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Never Harbor #3
On Midnight Shores: A Small Town Grumpy Sunshine Romance
๐ฏ๐โ๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐
๐๐๐, ๐๐๐
๐ฐโ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐.
Iโve loved Rafe Cohen since I knew unavailable artists with piercing amber eyes and reckless tattoos sparked my young, inexperienced heart.
If only the man knew who I was.
But, as it turns out, I can be reckless too. Thatโs how I end up in Rafeโs print shop with my legs around his waist and my innocence in his talented hands.
He insists our one night stand is just that: one night. Heโs not a relationship guy.
But when he needs a new employee, and Iโve gotten one too many art internship rejections, weโre spending the summer closer than either of us expected. I want to learn everything, and lessons on painting techniques quickly turn into lessons of a very different kind.
Iโm a good girl going bad, sneaking around our small town with the one man I shouldnโt, learning how art and intimacy intertwines in the most delicious ways.
I can be casual and still protect my heart. Sort of. Maybe.
I just hope I donโt learn my lesson the hard way.
Iโve loved Rafe Cohen since I knew unavailable artists with piercing amber eyes and reckless tattoos sparked my young, inexperienced heart.
If only the man knew who I was.
But, as it turns out, I can be reckless too. Thatโs how I end up in Rafeโs print shop with my legs around his waist and my innocence in his talented hands.
He insists our one night stand is just that: one night. Heโs not a relationship guy.
But when he needs a new employee, and Iโve gotten one too many art internship rejections, weโre spending the summer closer than either of us expected. I want to learn everything, and lessons on painting techniques quickly turn into lessons of a very different kind.
Iโm a good girl going bad, sneaking around our small town with the one man I shouldnโt, learning how art and intimacy intertwines in the most delicious ways.
I can be casual and still protect my heart. Sort of. Maybe.
I just hope I donโt learn my lesson the hard way.
419 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2025
406 people are currently reading
3629 people want to read
About the author
Julie Olivia
23ย books2,852ย followersJulie Olivia writes cozy love stories filled with humor, spice, and close friend groups that feel like a warm hug. She is a roller coaster fan, avid romance reader, and rainy day enthusiast.
Julie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their very opinionated pets.
Sign-up for the newsletter for book updates, special offers, and VIP exclusives!: https://julieoliviaauthor.com/newslet...
She can be easily reached on Instagram at @JulieOliviaAuthor! Come say hi!
Visit her at JulieOliviaAuthor.com
Instagram: @JulieOliviaAuthor
Facebook: @JulieOliviaAuthor
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2NbH7Jy
Julie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their very opinionated pets.
Sign-up for the newsletter for book updates, special offers, and VIP exclusives!: https://julieoliviaauthor.com/newslet...
She can be easily reached on Instagram at @JulieOliviaAuthor! Come say hi!
Visit her at JulieOliviaAuthor.com
Instagram: @JulieOliviaAuthor
Facebook: @JulieOliviaAuthor
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2NbH7Jy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 690 reviews
April 20, 2025
4.5 stars
Julie Olivia's books feel like a cozy warm hug and I just loved this one so much ๐ฅน From the start, I connected with Bonnie's character, between her feelings about her family and her hesitation to pursue her dreams, her worries and feelings were SO extremely relatable to me. But Rafe!?! Rafe stole the show for me. He's tattooed, an artist, and super slow to open up to anyone because of his past and his parents. But when he actually decides to let Bonnie in and be his apprentice at his art ship in their small coastal town? He falls soooo hard for Bonnie and I loved how he slowly let her in without even realizing it. Their connection was everything and the spicy scenes!? Especially the spicy art scenes!? LOVE.
I was addicted to these character and wanted to jump into these pages and move to Never Harbor. I'm definitely going back to read the first two books in this series and can't wait to see who the next book will be about!
Julie Olivia's books feel like a cozy warm hug and I just loved this one so much ๐ฅน From the start, I connected with Bonnie's character, between her feelings about her family and her hesitation to pursue her dreams, her worries and feelings were SO extremely relatable to me. But Rafe!?! Rafe stole the show for me. He's tattooed, an artist, and super slow to open up to anyone because of his past and his parents. But when he actually decides to let Bonnie in and be his apprentice at his art ship in their small coastal town? He falls soooo hard for Bonnie and I loved how he slowly let her in without even realizing it. Their connection was everything and the spicy scenes!? Especially the spicy art scenes!? LOVE.
I was addicted to these character and wanted to jump into these pages and move to Never Harbor. I'm definitely going back to read the first two books in this series and can't wait to see who the next book will be about!
December 4, 2025
Thanks to PenPal PR and Julie Olivia for letting me read this book early. All thoughts are my own!!
This book is the third book in an interconnected series about siblings in a small town. This one is about the only sister of six brothers fighting to be seen as an adult. I think I just really dislike this type of age gap/family dynamic. When itโs an age gap where the FMC is still treated like a child by literally everyone, it adds this layer to an age gap romance that I canโt stand. It makes the MMC out to be basically a predator who is taking advantage of the FMC, when sheโs an adult and heโs doing nothing wrong!! Theyโre both adults, but the way that the other people react makes it seem so much more dramatic, and I canโt do it.
It wasnโt helped by Bonnieโs actions either, honestly. Itโs one thing to push to be treated like an adult, but itโs another to continue to act immature. Sheโs pushing Rafe about their one night stand when heโs said multiple times he doesnโt want to talk about it, which in my opinion, is immature. She gets jealous when a random woman flirts with Rafe, even though they hadnโt discussed being exclusive at all. He made no indication he was even interested in this other woman either. They do talk about it, but not until after she tries to flirt with another guy around Rafe.
I can tell that Julie is intending for Bonnie to come across as a bold and confident woman who is starting to speak up for herself throughout the book, but it really just didnโt work. Instead she overstepped boundaries with Rafe, continued to bring up things he said he didnโt want to talk about, got jealous when someone else gave him their number even though he never expressed interest himself, basically refused to let him end their relationship by declaring that he loves her and just hasnโt realized it yet, and generally kept reminding me how young she is through her actions. Yes, sheโs an adult, but that doesnโt mean she acted like one, at least not in her romantic relationship.
I really struggled to like her family in this book, when Iโve loved them in the other ones. Peter was all too comfortable with expressing his opinions about people and refusing to hear otherwise. Harriet is the WORST, and Iโm so annoyed at Milo and Peter for being so judgy about Rafe, especially cause nothing is even happening between them at the 37% mark. This is not helping me root for Peter when the time comes for his book. In fact, I still stand by what I said about Peter in my review for Off the Hook. I donโt think I will ever root for Peter, and I donโt even care. Izzy deserves better.
If I were Bonnie I wouldโve had it out with my family loooong before now. They had group chat for Wendyโs baby shower without her?? They let Harriet say awful things about Bonnie, Lulu, and Rafe, and Milo defended her!! I liked that she and her mom talked it out towards the end, but honestly, I think that shouldโve been explored more. We barely saw them interact in this book, but her mom said she wouldnโt change anything about their dynamic??
Wendy was also working for Jasper when they got together, but itโs only different because Bonnie is 21?? It was literally the same dynamic as Off the Hook, but for some reason this was a bigger deal to the Davies family, which really aggravated me, especially when it had some of them acting kind of out of character.
Once she stopped pushing him and they were actually together, I really liked their connection and dynamic. I think they really understood each other, and I loved how they pushed each other to be better. Rafe pushed Bonnie with her art, and Bonnie pushed Rafe to open up. I liked the banter they had and Rafe teaching Bonnie about sex and pushing her to advocate for herself in that way. He was always on her side, and he supported her through the whole book. Bonnie helped him realize he was enough and deserved love just as he is. It was really sweet.
I really loved Rafe and Izzyโs friendship, and I adore when men and women can be just friends, best friends even, in a book. Iโm so interested to see Izzy again when that time comes for that book, but I will be anxiously waiting for Milo and Luluโs book too.
This book couldโve been 100 pages shorter, though. I got to 320 pages, and I thought we were nearing the third act conflict, just to see there was another 100 pages left. Referring to Marina with the phrase, โShe shakes her massive preggo knockersโ almost made me dnf right then. I get that Marina doesnโt like bras, but COME ON.
Overall, I really liked Bonnie and Rafe together and wished that the rest the book didnโt ruin the whole thing for me, but it did. Once I got past Bonnie giving me terrible second-hand embarrassment in the first 45%, I was really rooting for them. Iโm still planning to read the rest of this series as it comes out, but I will be waiting to see if these siblings will judge Milo and Lulu or Izzy and Peter with the same ridiculousness as they judged Bonnie and Rafe.
This book is the third book in an interconnected series about siblings in a small town. This one is about the only sister of six brothers fighting to be seen as an adult. I think I just really dislike this type of age gap/family dynamic. When itโs an age gap where the FMC is still treated like a child by literally everyone, it adds this layer to an age gap romance that I canโt stand. It makes the MMC out to be basically a predator who is taking advantage of the FMC, when sheโs an adult and heโs doing nothing wrong!! Theyโre both adults, but the way that the other people react makes it seem so much more dramatic, and I canโt do it.
It wasnโt helped by Bonnieโs actions either, honestly. Itโs one thing to push to be treated like an adult, but itโs another to continue to act immature. Sheโs pushing Rafe about their one night stand when heโs said multiple times he doesnโt want to talk about it, which in my opinion, is immature. She gets jealous when a random woman flirts with Rafe, even though they hadnโt discussed being exclusive at all. He made no indication he was even interested in this other woman either. They do talk about it, but not until after she tries to flirt with another guy around Rafe.
I can tell that Julie is intending for Bonnie to come across as a bold and confident woman who is starting to speak up for herself throughout the book, but it really just didnโt work. Instead she overstepped boundaries with Rafe, continued to bring up things he said he didnโt want to talk about, got jealous when someone else gave him their number even though he never expressed interest himself, basically refused to let him end their relationship by declaring that he loves her and just hasnโt realized it yet, and generally kept reminding me how young she is through her actions. Yes, sheโs an adult, but that doesnโt mean she acted like one, at least not in her romantic relationship.
