Never After Us: A Grumpy Neighbor, Single Mom, Found Family Slow Burn

Heartbreak Mixtapes #4

by Claudia Y. Burgoa

Book #4 in the Heart Break MIxtapes

Genres: Slow Burn, Found Family, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Romance, Forced Proximity, Emotional

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2026

About the author

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author.
She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away.
She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children. She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she's the ruler of the house. She's only partially right.
When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family.
At night, she likes to binge watch shows with her equally geeky husband.

Instagram: http://bit.ly/ClaudiasIG
TikTok: https://bit.ly/CBstiktok
Bloggers/Influencers: https://geni.us/CBBloggers
Newsletter: https://geni.us/CBNewsletter

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟, 3🌶️

ARC Review 📖

This was such a beautiful read and I think I’ve left my heart somewhere between the chapters.

Our lovely author, Claudia, has crafted such a profound, emotional journey that balances the weight of grief with the bright hope of new beginnings. It is one of those rare stories that genuinely makes you feel every single thing right alongside the characters.

I completely fell for the grumpy, guarded Alec and the way his walls slowly crumbled because of Mara and her spirited daughter, Mila. Their slow-burn romance was built on such a solid foundation of trust and vulnerability, making every shared moment feel deeply earned. The way the past and present weave together through letters and secrets made the whole experience feel so rich and lived-in.

This book is a beautiful reminder that we are all worthy of being chosen and that healing is possible even after the hardest losses. It is a stunning, soul-stirring finale to the series that I know will stay with me for a very long time.

This is an enthralling, unforgettable story that I will be recommending to everyone I know.

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ALC Review (Audiobook) 🎧

I honestly don’t have the words to describe how much I loved the audio version of this book because it was an absolute masterclass in storytelling. Having Erin Mallon and Austin Stone bring Mara and Alec to life was pure magic, and when you add in Grace Grant and Aaron Shedlock for those heartbreaking letters, the emotional impact is just on another level. The narrators didn't just read the words, they inhabited these characters, capturing every ounce of longing, grief, and hope in a way that made me feel like I was right there with them. Between the incredible performances and the soul-baring musical elements woven throughout the story, this was one of the most immersive and moving listening experiences I have ever had.

~~~~

I was lucky enough to receive both an ARC and an ALC, and being able to immersive read and listen to this story made the whole experience even more special.

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Huge thank you to Claudia Y. Burgoa and The Author Agency for the ARC & ALC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Donna reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Story About Staying When Everyone Else Has Left!!

There are books that entertain you, books that make you smile and then there are books that completely break your heart before carefully putting it back together again.

Never After Us is one of those books.

From the very first chapter, I was pulled into Alec and Mara’s world and refused to let go. This isn’t just a romance, it’s a profoundly emotional journey through grief, healing, family secrets, second chances and the desperate human need to be loved and chosen.

I felt this story deeply.

Mara’s journey is raw, emotional and beautifully written. As she navigates loss, uncertainty and a future she never expected, her struggles feel incredibly real. This author writes emotion with such authenticity that I wasn’t simply reading Mara’s story…I was living it alongside her.

And then there’s Alec.

Oh, Alec.

This grumpy, guarded, fiercely protective man completely stole my heart. Beneath all his walls and careful control is a man carrying wounds of his own. Watching him slowly open himself up to Mara and Mila was both beautiful and heartbreaking. Like a drummer keeping time through the chaos, Alec becomes the steady rhythm in a world that often feels uncertain. His quiet strength, unwavering support and determination to show up when it matters most made me fall for him a little more with every chapter.

Because at its core, this story is about something so many of us understand.
The need to believe someone will stay.
The hope that we’re worthy of being chosen.

The slow burn romance was absolute perfection. Every glance, every conversation, every shared moment felt meaningful. Claudia allows the relationship to develop naturally, building layer upon layer of trust, friendship and connection until the emotional payoff is nothing short of breathtaking.

And then there’s Mila.
That little girl steals every single scene she’s in.
She brings humor, warmth, innocence and so much heart to the story. Her interactions with Alec had me smiling constantly and she became the perfect light balancing some of the book’s heavier emotional moments.

I also adored the friendships woven throughout this story. Alec’s relationship with his former bandmates…who have long since become brothers, adds another beautiful layer to the story. Their loyalty, support and unwavering love for one another create a sense of family that feels genuine and deeply moving. Together, they create a harmony that perfectly complements the emotional depth of Alec and Mara’s story.

And can we talk about Claudia Burgoa’s writing?
She has an incredible gift for creating flawed, relatable characters and placing them in stories that feel both deeply emotional and wonderfully hopeful.
Every chapter carried purpose.
Every emotion landed.
Every moment mattered.
She masterfully balances heartbreak, healing, humor, romance and hope in a way that kept me completely invested from beginning to end.

The audiobook elevated this experience even further.

Austin Stone and Erin Mallon delivered exceptional performances and completely embodied Alec and Mara.
Every emotion, every vulnerable moment, every ounce of longing, heartbreak and hope resonated through their narration. Featured performances by Aaron Shedlock and Grace Grant added even more richness to the listening experience.
Together, this talented cast didn’t simply narrate the story…they performed it, bringing every emotional note to life and making an already breathtaking romance even more unforgettable.

Never After Us is emotional, profound, funny, healing, romantic and utterly unforgettable.
It reminds us that family can be found in unexpected places, that healing takes time and that sometimes the greatest act of love is simply choosing to stay.

A perfect finale to the Heartbreak Mixtapes series, this story hits every emotional note and leaves behind a melody that lingers long after the final page.

If you love emotional romances, found family, grumpy heroes, single moms, slow burns and stories that make you feel every single emotion, this book belongs on your TBR immediately.
Whether you read it or experience it through the phenomenal audiobook, prepare for a story that will wrap itself around your heart and refuse to let go.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC/ALC Review

The thing I love best about not just this story, but the series as well is that the stories are not just emotional, heartbreaking at times and a gut-punch at others but above all it is a sense of hope and exhilaration! I know I’ve mentioned this before, but Claudia has grown into an author that develops stories you feel down to your soul, and I am here for it! Not that she hasn’t always been a good author, but this evolution is different. She digs deep and unapologetically without fluff tells stories of real everyday people in a fictional setting. It’s magic.

I was lucky enough to receive both an ARC and an ALC, and being able to experience this story with both formats immensely heightened every aspect of the story. The performance that Erin Mallon & Austin Stone gave was transcendent and captured every little nuance the story had to give. It was live in my head as if I was with them experiencing it for myself. It’s one of the few audiobooks that I could not stop listening to for anything. (okay, I slept a few hours, but that was it!) I don’t want to give away too much, but Grace Grant & Aaron Shedlock also brought their magic, and my heart is still recovering from it all.

I fell hard for this broody drummer and young widow with the most adorable precocious little girl! Alec and Mara fell into each other’s lives like destiny. That’s what it felt like to me. Their slow-burn development gave them the opportunity to go from strangers to friends to the people they trusted most with their raw and vulnerable “story”. And of course, we can’t forget our curious little Mila! I really love it when children are written in a story as an integral part of the journey and not just a side character. Make sense. She added levity when it was needed and always put a smile on my face.

This was a “heavy” story for me and not because I cried thru a lot of it, which I did, but because the grief these two were dealing with and their circumstances were “heavy” and I felt that. I felt that thru every single word and it was real and raw and everything you’d expect from Claudia today. I’m proud of this story and this series because of its rawness and realism and I hope she continues to write thought provoking romance fiction for many years to come!

[Crystal Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved this series. Claudia does an incredible job weaving together stories filled with grief, healing, hope, and love. This book was emotional, had me laughing out loud, and completely captivated me from beginning to end.

Alec is a grumpy, reclusive musician who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when Mara, a single mother, and her daughter Mila move in next door, his quiet life is turned upside down.

Both Alec and Mara carry the weight of tragic pasts. Their experiences are very different, but they have shaped who they are today. Alec keeps everyone at arm’s length, while Mara is understandably guarded around him at first. However, thanks in large part to Mila’s larger than life personality, the two slowly begin to grow closer.

I absolutely adored Mila. She was equal parts sugar and spice, bursting with energy and charm. She brought so much heart and humor to the story and was impossible not to love.

One of my favorite parts of the book was watching Alec and Mara slowly tear down each other’s walls. Their journey was heartbreaking at times, but also incredibly beautiful and rewarding. I also loved the secondary love story involving Mara’s “aunts,” which added another layer of warmth and emotion to the book.

This story was beautifully written, deeply moving, and filled with unforgettable characters. I couldn’t get enough of it.

ⓐⓤⓓⓘⓞ ⓣⓗⓞⓤⓖⓗⓣⓢ
This audiobook featured a phenomenal full cast, including Erin Mallon and Austin Stone, with performances by Grace Grant and Aaron Shedlock. Each narrator brought so much depth and emotion to the story, bringing these characters to life in a way that made them feel real and unforgettable.

Their performances perfectly captured the heart, humor, and emotion of the story, giving each character an authentic voice. The audio was beautifully executed, and I thoroughly enjoyed every narrator’s contribution. Together, they created a the perfect listening experience that made an already wonderful story even more memorable.

[Kira Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all about grief, and healing, and finding that one person that makes you whole. I absolutely loved this story and was surprised by the twist! I also loved the song selections used in this book. They were perfect choices for the plot of the story and took me back in time. When a book can connect me with music and vice versa I fall even more in love.

Mara is a widowed mom to the absolute best little girl and moved into her estranged aunt's penthouse after her sudden passing. As the executor of the estate she has to live there for a year and complete a series of tasks before her inheritance will be released. One of her tasks is to give "emotional guidance" to her neighbor. Alec is an almost reclusive, broody, drummer for The Dead Moth Parade. After insulting Mara she makes it her personal mission to bring joy and sunshine and her secret question filled weapon (her daughter) to Alec as often as she can. But Alec winds up being her rock when things begin to unravel and the way they connect with each other is so beautiful!

The narration of this audiobook was phenomenal! The way the narrators brought the emotions of this story to the surfaces and made you feel the things the characters were feel was impeccable.

If you're looking for a grumpy/sunshine, emotional, found family, former band member romance this is definitely one I would recommend.

[Natasha sunset_paperbacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mara arrives in Seattle following the loss of her Aunt, only to discover that everything she thought she knew about her family was built on secrets.

Watching Mara untangle the truth was so emotional and my heart broke for her 💔.

Alec was exactly the kind of MMC I love. Grumpy but protective and willing to stand beside Mara through anything. I loved the relationship that developed between Alec and Mila too.

This is romance, grief, family, healing and trust, even when it feels impossible. The mystery surrounding Mara’s past kept me turning the pages and the romance developed beautifully alongside it.

[Laura Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC & ALC kindly provided for the author in exchange for an honest review

Heartbreak Mixtapes just kept getting better with each book! Claudia Burgoa made me love these characters a little more the more I read them, and now I don't want to say goodbye. However, I think Alec, Mara & Mila was the best way to end this series: it's heartbreaking in a special way, it's the funniest of the whole series, and the audiobook has a combo of narrators that's quickly becoming my favorite!

Mara was a BEAUTIFUL character (my favorite along with Alyssa). She's a woman who has suffered losses that left her deeply wounded, and when her favorite aunt dies, she's forced to revisit them all at once. I LOVED her personality, the way she irritates Alec with the simplest gestures, and how she loves and supports the inquisitive nature of Mila, her 8-year-old daughter. She's a woman who has a difficult journey throughout the book, but also a very interesting one that captivated me from the first chapters. I really enjoyed Claudia giving me glimpses into Mara's past, her life with Samuel, and showing me how important Lina was to her, which helped me understand her pain after their estrangement. I also enjoyed getting to know Lina and Thomas through their letters, and I loved how heartbreaking their story was. But I loved even more the unexpected twists at the end.

Alec is a man who feels just as broken as his bandmates, and it broke my heart to read about him isolating himself from the world to avoid suffering, even from the people he considers family. It was also painful to learn about his past and how deeply it affected his self-perception, I suffered with him when he received the news of Lina's death, BUT I loved that Claudia gave this couple that shared connection that made their bond even stronger. Another thing I really enjoyed about this character was seeing him completely committed to his recovery, mature, vulnerable, and always aware of the mistakes of the past that he doesn't want to repeat.

Mara and Alec seem like two opposites in many ways, which is why I loved that, at first, the only thing they have in common is their broken hearts and deep fear of abandonment. But as they allow themselves to get closer to each other, things between them begin to change, and Alec becomes Mara and Mila's main support. He's always there for them, getting irritated by the little girl's constant questions, and giving her mom the unconditional love she always deserved. I also really liked that Alec sees Mara as a bright light, especially since it's more than clear that she doesn't feel that way, and it's yet another example of how good they are to each other.

🎧Audiobook review🎧

🥁Narrators: Erin Mallon & Austin Stone, Grace Grant & Aaron Shedlock
❤️Duet narration
🐸Narration: 5/5

This is my second time this month listening to this narrators duo, and I couldn't be happier that Claudia Burgoa chose them to close out this emotional and heartbreaking series.

Austin Stone is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators: just as Alec conveyed all the pain, anger, and vulnerability that this character experiences every day trying to stay afloat, I'm a huge fan of how expressive this narrator is when it comes to the laughter and smiles of the characters he portrays, especially since with Alec and the rest of the band, they were mostly playful and sarcastic moments that made me really enjoy his work and this character's story. I also loved hearing him bring to life those hilarious conversations between Alec and Mila, the most painful moments in this book, and all those he shares with Mara when they both decide to open their hearts.

Erin Mallon was the best Mara Claudia could have given us! Her narration and voice were perfect for bringing to life the saddest and most painful moments of this character, but also those small moments of happiness she allows herself to have with Alec. I also really enjoyed hearing her portray Mila's wonderful personality, especially when the little girl puts Alec in awkward but hilarious situations.

This audiobook also had the bonus of Aaron Shedlock and Grace Grant as Thomas and Lina, and I loved it because it made their letters feel much more important to the plot. It allowed me to see their story from the same perspective as Alec and Mara, and it made this audiobook one of my favorites.

🥁Alec: 5/5
🐸Mara: 5/5
🥁plot: 5/5
🐸love story: 5/5
🥁secondary characters: 5/5
🐸universe: 5/5
🥁cover: 5/5
🥵: 2/5

ARC & ALC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta

Heartbreak Mixtapes se fue poniendo mejor con cada libro! Claudia Burgoa me hizo amar un poco más a estos chicos a medida que los leía más y más, y ahora no quiero decirles adiós. Sin embargo, creo que Alec, Mara & Mila fueron la mejor manera de cerrar esta serie: es desgarradora de una manera especial, es la más divertida de toda la serie y el audiolibro tiene a un combo de narradores que se está convirtiendo en mi favorito!

Mara fue un personaje HERMOSO (mi favorita junto con Alyssa), es una mujer que ha pasado por perdidas que la dejaron profundamente lastimada y cuando su tía favorita muere se ve forzada a volver y enfrentarlas de golpe. AMÉ su forma de ser, la manera en la que irrita a Alec con los gestos más simples y como ama y apoya la personalidad inquisitiva de Mila, su hija de 8 años, es una mujer que tiene un camino difícil a lo largo del libro, pero también uno muy interesante que me atrapó desde los primeros capítulos. Me gustó mucho que Claudia me diera esos vistazos al pasado de Mara, a su vida con Samuel y que me dejara ver lo importante que fue Lina para ella para poder entender su dolor tras el distanciamiento, también disfruté mucho conociendo a Lina & Thomas a través de sus cartas y amé que su historia me rompiera el corazón, pero amé todavía más que tuviera giros inesperados hacia el final.

Alec es un hombre que se siente igual de roto que sus compañeros de banda y me rompió el corazón leerlo aislándose del mundo para evitar sufrir, incluso de las personas que considera su familia, también fue doloroso conocer su pasado y como eso afectó profundamente la percepción que tiene de si mismo. También sufrí con él cuando recibe la noticia de la muerte de Lina, PERO me encantó que Claudia le diera a esta pareja esa conexión en común que hizo su vinculo aún más fuerte. Otra cosa que disfruté mucho de este personaje fue leerlo completamente comprometido con su recuperación, maduro, vulnerable y siempre consiente de los errores del pasado que no quiere repetir.

Mara & Alec parecen dos personas opuestas en muchos aspectos y por eso me encantó que, al principio, lo único que tienen en común es su corazón roto y su profundo miedo al abandono, pero a medida que ambos se permiten acercarse al otro las cosas entre ellos empiezan a cambiar y Alec se convierte en el principal apoyo de Mara & Mila, SIEMPRE está para apoyarlas, para irritarse con las preguntas que la pequeña nunca deja de hacer y para darle a su mamá el amor incondicional que siempre debió tener. También me gustó mucho Alec viera a Mara como una luz brillante, especialmente porque está más que claro que ella no se siente así y es un ejemplo más de lo buenos que son el uno para el otro.

🎧Reseña del audiolibro🎧

🥁Narradores: Erin Mallon & Austin Stone, Grace Grant & Aaron Shedlock
❤️Narración en dueto
🐸Narración: 5/5

Esta es i segunda vez en el mes escuchando este combo de narradores, y no puedo ser más feliz de que Claudia Burgoa los haya elegido para cerrar esta emotiva y desgarradora serie.

Austin Stone se está convirtiendo muy rápidamente en uno de mis narradores favoritos: como Alec me transmitió con su voz todo ese dolor, enojo y vulnerabilidad que este personaje vive todos los días intentando mantenerse a flote, soy la más fan de que este narrador sea tan expresivo cuando se trata de las risas y sonrisas de los personajes que interpreta, especialmente porque con Alec y el resto de los chicos fueron, en su mayoría, momentos burlones y sarcásticos que me hicieron disfrutar mucho de su trabajo y de la historia de este personaje. También amé escucharlo dando vida a esas conversaciones tan divertidas entre Alec & Mila, a los momentos más dolorosos de este libro y también todos aquellos que comparte con Mara cuando ambos deciden abrir su corazón.

Erin Mallon fue la mejor Mara que Claudia pudo darnos! Su narración y voz fueron perfectas para darle vida a los momentos más tristes y dolorosos de este personaje, pero también a esos pequeños momentos de felicidad que se permite tener al lado de Alec. También me gustó mucho escucharla interpretar la personalidad tan maravillosa de Mila, especialmente cuando la pequeña pone a Alec en posiciones complicadas pero muy divertidas.

Este audiolibro también tuvo el bonus de Aaron Shedlock & Grace Grant como Thomas & Lina y me encantó porque hizo que las cartas de estos personajes se sintieran mucho más importantes para la trama, me permitió ver su historia desde el mismo lugar que Alec & Mara, y convirtió este audiolibro en uno de mis favoritos.


🥁Alec: 5/5
🐸Mara: 5/5
🥁trama: 5/5
🐸historia de amor: 5/5
🥁personajes secundarios: 5/5
🐸universo: 5/5
🥁portada: 5/5
🥵: 2/5

[ana lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claudia Burgoa's books always leave me on the verge of tears because of the emotional depth of her writing, but this time I didn't just come close to crying…I actually did. More than once. And especially during the final part of the story. Honestly, how is anyone supposed to survive following two parallel love stories only for them to hit with that kind of emotional impact in the end?

I am a completely unapologetic Claudia Burgoa fan, and this book only reinforced everything I already love about her storytelling. If the constant musical references were what first drew me to her books, this one took that love to a whole new level. Music isn't just part of the story, it's part of its soul. Claudia writes the way a musician composes a melody, and somehow she manages to capture exactly what music feels like when it becomes an essential part of your life.
Let me just start whit this: how am I supposed to get over not only the perfect playlist he created for her, but also the mixtapes filled with songs he carefully recorded for her... over and over again?
Those weren't just songs.
Those were love letters.
Heartfelt, deeply personal, soul-baring declarations of love wrapped in music.
Every playlist, every cassette, every song choice carried a piece of his heart, and I completely melted every single time. I was an emotional wreck by the end, and honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way.
The story…In this latest installment of the Heartbreak Mixtapes series, we follow Alec, another member of Dead Moth Parade. As is often the case in this series, we're dealing with a wounded soul, someone deeply scarred by his past, who unexpectedly finds the sunshine he didn't know he needed in the woman living across the hall.
Alec lives a quiet, isolated life while trying to recover from his own demons, in a building where children aren't even welcome. Everything changes when Mara, the niece of his late neighbor, moves into the apartment across from him with her daughter, Mila.
And what an absolutely wonderful character Mila is! She's eight years old, but as her mother says, she's basically eight going on thirty. Smart, funny, endlessly curious, and completely impossible not to love. She stole my heart from the very beginning... just as she did Alec's, despite the fact that he wasn't exactly a fan of children.
Mara returns to Seattle to settle her Aunt Lina's estate, and among unopened boxes, letters, journals, and memories, long-buried secrets begin to surface. It's during this process that Alec and Mara slowly build a connection that grows deeper with every page. Their romance develops naturally, beautifully, and emotionally through vulnerable conversations, mutual support, and an understanding of the wounds they both carry.
Their relationship is built on time, trust, and healing. This isn't simply a love story, it's a story about loss, second chances, found family, and allowing someone else to help rebuild the parts of ourselves we thought were lost forever.
One of my favorite aspects of this entire series is the way every story intertwines music, letters, journals, memories, and love. This book was no exception. In fact, it elevated everything that already worked so brilliantly in the previous books.
I honestly can't put into words how much I loved this story. It was emotional, intense, captivating, and completely addictive. Claudia has an incredible gift for creating characters who feel real, flawed, vulnerable, and deeply human—characters capable of breaking your heart and then painstakingly putting it back together again one page at a time.
And I absolutely have to talk about the audiobook.
My God, the audiobook was perfection.
It amplified every emotion, every heartbreaking moment, every hopeful one, and made the entire experience even more immersive.
Before I finish, I need to mention the narration again because it was genuinely outstanding. There were moments when the emotional weight of the story was so intense, so introspective, and so deeply moving that the narrators were what kept me completely invested in every chapter.
Austin Stone and Erin Mallon delivered phenomenal performances. Austin, in particular, was absolutely incredible. His voice is magnetic. The emotion he brings to every line, his laugh, that rough edge in his voice, the intensity behind every word... he was Alec. Every single emotion landed perfectly because of his performance.
Erin Mallon was equally wonderful as Mara, capturing her vulnerability, strength, grief, resilience, and hope so naturally that it felt like she wasn't narrating the story—she was living it.
I also want to highlight Grace Grant and Aaron Shedlock, who brought Aunt Lina and Tommy's story to life. Every time they reminded us that their love story wasn't over yet, my heart shattered all over again. The pain felt real. The tears were never far away. Their storyline may be secondary to Alec and Mara's, but emotionally it carried just as much weight. Their story was filled with love, longing, hope, and heartbreak, and honestly? It hit me right in the soul.
Overall, this was a beautiful, deeply emotional story with exceptional character development. Yes, it dives heavily into grief, loss, healing, and self-reflection—and that's something I've always loved about Claudia's writing. But thankfully, Mila provides the perfect amount of humor and light to soften some of the heavier moments.
Because while this is absolutely a romance, it's also so much more than that.
It's a story about grief.
It's a story about healing.
It's a story about learning to live with loss after loss.
But above all, it's a story about love.
The grief is real. The pain is real. The heartbreak is real.
Yet somehow, Claudia turns all of that pain into hope.
And that is what made this book unforgettable for me.
Claudia, congratulations. Once again, you've written a story that touched me deeply and will stay with me for a very long time.
And honestly... how am I supposed to get over this playlist? Because this playlist is, without a doubt, the most beautiful love letter of them all...

[Linda Ketter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never After Us is the fourth, and final, book in the Heartbreak Mixtapes series and follows drummer Alec as he falls for his next door neighbor's niece, Mara and her daughter Mila.

Alec Horvath is the drummer for Dead Moth Parade. He was raised in foster care since birth and never found a permanent home. While growing up, he found himself involved in the school's music department, regardless of what school it was. He spent years playing the drums for the band while watching all of his bandmates finding love and settling down. He partied hard until it became too much. Now that the band is no longer touring, he is working on his personal issues and trying to improve himself.

Mara grew up in a broken family. Her father left when she got sick. He had another family and Mara did not understand why he left her and her mother. She went to college to study journalism and coupled it with an arts degree, specifically photography. She married Sam and had a daughter, Mila. When Sam was killed, she took various photography jobs that allowed her to travel with Mila. She home schooled her daughter and taught her local customs as well as the necessary curriculum. But because they moved around so much, it was hard for her and Mila to make long term friends.

When Alec returns to Seattle from Los Angeles, he is in for a surprise. He lives in a building with no children and all of a sudden there is a child in the building. And not just any child. But she is living right next door to his penthouse. Sadly, he is devastated when he hears his neighbor, Lena, has passed away while he was out of town. Even though he was a loner, she always came by to visit and borrow a some sugar.

Mara has moved in to Lena's penthouse in order to fulfill her responsibilities set forth in the will. She must live there for a year in order for her mother and aunts to receive their inheritance. But there are ulterior motives that she has no idea about. She is about to embark on an intensely personal journey that she has no idea is coming barreling at her.

As Mara follows the instructions left by Lena, Alec starts to accept her and Mila as his neighbors. He is no longer grousing about their presence or about drinking tea to settle his chakras. As more time passes, he even begins making tea for her as she goes through Lena's personal belongings, including journals and letters.

Alec helps Mara get Mila into more group based activities, including karate. Now, keep in mind, this eight year old is a fount of information and questions. But she is starting to make friends because of these classes and she is loving the new activities.

Even though Mara knows who Alec is, she is shocked when Julian Wilder shows up at her door. He is just checking in on Alec, and also curious about who the woman is that has knocked him off his feet, even if he will not admit it yet.

New routines are put in place with the the three of them and it starts Mila talking about wanting a baby brother or sister. This child is precocious and smart beyond her years. God help them when she becomes a teenager.

When Mara finally learns the truth, the life she has known no longer makes sense. She starts seeing her therapist again in order to deal with the anger and abandonment issues she is feeling. And, of course, Alec is there for her. He supports her in whatever she needs.

But is this relationship just based on a shared trauma or is it real? Is Alec ready to become a father? Is Mara ready to fall in love again after what happened with her marriage? And we know Mila is ready so she can have a baby brother or sister.

Everyone lives with demons, it is just a matter of how bad yours are. Alec has had his share. I cannot imagine growing up in the foster care system. And to see what he saw as a young impressionable boy is heartbreaking. Although he never admitted to a friendship with Lean, he was devastated by her passing. He has had so much loss in such a short life.

Mara holds so much guilt over how Sam died. They had argued and she feels she contributed to the accident. But something was going on with him that we will never know about. And I really need to know what it was. It will drive me bonkers not knowing.

I really had to appreciate both Alec and Mara's therapists. Especially hers. The suggestion to write letters or journal her thoughts was a great idea. Although it is hard to do, it helped her deal with her anger and feelings of abandonment. And it was something she and Alec could talk about.

But the visit Mara makes to Vermont is the most emotional thing she could do. It makes her so vulnerable and opens her up to more abandonment and rejection.

This is a full cast narration and brings together four amazing narrators. Austin Stone is new to me, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him play Alec, Eddie, Julian, the therapist. He has quite the range and it comes through with each character. Erin is always on spot and I truly love her child voice as precocious Mila in this story. Grace Grant as Lena brings out the heartbreak of past decisions that were made and secrets that were kept. And Aaron Shedlock as Thomas (Tommy) brings out young love in a time of war and the fear he faced.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional Story & Narration🎧Gripping & Emotional!

Never After Us
Heartbreak Mixtapes, Book 4
By: Claudia Burgoa
Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Austin Stone, featuring Grace Grant & Aaron Shedlock

Claudia Burgoa’s “Never After Us”, is a profoundly touching novel set in her “Heartbreak Mixtapes” series, an enthralling story that features a found-family, healing after grief and a slow-burn romance, an all-consuming story I could not tear my away from. The books in this series are absolutely amazing, each featuring different lead characters, all connected, some are angsty, broken rock stars with issues, nostalgic stories set in the past times, and I loved hearing mentions of the tunes from during those times, a real blast in the past, and great tunes too. This fourth book is Alec Horovath, former Death Moth Parade drummer, and Mara, a single mother of a nine-year-old daughter, Mila. Both have intriguing backstories, and I enjoyed hearing about them and how their lived brought them to where they are today. After losing her husband, Mara took her daughter on the road, traveling and going where the jobs took her, but when she received a call that her aunt, who she was once very close to, passed away and left her in her will, she needed to go to Seattle and settle the estate. She and her aunt had not spoken in a while, so not knowing what her life had been like during that time, she did not know what to expect, and she was in for a world of surprises, not just the material things, or the grumpy neighbor, but with all the secrets she eventually learns. Alec had been away and was looking forward to being home and even seeing his neighbor, who always looked out for everyone in the building. He was not happy with what he found, starting with finding out his neighbor had passed away while he was away, and now there was a kid living at her place, in what is supposed to be a kid-free building! Not only does Mara give Alec a run for his money, but so does her daughter, who actually does it even better, not only getting his defenses down but brings out another side of him, a caring side and one that is not as grumpy. Burgoa outdid herself once again, building an incredible story with complex characters who are broken, but not beyond repair, they find peace in one another, healing, and as they grow closer their bonds get stronger and so does the foundation to what is going to be an everlasting love. I loved how her aunt’s story was told, with the letters and the secrets it revealed, a twist no one saw coming. This masterfully crafted, multi-layered story has the perfect balance of drama, angst, heartwarming moments, heartfelt emotions, and a slow-burn but so worth the wait romance. Once again, Burgoa’s writing, plot, and world-building are incredible, as are her character growth and development. It was great seeing the characters from the earlier books, too, and I loved how far they all have come in their lives. Claudia Burgoa, thank you for another exceptional story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for an exceptional audiobook listen performed by a wonderfully talented cast, led by Erin Mallon and Austin Stone in the two lead roles, Mara and Alec, with Grace Grant and Aaron Shedlock jumping in as the secondary characters, characters of equal importance. They all did an incredible job voicing their characters, delivering a perfect portrayal of each, Mila included, not only grasping every facet of their personality, but their expressive delivery conveyed their characters’ every emotion too, making you feel each one. Claudia Burgoa always chooses the ideal cast to bring her characters to life, a perfect fit for each role and for their engaging storytelling, whose performances are entertaining and hold your attention the entire time.

[Books, Booze & Bon Voyage (Krista Webster) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never After Us by Claudia Burgoa is the final book in the Heartbreak Mixtapes series about the band members of the Death Moth Parade. She finishes with their drummer Alec Horvath and his slow burn romance with Mara Cavanagh-O’Shea, a single mother who unexpectedly becomes his neighbour when her estranged aunt passes away and she moves into the apartment across the hall. It’s not simple story but complexed and layered with emotion. They both have issues to overcome due to events in the past. They have both lost so much and are used to people leaving them. They are trying to heal the best they can and although they don’t realise it at first, they are both looking for someone to finally stay and love them. There is grief, family secrets and revelations to overcome before finding their HEA.

Alec lives a very structured, reclusive life to keep himself free from his additions. He needs peace to control his anger issues and not trigger everything he’s tried hard to forget. He is closed off and just trying to survive day by day after a poor childhood. His experiences being in the band were overwhelming for a sixteen year old who was already dealing with his own issues before their manager got his hooks in him. Loved how Eddie helps and understands him, tries to stop him pushing everyone away.

Mara is a photographer who has suffered the heartbreak of her husband dying, which left her as a single mother to their adorable daughter, Mila. She has had a hard life and constantly moves from country to country as a way to cope with her grief. It’s exhausting but she’s determined to do her best for Mila. The news about her auntie leads to her back to Seattle but the last thing she needs is more upset or a relationship. When they move in next door to Alec they disrupt his routine and end up changing his life.Their first interactions are heated and argumentative. They irritate one another and it was hilarious how Mara decides to annoy him by being the sunshine to his grumpiness and by letting Mila bombard him with her constant questions. He has trouble dealing with a very inquisitive, smart and observant Mila.

Mara is shocked and confused when the lawyer fills her in on the last eight years and how Lina's will comes with stipulations, including giving Alec emotional guidance before she can receive her inheritance. Alec and Mara join forces to solve the mystery and the reasons behind everything opens up an emotional journey for them. As they sort through Lina’s possessions, they bond over music and her old vinyl records.The passing of Aunt Lina brings back an assortment of memories for Mara as she remembers their time together but also the pain of her not keeping in contact with her. Alec is also shocked by the grief he feels for his neighbour and looks back at the times he spent with her.
We follow the couple as they face the changes in their lives, it is heartbreaking at times as they try to deny the attraction. Their friendship grows and he’s drawn to Mara as her life starts to unravel. He finds himself helping and supporting her but the best is when he shows up when it really matters. They learn to trust each other and the friendship they build is an honest and true one before it develops into something special and real. It was lovely seeing them both open up to each other and his interactions with Mila are so entertaining, she certainly stole the show throughout this book. Her funny comments, conversations and innocent outlook on life bring light into the story.

The secrets her family have kept from her are slowly revealed as we learn more about Aunt Lina not only through her journals and letters but also through the little she told Alec about her life. The truth is shocking in more ways than one and has a deep effect on everyone involved. The startling revelations cause her more anguish and grief. Her family drama also gives us another love story involving her aunt which will pull at your heartstrings so get the tissues ready especially in Mara’s epilogue when she finally gets some closure after all she’s been though.

We get more about Alec’s relationship with the rest of the band. Their new found support network since breaking up shines through, helped of course by the women they are now with. Great seeing all the couples doing so well and the genuine warmth and support they give each other now they have all settled down and become a family.

I have loved this series and enjoyed this book but felt it a shame the biggest twist was revealed in the blurb. Will they ever loose the fear and allow themselves to be happy. They have held back but finally found someone who finds them worthy to love and be loved. Neither have ever felt they were enough so could they unlock their buried feelings and put the past behind them. I laughed at Alec’s first epilogue as Mila winds her magic around him and her innocent look at how he has been with her mum. Then his romantic and heartwarming second epilogue when everyone comes together to celebrate their love. This whole series has been beautifully written emotional roller coaster and I will miss these guys.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never After Us by Claudia Burgoa is the second title I have read by this author and the final title in the Heartbreak Mixtapes series.
I was blown away by this story and fought back tears several times throughout the book, so if you're susceptible, make sure you have your tissues to hand!
This is an emotional slow burn, rockstar, single mother, grumpy/sunshine, found family romance that had me hooked from the start and follows Alec, Mara and Mila as they're brought together through sad circumstances but ultimately form a deep connection and that helps heal one another.

Mara and her eight year old daughter Mila have been travelling for the last five years after she lost her husband suddenly and has been running from her grief, guilt and anger over the loss. As a photographer she has been able to move all over the world with temporary assignments and whilst bringing up and home-schooling Mila, Mara has tried to hold herself together and maintain a 'I'm fine' front without letting anybody see the chaotic spiralling she often feels.
Mara and Mila find themselves returning to Seattle when her estranged Aunt Lina dies and she is required to oversee and settle her aunt's affairs. They move into her aunt's penthouse across the hall from grumpy Alec Horvath, former drummer of the famous Dead Moth Parade band.
Alec has his own personal issues and is dismayed to discover that his neighbour has died unexpectedly and her sunshiny niece and inquisitive daughter have moved in to disrupt his peaceful and controlled refuge. Alec's less than ideal childhood and early excessive success with the band has left him scarred and wounded and gun shy regarding connecting with anybody new in his life.
Initial contact between Alec and Mara is tempestuous and Mila's exuberant, probing and never ending questions prove a powerful means of pushing Alec out his comfort zone and build on the mutual attraction Alec and Mara have for one another despite their best efforts of trying to ignore it. An emotional connection develops slowly and quietly as a result of the tasks and requirements of the aunt's will which opens up mysteries and questions regarding Lina's connection to Mara and then sudden departure from Mara's life many years ago.
Their simmering chemistry is evident and both are hesitant to trust in the feelings that are emerging as both suffer abandonment issues stemming from their early lives but as Lina's life is slowly revealed and secrets long buried come to light, emotions rise to a high level.
In helping each other cope and survive the revelations, Alec and Mara's feelings for one another only get stronger, and with kindness, support, and quiet conversations, a sense of belonging, love and family slowly forms between the three of them.
Alec and Mara as characters were developed extensively over the course of the story, and both, on personal levels, were struggling with maintaining balance and finding themselves to survive what life has, and is still throwing at them. Their attempts at reaching and keeping that emotional stability was something that both were stubbornly trying to achieve on their own but the author has shown really well that it's ok to lean on someone else and even ask for help.
This was a story that contained a lot - facing and dealing with loss, supportive found family, slow burn chemistry, family revelations and reconciliations, quiet vulnerable conversations, and a deep love built slowly on trust and healing that ultimately ended with a highly satisfying HEA.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alec and Mara’s story stands out as an exploration of love emerging from loss. This heartfelt novel crafts a tender journey for its characters, centering on Mara, a widow rebuilding her life, and Alec, a man emotionally guarded but gradually softened by the power of connection. What makes this book especially noteworthy is its patient pacing—it is, unquestionably, a slow burn, but one that rewards readers willing to savor the nuanced development of relationships and personal healing.

Mara, her wit and bubbly nature are balanced with an authenticity that allows her vulnerabilities to shine through without diminishing her strength. As a mother, she embodies warmth and devotion, providing a relatable and inspiring. Alec initially comes across as a charmingly gruff, emotionally fragile man whose defenses slowly erode under Mara’s steady compassion and the infectious spirit of Mila, Mara’s precocious daughter. The way the author crafts Alec’s flustered moments—moments where he battles his own resistance to love—brings a genuine and endearing humanity to his character.

Mila herself is more than a mere supporting character; her wise-beyond-her-years innocence and humor inject the story with lightness and hope. Watching her interact with Alec and Mara offers some of the most heartfelt and joyful moments in the book, demonstrating how family and love can mend even the deepest wounds.

The plot excels in blending emotional depth with elements of angst, growth, and surprises, including family secrets that add complexity without overwhelming the core romance. The inclusion of beloved characters from other books in the series enriches the universe and gives longtime readers a satisfying sense of continuity. The letters read between Alec and Mara serve as powerful catalysts for intimacy, threaded with raw emotion and vulnerability that capture the bittersweet essence of their evolving relationship.

While the deliberate pacing might feel slow for readers accustomed to more rapid plot progressions, it ultimately pays off by allowing a more immersive and emotionally resonant experience. The balance of heartbreak and hope is deftly maintained, with moments that elicit warm smiles alongside well-earned tears. The author’s skill at portraying slightly broken, deeply human characters navigating the messy terrain of grief and love feels fresh and authentic.

The audiobook narration deserves special mention; the narrators deliver nuanced performances that enhance the emotional depth, making the listening experience a true complement to the storytelling.

In conclusion, this novel is a beautifully crafted addition to the angsty, heartwarming romance genre. Readers who appreciate character-driven stories rich with emotional layers and authentic healing will find much to love here. Fans of slow burns, intricate family dynamics, and intimate love stories will especially resonate with this book. Its themes linger, inviting reflection on how unexpected bonds can give new meaning to life after loss. One can’t help but wonder: how often do we underestimate the quiet power of patience—not just in love but in truly understanding each other? We loved it!

[Kim Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Claudia wasn’t kidding when she said this was a slow burn. It felt like I was crawling to the finish line in this one. Not to say the content wasn’t interesting it just dragged a little too long for me. The majority of this book focuses on healing for Alec and Mara. Healing caused by tabloids and a past life that haunts Alec compared to healing from losing someone and carrying on by Mara. It deals with grief about the person you’ve been and the one you’re trying to be. It’s a threshold to finding yourself after you’ve been stripped, left and forgotten many times. It was raw, vulnerable and hits you in the feels differently. You feel sadness for the way things happened and wish you could take away the hurt that lives deeply in Mara and Alec. It was emotional and sad, at times beautiful. So why am I giving this a 4 you ask, if a book makes me feel this way? The reason is because of the slow burn. I understand Mara and Alec had a lot of work to do in themselves, to get them to a place where intimacy and attachment didn’t scare them anymore but at the same time, I feel like their healing took a long time to sort out. It was dragging. I know that’s the point, but try explaining and showcasing this to someone who is reading romance for a moment in time when desire and emotion come together and you want to just bask in it and feel it. This felt a little too messy for me. Messy in the way that Mara and Alec were in no place to start anything with each other but yet you wanted them to just stop kidding themselves and drag each other to bed to soothe their loud thoughts and overthinking. There was too much of this in the book and I just wanted them to lose themselves in each other and take care of one another. I feel like this could have solved the uncertainty they felt about each other and got them to relax. There was a lot going on and I think they just needed to ground themselves and get lost in each other. Of course the book didn’t do that. It had to bring out truth bombs, more shock factors and the side story of Mara’s aunt who turns out to be the reason Alec and Mara bond together. On top of that, a surprise that changes the course of the whole book. This ends up playing a big factor in Mara’s healing and probably what ends up derailing anything further happening between her and Alec which I’m upset by, but also can understand. It made it harder to push through because it was such a slow moving book that I felt like it kept dragging things out that didn’t need to linger longer. I wasn’t bored, but I did want more action if you can get my drift? There was some things I didn’t think was necessary in the story but I can understand why they were put in it. Overall, if the book hadn’t been slower moving in general, as well as holding off on them sleeping together and expressing their feelings, then this would have definitely been a 5 rating book. I hope Claudia does something with the Wilder’s. I kind of feel like maybe that’s what her next secret release is about. If not, then I really think the Wilder’s need a series, if there isn’t one already but something tells me there isn’t…yet. 🤔

[Nahal TC · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC/ALC Review ⭐⭐⭐½
🎧 Narrated by Austin Stone, Erin Mallon, Aaron Shedlock & Grace Grant

This was my first book by Claudia Burgoa, and overall, it was an emotional and touching experience. Never After Us is a profound slow-burn romance about two broken people who don't realize how much they need each other in order to heal.

The story is told through a multilayered dual timeline, gradually revealing the past while unfolding the present-day journey of Mara and Alec. Both characters are complex, wounded, and intriguing, carrying emotional baggage that shapes every interaction. And then there's eight-year-old Mila, who frequently stole the spotlight. She brought much-needed warmth, innocence, and lightness to a story that often carried a very heavy emotional weight.

The beginning completely pulled me in. It was emotional, compelling, and immediately made me care about the characters. Unfortunately, the middle section dragged quite a bit for me. While I genuinely liked the story itself, the extensive internal monologues often became overwhelming. Many conversations were interrupted by lengthy thoughts and reflections, which slowed the pacing and disrupted the natural flow between the characters. In my opinion, stronger editing could have significantly improved the reading experience. The story simply didn't need to be nearly 440 pages long and could easily have been trimmed by 100 pages without losing any emotional impact.

Speaking of editing, one issue became surprisingly distracting. Alec's last name is Horvath, yet throughout the book it occasionally appeared as Hovarth. In some instances, the inconsistency even occurred within close proximity of one another. Unfortunately, this carried over into the audiobook, where even both narrators at times pronounced the surname differently. Once I noticed it, it became impossible to ignore.

As for the romance, this is truly a slow burn—and I mean slow. Mara and Alec don't officially get together until around the 88% mark. Readers who love an ultra-slow emotional build-up may appreciate that, but for me, it felt like there was simply too little actual romance between the main characters for too long.

The spice is minimal, with only one intimate scene appearing very late in the story. It fit the emotional nature of the book, but readers looking for a more romance-heavy or steamier experience should adjust their expectations accordingly.

The audiobook narration was honestly what kept me fully engaged whenever the pacing slowed down. Austin Stone and Erin Mallon are both among my favorite narrators, and they delivered excellent performances. Austin's voice is simply fantastic—his laugh, his growls, the emotion he brings to every line... perfection. Erin Mallon was equally wonderful as Mara. Grace Grant and Aaron Shedlock, who portray important secondary characters in the alternate timeline, also gave excellent performances and felt just as essential to the storytelling as the main narrators.

Overall, this was an entertaining and emotionally rich story with strong character development and beautiful performances. However, for my personal taste, it leaned a little too heavily into the sadness, featured too much introspection, and not quite enough romance between the leads.

Breakdown

📖 Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (4/5)
👥 Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (4/5)
✍️ Writing: ⭐⭐✩✩✩ (2/5)
🌶️ Spice: ⭐✩✩✩✩ (1/5)
🎧 Narration: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½


Thank you to Claudia Burgoa, The Author Agency, and the author’s team for providing me with an ARC and ALC. My review is voluntary and reflects my honest opinion.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I can't believe that this next book in the Heartbreak Mixtapes series is coming up for release.

This is the fourth book and I've really enjoyed reading Lyrics Remain Unchanged back in March and then Every Shattered Note which I only finished last month.

Yep, these are coming out quick and I still have t caught up with the first book yet.

 

Now, I wasn't entirely certain that these books were connected - I missed the connections between the characters in the last book - but here although we're focused on Alec and Mara, the connections between the band members was much more obvious and we do see returning characters throughout.

 

Don't worry too much though, I don't think that there were too many spoilers and it definitely wouldn't affect your enjoyment of this read, if you haven't yet read the rest of the series.

 

This was a really emotional read with both main characters presenting with past trauma.

Fitting the theme of this series, Alec has had his day in the band Dead Moth Parade and has certainly had the headlines, both good and bad.

But years on, he's become relatively reclusive and absolutely would not entertain kids in his block.

 

After the death of her husband 5 years ago, Mara took her young daughter travelling to avoid family pressures and to come to terms with her grief and guilt.

After her aunt dies, she's tasked with clearing her apartment and soon discovers there are conditions attached to this and her inheritance.

 

Mira and her daughter arrived like a whirlwind into the apartment next door to Alec and front the second they meet, it's obvious that the pair would form a deep bond.

 

I loved the development of this relationship as it was much more steady than the previous books.

With both characters I certain about the future and certainly wary about relationships, it felt very natural for them to form a mutual bond through clearing through her Aunt's belongings together.

As both were grieving the loss, it was great to see them both supporting each other throughout the process.

 

I knew there would be secrets uncovered along the way and I think I did guess the reveal before we got there, but this wasn't just about the shocks, this was about forming deep connections and letting someone see all the sides of yourself - even those you usually hide away.

 

This did get steamy towards the end, but again, this felt organic within the relationship and flowed well within the story progression.

 

I have to shout out Mila - Mira's daughter who was just the sweetest and most well rounded youngster - her questions made me laugh so much.

 

Another brilliant read. I'm not sure if this is the last in the series, but I hope there's more to come and I'll definitely be reading more from this author either way.

 


 

[LeMiliere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alec and Mara
I am sad to see The Heartbreak Mixtapes series come to an end, but I suppose it had to sometime. Never After Us is the final instalment, and it's an incredibly moving and emotional series.

Claudia’s books are always packed with emotions that make the reader, as well as the wonderful characters, feel so deeply. Her characters always feel real and leave a lasting impression on the reader, or in this case, the listener. It's a story of found family as Mira, a single mom, and her daughter Mila move into the apartment across the hall from the reclusive Alec. Mira and Alec have a romantic slow-burn romance that, against all odds, works.

Alec Horvath, former drummer for Dead Moth Parade, is famous not only as a musician but also for his temper! He's less than happy when he learns his neighbour has passed, and Mira, her niece, has moved in along with Mina, her daughter. He likes his peace and his routine, but bit by bit Mara and Mina break down the walls Alec has built around himself.

Mara is a travelling photographer who spends her days finding just the right shot whilst homeschooling Mila, her daughter. Her mission is to bring joy and love to her daughter after the loss of her husband and Mila’s father. Showing Mila and the outside world a warm and happy face, whilst inside she feels grief, guilt, and pain. When her favourite aunt dies and leaves her an inheritance with strings attached, they move into her apartment to make a new start. What neither expected was their new neighbour, Alec. who is initially grumpy and somewhat rude.

As the story progresses, we learn more about Alec and Mira's backgrounds and why they are the way they are. But by being vulnerable, honest and caring towards each other, Alec and Mara are able to work through the anger, grief and pain in both their pasts to come out the other side. One thing I really enjoyed was the interactions between Alec and Mina; they brought so much to the story; I loved how Mila made every interaction a joy- something Alec really needs in his life.

Although I have loved every book in this series, Never After Us is my favourite; it's an emotional rollercoaster story that made me laugh, cry, and believe in love after loss. It showed that grief and trauma don’t have to define your life amd that with the right person, healing is possible and that you don’t have to face life's challenges alone.

I recommend listening to this series in order; however, each book can be enjoyed as a standalone, even though the stories are set in an interconnected world, and characters from earlier books appear in this one.

The narration is provided by Erin Mallon, Austin Stone, Aaron Shedlock, and Grace Grant, who all do an exceptional job of bringing their respective characters to life.

[Mayville | Tourbiez Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars✨
1 Spice🌶️
5 Stars🎧

With amazing character development and beautiful narrator performances, this was a compelling and emotionally complex story.
In addition to exploring grief not as a single event but as a continuous presence that reshapes identity, Claudia has written a profoundly introspective story that relies on subdued gestures and emotional control. Alec and Mara's story, along with that of Mila, the sassy and perceptive little girl, makes for an incredible story full of wit, sighs, and a plot twist.

Never After Us is the fourth and final installment in the Heartbreak Mixtapes series. It follows the story of Alec Horovath, the former Death Moth Parade drummer, and Mara Cavanagh-O’Shea, a single mother who was asked to return to the US to settle a legal matter concerning her aunt.

Alec and Mara. Two strangers, both burdened by grief, begin an unexpected connection shaped by loss and fragile hope. They gradually become more emotionally accessible to one another through shared discussions about trauma and remorse as well as times of introspection. A shining example of wit in the story is Mila, the constantly jovial, curious, and snarky little meddler. She loves to push Alec's buttons unapologetically while becoming the bridge to connect her Mom and Alec. Seriously, this girl's energy is infectious!
The inclusion of Mara's aunt's letters was a brilliant addition to the plot that eventually evolved into a story of its own in this book. And that revelation? I didn't see that coming!
While Never After Us emphasizes personal growth and the importance of human connections, Alec and Mara's journey to happily ever after offers a poignant message about trust, finding meaning, facing life's challenges, and having the courage to stay.

Erin Mallon and Austin Stone were delightful to listen to. The laughter, vulnerability, and sincerity in their voices give a more in-depth experience and immersion into Alec and Mara's characters. While Grace Grant & Aaron Shedlock deliver an amazing performance filled with melancholy, longing, and hope to supporting characters that is essential in Mila's identity. Hands down, it's one of the best duet narrations I've listened to.

At its core, Never After Us is a personal reflection on loneliness, grief, healing, hope, and the worth of connections in moments of despair. A reminder that even the most closed-off hearts can reopen with time, laughter, and grace. What a great way to end a remarkable series!
This book is perfect if you want character-driven stories with profound emotional depth and true healing.

This is a voluntary review of an immersive read. Receiving a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) and Advance Listening Copy (ALC) of this book was an honour, and I'm presenting my candid opinion based on my own experience. I am eternally grateful to Claudia Burgoa for entrusting me with the opportunity to read this book beforehand.

[Sarah Slusarczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heartbreak Mixtapes series comes to an end with the final installment. Never After Us is a found family, single mom, romantic slow burn romance that readers of the author are sure to love. As always, I recommend reading a series in order to get the most out of it, however, each book can be read as a standalone in an interconnected world. For those that have read the series, this is the best one yet!

Mara is a traveling photographer, she spends her days finding just the right picture and home-schooling her young daughter Mila. For five years she has made it her mission to bring joy and love to her daughter after the loss of her husband and Mila’s fathers. She may show her daughter and the outside world a warm, happy face, but inside she is swallowed by guilt, grief and pain. When the girls find themselves with an inheritance with strings attached, they are moving to a strange new place and starting new. What they didn't expect was their new neighbor, Alec. He is nothing like the Mr. Rogers type, grumpy and somewhat rude, he himself is not thrilled to learn he will have new neighbors. Little did either of them know that life was about to get much more interesting and the connections they would develop would forever change their lives.

Alec Horvath, former drummer to Dead Moth Parade, famous and well known and all around grumpy panda is less than happy when he learns his neighbor has passed and a random family member is moving in with their kid. He likes his peace and his routine, but ever so slowly Mara and Lina break down the walls Alec had built around himself, and then in return he helped heal them from their own grief.

Claudia’s books are always so good with the emotions, they feel so deeply and the characters always leave a lasting impression. As the plot progressive and we get more of each of the leads' backgrounds, we learn why they are suffering, and just how perfect they are for one another. By being vulnerable, honest and genuine, Alec and Mara slowly wade through the waves of grief and pain and come out the other side. Alec and Lina’s time together really brings such warmth to the story, she has a way of making every interaction a joy, and Alec really needs that in his life. Overall, this was my favorite book of the series, and not just because drummers are awesome. Slow burn romances make for the best reads, there is so much build up of emotions, so much tension, and when it finally breaks…well lets just say you need to read to find out.

4.8 ⭐️
3 🌶️

Tropes:

🥁 Slow Burn
📸 Grumpy/Sunshine
🥁 Single Mom Romance
📸 Hurt/Comfort
🥁 Good with his Hands MC

[Lara Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audio Rating: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
📚 Never After Us
✍🏼 Claudia Burgoa
🎧 Erin Mallon & Austin Stone (Featuring Grace Grant & Aaron Shedlock)
🎙️ Multicast

Tropes:
🎸 Rockstar Romance
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🩷 Single Parent
🎸 He Falls First
🏠 Forced Proximity
🩷 Slow Burn

Review:
Thank you to Claudia Burgoa for the ALC! 🩷🖤

Narrated by Erin Mallon & Austin Stone (featuring Grace Grant & Aaron Shedlock. The first thing I need to say is that the narration was fantastic. Erin and Austin did an incredible job bringing these characters to life, and they made every emotional moment hit that much harder.
The letters in particular absolutely broke me, narrated by Grace Grant & Aaron Shedlock. Hearing them spoken rather than reading them on a page made the emotions feel so real that I genuinely had to pause the audiobook a few times just to compose myself 😭😂

If you’ve read Claudia's books before, you’ll know she writes emotional stories, and Never After Us is no exception.

There are some great spicy scenes, but this book isn’t driven by spice. The heart of the story is the emotional journey, the healing, the relationships, and the growth of the characters. That’s where Claudia’s writing shines.

One of my favourite aspects of the story was watching both Mara and Alec navigate their grief.

For Alec, it was learning that it’s okay to be chosen, wanted, and loved. Watching him slowly open himself up and accept that he deserved those things was incredibly emotional.

For Mara, her journey felt just as powerful. She spends so much of the story running from her grief and her past, and seeing her slowly stop running and allow herself to truly live again was beautiful to watch.

And then there’s Mila. I absolutely adored her. She felt exactly like a nearly nine-year-old who somehow thinks she’s thirty. Her questions, observations, and personality added so much to the story, and she quickly became one of my favourite characters.

Then came the epilogue… I won’t spoil anything, but keep tissues nearby. Mila says one sentence and somehow manages to destroy me all over again 😭

I also loved the twists and reveals throughout the story. There were several moments where I found myself trying to connect the dots and work out what was really happening behind the scenes.

Overall, Never After Us was emotional, heartfelt, and beautifully narrated. It made me laugh, made me cry, and completely pulled me into the story.

If you’re looking for a romance that focuses on emotional depth, healing, family, and character development, this one absolutely delivers. 🩷🎧

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

After tragically losing her husband five years ago, Mara packed up her 3 year old daughter and began travelling the world, working a series of temporary assignments along the way. When she receives a call saying that her estranged aunt passed away and that she must return to Seattle to settle her affairs, she wasn’t expecting a list of tasks set to take a year to complete. With her daughter excited for the first bit of stability she can remember, Mara begins tackling the boxes hoping for answers, and trying not to get distracted by the grumpy neighbour who has made it clear he can’t wait for her and Mila to leave. Until they forge a connection over old records, and suddenly she finds herself wanting someone for herself for the first time in years.

Since Dead Moth Parade broke up years ago, Alec has felt like he’s taken one hit after another, whether personally, landing him in and out of rehab, or helping his found family through their own struggles. Returning to Seattle after helping with the latest crisis, he’s looking forward to the normalcy he’s created there, only to find out that his neighbour has not only passed away while he was gone, but her neice has moved into her apartment with her 8 year old daughter. Suddenly his peace is replaced with a barrage of questions and eternal sunshine from the last people Alec wants to see, but as he attempts to hide his own pain, Mila and Mara somehow find ways to sneak in through his cracks, cementing their places in his life, and his heart.

I was lucky enough to do an early immersive read from the author and I absolutely loved this story. It was a deliciously slow burn romance, but even though the spice didn’t come until closer to the end, the emotional connection between Mara and Alec developed so early and was so strong that I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. I loved how they both struggled with abandonment issues stemming from their past, but their approach to life couldn’t have been more different, and yet it’s like they could recognize the pain in each other, bringing them closer together. Watching them unravel the mystery of Lina’s life, forcing them both to let down some of their walls seemed like Lina had planned for them to end up together all along.

[S.M. Stryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never After Us was hands down my favorite book in the Heartbreak Mixtapes series.

Claudia Burgoa has always had a way of making me feel every emotion her characters experience, but this story hit differently. It wasn't a book I could skim or rush through. Every chapter mattered. Every revelation carried weight. I found myself completely invested in these characters and their journey.

Mara and Alec were both carrying wounds that ran far deeper than they wanted anyone to see. Mara spent years trying to create a happy life for her daughter while quietly drowning in grief, guilt, and unanswered questions. Alec hid behind a gruff exterior, convincing himself he didn't need anyone, when in reality he was carrying enough pain for a lifetime. Watching these two slowly lower their defenses and learn to trust each other was beautiful.

But for me, the true star of the story was Mila. From the very beginning, she stole my heart. She brought light into every scene she touched and had a way of breaking through Alec's walls when no one else could. Their relationship added so much warmth, humor, and heart to the story.

What I loved most was that this wasn't just a romance. It was a story about healing, family, forgiveness, and discovering that the people we need most often arrive when we least expect them. The found-family element was woven perfectly throughout the book, and the family secrets that slowly unraveled kept me turning pages late into the night. Some of the revelations were heartbreaking, others surprising, but all of them felt authentic and emotional.

The slow burn between Mara and Alec was everything I wanted it to be. The tension, the longing, the quiet moments, and the emotional connection built so naturally that when they finally found their way to each other, it felt completely earned. Their relationship wasn't about fixing each other. It was about helping one another find the strength to heal.

As the final book in the series, Never After Us was the perfect ending. Emotional, heartbreaking, hopeful, and deeply satisfying. Claudia Burgoa once again proved why she is one of my favorite authors. This story will stay with me for a very long time, and without question, it became my favorite book of the entire series.

[HEATHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW❤️🎧

Claudia Burgoa just wrote the perfect story and there are not enough stars to rate this book! I think this may be my favorite book in this series! Alec & Mara now own a piece of my heart! As soon as I started this book I knew I was not going to be able to stop listening to it. This book will have you laughing like crazy, swooning HARD, smiling like the Cheshire cat, make you feel all of your emotions at once and then she will give you an amazing ending!

The narrators Erin Mallon, Austin Stone, Aaron Shedlock & Grace Grant were FANTASTIC!!! I loved listening to their voices and hearing them tell these character's stories! You will be entertained and they will hold your attention the entire time you're listening to the book. They also make you feel a connection to these characters.

Mara & her amazing daughter Mila move into her Aunt's apartment after finding out she has an inheritance with strings attached. Now they are starting over in a new place and city. The last thing they expected was finding out that their neighbor is a grumpy and rude man that doesn't want them living there. But little do they all know how much they all need each other.

Alec used to be in a band and now just wants to be left alone in his apartment with peace and quiet. But now there is a kid next door and this kid is anything but quiet. I love the bond these two will start to get over time. Mila is the best kid character. I just loved her personality and her gumption.

Claudia Burgoa's books always make you feel your feelings in her books and I just love how she does that while also lifting you up. These characters have things in their past they will have to overcome but together they can do anything plus add in a sweet kid who worries about your chakras! LOL If you want a book that will keep your attention the entire time and have you ending it with a huge smile on your face then this is the book for you! I HIGHLY recommend this book and this entire series!!

Thank you Claudia Burgoa for allowing me to listen to this ALC for my honest opinion.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC/ALC review

Rounded up from 4.5 stars

This book is the 4th book in the Heartbreak mixtapes series. This series are all separate stories so can be read as a single book or in any order.
This book follows Mara and Alec. Mara is a grieving widow and a single mother who returns to Seattle after traveling the world for years together with her daughter Mila. When Mara inherits her estranged aunt's penthouse she finds herself living next door to Alec. Alec is a broody musician with a tragic past of his own. As Mara tries to navigate her aunt's eccentric will and the stipulations tied to her inheritance she clashes with Alec. However, as their paths continue to cross their connection deepens.
First of I would love to rave about Mila. I adored this little girl and her brilliant mind. The 1001 questions, the way she thought. I enjoyed reading about her (and I'm very happy my kids are a whole lot more mellow than she is). Alec and Mara are wonderful characters in this book. They both come with their own baggage and ways on how to deal with it. I loved their connection. It was instant. At the beginning full of tension, but later on full of love. The connection that Alec has with Mila is brilliant.
The story is a heartwarming and an emotional one. This second change romance made me tear up more than ones. Beautiful written in an engaging writing style. The book is full of banter between Mara and Alec (and of course little Mila).

Audio book - 5 Stars
I got to listen to the audio book for this story. It is narrated by Erin Mallon, Austin Stone, Grace Grant, and Aaron Shedlock. The audio book version of Never After Us is an absolute delight. The ensembled cast brought the characters to life with their expressive, engaging performances. I could hear the chemistry and emotions! I especially loved the portraying of Mila. Her curious mind, in the form of the many many questions was perfectly narrated. How they managed to make it seem it was an actual child speaking is beyond my ability to understand. Bravo.

[Kassandra Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎀ALC Book Review 🎀

✨ Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🌶️🌶️

💞 I wanna say Thank You Claudia Burgoa for the opportunity being on her ARC/ALC Team throughout the whole Heartbreak Mixtapes series. This absolutely means a lot to me and I am forever grateful to follow you on this series from the beginning to end. 🥰 - it's a bittersweet moment that this series is coming to an End!

I have absolutely loved this series. Claudia does an incredible job weaving together stories filled with grief, healing, hope, and love. This book was emotional, had me laughing out loud, and completely captivated me from beginning to end.



ⓐⓤⓓⓘⓞ ⓣⓗⓞⓤⓖⓗⓣⓢ
This audiobook featured a phenomenal full cast, including Erin Mallon and Austin Stone, with performances by Grace Grant and Aaron Shedlock. Each narrator brought so much depth and emotion to the story, bringing these characters to life in a way that made them feel real and unforgettable.

Their performances perfectly captured the heart, humor, and emotion of the story, giving each character an authentic voice. The audio was beautifully executed, and I thoroughly enjoyed every narrator’s contribution. Together, they created a the perfect listening experience that made an already wonderful story even more memorable.

Alec and Mara’s story stands out as an exploration of love emerging from loss. This heartfelt novel crafts a tender journey for its characters, centering on Mara, a widow rebuilding her life, and Alec, a man emotionally guarded but gradually softened by the power of connection. What makes this book especially noteworthy is its patient pacing—it is, unquestionably, a slow burn, but one that rewards readers willing to savor the nuanced development of relationships and personal healing.


♥️ I am a completely unapologetic Claudia Burgoa fan, and this book only reinforced everything I already love about her storytelling.


Tropes:

🥁 Slow Burn
📸 Grumpy/Sunshine
🥁 Single Mom Romance
📸 Hurt/Comfort
🥁 Good with his Hands MC

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book four in The Heartbreak Mixtapes series and it is Alec and Mara’s story and omg it is definitely a must read. When Mara’s husband died tragically Mara decided to travel the world with her three year old daughter Mila but then five years later and Mara received a call that her aunt who she was estranged from had died and Mara needed to deal with her estate which is estimated to take about a year because she needed to complete many different tasks while living in her aunts penthouse but what Mara wasn’t expecting is her grumpy, broody neighbour. Alec used to be part of the Death Moth Parade Group but now they have broken up while still remaining friends but Alec struggles daily with pain, demons and had been in rehab for drugs and now he is recovering and keeps to himself as much as possible but when he gets back to his penthouse he finds out that his neighbour had ied which threw him for a loop and be frustrated when he finds out that his new annoying neighbour also has a child. The more time that Mara and Alec spend together the closer they become but they both have so much baggage that it will not be easy for them to move forward. Wow this book will take you on the biggest rollercoaster ride of so many emotions and I have to say that Mila absolutely stole the show with her sunshine and sassy attitude. I couldn’t put this book down and read it in one sitting because it was so addictive and emotional which had me in so many tears with everything that they were going through. I definitely recommend that you read this book and series but have the tissues ready because you are definitely going to need them. I can’t wait to see what Claudia Burgoa writes next and I will be there to read it because she is a amazing author and writer and she certainly knows how to engage with her readers.

[Jennifer Leigh (jenjenbookfan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐬 is the 4th and final book in the Heartbreak Mixtapes series by Claudia Burgoa, featuring an emotionally-charged slow-burn romance for Alec and Mara that takes the reader on a heartfelt journey of finding love after loss, through angst, vulnerability, family secrets, and plot twists. I love the way this author weaves these multi-layered emotional sagas that suck you in, tug on your heartstrings, and have you completely at the mercy of these compelling characters and their decisions. I have to be honest, though, as much as I loved Alec and Mara, with their complex backstories and painfully slooowww burn romance, my attention was stolen by young Mila, the most intelligent, quirky, and seriously cute little girl that became the glue of their little family. The world building of this nostalgic series with a focus on music remained strong with great appearances of past characters, bringing an emphasis on the strong found family vibe. The nods to the past threaded into the plot twists were very intriguing, and while the book did feel a bit long at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the complex storyline.

The audio was absolutely top notch with the main characters narrated by Erin Mallon and Austin Stone, with Grace Grant and Aaron Shedlock featured on the supporting characters! I love the way they brought the characters to life, especially when such raw emotions were being expressed, as well as the yearning of such a stretched out slow burn!! Having an extended cast to play out that important bond among these characters was so pivotal as well. It was such a well-rounded listening experience. I feel like I’m always recommending the audio for this author, but it always enhances an already great story!

I received an ARC/ALC from the author, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️.5
🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙

[Christine Frieseke-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧

What an emotional story!!! Every story gets better in this series!

Erin Mallon and Austin Stone narrated this one with Aaron Shedlock and Grace Grant also voicing characters. They brought so much emotion to this story that was such a rollercoaster of emotions type of story. I loved having the other voices for some letters that were being read from the past. It really gave it a unique feel. They did such a great job!

Alec and Mara both have a history of abandonment and both are quite broken. Mara runs from things in order not to feel and Alec pushes people away because he doesn't know how to let people in. When these two meet while Mara is going through her aunt's things, you can feel the chemistry instantly. Mila, Mara's daughter, steels the show in a lot of the scenes. A very inquisitive child that asks the darndest questions LOL. I loved the slow burn romance between Alec and Mara as they formed a friendship which turned into so much more.

I loved how Alec showed up for Mara. Day after day he showed her that he was there for her and he wasn't going anywhere. He was working on himself, yet he was there for Mara and Mila every step of the way. I fell so hard for him.

Mara has been running from her grief for a few years and dragging Mila with her. When she finally has to confront that grief, she completely unravels, but yet she is able to move on with her life then.

Mara and Alec uncover Mara's family secrets and he is there with her every step of the way. Such a steadfast presence in her and Mila's life and I loved it! This broken man found his purpose and the love he never knew he wanted with Mara and Mila.

I hope we get to see more of this trio and maybe with the baby brother/sister that Mila wants, too!

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never After Us by Claudia Y. Burgoa is a deeply emotional slow-burn romance wrapped in grief, healing, and a life-altering family secret that changes everything for Mara.
This story follows Mara, a grieving single mother, who arrives in Seattle to settle her late aunt’s estate—only to discover the woman she thought she knew was hiding a devastating truth. Enter Alec Horvath, the grumpy, guarded neighbor who wants nothing to do with her… until Mara and her daughter Mila slowly start breaking down his walls.
What I loved most was the emotional depth. The connection between Mara and Alec builds so naturally, even before anything romantic happens. Mila absolutely steals scenes with her warmth and fearlessness, and honestly, she adopts Alec faster than he adopts emotional availability. The unfolding mystery surrounding Mara’s aunt (and the shocking truth about her identity) adds another layer that keeps the story compelling and heartfelt.
Burgoa’s writing shines in character development and emotional nuance—she knows how to make broken people feel real, and then gently guide them toward healing without rushing the process. The found-family element is especially strong here, and seeing familiar characters from earlier books adds a comforting sense of continuity.
If there’s any slight drawback, it’s that the slow burn is truly slow—but it pays off beautifully, and the emotional buildup makes the romance feel earned rather than rushed.
Overall, this is a tender, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful story about love, trust, and finding “forever” when you least expect it. A standout installment in the series and absolutely worth the emotional ride.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio/eBook Review:
Never After Us is single mum Mara, her eight year old daughter Mila and rock star Alec’s emotional, slow burn romance. This was a bittersweet journey because this is the final book in the Heartbreak Mixtapes Series and I loved it and even after the final line was told I still wanted more.
Mara and Mila have spent the last five years traveling, trying to run from the grief after losing her husband unexpectedly. As a photographer she has traveled the world working on temporary assignments and home schooling Mila. But now it’s time to return to Seattle after her aunt passes away and she is needed to oversee the final will and testament. While living in her Aunts penthouse she meets the grumpy neighbor who is the former drummer for Death Moth Parade Band and what follows is an emotional roller coaster……..
Alec is not looking for a relationship and his time with the band, his past and childhood has left him gun shy when it comes to trusting strangers. So why is the woman and her daughter who have just moved in across the hall getting under his skin.
This is a beautifully written, slow burn romance that drew me in and didn’t let me go. I fell hard and fast for the characters and I found myself shedding a tear as I hoped this couple got the HEA they deserved. The characters are easy to relate to, the story has depth and was engaging but it was a little girl named Mila who stole my heart.

The cast of Erin Mallon, Austin Stone, featuring Grace Grant & Aaron Shedlock did a great job bringing the characters and their journey to life. They were spot on with the emotion, the passion and the love plus they were easy to listen to.