Never Not Friends

Always Say Never #3

by Kortney Keisel

Emma Lawson has loved Vinny Brooks since she was fifteen.

Unfortunately, he’s marrying her best friend.

As maid of honor, Emma is determined to give Juliet the perfect wedding, even if every step toward the altar is a reminder that Vinny is about to become someone else’s forever. Because loving him is one thing. Ruining her best friend’s happily ever after is another.

It’s fine—totally pathetic, but fine—because Juliet will be happy.

But the closer the wedding gets, the harder Vinny is to avoid. Years of bad timing and missed chances have kept them apart, but now their old connection starts feeling dangerously current. And when the truth behind their teenage breakup resurfaces, keeping her feelings hidden becomes almost impossible.

After years of putting everyone else first, Emma must decide whether admitting how she feels is worth risking her friendship with Juliet. Because staying silent means losing Vinny for good.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Closed Door Romance, Clean Romance, Contemporary Romance

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2026

About the author

Kortney graduated from the University of Utah with an English degree and spent a few years before motherhood teaching 7th and 8th graders how to write a book report, among other things. But after a reading slump, where no plots seemed to satisfy, Kortney pulled out her laptop and started writing the "perfect" love story...or at least she tried. Writing love stories is her job...just kidding. Her real job is taking care of her five awesome kids and spending time with her husband.

Kortney loves a good romance movie or book, warm chocolate chip cookies, and traveling the world.

Connect with Kortney at www.kortneykeisel.com

Reviews

[Sarah Shelton · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Wowee! This book hit the mood just right for a good angsty romcom. I stayed up wayyyy too late finishing it. There was still moments of dry humor along with tears, so I had a great time. 🤣

Emma and Vinny knew each other so well, and you truly get the vibe things were effortless in their care for one another. Lots of misunderstandings and miscommunication happened to lead them to the predicament they were in, and you felt for Emma so much. The girl was a serious people pleaser, sacrificing her happiness for the sake of everyone else.

I think Kortney handled the grief of the situation for all parties really well. She didn’t shy away from the fact there were two (or more) hard truths existing at the same time. People were hurt, but also they needed to be honest. They withheld truth for so long from each other that it became a hindrance to their relationships.

Focusing on Vinny & Emma, I think they had great chemistry along with being best friends. It was a good combo Kortney balanced well. While their timeline wouldn’t have been my own, one of the side characters acknowledged the fact they couldn’t operate on anyone else’s timeline but their own. It was an inevitable reconciliation, which I agree with.

One of my favorite aspects of this read was the nods to popular romcom moments. I got flashbacks to moments from 27 Dresses, Something Borrowed, Made of Honor, and more! It made my millennial heart so happy. 🫶🏻

Overall, it’s a great read!! If you love teenage-turned-adult love triangles, elite levels of pining, classic romcom elements, and an eventual HEA, this is your read!!

Thanks for the early copy, Kortney!! All thoughts are my own and no positive review was required.

CW: This is a closed door romcom with nondescriptive makeouts, no language, and very little innuendo. There’s a solid love triangle, so there’s lies and jealousy, mention of an absent parent, and lots of yearning.

[Maddie’s Book Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

great chemistry between the main characters. lackluster execution. should have started right after the wedding was called off and focused on the fallout and subsequent friends to lovers plot. you still could have had drama and angst without two people essentially emotionally cheating the whole time, being absolute cowards about it all the way up until the ALTAR, then doing a complete 180 for the last 10% of the book. bugs me because the potential was there. i honestly think a dev editor would have been a huge benefit.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness, the angst! The pining! The misunderstandings! This one took me on quite the roller coaster... starting right from page one. Honestly though, this one has solidified my opinion that Kortney Keisel can write absolutely anything and somehow make it work. Love triangles are a big no for many people... and a love triangle where one best friend is marrying the man that the other is in love with? Well, that seems even more difficult to pull off without making someone feel like a villain... and yet, Kortney has pulled it off. I felt so deeply with each of these characters. Even before the story began, seeing hints of Emma's feelings for Vinny in previous books, I was already completely invested on how this would work out... and when we dive right into the wedding from page one? Well, I just couldn't put this one down. Is it going to be everyone's cup of tea? Honestly, probably not... but personally, I absolutely loved it... so much more than I would have expected, so don't be afraid to give this one a shot even if love triangles aren't typically your thing. If you love second chance and messy romances (that still end in an HEA), this is certainly one worth reading.

