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Never too Late: The Noir Series Book 1

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Recently divorced and still reeling, forty-two-year-old Melanie Hart is trying to find herself again. After a decade of losing bits of herself to a crumbling marriage, she's not looking for love. She’s not even sure she remembers how to want. But a chance encounter at an exclusive bar leads her straight into the path of Noah—a 27-year-old, tattooed mechanic with a dominant streak and a gaze that sees straight through her defenses.

Noah Maddox isn’t supposed to fall for her. He’s younger. Rougher around the edges. And he’s built walls of his own after a past he doesn’t talk about. But something about Mel pulls him in—the way she blushes, the way she tries to hide her hunger behind polite smiles. He wants to unravel her. Teach her pleasure. Show her how good it can feel to be seen… and claimed.

What starts as an arrangement—a safe space to explore, to play—quickly begins to feel like more. Mel finds power in surrender. Noah discovers peace in letting go. But the deeper they fall, the harder it becomes to keep emotions out of it. And when the outside world starts creeping in—expectations, exes, and the fear of not being enough—they’ll have to decide if what they’ve found is worth risking everything for.

Tender, raw, and undeniably steamy, this is a story of second chances, sexual awakening, and the kind of connection that blurs every line.

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

5 people are currently reading
55 people want to read

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Nikki Harlow

5 books43 followers

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5 stars
66 (57%)
4 stars
44 (38%)
3 stars
2 (1%)
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2 (1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for Kerin Ray.
201 reviews6 followers
July 13, 2025
Absolutely obsessed! I cannot believe this is a first time author. The way she writes just literally pulls you on the first sentence. And that first page (gasps) I was like LOL okay here we go! Buckle up you’re going on a ride! I absolutely love the FMC! In her 40s but recently divorced and she’s trying to find herself again and then the MMC just boom rushes into her life. Trauma on both sides. It’s beautiful though they learn from each other and grow. Reverse age gap. And SPICY! I would 100% reccomend picking up this book! Chefs kiss! -Kerin Ray
Profile Image for Chloe Rowley.
233 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2025
I’m not in the same stage of life as this FMC, Mel, but I related to her. Loved this book. The 🌶️ spice amazing, the pace through out wonderful. The book on a whole was short but it was written in a way that didn’t feel short. As the pages went on, I felt like I had been in this book for hours,days. I loved that feeling. Noah, he was amazing and he helped Mel realise the truth about herself.
Profile Image for Kait Potter.
9 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2025
Couldn’t put this book down from the moment I read the dedication, to last page.
Main female is absolutely relatable.
It’s an easy read. Easy to get sucked in.
I can’t wait to read more from this author.
This is a book that I’d recommend to anyone who will listen. Thank you for the opportunity !
Profile Image for Danielle Hughes-Francis.
117 reviews4 followers
September 26, 2025
⭐️ ARC Review - 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️

As a 41 year old plus size woman I really felt seen with this book. I really related to Mel the FMC, it’s so easy to lose yourself as you get older and having to find yourself again is a journey in itself. I loved Mel’s friends and the way they lift her when she’s down, I wish I had friends like them.

Tropes
🖤Reverse Age Gap
🖤Soft BDSM
🖤Kink Club
🖤Plus Size FMC
🖤Mechanic MMC
🖤Sexual Awakening
🖤Spicy Novella
🖤Soft Dom/Sub

This novella is not feel like a novella it had everything it needed. The spice was brilliantly done. I couldn’t put it down I really enjoyed it. The way Noah worshipped Mel 🥹 he lifted her, cared for her and showed her how to love herself and her body. Both the MC’s had trauma’s to work through but together they healed each other and helped each other grow. A great introduction for people wanting to read BDSM but not wanting to start to heavy, this was perfect for that.
A fantastic debut for Nikki, I already cannot wait to read book 2!! Loved it!!
Profile Image for Rebecca.
22 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2025
Absolutely loved Mel and her awkwardness, bc same sis. This book drew me in and I just couldn’t put it down. I thought I’d read a chapter or two and pick it back up the next day but boy was I wrong! Full stop couldn’t put it down until I was done. The relationship between Mel and Noah was beautifully written. Raw and open in the best way. The spice was spicing 🌶️🌶️
Quick read, definitely worth it. I’m a fan and can’t wait to read Amy’s book next 🖤
Profile Image for Claudia.
487 reviews4 followers
September 30, 2025
ARC Review

A really good book, about real connection and the insecurities that may arise when we find someone special.
FMC is 41 years old, which was so refreshing and relatable to read about.
An amazing debut by this author, who showed she knows all about inner growth, and the courage and tenderness of growing together, as a couple.
A fast and special read.
Profile Image for Read.and.Blossom.
486 reviews6 followers
August 18, 2025
This was so good! I read it in one sitting!
I could not put it down:) I am so happy that I found this book from insta and signing up for it!

FMC is the older one
MMC is younger

She’s divorced
He’s makes a deal with her to explore

They obviously start growing feelings.
They both understand each other and help grow from their past

I highly recommend!!
Profile Image for Emily.
6 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2025
This book is so good. It's hard to believe this is from a 1st time author. The age gap and the main FMC self-discovery is so well done. Highly recommend it. It's a super quick read that pulls you in.
Profile Image for Kayla T.
445 reviews9 followers
September 30, 2025
I enjoyed this debut book by Nikki. The age gap trope is one I love for, and you can definitely see it in here.

Melanie and Noah are both main characters you want to just continue learning more about. I loved seeing both of the paths these characters took and how it led them to each other.

I have so many different quotes I highlighted but one of my favorites is: “I was in love with a man I was terrified to lose.”

So ready for Amy’s book next!
29 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2025
Never Too Late by Nikki Harlow
5/5 stars

Never Too Late by Nikki Harlow is a tender, steamy, and emotionally raw journey of rediscovery, healing, and unexpected love that grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go.

At its heart is Melanie Hart, a recently divorced, 42-year-old woman who’s still picking up the pieces of herself after years in a loveless, crumbling marriage. Watching Mel navigate life post-divorce was incredibly relatable and refreshing. She’s not looking for love, not even sure she remembers how to want again, until she crosses paths with Noah Maddox, a 27-year-old tattooed mechanic with a dominant streak, a quiet intensity, and a past he keeps locked away.
Their chemistry is instant, but Harlow doesn’t rush things. The romance is a slow burn, simmering with tension, desire, and emotion. What starts as a physical arrangement evolves into something deeper, a safe, intimate space where both characters are finally seen and accepted. The spice level is high (and very well-written!), but it never overshadows the emotional depth of the story. It enhances it.
One of the things I loved most was the age gap dynamic and seeing an older female main character finally take center stage. Mel is strong, vulnerable, and real. Noah is everything you want in a younger hero: intense, patient, and emotionally grounded. Their connection feels natural, and their personal growth arcs are just as satisfying as their romance.
The writing is sharp, emotionally resonant, and full of heart. The characters are easy to connect with, and I found myself fully invested in their journey. And yes, there is a hard-earned, heartfelt HEA that left me smiling.
If you're a fan of age-gap romance, slow-burn heat, and love stories where both characters help heal and empower each other, Never Too Late is a must read. It’s spicy, sweet, and utterly satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alana Vera.
51 reviews3 followers
August 6, 2025
Wow! What an absolutely breathtaking debut book by Nikki Harlow.

You know those books that have you hooked from the dedication and you physically cannot put it down till you finish it. The type of book that you’re reading while you’re cooking dinner for your kids, the type you’re taking to the bathroom with you because you just have to keep reading? This is one of those books for me. I finished this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t leave it (trust me, I tried).

