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Never Comes the Day
When twenty-six-year-old dog sitter Cassie O'Neill accepts a last-minute job in Manhattan, she doesn't expect the client to be Ivy Blake, the forty-four-year-old actress whose wholesome, heartwarming films taught Cassie what longing felt like before she even had a name for it.
In person, Ivy is stunning. Poised, untouchable, impossibly beautiful in a way that makes Cassie feel like she's sixteen again. Cassie tells herself the flutter in her chest is just nostalgia. That this is just a job.
But what starts as a simple dog-sitting assignment stretches into long autumn days that feel like something more. Stolen glances become lingering touches. Quiet conversations that go too late and cut too deep. The crush she's carried since she was fifteen becomes something raw and impossible to ignore.
And then Cassie realizes Ivy might be looking back.
For Ivy, decades of playing America's sweetheart have made her good at pretending. Her career is built on family-friendly films, faith-based roles, and a carefully maintained image that can't survive the truth.
But Cassie is warm and real and everything Ivy has denied herself. Letting her guard down, even for a moment, could destroy it all. One headline. One photograph. One slip, and the wholesome persona she's spent her life protecting comes crashing down.
Some desires can't be hidden forever. And some women are worth risking everything for.
A high-heat, slow-burn age-gap romance about desire, secrecy, and the courage it takes to choose yourself.
In person, Ivy is stunning. Poised, untouchable, impossibly beautiful in a way that makes Cassie feel like she's sixteen again. Cassie tells herself the flutter in her chest is just nostalgia. That this is just a job.
But what starts as a simple dog-sitting assignment stretches into long autumn days that feel like something more. Stolen glances become lingering touches. Quiet conversations that go too late and cut too deep. The crush she's carried since she was fifteen becomes something raw and impossible to ignore.
And then Cassie realizes Ivy might be looking back.
For Ivy, decades of playing America's sweetheart have made her good at pretending. Her career is built on family-friendly films, faith-based roles, and a carefully maintained image that can't survive the truth.
But Cassie is warm and real and everything Ivy has denied herself. Letting her guard down, even for a moment, could destroy it all. One headline. One photograph. One slip, and the wholesome persona she's spent her life protecting comes crashing down.
Some desires can't be hidden forever. And some women are worth risking everything for.
A high-heat, slow-burn age-gap romance about desire, secrecy, and the courage it takes to choose yourself.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 14, 2026
I really enjoyed this slow burn, feel good, age-gap romance between two lesbians. Bonus points for no third act break up. 🥳 I’ll reread it in the future.
January 21, 2026
A lovely age gap romance
This was such a great read, nice to have an uncomplicated gentle, sensual but easy going story. Emotional, with true feelings. What more can I say
This was such a great read, nice to have an uncomplicated gentle, sensual but easy going story. Emotional, with true feelings. What more can I say
April 10, 2026
*3.5 stars rounded up
Super cute HEA romance that I devoured in a matter of hours!
Super cute HEA romance that I devoured in a matter of hours!
January 10, 2026
I truly enjoyed this book
I truly enjoyed this book. This story is a slow burn, but darn once it ignites the physical connection is many pages of just sweet love and kissing. I definitely will read this one again.
I truly enjoyed this book. This story is a slow burn, but darn once it ignites the physical connection is many pages of just sweet love and kissing. I definitely will read this one again.
March 1, 2026
Delightful, slow burn romance
Enjoyable read filled with the right amount of tension, desire, and emotion with very heartfelt moments sprinkled throughout. A hard to put down read.
Enjoyable read filled with the right amount of tension, desire, and emotion with very heartfelt moments sprinkled throughout. A hard to put down read.
January 3, 2026
A Decent Read
I liked the story and the MCs were interesting and sweet. It was a cosy age-gap love story, and a fairly light and quick read. Low drama with good feels.
Their first time together was really well written, and I think was emotionally intense. Captured all the emotions and wonder and intensity of a toaster oven love scene.
That said, the post-coming out part of the story was lacking. It lacked details and conclusion really. It made the end of the book feel very rushed and incomplete. It felt like they had sex and said the I-love-you’s and then it rushed to an ending.
I will probably read it again if it’s still on KU, but it’s not one I would purchase to keep.
I liked the story and the MCs were interesting and sweet. It was a cosy age-gap love story, and a fairly light and quick read. Low drama with good feels.
Their first time together was really well written, and I think was emotionally intense. Captured all the emotions and wonder and intensity of a toaster oven love scene.
