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Never Mind
Love is supposed to be a beautiful thing. But for Cal and Harper, it is a painful, impossible truth.
From childhood friends to deep soulmates, their connection was never in question—until the one thing they could never control became the greatest threat to their love: time. Harper is dying, and every breath she takes is a reminder of the moments slipping away. Every day, the love she has for Cal grows deeper—and the pain of knowing she can’t hold onto him forever becomes unbearable.
When Cal falls for Olivia, a woman who reminds him so much of Harper, everything Harper thought she knew about love is put to the test. She could fight for him, demand he choose her, but her love is selfless. It always has been. She will do whatever it takes to give him happiness, even if it means breaking her own heart. Even if it means losing him forever.
As the days pass, Harper's health deteriorates. With every fading breath, she clings to her final wish—to see Cal happy, even if it’s with someone else. But can she truly let go, knowing that the man she loves will live a life without her?
“Never Mind” is an unflinchingly raw, heartbreaking journey through love, sacrifice, and the impossible choices we make when faced with the end. This isn’t just a love story. This is about what it means to love so fiercely that you’re willing to break your own soul to see the person you love find happiness—even if it destroys you in the process.
Buckle up. You won’t be able to breathe through this one.
From childhood friends to deep soulmates, their connection was never in question—until the one thing they could never control became the greatest threat to their love: time. Harper is dying, and every breath she takes is a reminder of the moments slipping away. Every day, the love she has for Cal grows deeper—and the pain of knowing she can’t hold onto him forever becomes unbearable.
When Cal falls for Olivia, a woman who reminds him so much of Harper, everything Harper thought she knew about love is put to the test. She could fight for him, demand he choose her, but her love is selfless. It always has been. She will do whatever it takes to give him happiness, even if it means breaking her own heart. Even if it means losing him forever.
As the days pass, Harper's health deteriorates. With every fading breath, she clings to her final wish—to see Cal happy, even if it’s with someone else. But can she truly let go, knowing that the man she loves will live a life without her?
“Never Mind” is an unflinchingly raw, heartbreaking journey through love, sacrifice, and the impossible choices we make when faced with the end. This isn’t just a love story. This is about what it means to love so fiercely that you’re willing to break your own soul to see the person you love find happiness—even if it destroys you in the process.
Buckle up. You won’t be able to breathe through this one.
189 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2025
38 people want to read
About the author
Katie Mackenzie
4 books16 followersKatie Mackenzie doesn’t write the kind of romance that plays nice. If you’re looking for sugar-coated love stories where everything ties up in a perfect little bow—run. Now. She delivers the Happily Ever Afters readers need, not necessarily the ones they want, and she’s not afraid to break a few hearts (or a few characters) to get there. If a hero needs to fall, he falls. If a love story demands a little bloodshed—well, love hurts, doesn’t it?
A neuro-spicy author and special needs mom, Katie is a master of navigating chaos, whether it’s in her stories or real life. As a proud military wife, she knows all about embracing unpredictability—whether that means a plot twist or a toddler tantrum. Her survival toolkit includes iced coffee, a dark sense of humor, and a love for good food that borders on obsession.
When she’s not crafting love stories with bite, you’ll find her devouring books, seeking out the best eats, or advocating fiercely for her family. Katie’s stories are bold, raw, and just a little bit twisted—perfect for readers who like their love stories with sharp edges and aren’t afraid to get a little bruised along the way.
If you’re ready for romance that makes you feel something (even if it’s the sting of betrayal), Katie Mackenzie is your next one-click obsession.
A neuro-spicy author and special needs mom, Katie is a master of navigating chaos, whether it’s in her stories or real life. As a proud military wife, she knows all about embracing unpredictability—whether that means a plot twist or a toddler tantrum. Her survival toolkit includes iced coffee, a dark sense of humor, and a love for good food that borders on obsession.
When she’s not crafting love stories with bite, you’ll find her devouring books, seeking out the best eats, or advocating fiercely for her family. Katie’s stories are bold, raw, and just a little bit twisted—perfect for readers who like their love stories with sharp edges and aren’t afraid to get a little bruised along the way.
If you’re ready for romance that makes you feel something (even if it’s the sting of betrayal), Katie Mackenzie is your next one-click obsession.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 11, 2025
This is a beautiful, yet emotional wrecking at the same time. Katie, freaking wonderful job. It’s not a happy ending with this story but it’s a beautiful story. Grab the tissues.