Mel is a recently divorced woman in her 40s trying to find herself when Noah comes along and turns her world upside down, in all the best ways. Teaching her what she really deserves and how to get what she wants.

I’m blown away by the fact this is Nikki’s debut as an author. It’s is so well written and the spice is spicing. The spice and the plot are just the right balance. The writing style is amazing. Had me feeling all the feels. I laughed, I felt the sadness, I felt the utter heat. *chefs kiss! I personally will be keeping an eye out for everything Nikki writes in the future, as I will be making a point to read everything she has to write.

5⭐️
4🌶️

-Reverse age gap
-Light BDSM
-Past trauma
-Sexual Healing
Profile Image for Twisted Bookworm.
33 reviews7 followers
August 18, 2025
Never Too Late is a breathtaking blend of vulnerability, rediscovery, and unapologetic passion. Melanie, a forty-something divorcée invisible in her marriage for twenty years, finds herself thrust into a world of desire and self-discovery when she meets Noah, a twenty-seven-year-old mechanic who sees her with a devotion her ex-husband never could.

What begins as a casual arrangement blooms into something profound, with BDSM woven seamlessly into their journey—not just as spice, but as a tool of healing. Through submission and dominance, Melanie learns to reclaim her power, while Noah faces his own trauma by surrendering to her in turn. Their connection is raw, layered, and transformative.

The emotional centerpiece of the novel arrives when Melanie’s attempt at “casual” collides with reality. A date with Cody—the safe, age-appropriate option—threatens everything she’s built with Noah. Watching Noah’s heartbreak in that moment is devastating, a scene so gut-wrenching it lingers long after the final page. It’s proof that Harlow doesn’t just write romance; she writes truths about love, fear, and the risks of choosing passion over comfort.

For readers who crave age-gap romance with depth, a heroine rebuilding herself after divorce, and a hero whose love is both fierce and tender, Never Too Late is unforgettable. I laughed, I burned, and yes—I cried. Nikki Harlow doesn’t just give us romance; she gives us empowerment, stitched with tears and triumph.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Annarose.
9 reviews
August 2, 2025
In Nikki Harlows debut novel, we are quickly introduced to Melanie and Noah, who, with a 15+ year age gap and different parts of their lives, are discovering what they desire most out of it. But will it be each-other?
Along with some top tier “cool cool” moments that have you giggling as you realize, we have all been there not knowing how to approach a situation; we are jumped immediately into the 🌶️ spice game. Spice does continue throughout in all the right parts.
Overall, as a first time author: “Never to Late”, is 4/5, as I wanted to know more about Melanie and Noah, rooting for them both as their stories unfolded through the short pages. I was rooting for them and giggling until the end.
Through it all, Melanie was seen and Icarus got his second chance. 🖤
Profile Image for Gloria.
28 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2025
I loved the h in this book, and the H was all sorts of spicy. I think many women feel connected in one way or another to the h who is recovering from a failed marriage and trying to rediscover who she is and what her next steps in her love life will be. So many women struggle after that, and our h did the same. Luckily, she has a couple of really good girlfriends who help her and are with her for the ride. Add to that our H Noah, and now you have a recipe for how to get over a failed marriage and find your true happiness. She not only learns about her sexuality and what brings her that ultimate big O but what she needs in a relationship. both our H and h are perfect for each other, and I found myself rooting for them from the get-go, in spite of the age gap. In fact, at one point, I didn't even see it anymore. Well done, Nikki, and thank you for allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for my review. I can't wait for your next book!
Profile Image for Hannah Albright.
8 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2025
Rating: 5/5
Spice: 2.5/5

In Nikki’s debut novel (novella length) she introduces us to Mel, our shy FMC who recently got the courage to leave her unfulfilling marriage. In trying to rediscover her passion and sex drive (and ultimately herself) she’s introduced to Noah, our confident and straightforward MMC, a younger man who wants to reintroduce her to herself and so much more.

While I’m not the same age as her, Mel was so relatable for anyone who has been through an unfulfilling relationship and finding the courage to rediscover yourself. This was such an easy (and mostly lighthearted) read that I literally didn’t put down after I started. The spice is excellently written but doesn’t overshadow the characters’ stories and develops throughout their relationship perfectly.

I can’t wait to read the next stories and learn about the other characters!

Includes age gap, kink play, light BDSM. Off-page mentions of abuse and fertility struggles.
Profile Image for Erica Coleman.
9 reviews2 followers
August 21, 2025
“And because you drip with this intriguing innocence,” I added, voice low. “And I really, really like the idea of being the one to corrupt you.” -Noah

Once I started this book I could not put it down!! Oh my gosh!! I saw myself as Mel; wanting more than what I have. Wanting that feeling of being chosen and wanted by your man. And oh gosh I wish there was a garage scene once I found out he was a mechanic.

If you want a he falls hard and an age gap love story this book is for you!! I do wish there was more to their story. And I am so excited for Any’s story cause who is this mystery man!!??

Any who!

From not knowing what she wants to finally realizing what she has been missing Mel gets the guy and finally finds her happily ever after she has always wanted but never could have with her ex-husband.
Profile Image for Renae Bush.
166 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2025
4.5 stars - ok so this book is not my usual genre but reading the little synopsis had me intrigued and I smiled the entire time I was reading and the amount of times I said “awe stop it” because Noah was the perfect mix of dom and sweetheart had me feeling all the vibes.
Quick little read, well paced and the characters are well written I am actually excited for the next book and this one isn’t even released, there were a couple of parts that gave me 50 shades vibes but not in a bad way.
Even had some little tears at the end
Profile Image for Skyler Johnson.
47 reviews2 followers
August 4, 2025
I absolutely loved this short book so much!!

I was hooked from the very beginning! I love how the author made points of real life struggles for women and their image of themselves! The MMC was such an amazing, patient and kind-hearted human being with a whole lot of spice to him!! 😍🥵
I enjoyed all the character growth and how supportive everyone was the entire read! The whole story just flowed so perfectly! This was my first age-gap romance where the oldest was a female and I loved every single bit of it!!
Definitely a 5 ⭐️ from me! I can’t wait for this one to come out!!
Profile Image for mamawavyreads.
54 reviews3 followers
August 6, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

YES! Just yes💖 I loved this! Mel is the FMC that reminds all of us it’s okay to WANT! The reverse age-gap romance was so refreshing! Like a 15 year age gap! And the sexual awakening? Things were spicy👀
But the dual POV did it for me! I LOVE getting the MMCs because “Yes Sir” please please pleaseeee call me “Angel” while you teach me🥵
This was a fun, heart-warming and the spice was delicious🌶️

I don’t normally read this genre and usually stay away from insta-love/attraction BUT I wanted MORE!
70 reviews
August 7, 2025
I ate this one up! Loved loved it ! Spicy reverse age gap and sexual awakening in FMC’s later years. After her divorce and realizing she has not been heard or taken care of physically and emotionally Mel embarks on a journey of self discovery and healing with the help of her besties and a younger super hot mechanic who show her she is worthy of love and the physical connection she so desperately craves . I also loved that Mel is not a 19 year old and a women in her later years who can still be desirable. Great first novel from this author Niki Harlow . Looking forward to her next book
13 reviews
August 25, 2025
Short, sweet and spicy! I was lucky enough to be part of ARC and I have to say this is a perfect novella for an easy read. It gets to the point, there is enough character development that you are rooting for specific characters. The bff trio is pretty hilarious! This book is sweet and is very relatable on what the main character is going through. I really enjoyed this book got right to it and didn’t drag anything. The spicy scenes are great a good mix of just enough and not too much. Highly recommend for a quick read!
Profile Image for Suzanne Ault.
290 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2025
Loved it! Nikki' debut book is a winner. Looking forward to book two! Great characters and great storyline. For older gals like me it gives hope and possibilities.
Mel is a newly divorced 42 year old trying to find herself after a marriage that really never started.
Noah a hunky 27 year old mechanic with a Dom personality isn't looking for anything permanent.
Sweet, sexy and intriguing, this book has you holding your breath that it will end with a happily ever after.
Profile Image for Courtney Pityer.
709 reviews41 followers
August 6, 2025
Thank you to Nikki Harlow for giving me the opportunity to be on her street team for her novel Never Too Late which is set to come out at the end of September. This book is a quick and easy read for anyobe looking for a romance novel. The book almost reminded me of How Stella Got Her Groove Back. I enjoyed readibg this because I admired the main character Melanie and her strength to move on after she and her husband divorced. Overall this was very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Erin Vargas.
122 reviews
August 13, 2025
AMAZING!!! That first line had me buckling up and holding on!! I could not put it down once I picked it up and finished it in one sitting! The spice was spicing🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5!! Noah was everything in a MMC and Melanie was so relatable as a FMC. Both were working through their own traumas and caused hesitation on both ends! I am normally not one for age gaps but this one was actually a great fit (reverse age gap 42/27)

I would never have guessed this was a debut! Nikki knocked it out of the park, and I already can’t wait to read Amy’s book!!!
Profile Image for Thalitha Lambregts vd Oest.
131 reviews
August 22, 2025
A deliciously reading novella!
I started this book late last night and finished this morning.

Beautifully written, with real-life emotions and challenges. I enjoyed this look on the age gap thrope a lot, the fmc was very recognizable in her feelings, and the mmc was a well-balanced mix of dom and cinnamon role.
The BDSM scenes were there but (in my personal opinion) mild, I think that it would be a great read for people who would like to try out this genre.

I can only say that I found this a very well executed debut novella. The storyline was deep enough to really engage me to the MC'S and I very much enjoyed this read. I can only wait to see what will happen in book two!
Profile Image for Dawn Dembowski.
17 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2025
What a great short read!! Where I thought it might be the same sort of story line as some other dark romance books, it turned out not to be and was a very well written shorter story. I loved the characters and how they were written. The FMC Mel was very relatable. Though I feel like Noah needed a little more attention, he was the right type of man for the most part, taking care of his lady!!! I read this as an advanced copy. A MUST read!!
1,048 reviews16 followers
August 2, 2025
This is a spicy, reverse age gap romance. Melanie is a divorced middle-aged woman who usually just accepts what gives her. Noah is a 27-year-old dominant with problems of his own. Melanie wants to spice up and life and find something that makes her feel. Noah offers her a chance to dabble in his lifestyle. Can these two opposites attract?
Profile Image for Lynn Kinsley.
29 reviews2 followers
August 6, 2025
This book keep me entertained and wanting to keep reading and not want to put it down. loved the reverse age gap. you dont see a lot of books were the female is older than the male. They both learn stuff about themselves that needed to be seen to move on in life. it made like it was real life happening.
Profile Image for Lotty Victoria.
199 reviews11 followers
August 12, 2025
Never too Late by Nikki Harlow is a reverse age gap romance that follows Melanie and Noah 😍
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I couldn’t put this down from the moment I picked it up, it was a read that was so easy to fall into and get absorbed by!
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I am OBSESSED with the fact the FMC is in her 40’s, she was soo relatable which made the read that much better and Noah, well god damn 🥵! Where do I find him?!
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Nikki’s writing is amazing, making a novella not feel like a novella is 🙌🏻 especially for a debut!! The spice was written to perfection too *chef’s kiss*
Profile Image for Kyla Janecek.
44 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2025
This was an ARC I was able to read and it was a fast paced and good read! For a first time author, I think it was well written and the story was good! I wish we would’ve gotten more depth regarding the relationship building between the FMC and MMC, but overall the FMC’s growth was great!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews

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