Never Not Friends is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is the third book in the Always Say Never series. While you may be able to enjoy this one as a standalone, I do think those who have read the previous books will appreciate this one most.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Tatum - nuggetybooks · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
- book 3 in series
- Closed door romantic comedy
- Dual POV
- Love triangle
- Tight knit friend group
- Second chance

✨ a few of my favorite things:
- the history between Vinny & Emma
- The friend group
- The complexity of the situation and how author presented all sides
- Avery and her tough love/blunt truth
- Emma’s friends seeing her and really supporting her through it all
- Blair 😂 need her book asap
- Vinny & Emma’s chemistry; they were made for each other


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I have been dying for this story since I read book 1 & 2 of the series and it did NOT disappoint. The prologue hit with the emotional depth right of the bat. Then we work up through memories and the past couple weeks leading up until the prologue. Once we get back to current day/the prologue, my heart was so torn for Vinny and Emma. By the epilogue, I was smiling so big and cheering on their sweet and very full circle HEA.

I was on their team from the get go. I had a very hard time with Juliet especially when we get to the back story when they were all 15. So many things could have happened differently and they are all to blame for something. But I cannot hold in how much I despise Emma’s mom for how things were handled. I’m choosing to give them all grace for the things they could have handled differently. Good reminder to always BE HONEST AND OVER COMMUNICATE!

I think Kortney did a fantastic job writing this story. It was so bingeable and never felt like it lagged. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I had to know how everyone would react and handle the situation once all the facts were laid out. I think Kortney did a fantastic job representing everyone’s side’s and feelings. I don’t know how she did it, but Kortney wrapped up the story in a pretty bow and gave us a very satisfying ending. I was so happy for Vinny and Emma. I wish we got more of their super cute dynamic and chemistry but I understand why it got cut short.

This is a closed door romance comedy with kissing, some very mild innuendo, and no adult language.

**Thank you so much to Kortney for letting me read this ARC. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so romantic. Two people named Vinny and Emma are pathetic, cowardly, selfish, emotional cheaters who date at fifteen years old. Emma breaks up with Vinny because her parents make her and eventually Vinny goes on to date Emma’s best friend Juliet. Do you know what the sweetest part was though? Vinny dates Juliet for twelve years… yes, over a decade, proposes to her and plans the whole wedding. Even gets all the way to the altar. That’s not even the best part though! Emma has spent the last twelve years pining after her best friend’s boyfriend / now fiancé, a boy she dated in high school for half a second, who obviously loves her back… aside from the whole dating someone else for twelve years, proposing to them and planning to marry them. Those are just details, okay? Emma and Vinny are meant to be! Fingers crossed that the wedding doesn’t happen so these two can finally be together! Ugh, true love is so beautiful!

[Ashlee Miller]

DNF…. But the problem is me!!! I should have read the synopsis, but I hate a love triangle 🤪 they make me sad. But I will continue to read anything else Kortney writes!

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

*instantly goes to favorites list*

I loved that with all my heart. I legit cried. That was so so sweet and emotional and had so much longing. Kortney did it again. 🤩

[book_nymph_bex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not the intended audience for this book. I knew I wasn't before I even started the book because the premise was a turnoff for me. However, after reading the first two books in the series, I was curious enough about how the author would handle the situation, that I bought the book and read it anyway.

It lived up to my expectations. I don't think there is any way for the author to have written this story that I would have enjoyed. So, there's that. Take my thoughts with a cup of salt.

Two main things really bugged me. Firstly, Emma and Vinny were spineless. I couldn't respect either of them, but especially Emma. She was accommodating to the point of stupid. I give characters 50% of the book to act like an idiot. Anymore than that, and they don't have enough time to redeem themselves. Emma and Vinny were idiots for 75% of the book. It was too much! This book was miscommunication trope (or more accurately, non-communication trope) on steroids. I would have liked it better if they had called off the wedding anytime before the last second. It was painful to read up to that point. I thought that Emma's and Vinny's reasons for being idiots and uncommunicative were valid. I understood why they were acting (or not acting) the way they were, I just wasn't enjoying their story. I read to be entertained, and this wasn't entertaining; it was irritating. And anxiety inducing.

The second reason (and the main reason) I didn't like the book was Juliet. What a horrible, horrible friend. Worse, she never took accountability for what a horrible friend she was and never apologized to Emma. I needed her to acknowledge that she was wrong to ever date Vinny in high school in order for her to redeem herself. Yet she didn't. It made the story feel incomplete to me.

Let me explain why I found Juliet to be the worse kind of friend. Or, more accurately, the worst kind of person.

All of Emma's friends knew why she broke up with Vinny when they were fifteen. Years later, they tell him why. So if they all knew, then Juliet, Emma's very BEST friend, had to know as well. But Juliet didn't care. Am I supposed to believe that Juliet also didn't know how strongly Emma felt for Vinny? If not, it's just more proof that Juliet is oblivious to anyone but herself. Because a month later, she's dating the guy after Emma told her not to in a round-about way. If Juliet knew or cared about her friend, she would have understood what Emma was saying. She didn't care. She also doesn't know Emma as well as she should considering they're supposed best friends. Juliet even takes Vinny away from a joint birthday party before the cake so she can have alone time with her boyfriend. It's as if she's actively trying to rub it in her friends face that she has Vinny and Emma doesn't. Then, when they graduate, Juliet says she never loved Vinny. He was just a high school boyfriend. Which makes her behavior so much worse than if she did have deep feelings for him. She's cruel! And yet, Emma takes it all because Juliet is her BEST friend and she will sacrifice everything to make sure Juliet's happy. Again, painful to read.

In the present time, Juliet is buying Emma thoughtful gifts, almost as if to show that she isn't completely clueless and inconsiderate to her friend. But for me, it wasn't enough. She's still unobservant and horrible. Every single one of Emma's friends know how she feels about Vinny. All they have to do is see them together and they pick up on Emma's feelings. Except for Juliet. Somehow, she's blind to her best friend's very obvious feelings. Juliet also takes Emma to a club for her birthday. The last place Emma wants to be ever, but especially on her birthday. Again and again, it was shown how little Juliet knew her BEST friend. I keep highlighting that they're best friends because that is what Emma did, over and over. And yet she lies to her BFF Juliet's face to keep her "happy!" And Juliet behaves like an enemy baring gifts (and also uses Emma's spineless nature to manipulate Emma to plan Juliet's wedding because she's too busy with everything else--almost as if she's rubbing Emma's nose in the fact that she has the man and Emma doesn't!).

I gave the book two stars instead of one because I did enjoy the the part of the book when Juliet is finally living her best life and Vinny can be with Emma. It was such a small part of the book because Juliet was the only thing keeping them apart. There just wasn't much to do after the almost-wedding.

There is just no way the author could have written this premise in a way I would have enjoyed. All Emma had to do was speak up for herself once and this book wouldn't have happened. But Juliet had to be a jerk, while Emma and Vinny were doormats, just to make the story plausible.

[Kim Golding · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’ve been in love with Vincent Brooks since ninth grade. Eighth grade, actually, if you’re counting the first day he walked into my science class. The new kid. He immediately passed the vibe check. Light-brown hair, light eyes, and—oh my gosh!—his dimple. My heart was gone from day one and every day since.”

Wow! Just wow!! I have been looking forward to this book for a while, and it did NOT disappoint!! Trust Kortney Keisel to take me on a wild ride through a love triangle that had me laughing, gasping, feeling anxious, and swooning, with a few tears mixed in!

*Never Not Friends* is the story of Emma and Vinny—oh, and let’s not forget about Juliet! Emma and Vinny have been best friends since working together to make Sugar Buns in ninth grade. They even dated until Emma’s mom made her break up with him, and then her best friend Juliet stepped in. But Emma never got over her first love, and now he’s getting ready to marry Juliet. But did Vinny ever really get over Emma???

This story had me absolutely captivated from the beginning. I was hooked on this messy love triangle and had to keep turning pages to see how this could possibly work out in everyone’s best interest—and, of course, I was rooting for Emma and Vinny the whole time! (Sorry, Juliet!)

I loved the relationship between Emma and Vinny, and the teenage flashbacks really endeared me to them as a couple. I really felt for Emma being caught in the middle (as a fellow people-pleaser myself 😏). I could understand how hard it was for her to just want everyone to be happy, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness. But still, my heart broke for her as she watched the love of her life plan to marry her lifelong bestie! I’m so glad everything worked out in the end! #TeamEmmaAndVinnyForever

**Favorite quotes:**

“I take this opportunity to study his face, even though I’ve studied it thoroughly over the years. Smooth jaw. Kind eyes. And that dang dimple that keeps me up at night.”

“Em, you’re not an inconvenience. You’re my friend.”

“Okay, any other rules before we get started?” I can’t say, ‘Try not to touch me, or be so cute that I fall in love with you even more,’ so instead, I opt for, “I guess that’s all of them.”

“Once again, Vinny Brooks is the epicenter of all my joy and all my embarrassing heartache.”

[Malissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh def not my favorite of this series-
Talk about communication issues. Just talk to each other people! And be honest.
Wanted to strangle multiple characters. I guess the end was a bit redemptive which is why I say 3 🌟 before then end I would have said 2 cause I was just so annoyed.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so anxious to know how this one ends. How could this best friends love triangle end happily? How in the world?! It felt like it was going to be a train wreck. Oh, the pain! I was locked in, I couldn't put it down.

We had ourselves a bunch of clueless people, folks. Vinny was clueless about his own feelings, Juliet was clueless about Emma's feelings, and Emma was clueless about how to talk about what she wanted (same, girl). Her people-pleasing was painful at times, along with the messy miscommunication that resulted. But life is messy, so it felt real, and Kortney wrote this with the right balance of care and humour.

I am so glad that the other friends staged an intervention for Emma. But she didn't take that opportunity to say something about her feelings. She had SO MANY opportunities to say something, and she waited until the VERY LAST MINUTE. Oh, the DRAMA!

I really enjoyed the flashbacks that filled out more of Emma and Vinny's relationship history, and I felt they were well timed within the story. I never felt like I wanted to skip them to get back to the present-day story.

I legitimately enjoyed this book, even while internally yelling at the characters to make different choices. If you don't mind love triangles and slightly clueless characters, and you love pining and second chances, give this one a go.

What you'll find in this book:
*love triangle
*second chance romance
*pining FMC
*clueless MMC
*flashbacks
*high school sweethearts
*people pleaser
*no cheating

Content warning: controlling parents, estranged father
Romance level: 3/7 (kisses and makeouts only)

Thank you to the author, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Readingmytbrlist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A total binge read!!!!!

Things you’ll find:
- love triangle between best friends
- lots of pining/yearning
- very well done flashbacks
- the slowest of slow burns
- grief, growth, impossible situations
- teens being teens (aka the emotional understanding of a teenager lol. No frontal lobe fam)
- NO CHEATING (unless you count yearning thoughts as cheating then??? Maybe?)

OKAY HEAR ME OUT!!! You know from the prologue that this can’t end all perfect and with everyone holding hands and singing around the campfire. Which I LOVED because it felt REAL. This is one of those stories where from the very beginning it’s full of cringe. The kind that comes from being silently in love with your bestie’s man. Think Pam and Jim at from the office cringe. April and Jackson level cringe. But it’s SO good. Like a delicious level of angst that made me devour it in one day (I don’t know when the last time was I did that btw!) I HAD to know how Kortney was going to resolve everything and she did not let me down.

If you’re in the mood for angst, hard relationship/friendship dynamics, and a love triangle that feels very real — this for you. I loved it. The character arcs were fantastic, the way the ending turned out felt right (someone give Juliet a hug tho lol)

[Jeanine Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unpopular opinion incoming—I love love triangles! Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. Elena, Stefan, and Damon. Bella, Edward, and Jacob. Those are just a few. But the love triangle in Never Not Friends is a little different, so all you haters out there don’t knock it till you read it.

If Kortney writes it, I am going to read it! And every time I know I’m going to love it! It’s no secret that I absolutely devour her romcoms. They are laugh-out-loud hilarious, but always filled with so much heart I can barely stand it.

Emma, Juliet, and Vinny wrecked me! There was so much history and love. Friendships that spanned years. Memories intertwined. Lives connected in the deepest way. Opportunities missed. Words left unsaid. And in the end a beautifully and carefully crafted conclusion that handled heart break and disappointment delicately and tenderly.

Lovedevery single thing about this story.

I know we have Blair next and I have no doubt whatsoever that she and Bob are going to have an epic book. But I would love to see another great character from this story get his own HEA.

Thank you Kortney for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

#nevernotfriends #cleanromance #closeddoorromance

[Sarah Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off- I love anything by this author. I only liked this one. The characters had great chemistry. I just felt it was a little long. It focused so much on the past that by the time the main event actually happened, it was a bit “eh.” I actually felt bad they were together after rooting for them whole book. (Not trying to be a spoiler but we all know how these books end, it’s why we read the genre). So by having it start at the alter, then go back in time so much, to continue back to the alter, eh. I liked the concept, but It didn’t make me swoon.

One reviewer said they were emotionally cheating on each other the whole time, I agree with that. That’s why I felt bad when they actually got together. Plus everyone else knew except Juliet? Is she blind or just an idiot? For TWELVE years?! Like I said, all the pieces were there but it ended with me feeling “eh.”

[Sabs Reads Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself so extremely invested in every angle of this triangle. ❤️⚠️

My heart ached for Emma and had all the mixed emotions for Juliet. I even felt myself sad for Vinny while still being little mad at him for going after Julie as a 15-year-old. I guess we are allowed to be immature at 15.

I was laughing out loud so hard in the coffee shop scene. ☕️🙈🎧 You’ll know what I’m talking about when you read it!

There was so much pining and once Emma and Vinny get together, there is absolutely no question they are meant to be! 🙌🏻😍

Kourtney’s writing made me feel like these characters were all my friends and I really wanted what was best for all of them!

Definitely read this if you love getting lost in a book. I literally read it in one sitting because I could not put it down!

[Rachel · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Kortney Keisel is an insta-read author for me. Her Desolation Series got me out of a year-long reading slump. I love that she’s writing modern romances too. This book made me feel it all; I laughed out loud, teared up, shook my fists at some of the characters’ decisions, and covered my eyes from secondhand embarrassment. Love triangles are so hard to pull off, but this one was really well done, and I had a hard time putting it down.

It wasn’t perfect; some of the characters’ choices made me mad, some jokes didn’t quite land, and I hate when miscommunication keeps people apart, but it was still well written and well done.

I also loved that Emma was a redhead and a people-pleaser because I can relate. Haha.

Content Warning: Clean romance, kissing only, very mild innuendo.

[Di G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of this one. I “get” that the point was that Emma & Vinny were always meant for each other. BUT 12 years of bad communication/missed timing/ deception to her best friend… seems excessive and I kinda wished none of them had ended up with each other. I’m fine that the wedding didn’t happen but it was rude and disloyal for it to be during the ceremony that he calls it off. Even if he “knew” ahead of time. Even if she also had doubts. Even if in the end Juliet is happier and realized it was a relationship of friendship and convenience. I still felt uncomfortable with it. AND…. I really liked the doctor uber driver (Sean??). I really hope he somehow shows back up, maybe a match for Blair or something?? Anyway, this one just stressed me out and I think Juliet, while maybe a little self involved and selfish, deserved better than the situation she was put in.

[Tricia Anson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that I am not a fan of love triangles. And true to form, I felt so angsty about all the unnecessary hurt. BUT the story is very bingeable. It’s understandable. It’s very well written. I wanted to get back to it when I put it down to see how things would go. I relate to Emma’s tendency to care about others to the point of not prioritizing herself, BUT I struggled with how the two people closest to her couldn’t even see that—while the other people in their circles did. And how very quickly she could forgive Vinny for that part. The very ending was beautiful, though. I teared up.

[Sarah Esplin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kortney is a good writer and I’ve really enjoyed her other books. I was hopeful that she would work magic with this love triangle but alas it was still a love triangle and the two main characters had to be the exact opposite of assertive for there to even be a story.

The assumptions, the lack of communication, the emotional cheating, the very unhealthy attitude of “put my best friend’s happiness above all else”, and the “I promise she’s a good friend even though she went after my ex boyfriend and can’t see that I’m still in love with him while every single other person can tell” were painful to read.

Also, I REALLY hope Shane and Juliet don’t end up together in a future book. 😑 Please no. Shane deserves better.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with this one. It was supposed to be a love triangle but felt more like unrequited love, with a dash of zero communication thrown in. The three characters all had so many red flags and their relationships bordered on toxic. Vinny had no personality and no chemistry with either girl. I was honestly rooting for the uber driver at one point. I really loved the other books in this series and look forward to Blair’s book but this one was a miss for me.

[Camryn Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea how this was going to come together and that made it so fun, I was cringing at all the messiness of it in the best way.

[Caitlyn Cantabrana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally this stressful concept of miscomms would be a con for me, but knowing it’s based on a real story made it bearable & the payoff super fun.

[Chelsea Krueger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, Kortney Keisel just has a way of creating all the feels; I laughed, cried, fumed, gasped, scowled, sighed, and then laughed again because this book is so funny. And heart-wrenching! Books based on misunderstandings can be rough, and yet I still found this one fabulous!

[Brittany Arledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this one. I know the trope isn’t for everyone but the YEARNING. The ANGST. This was heart wrenching in the best way. I’d read it all over again!

[Devika · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑬𝒎𝒎𝒂 𝑳𝒂𝒘𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝑽𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒚 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏. 𝑼𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚, 𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅.
When I heard there was a new book releasing in the Always Say Never series, I was really excited. This series by Kortney Keisel is really amazing so far and I couldn’t wait for more. In Never Not Friends you’ll get to see the story of three of the friends: Julliet, Emma and Vinny. This is one of the stories I was most looking forward to, but what will this book bring to it’s readers?

Even though I liked Emma’s personality, I had some sigh moments with her. Vinny on the other hand is the perfect MMC and I feel like his role is such a good one in the story. The plottwists within the storyline are there and I loved to get to know these friends a bit better. Kortney Keisel has written a really nice feelgood story, which has the perfect pace.

Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg

[Torie’s Book Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:
I had been waiting to see how Kortney was going to write Emma and Vinny’s story and she did not disappoint! This was a messy love triangle and she handled it so well. 🤗

I adore Emma and her need for everyone to be happy. She wanted Juliet to happy so she stepped aside for her best friend even though she’d always been in love with Vinny. Her mother forcing her to break up with Vinny at 15 simply because she believed she was too young to be in a serious relationship was really the entire start of this train-wreck. It was sad her mother couldn’t see that love can start when you’re young. Then her mother’s need to tell Emma not to go to Vinny when the wedding got called off made me want to slap her through my book. I LOVED when Emma finally stood up for herself. Emma just wanted to please her mother growing up and I don’t blame her. She’s an absolute sweetheart. At 15, we all make poor decisions and one of Emma’s was not tell Vinny the truth about their break up and not directly telling Juliet “no don’t go after my ex-boyfriend”. She really should have told Juliet the truth well into adulthood but see other people happy is more important to people pleaser. Her yearning for things to be different was so beautifully written. ♥️

Now, Juliet. To be honest, she really annoyed the living snot out of me. She does have every right to be mad at what happened. Juliet’s poor choice at 15 was going after her best friend’s ex-boyfriend. Emma didn’t explicitly say “no you can’t date him” but she should have known her best friend well enough to know that it would hurt Emma. She also should know Emma well enough to see the love in Emma’s eyes for Vinny in adulthood. The fact she planned a club night for Emma’s birthday when she hated clubs just shows how much she didn’t even know the women she called her best friend. She couldn’t tell when Emma got embarrassed about the past videos she played on Emma’s birthday, might I add, is also a red flag in their friendship. It was also very weird that she was forcing Vinny to invite his dad to the wedding knowing he had such a strained relationship with him. She also needed to listen to her own doubts and Vinny’s doubts and not try to force the marriage. The girl was just so oblivious to everything except her mom and her MS.

I love Vinny and the way he remembered little details about the people that he loved most. His poor choice at 15 was to go after Emma’s best friend after they broke up. He should have sought Emma and asked for a better explanation for the breakup. He also should have sought out that closure in adulthood before proposing to Juliet but poor guy was just so confused with his own feelings and so broken inside. He couldn’t handle it all and make all the right choices. I love how when he found out the truth about Emma‘s feelings and how everything went down he wanted to call off the wedding before it began!! I love how he went to Juliet‘s parents and had conversations and reconciled things with them after the wedding was called off. That was very sweet on his part.

I love how Kortney did not include cheating in the story that made me really love this story more. This is one of my top reads of the year!! you can never go wrong with one of her books!! 🥰

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was wary, but Kortney's Instagram posts drew me in. I doubted big time that she could pull off this book without making either Emma or Vinny (or both) seem like unfaithful jerks or Juliet a dislikable character/the bad guy. But, it was so good and I binged it practically in one setting. It probably helped that it's based on a true story, but it still takes talent to translate the characters and story onto the page.

Emma's character was spot on. She was such a kind hearted people pleaser that I was cheering her on. I understood her heart and mistaken assumptions of how to be a supportive best friend, encouraging Juliet and Vinny's love while trying so hard to get over her own love.

The miscommunications all stemming from stupid 15 year olds making mistakes makes sense. I wasn't slapping my head wishing the characters would just talk more like I do in other books. Like everyone else, I've cringed looking back at my communication skills when I was in high school. Even the very minor characters of Emma's parents were well-done. I can totally see some parent-child interactions going like that and how it perpetuates Emma's people-pleasing problems and lack of communication.

Juliet and Vinny just being together because it's easy or comfortable but not right really made sense. Juliet cared for her mom a lot and I can see how she wouldn't get out to meet more people, etc. And it worked- Juliet was amazing so I can see how he loved her but she just wasn't a good fit for him and the reader can see that. She’s such an amazing character and I hope she gets her own story.

I am fully on board that once you say your vows/promises then you need to give your whole heart and soul, but until then you haven't made those promises and you better be 1000% sure you're marrying the right person because marriage is so sacred! I actually really respect the people who have the courage to call off engagements even when the wedding announcements are sent. So how do you navigate still wanting to be faithful to your boyfriend/girlfriend/fiancee but understanding there are no vows yet? I thought overall it was well done. The almost kiss and cake tasting leaned toward unfaithfulness to me, but I get it's a book and needs tension and flirting. In real life I would've wanted communication before the wedding day, but again, the book needs drama! One of the very first romances I loved was It Takes Two where she rides in on the white horse to stop the wedding.

Loved the healing at the end, too. It made me emotional a couple times which is when you know you wrote a good book.

[Kelli M. Stowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is real, and raw, and messy in all the most important ways. What started as a troubling love triangle trope turned into a story of love lost and found, grief, and heartbreak turned into healing.

As the girl whose high school crushes always chose my friends over me, I could completely relate to Emma. Never speaking up to get what she wanted. Continuing to do whatever it took to make everyone else around her happy, even at the expense of her own happiness. Hiding feelings for the sake of not ruining the friendship…It was devastating and beautiful and my heart ached for her to figure out how to find her happy ending.

Vinny, Vinny, Vinny…the man you are. Knowing something needs to change but not knowing how (or what…). Conflicted feelings. Wanting to do right by everyone involved. His heart was in the right place, even when his heart was confused about what it was feeling.

I truly hurt for Juliet and Emma and the damage to their friendship. Was I frustrated with Emma for not speaking up sooner? Yes. Was I annoyed with Juliet the whole way through because it was so obvious she shouldn’t have been with Vinny for the past twelve years (or EVER)? Yes. But was I also sobbing in the epilogue, seeing where everyone ended up? Absolutely.

Look…Love triangles are messy, and I know they’re often peoples’ least favorite trope. HOWEVER, this one was done so realistically that I could easily put myself in any one of the three character’s positions and totally understand their motivations. My heart broke for all three of them as they all went on their journeys to self-discovery.

This best friends, love triangle, second chance romance is the 3rd book in the Always Say Never series about a group of lifelong friends finding love.

[Soft and Sinister · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the 3rd book in the series but I haven't read the first two and I didn't feel that I really missed too much - however in saying this - I will definitely be reading the 1st two book in the series and can't wait for the 4th one - Blair is by far my favorite character!!
The story:
I hate a love triangle... I try to go into the arc's I request solely on the author, cover and the tropes... I absolutely love Kortney Keisels' writing, thus the reason I ignored the love triangle trope. This book gave me Something Borrowed feels but without the cheating.
What stuck with me:
12 years is a long time... there were moments in this book that was so unexpectedly beautiful but I actually have a quote that encapsulates this book for me, it is where Vinny said to Emma: "In a world full of temporary, you were the one permanent thing"
What surprised me:
The beginning in this book!! Had me at the first line! Loved the angst it started out with - read more than half the book in one night... a just one more chapter kind of evening...
What frustrated me:
Basically Emma's mom, Vinny's fiancé and Emma's best friend, Juliet... urgh! And let me now get started about our little people pleasing Emma - so glad she eventually decided to choose what she wants.
What I would tell another reader
Don't shoot this book down because of the love triangle trope - this book has a HEA for everyone and it was written beautifully without any cheating. There is a lot of miscommunication in this book, but the best love stories starts out with not communicating properly. The is a closed door book with kissing only and the chemistry was written so well.
Thank you Kortney Keisel for this arc in return for an honest review.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I’m very conflicted about this book. Below are my thoughts as I was reading. Objectively, it’s a really good book (I love this author’s other books. She’s a fantastic writer). But the way my heart reacted while reading, I kind of hate this book. I don’t think the happy ending makes up for the rest. I will not be re-reading this book. This story is a great example of why I don’t like love triangles.

I’m only on chapter 7 and holy moly. This is going to be hard to read. It’s like a kick in the chest over and over. My heart is just breaking for Emma. Two more chapters in and I don’t know how I’m going to finish this book. It just hurts so much to watch this. At chapter 11 and I have to take a break. I’m just sobbing right along with Emma. How is this a romcom?! At chapter 17 and I don’t understand how Juliet can be so oblivious. Does she even know her “best friend”? The prologue was definitely a good warning to how this book was going to go. Tears and more tears. Warning for others who feel too much and empathize with the characters. I’m debating if it would be better to just get this book over with in one sitting or do it in small doses. But I have to get to the end and make sure Emma is ok. (I ended up doing the rest in one chunk to get it over with)
I kind of hate Vinny.
Ok, so it got a bit better. It took way too long to figure out Vinny and his thoughts/motivations. But still, even with that, I hate their choices. And I wish their friends had said something sooner. They all knew but said nothing.