It's Never Going to Happen

by Sarah G Levine

Genres: LGBT

218 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2026

Reviews

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4 (4.25 stars, rounded down here)

This was SUCH an enjoyable read!!! But before I begin with the main review stay with me for a second and imagine summer, the sun shining down on you while you watch the waves of the sea and listen to the calming sound of it. Try to imagine this and then you know how it felt to read this book.

So, now though; with the scene set right, I want to talk about what I liked about the book and the one main thing which unfortunately made me cut the last 0.75 stars to a full five stars. The book really shines through its atmosphere and character building. Both of the main characters as well as the side characters are really fleshed out and have their own unique personalities and backstory that I really liked. I especially enjoyed how Gemma struggled with staying sober in the past and how this was portrayed within the book and how I, as the reader, got to know the whole backstory to how it started and how we got to the current state. Besides that, I also really liked the enemies to lovers dynamic between the two main characters. Here, I particularly enjoyed how it truly felt like they somewhat disliked each other but still felt undeniably drawn to each other and add to that the fact that their friends caught on to it rather quickly too!
Moreover, the writing and general pace of the story was quite good too! Though, and now I come to the main critique as well, I think the book itself was too short and the story felt somewhat rushed in the very end.
Obviously; it was clear that this would end in a happy ending but I did feel like the way the characters went from disliking each other to then somewhat liking each other to having sex and being girlfriends nearly directly after was very fast paced. I would’ve wished for a somewhat slower burn there. But overall, the story was concluded nicely and I did enjoy, as I said, a lot of it too!
So if you’re a fan of a short and well written enemies to lovers book, then this is totally for you!!

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntarily given review!

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Bold Stokes Books and Sarah G. Levine for this great ARC opportunity.I am happy to share my honest review.

I was thrilled to get my hands on an early copy of Sarah G. Levine's latest sapphic romance as I very much enjoyed her last book. It’s Never Going To Happen was such a fun and rewarding opposites attract romance with a hint of grumpy sunshine and maybe a bit of forced proximity mixed in. This was a fairly quick weekend read and I found myself very happily entertained throughout the book.

We meet Gemma who runs a lobster fishing business with strict discipline in an effort to quell some of the chaos that finds its way into her life. She is actively sober in that she recognizes how incredibly difficult but also rewarding it is to remain so. She lives her life according to a routine with every intention to remain true to herself and her sobriety above all. She refuses to lose herself again and I had the utmost respect for her. She is determined to succeed and do so all on her own. Gemma cares deeply for her younger sister and I loved that bond so much. Gemma absolutely nestled her way into my heart and I grew to care about her more with every page. Kay is in many ways the total opposite of Gemma but as the book moves on we see they are just as damaged by their past and have more in common then they realize. Kay is determined to leave the scars of her past chef job behind, along with the memories of her asshole boss. Kay wants to make the new restaurant, Forage and Trawl, a resounding success. She is rebuilding her confidence and is also determined to succeed all on her own. I kind of loved the unrelenting desire to depend on nobody but yourself (guilty of that myself) but then find someone you can ultimately depend on in life. This was remarkably satisfying.

Gemman and Kay are both wonderful characters full of heartening characteristics and relatable flaws. They are again and again confronted with each other in their small town and it begins to feel like a forced proximity trope. I honestly laughed at how intertwined their lives become. It was like the more they didn't like each other, the more they had to deal with each other lol! Despite their hostile early interactions, it is clear that they are physically attracted to one another and have a sort of undeniable spark. I loved that even everyone around them recognizes that they are totally attracted to each other. In time, their interactions change and their feelings deepen. It was wonderful to watch two women that do not instantly soften get to a place of understanding and then eventually connect. They began to communicate and I loved watching them support one another. It's difficult to get through life completely on your own and I really enjoyed Kay and Gemma finding something special in each other. Honesty, I found them to be very sweet together and was rooting for them hard!

I am a fan of Levine’s writing and find it to be clear, inviting and emotionally rich. I appreciate the use of humor to help add levity to such subjects as past trauma and sobriety. This book is so warm and sweet while also being deep and emotional. I found myself constantly smiling and that to me is a testament to a good book. I felt a huge strength is Levine’s attention to detail and wonderful use of natural dialogue. When Kay and Gemma interacted, I believed it. From clipped and angry to funny and emotional, it all felt real. I believed in Gemman and Kay together and a huge part of that is their conversations together. This is a pretty short book but Levine manages to accomplish a lot.

I felt that this was such a fun and surprisingly grounded book. The characters were messy and real and that made them so engaging and wonderful. Life is messy and it helped me to better connect with these characters. Overall, this was a really great opposites attract sapphic romance full of heart, spice and emotion!

[Ashley Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Sarah Levine and Bold Strokes Books, Inc. for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this short read. It has much more emotional depth than I anticipated and surpassed my expectations. What I expected to be a light romance turned into something far more layered and heartfelt. The story follows Gemma, the captain of a lobster boat struggling to grow her business, and Kay, a chef and restaurant owner still dealing with lingering trauma from a past job where she was constantly criticized and made to doubt her own abilities. When they first meet while discussing a business partnership with Eric and Dina, their personalities immediately clash in a way that sets the stage for their dynamic.

As Gemma and Kay begin working together, the story slowly reveals how much they challenge and influence each other. Kay invites Gemma into her home to test dishes for the restaurant and those quieter moments become some of the most meaningful in the book. Gemma helps Kay reconnect with her confidence and trust in her instincts around food while Kay encourages Gemma to slow down and actually enjoy what she experiences instead of always pushing forward. I really appreciated how naturally their connection developed through these shared moments of vulnerability and learning rather than instant resolution.

What stood out most to me was how both Gemma and Kay choose each other while still fully acknowledging their flaws and insecurities. Their relationship grows in a very grounded way from playful banter into deeper emotional conversations about trauma, self doubt and healing. The side characters also felt meaningful and well developed, especially in how the story explores Riley’s desire to return to school and rebuild her path forward. I also enjoyed the attention given to Gemma’s family dynamics and her relationship with Riley as they work through grief and an absent parent. Overall this was a touching and emotionally satisfying read that I did not expect to connect with as much as I did.

[FemmeFataleReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet and fast and very predictable read. It has deeper topics but it's also a low angst romance.

The cover was a bit misleading; at least I was disappointed that we didn't get to see as much of the lobsterwoman's work as the chef's and that the setting was mostly indoors.

But I really liked the characters. They were complex in personality and appearence. Although they started their relationship with actions that were kind of childish, they did stay in my head. The MCs were equally flawed and overwhelmed by the romance and just freaking out through all of the story which was cute.
So it was entertaining to read, if not super realistic plot-wise. And I liked the themes about addiction and a past abusive work relationship.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel all of the character's emotions and their chemistry. The book was clearly written with a passion for sapphic romances but there were a few flaws in the writing where I thought a more polished prose would've helped. It's a very literal writing style with lots of extra information and repetition (especially in the beginning). The story was told in past tense, but with an added layer of retrospective narration I didn't like, because some scenes seemed to have unnecessarily skipped a few days, just to tell it in retrospection.
What bugged me the most was that a lot of scenes were cut short to change pov which is fine, but then the second pov started with a recap of what had already happened on-page.

All of that leads to a story that is actually quite short because of the telling, but at the same time unnaturally made longer. It could've also needed a bit more conflict between the love interests.

Overall, the characters made the story worth the read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

have to say this is my second book by this author and i really enjoyed it.....

gemma - captain of her little boat that keeps the wolf from the door with a sister she needs to keep an eye on.... gemma has had a tough life after her dad died suddenly before her eyes. she had to keep the family afloat for her sister and her mom.... life had been hard and she turned to booze to help her forget but shes been dry now for several years but worries about a relapse... her sisters problems wasnt what she needed but gemma helped her get clean and life was going great...

kay a chef was opening her new restaurant with her best mate.... their plan was to employ people who understood their way of life... and it was all coming together.... they were trying to resource from local people as well but the planned meeting with kay and gemma didnt go as planned....

kay and gemma rubbed each other up the wrong way.... neither of them seemed to be able to stop ... it was very entertaining for everyone....

could kay make the restaurant a success or would she believe everything her boss from a previous job had her believing that she wasnt good enough and could gemma take it upon herself to apologise and make good with kay

time would tell....

entertaining read... i do love a good book with a boat and fishing and a good butch and this had all the elements required

[Oli R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet little novel about two very different people falling in love.

Kay and Gemma live very different lives. Kay is a talented chef about to open her restaurant with her best friend Dina. She balances late nights at the restaurant and all that goes into a brand new business, while prioritizing her friends and family including her nephew. She is known for her low bun hairstyle, colorful style and of course her cooking.
Gemma captains a fishing boat, and also works with her best friend Eric. She cares deeply about her boat, which she inherited after her father's tragic passing and her people - namely her little sister Riley. Gemma is a few years sober when we meet her but still learning what sober life means for her. She starts her days before the sun, out on the see checking traps in the damp cool mornings.

The two meet when Eric sets up a meeting with Kay and Dina to set up a contract to provide seafood for their upcoming restaurant. Initially they butt heads. Gemma assumes the restaurant is stuffy and pretentious. Kay is of course upset by this. In an effort to not lose business Gemma smooths it over with an apology and the chemistry comes to the surface.

A fun medium burn book, with characters I was quickly invested in, and a great little story with a great balance of humor and emotional moments.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bold Stroke Books and the author Sarah G. Levine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 3rd book I have read written by this author and as before I liked the writing and pace. How Gemma and Kay start connecting and opening up over food after the initial clash is adorable to read about and I would love to eat some of what Kay is cooking for Gemma. Their bond is what makes them both slowly get back up from their own bad past, Gemma from her alcoholism and Kay from a very bad work experience. They are great at communicating about their fears from the very beginning and that is what makes their relationship possible and just perfect. I loved the extra layer of Gemma caring for her sister Riley.

This book was good, but I would have loved it even more if it had been longer and really showed the readers the MCs very complex past and struggles to get to where they are today. Now it is kind of all breezed over and that is something I don’t love in a book. This may however work perfectly for other readers, since it makes it less of a need to be emotionally invested in characters and you can just follow along for the ride.

I always love a book that is body positive but is it needed to repeat a description of that they may not have perfect bodies so many times, I really think not, I think a bit too much weight on that fact.

I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave an honest review voluntarily.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gemma is a lobster boat captain for her deceased father's boat called "The Fellow Ship". She has assumed the role of family leader since her father died of a heart attack on the dock. Gemma was thrust into the role at nineteen with her sixteen-year-old sister, Riley, after their mother was devastated and stayed in bed for about six months before relocating to North Carolina from their home on the Maine coast. Gemma is also a recovering alcoholic.

Kay is the head chef at a joint venture restaurant called Forage and Trawl, with her best friend Dina. Dina is on the business end of things and Kay will head the kitchen. Kay is recovering from verbal and mental abuse by a head chef named Tommy at her previous restaurant.

When Gemma and Kay meet, they immediately dislike one another yet are attracted to each other. Over time and through conversations at the restaurant (pre-opening) and at Jim's Gym where Gemma trains and coaches young people, including Kay's nephew, Kyle, Gemma and Kay begin to grow closer.

This is a story about learning from your past and growth for your future. All of the characters, including the main and secondary characters, grew and improved during this story including Gemma, Kay, Riley, and Eric. 3.5 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the descriptions of Maine, lobster fishing, and developing dishes to serve at the restaurant. It all provided such a good back drop to the romance between Gemma and Kay.

It starts off as an enemies to lovers romance, but we can immediately see that there is more going on between Gemma and Kay than what was showing on the surface. They may not like each other’s attitudes but they are into each other’s looks.

In a relatively short book, the author is able to add in so much including themes of addiction, toxic masculinity and harassment in the restaurant industry, and having to be the ‘parent’ of a sibling far too young. There is a real sense of family and how the characters make personal sacrifices because family is first (and I mean family in a broad sense – including found family).

I really enjoyed Gemma’s character and watching her grow within the story. She recognizes her mistakes from the past and doesn’t want to repeat them, even though it is challenging at times.

There was a theme in the book of learning to take thing slow and to truly enjoy and savour an experience. I didn’t take that advice as I tore through this book in no time.

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Scott Cutlip · Rating 4 out of 5]

In It’s Never Going to Happen, lobster woman Gemma is running her family’s business, staying sober, and keeping a watchful eye on her sister, whose own substance issues she blames herself for not seeing earlier. Kay is tarting a new restaurant with her friend and business partner, after suffering as a chef under an abusive boss. Their first meeting doesn’t go well, but somehow they find themselves unable to be around the other woman, whether inadvertently or deliberately.

The two main characters are fun and flawed, generally good people just trying to make it through, despite the hurdles, and I find their relationship to be a delight. If I do have any quibbles with the book, it’s that the relationship with Gemma and her sister could have been explored better. Their lack of communication seems more for plot-purpose than anything else. I think the side characters in general could have been fleshed out better.

But maybe it’s just that the main characters are just too much for the sides to overcome. It’s not a perfect book, but Levine seems to improve with each book (although I think It’s Kind of a Bad Idea is her best book), and I look forward to the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to thank Netgalley for this ARC. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

This book was more of a 3.5 for me, but I rounded up.

This is a quick romance, perfect for the end of spring rolling into the heat of summer. Taking place in coastal Maine, this book felt very authentically New England. I would have loved more description of that to really immerse me.

Our main characters are charming, and I particularly enjoyed Gemma and her character arc. She was incredibly down-to-Earth, and I feel like she is someone I already know. However, I did feel that the beginning dislike between the two characters felt a little too quick, and Kay held her grudge for longer than felt necessary.

Actually, I think that links to my overall main critique of the book-it's short. I would have loved for it to be longer so I could spend more time with these characters and get to know them better. Since the book is so brief, we get a lot more telling than showing. However, I do think the book as a whole works for a quick breezy romance, and I would read this author again.

[Stuffl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve already read and loved Sarah Levine’s second book! I was really looking forward to this one, because the blurb sounded so good, too.

On one hand, we have Kay, an ambitious chef who’s about to open her own restaurant, and on the other, Gemma, a lobster fisherwoman. The two are as different as the sun and the sea. Sparks flew when they first met, and I was already looking forward to the chemistry between them. Maybe it’s just me, but I could barely feel any of it. I just couldn’t connect with them, and I couldn’t root for them until the end.

On the other hand, I really liked that Gemma and Kay had a lot of backstory and that it was handled very sensitively. I also really liked the supporting characters; they made the book a bit more lively.

It just wasn’t a book for me. I’m sure others would like and enjoy the book. I just didn’t connect with the story.

Thank you to NetGalley!

[Jamie P-Kretzschmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a total sucker for this genre, so I already knew I'd probably enjoy this book. And I really did. First off, a huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I was so eager to jump in. Gemma and Kay have this wonderful connection that feels incredibly specific. Like they could only ever find it in each other. It's kind of precious, honestly. Gemma, a butch lobster boat captain just trying to keep her business afloat, and Kay, an intense head chef chasing a dream, make such a compelling pair. Their opposites-attract dynamic shines in this little seaside town. What I loved most is how grounded their struggles are. Sometimes romance conflicts feel fake. Not here. You genuinely root for both of them to succeed in their careers just as much as you want them to kiss. The story flows so naturally. If you enjoy sapphic romance, this is an immediate read. Grab a copy and enjoy your weekend.

[Rich DiCriscio · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s Never Going to Happen by Sarah G. Levine is a very sweet, satisfying romance that makes the most of its short page count. Levine does an impressive job with characterization and everyone feels real even within such a quick read.

That said, the pacing feels a bit rushed. With another 100–150 pages, the story would have had more room to breathe, especially when it comes to building out the setting. A little more time spent on scenery and atmosphere would have helped ground the story and deepen the emotional beats.

Even with those quibbles, it’s an enjoyable read that I’d still recommend — especially if you’re in the mood for something heartfelt and easy to get through.

I do have one question: do Mainers actually say “wicked” that much?

[Gio · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review

One liner: very pleasant, smooth & relatively feel-good read. Went deep enough for a 200 pager, leaving little to be desired given the compact read.

More specifically: thought the story was well orchestrated, the narrative flowed through quite easily and never once I found myself scratching my head at a page. Perhaps I’d wager to say the last 50 pages felt a bit rushed, as if the story had suddenly been put on 2x speed. Felt like some developments deserved a bit more air time.

Appreciated some of the themes touched in the book, whilst quite delicate they didn’t seem forced into the narrative. A solid 3.5, rounded up.

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Gemma is struggling to grow her business as she deals with staying sober something she couldn’t do in the past as she help her sister with her own problems. Kay is a chef who is also restaurant owner who still struggles with trauma from a past job where she was constantly criticized and made to doubt herself. Gemma and Kay meet when discussing business with Dina and Eric and they clash but then as they start working together they challenge each other in a way that help them both. This was such a good read I like that Gemma and Kay communicate and wasn’t any misunderstanding love the growth both characters have.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book by this author and a very enjoyable one. It made me want to visit Maine and was a fantastic setting for the story.

Gemma and Kay start off as enemies to friends which is trope I enjoy. They are attracted to each other, but their personalities don't mesh. I enjoyed Gemma's story more than Kay's and the themes throughout the book with addiction, masculinity and harassment in the work place. I really enjoyed the aspect of becoming a parent in all ways to a sibling. It happens way more than it should. I loved the feeling of found family not just blood family.

Very enjoyable book that I would recommend. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Keles Wyntor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley.

I really enjoyed the setting and overall storyline. Maine is such a beautiful place and Levine capture the essence of Maine in this story. I don’t usually read sapphic romance, but this story called to me. I really really enjoyed it. I have never read a romance with a storyline anywhere near this. It was a breath of fresh air, and a great late spring early summer read. Even if you don’t usually read Sapphic Romance, you will fall in love with Gemma, Kay, and their love story.

[Brenda Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was EVERYTHING I was looking for!
A butch lobsterwoman struggling with addition, family addiction; with a funny bestie who is love with her recovering sister.
A femme chef opens a bougie restaurant with her bestie, both committed to supporting women/queer/indie owned local business.
The banter - explosive.
The intimacy - FIRE.

Real life infused with a great romance.

[Kristīne Vītola]

https://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/book...

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and sapphic (with surprising emotional depth)

Thanks Bold Strokes Books for the ARC!