That said, the post-coming out part of the story was lacking. It lacked details and conclusion really. It made the end of the book feel very rushed and incomplete. It felt like they had sex and said the I-love-you’s and then it rushed to an ending.
I will probably read it again if it’s still on KU, but it’s not one I would purchase to keep.
April 5, 2026
A Real Winner for All of Us Romantics 😍
If you are the kid of person who
Loves Hallmark Stories, and believe that a very wealthy closeted 44 year old movie star, can fall totally in love with her 26 year old “out and proud “ lesbian dog walker, then this is a great novel written especially for you❤️😊.
I think what allowed me to suspend reality was how well written this novel is🤔.
I truly felt the turmoil of the main character Ivy, who confronts losing every tangible thing in her life if she braves coming out at her age, and risking her career as a straight female romantic lead in the process.
And, while the author endows Cassie, the dog walking object of her affection, with a maturity far beyond her years, she is the voice of reason in this love affair, and the ideal partner in this grand transition.
This is rewarding drama, filled with loads of justifiable passion and self exploration, worthy of adding to your library 🤩
Ps: and where would our lovers be without the assistance of the lovable third character Hudson, the dog, (and how he got his name😁 ).
My thanks to Ms. Parks for a very enlightening and enjoyable read💕
Libra
If you are the kid of person who
Loves Hallmark Stories, and believe that a very wealthy closeted 44 year old movie star, can fall totally in love with her 26 year old “out and proud “ lesbian dog walker, then this is a great novel written especially for you❤️😊.
I think what allowed me to suspend reality was how well written this novel is🤔.
I truly felt the turmoil of the main character Ivy, who confronts losing every tangible thing in her life if she braves coming out at her age, and risking her career as a straight female romantic lead in the process.
And, while the author endows Cassie, the dog walking object of her affection, with a maturity far beyond her years, she is the voice of reason in this love affair, and the ideal partner in this grand transition.
This is rewarding drama, filled with loads of justifiable passion and self exploration, worthy of adding to your library 🤩
Ps: and where would our lovers be without the assistance of the lovable third character Hudson, the dog, (and how he got his name😁 ).
My thanks to Ms. Parks for a very enlightening and enjoyable read💕
Libra
January 26, 2026
beautiful story
I read a lot of these and this one was so sweet and was so well written I couldn’t put it down. Will look for other titles from this author.
I read a lot of these and this one was so sweet and was so well written I couldn’t put it down. Will look for other titles from this author.
January 30, 2026
what you’d do for love..
Would you give up everything for love? Ivy an actress in Christian based movies falls in love with Cassie. She’s been in the closet for twenty plus years, maybe not even the closest her denial has been so complete coming out will definitely have an effect on her career.
Sloane Parks has done an excellent job capturing the emotion, consequences of Ivy’s decision. When do you put your needs ahead of your career, image and live your true self.
Would you give up everything for love? Ivy an actress in Christian based movies falls in love with Cassie. She’s been in the closet for twenty plus years, maybe not even the closest her denial has been so complete coming out will definitely have an effect on her career.
Sloane Parks has done an excellent job capturing the emotion, consequences of Ivy’s decision. When do you put your needs ahead of your career, image and live your true self.
February 28, 2026
A Wonderful Story
This is a great age-gap book about a famous actress in her forties who is deep in the closet. She hires a new dog walker and is immediately attracted to her. Their story is lovely and I highly recommend it.
This is a great age-gap book about a famous actress in her forties who is deep in the closet. She hires a new dog walker and is immediately attracted to her. Their story is lovely and I highly recommend it.
March 6, 2026
I am for insta-love but this took the cake, the platter, the oven, the whole damn bakery. One second she's closeted and the next she is in love and out. I mean sapphic baling is hot, but my brain sorta flopped out at 88%. Started out strong, cute idea, little too whirlwind for me.
March 19, 2026
never comes the day
The famous actress who falls for her dog walker after hiding her sexuality for years a lively read of understanding and patience, affection and their happy ever after 🌈🌹
The famous actress who falls for her dog walker after hiding her sexuality for years a lively read of understanding and patience, affection and their happy ever after 🌈🌹
March 5, 2026
beautiful
Beautifully written piece. An age gap romance that was tastefully done. Leaves you wanting more of the two of them.
Beautifully written piece. An age gap romance that was tastefully done. Leaves you wanting more of the two of them.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews