Never Ever After

arc cliffhanger disability-rep-mental-health

Never Ever After
Rae Stone

Emmett & Tristen

Part one of a duet
Broken boys
Slow Burn
Touch aversion
Dirt bikes
High angst
Hurt / Comfort
First responder
Ends of a cliffhanger

Yeah, so, this was heartbreakingly beautiful. Raw, gritty, tough, emotional, and sad.

It's also filled with hope, friendship and found family.

Taking joy in small things like tea, humble toast, dirt bikes, diner food and the comfort of your people.

Oh my, my heart. This was a challenging read.

This was written so well. The way certain things were described, it was as if I was experiencing it with them. Incredible writing. I felt so many emotions reading this at times.

Check your trigger warnings for sure.
They are clearly labelled. Your mental health matters.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for these broken men.

I just wanted to hug them. Hold them and find a way to “make it better” unfortunately that's not how it works.

The found family these guys have is everything. I love these boys so much.
Literally protect them at all costs.

What a beautifully raw and gritty story. My heart hurts for these men and how much they have been through.

These men have a seriously rough go before they get their proper hea in the 2nd book.

This does end in a cliffhanger. I won't spoil it for you. I just ask you to trust the author and her process.

Longing for their hea
So thankful for this arc

Rae_Reads

145 reviews7 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Never Ever After by Rae Stone is the first book in the Broken Boys of Barren Ridge duet, and it absolutely wrecked me in the best way. If life hadn’t interrupted me, I would have inhaled this in one sitting. It’s dark, heavy, and achingly tender, one of those stories that hurts to read but is impossible to put down. Rae’s writing is stunning, and she makes you fall for these two boys long before they believe they deserve it.

We meet Emmett at one of the lowest points of his life, and the pain radiating off him is immediate. As the story unfolds, Tristen’s own fractures come into focus too. He’s an EMS worker, a literal hero in Emmett’s eyes, yet he sees himself as nothing but damaged and undeserving. Their dynamic is built on broken edges, quiet yearning, and the kind of connection that feels too dangerous to touch.

My heart ached for Emmett as life kept knocking him down, and for Tristen, who keeps trying to hold him together while barely holding himself upright. Hatley, Tristen’s best friend and roommate, adds another layer of beautifully messy humanity to the story. Every character is hurting, and every moment feels intentional.

This is a slow burn with low spice, but don’t let that fool you. The intimacy when it comes is raw, rare, and hits with the force of everything they’re too scared to say. The angst is high, the tension is relentless, and the emotional payoff is worth every page.

And yes… this book ends on a massive cliffhanger. Consider yourself warned.

Vibes
- Broken Boys
- Hurt/Comfort
- Addiction
- Touch Aversion
- Trauma
- High Angst
- Slow Burn
- EMS
- Motocross
- Cliffhanger

Rating: 5⭐
Spice: 1.5🌶

arc mental-health mm

Books_withtish

182 reviews6 followers

January 25, 2026

My first book by this author and how do I explain it.. it was so beautifully written and it was so hard to read but in the best way. You feel every emotion from these boys , they really put you through the wringer.. It isn’t your typical boy meets boy and falls in love, they are both struggling so much with life, their pasts and all the trauma and recovery that comes with it, but boy does Tristen try his absolutely best to help Emmett. It was heartbreaking to read at times I had to take a couple of breathers just to recuperate and then I jumped straight back into it because I couldn’t leave them alone. The author does state that there is minimal intimacy between them but I really thought what was in the book worked really well for them both. Rae tread carefully and respectfully with them because of Ems past but I did appreciate Tristan. He was always on a level with Em that made him in control with f what happened and how much even using the traffic light system and even using it himself at one point which is all I can say ** no spoilers**.. This book is one of them where you don’t know what’s going to happen, it kept me on my toes the whole time and I knew there was a cliffhanger because it’s a duet but my god I wasn’t expecting that , like when will they catch a break.. it’s an absolute 5 stars for me and I will certainly be reading more by Rae.. can I just say that Hat is the best side character I have ever read I’ve said this a lot but I really mean it I really hope he gets a book of his own!!!!! Thankyou for the arc opportunity Out on KU 30/1 ♾️✨⭐️ 🏷️

Cassandra

140 reviews10 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

dark-romance lgbtq mmromance

HOW DARE YOU RAE!! 😭😭😭

Okay now that I've had time to process...here is my full ARC review.

This book was absolutely incredible. I can't even put into words how good this book was. I'm not sure how much I can say without giving anything away.

Emmett and Tristen are 2 guys who find themselves together under not so great circumstances. They are both battling their own demons and in a strange way, they both need each other. I instantly fell in love with both of them and I can't wait for them to get their HEA.

Does it have extremely heavy topics? Yes.
Did I get my heart broken? Sure did.
Did I read this in one sitting? Yep!
Does it end on a cliffhanger? Yes.
Am I going to tell everyone to read this? Abso-f*cking-lutely!!

Sundae Leighton

Author 21 books276 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

January 25, 2026

Review of ARC copy received from the author.

I have to write this before I forget. While the tears have stopped. Hands down my top read of the year. I love a broken boy and Rae gave us not one, but two. Beautiful, sad, broken boys that I can't stop thinking about. The angst. The heartbreak. Tristan and Emmett. I couldn't put this book down and the cliffhanger? Too much and yet not enough. I need more. This deserves more than five stars. This is a MUST READ but check the triggers.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Zoë

192 reviews

Read

Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me. That doesn’t mean it won’t be for you! Don’t let a review prevent you from picking up a book. Some of my favorite books are ones other people couldn’t even finish. These are simply my thoughts and reasons I didn’t personally enjoy the book.

I’ve read other books with lots of trauma and an MC who’s touch adverse but this one fell a little short for me. It almost felt odd with everything that happened to Emmett. He’s suffering a lot and has a lot of trauma of the past and it felt like Tristen was saying he was being sensitive of that but then his actions weren’t at Emmett’s pace. I didn’t care for that and it made me feel weird.

I just wish it was slower in the touching and intimacy department. The first time they did things it was honestly wicked uncomfortable. I don’t want to give too much away but there was a lot of “you can stop if you want” and “you’re in control”….but also “please touch me” and “please I need to come”. It was contradicting and it felt like Emmett was being put in a spot where he could technically say no but if he did it would make Tristen disappointed or something. Hatley definitely didn’t help with that in the slightest.

There was a surprising amount of spice (no penetration but still) for a story about someone who’s touch adverse and having been SAed by their step father.

Another thing that I’m assuming will be a bigger plot point in the next book but I feel absolutely should have been brought up this book is the fact that Tristen was the person who saved Emmett. The fact that to Emmett he’s a random EMT who stayed with him in the hospital and then also offered to bring him home is odd to me. The fact that Hat and the aunt also never brought it up is a little unrealistic. You as the reader know who Tristen has a trauma bond with Emmett but Emmett doesn’t and never really questions is. He stays at a strangers house after attempting to end his life and I feel like Emmett would at least question why he stayed with him in the hospital and why the hospital let someone who wasn’t family into the room without consent from the patient. Off duty EMT’s don’t get free rein of hospitals just because they dropped off the patient.

One of my other gripes is the trope of “the persons an asshole because they are so closeted they take it out on others”. I know it’s real and I know it happens all the time (look at grinder failing whenever conservative conventions come around) but I hate it. It’s a personal preference so I can’t fault the author because as I said, it’s real and happens a LOT but it added to me not enjoying the plot.

The last thing is the writing style. It wasn’t my favorite. It felt like I was being told things and now shown them. Things would be mentioned without proper introduction or explanation. It wasn’t even foreshadowing or something like that. I know in the authors note said things will eventually make sense but it felt to jumbled for me. Again, it sure if it will be something explained in the next book but the few times it was mentioned by Emmett as well as Tristen that they felt they knew eachother or recognized the other person but never got it confirmed or even mentioned it to each other. Idk but I feel like I’d mention to someone I was staying with that that they felt familiar or even made me feel the feeling of dejavu.

These are just my thoughts and I encourage people to give books a try regardless of others opinions because I’ve loved books that others have absolutely hated and ripped to shreds.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Katriana

1,062 reviews14 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

I'm speechless, y'all. I knew from all the trigger and content warnings, along with the blurb itself, that this book was going to be emotional, but wow. This book completely blew me away to the point where it's difficult to put how much I loved these two characters into words. (Actually make that three characters because Hatley is awesome too!)

I'm not going to make this a long review as I want to keep it spoiler free, but I will say that Tristen and Emmet, aka Bubbles, will live rent free in my head for a long time. I loved how respectful and realistic Rae was with writing this book, everything is written in a way that you could tell Rae thought it out well. Everything felt so believable and real, I loved the pacing of the story too. Once I started I could NOT put this down, I became enamored by these characters, and I cannot wait for the continuation to their story. Especially with that cliffhanger...

Something I loved the most was how even though Hat, Tristen, and Bubbles all saw themselves as broken, and even though they felt defeated by the cards life has dealt them, they still stood by each other's sides and picked each other up and was there for one another. Even when it was hard, especially when it was. I just found their relationships with each other to be really special.