This is a short story that will wreck you in every sense of the word.
I can’t say too much due to not giving away any spoilers.
But what happens when you’ve been in love with the guy in front of you the whole time? He’s your best friend, you’re everything. He feels the exact same way. But timing and life keep throwing curves at you. But you run away every-time because you can’t allow yourself to hurt him you’d rather hurt yourself than him.
Can you love someone so much that hurt yourself in the process of helping them find happiness and love with someone else? Maybe…. Just maybe it’ll be written in the stars in another universe.
This is a short story that will wreck you in every sense of the word.
I can’t say too much due to not giving away any spoilers.
But what happens when you’ve been in love with the guy in front of you the whole time? He’s your best friend, you’re everything. He feels the exact same way. But timing and life keep throwing curves at you. But you run away every-time because you can’t allow yourself to hurt him you’d rather hurt yourself than him.
Can you love someone so much that hurt yourself in the process of helping them find happiness and love with someone else? Maybe…. Just maybe it’ll be written in the stars in another universe.
April 5, 2025
Never Mind absolutely shattered me in a way no book ever has before. It's rare to encounter a story written so beautifully—each page felt like poetry, resonating deeply and leaving an emotional echo long after the last sentence.
This isn't just a love story; it's an exploration of love so profound and selfless that it aches. Har’s stubbornness wasn't merely frustrating—it was painfully authentic, a reflection of the heart's want-vs-need complexities. And Cal, sweet and gentle Cal, captured my heart with his kindness and occasional obliviousness, making their relationship feel intensely genuine.
I experienced literal chills multiple times, something I've previously only encountered through music. The emotional depth, vulnerability, and the delicate yet powerful narrative Katie crafted left me genuinely wrecked—in the most wonderful, heart-rending way.
Never Mind—didn't just move me; it broke me, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.
A truly unforgettable read.
This isn't just a love story; it's an exploration of love so profound and selfless that it aches. Har’s stubbornness wasn't merely frustrating—it was painfully authentic, a reflection of the heart's want-vs-need complexities. And Cal, sweet and gentle Cal, captured my heart with his kindness and occasional obliviousness, making their relationship feel intensely genuine.
I experienced literal chills multiple times, something I've previously only encountered through music. The emotional depth, vulnerability, and the delicate yet powerful narrative Katie crafted left me genuinely wrecked—in the most wonderful, heart-rending way.
Never Mind—didn't just move me; it broke me, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.
A truly unforgettable read.
April 6, 2025
Even when we know there’s tragedy on the horizon, we can’t help but watch… this story is watching the car slamming on its brakes just to fall over the cliff’s edge at the last second anyway. It takes your breath away with its unfairness.
My only criticism is that I would love to see this as a full length novel. The flashbacks are absolutely enough to give the reader a great sense of the deep friendship that Cal and Harper share and the soul-deep love that they have developed over the years BUT it could be developed into a full story of hits and misses that lead up to this novella being the last half of the book. I would eat it up.
These characters were well developed despite the short story and my heart broke at the selflessness and selfishness of Harper. In my mind, it’s both. She made the decision for him instead of allowing him the opportunity to show her what she means to him.
I will ruminate on this story for a long time to come making this story a five star read for me. The tears started early and still well up as I think about the characters after I finished - the sign of a well-written book!
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this story early. I am touched to have gotten to feel Cal and Harper’s story.
My only criticism is that I would love to see this as a full length novel. The flashbacks are absolutely enough to give the reader a great sense of the deep friendship that Cal and Harper share and the soul-deep love that they have developed over the years BUT it could be developed into a full story of hits and misses that lead up to this novella being the last half of the book. I would eat it up.
These characters were well developed despite the short story and my heart broke at the selflessness and selfishness of Harper. In my mind, it’s both. She made the decision for him instead of allowing him the opportunity to show her what she means to him.
I will ruminate on this story for a long time to come making this story a five star read for me. The tears started early and still well up as I think about the characters after I finished - the sign of a well-written book!
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this story early. I am touched to have gotten to feel Cal and Harper’s story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2025
This book……if you have ever loved secretly and lost! This book will break you…..I HIGHLY recommend this book! Have tissues ready…..
June 12, 2025
Grab the kleenex, your security hoodie, and emotional support pup you're going to need all 3 to make it through this tear jerker!
Katie Mackenzie wrote a very emotionally draining, incredibly deep trauma romance that is NOT HEA.
Cal and Harper have been BFF's since high school, the kind that have that will they won't they relationship. Harper gets some devastating health news and we get to see exactly how her end led to the beginning of his latest relationship. This is a fast paced, quick read that I highly recommend if you need a good cry!
Katie Mackenzie wrote a very emotionally draining, incredibly deep trauma romance that is NOT HEA.
Cal and Harper have been BFF's since high school, the kind that have that will they won't they relationship. Harper gets some devastating health news and we get to see exactly how her end led to the beginning of his latest relationship. This is a fast paced, quick read that I highly recommend if you need a good cry!
April 11, 2025
This book… oh my goodness.. I went in knowing it wasn’t going to be a HEA. I went in fully knowing that this book could break my entire heart and soul, and let me tell you it did.
This isn’t a rainbows and butterflies story. It’s about a love so strong that it literally breaks you because it isn’t going to end in some happy ending where the boy gets the girl, or the girl gets the boy. They have so much love for each other but it just isn’t in the cards for them to have this love and it’s a love that breaks them no matter what.
Harper wants more for Cal. She loves him an incredible amount, but it truly isn’t in the cards for them to have some kind of forever love.
I can relate to this love story in so many ways! SOOOOO many! The end tore me apart.. I wanted so badly to slap Harper around and to tell her she NEEDED to tell him she was sick, but in a way I understood.. I knew why she couldn’t, why she didn’t want to tell him. I knew why she wanted him to hate her, move on and find happiness with someone else.
The story of Harper & Cal will always be a story that lives in my mind and I may never recover from such a story.
My heart hurts.
And maybe this helped guide me to figure out a certain situation in my life.
Thank you Katie for your book and allowing me to have the honor to read this story.
Thank you for making me feel the things I felt, and I thank you for making me cry.
Honestly if this could be rated more than 5 stars… it would be a 10 in my book. 🖤😞😭
This isn’t a rainbows and butterflies story. It’s about a love so strong that it literally breaks you because it isn’t going to end in some happy ending where the boy gets the girl, or the girl gets the boy. They have so much love for each other but it just isn’t in the cards for them to have this love and it’s a love that breaks them no matter what.
Harper wants more for Cal. She loves him an incredible amount, but it truly isn’t in the cards for them to have some kind of forever love.
I can relate to this love story in so many ways! SOOOOO many! The end tore me apart.. I wanted so badly to slap Harper around and to tell her she NEEDED to tell him she was sick, but in a way I understood.. I knew why she couldn’t, why she didn’t want to tell him. I knew why she wanted him to hate her, move on and find happiness with someone else.
The story of Harper & Cal will always be a story that lives in my mind and I may never recover from such a story.
My heart hurts.
And maybe this helped guide me to figure out a certain situation in my life.
Thank you Katie for your book and allowing me to have the honor to read this story.
Thank you for making me feel the things I felt, and I thank you for making me cry.
Honestly if this could be rated more than 5 stars… it would be a 10 in my book. 🖤😞😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2025
Never Mind is the kind of book that doesn’t just tug at your heart—it rips it wide open, lays it bare, and somehow leaves you grateful for the ache. I wasn’t just emotional; I sobbed. Harper and Cal’s story is soft, devastating, and unforgettable. It’s about the kind of love that runs so deep, it chooses silence over selfishness.
Harper’s quiet sacrifice—pushing Cal toward a future she won’t be part of—was beautifully written and utterly gut-wrenching. Watching Cal stumble through confusion and pain, not knowing the truth until it’s too late, was like watching a slow, inevitable heartbreak unfold. And that final confession? It broke me.
Katie Mackenzie has a gift for writing love that lingers long after the last page. Never Mind is a reminder that sometimes the greatest act of love is letting go—and that loss, when wrapped in love, can still feel strangely full.
I’ll be thinking about Harper and Cal for a long, long time.
Harper’s quiet sacrifice—pushing Cal toward a future she won’t be part of—was beautifully written and utterly gut-wrenching. Watching Cal stumble through confusion and pain, not knowing the truth until it’s too late, was like watching a slow, inevitable heartbreak unfold. And that final confession? It broke me.
Katie Mackenzie has a gift for writing love that lingers long after the last page. Never Mind is a reminder that sometimes the greatest act of love is letting go—and that loss, when wrapped in love, can still feel strangely full.
I’ll be thinking about Harper and Cal for a long, long time.
April 6, 2025
“Proof that once, even if only in her dreams, they had been meant to be.”
Sometimes you just want a book to absolutely destroy you. And sometimes when that happens, like with “NEVER MIND” your soul dies a bit with every emotion it’s made to endure.
NEVER MIND is a novella… however it certainly captured the feelings and emotions in a way that a full length book would. (I wish it was 600 pages).
It was beautifully written. The angst, heartbreak and absolute agony was executed perfectly. These characters were so well developed and crept into your being within the 1st few pages.
** This book does not have an HEA. It is not a fluffy story by any means. The issues are very real and very raw. Read the triggers/warnings and do with that what you will.
I am honored that I got to read this story early. Cal and Harper and their heart wrenching story will stay with me for a very long time.
Sometimes you just want a book to absolutely destroy you. And sometimes when that happens, like with “NEVER MIND” your soul dies a bit with every emotion it’s made to endure.
NEVER MIND is a novella… however it certainly captured the feelings and emotions in a way that a full length book would. (I wish it was 600 pages).
It was beautifully written. The angst, heartbreak and absolute agony was executed perfectly. These characters were so well developed and crept into your being within the 1st few pages.
** This book does not have an HEA. It is not a fluffy story by any means. The issues are very real and very raw. Read the triggers/warnings and do with that what you will.
I am honored that I got to read this story early. Cal and Harper and their heart wrenching story will stay with me for a very long time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2025
This was a short novella. It only took me a few hours to completely devour this book.
This is quite an emotional read that made quite the dent in my heart and left me sobbing into my pillow. Harper and Cal had been best friends forever, but they both wanted more, but were afraid to take their relationship to the next level for fear it would damage what they had. When they finally let their guard down, tragedy strikes, and Harper pushes Cal into another woman's arms.
This book is more than just a story about two people who love each other. It is about friendship, soul mates, and being able to love someone more than yourself. You can truly feel both characters' anguish.
If you are looking for a heavy emotional read, this one is for you. Have the tissues ready! I warned you:)
This is quite an emotional read that made quite the dent in my heart and left me sobbing into my pillow. Harper and Cal had been best friends forever, but they both wanted more, but were afraid to take their relationship to the next level for fear it would damage what they had. When they finally let their guard down, tragedy strikes, and Harper pushes Cal into another woman's arms.
This book is more than just a story about two people who love each other. It is about friendship, soul mates, and being able to love someone more than yourself. You can truly feel both characters' anguish.
If you are looking for a heavy emotional read, this one is for you. Have the tissues ready! I warned you:)
April 3, 2025
“Just know - I was always yours, even if you were never mine”
I. AM. NOT. OKAY.
A hauntingly beautiful story of a love that’s written in the stars. The friendship, love, yearning and heartache shared between Harper and Cal was beautiful and devastating to read all at once. To say this novella destroyed me would be an understatement. I felt every emotion that Harper and Cal felt through Katie’s writing, this takes you on an emotional rollercoaster so please check your trigger warnings. It is not a HEA.
This is one of those books that stay with you well after you finish it and the playlist just amplifies all the emotions. For anyone who reads this, it is absolutely incredible but make sure you have tissues and emotional support ready because the tears will fall!
I. AM. NOT. OKAY.
A hauntingly beautiful story of a love that’s written in the stars. The friendship, love, yearning and heartache shared between Harper and Cal was beautiful and devastating to read all at once. To say this novella destroyed me would be an understatement. I felt every emotion that Harper and Cal felt through Katie’s writing, this takes you on an emotional rollercoaster so please check your trigger warnings. It is not a HEA.
This is one of those books that stay with you well after you finish it and the playlist just amplifies all the emotions. For anyone who reads this, it is absolutely incredible but make sure you have tissues and emotional support ready because the tears will fall!
April 8, 2025
The heart strings are pulled hard. Never Mind is about Harper and Callum who are the best of friends. Both in love with each other but as we all know best friends are afraid to cross that line. Will Harper and Cal ever cross it? Will that be the only tragic thing in Harper's life? Harper is not only fun and loving but her love goes beyond measures some of us will never have in our lifetime. If you are looking for a good book that will put you into your feelings check it out. Recommendation are highly rated with this heart throbbing book. Happy reading!
April 30, 2025
What a tear jerker! This book will absolutely tear your heart out in the most beautiful way. Make sure your prepared with tissues, caffeine, nicotine what ever brings you comfort in sad times, because your gonna need it. What an absolutely beautiful story of love given and taken away both selfishly and unselfishly! Absolutely fantastic writing! Thank you Katie for the tears, heartbreak and sadness! This is a book I will never forget, it will live rent free in my heart always!
