kind of pining only friends-to-lovers stories deliver, but unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. I DNF’d at 78%—I really tried to push through, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t connect with the characters, found them a bit immature at times, and the communication issues between them were just too much for me.
Thank you so much, Montlake, for the opportunity to read this ARC, but sadly, it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Thank you so much, Montlake, for the opportunity to read this ARC, but sadly, it wasn’t my cup of tea.
March 4, 2025
3.75⭐️ | 2🌶
This was... average. honestly, it could have been like 20% shorter. I was intrigued at the start but then they started "i really want to but I cant-ing" and there so much of that that I just got... lost. Also, mixed feelings about Axel. I liked him but then didn't but then liked him again. Did not like Aaron. Astrid and Noel's Gran... LOVED them! They were so much like my own Mom. The triplets were sweet.
Also, Noel's name was a trigger for me. It made it feel like he was a 60-something instead of in his late 20s. But in spite of all that, this was a good read. Thank you to valentine pr for this arc.
This was... average. honestly, it could have been like 20% shorter. I was intrigued at the start but then they started "i really want to but I cant-ing" and there so much of that that I just got... lost. Also, mixed feelings about Axel. I liked him but then didn't but then liked him again. Did not like Aaron. Astrid and Noel's Gran... LOVED them! They were so much like my own Mom. The triplets were sweet.
Also, Noel's name was a trigger for me. It made it feel like he was a 60-something instead of in his late 20s. But in spite of all that, this was a good read. Thank you to valentine pr for this arc.
December 3, 2024
I really liked the writing of this book. It felt super easy to fall into the small town world and really be immersed in Parker’s world. I loved her and Noel’s friendship, but I feel like she forgave him too fast for it speaking for 10 years. I understand they were kids but it felt a little unrealistic. The rest of the story was nice and I would love to read this author again.
Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for an early copy of this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for an early copy of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down to 3
I liked the book.
Tropes:
Best friends to Lovers
Second Chance romance
Small Town romance
Hollywood Celebrity and Childhood crush
This was one of Teagans feel good romances. A Hollywood star has to go back to his small town home and meets his childhood crush. It was a cute romance with little drama.
I liked the book.
Tropes:
Best friends to Lovers
Second Chance romance
Small Town romance
Hollywood Celebrity and Childhood crush
This was one of Teagans feel good romances. A Hollywood star has to go back to his small town home and meets his childhood crush. It was a cute romance with little drama.
February 26, 2025
Second chance (kinda). It's more like a second chance to start the first time.
Parker Pruitt's dream is to renovate the towns theater. Growing up, it was a safe place for her, and she spent a lot of time there with Noal Carter. Noah, who's now a famous actor, hasn't come back to their small town. Until an anonymous donation was given for the theaters' reconstruction... with it being renamed after Noal.
There was a lot of heartbreak when Noel left. They weren't together, but they broke each other's hearts. It's very angsty. Which I enjoyed.
They might be a little different than they were ten years ago, but the connection is still there. They're really living different lives, tho. Parker might not be world famous, but she's made a great life for herself.
The cast of secondary characters are really great. Noel's grandmother is very funny, and I loved the jealousy Noel exhibited when he found out who's in Parkers life.
I spent a lot of time wondering, how in the world would they be able to work this out?
Teagan's stand alones has proven to be just as good as her series!
Parker Pruitt's dream is to renovate the towns theater. Growing up, it was a safe place for her, and she spent a lot of time there with Noal Carter. Noah, who's now a famous actor, hasn't come back to their small town. Until an anonymous donation was given for the theaters' reconstruction... with it being renamed after Noal.
There was a lot of heartbreak when Noel left. They weren't together, but they broke each other's hearts. It's very angsty. Which I enjoyed.
They might be a little different than they were ten years ago, but the connection is still there. They're really living different lives, tho. Parker might not be world famous, but she's made a great life for herself.
The cast of secondary characters are really great. Noel's grandmother is very funny, and I loved the jealousy Noel exhibited when he found out who's in Parkers life.
I spent a lot of time wondering, how in the world would they be able to work this out?
Teagan's stand alones has proven to be just as good as her series!
February 25, 2025
Not normally a small town romance reader but I do love Teagan’s books so I had to give it a read.
Noel and Parker characters I liked but got a little frustrated with them at times, when you find out there back story it makes a little more sense, I enjoyed there journey when Noel return to town to see them grow together.
The side characters Astrid, Gran and Axel there brought me a few Lol moments especially Gran with her witting comments to Noel she was quick with her comes backs😀
For me it’s a 4🌟
Noel and Parker characters I liked but got a little frustrated with them at times, when you find out there back story it makes a little more sense, I enjoyed there journey when Noel return to town to see them grow together.
The side characters Astrid, Gran and Axel there brought me a few Lol moments especially Gran with her witting comments to Noel she was quick with her comes backs😀
For me it’s a 4🌟
March 3, 2025
Super sweet, this Friends to Lovers to enemies and a second chance is delightfully hilarious as the narrators gave the best performances in bringing this story to life!
Definitely Recommend.
🎧📖AUDIOBOOK 📖🎧
Best Friend For Never by Teagan Hunter
PERFORMED by :
Emma Wilder and Lee Samuels
Did an outstanding performance bringing these characters to life with their incredible performances in this sweet second chance Story.
Emma Wilder and Lee Samuels were both amazing playing characters Parker and Noel, I loved the way they portrayed them in this Audiobook.. they were absolutely amazing!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A sweet, hilarious and a bit emotionally charged story!
3.5🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵sweet moments with delicious heat !
10🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️Incredible narration from Emma Wilder and Lee Samuels who were quite fantastic on this audiobook story!
***************💙*🩷*💙**************
PARKER PRUITT AND NOEL CARTER STORY
The Movie Star and the one who he left behind in pursuit of his dream…
NOEL CARTER
returned home to Emerald Grove for his grandma banana bread well and a tribute, but after seeing PARKER PRUITT again, his best friend and once love of his life, (we’ll still is ) extended his weekend stay into a six-week stay, as long repressed memories and feelings come flooding back.
But As the simmering tension and attraction between them builds, this time Noel is determined not to ruin this second time around.
So as his return to LA is hanging over them, one wonders if they are going to make a repeat of the past?… or finally make a go of what they could have had.
🎟️💙🎟️
A sweet story Author Teagan Hunter wrote with pockets of spice, tons of banter and hilariously sweet moments!
Couple with some of the best narrators who helped made this audiobook so much more enjoyable and memorable!
What you may find in this Audiobook 📖🎧
💙SMALL TOWN
🎟️SECOND CHANCE
🩷CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS
🎟️EMOTIONAL
💙COMEDY
🎟️HOLLYWOOD STAR
🩷DUAL POV
🎟️HEA
The Movie star and the small town girl he left behind. They have a lot of catching up to do in an emotional and rousing romantic comedy About Fame, Second chances and making their Dreams a reality!
Definitely recommend this book.
Be sure to add this to your TBL and enjoy the banter and funny moments with stellar narrators!
Thanks for reading my ratings and reviews and special thanks to Valentine_pr for this opportunity..
Hope to catch you next time dearest audiobook lovers 💋
One love 💕
@Georgious_eleanorpb🦋
Definitely Recommend.
🎧📖AUDIOBOOK 📖🎧
Best Friend For Never by Teagan Hunter
PERFORMED by :
Emma Wilder and Lee Samuels
Did an outstanding performance bringing these characters to life with their incredible performances in this sweet second chance Story.
Emma Wilder and Lee Samuels were both amazing playing characters Parker and Noel, I loved the way they portrayed them in this Audiobook.. they were absolutely amazing!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A sweet, hilarious and a bit emotionally charged story!
3.5🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵sweet moments with delicious heat !
10🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️Incredible narration from Emma Wilder and Lee Samuels who were quite fantastic on this audiobook story!
***************💙*🩷*💙**************
PARKER PRUITT AND NOEL CARTER STORY
The Movie Star and the one who he left behind in pursuit of his dream…
NOEL CARTER
returned home to Emerald Grove for his grandma banana bread well and a tribute, but after seeing PARKER PRUITT again, his best friend and once love of his life, (we’ll still is ) extended his weekend stay into a six-week stay, as long repressed memories and feelings come flooding back.
But As the simmering tension and attraction between them builds, this time Noel is determined not to ruin this second time around.
So as his return to LA is hanging over them, one wonders if they are going to make a repeat of the past?… or finally make a go of what they could have had.
🎟️💙🎟️
A sweet story Author Teagan Hunter wrote with pockets of spice, tons of banter and hilariously sweet moments!
Couple with some of the best narrators who helped made this audiobook so much more enjoyable and memorable!
What you may find in this Audiobook 📖🎧
💙SMALL TOWN
🎟️SECOND CHANCE
🩷CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS
🎟️EMOTIONAL
💙COMEDY
🎟️HOLLYWOOD STAR
🩷DUAL POV
🎟️HEA
The Movie star and the small town girl he left behind. They have a lot of catching up to do in an emotional and rousing romantic comedy About Fame, Second chances and making their Dreams a reality!
Definitely recommend this book.
Be sure to add this to your TBL and enjoy the banter and funny moments with stellar narrators!
Thanks for reading my ratings and reviews and special thanks to Valentine_pr for this opportunity..
Hope to catch you next time dearest audiobook lovers 💋
One love 💕
@Georgious_eleanorpb🦋
December 28, 2024
Quick Summary: A second chance, homecoming romance
My Review: Best Friends for Never by Teagan Hunter is a 2025 adult romance release.
About the Book: "The movie star and the small-town girl he left behind. They have a lot of catching up to do in an emotional and rousing romantic comedy about fame, second chances, and making dreams come true."
In My Own Words: Timing is everything when it comes to true love.
About the Characters: Parker and Noel were sweet together. What they felt for each other was special. It was timeless. It was unconditional. It was hard and real. It was authentic. The strange triangle aspect of their relationship/friend-enemy group made things interesting, yet no less meaningful. Lastly, Gran, Astrid, and the whole community were charming.
My Favorite "Gotcha" Emo Scene:
She shakes her head. “It’s fine. It’s . . . fine.”“It’s not,” I tell her, stepping closer. “It’s not fine. I didn’t mean to stay gone. It’s just . . . We stopped talking, and I thought . . .”“You thought what ? That I just forgot about you, like you forgot about me?”
My Final Say: I felt this story. It was classic in the way that first love stories are. I was hopeful for a redo between this couple. All the extra trimmings were frosting. (Happy sigh.)
*** Sign me up for the audiobook. I absolutely want to hear this story come to life. ***
Other: Readers who want a simple, love conquers all, second chance love story will enjoy this romance.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💖
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Montlake), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to read this novel. I am grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to reading more from this writer.
My Review: Best Friends for Never by Teagan Hunter is a 2025 adult romance release.
About the Book: "The movie star and the small-town girl he left behind. They have a lot of catching up to do in an emotional and rousing romantic comedy about fame, second chances, and making dreams come true."
In My Own Words: Timing is everything when it comes to true love.
About the Characters: Parker and Noel were sweet together. What they felt for each other was special. It was timeless. It was unconditional. It was hard and real. It was authentic. The strange triangle aspect of their relationship/friend-enemy group made things interesting, yet no less meaningful. Lastly, Gran, Astrid, and the whole community were charming.
My Favorite "Gotcha" Emo Scene:
She shakes her head. “It’s fine. It’s . . . fine.”“It’s not,” I tell her, stepping closer. “It’s not fine. I didn’t mean to stay gone. It’s just . . . We stopped talking, and I thought . . .”“You thought what ? That I just forgot about you, like you forgot about me?”
My Final Say: I felt this story. It was classic in the way that first love stories are. I was hopeful for a redo between this couple. All the extra trimmings were frosting. (Happy sigh.)
*** Sign me up for the audiobook. I absolutely want to hear this story come to life. ***
Other: Readers who want a simple, love conquers all, second chance love story will enjoy this romance.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💖
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Montlake), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to read this novel. I am grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to reading more from this writer.
February 25, 2025
Absolutely ADORED this second chance romance from Teagan Hunter! Thank you so much to Valentine PR for the gifted ARC and to Montlake for the eARC via NetGalley! These are my honest thoughts!
Not only do I love the setting for this story (small town Washington state will have my heart EVERY SINGLE TIME), I adored these characters. Parker and Noel are separated right after high school graduation, when Noel goes off to chase his dream of becoming a Hollywood star and Parker stays behind because she's in love with her home town, and it doesn't feel right to leave. Ten years later, Noel returns for the first time to have the theater named after him, as construction starts to rehab the building after falling into disrepair. The designer on the project? Parker.
I enjoyed this story SO MUCH. It had some of the angsty feelings that come with second chance romance, but it also had so much more! We weren't entirely caught up in "what happened" and the unforgiveness or resistance that usually comes with a second chance romance. Big fan.
Things I loved:
- Parker and her creative curse words
- Noel is a MMC that is both the golden retriever funny best friend and the possessive love interest
- The spice was SO GOOD (not overly spicy (except, you know, a little *crawl up here and sit on my face moment*) but it totally showed their connection and the longing for which they had both had in the years that separated them)
- Astrid (Parker's mom) and Gran (Noel's grandma) were both so... special? Special feels like a lame way to describe them, but they were so loving towards their "kids"
- The love that's in the story all along
- Hollywood heartthrob returns to small hometown... love this storyline!
- When characters feel like home *swoon*
"...and, god, she tastes so good. Like peppermint and home and all mine."
I'm down bad for Noel. This story is out today and I can't wait to hear what my friends think!
Not only do I love the setting for this story (small town Washington state will have my heart EVERY SINGLE TIME), I adored these characters. Parker and Noel are separated right after high school graduation, when Noel goes off to chase his dream of becoming a Hollywood star and Parker stays behind because she's in love with her home town, and it doesn't feel right to leave. Ten years later, Noel returns for the first time to have the theater named after him, as construction starts to rehab the building after falling into disrepair. The designer on the project? Parker.
I enjoyed this story SO MUCH. It had some of the angsty feelings that come with second chance romance, but it also had so much more! We weren't entirely caught up in "what happened" and the unforgiveness or resistance that usually comes with a second chance romance. Big fan.
Things I loved:
- Parker and her creative curse words
- Noel is a MMC that is both the golden retriever funny best friend and the possessive love interest
- The spice was SO GOOD (not overly spicy (except, you know, a little *crawl up here and sit on my face moment*) but it totally showed their connection and the longing for which they had both had in the years that separated them)
- Astrid (Parker's mom) and Gran (Noel's grandma) were both so... special? Special feels like a lame way to describe them, but they were so loving towards their "kids"
- The love that's in the story all along
- Hollywood heartthrob returns to small hometown... love this storyline!
- When characters feel like home *swoon*
"...and, god, she tastes so good. Like peppermint and home and all mine."
I'm down bad for Noel. This story is out today and I can't wait to hear what my friends think!
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