This book is going to make you cry; it's going to make you angry on the characters' behalves, it's also going to make you sad, and maybe grieve too. But it'll also make you smile, and laugh, and feel so giddy that the characters are finding their own happiness even when the world is constantly beating them down. It's going to make you feel things, Tristen and Bubbles are going to take you on a heartbreakingly beautiful emotional rollercoaster; so buckle up, and get ready for your heart to break, and just maybe, mend itself back together.

~~I received an early copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.~~

Caroline

39 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

✨ARC Review✨

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 1.5/5

Main characters: Tristen & Emmett
Side characters: Hatley, Bobbie
Page count: 440

First person, dual POV.

This is my first book by Rae Stone and I am so impressed. Her writing is excellent. She warned that this would be a heavy read, and indeed it was. I think every character in this story is dealing with some sort of deep trauma, and they are all just trying to do their best to live and get through each day. I feel that how this story developed was really unique and the way everything was written really brings you along with the characters and what they are going through. It felt fever dream-like in some places.

Rae also specified that this book was low spice. I would agree with that to an extent, but there was SO MUCH yearning and tension and horniness and plenty of focus on sexuality and WANTING, that, if you were looking for spice in a book, I don’t think you would be disappointed. If you are just looking for open door intimate scenes, then this is definitely not the book for you. The connection is what is important here, and the care and consent for each action. I felt it deeply.

There is a crazy cliffhanger at the end but we are promised an HEA, so I will anxiously be waiting for the second book to release (Rae promises soon!) to see what happens with these boys. 🤍

Mikaela (risqué.romance)

424 reviews14 followers

2026 arcs-i-have-read-and-reviewed books-i-have-reviewed

Never Ever After - Rae Stone
5/5

* SPOILERS *

I literally have no words for this book. It doesn’t even surprise me because when I discovered Rae a year ago, I knew I was going to love everything she wrote. From the first page of this book, I was hooked from the prologue and boy, what a ride that was.

One of the things I loved was how Tristen called Emmett “bubbles”. It’s just the cutest name ever.

This book had me on the edge of my seat and just had me blinking away the tears through this book. And the ending… I was not prepared for that. My jaw literally dropped because what is even happening right now?

Even though the ending was hard, it only makes you want more. First off, can we all talk about Tristen’s best friend because ugh, I just love him so much.

I also love that we got a few funny moments. I laughed when we met Lemon and how Tristen asked for his ID to make sure he was legal.

I have never wanted to start a book so fast and I’m so glad that I did. It’s heart breaking but man, the found family, the love and the devotion is just so beautiful. I just love how Tristen saves Emmett physically and emotionally. Just so damn beautiful.

Read the trigger warnings is all I’m going to say.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

Wicked River Reads

257 reviews9 followers

January 28, 2026

This was an emotional ride! Both Emmett and Tristen had made their way into my heart from the beginning. Emmett feeling like he had no way out of the darkness and Tristen fearing he’d be pulled back in was both harrowing and heartbreaking. I loved seeing both of them fight in their own way to get to a better place both in their lives and headspace. Slowly Emmett began to trust Tristen and with that Hatley giving him a friend where he’d never had one while Tristen was shown why he pushed himself to keep moving forward as he saw what doing so could bring as his relationship with Emmett began to change. Both of them wanting more out of life and being so determined to get it even when it hurt was great to see. I enjoyed their dynamic and watching them become something new was amazing. I appreciated that boundaries were set and respected and conversations were had even when difficult. Hatley was a great friend to both Tristen and Emmett and it’s clear he had his demons he’s trying to battle. I liked seeing the three of them strengthen their connection through trying to do more than simply survive. I’m excited for book two, a happy ending is in order!

💚ARC REVIEW🖤

☑️ Trigger Warnings.

Kata

126 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

How on earth can someone write a book like this?
One that squeezes your heart so tightly that it holds it in an iron grip all the way to the end — and even then, it refuses to let go?

These two boys, no matter how young they are, have been through absolutely horrific things, and yet they were both so incredibly lovable (three of them, really, because Hatley was adorable too).

There wasn’t a single moment when I wasn’t worried, crying, or completely losing it — because going through this much hell and still turning out to be such a beautiful human being feels almost impossible.

Almost.

Because Tristen and Emmett were exactly that.

The most perfect souls — the kind you just want to wrap up in a blanket and hold tightly, because if anyone ever deserved unconditional, honest, immeasurable love, it’s them.

If I could, this would be a mandatory read. The characters are so beautifully crafted, the story is incredibly well built and written, and if the only thing holding you back is that it ends on a cliffhanger — please don’t worry. Trust me. It will be worth the wait 🥹

And now excuse me while I go cry in a corner for a bit 🥺🥺🥺

all-time-favorites

Gül Türkay

44 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

January 28, 2026

Never Ever After — Rae Stone
ARC REVİEW 💫📖

The author warns you three times right from the start.
Before you even step into the book, she openly says:
“Final warning, prepare your tissues!” 🧻💔

Every time I thought, “How bad could it really be?”
I somehow found myself holding a tissue. 😭
Why did you do this to us?
Why did you write this?😭

Oh my God… I honestly don’t even know how to review this book. My heart is so broken 💔… I felt their pain and everything they had been through down to the smallest detail. I might have stared at a blank wall and cried for a while after finishing it. I still haven’t been able to shake off its impact.

Both characters are broken in their own ways.
Both of them are desperately in need of love, tenderness, and understanding 🤍.

You’re not just reading a story you’re pulled straight into their wounds. There’s no escape. No lightness. No comfort.

The fact that it ends on a cliffhanger hurts even more 😮‍💨, but I still trust the author. Because Emmett and Tristen, despite everything they’ve been through, truly deserve a happy ending ❤️‍🩹

And lastly, Rae…
I want to believe you won’t make us wait too long 💔.
Because these hearts can’t take much more.❤️‍🩹

Lemonnyyy

185 reviews4 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

January 28, 2026

💚🖤Never Ever After by Rae Stone🖤💚

434 Pages

Broken Boys of Barren Ridge Book 1

Broken... I am utterly broken in the best way! And I am gagging for book 2!

Rae certainly knows how to not only pull at your heart strings but completely rip out all your organs and still have the talent for us to thank her in return, the emotions run so high in this book you will not want to put it down!
I think in some way we all can connect to the characters in this book whether we want to admit it or not, albeit in different ways. The connection between Ten and Emmett develops into something beautiful and my god they can be so cute and funny, had me giggling like a little girl on multiple occasions, and Tens friendship with Hat! It was just perfect!

I especially loved the couple of shout outs to As Above as well as my guy Lemon! I love it when an author calls back to previous characters and this was no exception.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves Broken Boys, High Angst, Slow Burns, Dirt Bikes, Hurt/Comfort with a sprinkling of spicy goodness.

Audie Godfrey

Author 2 books5 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Where of where do I begin? I have joked for the past few days that the only words I can come up with are ughhh, rawr, and just read this book...

I finished it Friday night and I still cannot look at a toaster or hear the word toast with thinking of Hat, Em, and Ten. Like seriously, toast. So, now lets really get into this...

I pride myself on saying that I have read every book Rae has on the market, this one, this one right here though- It is probably my favorite. Not since The Goodbye Note has a book stuck with me like this. The writing is raw and real. She captures the moments in such a way, you just know she has felt something like this before and she is letting us in on a piece of her soul.

While yes this is a duet and it ends on a cliff hanger, yeah we’ll call it that, don’t wait for part two. Read it now and feel the feels. It allows for it to be more real, more life like, and it will make that eventual hardfought HEA that is coming so much sweeter.

Kassie Lynn

6 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

Never Ever After is a high angst slow burn with low spice about two broken boys with a touch of EMS and motorcross. Its book 1 of 2 in the Barren Ridge duet and ends in a cliffhanger. Includes themes meant for mature readers.

My first book by this author. I don't know how to really talk about this book without spoilers. It was beautifully written. The story was raw, rough, emotional and sad but filled with hope, new friendships and found family. Tristen and Emmett's relationship is rough but beautiful. Tristen had a shit start from childhood but really became a amazing person with a good heart. Emmett is broken from so much trauma and just learning to survive. The book has heavy triggers please read them. Also Hatley is the best friend they both need. I hope he gets his own story!

my favorite quote from Tristen "“Emmett, baby. Can I tell people you’re mine? My bubbles?”

17 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

My poor heart. I am emotionally devastated. I cried throughout this book.

Emmett and Tristan are both damaged and healing (or trying to) while they try to navigate their feelings for eachother. This is a slow burn romance whuch focuses on the building of trust and consent with heaps of tension and yearning. The blossoming relationship is so sweet, beautiful and painful, you are scared to breathe in case it runs away like a startled deer.

Fortunately I am a masochist and I love a book with trauma, broken boys, that promises to emotionally ruin me.

This book has multiple TW so please check and protect your mental health because the darkness starts from the first page.

Also there is a cliffhanger at the end of this book, as it is the first book, but there will be a HEA eventually.

I cannot wait for book 2. I cannot express how much I recommend and loved reading this book

dark-romance mm-romance

Chasary Mendez

33 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

My heart is in a chokehold hold. My gosh this book is beautiful and heartbreaking. Emmett & Tristen meet under a critical situation. Tristen is stuck on meeting the boy/man he saved the color of his eyes. He ends up going to the hospital visiting Emmett 3 days Straight. When he finally looks into those sweet beautiful amber eyes he’s enthralled. This book deals with heavy topics please check your trigger warnings. Emmett how my broke for him in so many ways. He feels that’s he’s broken little did he know he was an angel in disguise. This book leaves off with a cliffhanger and boy my heart ripped open. Rae Stone truly knows how to write such beautiful hurt/comfort books. The writing is beyond phenomenal.

DeeReads412

141 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Wow! What an emotional journey! This one hits on every single heartstring. Takes you on a tour of every single emtion you possess. Fear, sadness, love, hope, laughter, and pain, just to name a few! I never thought a piece of toast could wreck me, but alas here we are!

Sweet sweet Emmit 🥹. I want to wrap him up in every hoodie and blanket there is to forever keep him feeling safe! He is so much stronger than he knows. And Tristen. Sweet protective Tristen. Even fighting his own battles he always puts others first! These boys are just too precious for words.

This book is emotional, heartfelt, and raw. That is definitely how you will feel by the end. So beautifully raw and needing so much more-especially after that cliffhanger! I need book two like NOW!

Sharon Elias

78 reviews5 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

When Rae said this would be emotional, she wasn’t exaggerating.💔
From the very first page, you’re pulled straight into the story.
It explores mental health, helplessness, grief, and everything in between.

This book is so much more than a romance.
It’s honest. Raw. Messy. And deeply real.💔

My heart was breaking, i wanted to scream, and then punch someone. And scream some more. And cry.

I’m gonna keep it spoiler free, and just say :
Read the book!!
Yes, it ends on a cliffhanger, but fear not, part two is on it’s way and we’re getting a ( hard fought) HEA. 🩷

I loved every minute of this book.
And Tristen calling Emmet ‘Bubbles’ will forever melt my heart 🖤

Danni Crass

99 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

There's not a whole lot I can say without spoiling the story. It's a story meant to be read. The way you are drawn in and the feels that you are forced to endure. My heart broke for them especially Emmy. I wanted to wrap him up in a blanket like a burrito and hide him away from the world. The way Ten was so patience and so understanding with Em made me wanna cry, I kind of did. He was amazing for him even when Emmett fought against it. I knew the ending was a cliffhanger but it doesn't make it hurt any less. I really need book two like yesterday please.

arc-read

Nicole Galland

9 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

I received this book as an Arc Copy. Having never read anything by this author before, I had no expectations and I was blown away.

Rae Stone handles some HEAVY topics in this book and my heart bled alongside the characters. This isn’t glossed over grief, it’s real, raw and heartbreaking. Love doesn’t fix it all, and that’s REAL.

I loved these boys, their dedication to each other, empathy, and love. I will definitely be reading the next book to see where their journey takes them.

I gave four stars due to grammatical errors, but you shouldn’t pass up a phenomenal story because of that.

Jacqueline

16 reviews4 followers

I don’t even know where to start. I loved this book so much and my heart genuinely broke for these boys. Everything about them felt so raw and real that I was emotionally invested from page one.

Please check the trigger warnings before going in. This book does not hold back and while it’s definitely not a light read it is so worth it. I knew going into it that there was gonna be a cliffhanger but even still I wasn’t prepared for how bad it hurt. I can’t wait to watch them get their very much deserved HEA in book two.

Sam

428 reviews6 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Never Ever After was my frist read by this author. I really enjoyed the way they write.

This book was so heartbreaking beautiful and im so looking for to the next book in this duet.

****He made the fight worth every second I had to wait for him. “I’m glad it was you, Emmett,” I whisper with everything I have left. “I’m glad it was you.”*** 😭

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

ReadingWithShadow

74 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

💚 BOOK REVIEW💚
Title: Never Ever After
Author: Rae Stone
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Where do I start this book going in I knew my heart was going to hurt. Two broke boys, Tristan and Em are everything and what they been through....then the cliffhanger I was warned about still got me.

Grab your tissues!

#readingwithshadow #raestone #bookrecs #bookreviews #followformore

Whitney Simmons

75 reviews18 followers