I really struggled to like her family in this book, when Iโve loved them in the other ones. Peter was all too comfortable with expressing his opinions about people and refusing to hear otherwise. Harriet is the WORST, and Iโm so annoyed at Milo and Peter for being so judgy about Rafe, especially cause nothing is even happening between them at the 37% mark. This is not helping me root for Peter when the time comes for his book. In fact, I still stand by what I said about Peter in my review for Off the Hook. I donโt think I will ever root for Peter, and I donโt even care. Izzy deserves better.
If I were Bonnie I wouldโve had it out with my family loooong before now. They had group chat for Wendyโs baby shower without her?? They let Harriet say awful things about Bonnie, Lulu, and Rafe, and Milo defended her!! I liked that she and her mom talked it out towards the end, but honestly, I think that shouldโve been explored more. We barely saw them interact in this book, but her mom said she wouldnโt change anything about their dynamic??
Wendy was also working for Jasper when they got together, but itโs only different because Bonnie is 21?? It was literally the same dynamic as Off the Hook, but for some reason this was a bigger deal to the Davies family, which really aggravated me, especially when it had some of them acting kind of out of character.
Once she stopped pushing him and they were actually together, I really liked their connection and dynamic. I think they really understood each other, and I loved how they pushed each other to be better. Rafe pushed Bonnie with her art, and Bonnie pushed Rafe to open up. I liked the banter they had and Rafe teaching Bonnie about sex and pushing her to advocate for herself in that way. He was always on her side, and he supported her through the whole book. Bonnie helped him realize he was enough and deserved love just as he is. It was really sweet.
I really loved Rafe and Izzyโs friendship, and I adore when men and women can be just friends, best friends even, in a book. Iโm so interested to see Izzy again when that time comes for that book, but I will be anxiously waiting for Milo and Luluโs book too.
This book couldโve been 100 pages shorter, though. I got to 320 pages, and I thought we were nearing the third act conflict, just to see there was another 100 pages left. Referring to Marina with the phrase, โShe shakes her massive preggo knockersโ almost made me dnf right then. I get that Marina doesnโt like bras, but COME ON.
Overall, I really liked Bonnie and Rafe together and wished that the rest the book didnโt ruin the whole thing for me, but it did. Once I got past Bonnie giving me terrible second-hand embarrassment in the first 45%, I was really rooting for them. Iโm still planning to read the rest of this series as it comes out, but I will be waiting to see if these siblings will judge Milo and Lulu or Izzy and Peter with the same ridiculousness as they judged Bonnie and Rafe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2025
I'm acually so disappointed. this has been my first read in about a month and for it to be 3 stars...it was so mid my brain couldn't hold information for more than 2 hours! The more sexual, the less I'm interested in the book and this book is SPICY (for me) just look at how many spicy scenes and you'll understand what I mean. why would I need a spicy scene at ch 5? Since I loved other books by Julie Olivia I will not give up on her yet
โ ห๏ฝกโเญจเญงห๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐หเญจเญงโ๏ฝกห โ
SKIP CHAPTER: 5, 17, 19, 22, 30, 42
โ ห๏ฝกโเญจเญงห๐ป๐๐-๐๐๐๐หเญจเญงโ๏ฝกห โ
I'm so grateful for Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC ๐ซถ๐ป
โ ห๏ฝกโเญจเญงห๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐หเญจเญงโ๏ฝกห โ
SKIP CHAPTER: 5, 17, 19, 22, 30, 42
โ ห๏ฝกโเญจเญงห๐ป๐๐-๐๐๐๐หเญจเญงโ๏ฝกห โ
I'm so grateful for Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC ๐ซถ๐ป
April 17, 2025
I absolutely LOVED this book! I JUST finished book 2 a few weeks ago in hopes that I would be able to read this one in real time. I was READY for these two after all the teasing looks across the room in book 2. There was a time jump from book 2 to 3- Bonnie is now in college and trying to figure out what she wants to do for the summer. I loved the way this one started off with a literal BANG. These two have a HOT one-night stand that turns into Bonnie working for Rafe for the summer. I loved watching these two dance around each other acting like they didn't want more- well really it was Rafe. I loved the transformation of Bonnie. She was a woman who respected boundaries but was also not afraid to push for what she wanted. I loved the support and guidance that Rafe gave her. Bonnie was at a bit of a crossroads with her art and her career. She was balancing between what was expected of her and what she WANTED to do. I loved the she's mine vibes that Rafe gave. I also LOVED the spicy lessons vibes. I haven't read a book with that yet (somehow) and MAN was it HOT. Especially because Rafe was fighting his feelings so hard. I loved the vulnerability we saw in Rafe and how Bonnie helped him find his people. These two were just so fabulous together!!
Bonnie is living a lie. Her whole family thinks she is doing well at school. That she is thriving. But she isn't. She has been turned down for ever summer intern. She feels like she is in free fall with her art. She doesn't know when it changed. But all of that is put on hold when her literal dream comes true. She has a night of shenanigans with Rafe. HER Rafe. He doesn't know all of the details. And he makes it clear that nothing can come of this. But then he posts for an intern and hires Bonnie. She is trying to adhere to his rule of nothing can happen between them. But the way he pushes her and supports her is more than what she is used to. It's like she can be herself around him. He helps her unlock her desires in all ways. So instead of tip toing around each other. She asks for what she wants- she wants him. If that is just through spicy lessons, she will take it. Shockingly he agrees. Now they are spending all of their time together. Work and nights. Not dates that feel like dates. She knows Rafe feels something for her, but he is scared. Things come to a head at a town event. Her family can't see her beyond their little sister, but she is an adult woman. And she is going to make that clear. She lays it out for Rafe- he is perfect for her. But he has to be comfortable with that. She just has to wait for him to catch up. Because she knows he feels how she feels- at least she hopes he does.
Rafe doesn't date. Not only does he not date. He doesn't dabble with locals. But there is something about Bonnie Davies that he can't get past. So when she propositions him for a night- he says yes. It's more than he thought it would be. It's more than he can process. But he has lines that he isn't ready for anyone to cross. No matter how much he can't stop thinking about her. So when she asks to be his summer intern- he should say no. But of course he says yes. He enjoys her in his space. He sees where she is struggling and finds himself wanting to help. He sees how she looks at him and how she somehow can't stop bringing up that night. So when she asks for help in experience- he says yes. Again he can't seem to say no. These nights and moments they are spending together are so much more than what he has experienced. He finds himself pushing his own boundaries. Inviting her to go places outside of work. Taking her on a date of sorts. Making it clear to his friends that she is. But his what? He doesn't feel like he is good enough for her. She is the good girl of the town. He is the bad boy- at least that's what everyone thinks. So when things come to a head and she puts him in his place. He is surprised at how much the town comes together for him. How they make him realize he IS perfect for her. He just has to get comfortable with that and make her see what she means to him.
I love this town and these characters! Rafe and Bonnie were on paper opposites attract- but they balanced each other out. The way their relationship developed was perfect. It was slow and realistic and helped them both get comfortable with what they wanted. The spicy scenes were HOT yall! I loved the snippets of the side characters and the teases we got for the last two books in the series. I just KNOW Julie is going to drag out the torture that is Izzy and Peter. So I am assuming Milo and Lulu are up next- can't wait for best friend's brother yall :) If you haven't started this series I HIGHLY recommend it for small town fun with great banter and found family.
Thank you to Pen Pal PR & Julie for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Bonnie is living a lie. Her whole family thinks she is doing well at school. That she is thriving. But she isn't. She has been turned down for ever summer intern. She feels like she is in free fall with her art. She doesn't know when it changed. But all of that is put on hold when her literal dream comes true. She has a night of shenanigans with Rafe. HER Rafe. He doesn't know all of the details. And he makes it clear that nothing can come of this. But then he posts for an intern and hires Bonnie. She is trying to adhere to his rule of nothing can happen between them. But the way he pushes her and supports her is more than what she is used to. It's like she can be herself around him. He helps her unlock her desires in all ways. So instead of tip toing around each other. She asks for what she wants- she wants him. If that is just through spicy lessons, she will take it. Shockingly he agrees. Now they are spending all of their time together. Work and nights. Not dates that feel like dates. She knows Rafe feels something for her, but he is scared. Things come to a head at a town event. Her family can't see her beyond their little sister, but she is an adult woman. And she is going to make that clear. She lays it out for Rafe- he is perfect for her. But he has to be comfortable with that. She just has to wait for him to catch up. Because she knows he feels how she feels- at least she hopes he does.
Rafe doesn't date. Not only does he not date. He doesn't dabble with locals. But there is something about Bonnie Davies that he can't get past. So when she propositions him for a night- he says yes. It's more than he thought it would be. It's more than he can process. But he has lines that he isn't ready for anyone to cross. No matter how much he can't stop thinking about her. So when she asks to be his summer intern- he should say no. But of course he says yes. He enjoys her in his space. He sees where she is struggling and finds himself wanting to help. He sees how she looks at him and how she somehow can't stop bringing up that night. So when she asks for help in experience- he says yes. Again he can't seem to say no. These nights and moments they are spending together are so much more than what he has experienced. He finds himself pushing his own boundaries. Inviting her to go places outside of work. Taking her on a date of sorts. Making it clear to his friends that she is. But his what? He doesn't feel like he is good enough for her. She is the good girl of the town. He is the bad boy- at least that's what everyone thinks. So when things come to a head and she puts him in his place. He is surprised at how much the town comes together for him. How they make him realize he IS perfect for her. He just has to get comfortable with that and make her see what she means to him.
I love this town and these characters! Rafe and Bonnie were on paper opposites attract- but they balanced each other out. The way their relationship developed was perfect. It was slow and realistic and helped them both get comfortable with what they wanted. The spicy scenes were HOT yall! I loved the snippets of the side characters and the teases we got for the last two books in the series. I just KNOW Julie is going to drag out the torture that is Izzy and Peter. So I am assuming Milo and Lulu are up next- can't wait for best friend's brother yall :) If you haven't started this series I HIGHLY recommend it for small town fun with great banter and found family.
Thank you to Pen Pal PR & Julie for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 25, 2025
4.6 โญ rounded up!
I'm loving this series so much, I want to live in Never Harbor and have one Davies brother just for me!
I decided to round up this rating because I gave four stars to the other two books even tho they were honestly a bit more.
But now I feel attached to this family and this city, and I just can't wait to read more of it. I would honestly give a kidney to have Milo and Lulu's story right now. ๐ญ
Anyway, let's get back to the point and analyze the two main characters of this story:
๐งก I already loved Bonnie from book 1, but she was so much more. The only girl among 6 brothers, the only artist in the family. She was a bit lost and insecure and SO, SO relatable.
Despite having a charter so different than mine, I felt so in tune with her and her struggles. I ended up crying -badly- when she had that conversation with her mum towards the end. And the way she handled the whole virginity thing.. honestly: queen.
๐ค But then we have the real bigbad good surprise: Rafe. I'm gone for this man. He was so perfectly flawed... he got me in his grip from the first hidden smile. And the way he was in their intimacy โค๏ธโ๐ฅ
He had me smiling, giggling, gripping, sweating.
Things I loved in their relationship:
- the openness and honesty
- the the way they just coexisted so well together
- painting each other
"Theyโre my little love letters in the form of charcoal, acrylic, and oil."
- intimacy and art lessons (I'm a sucker for the trope)
- "You deserve more than me.โ โก๏ธ โYou always want more in life, but when will you realize that youโre already enough? Youโre more than enough.โ
- โShe didnโt let me break up with her.โ
But other than the romance this was so full of family love and friendships... plus all the hints for the next 2 books.
It was a serotonin boost ๐ฅน๐ซถ๐ผ
I honestly have nothing negative to say. not a thing.
The audiobook voices were perfect too.
โ โกโโโโโฅโโโฆ
I did begin the series to get to this one book, so it's needles to say I am SO looking forward to this story ๐ค๐ง๐
A bad boy/artist with tattoos + town sweetheart?! I'm SAT.
โ Thank you to Netgalley and Julie Olivia for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion โ ARC provided by Dreamscape Media โ
I'm loving this series so much, I want to live in Never Harbor and have one Davies brother just for me!
I decided to round up this rating because I gave four stars to the other two books even tho they were honestly a bit more.
But now I feel attached to this family and this city, and I just can't wait to read more of it. I would honestly give a kidney to have Milo and Lulu's story right now. ๐ญ
Anyway, let's get back to the point and analyze the two main characters of this story:
๐งก I already loved Bonnie from book 1, but she was so much more. The only girl among 6 brothers, the only artist in the family. She was a bit lost and insecure and SO, SO relatable.
Despite having a charter so different than mine, I felt so in tune with her and her struggles. I ended up crying -badly- when she had that conversation with her mum towards the end. And the way she handled the whole virginity thing.. honestly: queen.
๐ค But then we have the real big
He had me smiling, giggling, gripping, sweating.
Things I loved in their relationship:
- the openness and honesty
- the the way they just coexisted so well together
- painting each other
"Theyโre my little love letters in the form of charcoal, acrylic, and oil."
- intimacy and art lessons (I'm a sucker for the trope)
- "You deserve more than me.โ โก๏ธ โYou always want more in life, but when will you realize that youโre already enough? Youโre more than enough.โ
- โShe didnโt let me break up with her.โ
But other than the romance this was so full of family love and friendships... plus all the hints for the next 2 books.
It was a serotonin boost ๐ฅน๐ซถ๐ผ
I honestly have nothing negative to say. not a thing.
The audiobook voices were perfect too.
โ โกโโโโโฅโโโฆ
I did begin the series to get to this one book, so it's needles to say I am SO looking forward to this story ๐ค๐ง๐
A bad boy/artist with tattoos + town sweetheart?! I'm SAT.
โ Thank you to Netgalley and Julie Olivia for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion โ ARC provided by Dreamscape Media โ
August 6, 2025
the way I absolutely adore these two ๐ฅน
I loved the teases we got of them in the previous books, and I knew Iโd love their story!
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Pen Pal PR & Julie Olivia for an ALC & ARC. All opinions are my own.
๐ On Midnight Shores by Julie Olivia
๐ book 3 โข Never Harbor series
๐: contemporary romance
โญ๏ธ: 5/5
๐ถ๏ธ: open door, a few descriptive scenes
๐ฑ: read on ebook
๐ mini blurb:
Rafe - the town โbad boyโ who secretly has an incredibly huge heart.
Bonnie - the town โsweetheart,โ the only Daviesโ girl, trying to actually be seen as the adult she is.
A summer internship between two artists that see the world in their own way, and are the only ones to see each other so very clearly.
๐ญ what I loved about this one:
- how they truly saw each other, fully and completely ๐ฅน
- The moment Rafe just gives in and accepts Bonnie is his person, and thereโs no more pulling away
- stealing souls
- the backstage dressing room ๐ฎโ๐จ
- โPaint meโ ๐จ
- the siblingsโ group chat ๐
- Rafeโs true friendship with Izzy, and seeing more teases to her relationship with Peter
๐ what didnโt quite work for me:
- the nickname โShivโ - her name is Siobhan, and everyone else calls her Bon/Bonnieโจ
(sorry Julie!! I adore you so very much, this one didnโt work for me)
๐งaudiobook thoughts:
I LOVED Michelle Priceโs narration, I truly felt she was perfect as Bonnie. She reminded me of one of my favs, Victoria Connolly ๐ฅฐ
her โman voiceโ was so good I had to double check this wasnโt duet in the earlier chapters ๐
Sebastian Grove as Rafe didnโt immediately click for me, but the more I listened the better he fit for me!
โฆ tropes & stuff:
โ๏ธ mentor + summer intern
๐ bad boy + town sweetheart
๐งก age gap
๐ถ โteach meโ
๐จ artists in love
๐ซถ๐ผ family & found family
๐ coastal small town
๐ dual 1st person pov
*Connect with Me*
๐ค Instagram ๐ค Blog ๐ค
I loved the teases we got of them in the previous books, and I knew Iโd love their story!
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Pen Pal PR & Julie Olivia for an ALC & ARC. All opinions are my own.
๐ On Midnight Shores by Julie Olivia
๐ book 3 โข Never Harbor series
๐: contemporary romance
โญ๏ธ: 5/5
๐ถ๏ธ: open door, a few descriptive scenes
๐ฑ: read on ebook
๐ mini blurb:
Rafe - the town โbad boyโ who secretly has an incredibly huge heart.
Bonnie - the town โsweetheart,โ the only Daviesโ girl, trying to actually be seen as the adult she is.
A summer internship between two artists that see the world in their own way, and are the only ones to see each other so very clearly.
๐ญ what I loved about this one:
- how they truly saw each other, fully and completely ๐ฅน
- The moment Rafe just gives in and accepts Bonnie is his person, and thereโs no more pulling away
- stealing souls
- the backstage dressing room ๐ฎโ๐จ
- โPaint meโ ๐จ
- the siblingsโ group chat ๐
- Rafeโs true friendship with Izzy, and seeing more teases to her relationship with Peter
๐ what didnโt quite work for me:
- the nickname โShivโ - her name is Siobhan, and everyone else calls her Bon/Bonnieโจ
(sorry Julie!! I adore you so very much, this one didnโt work for me)
๐งaudiobook thoughts:
I LOVED Michelle Priceโs narration, I truly felt she was perfect as Bonnie. She reminded me of one of my favs, Victoria Connolly ๐ฅฐ
her โman voiceโ was so good I had to double check this wasnโt duet in the earlier chapters ๐
Sebastian Grove as Rafe didnโt immediately click for me, but the more I listened the better he fit for me!
โฆ tropes & stuff:
โ๏ธ mentor + summer intern
๐ bad boy + town sweetheart
๐งก age gap
๐ถ โteach meโ
๐จ artists in love
๐ซถ๐ผ family & found family
๐ coastal small town
๐ dual 1st person pov
*Connect with Me*
๐ค Instagram ๐ค Blog ๐ค
April 20, 2025
4.25/5
adding another nickname to the illegal nickname list...
me and julie olivia are best friends at this point. i love her books so much and she used to be my little secret but now she's got a berkely deal and i couldn't be happier for her. the never harbor series has been hit after hit for me and i am so glad we continued that trend with this book. all of the romances in this small town have been hinted at since book one so getting the real stories feels so satisfying and sweet.
rafe and bonnie were serving bad boy, good girl (with a twist) realness and i love them. lately i have been obsessed with tattooed men so rafe as a main character really did it for me. like why are all the artists by me just pretentious, where are their secret hearts of gold and head to toe tattoos??? bonnie was such a relatable main character and i love her personality so much. she is truly in the internship trenches and i get her. i really enjoyed how she was technically the "naive" one but she took all actions into her own hands. her friendship with lulu and her relationships with her siblings, all good and all sweet and i love this imaginary town and its imaginary people!!
the nicknames in this book did get to me i can't lie, big bad... i just threw up everywhere. sorry i just cannot take that seriously. i also thought some of the parental relationships were rushed or unfinished. this is a relatively long romance book and i feel like there wasn't much closure with rafe's mom. also bonnie's mom had some moments but she was bothering me, i just don't love when parents tell their kids they're being ridiculous for having their own emotions. none of these things were dealbreakers though and i highly, highly recommend this series and all julie's books.
izzy and peter... milo and lulu... i am in dire need of your books... no rush but i need to see my babies happy... NOW
adding another nickname to the illegal nickname list...
me and julie olivia are best friends at this point. i love her books so much and she used to be my little secret but now she's got a berkely deal and i couldn't be happier for her. the never harbor series has been hit after hit for me and i am so glad we continued that trend with this book. all of the romances in this small town have been hinted at since book one so getting the real stories feels so satisfying and sweet.
rafe and bonnie were serving bad boy, good girl (with a twist) realness and i love them. lately i have been obsessed with tattooed men so rafe as a main character really did it for me. like why are all the artists by me just pretentious, where are their secret hearts of gold and head to toe tattoos??? bonnie was such a relatable main character and i love her personality so much. she is truly in the internship trenches and i get her. i really enjoyed how she was technically the "naive" one but she took all actions into her own hands. her friendship with lulu and her relationships with her siblings, all good and all sweet and i love this imaginary town and its imaginary people!!
the nicknames in this book did get to me i can't lie, big bad... i just threw up everywhere. sorry i just cannot take that seriously. i also thought some of the parental relationships were rushed or unfinished. this is a relatively long romance book and i feel like there wasn't much closure with rafe's mom. also bonnie's mom had some moments but she was bothering me, i just don't love when parents tell their kids they're being ridiculous for having their own emotions. none of these things were dealbreakers though and i highly, highly recommend this series and all julie's books.
izzy and peter... milo and lulu... i am in dire need of your books... no rush but i need to see my babies happy... NOW
April 17, 2025
I had no idea how much I needed this book until I started reading. Bonnie and Rafe completely stole my heart.
Bonnie already had a crush on the grumpy, tattooed, and reclusive guy in townโbut what she didnโt expect was that he had already noticed her too. The chemistry between these two is off the charts! I loved seeing Bonnie open up and learn not to be afraid of expressing her desires.
Rafe is such a captivating characterโwatching him allow himself to fall for Bonnie and being unable to deny the connection between them was just beautiful.
Another thing I absolutely loved was his friendship with Izzy. And speaking of Izzyโฆ Julie, what were those scenes with Izzy and Peter?! I seriously canโt wait for their story!
I didnโt expect this book to come so soon, but it was the best surprise. Once again, Julie Olivia delivered a masterpiece.
Thank you so much to Pen Pal PR and Julie Olivia for the ARC!
Bonnie already had a crush on the grumpy, tattooed, and reclusive guy in townโbut what she didnโt expect was that he had already noticed her too. The chemistry between these two is off the charts! I loved seeing Bonnie open up and learn not to be afraid of expressing her desires.
Rafe is such a captivating characterโwatching him allow himself to fall for Bonnie and being unable to deny the connection between them was just beautiful.
Another thing I absolutely loved was his friendship with Izzy. And speaking of Izzyโฆ Julie, what were those scenes with Izzy and Peter?! I seriously canโt wait for their story!
I didnโt expect this book to come so soon, but it was the best surprise. Once again, Julie Olivia delivered a masterpiece.
Thank you so much to Pen Pal PR and Julie Olivia for the ARC!
April 23, 2025
4.5โญ๏ธ
AAAAAHHHH. everything about this book was magnetic and just so so SO fun. i loved rafe and bonnie and their chemistry together and the way they just โจ๏ธ see โจ๏ธ each other. my heart melts. the way that she can make this a slow burn with yearning and pining all while they're still fooling around with each other, too?? exquisite. loved this. no notes.
AAAAAHHHH. everything about this book was magnetic and just so so SO fun. i loved rafe and bonnie and their chemistry together and the way they just โจ๏ธ see โจ๏ธ each other. my heart melts. the way that she can make this a slow burn with yearning and pining all while they're still fooling around with each other, too?? exquisite. loved this. no notes.
August 2, 2025
3.5 โญ๏ธ
โจ Tropes & vibes:
one-night stand to more ๐ฅ
good girl x tattooed bad boy ๐ค
boss/employee tension ๐ผ
unrequited crush turned real โค๏ธโ๐ฅ
age gap (light) โณ
found family ๐ซถ
small town romance ๐ก
emotional healing ๐
artsy vibes for days ๐จ
Okay, so letโs be clear.. this is NOT a slow burn. Bonnie and Rafe hook up within literally the first 10% of the book and from there, itโs messy, spicy, and full of emotional chaos in the best way. ๐ฅ Bonnieโs been crushing on Rafe forever, Never Harborโs tattooed, broody, dark-haired bad boy with an art studio and serious emotional walls. And when life hits her with one too many internship rejections, she ends up working for the one man she absolutely should not be tangled up with. ๐ฌ
What I loved was the way their relationship evolved beyond that initial spark. Bonnie is figuring out who she isโoutside of being the good girl, the people-pleaser.. and Rafe, despite trying to push her away, sees right through her. There were moments I wanted to yell at both of them (HELLO communication??), but I also loved how they challenged each other and slowly started breaking their own rules. ๐๐ฝ
And yes.. heโs been her secret crush for years, and now sheโs in his space, in his studio, and maybeโฆin his heart? ๐
Alsoโquick note on the audiobook: the female narrator was fantastic. She nailed Bonnieโs voice perfectly. ๐ The male narrator wasnโt totally my thing at first, but he brought so much expression and emotion to Rafeโs perspective that I ended up enjoying his performance too!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ALC!
โจ Tropes & vibes:
one-night stand to more ๐ฅ
good girl x tattooed bad boy ๐ค
boss/employee tension ๐ผ
unrequited crush turned real โค๏ธโ๐ฅ
age gap (light) โณ
found family ๐ซถ
small town romance ๐ก
emotional healing ๐
artsy vibes for days ๐จ
Okay, so letโs be clear.. this is NOT a slow burn. Bonnie and Rafe hook up within literally the first 10% of the book and from there, itโs messy, spicy, and full of emotional chaos in the best way. ๐ฅ Bonnieโs been crushing on Rafe forever, Never Harborโs tattooed, broody, dark-haired bad boy with an art studio and serious emotional walls. And when life hits her with one too many internship rejections, she ends up working for the one man she absolutely should not be tangled up with. ๐ฌ
What I loved was the way their relationship evolved beyond that initial spark. Bonnie is figuring out who she isโoutside of being the good girl, the people-pleaser.. and Rafe, despite trying to push her away, sees right through her. There were moments I wanted to yell at both of them (HELLO communication??), but I also loved how they challenged each other and slowly started breaking their own rules. ๐๐ฝ
And yes.. heโs been her secret crush for years, and now sheโs in his space, in his studio, and maybeโฆin his heart? ๐
Alsoโquick note on the audiobook: the female narrator was fantastic. She nailed Bonnieโs voice perfectly. ๐ The male narrator wasnโt totally my thing at first, but he brought so much expression and emotion to Rafeโs perspective that I ended up enjoying his performance too!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ALC!
July 30, 2025
On Midnight Shores is a small town, grumpy x sunshine, opposites attract, good girl x tattooed bad boy, workplace (boss x employee) romance where sheโs been pining for years!
This author has been on my radar for a while and I had heard good things about this series. If youโre in the mood for a cute small town, this gives those vibes. Bonnie is a graphic design major who tells her family she has a summer internship when she actually is still trying to find one. She has been struggling with finding her place in her family and feeling like sheโs the only failure in her big family (sheโs got 6 brothers). Sheโs also crushed on Rafe, the tattooed bad boy in town for years and the story kicks off with her getting what she dreamed of. She eventually starts working with him at his art shop in town too.
I just wasnโt super invested in this one. The characters read young and just didnโt grab my attention. I didnโt feel like we got a good look into either of them besides the motions they go through in this story. The whole slew of characters and series seems to have Peter Pan vibes? Overall the story/characters just wasnโt for ne
I received an audio ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
This author has been on my radar for a while and I had heard good things about this series. If youโre in the mood for a cute small town, this gives those vibes. Bonnie is a graphic design major who tells her family she has a summer internship when she actually is still trying to find one. She has been struggling with finding her place in her family and feeling like sheโs the only failure in her big family (sheโs got 6 brothers). Sheโs also crushed on Rafe, the tattooed bad boy in town for years and the story kicks off with her getting what she dreamed of. She eventually starts working with him at his art shop in town too.
I just wasnโt super invested in this one. The characters read young and just didnโt grab my attention. I didnโt feel like we got a good look into either of them besides the motions they go through in this story. The whole slew of characters and series seems to have Peter Pan vibes? Overall the story/characters just wasnโt for ne
I received an audio ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
April 18, 2025
โพ๏ธโญ๏ธ ๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐ค๐ง๐๐จ ๐๐ฎ ๐
๐ช๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐จ
โ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ด๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ, ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ. ๐๐ตโ๐ด ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ๐ด ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฑ.โ
๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ช๐ญ๐ฆ๐ด.
โ๐ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ต๐ข๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ด๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ช๐ต ๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต, ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ.โ
โ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฅ.โ
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Ohmylanta. Just when I thought I couldnโt love this series more than I already did, Julie Olivia created Rafe Cohen. This man had me in a chokehold. When I found out that Bonnieโs story was going to be an age gap I was seriously, so dang excited!
Bonnie was adopted by the Davies when she was a baby and has always grown up in the chaos that is having 6 brothers. Sheโs the town sweetheart and is trying so hard to fit the mold everyone sees her in. When she comes back from college without an art internship, her heart is in shambles. When she asks the town bad boy gallery owner if she can intern for him, she wasnโt expecting the way it would reshape everything she thought she knew about herself, and Rafe Cohen.
โ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐ช๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ข ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ต๐บ๐ฑ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ ๐ข๐ฎ, ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฆ.โ
โ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐บ, ๐ด๐ฐ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ต๐บ๐ฑ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ?โ ๐ ๐ข๐ด๐ฌ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ค๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ญ๐บ.
โ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ด๐ด๐ฆ๐ด๐ด๐ช๐ท๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ.โ
Rafe & Bonnie, by society standards shouldnโt work as a couple, but their chemistry was UNDENIABLE. Every single scene that had them together had me on the edge of my seat. They are both closed off in different ways but together, they begin getting to the center of who they are, and what they want.
The spice in this book had all the best โteach meโ moments, but also Bonnie discovering her power in the bedroom, which I loved!
โ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ถ๐ฑ, ๐๐ช๐ต๐ต๐ญ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ฅ? ๐๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ต ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ ๐ฃ๐ช๐ต๐ฆ?โ
๐ ๐ฆ๐ด. ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ช๐ด ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฅ. ๐ ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ, ๐ฆ๐น๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ด๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ค๐ฌ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ช๐ฎ ๐ข๐ด ๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐จ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด ๐ต๐ณ๐ข๐ช๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ค๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต. โ๐ ๐ฆ๐ด,โ ๐ ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ.
Iโm never getting over this book. This little coastal town of Never Harbor is so magical. Every time I finish another book written in this world I experience a whirlwind of emotions. Iโm both awe struck by how perfect Rafe & Bonnieโs story was, and so sad that we wonโt get another book in the series for a while! I never want to leave Never Harbor because it feels like home.
(It was so fun seeing all of the Daviesโ clan and our favorite characters again! So much has happened since the last book and this book left me with all the warm fuzzies seeing their HEAโs unfold further!)
Itโs time to go back to Never Harbor, friends! Dive into this wonderful story today!
๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ด:
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ฐ๐บ + ๐๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐๐ธ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ต
๐ผ๏ธ ๐๐ณ๐ต๐ช๐ด๐ต + ๐๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฏ
๐ท ๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฑ (8๐บ๐ณ๐ด)
๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ค๐ฉ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ด
๐จ โ๐๐ข๐ช๐ฏ๐ต ๐๐ฆโ ๐๐ช๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ด
๐ซถ๐ผ ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ช๐ญ๐บ
๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐๐ฐ๐ข๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ
โ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ด๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ, ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ. ๐๐ตโ๐ด ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ๐ด ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฑ.โ
๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฆ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ช๐ญ๐ฆ๐ด.
โ๐ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ต๐ข๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ด๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ช๐ต ๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต, ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ.โ
โ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฅ.โ
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ Ohmylanta. Just when I thought I couldnโt love this series more than I already did, Julie Olivia created Rafe Cohen. This man had me in a chokehold. When I found out that Bonnieโs story was going to be an age gap I was seriously, so dang excited!
Bonnie was adopted by the Davies when she was a baby and has always grown up in the chaos that is having 6 brothers. Sheโs the town sweetheart and is trying so hard to fit the mold everyone sees her in. When she comes back from college without an art internship, her heart is in shambles. When she asks the town bad boy gallery owner if she can intern for him, she wasnโt expecting the way it would reshape everything she thought she knew about herself, and Rafe Cohen.
โ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐ช๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ข ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ต๐บ๐ฑ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ ๐ข๐ฎ, ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฆ.โ
โ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐บ, ๐ด๐ฐ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ต๐บ๐ฑ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ?โ ๐ ๐ข๐ด๐ฌ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ค๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ญ๐บ.
โ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ด๐ด๐ฆ๐ด๐ด๐ช๐ท๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ.โ
Rafe & Bonnie, by society standards shouldnโt work as a couple, but their chemistry was UNDENIABLE. Every single scene that had them together had me on the edge of my seat. They are both closed off in different ways but together, they begin getting to the center of who they are, and what they want.
The spice in this book had all the best โteach meโ moments, but also Bonnie discovering her power in the bedroom, which I loved!
โ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ถ๐ฑ, ๐๐ช๐ต๐ต๐ญ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ฅ? ๐๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ต ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ ๐ฃ๐ช๐ต๐ฆ?โ
๐ ๐ฆ๐ด. ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ช๐ด ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฅ. ๐ ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ, ๐ฆ๐น๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ด๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ค๐ฌ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ช๐ฎ ๐ข๐ด ๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐จ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด ๐ต๐ณ๐ข๐ช๐ญ ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ค๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต. โ๐ ๐ฆ๐ด,โ ๐ ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ.
Iโm never getting over this book. This little coastal town of Never Harbor is so magical. Every time I finish another book written in this world I experience a whirlwind of emotions. Iโm both awe struck by how perfect Rafe & Bonnieโs story was, and so sad that we wonโt get another book in the series for a while! I never want to leave Never Harbor because it feels like home.
(It was so fun seeing all of the Daviesโ clan and our favorite characters again! So much has happened since the last book and this book left me with all the warm fuzzies seeing their HEAโs unfold further!)
Itโs time to go back to Never Harbor, friends! Dive into this wonderful story today!
๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ด:
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ฐ๐บ + ๐๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐๐ธ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ต
๐ผ๏ธ ๐๐ณ๐ต๐ช๐ด๐ต + ๐๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฏ
๐ท ๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฑ (8๐บ๐ณ๐ด)
๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ค๐ฉ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ด
๐จ โ๐๐ข๐ช๐ฏ๐ต ๐๐ฆโ ๐๐ช๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ด
๐ซถ๐ผ ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ช๐ญ๐บ
๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐๐ฐ๐ข๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ
May 27, 2025
Julie Oliviaโs books always feel like the warmest of hugs. This one felt like that too, except with a cute little pat on the butt because it was juuuust spicy enough.
๐ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: On Midnight Shores by Julie Olivia
๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐: Never Harbor character series. Book 3.
๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐: E-book ARC on Kindle. ๐ on KU.
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฟ๐ฒ: Small town romance
๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐: Reformed bad boy, lessons, age gap, workplace romance.
๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ป๐ผ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐: Bonnie is failing at design school and without prospects for an internship. She takes a chance on asking local artist, Rafe Cohen, who sheโs had a crush on from afar for years. When he says yes, art lessons quickly turn into tension filled nights.
๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐: One thing I always find I gravitate toward in romance novels is when the center around something inherently romantic in itself. Music, writing, the ocean, the night skyโฆ art.
Itโs impossible not to literally fall in fictional love with a man who notices everything - every line, every curve, every detail - about a woman. And that man is Rafe Cohen.
I loved this book. Bonnie was a little cringe to start - but arenโt we all? I feel like my feelings about her changed as she learned to accept herself too, and that is some great writing.
Rafe? Heโs the tattooed playboy of everyoneโs dreams. Obsessed, resistant to it but ultimately just a complete simp.
Oh, and we get that โpaint meโ moment as well.
All in all, the Never Harbor series has been one banger after another, and the set ups for the rest of the books are so solid Iโll be setting an alarm for the next release.
๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด: 5/5 โญโญโญโญโญ
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น: 3/5 ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ
๐ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: On Midnight Shores by Julie Olivia
๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐: Never Harbor character series. Book 3.
๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐: E-book ARC on Kindle. ๐ on KU.
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฟ๐ฒ: Small town romance
๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐: Reformed bad boy, lessons, age gap, workplace romance.
๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ป๐ผ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐: Bonnie is failing at design school and without prospects for an internship. She takes a chance on asking local artist, Rafe Cohen, who sheโs had a crush on from afar for years. When he says yes, art lessons quickly turn into tension filled nights.
๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐: One thing I always find I gravitate toward in romance novels is when the center around something inherently romantic in itself. Music, writing, the ocean, the night skyโฆ art.
Itโs impossible not to literally fall in fictional love with a man who notices everything - every line, every curve, every detail - about a woman. And that man is Rafe Cohen.
I loved this book. Bonnie was a little cringe to start - but arenโt we all? I feel like my feelings about her changed as she learned to accept herself too, and that is some great writing.
Rafe? Heโs the tattooed playboy of everyoneโs dreams. Obsessed, resistant to it but ultimately just a complete simp.
Oh, and we get that โpaint meโ moment as well.
All in all, the Never Harbor series has been one banger after another, and the set ups for the rest of the books are so solid Iโll be setting an alarm for the next release.
๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด: 5/5 โญโญโญโญโญ
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น: 3/5 ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ
April 17, 2025
Thank you Pen Pal pr and Julie Olivia for the arc.
Iโve been intrigued with Bonnie and Rafe since the previous book and omg they were so beautiful: the tension, the banter, the intimacy were all there.
Rafe is aesthetically the typical bad boy, you know he has a bunch of tattoos, he smokes, he rides a motorcycle and he never talks but heโs such a cutie, he doesnโt show it but he loves Never Harbor, he loves the people living here, but most of all he loves and worships Bonnie. He was always so gentle and careful with her and he was so observant when it comes to her: he knew what she needed and helped her with her career as an artist. I wished he resolved his problems with his mum tho, also I needed more depth about his lack of relationship with his dad and his anxiety.
Bonnie was so kind, always doing whatever she thought was right to do in order to not bother her family, so I was happy she started doing things for herself like getting with Rafe, about that I actually didnโt like how her family, especially her bothers, babied her, sheโs an adult why were they treating her like she was still a teenager? So I really appreciated that Rafe treated her like the adult she was.
Anyway I liked her development, she became more confident with herself and her art.
Since the beginning we know that she feels a bit of an outsider, she was failing at college because she chose a major that could pay her bills, not a major she wanted, she compared herself to her sisters in law because she thought that they were her momโs favorite because they were making her a grandma, so I was happy to read that in the end she speaks up, changes her major and pursues her relationship, even tho I wanted her to speak about her problems to her entire family, not just her mother.
Overall Bonnie and Rafe were perfect for each other, they found their places in each otherโs arms, I loved them so much.
Canโt wait for whatโs next, both Peter-Izzy and Milo-Lulu snippet we get made me so excited.
Iโve been intrigued with Bonnie and Rafe since the previous book and omg they were so beautiful: the tension, the banter, the intimacy were all there.
Rafe is aesthetically the typical bad boy, you know he has a bunch of tattoos, he smokes, he rides a motorcycle and he never talks but heโs such a cutie, he doesnโt show it but he loves Never Harbor, he loves the people living here, but most of all he loves and worships Bonnie. He was always so gentle and careful with her and he was so observant when it comes to her: he knew what she needed and helped her with her career as an artist. I wished he resolved his problems with his mum tho, also I needed more depth about his lack of relationship with his dad and his anxiety.
Bonnie was so kind, always doing whatever she thought was right to do in order to not bother her family, so I was happy she started doing things for herself like getting with Rafe, about that I actually didnโt like how her family, especially her bothers, babied her, sheโs an adult why were they treating her like she was still a teenager? So I really appreciated that Rafe treated her like the adult she was.
Anyway I liked her development, she became more confident with herself and her art.
Since the beginning we know that she feels a bit of an outsider, she was failing at college because she chose a major that could pay her bills, not a major she wanted, she compared herself to her sisters in law because she thought that they were her momโs favorite because they were making her a grandma, so I was happy to read that in the end she speaks up, changes her major and pursues her relationship, even tho I wanted her to speak about her problems to her entire family, not just her mother.
Overall Bonnie and Rafe were perfect for each other, they found their places in each otherโs arms, I loved them so much.
Canโt wait for whatโs next, both Peter-Izzy and Milo-Lulu snippet we get made me so excited.
April 15, 2025
โYou are not a burden to meโ - โYou have my soul, you know, itโs yours to keepโ
I received this book as an ARC, so an English review it is โจ.
This book is about two people whose insecurities are keeping them from pure happiness; until they find each other ๐ฅน. Bonnie and Rafe are very interesting characters and I loved that they were completely different than the others. They way Julie writes her characters and personalities so recognizably and vulnerable is so admirable. Every brainwave, every feeling, everything they are is so well put on paper. I have nothing but praise for that. I will never not like these stories and books. I love the Davies family, but I really love everyone in Never Harbor too ๐.
I love that you get to know everyone in this small town better with each book and that you can clearly see the stepping stones to the upcoming books as well. But please give me a mysterious artsy tattooed handsome man as well ๐คญ.
โHereโs another lesson. When a man is on his knees, begging to eat your p#ssy, you let that pathetic, desperate man feast ๐ฅตโ
I received this book as an ARC, so an English review it is โจ.
This book is about two people whose insecurities are keeping them from pure happiness; until they find each other ๐ฅน. Bonnie and Rafe are very interesting characters and I loved that they were completely different than the others. They way Julie writes her characters and personalities so recognizably and vulnerable is so admirable. Every brainwave, every feeling, everything they are is so well put on paper. I have nothing but praise for that. I will never not like these stories and books. I love the Davies family, but I really love everyone in Never Harbor too ๐.
I love that you get to know everyone in this small town better with each book and that you can clearly see the stepping stones to the upcoming books as well. But please give me a mysterious artsy tattooed handsome man as well ๐คญ.
โHereโs another lesson. When a man is on his knees, begging to eat your p#ssy, you let that pathetic, desperate man feast ๐ฅตโ
May 10, 2025
Tropes:
~small town romance
~grumpy x sunshine
~bad boy x good girl
~forbidden romance
~workplace (boss x employee)
~age gap (h is 21 and H is 29)
~tattooed, loner hero
~childfree by choice
This. Was. SO. Good! I'm a sucker for the tattooed bad boy meets virginal good girl trope, but anymore it feels so overdone and cringe. This book though! This book did it PERFECTLY! Rafe was so damn swoony, and I loved how Bonnie was the one who set the pace for things and so it never felt like he was taking advantage of her, even with all the power he held both age-wise and as her boss. And despite that shitshow that was their first encounter, Rafe handled it so freaking well. The way he advocated for her to never "accept" anything from a man and use her voice to say what she wants. Excuse me while I go mop up my drool.
Also, the way the author handled the dreaded third act conflict had me kicking my feet and grinning! It wasn't even really a conflict per se, just a "hey I know we're gonna be together, so when you pull your head out of your ass and decide you're ready, I'll be waiting".
The fact that this book doesn't have more reviews is shocking to me. I need y'all to go pick this up! Right now!
If this book was Taylor Swift lyrics:
"Morning, his place
Burnt toast, Sunday
You keep his shirt
He keeps his word
And for once, you let go
Of your fears and your ghosts"
~small town romance
~grumpy x sunshine
~bad boy x good girl
~forbidden romance
~workplace (boss x employee)
~age gap (h is 21 and H is 29)
~tattooed, loner hero
~childfree by choice
This. Was. SO. Good! I'm a sucker for the tattooed bad boy meets virginal good girl trope, but anymore it feels so overdone and cringe. This book though! This book did it PERFECTLY! Rafe was so damn swoony, and I loved how Bonnie was the one who set the pace for things and so it never felt like he was taking advantage of her, even with all the power he held both age-wise and as her boss. And despite that shitshow that was their first encounter, Rafe handled it so freaking well. The way he advocated for her to never "accept" anything from a man and use her voice to say what she wants. Excuse me while I go mop up my drool.
Also, the way the author handled the dreaded third act conflict had me kicking my feet and grinning! It wasn't even really a conflict per se, just a "hey I know we're gonna be together, so when you pull your head out of your ass and decide you're ready, I'll be waiting".
The fact that this book doesn't have more reviews is shocking to me. I need y'all to go pick this up! Right now!
If this book was Taylor Swift lyrics:
"Morning, his place
Burnt toast, Sunday
You keep his shirt
He keeps his word
And for once, you let go
Of your fears and your ghosts"
May 7, 2025
Rating: 5 Big Stars!!
Genre: Romance
Tropes:
Workplace romance
Tattoos
Small town
Age Gap
Whatever Julia Olivia writes, I read!
I LOVED loved LOVED this book! It was beautifully written, and all of the characters had so much depth! There's just something special about Julie's writing that makes you want to devour it!
I loved seeing Rafe fall for Bonnie and breaking all his rules for her! I also loved Bonnie's character as a whole. It's so hard feeling like you aren't reaching expectations that were set for you, and I loved seeing her figure out what was right for HER! I loved the different artist rep in this and showing that there are different avenues and careers for people in the arts.
Also, the cover??? I'm obsessed, it's so so good! Like, please, I need 50 copies to hang up on my wall pronto!
The Spice was also spicing in this book! Julis did not miss in that department! If you're looking for a fun, sweet, and spicy read, pick this up!!
Thank you so much to Julie Olivia and Pen Pal Pr for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Genre: Romance
Tropes:
Workplace romance
Tattoos
Small town
Age Gap
Whatever Julia Olivia writes, I read!
I LOVED loved LOVED this book! It was beautifully written, and all of the characters had so much depth! There's just something special about Julie's writing that makes you want to devour it!
I loved seeing Rafe fall for Bonnie and breaking all his rules for her! I also loved Bonnie's character as a whole. It's so hard feeling like you aren't reaching expectations that were set for you, and I loved seeing her figure out what was right for HER! I loved the different artist rep in this and showing that there are different avenues and careers for people in the arts.
Also, the cover??? I'm obsessed, it's so so good! Like, please, I need 50 copies to hang up on my wall pronto!
The Spice was also spicing in this book! Julis did not miss in that department! If you're looking for a fun, sweet, and spicy read, pick this up!!
Thank you so much to Julie Olivia and Pen Pal Pr for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 19, 2025
4โญ๏ธ
Both of our main characters had their own growth here, which was great. We get to see Bonnie grow through her art, realizing that she had only chosen graphic design as a safe bet, but it wasn't truly what she wanted. She learns to stop doing what she thinks she should do, and go for what she wants. And what did she want the most? Rafe of course!
Rafe's growth was more that he was a no-feelings or strings kinda guy, and Bonnie smashed right through those walls. His father left when he was a child and his mom is a bit complicated, so it soured him on marriage and relationships in general. But of course he slowly starts to fall for Bonnie and realize that she might just be worth the risk of getting hurt. These two had some really great chemistry and it was so much fun watching them sneak around!
It was a blast getting to see the whole Davies crew again too! Although I will say, Izzy nearly ruined the end of this book for me. I was honestly so mad about it. Basically Bonnie's brothers find out (at Wendy's baby shower) about her and Rafe. Peter decides to try and hit Rafe over this- misses and Rafe hits him square in the face in return. Bad of Rafe, but Peter swung first. In the midst of this Rafe says that Peter had made Izzy cry. The next day (after Rafe has apologized to Bonnie over this whole thing) Izzy goes up to Rafe in the street and slaps him in the face. TWICE. She was livid over Rafe telling Peter she cried, so she slaps him twice and runs away. DOES SHE APOLOGIZE? NO. Rafe goes to Izzy later and apologizes for telling Peter! SERIOUSLY. Izzy STILL doesn't apologize. Since when it slapping your best friend in the face okay? Rafe being a man doesn't just make violence like this okay. THEN, Izzy apologizes to Peter on Rafe's behalf. Rafe ALSO apologizes to Peter. Izzy STILL does not apologize. The slaps are just never brought up again?! I don't understand. It makes me question whether I'll read Izzy and Peter's book when it comes, because I can't stand her continually apologizing on behalf of Peter whenever he does something shitty
"You have my soul, you know. It's yours to keep."LOVED this! Julie Olivia does such a great job in describing Never Harbor, it's always so fun to go back. The town's festivals and it's cast of characters and of course, the Davies family. Here we have the only girl of the family, Bonnie, and the local art gallery owner Rafe. They were SO cute. A one-night-stand turned art mentorship with ~lessons~, this was a blast.
Both of our main characters had their own growth here, which was great. We get to see Bonnie grow through her art, realizing that she had only chosen graphic design as a safe bet, but it wasn't truly what she wanted. She learns to stop doing what she thinks she should do, and go for what she wants. And what did she want the most? Rafe of course!
Rafe's growth was more that he was a no-feelings or strings kinda guy, and Bonnie smashed right through those walls. His father left when he was a child and his mom is a bit complicated, so it soured him on marriage and relationships in general. But of course he slowly starts to fall for Bonnie and realize that she might just be worth the risk of getting hurt. These two had some really great chemistry and it was so much fun watching them sneak around!
It was a blast getting to see the whole Davies crew again too! Although I will say, Izzy nearly ruined the end of this book for me. I was honestly so mad about it. Basically Bonnie's brothers find out (at Wendy's baby shower) about her and Rafe. Peter decides to try and hit Rafe over this- misses and Rafe hits him square in the face in return. Bad of Rafe, but Peter swung first. In the midst of this Rafe says that Peter had made Izzy cry. The next day (after Rafe has apologized to Bonnie over this whole thing) Izzy goes up to Rafe in the street and slaps him in the face. TWICE. She was livid over Rafe telling Peter she cried, so she slaps him twice and runs away. DOES SHE APOLOGIZE? NO. Rafe goes to Izzy later and apologizes for telling Peter! SERIOUSLY. Izzy STILL doesn't apologize. Since when it slapping your best friend in the face okay? Rafe being a man doesn't just make violence like this okay. THEN, Izzy apologizes to Peter on Rafe's behalf. Rafe ALSO apologizes to Peter. Izzy STILL does not apologize. The slaps are just never brought up again?! I don't understand. It makes me question whether I'll read Izzy and Peter's book when it comes, because I can't stand her continually apologizing on behalf of Peter whenever he does something shitty
May 1, 2025
Bonnie Davies is over being handled with kid gloves, a plague that came organically from being the only girl in a family of seven children. Now 21, sheโs a grown ass woman taking what she wants. Which includes the quiet, tattooed art gallery owner, Rafe. She approaches him and basically demands a one-night stand and later, an internship (and we mean โdemandsโ in an endearing, highly confident bad bitch kinda way). Their one night turns into smexy lessons which turn into a deep and supportive love. But small town Never Harbor and especially not the giant Davies fam are gonna be very accepting of the townโs sweet baby girl in a tryst with the townโs tatted up bad boy.
Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
Spice: ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
Liked
* So happy to be back in Never Harbor. I love this town and this series so much. It had a special place in my heart.
* I was not expecting the solidity of Bonnie and Rafeโs relationship. They were SO good together in a way that felt simultaneously tender and also brutally strong. I am a fan of this couple.
* Bonnieโs glow up is for real! She turned into all woman, even over the course of this book. It was a joy to watch her discover her passion and find her true love.
* I enjoyed how the author seeded both Peter and Izzyโs story as well as Milo and Luluโs story. I canโt decide which I wanna read next! I am leaning towards Peter and Izzy tho cause that shit seemed dramatic as hell.
Disliked
* I am usually not a fan of a virgin FMC story but it worked here. However thereโs one sexy part where she doesnโt understand some of her basic bodily functions and that shit annoyed me. Like girl, you are not that dumb and none of us think you are.
* This coulda been a little shorter and still made just as poignant of a story.
* I didnโt fully grasp all the tension w his mom. Yeah she kinda sucked but it was weird to me how hard he tried w her w no reciprocation.
๐ซก Tropes deployed: age gap, grumpy/sunshine, hidden/forbidden relationship, sex lessons, small town, large loving family
Rating: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
Spice: ๐ถ๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
Liked
* So happy to be back in Never Harbor. I love this town and this series so much. It had a special place in my heart.
* I was not expecting the solidity of Bonnie and Rafeโs relationship. They were SO good together in a way that felt simultaneously tender and also brutally strong. I am a fan of this couple.
* Bonnieโs glow up is for real! She turned into all woman, even over the course of this book. It was a joy to watch her discover her passion and find her true love.
* I enjoyed how the author seeded both Peter and Izzyโs story as well as Milo and Luluโs story. I canโt decide which I wanna read next! I am leaning towards Peter and Izzy tho cause that shit seemed dramatic as hell.
Disliked
* I am usually not a fan of a virgin FMC story but it worked here. However thereโs one sexy part where she doesnโt understand some of her basic bodily functions and that shit annoyed me. Like girl, you are not that dumb and none of us think you are.
* This coulda been a little shorter and still made just as poignant of a story.
* I didnโt fully grasp all the tension w his mom. Yeah she kinda sucked but it was weird to me how hard he tried w her w no reciprocation.
๐ซก Tropes deployed: age gap, grumpy/sunshine, hidden/forbidden relationship, sex lessons, small town, large loving family
April 22, 2025
4.5 stars โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโจ
This book made me smile like an idiot. It had so much heart (and tension, and spice! Did I mention the spice?!!)
Who can resist a bad boy, age-gap romanceโespecially when itโs written by Julie Olivia? This is the third installment in the Never Harbour series, and I still canโt get enough of the Davies siblings! This book delivers a satisfying mix of angst, chemistry, and raw-emotion which is utterly addictive!
Thereโs an undeniable pull between Rafe and Shivโtwo people who, on paper, shouldnโt make sense, but somehow fit perfectly. Rafeโs past weighs him down, leaving him guarded and slow to trust, while Shiv sees right through the walls heโs built. She doesnโt shy away from his darkness; she meets it head-on and challenges him to do the same. Watching them unravel and rebuild together is what gives On Midnight Shores its emotional punch. This isnโt just a love storyโitโs about healing, growth, and the kind of connection that changes everything.
Each book in the Never Harbour series works perfectly as a standalone, but reading them all together adds so much more depth to the characters and storyline. Do yourself a favour and read all three! Iโm desperately looking forward to Milo and Luluโs story, as well as Peter and Izzy!
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Julie Olivia for the opportunity to receive this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book made me smile like an idiot. It had so much heart (and tension, and spice! Did I mention the spice?!!)
Who can resist a bad boy, age-gap romanceโespecially when itโs written by Julie Olivia? This is the third installment in the Never Harbour series, and I still canโt get enough of the Davies siblings! This book delivers a satisfying mix of angst, chemistry, and raw-emotion which is utterly addictive!
Thereโs an undeniable pull between Rafe and Shivโtwo people who, on paper, shouldnโt make sense, but somehow fit perfectly. Rafeโs past weighs him down, leaving him guarded and slow to trust, while Shiv sees right through the walls heโs built. She doesnโt shy away from his darkness; she meets it head-on and challenges him to do the same. Watching them unravel and rebuild together is what gives On Midnight Shores its emotional punch. This isnโt just a love storyโitโs about healing, growth, and the kind of connection that changes everything.
Each book in the Never Harbour series works perfectly as a standalone, but reading them all together adds so much more depth to the characters and storyline. Do yourself a favour and read all three! Iโm desperately looking forward to Milo and Luluโs story, as well as Peter and Izzy!
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Julie Olivia for the opportunity to receive this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Want to read
April 20, 2025I was super excited for this one, as I loved the first two books in this series, but unfortunately this one was just not for me and I ended up DNFing around 40%.
I didn't really care for Rafe, unfortunately, and that's totally a personal thing, but his smoking specifically was grossing me out and the fact that Bonnie's whole family was calling that out and somehow she thought it was kind of endearing made it even worse. She would see the whisps of smoke from his cigarette and it was like a siren call for her. Yuck.
Secondly, while the teach-me trope is not a favorite of mine, I can get through it if it's done well- but really never if it's a virgin PLUS age gap situation. It felt kind of gross and I also did not like how in one second we're hearing about how it's so insane that she's made it all the way to the ripe old age of 21 whole years old and doesn't have a lot of sexual experience, and then on the other hand she's also being painted as this super young perfect town sweetheart- either way, I find it annoying when an age like 21 is looked upon as immature and young and simultaneously it's seen as absurd that they wouldn't have had 95 sexual experiences by then. Again, this is a me thing.
I actually DNFed before the spice lessons began, so maybe it gets better, and I will return to this one eventually- but mostly so I can get ready for the next book, and check in with the past couples that I fell in love with in books 1 and 2.
I didn't really care for Rafe, unfortunately, and that's totally a personal thing, but his smoking specifically was grossing me out and the fact that Bonnie's whole family was calling that out and somehow she thought it was kind of endearing made it even worse. She would see the whisps of smoke from his cigarette and it was like a siren call for her. Yuck.
Secondly, while the teach-me trope is not a favorite of mine, I can get through it if it's done well- but really never if it's a virgin PLUS age gap situation. It felt kind of gross and I also did not like how in one second we're hearing about how it's so insane that she's made it all the way to the ripe old age of 21 whole years old and doesn't have a lot of sexual experience, and then on the other hand she's also being painted as this super young perfect town sweetheart- either way, I find it annoying when an age like 21 is looked upon as immature and young and simultaneously it's seen as absurd that they wouldn't have had 95 sexual experiences by then. Again, this is a me thing.
I actually DNFed before the spice lessons began, so maybe it gets better, and I will return to this one eventually- but mostly so I can get ready for the next book, and check in with the past couples that I fell in love with in books 1 and 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
DNF 60%. The second hand embarrassment hand me wanting to throw my phone at a wall
April 17, 2025
Julie Olivia is one of my favorite romance authors for a reason!!!! I genuinely think she is so talented and good at what she does and deserves to be right up there alongside all of the big names.
She is a โlittle thingsโ author. It is all about the little things- the perfectly crafted details added with intentionality and care and thoughtfulness. She knows how to write characters that feel real and relationships that you are invested in and believe in. She is so good at capturing the quintessential small town feel that I am always looking for. Youโre not going to like everybody all the time, in fact some people will drive you absolutely crazy, but that is the point! I love seeing a cast of flawed characters that donโt always act perfectly but that all love and support each other anyways.
From the two books I have read of hers so far she has made me sob my eyes out towards the end both times and not because anything crazy sad happens but from how genuinely emotionally invested I am. Her books are truly my comfort reads and ones I know I will be re-visiting over and over again when I need to feel all the feels and escape for a little.
Being a burnt-out former art school kid that has lost my passion, this made me feel SEEN in so many ways. Which I think is what this book was at its core- to have someone finally SEE you and to feel like you BELONG somewhere. There is no love like the love of an artist and I thought their relationship grew into something so so beautiful. Thereโs nothing I love more than a bad boy with a tortured past who is actually really, really good with a big heart.
As someone that doesnโt typically enjoy more than one spice scene, HOT MAMA, this was everything. Julie was able to capture ALLL the tension of a slow burn while still having several spice scenes sprinkled throughout because they wereโฆlessons. YEAH.
But the beauty is that they learned so much more than that about each other and themselves along the way.
tropes:
- grumpy + sunshine
- tattooed bad boy + small town sweetheart
- mentor + summer intern
- spice lessons
- age gap (8 years)
- forced proximity
- coastal small town romance
- artists in love
- big family shenanigans
4.5 stars (rounded up for GR) โญ๏ธ
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Julie for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc!
She is a โlittle thingsโ author. It is all about the little things- the perfectly crafted details added with intentionality and care and thoughtfulness. She knows how to write characters that feel real and relationships that you are invested in and believe in. She is so good at capturing the quintessential small town feel that I am always looking for. Youโre not going to like everybody all the time, in fact some people will drive you absolutely crazy, but that is the point! I love seeing a cast of flawed characters that donโt always act perfectly but that all love and support each other anyways.
From the two books I have read of hers so far she has made me sob my eyes out towards the end both times and not because anything crazy sad happens but from how genuinely emotionally invested I am. Her books are truly my comfort reads and ones I know I will be re-visiting over and over again when I need to feel all the feels and escape for a little.
Being a burnt-out former art school kid that has lost my passion, this made me feel SEEN in so many ways. Which I think is what this book was at its core- to have someone finally SEE you and to feel like you BELONG somewhere. There is no love like the love of an artist and I thought their relationship grew into something so so beautiful. Thereโs nothing I love more than a bad boy with a tortured past who is actually really, really good with a big heart.
As someone that doesnโt typically enjoy more than one spice scene, HOT MAMA, this was everything. Julie was able to capture ALLL the tension of a slow burn while still having several spice scenes sprinkled throughout because they wereโฆlessons. YEAH.
But the beauty is that they learned so much more than that about each other and themselves along the way.
tropes:
- grumpy + sunshine
- tattooed bad boy + small town sweetheart
- mentor + summer intern
- spice lessons
- age gap (8 years)
- forced proximity
- coastal small town romance
- artists in love
- big family shenanigans
4.5 stars (rounded up for GR) โญ๏ธ
Thank you to Pen Pal PR and Julie for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc!
August 4, 2025
This was my first book in the Never Harbor series. While this book can be read as a stand-alone, it would make more sense if you read the rest of the series. There was a lot of names in the Davies family and context would've been helpful. Knowing this, it did not change my enjoyment of this book. I love the set-up for books 4 and 5, I can't wait to read Lulu and Milo's book, and then hopefully Lizzy and Pete's story.
Overall, I liked Bonnie and Rafe's story and would give it 3.5 stars, will round up to 4. I don't typically like a virgin story, but I liked that Bonnie just went for it with Rafe. I liked that Rafe was really kind in his actions with Bonnie even if his words didn't show it. It's always funny to me how men don't want a "relationship" but then freak out as soon as someone else pays the girl some attention. I liked Bonnie's character, she's sweet, sometimes sassy, insecure but still stands up for others. Rafe's mom is a piece of work; I wanted more background on her and their relationship.
*Small Town Romance
*Good Girl/Bad Boy
*Dual POV
*Artists
Format: audiobook, narrated by Michelle Price and Sebastian Grove
Thank you NetGalley, Julie Olivia, and Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook!
Overall, I liked Bonnie and Rafe's story and would give it 3.5 stars, will round up to 4. I don't typically like a virgin story, but I liked that Bonnie just went for it with Rafe. I liked that Rafe was really kind in his actions with Bonnie even if his words didn't show it. It's always funny to me how men don't want a "relationship" but then freak out as soon as someone else pays the girl some attention. I liked Bonnie's character, she's sweet, sometimes sassy, insecure but still stands up for others. Rafe's mom is a piece of work; I wanted more background on her and their relationship.
*Small Town Romance
*Good Girl/Bad Boy
*Dual POV
*Artists
Format: audiobook, narrated by Michelle Price and Sebastian Grove
Thank you NetGalley, Julie Olivia, and Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook!
April 25, 2025
4 stars.
Julie Olivia's "On Midnight Shores" tells Bonnie and Rafe's story, an age-gap, workplace romance where the town sweetheart meets the town bad boy, featuring the nosy, meddlesome town of Never Harbor and sexy lessons! It's the third in the series, but can absolutely be read as a standalone novel. I have enjoyed all of Julie Olivia's books, and this one is no different. I really liked Rafe and Bonnie's story. I enjoyed seeing the lessons they learn (literally and physically)! I love how they both mature and grow throughout the book. Bonnie never tries to change Rafe, even when he smokes. Rafe never tries to change Bonnie, he only seeks to make her more assertive and ask for what she really wants to become who she really wants to be. They must overcome their deepest insecurities in order to move forward as a potential couple, and they must also overcome being seen as burdens to those who care about them most. I found their dynamic to be adorable at times, super spicy at others. Just another great entry in the Never Harbor series!
Thank you to Julie Olivia and Pen Pal PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Julie Olivia's "On Midnight Shores" tells Bonnie and Rafe's story, an age-gap, workplace romance where the town sweetheart meets the town bad boy, featuring the nosy, meddlesome town of Never Harbor and sexy lessons! It's the third in the series, but can absolutely be read as a standalone novel. I have enjoyed all of Julie Olivia's books, and this one is no different. I really liked Rafe and Bonnie's story. I enjoyed seeing the lessons they learn (literally and physically)! I love how they both mature and grow throughout the book. Bonnie never tries to change Rafe, even when he smokes. Rafe never tries to change Bonnie, he only seeks to make her more assertive and ask for what she really wants to become who she really wants to be. They must overcome their deepest insecurities in order to move forward as a potential couple, and they must also overcome being seen as burdens to those who care about them most. I found their dynamic to be adorable at times, super spicy at others. Just another great entry in the Never Harbor series!
Thank you to Julie Olivia and Pen Pal PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
April 18, 2025
It's so good to be back in Never Harbor. The people are sweet, and in this book, everyone is protective!
Bonnie is hiding a little secret. She doesn't have her next step. No internship wants her, and she doesn't know what to do. While at a town event, she sees the artist she's always had a crush on, Rafe. The guy she'ss always seen and one night sees her, too. Until facts are revealed. Then it's bye.
But the girl who never really spoke up for herself finally does. And gets that internship. With Rafe.
Whe, there was some back and forth. Bonnie really does know what she wants (in one aspect of her lif, at least). Rafe? He's just trying to put a stop on it. Does it work? O, goodness.
Bonnie's really a tow, sweetheart. She's beloved by her family too. Especially by her protective brothers. I laughed at their antics.
Of course, we get to see updates from Bonnie's sweet family. They are always just a text thread away. Things get complicated with people sticking themselves where they don't belong. But Bonnie finds the confidence she needs along the way.
I'm so excited to see who's Never Harbor book 4!!!
P.S. I loved the name of Rafes' hometown. What a Peter Pan name.
Bonnie is hiding a little secret. She doesn't have her next step. No internship wants her, and she doesn't know what to do. While at a town event, she sees the artist she's always had a crush on, Rafe. The guy she'ss always seen and one night sees her, too. Until facts are revealed. Then it's bye.
But the girl who never really spoke up for herself finally does. And gets that internship. With Rafe.
Whe, there was some back and forth. Bonnie really does know what she wants (in one aspect of her lif, at least). Rafe? He's just trying to put a stop on it. Does it work? O, goodness.
Bonnie's really a tow, sweetheart. She's beloved by her family too. Especially by her protective brothers. I laughed at their antics.
Of course, we get to see updates from Bonnie's sweet family. They are always just a text thread away. Things get complicated with people sticking themselves where they don't belong. But Bonnie finds the confidence she needs along the way.
I'm so excited to see who's Never Harbor book 4!!!
P.S. I loved the name of Rafes' hometown. What a Peter Pan name.
April 12, 2025
ARC REVIEW: infinity stars for Julie Olivia. Everything she writes is pure gold. Bonnie and Rafe are perfection. The push and pull, the comfort, and the way they see each other. The ongoing jokes are hilarious and I absolutely love getting to see the whole Davies clan again.
Banter? Check. Love languages proudly on display? Check and CHECK!! Spice? Check. Seeing Bonnie and Rafe become more sure of themselves throughout the book was so special. And the friendships with LuLu and Izzy? LOVE LOVE LOVE. I love that they both have someone in their corner who also isnโt afraid to call them out on their shit. Bonnie and Rafe get each other in a way that I think others hope to. Itโs the sitting in comfortable silence and really understanding what makes them tick.
Infinity stars for On Midnight Shores. Thank you to PenPal PR and Julie Olivia for this ARC!!
Banter? Check. Love languages proudly on display? Check and CHECK!! Spice? Check. Seeing Bonnie and Rafe become more sure of themselves throughout the book was so special. And the friendships with LuLu and Izzy? LOVE LOVE LOVE. I love that they both have someone in their corner who also isnโt afraid to call them out on their shit. Bonnie and Rafe get each other in a way that I think others hope to. Itโs the sitting in comfortable silence and really understanding what makes them tick.
Infinity stars for On Midnight Shores. Thank you to PenPal PR and Julie Olivia for this ARC!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2025
Shiv & Rafe
I love the Never Harbor series & so happy to be back to this small coastal town ๐ฅฐ ngl, Bonnie hit a little too close to home esp in the beginning that it did hurt but honestly made me love her even more because of it. She feels like there's a lot of expectation on her shoulders but nothing is playing out the way she thought.
Bonnie starts to really take matters into her own hands and keep persevering which leads her to start working with Rafe, the broody artist of the town. These two were so damn cute with all the nicknames and banter ๐๐๐
Julie writes the best cozy comfort reads and I'm excited for the next one! ๐ฅฐ
I love the Never Harbor series & so happy to be back to this small coastal town ๐ฅฐ ngl, Bonnie hit a little too close to home esp in the beginning that it did hurt but honestly made me love her even more because of it. She feels like there's a lot of expectation on her shoulders but nothing is playing out the way she thought.
Bonnie starts to really take matters into her own hands and keep persevering which leads her to start working with Rafe, the broody artist of the town. These two were so damn cute with all the nicknames and banter ๐๐๐
Julie writes the best cozy comfort reads and I'm excited for the next one! ๐ฅฐ
April 18, 2025
ARC REVIEW: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
Thank you to Julie Olivia and Pen Pal PR for the ARC of On Midnight Shores!
This is the third book in Julieโs Never Harbor series and I loved every minute of it. Bonnie and Rafe *may* have become my new favorite couple of the series. Their story did not go at all how I expected it to in the beginning but as always, Julie had a vision and executed it perfectly. If forced proximity and grumpy + sunshine are two of your favorite tropes (like me) you should definitely check it out!
Available now on KU and in paperback!
And if you havenโt read the first 2 Never Harbor books, those are available on KU as well!
Thank you to Julie Olivia and Pen Pal PR for the ARC of On Midnight Shores!
This is the third book in Julieโs Never Harbor series and I loved every minute of it. Bonnie and Rafe *may* have become my new favorite couple of the series. Their story did not go at all how I expected it to in the beginning but as always, Julie had a vision and executed it perfectly. If forced proximity and grumpy + sunshine are two of your favorite tropes (like me) you should definitely check it out!
Available now on KU and in paperback!
And if you havenโt read the first 2 Never Harbor books, those are available on KU as well!
April 21, 2025
4.75 stars!!
oh julie olivia you absolutely cooked hereโฆ i am so obsessed with rafe itโs actually sick!!!! i fear heโs going in the list of best book boyfriends because the tattoos??? the motorcycle??? yeaahhhhhhh. yeah. absolutely. also bonnie has been my favorite davies sibling through this series so i am so happy to finally get her story! and her struggles with her art major and the imposter syndrome was tooooo real. and i am about to be SO SAT for milo and lulu like the way weโve been slow burning through the last three booksโฆ GIMME!!!
thank you to julie olivia and pen pal pr for this ARC!!
oh julie olivia you absolutely cooked hereโฆ i am so obsessed with rafe itโs actually sick!!!! i fear heโs going in the list of best book boyfriends because the tattoos??? the motorcycle??? yeaahhhhhhh. yeah. absolutely. also bonnie has been my favorite davies sibling through this series so i am so happy to finally get her story! and her struggles with her art major and the imposter syndrome was tooooo real. and i am about to be SO SAT for milo and lulu like the way weโve been slow burning through the last three booksโฆ GIMME!!!
thank you to julie olivia and pen pal pr for this ARC!!
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