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Never Lasting: An 831 Stories Romance
A scorching-hot romance about what happens when you break a golden rule: Don’t get hooked on your hookup.
When Lucy, a recent NYU law grad with plans to work abroad, and James, a caterer who dreams of opening a small-town restaurant, indulge in a summer fling, they know there’s an expiration date: They’ll be moving to opposite sides of the planet in six weeks. But is their fantasy sexcapade screwed when real feelings get in the way? Or do they let whatever is blossoming between them trump their career ambitions?
When Lucy, a recent NYU law grad with plans to work abroad, and James, a caterer who dreams of opening a small-town restaurant, indulge in a summer fling, they know there’s an expiration date: They’ll be moving to opposite sides of the planet in six weeks. But is their fantasy sexcapade screwed when real feelings get in the way? Or do they let whatever is blossoming between them trump their career ambitions?
208 pages, Paperback
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
Angela Bourassa
1 book15 followersAngela is a screenwriter, mom, and mediocre-but-enthusiastic crafter. Her first feature, IF YOU WERE THE LAST, debuted at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival after making the annual Black List. Her next feature, TURN ME ON, debuted at the 2024 San Sebastian Film Festival where it won the Youth Jury Award. Her debut novella, NEVER LASTING, releases in September 2026.
Angela lives in San Diego with her husband, son, cat, and chickens.
Angela lives in San Diego with her husband, son, cat, and chickens.
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June 26, 2026thank you 831 stories and netgalley for the digital arc!
831 stories if you black list me after this one, i get it. but i simply have to speak my truth. and the truth is that this infuriated me.
the premise here is GOOD. it sounds like a romp! a recent law school grad has a fling with a guy who’s only in the city for the summer, and they end up catching feelings. exciting! cute! so much to work with!
but here is where i’m going to start to get mean. and you know what, i’m probably gonna sound like an un-fun loser, but i feel like i am owed a simple courtesy as a reader. and that is the courtesy of a simple google search from the author.
what do you mean lucy is graduating from nyu law in JUNE?? like mid/late june at that?? if there is a law school that keeps their students that long, something is wrong with their program. but one can easily google nyu law graudation and see it happens in may, like every other law school graudation i’ve ever heard of? but this is an easy fix! change the month before this hits publication! (someone at 831 stories, i beg of you, make changes)
and then she says the bar exam is in TWO MONTHS??? hello!?? what bar is she taking??? again, one can easily google “when is the new york bar exam” and see that it’s the last tuesday and wednesday in july. but if we fix the graduation date, then lucy saying the bar exam is in two months is no big deal.
but then lucy says she started bar prep two months ago (honestly normal, i also started before graduation) and now she’s studying FIVE HOURS A DAY. and here is where my eye twitch that i had from the start of 2L until the bar exam returned for a brief visit. what do you mean FIVE HOURS??? girl, you’re gonna fail the bar. that’s not even enough time for one day of a two day simulated exam. the exam is six hours of testing in two three-hour sessions, but you’re doing five hours a day…sure.
how are you practicing your blocks of 100 multiple choice questions??? how are you doing your two MPTs or your 6 MEEs??? where is lucy’s bar prep company’s representative explaining that the course demands 10-12 hours per day, 7 days a week? where is the mental breakdown over the nonsense that is property law? where is the headache of teaching oneself secured transactions? what does lucy know about attachment and perfection!! don’t even get me started on wills and estates!! we hear all about how she wants to practice international law. ok girl, go write an essay on subject matter jurisdiction *now*!! tell me the rules for where venue is proper, quickly!!!
and are these specifics necessary? no. but as a reader, i am operating under the assumption that the author is making deliberate choices in their writing. so when these choices don’t make sense or are just blatantly unrealistic (and can be fixed with a simple google!!), it seems lazy. like, has the author never spoken to someone who has taken the bar exam before? because former law students are very annoying and love the opportunity to talk about themselves, so i’m sure literally any of them could have explained what their bar summer was like. or even just peruse bar prep reddit!! i would never recommend that to someone actively preparing for the bar, but if you want to see the full spectrum of recent law grads going through it, that’s your place.
so i have to ask, why was lucy a recent law grad at all? what value does this timeline have on her character? why couldn’t this have taken place a year after graduation after she had taken the bar, when she is suddenly offered this exciting opportunity that will take her abroad?
and THEN (spoilers i guess, but who cares if you’ve made it this far lol), lucy moves to the netherlands WITHOUT TAKING THE BAR. and this is a choice the author made!! to have her move without closing the loop on THE ENTIRE POINT OF GOING TO LAW SCHOOL. there would be no internship at the hague that would coincide with lucy taking the bar in the states. there would be no law firm job without her taking the bar exam. most law firms are giving law grads the summer off to take the bar (or maybe having them work part-time, but still), and THEN they start after the bar. and some of these offers are contingent upon PASSING the bar! and lucy sure as hell can’t pass the bar because she never took it!!
and her law firm just happens to ask what office she would like to work in, new york or portland? hm i don’t know, what bar exam did you register for? probably new york, right? because that’s where you live? and you went to nyu? so presumably you’re taking the new york bar? that would make sense, huh? so if you’re looking to go to the portland office you better make sure you can transfer your UBE score (again, a simple google) and that new york’s passing score would let you practice in oregon, too (don’t worry, i looked it up and they both have the same score requirement because i utilize the research tools at my disposal).
so i think that my concludes my bar prep related complaints. perhaps i care too much about the details here, and that’s fair if nobody else cares. but i am just asking the author to craft a story. and when the universe of that story is flimsy and easily picked apart, the whole thing loses credibility for me. so now i’m just accepting that this is make believe land where none of the stakes matter and these problems and concerns are not real. and now i don’t care about the characters!
so tldr care about your universe! it impacts your characters! and if you want me as the reader to care about any of it, you have to care about all of it!!!
when i wasn’t distracted by the jaws music playing in my head at an increasingly louder volume with each chapter that lucy wasn’t preparing for the bar exam, the romance itself actually wasn’t that bad. did they get annoying in the second half? absolutely. but when i think of the context that nobody preparing for the bar exam is their best selves, i give lucy a little grace.
and i think that would be interesting to explore! like how does this stressful summer of bar prep and other post-grad responsibilities make a summer fling seem enticing at first (yay distraction), but then as the fling becomes something more serious, the stress compounds and manifests as tension in the relationship. but unfortunately so many of these threads were dropped or just flat out not explored.
and james honestly was just kind of there, too. maybe that isn’t giving him enough credit. i did like james as a foil to lucy. i like that they disagreed, i like that they pushed each other’s expectations of what they wanted from their lives, and i like that they LIKED each other.
where these novellas tend to lose me is the rush to fall in love. like what do you mean you started falling in love on your first date? i can only roll my eyes so much, y’all, i’m going to strain something. i just wish we could let the characters LIKE each other. i actually don’t need them to fall in love in two weeks! that’s fine! it’s enough for me that they care about each other and are treating each other well! the dramatic love confessions can wait!! i’ll even accept a sappy epilogue instead!! just let them have fun!!
i could go on but i fear i’ve already said too much. if anybody in the editing department over at 831 stories would like to talk about how to improve this book, hit my line!! we have time before the publication date!! you could even find somebody in the midst of bar prep right now because again, the bar exam is the last tuesday and wednesday in july!!
831 stories if you black list me after this one, i get it. but i simply have to speak my truth. and the truth is that this infuriated me.
the premise here is GOOD. it sounds like a romp! a recent law school grad has a fling with a guy who’s only in the city for the summer, and they end up catching feelings. exciting! cute! so much to work with!
but here is where i’m going to start to get mean. and you know what, i’m probably gonna sound like an un-fun loser, but i feel like i am owed a simple courtesy as a reader. and that is the courtesy of a simple google search from the author.
what do you mean lucy is graduating from nyu law in JUNE?? like mid/late june at that?? if there is a law school that keeps their students that long, something is wrong with their program. but one can easily google nyu law graudation and see it happens in may, like every other law school graudation i’ve ever heard of? but this is an easy fix! change the month before this hits publication! (someone at 831 stories, i beg of you, make changes)
and then she says the bar exam is in TWO MONTHS??? hello!?? what bar is she taking??? again, one can easily google “when is the new york bar exam” and see that it’s the last tuesday and wednesday in july. but if we fix the graduation date, then lucy saying the bar exam is in two months is no big deal.
but then lucy says she started bar prep two months ago (honestly normal, i also started before graduation) and now she’s studying FIVE HOURS A DAY. and here is where my eye twitch that i had from the start of 2L until the bar exam returned for a brief visit. what do you mean FIVE HOURS??? girl, you’re gonna fail the bar. that’s not even enough time for one day of a two day simulated exam. the exam is six hours of testing in two three-hour sessions, but you’re doing five hours a day…sure.
how are you practicing your blocks of 100 multiple choice questions??? how are you doing your two MPTs or your 6 MEEs??? where is lucy’s bar prep company’s representative explaining that the course demands 10-12 hours per day, 7 days a week? where is the mental breakdown over the nonsense that is property law? where is the headache of teaching oneself secured transactions? what does lucy know about attachment and perfection!! don’t even get me started on wills and estates!! we hear all about how she wants to practice international law. ok girl, go write an essay on subject matter jurisdiction *now*!! tell me the rules for where venue is proper, quickly!!!
and are these specifics necessary? no. but as a reader, i am operating under the assumption that the author is making deliberate choices in their writing. so when these choices don’t make sense or are just blatantly unrealistic (and can be fixed with a simple google!!), it seems lazy. like, has the author never spoken to someone who has taken the bar exam before? because former law students are very annoying and love the opportunity to talk about themselves, so i’m sure literally any of them could have explained what their bar summer was like. or even just peruse bar prep reddit!! i would never recommend that to someone actively preparing for the bar, but if you want to see the full spectrum of recent law grads going through it, that’s your place.
so i have to ask, why was lucy a recent law grad at all? what value does this timeline have on her character? why couldn’t this have taken place a year after graduation after she had taken the bar, when she is suddenly offered this exciting opportunity that will take her abroad?
and THEN (spoilers i guess, but who cares if you’ve made it this far lol), lucy moves to the netherlands WITHOUT TAKING THE BAR. and this is a choice the author made!! to have her move without closing the loop on THE ENTIRE POINT OF GOING TO LAW SCHOOL. there would be no internship at the hague that would coincide with lucy taking the bar in the states. there would be no law firm job without her taking the bar exam. most law firms are giving law grads the summer off to take the bar (or maybe having them work part-time, but still), and THEN they start after the bar. and some of these offers are contingent upon PASSING the bar! and lucy sure as hell can’t pass the bar because she never took it!!
and her law firm just happens to ask what office she would like to work in, new york or portland? hm i don’t know, what bar exam did you register for? probably new york, right? because that’s where you live? and you went to nyu? so presumably you’re taking the new york bar? that would make sense, huh? so if you’re looking to go to the portland office you better make sure you can transfer your UBE score (again, a simple google) and that new york’s passing score would let you practice in oregon, too (don’t worry, i looked it up and they both have the same score requirement because i utilize the research tools at my disposal).
so i think that my concludes my bar prep related complaints. perhaps i care too much about the details here, and that’s fair if nobody else cares. but i am just asking the author to craft a story. and when the universe of that story is flimsy and easily picked apart, the whole thing loses credibility for me. so now i’m just accepting that this is make believe land where none of the stakes matter and these problems and concerns are not real. and now i don’t care about the characters!
so tldr care about your universe! it impacts your characters! and if you want me as the reader to care about any of it, you have to care about all of it!!!
when i wasn’t distracted by the jaws music playing in my head at an increasingly louder volume with each chapter that lucy wasn’t preparing for the bar exam, the romance itself actually wasn’t that bad. did they get annoying in the second half? absolutely. but when i think of the context that nobody preparing for the bar exam is their best selves, i give lucy a little grace.
and i think that would be interesting to explore! like how does this stressful summer of bar prep and other post-grad responsibilities make a summer fling seem enticing at first (yay distraction), but then as the fling becomes something more serious, the stress compounds and manifests as tension in the relationship. but unfortunately so many of these threads were dropped or just flat out not explored.
and james honestly was just kind of there, too. maybe that isn’t giving him enough credit. i did like james as a foil to lucy. i like that they disagreed, i like that they pushed each other’s expectations of what they wanted from their lives, and i like that they LIKED each other.
where these novellas tend to lose me is the rush to fall in love. like what do you mean you started falling in love on your first date? i can only roll my eyes so much, y’all, i’m going to strain something. i just wish we could let the characters LIKE each other. i actually don’t need them to fall in love in two weeks! that’s fine! it’s enough for me that they care about each other and are treating each other well! the dramatic love confessions can wait!! i’ll even accept a sappy epilogue instead!! just let them have fun!!
i could go on but i fear i’ve already said too much. if anybody in the editing department over at 831 stories would like to talk about how to improve this book, hit my line!! we have time before the publication date!! you could even find somebody in the midst of bar prep right now because again, the bar exam is the last tuesday and wednesday in july!!
October 1, 2026
This was FUN and spicy AF. But done perfectly honestly. A tinyyyy bit insta-love but the hurdles and miscommunication between the characters made sense despite being dual POV. I loved seeing both characters struggle with their feelings and I loved how the plot played out.
Thank you to 831 stories for the copy in exchange for my review!
Thank you to 831 stories for the copy in exchange for my review!
July 11, 2026
4.5 ⭐️'s! this book made me realize that I'm not a prude who doesn't like one night stands and insta love, I just haven't found a book that did it incredibly and THIS DID IT!!
I'm so obsessed with how real this romance felt. the 2 main characters meet, sleep together and then decide they should call in quits because they're both leaving the state for work in a month. they can't stop thinking about each other after that so they decide to spend the month together and then break it off. the love I felt between them, actually convinced me that you can fall in love that fast.
I loved that there were so many realistic elements, to the point where they have such hectic schedules and barely have time to see eachother so they meet up at the laundromat she's washing her clothes at JUST TO WASH CLOTHES and spend time together, like that's literally it. the way they felt like they had to make the most of every second they had because time was ticking, made the stakes for this so gooood.
also I HAVE TO mention that there was a spice scene in this that had me going back and re-reading because it was that hot 😭
thank you to netgalley for providing me with this ARC, can't wait to never shut up about it now
I'm so obsessed with how real this romance felt. the 2 main characters meet, sleep together and then decide they should call in quits because they're both leaving the state for work in a month. they can't stop thinking about each other after that so they decide to spend the month together and then break it off. the love I felt between them, actually convinced me that you can fall in love that fast.
I loved that there were so many realistic elements, to the point where they have such hectic schedules and barely have time to see eachother so they meet up at the laundromat she's washing her clothes at JUST TO WASH CLOTHES and spend time together, like that's literally it. the way they felt like they had to make the most of every second they had because time was ticking, made the stakes for this so gooood.
also I HAVE TO mention that there was a spice scene in this that had me going back and re-reading because it was that hot 😭
thank you to netgalley for providing me with this ARC, can't wait to never shut up about it now
September 11, 2026
Never Lasting - Angela Bourassa
“Don’t get hooked on your hookup.”
I LOVED this book!!!
It was such a deliciously written book about a situationship turned “I can’t stop thinking about you” and I absolutely ate it up. This book, while being delightfully short and sweet, was so refreshing and raw. The main characters weren’t perfect but they felt SO NORMAL. They experienced the highs and lows of getting…(are you ready for it)...hooked up on your hookup!!
I loved how this book kept me guessing. They are both evolving adults who are both going through major changes in their lives, and no, it isn’t perfect. But that is what made this book so enjoyable. It was real. And although there was the most beautiful love (and lust), both James and Lucy remained true to themselves, even if that meant independence. (WHICH I LOVED) (I REPEAT, LOVED!!!) It was beautifully and perfectly imperfect.
I cannot tell you how many times I was smiling and giggling to myself while reading. This book truly made me feel giddy. I could not stop talking about this book to everyone I know!! To all the people I gushed to about this book…you are welcome.
I am simply in awe of Angela Bourassa and am ready to immediately read anything she writes…this was INCREDIBLE! I was (and am) obsessed with James and Lucy's chemistry and it literally made me feel like I was falling in love with them.
I live for a novella and let me tell you…831 Stories has MASTERED the art of a novella. All the flowers for you…because reading IS about pleasure, love, and having fun. I adore you 831 Stories.
The biggest thank you to 831 Stories and Angela for this ARC (and the coolest goodies ever!)
“Don’t get hooked on your hookup.”
I LOVED this book!!!
It was such a deliciously written book about a situationship turned “I can’t stop thinking about you” and I absolutely ate it up. This book, while being delightfully short and sweet, was so refreshing and raw. The main characters weren’t perfect but they felt SO NORMAL. They experienced the highs and lows of getting…(are you ready for it)...hooked up on your hookup!!
I loved how this book kept me guessing. They are both evolving adults who are both going through major changes in their lives, and no, it isn’t perfect. But that is what made this book so enjoyable. It was real. And although there was the most beautiful love (and lust), both James and Lucy remained true to themselves, even if that meant independence. (WHICH I LOVED) (I REPEAT, LOVED!!!) It was beautifully and perfectly imperfect.
I cannot tell you how many times I was smiling and giggling to myself while reading. This book truly made me feel giddy. I could not stop talking about this book to everyone I know!! To all the people I gushed to about this book…you are welcome.
I am simply in awe of Angela Bourassa and am ready to immediately read anything she writes…this was INCREDIBLE! I was (and am) obsessed with James and Lucy's chemistry and it literally made me feel like I was falling in love with them.
I live for a novella and let me tell you…831 Stories has MASTERED the art of a novella. All the flowers for you…because reading IS about pleasure, love, and having fun. I adore you 831 Stories.
The biggest thank you to 831 Stories and Angela for this ARC (and the coolest goodies ever!)
June 27, 2026
Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the arc!
Rtc
Rtc
August 14, 2026
I’ve never been disappointed by an 831 stories and Never Lasting by Angela Bourassa was no exception. It was a short and sweet romance that definitely had some magic behind it.
Lucy and James both know from the start that whatever happens between them has an expiration date. They have completely different plans for their futures, and I really liked that they both acknowledge that they are different and they are both going to follow their dreams.
Even though this was a shorter romance, the pacing worked really well for me. I actually loved the pacing and the very quick POV changes. I never felt like I didn’t know what people were thinking. I loved the almost self deprecating inner thoughts of these character. I loved their banter and chemistry, and I especially liked the way Bourassa chose to wrap up their story. It felt hopeful without either character having to give up their dreams or completely change their plans for the sake of a relationship, which I really appreciated. I could have happily spent more time with these characters, but I also think the story worked really well exactly as it was.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Storiez for the advanced copy!
Lucy and James both know from the start that whatever happens between them has an expiration date. They have completely different plans for their futures, and I really liked that they both acknowledge that they are different and they are both going to follow their dreams.
Even though this was a shorter romance, the pacing worked really well for me. I actually loved the pacing and the very quick POV changes. I never felt like I didn’t know what people were thinking. I loved the almost self deprecating inner thoughts of these character. I loved their banter and chemistry, and I especially liked the way Bourassa chose to wrap up their story. It felt hopeful without either character having to give up their dreams or completely change their plans for the sake of a relationship, which I really appreciated. I could have happily spent more time with these characters, but I also think the story worked really well exactly as it was.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Storiez for the advanced copy!
May 21, 2026
devoured this in one sitting!! bourassa packs so much emotional weight into ~250 pages, like lucy’s grief over celebrating and navigating life without her mom, james’ self-doubt, and the gnawing hope that things will work out as they’re meant to. the characters were smart and charming with depth and soooo much chemistry (the spice was HOT), but the very best part for me was the reality of it all. falling in love doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it happens alongside all the messy, heavy, human shit we’re already carrying and that was so true for james and lucy. what a great debut, i can’t wait to see what bourassa writes next.
i received this ARC in exchange for an honest review, thanks @831stories
i received this ARC in exchange for an honest review, thanks @831stories
June 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for approving me for the eARC.
This novella packs a punch with the emotions and tension between the two MCs. I love how they were written, they were so relatable. The chemistry and banter between Lucy and James is perfect and I was beaming at a lot of the dialogue between them.
There were swoony moments, a moment that made me almost spray tea from my nose it was so funny and there were tears.
There was a point that I was like omg just talk to each other but then the impact at the end wouldn’t have been the same. It was simply perfect.
Predictable but I still loved it! I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
This novella packs a punch with the emotions and tension between the two MCs. I love how they were written, they were so relatable. The chemistry and banter between Lucy and James is perfect and I was beaming at a lot of the dialogue between them.
There were swoony moments, a moment that made me almost spray tea from my nose it was so funny and there were tears.
There was a point that I was like omg just talk to each other but then the impact at the end wouldn’t have been the same. It was simply perfect.
Predictable but I still loved it! I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you 831 Stories and NetGlley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. 4.5 ⭐️ Holy moly, I did not expect a novella to pack this much of an emotional punch! Both Lucy and James felt so real and relatable that it was impossible not to root for them. Beautifully written and incredibly heartwarming, it made my cynical ass believe in the possibility of unexpected love.
September 22, 2026
hey so this is perfect
---------------------------
Real review with real words:
Infinity stars.
I completely and utterly adored this book. This is a story about a boy and a girl who meet at the precipice of the rest of their lives. They know they can’t be together, but their feelings say otherwise.
I found Lucy and James to be deeply relatable characters. I saw myself in Lucy’s fierce independence and desire to prove that she can face tough challenges alone, and I connected with James’s comfort in the unchanging. Both of these characters are confident in their beliefs and seemingly set in their ways, and it was such a joy to see how they slowly opened up to one another and the possibility of there being something though the small changes they made in their lives as the relationship developed.
While this book deals with some heavier topics (most prominently Lucy’s grief), I found myself smiling and laughing to myself with what is excellent snark, banter and comedic relief (french roommates producing a play about a mermaid with a fear of water? I lol’d)
My book is covered in highlights and I just know this will be my new comfort read.
I couldn't recommend this book enough! A perfect, bingeable read.
---------------------------
Real review with real words:
Infinity stars.
I completely and utterly adored this book. This is a story about a boy and a girl who meet at the precipice of the rest of their lives. They know they can’t be together, but their feelings say otherwise.
I found Lucy and James to be deeply relatable characters. I saw myself in Lucy’s fierce independence and desire to prove that she can face tough challenges alone, and I connected with James’s comfort in the unchanging. Both of these characters are confident in their beliefs and seemingly set in their ways, and it was such a joy to see how they slowly opened up to one another and the possibility of there being something though the small changes they made in their lives as the relationship developed.
While this book deals with some heavier topics (most prominently Lucy’s grief), I found myself smiling and laughing to myself with what is excellent snark, banter and comedic relief (french roommates producing a play about a mermaid with a fear of water? I lol’d)
My book is covered in highlights and I just know this will be my new comfort read.
I couldn't recommend this book enough! A perfect, bingeable read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another 831 hit for me. Lucy and James meet at Lucy's law school graduation from NYU--she is best friends and classmates with his cousin, Rebecca, and James is attending their graduation while in town from Oregon for the summer to work as a caterer. They immediately hit it off, leave Rebecca and head out for a nice dinner/first date adventure on the town. The catch is that Lucy is also leaving NYC in two months--she's headed to a fellowship at the Hague in the Netherlands--and they both know this from the start. Their spark is immediate, but they also really like one another. How do they decide to navigate this relationship, if it can be called that, when they both know they are falling for each other quickly but that there isn't a real future for them as a couple?
Both Lucy and James are lovely--realistic, relatable, perfectly flawed, and also perfectly matched for each other in an opposites-attract kind of way. The New York City backdrop/college campus setting is great. I love how supportive Rebecca is of her cousin and best friend, but also, James and Lucy are supportive of each other, even when it hurts. Such a fun and touching read, would definitely recommend.
Thanks so much to 831 Stories and Netgalley for the chance to read this in advance!
Both Lucy and James are lovely--realistic, relatable, perfectly flawed, and also perfectly matched for each other in an opposites-attract kind of way. The New York City backdrop/college campus setting is great. I love how supportive Rebecca is of her cousin and best friend, but also, James and Lucy are supportive of each other, even when it hurts. Such a fun and touching read, would definitely recommend.
Thanks so much to 831 Stories and Netgalley for the chance to read this in advance!
August 16, 2026
Torn between 4.75 and 5, but I think I found my new favorite 831 book! Thank you to 831 stories & Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. A version of the below review will appear in my book column in The Wave.
This sultry novella delivered imperfectly perfect characters, a solid plot and insane steam. Lucy is a fresh NYU law school grad who is getting ready to leave for an exciting internship in the Netherlands. She's full of emotions as the grief of her mom not being there to celebrate, overwhelms her on her graduation day.
As Lucy gets ready to celebrate with her best friend Rebecca, she is immediately charmed by Rebecca's cousin James. Since Lucy can't join Rebecca and her parents for dinner, she and James run off into the night to celebrate. This whirlwind romance follows her and James, a caterer with dreams of opening a restaurant in his hometown of Oregon.
With only a few weeks separating Lucy and James from their futures across the world from one another, an endless summer romance sweeps them both off their feet. But can they keep feelings out of their limited time together? Bourassa takes the reader on a quick read that has fulfilling emotions, revelations and fun experiences in just under 250 pages. Readers will be sure to feel the magnetism between Lucy and James and hope for their future, even if the characters get in their own way.
While this story was more of an expedited insta-love timeline, the writing was so dynamic that the story really swept me away. I couldn't wait to see what adventure Lucy and James would go on next and how they'd handle their impending end date. I think there was a lot to be said for this punchy novella delivering the height of emotional turmoil and character growth in such a quick arc. I cannot wait to see what Bourassa writes next, because I need more of her work!
This sultry novella delivered imperfectly perfect characters, a solid plot and insane steam. Lucy is a fresh NYU law school grad who is getting ready to leave for an exciting internship in the Netherlands. She's full of emotions as the grief of her mom not being there to celebrate, overwhelms her on her graduation day.
As Lucy gets ready to celebrate with her best friend Rebecca, she is immediately charmed by Rebecca's cousin James. Since Lucy can't join Rebecca and her parents for dinner, she and James run off into the night to celebrate. This whirlwind romance follows her and James, a caterer with dreams of opening a restaurant in his hometown of Oregon.
With only a few weeks separating Lucy and James from their futures across the world from one another, an endless summer romance sweeps them both off their feet. But can they keep feelings out of their limited time together? Bourassa takes the reader on a quick read that has fulfilling emotions, revelations and fun experiences in just under 250 pages. Readers will be sure to feel the magnetism between Lucy and James and hope for their future, even if the characters get in their own way.
While this story was more of an expedited insta-love timeline, the writing was so dynamic that the story really swept me away. I couldn't wait to see what adventure Lucy and James would go on next and how they'd handle their impending end date. I think there was a lot to be said for this punchy novella delivering the height of emotional turmoil and character growth in such a quick arc. I cannot wait to see what Bourassa writes next, because I need more of her work!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another huge win for 831 Stories! I genuinely do not know how they do it, but I have never trusted a publisher as much as I do them when it comes to finding romances that I just know I will enjoy. I felt so giddy reading Never Lasting by Angela Bourassa. While every girl I know craves a book-style summer romance, the way Bourassa fully captured the anxious-avoidant attachment style made me feel incredibly seen. I also loved that anxiety and avoidance were treated as obstacles that could be overcome with love and time. I am a massive fan.
The story puts us right in the middle of what is supposed to be Lucy's proudest day, her law school graduation, yet she is feeling her lowest as the loss of her mother sinks in. After she gathers her wits, she meets her best friend's cousin, James, who is everything she needs in that moment. A perfect date leads to them realizing this once-in-a-lifetime romance has a strict deadline, as their careers will take them to opposite ends of the globe in six weeks. This is a novel about grief, letting down your walls, and refusing to give up on your dreams.
I appreciated this novella for a couple of reasons, the biggest being that it felt real in a way that many romances, especially ones with page constraints, do not. I also loved that neither James nor Lucy gave up their personal dreams and ideals to be together. Would it have been easier to forgo the Hague and take the cushy Portland job? Yes, 100%. However, giving up everything you have worked toward for a person, even if they are your soulmate, will only breed resentment.
This novella gave me hope as an anxiously avoidant person with family issues that I, too, will one day find love. It honestly means the world to me when I can see the parts of myself that I am embarrassed about reflected in a character who still gets a happy ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for an advanced copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review.
The story puts us right in the middle of what is supposed to be Lucy's proudest day, her law school graduation, yet she is feeling her lowest as the loss of her mother sinks in. After she gathers her wits, she meets her best friend's cousin, James, who is everything she needs in that moment. A perfect date leads to them realizing this once-in-a-lifetime romance has a strict deadline, as their careers will take them to opposite ends of the globe in six weeks. This is a novel about grief, letting down your walls, and refusing to give up on your dreams.
I appreciated this novella for a couple of reasons, the biggest being that it felt real in a way that many romances, especially ones with page constraints, do not. I also loved that neither James nor Lucy gave up their personal dreams and ideals to be together. Would it have been easier to forgo the Hague and take the cushy Portland job? Yes, 100%. However, giving up everything you have worked toward for a person, even if they are your soulmate, will only breed resentment.
This novella gave me hope as an anxiously avoidant person with family issues that I, too, will one day find love. It honestly means the world to me when I can see the parts of myself that I am embarrassed about reflected in a character who still gets a happy ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for an advanced copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review.
June 28, 2026
1.5 ★
831, i love you. please don’t blacklist me, but i fear this one was not for me.
i usually tear through these novellas but, between the insta love storyline and the writing style, i found myself struggling to pick this one up.
thank you 831 stories and netgalley for the e-arc🖤
831, i love you. please don’t blacklist me, but i fear this one was not for me.
i usually tear through these novellas but, between the insta love storyline and the writing style, i found myself struggling to pick this one up.
thank you 831 stories and netgalley for the e-arc🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
Angela Bourassa's writing is crystalline. Sharp, witty, funny, heartfelt and delightful. This was a page-turner I read in a day! Couldn't put it down. Big fan.
August 26, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
thank you 831 stories for the arc 🤍
an insta love story when done right is going to get me every time. i’m a hallmark movie lover, after all. this book was an insta love story that i really enjoyed. these two people on completely different paths in life come together, although hesitantly until maybe the near end, and prove that maybe hope is worth having after all. i really liked the way this was set, how connected the characters were to each other/essentially weaved into each other’s lives, and the way grief was represented in this story. lucy carried her mother through the whole story, even and especially in the painful moments, and i really appreciated that. this was a quick, emotionally punching, yet fun read. i recommend!
thank you 831 stories for the arc 🤍
an insta love story when done right is going to get me every time. i’m a hallmark movie lover, after all. this book was an insta love story that i really enjoyed. these two people on completely different paths in life come together, although hesitantly until maybe the near end, and prove that maybe hope is worth having after all. i really liked the way this was set, how connected the characters were to each other/essentially weaved into each other’s lives, and the way grief was represented in this story. lucy carried her mother through the whole story, even and especially in the painful moments, and i really appreciated that. this was a quick, emotionally punching, yet fun read. i recommend!
September 21, 2026
Thank you to Angela and NetGalley for the ARC!
Every time I read another 831 Stories, I think I've read the best one, but then I read one more, and it becomes my new favorite. 831 Stories is doing something so incredible; I have found so many new authors because of these collections. AND! I just found one more.
Never Lasting truly is one of the best reps of "insta-love," but what I love is that the characters fight it. They both have dreams and wants, and they don't want to give them up. Angela wrote us a story where they can love each other without giving up their dreams. Lucy and James want to live totally different lives: one in a small town, one always on the move, finding new adventures. I spent this book not knowing what type of happy ending they were going to get, that guessing game is something Angela Bourassa does so well.
I cannot wait for more!!
Every time I read another 831 Stories, I think I've read the best one, but then I read one more, and it becomes my new favorite. 831 Stories is doing something so incredible; I have found so many new authors because of these collections. AND! I just found one more.
Never Lasting truly is one of the best reps of "insta-love," but what I love is that the characters fight it. They both have dreams and wants, and they don't want to give them up. Angela wrote us a story where they can love each other without giving up their dreams. Lucy and James want to live totally different lives: one in a small town, one always on the move, finding new adventures. I spent this book not knowing what type of happy ending they were going to get, that guessing game is something Angela Bourassa does so well.
I cannot wait for more!!
September 23, 2026
2.75 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you 831 stories and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
To begin: Never Lasting is a novella. I was ready for a quick, romantic read about a Summer romance. However this story could've benefited from being longer. The relationships felt rushed and flat due to how much had to he covered in the span of two months.
Also, our FMC Lucy just graduated law school and is supposed to be studying for the bar exam. She mentions it A LOT yet we never see her studying or hear anything about her taking the exam. I've spent this past Summer living with someone studying for and taking the bar exam... Lucy wouldn't have time for any of these shenanigans if it were realistic and I think the lack of research done by the author is what started me not enjoying the read.
The writing was engaging and conversational. I'm not a fan of switching POVs within a chapter, and here I feel like it added to the rushed feeling. I think this story could've benefited from sticking with one POV per chapter instead of flipping back and forth multiple times. It also didn't allow for the reader to sit with any of their emotions/thoughts because we were immediately brought to another person analyzing the other characters emotions/thoughts.
As much as I wanted to like this story, I couldn't get attached to the characters and the writing style stunted my reading experience as well. If I wasn't writing this review I probably would've DNF'd.
Overall: 2⭐️
To begin: Never Lasting is a novella. I was ready for a quick, romantic read about a Summer romance. However this story could've benefited from being longer. The relationships felt rushed and flat due to how much had to he covered in the span of two months.
Also, our FMC Lucy just graduated law school and is supposed to be studying for the bar exam. She mentions it A LOT yet we never see her studying or hear anything about her taking the exam. I've spent this past Summer living with someone studying for and taking the bar exam... Lucy wouldn't have time for any of these shenanigans if it were realistic and I think the lack of research done by the author is what started me not enjoying the read.
The writing was engaging and conversational. I'm not a fan of switching POVs within a chapter, and here I feel like it added to the rushed feeling. I think this story could've benefited from sticking with one POV per chapter instead of flipping back and forth multiple times. It also didn't allow for the reader to sit with any of their emotions/thoughts because we were immediately brought to another person analyzing the other characters emotions/thoughts.
As much as I wanted to like this story, I couldn't get attached to the characters and the writing style stunted my reading experience as well. If I wasn't writing this review I probably would've DNF'd.
Overall: 2⭐️
July 28, 2026
Thank you to 831 Stories for the ARC!
3⭐️
Angela Bourassa’s Never Lasting is a sweet but ultimately forgettable story, not sure of what it wanted to be or what it wanted to say. It tried to tell too big of a story for a novella, so the characters felt underdeveloped and their motivations were at once predictable yet confusing.
The dialogue was heavy-handed and there were wayyyyy too many adverbs and italics and exclamation marks telling us wayyyyy too much. Which, after discovering the author is mostly a screenwriter who probably specializes in dialogue and parentheticals, made sense but really didn’t translate well for a novel. Look, F Scott Fitzgerald didn’t say that using an exclamation point "is like laughing at your own joke” for nothing…
I’ve been enjoying the majority of the novellas coming out of this imprint but this one was a miss for me.
3⭐️
Angela Bourassa’s Never Lasting is a sweet but ultimately forgettable story, not sure of what it wanted to be or what it wanted to say. It tried to tell too big of a story for a novella, so the characters felt underdeveloped and their motivations were at once predictable yet confusing.
The dialogue was heavy-handed and there were wayyyyy too many adverbs and italics and exclamation marks telling us wayyyyy too much. Which, after discovering the author is mostly a screenwriter who probably specializes in dialogue and parentheticals, made sense but really didn’t translate well for a novel. Look, F Scott Fitzgerald didn’t say that using an exclamation point "is like laughing at your own joke” for nothing…
I’ve been enjoying the majority of the novellas coming out of this imprint but this one was a miss for me.
June 17, 2026
I probably would have enjoyed if I was 19.
September 22, 2026
Angela Bourassa’s Never Lasting was exactly the escape I needed! I absolutely love that 831 Stories publishes high-quality novellas that are easy to toss into a bag, take to a little league practice, and finish completely uninterrupted in a single afternoon while the kids are practicing on the field. It was the perfect, highly satisfying break from the real world.
There was something incredibly liberating about stepping into Lucy and James’s lives and getting swept up in their story. The premise is fantastic: two people with wildly different life goals meet and decide to follow where a singular moment takes them—knowing from the start that it isn’t a "forever" decision. This romance comes with a literal "sell-by date," an agreement meant to allow Lucy (a driven law student) and James (a caterer dreaming of a small-town restaurant) to simply enjoy the present while their futures keep moving in opposite directions.
This expiration date acts as a brilliant frame for such a fast-paced story. It builds a beautiful, ticking-clock emotional pressure because you can feel time slipping away from them even as they catch massive, intense feelings for one another. The short chapters and alternating POVs are masterfully done, allowing us a front-row seat to the internal shifts and emotional complications as they develop. As for the ending—I won't give anything away, but it perfectly fits the tone and design of Lucy and James’s journey.
Could I have spent more time with these characters? Absolutely. But this is a novella by design, engineered for a quick and impactful afternoon read. I walked away completely satisfied, and I will definitely be reading more from Angela Bourassa and 831 in the future!
There was something incredibly liberating about stepping into Lucy and James’s lives and getting swept up in their story. The premise is fantastic: two people with wildly different life goals meet and decide to follow where a singular moment takes them—knowing from the start that it isn’t a "forever" decision. This romance comes with a literal "sell-by date," an agreement meant to allow Lucy (a driven law student) and James (a caterer dreaming of a small-town restaurant) to simply enjoy the present while their futures keep moving in opposite directions.
This expiration date acts as a brilliant frame for such a fast-paced story. It builds a beautiful, ticking-clock emotional pressure because you can feel time slipping away from them even as they catch massive, intense feelings for one another. The short chapters and alternating POVs are masterfully done, allowing us a front-row seat to the internal shifts and emotional complications as they develop. As for the ending—I won't give anything away, but it perfectly fits the tone and design of Lucy and James’s journey.
Could I have spent more time with these characters? Absolutely. But this is a novella by design, engineered for a quick and impactful afternoon read. I walked away completely satisfied, and I will definitely be reading more from Angela Bourassa and 831 in the future!
September 23, 2026
There are very few rules when it comes to situationships; The one neither Lucy nor James can follow is “Don’t catch feelings.”
For me, reading about Lucy, her career, and her thoughts about her future was definitely the highlight of this book. Her ambition and drive were so well written, and I loved how she refused to change her plans or put her life on pause for a guy.
When it comes to the actual romance, I really wasn’t too invested, but I’ve concluded that this is mainly because of the fact that I didn’t care too much about James. He wasn’t a bad character per se, he just felt a bit boring and two-dimensional to me.
I really enjoyed how realistic the plot was; Lucy and James pulling away from each other after coming to terms with their “relationship” having a very clear expiration date, yet not wanting to let the other go, felt very real.
Also, I am, like many others, not the biggest fan of insta-love, but this book manages to incorporate the trope in a way in which it isn’t infuriating and annoying to read!
The publisher very kindly provided this arc in exchange for an honest review.
For me, reading about Lucy, her career, and her thoughts about her future was definitely the highlight of this book. Her ambition and drive were so well written, and I loved how she refused to change her plans or put her life on pause for a guy.
When it comes to the actual romance, I really wasn’t too invested, but I’ve concluded that this is mainly because of the fact that I didn’t care too much about James. He wasn’t a bad character per se, he just felt a bit boring and two-dimensional to me.
I really enjoyed how realistic the plot was; Lucy and James pulling away from each other after coming to terms with their “relationship” having a very clear expiration date, yet not wanting to let the other go, felt very real.
Also, I am, like many others, not the biggest fan of insta-love, but this book manages to incorporate the trope in a way in which it isn’t infuriating and annoying to read!
The publisher very kindly provided this arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2026
Another hot little romance from 831 Stories!! I loved this! This is such a fun and spicy summer romance! Their romance felt so real and I loved them so much! 🥹
They have so many reasons they shouldn’t be together and they keep saying it’s a one time thing, BUT they just can’t help themselves!! Ahh this had me kicking my feet and giggling while simultaneously wanting to shake Lucy and James because they need to be together!!
This book deals with so much and it does such a beautiful job at balancing everything. Lucy is dealing with so much grief and her and James are both trying to follow their dreams will still being together.
I absolutely loved this book and how everything came together! The last chapter was perfection and ahh so good! I will definitely be recommending!
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
They have so many reasons they shouldn’t be together and they keep saying it’s a one time thing, BUT they just can’t help themselves!! Ahh this had me kicking my feet and giggling while simultaneously wanting to shake Lucy and James because they need to be together!!
This book deals with so much and it does such a beautiful job at balancing everything. Lucy is dealing with so much grief and her and James are both trying to follow their dreams will still being together.
I absolutely loved this book and how everything came together! The last chapter was perfection and ahh so good! I will definitely be recommending!
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I despise situationships because I never understood why two people in love refuse to admit that they are in love and get into a relationship. So technically this book should have pissed me off but instead I enjoyed every minute of it.
Lucy and James meet on the day of Lucy’s graduation from NYU law through Rebecca and they instantly hit it off but the catch is both of them are leaving New York in six weeks, so anything serious is off limits because their paths never converge. From their dreams to the way they look at life, they can never be so opposite from each other. But as the old saying goes “opposite attracts”, no matter how much they try to build walls between them, set boundaries and pull away from each other, they end up falling for each other harder.
I don’t enjoy reading miscommunication trope (I know nobody does) but it’s understandable when the author makes it realistic because it’s not so different from the miscommunications we have in our own lives and here the author uses miscommunication trope to explore how two people who grew up very differently and therefore experienced life differently let go everything they are and know, without sacrificing their dreams by moulding their desires to fit into each others wants and needs to be together.
It’s a very short read and I loved how the author weaved both the MCs POV in a single chapter instead of switching one character’s POV per chapter. Overall the plot itself isn't very memorable if it wasn’t for the characters' quirks. I would always remember James whenever I come across a quick doodle or Dolly Parton’s songs and Lucy whenever I see travel posters or cereal boxes or the Hague’s international Justice court. When I say it out loud like that, it seems quite ordinary but that’s what made the story stand out for me, their interactions, push and pull game, dramatic fights, quiet confession, mutual respect for each other's lifestyles and rooting for their dreams without letting their life revolve around their relationship.
Thank you 831stories and netgalley for the e-ARC
Lucy and James meet on the day of Lucy’s graduation from NYU law through Rebecca and they instantly hit it off but the catch is both of them are leaving New York in six weeks, so anything serious is off limits because their paths never converge. From their dreams to the way they look at life, they can never be so opposite from each other. But as the old saying goes “opposite attracts”, no matter how much they try to build walls between them, set boundaries and pull away from each other, they end up falling for each other harder.
I don’t enjoy reading miscommunication trope (I know nobody does) but it’s understandable when the author makes it realistic because it’s not so different from the miscommunications we have in our own lives and here the author uses miscommunication trope to explore how two people who grew up very differently and therefore experienced life differently let go everything they are and know, without sacrificing their dreams by moulding their desires to fit into each others wants and needs to be together.
It’s a very short read and I loved how the author weaved both the MCs POV in a single chapter instead of switching one character’s POV per chapter. Overall the plot itself isn't very memorable if it wasn’t for the characters' quirks. I would always remember James whenever I come across a quick doodle or Dolly Parton’s songs and Lucy whenever I see travel posters or cereal boxes or the Hague’s international Justice court. When I say it out loud like that, it seems quite ordinary but that’s what made the story stand out for me, their interactions, push and pull game, dramatic fights, quiet confession, mutual respect for each other's lifestyles and rooting for their dreams without letting their life revolve around their relationship.
Thank you 831stories and netgalley for the e-ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5 🤎
I'm not going to lie, one of my biggest trope icks is the miscommunication trope. Pair that with either (or both) of the MCs being grade-A a-holes to each other, even briefly, and that really rubs me the wrong way. Unfortunately, that's the way this book went during the typical 3rd-act breakup/fight.
I really enjoyed the banter in this book and felt that initial spark in the meetcute, although there were times where it felt a little *too* convenient. I do think there were parts of the characters that felt deeply relatable and human (James saying that Lucy always feels the need to make things sound bigger/better instead of acknowledging that people can be wonderful and talented without the grander titles). But this book was a really good example of, "oh my gosh, if they just talked, I would be enjoying this a whole lot more."
I could be interested in a follow-up about Rebecca. Finding her a partner with an equally strong personality as a foil could be a really fun read.
Thanks #NetGally and #831Stories for the ARC!
I'm not going to lie, one of my biggest trope icks is the miscommunication trope. Pair that with either (or both) of the MCs being grade-A a-holes to each other, even briefly, and that really rubs me the wrong way. Unfortunately, that's the way this book went during the typical 3rd-act breakup/fight.
I really enjoyed the banter in this book and felt that initial spark in the meetcute, although there were times where it felt a little *too* convenient. I do think there were parts of the characters that felt deeply relatable and human (James saying that Lucy always feels the need to make things sound bigger/better instead of acknowledging that people can be wonderful and talented without the grander titles). But this book was a really good example of, "oh my gosh, if they just talked, I would be enjoying this a whole lot more."
I could be interested in a follow-up about Rebecca. Finding her a partner with an equally strong personality as a foil could be a really fun read.
Thanks #NetGally and #831Stories for the ARC!
August 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions!!
After graduating law school, Lucy meets James and begins a whirlwind romance that must end in 6 weeks when they both move to different parts of the world.
This was fun and sexy and did frustrate me a bit because why can’t you just hang out with someone for a few weeks? Obviously no one wants to fall in love before moving out of the country but I wish these two would have been less stubborn. I also found the switching POVs in the middle of chapters to be a nice change of pace! It reminded me a movie.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An improbable romance between a lawyer and a chef - she loves to travel and he wants to settle down, both falling hard and fast and running from feelings, connected by a mutual friend/cousin - and yet, it all just makes so much sense!!
Lucy and James are able to find comfort in one another that they haven’t been able to find before in just a short amount of time! I loved it!!
Thanks so much to Angela Bourassa, 831 Stories, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Lucy and James are able to find comfort in one another that they haven’t been able to find before in just a short amount of time! I loved it!!
Thanks so much to Angela Bourassa, 831 Stories, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2026
Lucy just finished law school and can't wait to go to The Hague for a prestigious internship. She sees her ambitious, world-traveling future clearly until she meets James. James is NYC for the summer before he goes back to Oregon to open a restaurant. Lucy and James both agree they can't let their feelings develop but they also can't seem to feel happy without one another.
This was great! Lucy and James have chemistry and they both have compelling career paths and goals which make for an enjoyable read.
Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
This was great! Lucy and James have chemistry and they both have compelling career paths and goals which make for an enjoyable read.
Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
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