April 17, 2025
I was expecting the tears but didn't expect them for the whole book. Such a quick read perfect length for a novella and pulled at the heartstrings. I stayed mad at harper and screaming internally to just admit her love for him the whole time. just when you think they will confess boom something happens. my eyes were teary the whole time.
May 2, 2025
*If you need a good cry*
ARC reader here....
Katie, I hate to love you right now. You drug me through the whole range of emotions: happiness, anger, resignation, sadness.
I was sobbing through the last 5 chapters.
Harper and Cal may not have had their HEA, but their story was definately written in the stars ❤️
ARC reader here....
Katie, I hate to love you right now. You drug me through the whole range of emotions: happiness, anger, resignation, sadness.
I was sobbing through the last 5 chapters.
Harper and Cal may not have had their HEA, but their story was definately written in the stars ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Just had my heart completely SHATTERED. Not a happily ever after. This is real, raw and emotional. Its a quick read but will absolutely break your heart (if you're easily taken by emotion) like it did mine in the 2 hours it took to read. My face hurts but it was so good. Absolutely recommend.
Just had my heart completely SHATTERED. Not a happily ever after. This is real, raw and emotional. Its a quick read but will absolutely break your heart (if you're easily taken by emotion) like it did mine in the 2 hours it took to read. My face hurts but it was so good. Absolutely recommend.
April 4, 2025
Oh my gosh this book 😭😭 I never cry at books but this one had me emotional. Harper and Cal's story is so relatable in so many ways.
It's gonna take you on an emotional roller coaster. I could not put this book down!
It's gonna take you on an emotional roller coaster. I could not put this book down!
April 7, 2025
Miss Mackenzie this story hurts in all the true hard real ways only soul deep love can and I blame you. Your writing style, prose and beauty in words comes out through the heartache depths of sadness and life experiences these characters face. Thank you for not holding back.
April 10, 2025
What an emotional roller coaster! This book is beautifully written. This book broke me in half, the characters are just amazing and the bond they have is truly special. Make sure you have tissues ready for this one because my girl Katie MacKenzie out did herself with my emotions on this one.
April 17, 2025
Great short read! I didn’t cry like everyone else only because I guessed it from the beginning, but I was super sad for the characters.
I loved how I felt like I was reading poetry, but it still kept me interested!
I loved how I felt like I was reading poetry, but it still kept me interested!
April 21, 2025
Grab your tissues, youre going to need them, katie did an amazing job with her writing you will feel all the emotions. Harper and cal have been friends since high school I love the deep dive we get into their relationship. Very well written Katie!
May 3, 2025
the way this woman tears your soul and doesn't repair. honestly I haven't recovered from this book. it was both heartbreaking through every chapter, and it healed me throughout it. Great job me sweet friend and thank you for tearing my soul to pieces.
April 6, 2025
This book shattered me. Cal and Harper’s story hurt so bad.
July 7, 2025
Have you ever loved someone you could never have? Now, have you ever loved someone so much it feels like a knife to the chest when you see them moving on regardless of if it was of your own doing and for their own good? This story is for you.
Never Mind follows Harper and Cal as they navigate through life as best friends. Getting closer one day and pulling away the next. Their story is not the happily ever after you would expect. In fact, it’s an emotional ride with a gut wrenching ending. Grab your tissues because you’re going to need them for this one!
Never Mind follows Harper and Cal as they navigate through life as best friends. Getting closer one day and pulling away the next. Their story is not the happily ever after you would expect. In fact, it’s an emotional ride with a gut wrenching ending. Grab your tissues because you’re going to need them for this one!
June 6, 2025
I think this story would have been great as a full length novel. I like the idea behind it but for me personally, I needed a bit more storyline and development.
I think the author writes really well though.
I did appreciate Harper’s love for Cal and her dedication to make sure he’s happy. Her letters to him and her mom at the end were beautiful and a tear jerker. If you’re looking for a short emotional read, check this one out.
I think the author writes really well though.
I did appreciate Harper’s love for Cal and her dedication to make sure he’s happy. Her letters to him and her mom at the end were beautiful and a tear jerker. If you’re looking for a short emotional read, check this one out.
June 13, 2025
oh my gosh my heart during this book. I felt all the emotions in this book. I felt for harper and cal. I cried so much. amazing work Katie
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews