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Next Gen #2

Never Alone

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Jace Cohen is in love with his best friend. In the four years since they met, he’s held back his desire out of fear of risking their friendship and his relationship with her four-year-old daughter. But while he’s working up the courage to tell her how he feels, he also begins to develop feelings for his new architect.

Olivia Riley’s number one priority in life is her daughter. With preschool about to start, Olivia takes a job working for Jace so she can spend more time at home than her bartending shifts allow. All she has to do is make it through each workday without accidently confessing her feelings to her boss. But she’s tired of pretending she isn’t in love with him and when an attractive architect becomes a regular fixture in their lives, Olivia finds herself wondering how they all fit together.

Kayden Meacham is not looking for a relationship, but he can’t stop things from progressing with his client, Jace, despite the knowledge that Jace is in love with someone else—someone Kayden finds himself thinking about more and more. Open to the idea of Jace also exploring a relationship with Olivia, Kayden encourages Jace to go after what he wants.

When the three of them realize they’re more connected than they ever could have imagined, they quickly discover that the love and relationship that’s right for them may not be one that is readily accepted by others. They’ll need to decide whether it’s possible for them to have it all.

554 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2025

8 people are currently reading
81 people want to read

About the author

Dani Grimes

13 books30 followers
Dani is an author of spicy romance novels with heart and emotionally intelligent characters. She aims to write characters who understand themselves, apologize when they do something wrong, generally navigate life's challenges without having unnecessary emotional drama, and have great sex.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Lynn_G.
1,133 reviews27 followers
August 13, 2025
Single mom Olivia has been in love with her best friend and her little girl’s father figure Jace since she realized she could count on the hunky man to help her juggle obligations and keep her daughter as her top priority. While Jace is a great guy, his string of one nighters makes her afraid to risk their friendship or her daughter’s surrogate dad.

Just as Olivia thinks Jace might be open to reciprocate her feelings, he falls hard for a man who turns both their lives upside down.

This was a wonderful MMF romance that was deeply sensual and satisfying as a story arc. The coincidences were A LOT, but the book never dipped into soap opera territory. The way that their individual relationships within the overall ménage were given space and room to develop was a thoughtful choice by the author. Finally, catching up with Sophia and Leo from the previous book in the series was lovely, too.

I was generously provided an advance reader copy from the author and bookfunnel, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.
Profile Image for Brianna Price.
203 reviews10 followers
August 20, 2025
This was a fantastic MMF romance read.

This book does a fantastic job at showing real love relationships, crazy chemistry.

Olivia is a single mom to Kaylee who is best friends with Jace who is another parent for Kaylee but both have feelings for each other but don’t want to act on them and ruin the friendship.
Jace is bi and meets Kayden and they have an instant connection and it just so happens they both work for each other. Kayden is also bi and has an attraction to Olivia to.
Jace is the center of the throuple and everything he does is thoughtful and done with love

The pace is just right with its slow burn with some very spicy bits thrown in that fit the story I was hooked from the first page.
Profile Image for Amanda.
446 reviews12 followers
August 21, 2025
Jace, Olivia and Kayden.

This story is going to rip out your heart and reattach it in the same breath. I say that because when you have a why choose romance usually the character depth isn't this deep but Dani Grimes does an excellent job of taking care to show how this throuple navigates their feelings while having a child in the mix.

Olivia is a single mom. Jace has been there from the start and they secretly love each other but neither one has made a significant move due to their friendship.

Enter Kayd or Kayden. This book was 100% a wild ride because of Kayd's connection to not only Olivia but to Jace as well. So, buckle up sweets because tissues, ice cream and popcorn will be needed for this read. I really enjoyed the character development and how to characters communicated their feelings to ones another. There is NO miscommunication here, maybe a slight blip but it's cleared up near the end.

Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Christina Santos .
186 reviews4 followers
August 24, 2025
This is a friends to lovers story, which is always a good thing. we have a MMF situation going on in the story. Jace, Kayden and Olivia who are all just ugh amazing. This is a slow burn which we love. The chemistry between all the characters was nice and well writte. Olivia is a single mother to a beautiful girl and then We have Jace who is bi and friends with Olivia but don’t dare cross the line Of ruining their friendship,oh Kayden he is something else the chemistry with all three is amazing and well written. overall i would recommend the book if you like MMF, single parent it’s available on Amazon and KU.
Profile Image for MJ's Book Blog and Reviews.
3,057 reviews66 followers
August 23, 2025
Review by: Jennifer
(4 Stars)

Love a single mom finding love story, also love when the love that she finds is the guy that has been there all along. Of course, with this story we have the added benefit of that guy friend having found a third to complete that lovely triad. The dynamic of the three was done very nicely, I love that Jace is the glue binds them all, and his dynamic with both Olivia and Kayden was nicely done. I give this 4 stars.
Profile Image for Erika.
263 reviews28 followers
August 27, 2025
This book was legit the sweetest thing ever! It was plot heavy but also that spice was SPICING. This book follows Olivia, a single mom and her best friend Jace. The man who is in love with her and is a great father figure to her little girl. Jace runs into Kayden, a shy and semi-out bisexual man and also falls face first in lust. But as fate would have it, Kayden is the father of Olivia's daughter, also his employee and just as love with him but also with Olivia. This entire book was about them dancing around each other's feelings towards each other, but also the real fears any parent wold have about having the world judge your child for things out of their control. I loved every minute of this one and it is an absolute must-read if you love contemporary romances.
356 reviews
August 25, 2025
Never Alone is book two in the Next Gen series and is the story of Olivia, Jace and Kayden. This is a friends to lovers, one night stand, surprise pregnancy, second chance, poly romance.

Jace has been in love with Olivia since the first day he met her but found himself squarely in the friend zone for the last four years. Never wanting to risk their friendship or the bond he shares with her daughter, Jace has kept his feelings to himself. Casual hookups are Jace's thing since he can't have Olivia so he meets up with a stranger at a bar and feels a connection with him, more than just a fling.

Olivia had one amazing night with Kayden who she met at a wedding four years ago. Knowing they lived on opposite sides of the country, they agreed to walk away without regret when their night was over. Little did Olivia know that Kayden would leave her with a baby to raise and no way to find him. Looking for a job, Olivia walked into a bar and came face to face with one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, Jace. She instantly felt an attraction but his friendship was important to her and as her pregnancy and life progressed, she kept her love for Jace secret so she would not lose the man and friend she came to reply on.

Kayden has moved back to Boston to open his own architectural firm and start working for a philanthropic realty firm on a special project. Looking for a distraction, Kayden heads to a local bar and contemplates looking for a hookup and meets Jace. Instant attraction and shared trauma lead to a wild night together and while they agreed to a one night thing, both feel a connection they hadn't expected.

When Kayden walks into the office on his first day of the rehab center project, he is taken aback to see Jace is who he is meeting. More shocking is realizing that he also knows Jace's assistant, Olivia, the woman he had a special connection with four years earlier. As Jace, Olivia and Kayden realize they are more connected than they realized, each realizes there are feelings between them they discover that the love and relationship that is right for them may not readily be accepted by others.

It was great to catch up with the characters from the first book in the Next Gen series, Never Settle. Dani continues to write amazing characters that bring out all of your emotions and make you feel like part of the family. The emotional depth of all of the characters, the willingness to be there for the people they love and the protectiveness and "we got you" mentality is woven throughout this entire story. There is so much love and acceptance, spicy as hell scenes and moments of swoon worthy sweetness.

This is a story of three people who come together to build a relationship that works for them and shows that love is only bound by the confinements of your own heart and acceptance of yourself. I highly recommend this to all lovers or poly romance and anyone who wants to read a sweet story of three people learning to love with all their hearts.

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Noa Ashley .
460 reviews9 followers
August 21, 2025
"I had no idea how to support these two people or when my feelings for them both had become so complex and tangled." - Jace

"Being loved by you is the greatest gift of my life. I haven’t seen Olivia running off yet either. Just love us. We won’t go anywhere." - Kayden

“You don’t open your heart to many people, Jace. But when you do, it’s all the way open and it is amazing to be on the other side of that. " - Olivia

Jace and Olivia have been best friends (and they are secretly in love with each other) for a while, Olivia has a daughter, Kaylee, and Jace has always been there for them. Jace started dating Kayden, and I really love how gentle Jace was with him; they took their time. Jace started to have feelings for both of them, and I love how that situation unfolded. They were always thinking about each other and what is best for their daughter, Kaylee.

All three of them also had one-on-one dates to work on the relationship they had separately and together. I love that Olivia and Jace filled Kayden in with things that he didn't know yet, because he doesn't share the same history as them. All three of them had their own struggles, and they were always patient with each other, and they asked the right questions to understand and help the best way that they could. They are an amazing team together; their communication is great, and they love each other so much. Kaylee loves her parents so much, and I loved reading about all the little things she does with each parent.

I basically knew from the start that I would give this book 5 stars; it's hard not to love all the characters from the start! Jace is the center, the one that forms relationships with them first, and I really love that it's about him, while there is also enough focus on Olivia & Kayden. They all have a story, and that was all told in this book. They did it all at their own pace, and they are the best partners to each other and the best parents for their child(ren)! I'm really loving this series, and I love that different types of relationships are portrayed in Dani's books. She's a great writer; there are so many great details (especially around the tattoos) in this book, the characters feel so real! I've laughed, smiled, and cried while reading.

I received an ARC copy of this book.
139 reviews
August 24, 2025
Cor, I loved these characters so much! If you want a book where you can feel the love spilling off the page, this’ll be it! With one vile exception, the all-encompassing love between the main characters and their supportive family members will fill your heart with all those warm fuzzy feels.
 
Jace is honestly the most amazing character: considerate, empathetic, trustworthy; his loyalty is unwavering even when it’s detrimental to his wellbeing. He is definitely one to add to the book boyfriend list, although I actually promoted him to husband very early on, spending the rest of the time swooning over how irresistible he is. And then throw the gorgeously sweet Kayden into the mix too… I practically melted! The fact that they’ve both had traumatic childhoods, but both turned into the most generous, kind people make them all the more appealing. 
 
I absolutely LOVED Liv and Kayden’s first meeting – one of the most adorable meet-cutes! Their encounter has such a meaningful lasting impact on each of them that they both keep the promises they made to each other. And then Kayden gets extra brownie points for their first date.
 
Jace and Kayden’s first meeting was pretty darn cute too with the former proving his ability to read the other man from the outset, and their immediate connection along with Jace’s caring consideration leads to Kayden taking a massive step out of his comfort zone during their one-night stand, which is the beginning of so much more for them. I adored watching Kayden open up more and more as he became increasingly comfortable and confident around Jace and Liv, finally being his true self.
 
It's those deep meaningful connections between the characters that really makes the story what it is; how unfailingly supportive and encouraging they are of each other, and how they throw themselves into the relationship when they finally stop holding themselves back. Their open communication and honesty is a breath of fresh air, and there’s just such a positive energy surrounding them. I also appreciated that they took extra care in making sure they each got to spend time together and treated each other equally in every way.
 
And let’s not forget that they have some serious chemistry – you can almost feel it sizzling – which leads to some hot scenes. I especially enjoyed the times when two of them would put on a show and the other watched *phew*. 
Profile Image for Lindsey Adams.
1,139 reviews22 followers
September 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Dani Grimes' next installation of her Next Gen Series, Never Alone raised the bar for me and her writing! All three MCs in this book are complex, layered, and dynamic as individuals. When they all collided, everything about this book was turned up to 11. The intricate love story that was created throughout this book could have easily imploded and caused so much heartache, but instead, Dani gives us heart warming love, mutual pining, and sincere attraction.

Jace and Olivia have been best friends for 4 years. They have also loved each other almost this whole time, but don’t dare risk admitting those feelings to each other and ruining their friendship. Especially because it would hurt Olivia’s 4 year old daughter, who Jace loves like his own. Their mutual pining though has gotten harder and harder to keep quiet as the years progressed. When Olivia starts working for Jace, the tension grows thicker and can snap at any moment.

Because he can’t have the one woman he wants, Jace tends to live a casual hook up lifestyle, but that changes after meeting a stranger at a bar one night and an intense night ensues. Although both men (plot twist anyone) agree to one night, their instant attraction proves hard to put aside. The drama in this story comes to a head when Jace goes to meet a new client who happens to be his one night stand, but also Olivia’s daughter's father from all those years ago.

The amount of chemistry and feelings that are handled in this book, could easily become messy and chaotic. However, Dani provides our characters with an opportunity to make the love they all feel for each other work. Work in a way that is best for all of them and the unexplainable intense feelings. Somehow they were woven together and when they finally decided to put everything else aside, they find something that none of them ever expected.

Poly romance is written in a beautiful way, that is based on deep and meaningful connections. I loved how Dani portrayed this lifestyle. The spice was amazing, but felt organic and not just there to be there. There was a purpose behind everything she wrote!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
💕Workplace Romance
🔥Single Mom FMC
💕Accidental Pregnancy
🔥Anxiety Rep
💕ONS to More
🔥Voyeur Kink
💕Friends to Lovers
🔥MMF/Poly Romance
Profile Image for Mikaela (risqué.romance).
425 reviews14 followers
August 9, 2025
Never Alone - Dani Grimes
5/5✨🌟

* SPOILERS *

𝘖𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘯𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥. “𝘏𝘦’𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘐’𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘵’𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘒𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘦, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬. 𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴.”

I love me a good why choose or a poly romance book because it hits different and to see how they all can love each other equally is just so beautiful. The way that Dani wrote their romance was so beautiful. I literally started it yesterday and I devoured it so quick in a day and a half.

The representation of the anxiety in this book was so beautiful because we get to see how Jace is able to calm down Kayden or even how Kayden was able to calm down Olivia when she was having a panic attack. I’m a huge sucker for mental health because a lot of us deal with it in everyday life.

I really loved Olivia, Jace, Kayden, and sweet Kaylee. I don’t want to give too much away but the way they came together. I absolutely loved the jealousy that Olivia felt because she felt like she lost the chance to have that chance with Jace, but the way they all come together - ugh, I was completely smitten.

You go through so many emotions from sadness to joy to trying to hold in your laughter and just completeness. I was so happy when Kayden did stand up to his father and had both Olivia and Jace there by his side was perfect.

I love the drama that we also get from Martin. All I’m going to say is he tried but it definitely didn’t work.

I really loved the tattoo parlor scene because that scene was everything for me even when Olivia, who is afraid of needles, got the courage.

I really loved this book so much but it made it so perfect, especially when you have really amazing characters, especially when it came to the family and friends in this book. When this book was over, I was sad but I loved how it ended on a happy note.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Mégan Isabelle.
125 reviews
August 25, 2025
5 🌟
4 🌶️

📏 Workplace romance
❤️‍🔥 MMF
📏 Friends to lovers
❤️‍🔥 Single mom / surprise child
📏 Anxiety rep
❤️‍🔥 No third act breakup
📏 Slow Burn

So, Never Alone by Dani Grimes… wow. This book really gets inside your head, especially if you’ve ever struggled with anxiety. And honestly? It’s raw, it’s heavy at times, but it’s also incredibly real.

Olivia is the kind of main character you just get, she’s real, vulnerable, and her thoughts feel so authentic it’s almost like reading your own brain on a bad day. Then you’ve got Kayden and Jace. And honestly? They’re everything. These two are the boyfriends we all deserve. They don’t swoop in and magically “fix” Olivia, Instead, they become her safe places in very different ways. Kayden is that steady, grounding presence, the kind of guy who makes you feel safe just by existing, the guy who helps quiet the noise without even trying. Jace, on the other hand, brings this quiet strength and patience, showing Olivia that she’s not “too much” or “broken.” Together, they show up for her, stand by her, and remind and help her realize she doesn’t have to carry everything alone. And honestly, if that’s not the bare minimum of love, I don’t know what is.

I loved how real the anxiety is portrayed. This book doesn’t romanticize mental health struggles. You feel the spirals, the self-doubt, the way anxiety can make even the simplest moments feel impossible. It’s not sugarcoated, just the messy ups, the downs, and the constant battle to keep going. But at the same time, it’s hopeful. It reminds you that love can make the darkest days a little lighter, it doesn’t pretend love makes anxiety disappear. It also shows how support, patience, and just having people who truly see you can make the weight a little easier to carry.

If you like stories that are raw, emotional, leave you feeling both wrecked and comforted at the same time, and come with two fictional men you’ll want to fight Olivia for (but won’t, because she deserves them more than anyone), pick it up. Just trust me.

Thank you The Author Agency and Dani Grimes for the arc opportunity of the first two books of the Next Gen series !
Profile Image for Mrs R.
1,426 reviews19 followers
August 17, 2025
This book is seriously amazing! If you're into polyamorous MMF romance and stories that really gets into deep relationships, you are going to love this one. It's a fantastic journey into a world of finding your own unique family.

Olivia is a single parent to Kaylee, she's best friends with Jace (golden retriever) and is another parent for Kaylee. Both have feelings for each other but don't want to act on them if it might ruin their friendship.

Jace is bi and meets Kayden (who's working through his own stuff with anxiety), and they have an amazing instant connection, just so happens that they also work together. Kayden is also bi and has an attraction to Olivia too.

The book does an amazing job of showing the real love, crazy chemistry, and open talks between all three of them. It's just so refreshing to see a polyamorous relationship done so well, where everyone gets their moment to shine.

Jace is the center of this throuple and everything he does is thoughtful and done with love.

This isn't just a romance; it's got a ton of feelings packed in. It touches on tough stuff, like past hurts and trying to find where you belong, but it always focuses on healing and building strong connections. The whole "found family" vibe is super strong here, and you can really feel how much they support each other.

The pace is just right – it's a nice, slow burn with some very steamy bits thrown in that really fit the story. You'll be hooked from start to finish, and every part feels important. You'll go through all kinds of emotions while reading, from the challenges they face (including what society thinks) to their pure happiness and finding acceptance.

This is a heartwarming, must-read book that celebrates all kinds of love. It's full of characters who feel real, awesome chemistry, and a powerful message about finally finding your place. If you want a book that'll make you feel good and stick with you, you absolutely have to read this book!
Profile Image for Good Booking Girl.
437 reviews16 followers
August 20, 2025
This story stole my heart in the most unexpected ways. It’s rare to read a poly romance that captures love so beautifully and authentically, but this book does it with honesty, tenderness, and passion. What struck me most was the author’s deliberate choice not to frame Olivia’s role as “being shared.” Instead, we see three people—Jace, Kayden, and Olivia—loving each other wholly and equally, with no jealousy or possessiveness. It’s not about ownership or division; it’s about 100% pure devotion, and the way their bond unfolds is breathtaking.

The emotional layers run deep, too. Kayden’s past is heart-wrenching, and his father’s abuse and homophobia are portrayed on page as both memories and scars that still ache. It’s difficult to read at times, but necessary—and handled with care. The representation of anxiety is another part that resonated deeply with me. Kayden’s openness in talking about it, and the way the others support him, was powerful and validating.

Beyond the emotion, the romance itself is magnetic. The passion between them isn’t just physical—it’s emotional intimacy, unwavering trust, and the kind of connection that feels once-in-a-lifetime. There’s no third-act breakup, no unnecessary angst or betrayal—just a love story that is bold, fearless, and utterly beautiful in its imperfection.

If you love romances that push boundaries while delivering pure heart, this one will stay with you. It’s a story about love that refuses to fit into society’s narrow expectations, about healing from trauma, and about building a future defined by joy, acceptance, and passion.

Why you’ll love this book:
❤️‍🔥 Workplace romance
❤️‍🔥 MMF/Poly romance
❤️‍🔥 Friends to lovers
❤️‍🔥 One night to forever
❤️‍🔥 Anxiety rep
❤️‍🔥 Single mom rep
❤️‍🔥 Voyeur kink
❤️‍🔥 No third act breakup or cheating—just unconditional love

I received a free ARC of this book, and this review is only my opinion.
Profile Image for Ashley Bolan.
346 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2025
This book was an absolute delight. I love how true to life and realistic this book was. They author did a fantastic job of navigate the different relationships and how they all converged. Life can be unpredictable and the author used that and the real and raw emotions of dealing with different aspects of life that could potientially cause disfuction. Olivia, Jace, and Kayden made a fantastic throuple. They were definitely fated to be in each others lives. Olivia met Jace while working in the bar he lived above. He was there for her in all the moments that can be sad for a woman finding out that she is pregnant out of the blue. He was by her side through it all. He cared for her and her daughter Kaylee as if they were his own. They both spent so much time scared to tell each other how they felt out of fear of losing everything. We meet Kayden at a bar that Jace is going to looking for a hook up. They start a fling that is only supposed to be one night and of course fate intervenes and now they work with each other. Olivia needs a job to accommadate her daughters school schedule and Jace offers her a job. Fate once again steps in and Olivia and Kayden have a past connection. They have to struggle a bit to finally get to a place where all the parties are happy. Jace and Kayden each have a relationship with each other and Olivia. Olivia wants them all to be a throuple and she is scared to want to much. They all have to navigate their fears of hurting each other but also of loving each other. No matter what they prove that love can conquor all things if they allow themselves to be their true and authentic selves. I am absolutley loving this series. The author does such a fantastic job of being true to human nature and relationships. Nothing is ever easy. There are situations that push us out of our comfort zone but that also allows us to thrive and even succeed if we allow life to run its course. I cannot wait to see what is next in this series.
Profile Image for Cigi cini.
690 reviews50 followers
August 10, 2025
❤️ Friends to Lovers
👨‍👩‍👧 Single Parent
🏢 Workplace Romance
🛠️ Blue Collar Hero
👨‍👨‍👩 Polyamory
🔥 Slow Burn
💔 Angst
💬 Open Communication

Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Never Alone by Dani Grimes, book two in the Next Gen Series, is an emotionally charged and deeply tender romance that steps boldly into complex relationship dynamics.

Jace Cohen’s quiet devotion to his best friend, Olivia, has been simmering for four years—his feelings kept in check by fear of ruining their bond and his role in her young daughter’s life. As he inches closer to confessing, an unexpected connection with his new architect, Kayden, adds another layer to his emotional turmoil.

Olivia, fiercely devoted to her daughter, takes a job with Jace to spend more time at home, all while hiding her own feelings for him. The arrival of Kayden into their orbit forces her to confront what she truly wants and how it might fit into an unconventional future.

Kayden’s journey is equally compelling—uninterested in a relationship at first, he’s drawn to Jace and unexpectedly to Olivia as well. His openness to exploring something outside the norm is the catalyst for a tender, passionate, and sometimes heart-wrenching exploration of love, identity, and acceptance.

Dani Grimes handles the polyamorous romance with sensitivity and warmth, balancing the chemistry with emotional realism. The characters’ vulnerabilities are raw, their interactions layered with longing, and the stakes feel achingly real—especially when societal expectations threaten to pull them apart.

Never Alone is more than a love story; it’s about found family, honest communication, and the courage to embrace what makes you happy, even when others might not understand. Fans of character-driven, inclusive romance will find this instalment utterly compelling.
243 reviews
August 25, 2025
Jace and Olivia have been close friends for some time; Olivia has a daughter named Kaylee, and Jace has consistently supported them both. Jace began a relationship with Kayden, and I truly admire how tender Jace was with him; they went at their own pace. Jace began developing feelings for both of them, and I admire how that scenario progressed. Their thoughts constantly revolved around one another and what would be best for their daughter, Kaylee.

Each of them also had individual dates to focus on their relationship both individually and collectively. I appreciate that Olivia and Jace informed Kayden about things he was unaware of, since he lacks the same background as they do. Each of them faced their own challenges, and they consistently showed patience towards one another, asking insightful questions to better comprehend and assist in the most effective manner possible. They form an incredible team; their communication is excellent, and they care for one another deeply. Kaylee adores her parents deeply, and I enjoyed discovering all the small things she shares with each of them.

It's difficult not to adore all the characters right from the beginning! Jace is the focal point, the one who builds connections with them initially, and I truly appreciate that the story revolves around him, while still giving ample attention to Olivia and Kayden. Each one has a tale, and everything was recounted in this book. They accomplished everything at their own speed, and they are the ideal companions for one another as well as the finest parents for their kids! I absolutely enjoy this series, and I appreciate how various kinds of relationships are represented in Dani's books. She's an excellent author; this book contains numerous wonderful details, and the characters seem incredibly lifelike.
Profile Image for Crystal Reads.
980 reviews57 followers
August 22, 2025
I absolutely fell in love with this story!!! The more I read, the more I loved the characters.

Jace has been in love with his best friend for years, but he hasn’t told her because he loves her little girl also and he doesn’t want to risk losing them both. So he keeps it to himself. Jace is the fun seeking, can’t say no to a 3 year old, and is very confident in his sexuality and being bisexual.

Olivia is a single mom and her number one priority in life has been her daughter since she had her. But now that her daughter will be starting preschool she would like something that works better with that. Oh and she is also secretly in love with her best friend.

Kayden is an up and coming architect and he is a huge nerd when it comes to his job. He is incredibly smart and has some quirks when it comes to certain things. He is also bisexual, but not completely open about it because of how his father was growing up.

The dynamic of the three of them was incredible. I did not anticipate how this was going to happen. Jace and Kayden meet and it was just supposed to be a hookup/one night stand, but of course it never ends up as just that. And the spark between them was electric and passionate. And Jace and Olivia have had this friendship and yearning for years that they have denied, so when they FINALLY gave in, it was intense and hot. But when the twists came out…I did not see it coming! This was a hot and steamy throuple ! I ate it up!!!

This book was beautiful! It was full of passion, steamy, there were doubts, insecurities, longing, some childhood trauma, friendship, beautiful love stories, and a family dynamic! A little girl who had a family that loved her and that’s what she saw.
Profile Image for Sierra.
212 reviews8 followers
August 18, 2025
⭐️Arc Review⭐️

Never Alone
Book 2 in Next Gen series
Available 08.22.2025
4/5⭐️
3.5/5🌶️

As soon as I finished Never Alone, two words immediately came to mind: invisible string theory.

Truly, the way life's events intertwined the lives of these three characters-pulling them in opposite directions and then bringing them back together was nothing short of beautiful. I'm still in awe of how Dani Grimes managed to craft such deeply layered, emotionally rich characters while weaving their individual journeys into one stunning, cohesive story. Seriously, do people like this actually exist out there? Asking for a friend.💁🏻‍♀️

I won't dive too deep into spoilers because Never
Alone because I believe it’s one of those stories that deserves to be felt as it unfolds. What I will say is this: it all begins with a one-night stand at a wedding, an instant connection that was powerful enough that two strangers made promises to one another sending them on separate paths that somehow, against all odds, circle back to each other in the most unexpected and perfect way. And that’s all the details you’re going to get out of me!

This book is packed with raw emotion, personal growth, the strength to face life's hardest moments, and above all else-love. So. Much. Love. ❤️

I absolutely adored diving into this complex, heartfelt relationship. It had my little bookworm heart fluttering from start to finish.

Go grab Never Alone-and while you're at it, pick up book one in the series, Never Settle. The cameos of the lead characters from book 1 are just to perfect to not want to go pick up book 1 again. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Crystal Jackson.
167 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2025
I went into this book blind as I have not read any of Dani’s previous books. And while there are characters from previous books in this one, I didn’t feel lost or clueless. So it can be read as a standalone.

A story of friends to lovers, second chance, single mom, reconnecting after years apart, “always been you”, and no 3rd act breakup. The characters are all very real. They each have their strengths and their weaknesses and were open about all of it. I appreciated the communication once we got past the initial “shock” of everyone meeting.

In being transparent, I initially got frustrated with Jace and Kayden being together and showing intimacy in front of Olivia but then I realized that these 3 adults are emotionally mature. They did not rush her. She asked for time. She needed to go at her own pace because of having a daughter. She was protecting her child and her heart. They did not rub it in her face and she didn’t feel jealous per se, just that she belonged with them.

These 3 have each overcome some serious challenges in their lives. Kayden and Jace come from broken homes and struggled with loneliness and fear of abandonment. Olivia raised a child on her own for almost 4 years and did everything she could to give her daughter everything.

I appreciated that they eased into things with Kaylee. I LLOOOVVVEEEDDD the dynamic that Jace had with Kaylee and then watching Kaylee meet and love Kayden, beautiful.

The ending was so very satisfying. Lots of spice. So much heart felt emotion shared. So much support and care. Communication. Openness. Judgement free.

If you’re looking for:
MMF
Work place romance
Friends to lovers
Second chance
Always been you
Single mom
No 3rd act break up
Emotionally mature adults

This is the one.
Profile Image for Jessika S..
119 reviews2 followers
October 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
💞 Never Alone by Dani Grimes — A Beautifully Emotional Why-Choose Romance 💞

Jace, Olivia, and Kayden completely stole my heart. This story will rip it out and piece it back together in the same breath. I’ve read a lot of why-choose romances, but few capture this kind of emotional depth and vulnerability. Dani Grimes doesn’t just write spice — she writes connection.

Olivia is a single mom doing her best to provide for her daughter, Kaylee. Her best friend Jace has been there from day one, a constant presence and father figure. Their friendship is full of love and unspoken feelings — until Kayden enters the picture and everything changes. What I loved most was how the book explored all the relationships within this throuple — not just the romance, but the trust, communication, and acceptance it takes to make it work.

The chemistry between all three characters is off the charts, but what really stood out was the emotional honesty. There’s no tired “miscommunication trope” here — just three people navigating love, identity, and parenthood in an authentic and deeply human way.

This story is tender, messy, and heartfelt with just the right amount of spice. It’s about found family, second chances, and loving without limits. The pacing was perfect, the character development was beautifully layered, and yes — tissues will be required.

Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I adored Never Alone and highly recommend it to anyone who loves emotional, character-driven poly romances with heart, heat, and hope.
142 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2025
Never Alone is book#2 of the Next Gen series following the story of Jace, Olivia and Kayden and it was such a great flipping read!

Olivia and Jace had such a great friendship throughout out this story and I loved the way he cared so much for her daughter Kaylee. The pair of them had pretty much loved each other from the moment they met, but neither one of them ever gave into those feelings in fear of risking their friendship. Jace was so freaking sweet, always being there to help when Olivia needed it, including giving her a job just to make her life with Kaylee easier to manage.
As a way to try and push his feelings for Olivia aside, Jace spends his time having casual hook ups, but after what’s supposed to be a one time hook up with Kayden, things for the 3 of them start to get much more complicated. Not only do they all end up working together, Jace and Kayden struggle to keep away from each other like they had planned, we find out that Kayden is in fact Kaylee’s father after a night he spent with Olivia 4 years ago and the feelings between them all begin to build into something so much more.

Jace, Olivia and Kayden all shared such intense feelings for each other and the chemistry between them was off the charts. I loved watching them navigate their way through the connection they shared and seeing them finally getting to a place where they could all be together as the family they needed was just bloody adorable.

There was just so much to unpack in this story, it had me completely and utterly hooked from the very beginning and I could not put it down.
Profile Image for Amy  Crull.
2,450 reviews38 followers
August 25, 2025
Beautiful book!!

This book was seriously beautiful!! It tackled so many issues with so much compassion and love!!
Olivia and Jace have been best friends for almost 4 years, and neither has opened up how they truly feel. Olivia has been busy raising a beautiful and smart little girl, while Jace has been working and helping Olivia with her daughter. It just works what they've done, but when a blast from the past comes to the present, it brings up feelings for all 3 of them.
Kayden has a back story that many queer people deal with. His dad is homophobic, alcoholic and an abuser. His mom died, and then his dad just hit the bottle and him. He broke free when he went to college, but he's back home now.. He hasn't came out fully yet. Having a hookup with Jace is his awakening, and then seeing Olivia again brings all the feels up.
Him and Jace have some serious chemistry together, and I laughed how Jace had Olivia set up a meeting so they could fool around. Classic, right?
Jace loves both of them and vice versa with Olivia and Kayden. They soon open up and decide to just be together.
I loved every minute of this book, but my only complaint would be that some of the scenes were faded to black. I would have loved to see a little bit more described, but it wasn't a mood killer. You knew what they were doing, lol.
All in all. I fell hard for Jace, Olivia, Kayden and all the other great accepting characters in this book.
Profile Image for Kirsty.
456 reviews8 followers
August 11, 2025
Jace, Olivia, and Kayden’s story is a slow-burn journey into vulnerability, trust, and finding the kind of love that doesn’t fit the usual mold—but fits them perfectly. Jace has spent four years quietly loving his best friend Olivia, cherishing both her and her daughter while keeping his feelings locked away. Olivia has been just as careful, hiding her own attraction to Jace while prioritizing being a devoted mom. And then there’s Kayden—the pierced, glasses-wearing architect whose connection with Jace unexpectedly sparks something bigger than any of them anticipated.

What makes this book stand out is how thoughtfully Dani Grimes handles the relationship dynamics. There’s no third-act breakup, no unnecessary angst—just three people figuring out how they work together, both emotionally and physically. The voyeur kink and steamy scenes are written with care and authenticity, but they never overshadow the deeper emotional intimacy. The anxiety rep feels genuine, adding a relatable layer to the characters’ inner worlds.

With supportive friendships, loving found family vibes, and a relationship that challenges social norms while celebrating openness and honesty, Never Alone is a beautifully written, heart-melting romance that proves love doesn’t have to follow the rules to be right.
Profile Image for Sara.
2,382 reviews14 followers
August 22, 2025
✨ Rating: 5 ⭐️
This book is amazing and I wish I could give
higher than a 5 star rating!

🫧 Vibes:
- MMF
- Best friends to lovers
- Committed throuple
- Single Mom / Surprise Baby

📚 Would I recommend? ABSOLUTELY!

💬 Final thoughts:

I discovered this author’s writing by luck when I requested an ARC for Unexpected Proof book 1 of her Boston series. With that first book I was captivated by Dani Grimes’ storytelling and her ability to captivate me. Reading her books are an emotional journey and the opportunity to catch up with an ever expanding group of beloved characters. I don’t typically seek out 400+ page books, so for me to have her upcoming books on my BOLO (Be On the Lookout) list and the release dates noted is pretty telling.

I’ve adored Jace in his previous appearances in the Boston series and Next Gen #1. Seeing him fall in love with and be loved by two amazing partners was fantastic. Jace, Kayden and Olivia have each gone through so much to find happiness. I loved the flirty and bratty bantering, their spicy encounters 😜, the open communication and supportive nature of their relationship.

I’m so excited for the next books in this series!

I received a free ARC from the author and The Author Agency; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Telle Reviews.
91 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️

Thank you to The Author Agency for my ARC of Never Alone by Dani Grimes, Book 2 in the Next Gen Series and it’s available now!

I really enjoyed reading this book, the main reason being how much I liked each character! They were well developed and well-rounded as individuals, so as a throuple they felt even more likable! It’s hard to give more details of what I loved about this book without going into spoiler territory, so you’ll have to take my word for it and jump right in!

I don’t have many constructive things to say due to how much I liked Never Alone, but one thing might be sometimes the overall vibe felt too… horny? To clarify, I have zero issues with pure smut if that’s supposed to be the vibe, but some of the smutty scenes in this book felt unnecessary and maybe a bit repetitive and almost took away from the romance of it all. I may have formed this opinion because the book itself is quite long so fewer spicy scenes maybe would have made the overall spice level more impactful and not taken away (even if only slightly) friom what I found to be a very beautifully written love story.

Find some of the major tropes below!

💙Workplace Romance
💙❤️🖤MMF/Poly Romance
💙Friends to Lovers
💙One Night to Forever
💙Anxiety rep
💙Single Mom
💙Voyeur Kink
💙No third act breakup
💙No cheating or infidelity
Profile Image for Sofia Silva.
241 reviews6 followers
August 12, 2025
Jace Cohen is a successful businessman who dedicates his career to charitable causes and his personal life to his best friend. He has been in love with Olivia, a single mother, for years, but never confesses his love afraid of losing her and her daughter, who he loves as a father.
His devotion doesn’t go unnoticed as Olivia is very much in love with him too and is also afraid of losing his friendship and ruining a good thing.
Their dynamics will change when Jace meets Kayden, a shy architect and quickly falls in love with him too.
To complicate things further, Kayden is also Olivia ex-one-night stand and father of her child.
Attraction and chemistry between them is fierce and strong and they will have to decide if being together is what they want, how to navigate a non-traditional relationship and have to face the challenges that will come with other people’s judgment.
Dani Grimes wrote a beautiful love story between three people who are deeply devoted to one another. A story of genuine love, sizzling chemistry, honesty, sacrifice and emotional turmoil mixed with very spicy moments and dramatic scenes.
A story of how society evolves in some many ways, but still remains close-minded when it comes to love.
Thank you for the ARC.
Profile Image for Kristen Stier.
278 reviews13 followers
August 22, 2025
I have quickly become a Dani Grimes fan! I started reading her books from Leo & Sophia’s story in Never Settle & it was the best decision I’ve made! Jace, the down to earth sweetheart coming from being abandoned from his biological parents to calling “moms” to two random but oh so caring women make Jace’s love life so easy! He never has to worry about judgement from his moms whereas, Kayden coming from a completely different world struggles with his dad being a homophobic prick. Kayden has stayed in the closet for the longest time, until Olivia ends up at the wrong wedding & staying to be Kayden’s date quickly feeling the spark. After they go there separate ways Olivia finds out she’s pregnant, where she’s ends up job hunting meeting Jace. They quickly become the best of friends who have been pining over each other for 4 years but both to scared to take the next step because they don’t want to ruin their friendship or cause confusion with Kaylee. Welp, that all comes crashing ahead when Jace runs into Kayden at a queer bar & Olivia runs into Kayden at Jace’s workplace where Kayden is the new architect Jace hires without knowingly.

Tropes:
*no third act break up*
- workplace romance
- MMF
- Friends to lovers
- Second chance
- One night to forever
- Voyeur kink
1,577 reviews11 followers
August 22, 2025
This is the first book I have read by Dani Grimes and it didn't disappoint. I loved every second of it. Jace has been in love with Olivia for years but is scared to say anything in case it ruined the friendship they already had as well as he didn't want to lose the relationship he has with her daughter. Olivia has been in love with Jace but worried he didn't feel the same. When Jace is out looking for a one night of fun he meets Kayden and their chemistry was undeniable but they also had a connection that caused them to not be able to get each other out of their minds. When Kayden ends up being the architect that Jace was meeting with these two decide to try and make things work. Secrets and truths come out between these three, everything becomes so much better. There are struggles and emotions while they figure out how to work a poly relationship and how to come out to all their family and friends. It was beautifully written and so relatable you feel what they are going through and see the struggles they have. The progression was beautiful and realistic and so much fun to read. I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.
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