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Langston Hotels #3
Never and Always: A City vs. Small-Town Workplace Romance
She’s a driven city girl who’s not staying long.
He’s a laid-back mountain man who’s never leaving.
Sparks are flying, and its high heels versus flannel shirts.
Piper
As the COO for Langston Hotels, I travel the world, but for the moment, I’m stuck in Windward, Colorado.
The town is small, has snow (shudder), and did I mention small? Once I finish renovations to our latest acquisition, I’m gone.
One man has become the bane of my existence: head of hotel maintenance, Everett Murray.
Does the man wear his uniform? No. He wears awful flannel shirts and jeans. So maybe the denim fits his long body like a glove, and the flannel stretches over wide shoulders, but that’s beside the point.
I need the hotel to meet Langston standards, I need this job done so I can move on, and I won’t let Everett slow me down.
Everett
It took a tragedy for me to realize Windward was home. I love my job. No endless hours, no stress, no missing out on what’s important.
Then Piper Ellis struts into the hotel in her tight skirts and high heels. The woman is a high-maintenance headache I don’t need.
But when her troublemaker brother blows into town, I see another side of Piper. The softer side she keeps hidden. When his troubles make her a target, I’m there to keep her safe.
She might be a city girl, and I’m a mountain man to the bone, but neither of us can fight the force of our attraction.
Still, I know that one day she’ll pack her designer suitcase and leave, because everyone knows opposites might attract, but they don’t stay together.
He’s a laid-back mountain man who’s never leaving.
Sparks are flying, and its high heels versus flannel shirts.
Piper
As the COO for Langston Hotels, I travel the world, but for the moment, I’m stuck in Windward, Colorado.
The town is small, has snow (shudder), and did I mention small? Once I finish renovations to our latest acquisition, I’m gone.
One man has become the bane of my existence: head of hotel maintenance, Everett Murray.
Does the man wear his uniform? No. He wears awful flannel shirts and jeans. So maybe the denim fits his long body like a glove, and the flannel stretches over wide shoulders, but that’s beside the point.
I need the hotel to meet Langston standards, I need this job done so I can move on, and I won’t let Everett slow me down.
Everett
It took a tragedy for me to realize Windward was home. I love my job. No endless hours, no stress, no missing out on what’s important.
Then Piper Ellis struts into the hotel in her tight skirts and high heels. The woman is a high-maintenance headache I don’t need.
But when her troublemaker brother blows into town, I see another side of Piper. The softer side she keeps hidden. When his troubles make her a target, I’m there to keep her safe.
She might be a city girl, and I’m a mountain man to the bone, but neither of us can fight the force of our attraction.
Still, I know that one day she’ll pack her designer suitcase and leave, because everyone knows opposites might attract, but they don’t stay together.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2026
About the author
Anna Hackett
168 books2,972 followersI’m a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. I love writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. I like to believe it’s possible for all of us to do the same.
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
I love hearing from readers and you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and my website: www.annahackett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
May 13, 2026
4🌟, 3🌶️
Get ready to fall for a protective hero who set the bar ridiculously high.
This book feels like being snowed in with a man who would do anything to keep you safe. The pacing is sharp, the tension never lets up, and the mix of survival suspense and slow-burn romance kept me turning pages way past bedtime.
Piper and Everett were the highlight for me. Piper is a driven, high-strung boss, and Everett is the broody, capable maintenance manager who knows exactly how to challenge her. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I loved watching Piper slowly let her guard down and learn to trust someone else. Their relationship develops naturally and feels completely earned.
I had to laugh at Piper’s questionable shoe choices in the Colorado snow, but her growth throughout the story was so satisfying. The danger surrounding her brother and the action-packed rescue scenes kept the stakes high from start to finish.
This was an exciting, heartfelt read, and I’m genuinely sad it’s over.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Anna Hackett and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Get ready to fall for a protective hero who set the bar ridiculously high.
This book feels like being snowed in with a man who would do anything to keep you safe. The pacing is sharp, the tension never lets up, and the mix of survival suspense and slow-burn romance kept me turning pages way past bedtime.
Piper and Everett were the highlight for me. Piper is a driven, high-strung boss, and Everett is the broody, capable maintenance manager who knows exactly how to challenge her. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I loved watching Piper slowly let her guard down and learn to trust someone else. Their relationship develops naturally and feels completely earned.
I had to laugh at Piper’s questionable shoe choices in the Colorado snow, but her growth throughout the story was so satisfying. The danger surrounding her brother and the action-packed rescue scenes kept the stakes high from start to finish.
This was an exciting, heartfelt read, and I’m genuinely sad it’s over.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Anna Hackett and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
May 13, 2026
This book feels like being snowed in with danger, tension, and a man who looks at you like he’d burn the whole mountain down to keep you safe.
The pacing is fast, intense, and packed with that addictive “just one more chapter” energy. Between the hostage situation, survival chaos, and nonstop tension, the story never really slows down, but somehow still makes room for chemistry that quietly sneaks up on you.
What I loved most is that the romance doesn’t feel forced into the action. It grows in the middle of fear, adrenaline, and trust. The little moments hit harder than the dramatic ones.
And the hero? Broody, protective, competent. Basically built in a romance laboratory designed to ruin standards permanently.
If you love:
❄️ forced proximity
❄️ survival romance
❄️ protective hero energy
❄️ action + emotional tension
❄️ fast-paced romantic suspense
This one delivers all of it with icy chaos and heart-racing vibes
4.5⭐
The pacing is fast, intense, and packed with that addictive “just one more chapter” energy. Between the hostage situation, survival chaos, and nonstop tension, the story never really slows down, but somehow still makes room for chemistry that quietly sneaks up on you.
What I loved most is that the romance doesn’t feel forced into the action. It grows in the middle of fear, adrenaline, and trust. The little moments hit harder than the dramatic ones.
And the hero? Broody, protective, competent. Basically built in a romance laboratory designed to ruin standards permanently.
If you love:
❄️ forced proximity
❄️ survival romance
❄️ protective hero energy
❄️ action + emotional tension
❄️ fast-paced romantic suspense
This one delivers all of it with icy chaos and heart-racing vibes
4.5⭐
May 15, 2026
One of the things that’s so much fun about this author’s series is the way that we know who’s romance is coming next even if we don’t know how they’re going to get to their HEA until the last page.
Which means that the end of the previous books in the Langston Hotels series, Before and After, foreshadowed the romance in this third book, Never and Always. (Also, now that I’m looking at the titles all together, Night and Day, Before and After, Never and Always, it seems as if all the titles represent an ‘opposites attract’ condition that fits right in with the story itself.
‘Big city’ girl Piper Ellis is the Chief Operating Officer for Langston Hotels. Not just one of the Langston Hotels, ALL of the Langston Hotels. Her home base is whichever Langston Hotel currently needs her attention the most. At the moment, it’s the Langston Windward, a winter wonderland of a place that anchors an entire community in the skiing paradise that is Colorado.
But Piper NEVER puts down roots. Upgrading the latest addition to the Langston empire to Langston standards is an interesting job, and the small town is growing on her, but she hates snow, isn’t remotely interested in winter sports, and is already looking forward to the next project. Hopefully someplace warm – or at least with more high end shopping and restaurant options.
Everett Murray, on the other hand, the Head of Hotel Maintenance at the Langston Windward, was born and raised in Windward. He may have left for a while for a high-powered engineering job in LA, but returned to take care of his dying mother – and realized that balance was more fulfilling AND it gave him more time for the people he cared for. People like his dad, his friends, and his community. Windward will ALWAYS be his home and he’s determined to make the most of it.
They shouldn’t get involved. Piper doesn’t do relationships and Everett doesn’t do casual. But the sparks they strike together are hot enough to practically set the hotel on fire. (Not that a fire doesn’t happen anyway!)
So when Piper’s ne’er do well brother turns up to get her involved in his dangerously messy life – and that danger follows him to Windward with a sharp knife and a need to make someone pay in blood, Piper needs the kind of help she’s NEVER been willing to accept.
Until it’s nearly too late. Too late for her heart for certain – unless Piper and Everett can find a way to meet in the middle between her NEVER and his ALWAYS.
Escape Rating B-: This is going to be a sadly mixed feelings review. Because for about 80% of the story I was REALLY enjoying it. I mean really, truly. Piper and Everett were a whole lot of fun to watch. They challenged each other, they snarked at each other. They both recognized that they had a lot of chemistry but that it would be problematic to indulge it.
Neither of them had the “I’m not worthys”. The issues between them felt real and difficult to reconcile unless one of them changed A LOT which they both recognized was neither a fair nor a realistic ask.
At the same time, while Piper is in danger, and she’s a bit blinkered about trying to save her brother and protect her mom and grandmother and still not fall for Chance’s terrible choices and chances, she does, however reluctantly, accept the help that she needs and does not run headlong into danger. She chafes at restrictions but she’s not too stupid to live.
The danger is VERY real because Chance is in way over his head with some very bad people in Vegas. He has a gambling addiction he refuses to admit to and still keeps expecting his family to bail him out. But none of them have the $100,000 he needs to get out of this jam and the pursuit is closing in.
Which leads to the problem I had with the story. It was so, so good until the very end, but it just didn’t stick the dismount. The dude chasing after Chance, that agent for the shark he owes that $100K to, is a psychopath who is in the enforcement game because he needs the violence and loves to cut his victims up. He’s also perfectly happy to cut up whatever collateral damage he can capture to torture his real target. Piper is in this dude’s sights. All of her protectors know that Corvo likes to dish out pain and doesn’t care who he dishes it out to as long as he gets his kicks. All of this knowledge is known and shared. They know Corvo doesn’t care about orders.
His evil is made so manifest to all involved and they all acknowledge that it’s real, that it exists and that Corvo is such a dangerous loose cannon that it does not ring true or plausible that just because they’ve made a deal with Corvo’s boss that Corvo will give up on literally taking a piece out of Piper. So they all, from Ro Langston (Night and Day) to Caden Castro (Before and After) to Alessio Rossi (borrowed from Las Vegas and the “retired” assassins of the Unsanctioned series), including Everett who is more or less a civilian in this context, have displayed that they know Corvo is dangerous with or without his boss’ sanction and YET they all act like the danger is over because they’ve made a deal with his boss.
Which is the point where I dropped out of the story like a rock. I wanted to scream because that made NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. It’s like they all knew the risks right up until the point where they stopped knowing the risks.
So, I loved the first 4/5ths of the book. I adored the happy ending. I’m intrigued by the tease we get for the next book in the series. But the resolution of the suspense part of the story did not work for me AT ALL.
I HOPE your reading mileage varies!
Originally published at Reading Reality
Which means that the end of the previous books in the Langston Hotels series, Before and After, foreshadowed the romance in this third book, Never and Always. (Also, now that I’m looking at the titles all together, Night and Day, Before and After, Never and Always, it seems as if all the titles represent an ‘opposites attract’ condition that fits right in with the story itself.
‘Big city’ girl Piper Ellis is the Chief Operating Officer for Langston Hotels. Not just one of the Langston Hotels, ALL of the Langston Hotels. Her home base is whichever Langston Hotel currently needs her attention the most. At the moment, it’s the Langston Windward, a winter wonderland of a place that anchors an entire community in the skiing paradise that is Colorado.
But Piper NEVER puts down roots. Upgrading the latest addition to the Langston empire to Langston standards is an interesting job, and the small town is growing on her, but she hates snow, isn’t remotely interested in winter sports, and is already looking forward to the next project. Hopefully someplace warm – or at least with more high end shopping and restaurant options.
Everett Murray, on the other hand, the Head of Hotel Maintenance at the Langston Windward, was born and raised in Windward. He may have left for a while for a high-powered engineering job in LA, but returned to take care of his dying mother – and realized that balance was more fulfilling AND it gave him more time for the people he cared for. People like his dad, his friends, and his community. Windward will ALWAYS be his home and he’s determined to make the most of it.
They shouldn’t get involved. Piper doesn’t do relationships and Everett doesn’t do casual. But the sparks they strike together are hot enough to practically set the hotel on fire. (Not that a fire doesn’t happen anyway!)
So when Piper’s ne’er do well brother turns up to get her involved in his dangerously messy life – and that danger follows him to Windward with a sharp knife and a need to make someone pay in blood, Piper needs the kind of help she’s NEVER been willing to accept.
Until it’s nearly too late. Too late for her heart for certain – unless Piper and Everett can find a way to meet in the middle between her NEVER and his ALWAYS.
Escape Rating B-: This is going to be a sadly mixed feelings review. Because for about 80% of the story I was REALLY enjoying it. I mean really, truly. Piper and Everett were a whole lot of fun to watch. They challenged each other, they snarked at each other. They both recognized that they had a lot of chemistry but that it would be problematic to indulge it.
Neither of them had the “I’m not worthys”. The issues between them felt real and difficult to reconcile unless one of them changed A LOT which they both recognized was neither a fair nor a realistic ask.
At the same time, while Piper is in danger, and she’s a bit blinkered about trying to save her brother and protect her mom and grandmother and still not fall for Chance’s terrible choices and chances, she does, however reluctantly, accept the help that she needs and does not run headlong into danger. She chafes at restrictions but she’s not too stupid to live.
The danger is VERY real because Chance is in way over his head with some very bad people in Vegas. He has a gambling addiction he refuses to admit to and still keeps expecting his family to bail him out. But none of them have the $100,000 he needs to get out of this jam and the pursuit is closing in.
Which leads to the problem I had with the story. It was so, so good until the very end, but it just didn’t stick the dismount. The dude chasing after Chance, that agent for the shark he owes that $100K to, is a psychopath who is in the enforcement game because he needs the violence and loves to cut his victims up. He’s also perfectly happy to cut up whatever collateral damage he can capture to torture his real target. Piper is in this dude’s sights. All of her protectors know that Corvo likes to dish out pain and doesn’t care who he dishes it out to as long as he gets his kicks. All of this knowledge is known and shared. They know Corvo doesn’t care about orders.
His evil is made so manifest to all involved and they all acknowledge that it’s real, that it exists and that Corvo is such a dangerous loose cannon that it does not ring true or plausible that just because they’ve made a deal with Corvo’s boss that Corvo will give up on literally taking a piece out of Piper. So they all, from Ro Langston (Night and Day) to Caden Castro (Before and After) to Alessio Rossi (borrowed from Las Vegas and the “retired” assassins of the Unsanctioned series), including Everett who is more or less a civilian in this context, have displayed that they know Corvo is dangerous with or without his boss’ sanction and YET they all act like the danger is over because they’ve made a deal with his boss.
Which is the point where I dropped out of the story like a rock. I wanted to scream because that made NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. It’s like they all knew the risks right up until the point where they stopped knowing the risks.
So, I loved the first 4/5ths of the book. I adored the happy ending. I’m intrigued by the tease we get for the next book in the series. But the resolution of the suspense part of the story did not work for me AT ALL.
I HOPE your reading mileage varies!
Originally published at Reading Reality
Review of advance copy received from Author
Series: Langston Hotels #3
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Piper Ellis is COO for Langston Hotels. She travels the world, but at the moment she is stuck in Windward, Colorado working on renovations to Langston Hotel’s newest acquisition. She expects the job to be like any other, but when danger seems to be stalking Piper, she finds herself leaning for the first time in her life on mountain man and Head of Hotel Maintenance, Everett Murray.
After reading the previous books I was eager to see how Piper finally falls for Everett. Piper is a workaholic who doesn’t know how to delegate, and that need for control is also prevalent in her personal life. She has never let herself lean on someone else in times of crisis but with this new situations he finds herself doing that for the first time. Piper's transformation from controlling and closed off woman to open and accepting of help was a really enjoyable one. I really enjoyed seeing her finally let herself lean on Everett and let him pamper and take care of her. It was also great seeing her finally lean on the friendships she has built while in Windward. My biggest issue with Piper though was her ridiculousness over shoes. She refused to wear appropriate footwear in the snow and it was just a bit stupid.
Everett is a man who’s whole life changed in an instant and it made him realize the important things for him. He wants to stay in his hometown and he no longer wants to climb the corporate ladder. He wants Piper but also realizes she most likely won’t stay because she is a city person. Everett was a fantastic man who really went out of his way to take care of Piper. I loved how he supported her and helped her through the various salutations in this book. I also liked seeing him finally take a chance with Piper, even if he knew it might end in a broken heart.
Everett and Piper’s relationship starts as a bit of a coworkers with benefits situation but quickly morphs into more when they both start catching the feels. Not surprising though, Piper doesn’t realize until she is in danger how much she cares for Everett and how much she wants a life in Windward. I enjoyed their relationship and the trials they faced together.
Overall, this was another really enjoyable Langston Hotel book. I look forward to the next one, which hopefully will feature the grumpy new chef and the athletics director. Also, I liked the brief character crossover between this series and the Unsanctioned series.
TW: sibling with gambling addiction; death of a parent from cancer mentioned; gun and knife violence; grandmother with heart problems and health scare; physical violence; structure fire;
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Piper Ellis is COO for Langston Hotels. She travels the world, but at the moment she is stuck in Windward, Colorado working on renovations to Langston Hotel’s newest acquisition. She expects the job to be like any other, but when danger seems to be stalking Piper, she finds herself leaning for the first time in her life on mountain man and Head of Hotel Maintenance, Everett Murray.
After reading the previous books I was eager to see how Piper finally falls for Everett. Piper is a workaholic who doesn’t know how to delegate, and that need for control is also prevalent in her personal life. She has never let herself lean on someone else in times of crisis but with this new situations he finds herself doing that for the first time. Piper's transformation from controlling and closed off woman to open and accepting of help was a really enjoyable one. I really enjoyed seeing her finally let herself lean on Everett and let him pamper and take care of her. It was also great seeing her finally lean on the friendships she has built while in Windward. My biggest issue with Piper though was her ridiculousness over shoes. She refused to wear appropriate footwear in the snow and it was just a bit stupid.
Everett is a man who’s whole life changed in an instant and it made him realize the important things for him. He wants to stay in his hometown and he no longer wants to climb the corporate ladder. He wants Piper but also realizes she most likely won’t stay because she is a city person. Everett was a fantastic man who really went out of his way to take care of Piper. I loved how he supported her and helped her through the various salutations in this book. I also liked seeing him finally take a chance with Piper, even if he knew it might end in a broken heart.
Everett and Piper’s relationship starts as a bit of a coworkers with benefits situation but quickly morphs into more when they both start catching the feels. Not surprising though, Piper doesn’t realize until she is in danger how much she cares for Everett and how much she wants a life in Windward. I enjoyed their relationship and the trials they faced together.
Overall, this was another really enjoyable Langston Hotel book. I look forward to the next one, which hopefully will feature the grumpy new chef and the athletics director. Also, I liked the brief character crossover between this series and the Unsanctioned series.
TW: sibling with gambling addiction; death of a parent from cancer mentioned; gun and knife violence; grandmother with heart problems and health scare; physical violence; structure fire;
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
May 13, 2026
NEVER AND ALWAYS is the third instalment in Anna Hackett’s contemporary, adult LANGSTON HOTELS erotic, romance series. This is COO of Langston Hotels Piper Ellis, and maintenance manager at Langston Winward Everett Murray’s story line. NEVER AND ALWAYS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Everett and Piper) NEVER AND ALWAYS focuses on the building but acrimonious relationship between COO of Langston Hotels Piper Ellis, and maintenance manager at Langston Winward Everett Murray, and the threats against our story line heroine. Piper Ellis is determined to make Langston Winward great but from the outset Piper struggles with her attraction to construction manger Everett Murray. Working together on a new project with Everett, Piper will come face to face with her rebellious and self-indulgent brother, a brother who has left a trail of debt in his wake, debt that is about to become Piper’s responsibility.
The world building focuses on the remodelling of the Langston Winward Hotel, and the building threats against our story line heroine. Piper has been targeted, and must come to terms with her brother’s spiral, a spiral that has now be redirected at our story line heroine.
The relationship between Everett and Piper is tempestuous at best at Piper struggles to accept the small town attitudes and disarming charisma of our story line hero. Everett is determined to become guardian and protector when the threats against Piper morph into personal and violent, but Piper refuses to back down when the intimidation and threats take aim at our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and determined including the return of hotel owner and manager Ambrose ‘Ro’ Langston and his wife Tessa; Everett’s best friend Chris and his wife Steph; Allie and Caden, concierge and security specialist Enzo Rossi, and his brother Alessio; security Gunner O’Neill, as well as the introduction Piper’s brother Chance Elllis; and Everett’s father Dale Murray. The requisite evil has many faces.
NEVER AND ALWAYS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, high stakes addiction, family and heart break, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, edgy and engaging; the romance is seductive ; the characters are desperate, dynamic and charismatic
copy supplied for review
Told from dual first person perspectives (Everett and Piper) NEVER AND ALWAYS focuses on the building but acrimonious relationship between COO of Langston Hotels Piper Ellis, and maintenance manager at Langston Winward Everett Murray, and the threats against our story line heroine. Piper Ellis is determined to make Langston Winward great but from the outset Piper struggles with her attraction to construction manger Everett Murray. Working together on a new project with Everett, Piper will come face to face with her rebellious and self-indulgent brother, a brother who has left a trail of debt in his wake, debt that is about to become Piper’s responsibility.
The world building focuses on the remodelling of the Langston Winward Hotel, and the building threats against our story line heroine. Piper has been targeted, and must come to terms with her brother’s spiral, a spiral that has now be redirected at our story line heroine.
The relationship between Everett and Piper is tempestuous at best at Piper struggles to accept the small town attitudes and disarming charisma of our story line hero. Everett is determined to become guardian and protector when the threats against Piper morph into personal and violent, but Piper refuses to back down when the intimidation and threats take aim at our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and determined including the return of hotel owner and manager Ambrose ‘Ro’ Langston and his wife Tessa; Everett’s best friend Chris and his wife Steph; Allie and Caden, concierge and security specialist Enzo Rossi, and his brother Alessio; security Gunner O’Neill, as well as the introduction Piper’s brother Chance Elllis; and Everett’s father Dale Murray. The requisite evil has many faces.
NEVER AND ALWAYS is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, high stakes addiction, family and heart break, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, edgy and engaging; the romance is seductive ; the characters are desperate, dynamic and charismatic
copy supplied for review
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 Stars
Everett Murray is the local head of maintenance at the Langston Windward Hotel in Windward, CO and Piper Ellis is the COO of the Langston Hotels Group. She is currently stationed at this hotel in CO, while they refurbish the entire site to bring it up to the Langston Hotel “standards.”
Everett lives in flannel shirts and has en extremely laid-back demeanor. Piper wears designer clothes (even when it would be wiser not to), expensive purses, designer (very high-heeled) shoes, and expensive jewelry and is ‘type A’ all the way.
She has watched her boss, Ro Langston (the CEO of Langston Hotels Group) and Tessa Ashford (the local hotel manager) fall in love. Also succumbing to Cupid’s arrow is Caden Castro (head of security for Langston Hotels) and Allie Ford (local housekeeping supervisor). Piper doesn’t have time for love, but Everett gets under her skin and helps her see that some things are worth a perspective shift.
Piper has a brother who has a gambling problem. They used to be very close, but now they hardly speak to each other. He owes some dangerous people lots of money and there’s a particularly nasty ‘enforcer’ who is after him. Piper has worked hard not to enable his bad habits, but he’d rather make the messes and let others clean them up. She also has a mother and a grandmother (with heart issues) that factor into the story, but Piper is protective of them and tries to keep her brother’s problems from impacting their lives and her grandmother’s health. When Piper’s life is endangered, Everett steps in to keep her safe…
There is some slight crossover with another series by this author (which is a fun surprise!), but you don’t need to have read the other series to appreciate this story (although you may want to!!)
This is a fun story with some intense moments. It flows nicely and is hard to set down. There is a good amount of tension, and the banter is entertaining. I also suspect that the new chef that Ro just hired, a man named Jaspar Harden, might just be a protagonist in a future book… I guess we will see.
Everett Murray is the local head of maintenance at the Langston Windward Hotel in Windward, CO and Piper Ellis is the COO of the Langston Hotels Group. She is currently stationed at this hotel in CO, while they refurbish the entire site to bring it up to the Langston Hotel “standards.”
Everett lives in flannel shirts and has en extremely laid-back demeanor. Piper wears designer clothes (even when it would be wiser not to), expensive purses, designer (very high-heeled) shoes, and expensive jewelry and is ‘type A’ all the way.
She has watched her boss, Ro Langston (the CEO of Langston Hotels Group) and Tessa Ashford (the local hotel manager) fall in love. Also succumbing to Cupid’s arrow is Caden Castro (head of security for Langston Hotels) and Allie Ford (local housekeeping supervisor). Piper doesn’t have time for love, but Everett gets under her skin and helps her see that some things are worth a perspective shift.
Piper has a brother who has a gambling problem. They used to be very close, but now they hardly speak to each other. He owes some dangerous people lots of money and there’s a particularly nasty ‘enforcer’ who is after him. Piper has worked hard not to enable his bad habits, but he’d rather make the messes and let others clean them up. She also has a mother and a grandmother (with heart issues) that factor into the story, but Piper is protective of them and tries to keep her brother’s problems from impacting their lives and her grandmother’s health. When Piper’s life is endangered, Everett steps in to keep her safe…
There is some slight crossover with another series by this author (which is a fun surprise!), but you don’t need to have read the other series to appreciate this story (although you may want to!!)
This is a fun story with some intense moments. It flows nicely and is hard to set down. There is a good amount of tension, and the banter is entertaining. I also suspect that the new chef that Ro just hired, a man named Jaspar Harden, might just be a protagonist in a future book… I guess we will see.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to The Author Agency and Anna Hackett for the ARC. All opinions are my own in the following ARC Review.
Genres: Romantic Suspense, Small Town Romance
Tropes: Enemies To Lovers, Opposites Attract, City Girl/Mountain Man, Protective MMC, Black Cat Heroine, Golden Retriever Hero, Hurt/Comfort
MC: Piper (FMC), Everett (MMC)
Setting: Windward, Colorado
Triggers: assault, family with gambling addiction, attempted kidnapping
Synopsis: Piper, the COO of Langston Hotels, is overseeing renovations at the company’s newest hotel alongside Everett, the head of maintenance. When the two are assigned to manage the new pool project together, their growing attraction becomes impossible to ignore. But Piper’s reckless younger brother suddenly appears, bringing dangerous enemies and debt collectors with him. After Piper is attacked and nearly kidnapped because of his actions, Everett steps in to protect her, determined to keep her safe while helping track her brother down. As the threats continue to escalate, Piper and Everett grow closer, falling deeper and deeper for one another. When Piper is trapped in a burning construction site by the man hunting her brother, Everett doesn’t hold back from saving her. Finally safe and sound, Piper realizes she wants stay and create a life with Everett.
Thoughts: I’ve been looking forward to Piper and Everett’s book since the very beginning of this series. Their attraction was definitely teased throughout, and sparks flew anytime they were in each other’s orbit. You could feel the tension between them, and I loved how Everett always managed to push Piper’s buttons. He was exactly what she needed to finally let go and start enjoying life. Having already gained perspective on what truly matters, I’m glad he was able to help Piper see that too. Piper was definitely high-strung and carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, sometimes seeming like others took advantage because of how much she gave. I really enjoyed the opposites attract trope in this book because the MCs couldn’t have been more different, yet they fit perfectly together. I can’t wait to see what might be in store for their future together. It was also fun seeing the Avernus Casino mention with Bastian and Nash. Now I’m wondering if Alessio will get a story soon in the Unsanctioned series, or maybe his cousin Enzo in this series. Either way, I’m excited for what was teased next between Sierra and a certain chef.
Genres: Romantic Suspense, Small Town Romance
Tropes: Enemies To Lovers, Opposites Attract, City Girl/Mountain Man, Protective MMC, Black Cat Heroine, Golden Retriever Hero, Hurt/Comfort
MC: Piper (FMC), Everett (MMC)
Setting: Windward, Colorado
Triggers: assault, family with gambling addiction, attempted kidnapping
Synopsis: Piper, the COO of Langston Hotels, is overseeing renovations at the company’s newest hotel alongside Everett, the head of maintenance. When the two are assigned to manage the new pool project together, their growing attraction becomes impossible to ignore. But Piper’s reckless younger brother suddenly appears, bringing dangerous enemies and debt collectors with him. After Piper is attacked and nearly kidnapped because of his actions, Everett steps in to protect her, determined to keep her safe while helping track her brother down. As the threats continue to escalate, Piper and Everett grow closer, falling deeper and deeper for one another. When Piper is trapped in a burning construction site by the man hunting her brother, Everett doesn’t hold back from saving her. Finally safe and sound, Piper realizes she wants stay and create a life with Everett.
Thoughts: I’ve been looking forward to Piper and Everett’s book since the very beginning of this series. Their attraction was definitely teased throughout, and sparks flew anytime they were in each other’s orbit. You could feel the tension between them, and I loved how Everett always managed to push Piper’s buttons. He was exactly what she needed to finally let go and start enjoying life. Having already gained perspective on what truly matters, I’m glad he was able to help Piper see that too. Piper was definitely high-strung and carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, sometimes seeming like others took advantage because of how much she gave. I really enjoyed the opposites attract trope in this book because the MCs couldn’t have been more different, yet they fit perfectly together. I can’t wait to see what might be in store for their future together. It was also fun seeing the Avernus Casino mention with Bastian and Nash. Now I’m wondering if Alessio will get a story soon in the Unsanctioned series, or maybe his cousin Enzo in this series. Either way, I’m excited for what was teased next between Sierra and a certain chef.
May 19, 2026
ꍏꋪꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖤𝗏𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗍𝗍
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖯𝗂𝗉𝖾𝗋
4 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
Piper, when her dad walked out on her mum, little brother, and her when she was younger, she had to grow up quickly, and also had a lot of responsibilities so she never experienced just being a kid. She is the caretaker, the worrier, the fixer.
Being the COO of Langston Hotels, is an absolute dream, one that with much dismay has now landed her in the small town of Windward. Her goal, is to make Langston Windward the best, and leave...she just never expected her mountain man.
Everett, he lived the city life, but it was draining. He was always focused on working to the point that it was something he did with no joy. Leaving that life behind was the best decision he made. He lives for the moment, does what he loves, and creates what he wishes.
Being the head of maintenance for Windward, is good work. He also has been getting a lot of satisfaction annoying the COO of Langston Hotels, getting under her skin makes his day. But she's a city girl, not meant for small town life...and falling for her isn't an option.
The third book in this series and I loved being back in this world. As always Anna's writing draws you in, the chemistry and banter was absolutely amazing. And the suspense keeps you on edge.
Everett and Piper, were so perfect for each other I couldn't get enough.
Alessio Rossi & Enzo... cousins! How I didn't put that together? I have no idea. 🤦🏻♀️
Loved catching up with the previous couples, and I definitely spent time match making everyone! (Why not 😂)
Can't wait for the next one in this series.
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🏨🏨🏨🏨🏨
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 🏨🏨🏨🏨🏨
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵 🌶️
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 📚 📚 📚 📚
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖤𝗏𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗍𝗍
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖯𝗂𝗉𝖾𝗋
4 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
Piper, when her dad walked out on her mum, little brother, and her when she was younger, she had to grow up quickly, and also had a lot of responsibilities so she never experienced just being a kid. She is the caretaker, the worrier, the fixer.
Being the COO of Langston Hotels, is an absolute dream, one that with much dismay has now landed her in the small town of Windward. Her goal, is to make Langston Windward the best, and leave...she just never expected her mountain man.
Everett, he lived the city life, but it was draining. He was always focused on working to the point that it was something he did with no joy. Leaving that life behind was the best decision he made. He lives for the moment, does what he loves, and creates what he wishes.
Being the head of maintenance for Windward, is good work. He also has been getting a lot of satisfaction annoying the COO of Langston Hotels, getting under her skin makes his day. But she's a city girl, not meant for small town life...and falling for her isn't an option.
The third book in this series and I loved being back in this world. As always Anna's writing draws you in, the chemistry and banter was absolutely amazing. And the suspense keeps you on edge.
Everett and Piper, were so perfect for each other I couldn't get enough.
Alessio Rossi & Enzo... cousins! How I didn't put that together? I have no idea. 🤦🏻♀️
Loved catching up with the previous couples, and I definitely spent time match making everyone! (Why not 😂)
Can't wait for the next one in this series.
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🏨🏨🏨🏨🏨
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 🏨🏨🏨🏨🏨
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵 🌶️
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 📚 📚 📚 📚
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧
May 12, 2026
Piper Ellis knows her worth. She's climbed from nothing to being COO of Langston Hotels. She did it without being universally hated but still being able to be "the boss" whilst also building relationships with those around her. She has a work family which bolsters her small blood family.
She is used to travelling around the world, expanding the brand. She never expected to be stuck in Windward for any length of time but Ro has made Windward the new HQ. As far as Piper is concerned the goof is in love and she'll happily continue her globe trotting ways. However, a certain flannel wearing member of staff is acting like a stone in her very pricey shoes!
Everett is the epitome of the small town, blue collared hottie. There are layers to the man though, he's had the kind of life that Piper revels in and he's happier living the small town, slower paced life. He lives next door to his dad, he has friends, he has outside interests. Why then does the workaholic Piper make his heart do weird things!
Piper and Everett are a great grumpy/sunshine pairing. Their small town/big city, opposites attract vibes are strong. I loved learning what makes Piper tick, the issues she has to put up with, the elder daughter responsibilities she feels towards her little brother and the protective bubble she needs to surround her mum and grandma with. I loved watching her melt, becoming a more satisfied, slowed down version of herself.
Everett is not the typical former military/cop mmc but he's a man who won't let anything happen to his loved ones, I loved watching him go into over-protective mode! From CWB to tentative friends to more, these two had huge sparks.
My only gripe with Piper was this obsession she has with pricey and totally unsuitable footwear. Woman you are in the mountains, wear the bloody boots!
I'm not sure who will be next; the grumpy new chef and events coordinator or our enigmatic Enzo. I did squee slightly when that little cameo from Unsanctioned happened, that was unexpected.
TW: gambling addiction; death of a parent; mugging; health scare of family member; caught in structure fire
She is used to travelling around the world, expanding the brand. She never expected to be stuck in Windward for any length of time but Ro has made Windward the new HQ. As far as Piper is concerned the goof is in love and she'll happily continue her globe trotting ways. However, a certain flannel wearing member of staff is acting like a stone in her very pricey shoes!
Everett is the epitome of the small town, blue collared hottie. There are layers to the man though, he's had the kind of life that Piper revels in and he's happier living the small town, slower paced life. He lives next door to his dad, he has friends, he has outside interests. Why then does the workaholic Piper make his heart do weird things!
Piper and Everett are a great grumpy/sunshine pairing. Their small town/big city, opposites attract vibes are strong. I loved learning what makes Piper tick, the issues she has to put up with, the elder daughter responsibilities she feels towards her little brother and the protective bubble she needs to surround her mum and grandma with. I loved watching her melt, becoming a more satisfied, slowed down version of herself.
Everett is not the typical former military/cop mmc but he's a man who won't let anything happen to his loved ones, I loved watching him go into over-protective mode! From CWB to tentative friends to more, these two had huge sparks.
My only gripe with Piper was this obsession she has with pricey and totally unsuitable footwear. Woman you are in the mountains, wear the bloody boots!
I'm not sure who will be next; the grumpy new chef and events coordinator or our enigmatic Enzo. I did squee slightly when that little cameo from Unsanctioned happened, that was unexpected.
TW: gambling addiction; death of a parent; mugging; health scare of family member; caught in structure fire
May 14, 2026
I absolutely loved the cozy small-town atmosphere in Never and Always by Anna Hackett. The opposites attract dynamic between Everett and Piper, mixed with emotional tension and heartfelt moments, made this such an enjoyable romance from start to finish.
Everett was such a lovable hero. He has that rugged, dependable small-town energy, but underneath it all he’s caring, protective, and surprisingly patient. I loved how grounded he felt throughout the story, especially compared to Piper’s fast-paced city lifestyle. The way he slowly opened up emotionally and supported Piper without trying to change who she was made their relationship feel genuine and sweet.
Piper was such a strong and relatable heroine. She’s ambitious, independent, and clearly used to being in control, but watching her adjust to small-town life and begin lowering her emotional walls added so much depth to her character. I really enjoyed seeing her challenge Everett while also learning to trust the connection growing between them.
What made this story work so well was the balance between lighthearted romance and emotional vulnerability. The banter between Everett and Piper was fun and natural, but there were also quieter moments that gave their relationship real emotional weight. Their chemistry built steadily throughout the story, making every emotional moment feel earned.
Overall, Never and Always was such a charming and satisfying romance filled with heart, humor, and a relationship that was impossible not to root for. If you love small-town romances with opposites attract tension and emotionally grounded characters, this is definitely one to add to your reading list!
Everett was such a lovable hero. He has that rugged, dependable small-town energy, but underneath it all he’s caring, protective, and surprisingly patient. I loved how grounded he felt throughout the story, especially compared to Piper’s fast-paced city lifestyle. The way he slowly opened up emotionally and supported Piper without trying to change who she was made their relationship feel genuine and sweet.
Piper was such a strong and relatable heroine. She’s ambitious, independent, and clearly used to being in control, but watching her adjust to small-town life and begin lowering her emotional walls added so much depth to her character. I really enjoyed seeing her challenge Everett while also learning to trust the connection growing between them.
What made this story work so well was the balance between lighthearted romance and emotional vulnerability. The banter between Everett and Piper was fun and natural, but there were also quieter moments that gave their relationship real emotional weight. Their chemistry built steadily throughout the story, making every emotional moment feel earned.
Overall, Never and Always was such a charming and satisfying romance filled with heart, humor, and a relationship that was impossible not to root for. If you love small-town romances with opposites attract tension and emotionally grounded characters, this is definitely one to add to your reading list!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 STARS: ++ Protective Mountain Man
Everett Murray is a wonderful, loving man. He knows big-city life with a pressure-cooker job, but he realized that his heart is in a small town, Windward, Colorado, and in a more laid-back job at the Langston Windward Resort. Everett is no dummy; he’s an engineer, and his position as head of maintenance at this older resort, especially now with the Langston Hotel Group upgrading the resort to a luxury level, is a perfect fit. BUT…there’s one little problem…Piper! She’s the beautiful blond bombshell COO, a workaholic, and demanding tyrant in tight skirts and spike heels. Piper and Everett have been bantering back and forth since Langston Hotels bought the place. As Piper and Everett take on a huge new project and work even more closely together, a friendship forms. They really are opposites, but it works for them. The heat has been turned up; it’s more than friendship now, and these two are ready to combust.
Piper’s life is interrupted when her troubled brother, Chance, shows up, bringing the villains he owes big money to, right to her doorstep. Pipers in mortal danger. The hotel staff has become close and protective, so they are all a huge support for Piper. I LOVE the characters that weave throughout this series. There’s even a surprise visit from someone from Las Vegas. Besides the awesome characters, I love the scenery around the resort and the small town of Windward. Wish I lived there. Super sweet happy ending too! Linda
Everett Murray is a wonderful, loving man. He knows big-city life with a pressure-cooker job, but he realized that his heart is in a small town, Windward, Colorado, and in a more laid-back job at the Langston Windward Resort. Everett is no dummy; he’s an engineer, and his position as head of maintenance at this older resort, especially now with the Langston Hotel Group upgrading the resort to a luxury level, is a perfect fit. BUT…there’s one little problem…Piper! She’s the beautiful blond bombshell COO, a workaholic, and demanding tyrant in tight skirts and spike heels. Piper and Everett have been bantering back and forth since Langston Hotels bought the place. As Piper and Everett take on a huge new project and work even more closely together, a friendship forms. They really are opposites, but it works for them. The heat has been turned up; it’s more than friendship now, and these two are ready to combust.
Piper’s life is interrupted when her troubled brother, Chance, shows up, bringing the villains he owes big money to, right to her doorstep. Pipers in mortal danger. The hotel staff has become close and protective, so they are all a huge support for Piper. I LOVE the characters that weave throughout this series. There’s even a surprise visit from someone from Las Vegas. Besides the awesome characters, I love the scenery around the resort and the small town of Windward. Wish I lived there. Super sweet happy ending too! Linda
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a fun, romantic small-town read with the perfect mix of tension, banter, suspense, and heart 🩵
Everett and Piper could not be more opposite, which made their dynamic so entertaining from the very beginning. Everett is calm, grounded, and completely at home in small-town life, while Piper is a high-powered COO carrying the weight of everything on her shoulders. Their personalities clash in the best way, and every interaction between them had chemistry and tension simmering underneath.
I loved how Everett challenged Piper and slowly helped her realize she didn’t have to carry everything alone all the time. He understood what burnout and pressure looked like, and their relationship felt very balanced because of that.
And Everett? Absolutely swoony. The teasing, the patience, the way he knew exactly how to get under Piper’s skin 😮💨
The resort setting and the town of Windward made the whole story feel cozy and immersive, and the supporting cast added so much warmth and humor to the book. Once the suspense storyline involving Piper’s brother started unfolding, the stakes became even higher and added a really exciting layer to the romance.
✨ What you’ll find in this book:
🏔️ Small-town romance
💼 Opposites attract
🔥 Workplace tension
🛠️ Laid-back hero x high-strung heroine
💞 Slow-burn chemistry
⚡ Romantic suspense
👨👩👧 Found family vibes
This one was sweet, engaging, and so easy to sink into—I already can’t wait to see who gets the next story 🤍
Everett and Piper could not be more opposite, which made their dynamic so entertaining from the very beginning. Everett is calm, grounded, and completely at home in small-town life, while Piper is a high-powered COO carrying the weight of everything on her shoulders. Their personalities clash in the best way, and every interaction between them had chemistry and tension simmering underneath.
I loved how Everett challenged Piper and slowly helped her realize she didn’t have to carry everything alone all the time. He understood what burnout and pressure looked like, and their relationship felt very balanced because of that.
And Everett? Absolutely swoony. The teasing, the patience, the way he knew exactly how to get under Piper’s skin 😮💨
The resort setting and the town of Windward made the whole story feel cozy and immersive, and the supporting cast added so much warmth and humor to the book. Once the suspense storyline involving Piper’s brother started unfolding, the stakes became even higher and added a really exciting layer to the romance.
✨ What you’ll find in this book:
🏔️ Small-town romance
💼 Opposites attract
🔥 Workplace tension
🛠️ Laid-back hero x high-strung heroine
💞 Slow-burn chemistry
⚡ Romantic suspense
👨👩👧 Found family vibes
This one was sweet, engaging, and so easy to sink into—I already can’t wait to see who gets the next story 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
Title: Never and Always Series: Langston Hotels Series, Book 3
Author: Anna Hackett
Main Characters: Everett Murray and Piper Ellis P. 252
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Rivals to Lovers, City Girl, Mountain Man, Protector Hero
Book Type Reviewed: E-Book
Rating: 4 ⭐️
The adventures at Langston Hotels. With romance and a little suspense, these protective men will do anything for the women they care about. Read to see what trouble comes to their doorsteps this time.
When Ro, the CEO of Langston Hotels, arrived in Windward, he brought a crew along with him. Piper, the COO, is in Windward to oversee the renovations and then she is out of this small town. She is ready for the big city life, fancy clothes and shoes, and designer shops. But Piper has to admit there is one small town man that keeps getting to her, but they have zilch in common. Then trouble is lurking for Piper and that small town man turns into a fierce protector…so how is she supposed to ignore that?
Another fun and entertaining read for those at Langston Hotels. We see all of our friends from the first two books plus a surprise drop in (love the connection). With a bit of trouble arising, it gives a bit of suspense without being too tense, but just enough to keep the story intriguing and fun.
Thank you #TheAuthorAgency
Author: Anna Hackett
Main Characters: Everett Murray and Piper Ellis P. 252
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Rivals to Lovers, City Girl, Mountain Man, Protector Hero
Book Type Reviewed: E-Book
Rating: 4 ⭐️
The adventures at Langston Hotels. With romance and a little suspense, these protective men will do anything for the women they care about. Read to see what trouble comes to their doorsteps this time.
When Ro, the CEO of Langston Hotels, arrived in Windward, he brought a crew along with him. Piper, the COO, is in Windward to oversee the renovations and then she is out of this small town. She is ready for the big city life, fancy clothes and shoes, and designer shops. But Piper has to admit there is one small town man that keeps getting to her, but they have zilch in common. Then trouble is lurking for Piper and that small town man turns into a fierce protector…so how is she supposed to ignore that?
Another fun and entertaining read for those at Langston Hotels. We see all of our friends from the first two books plus a surprise drop in (love the connection). With a bit of trouble arising, it gives a bit of suspense without being too tense, but just enough to keep the story intriguing and fun.
Thank you #TheAuthorAgency
May 17, 2026
I had a feeling these two were going to be like fireworks with the banter and the nicknames, you know they were going to be spectacular together. And they truly were. I think the one thing that I loved the absolute most was Everett helped Piper see that it was okay to slow down. He truly was just living the moment and appreciated everything life had to give you. He had connections with his dad and friends that gave him all that he needed. Piper felt like the weight of the world was always on her shoulders. Having helped her mom as she was growing up to worry about her gram and also her younger brother. Piper did everything she could to always help make life easier for everyone she loved. What she didn’t see until Everett was working herself so hard, she was missing out on all that was around her. These two together were just perfect. Everett was in pure protection mode of his city girl. I loved watching him work hard to keep her saw while showing her that there was so much more to them than just the banter. He gave her the things she didn’t know were missing. Such a great story with a fantastic plot that keeps you engaged until the very end.
May 13, 2026
Never and Always by Anna Hackett was a charming, feel-good romance with the right amount of irresistible small-town warmth that had me smiling from start to finish. In this novel, we focus on a driven city girl name Piper as she does her best to bring a hotel in Colorado up to standards for the company she works for. Along the way she meets a laid back mountain man named Everett who has made Windward his final destination. With each turn of the page, I fell hard for the MMC and rooted for him to get the girl as the chemistry between the two became electric. I really loved how Hackett was able to create believable emotional stakes that had the romance evolving at a satisfying pace, giving me time to savor every interaction between the characters. Overall, Never and Always is a perfect read for those who enjoy a good workplace romance with a happily-ever-after ending!
I received an ARC copy from The Author Agency. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
I received an ARC copy from The Author Agency. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
May 13, 2026
What an anticipated book in the Langston Hotal Series. I couldn’t wait to get into the flannel hotel hottie vs the high-end city girl storyline. Something about opposites attracting is so fun for me. And Never and Always: Langston Hotels Bk 3 doesn’t disappoint! The sparks fly between the two main characters. Add a subplot of danger to our heroine due to some of her brother’s bad choices attaching to her, and you get mystery and drama as well as a slowly budding “hate” romance. On a personal note, I will say I wasn’t as fond of this heroine as of the others in the series. Purely personal on my part. Some of her decisions regarding protecting her family (and shoe choice) were questionable to me. Well intentioned but dumb:) The hero, Everett was my favorite though. Something about flannel just appeals… It was no hardship to read and review this book. I would recommend you read the whole series in order to get the full Langston experience!
May 15, 2026
I was immediately pulled into Piper and Everett’s story. She is the driven, out of place, perfection, boss, who has brought the city to Windward, CO. This woman is strong, confident and taking on her family’s troubles. Not many get to see the troubles going on behind her. It is the structure of Langston Hotels that keeps her from going awry.
Everett is our laid back mountain man, more than capable maintenance manager, who loves to push Piper’s buttons. He prefers flannels to his uniform, and challengers her. When her brothers past threatens her, the protector in him comes out.
The story moves along at a great pace, and has its laughs, Piper’s footwear choices for Colorado in winter. Its intensity brought on by the action and danger. The romance that sort of sneaks up while all of the chaos is happening around them.
A great addition to the series, and a fast paced read.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Everett is our laid back mountain man, more than capable maintenance manager, who loves to push Piper’s buttons. He prefers flannels to his uniform, and challengers her. When her brothers past threatens her, the protector in him comes out.
The story moves along at a great pace, and has its laughs, Piper’s footwear choices for Colorado in winter. Its intensity brought on by the action and danger. The romance that sort of sneaks up while all of the chaos is happening around them.
A great addition to the series, and a fast paced read.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Review of advance copy
I have to start off with Everett, I adored this man. He went off and got a degree in engineering, pursued the big city life only to return after realizing that isn’t the life he wanted. Now in a more laid back position as the head of maintenance, he clashes with the COO of Langston Hotels, Piper, and the banter between them is fun and so delicious.
Piper is high strung and carries the weight of everything on her shoulders. When her brother comes to town, he brings trouble with him and it puts Piper in danger. Everett’s protective side comes out and I was here for it!
The way he teased Piper and patience he shows her was everything. Him having worked and going through the burnout of a job, he knew what she was going through.
As they shift from friendship to more, the chemistry just sizzled.
Piper is high strung and carries the weight of everything on her shoulders. When her brother comes to town, he brings trouble with him and it puts Piper in danger. Everett’s protective side comes out and I was here for it!
The way he teased Piper and patience he shows her was everything. Him having worked and going through the burnout of a job, he knew what she was going through.
As they shift from friendship to more, the chemistry just sizzled.
May 20, 2026
Exciting addition to an excellent series
Piper is COO of Langston Hotels and determined to make Head of Maintenance Everett wear the uniform shirt and not his flannel ones! But there is more to him than his shirt choices. So when her brother Chance shows up bringing a whole bunch of danger with him, Everett is on the job. But can a big city girl and a down home guy make things work? Can Everett and the gang keep Piper safe? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and furious and the tone is uncertain and intense with a hint of sweetness. The action and character oriented storyline is intriguing and filled with steamy scenes, once they admitted the attraction! The characters are vibrant and endearing. I have to admit that I have been waiting for this story since I started reading the Langston Hotels series! It did not disappoint! I can't wait to see what happens next!
Piper is COO of Langston Hotels and determined to make Head of Maintenance Everett wear the uniform shirt and not his flannel ones! But there is more to him than his shirt choices. So when her brother Chance shows up bringing a whole bunch of danger with him, Everett is on the job. But can a big city girl and a down home guy make things work? Can Everett and the gang keep Piper safe? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and furious and the tone is uncertain and intense with a hint of sweetness. The action and character oriented storyline is intriguing and filled with steamy scenes, once they admitted the attraction! The characters are vibrant and endearing. I have to admit that I have been waiting for this story since I started reading the Langston Hotels series! It did not disappoint! I can't wait to see what happens next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Never & Always delivers plenty of sass, banter, and laugh-out-loud moments. Everett and Piper clash in the best way, with hot chemistry that sparks instantly and keeps the energy high.
Their quick wit and back-and-forth will have you smiling throughout, while Piper’s deep love for her family adds heart and depth to her character.
When danger finds Piper, Everett’s protective side comes out in full force. The lengths he goes to keep her safe are both swoon-worthy and sweet.
The friendships between the girls bring an extra layer of fun, while the alpha protectiveness from the men adds to the charm.
With a few hair-raising moments as danger escalates, the story balances humor and tension before settling into a satisfying and fabulous HEA.
Their quick wit and back-and-forth will have you smiling throughout, while Piper’s deep love for her family adds heart and depth to her character.
When danger finds Piper, Everett’s protective side comes out in full force. The lengths he goes to keep her safe are both swoon-worthy and sweet.
The friendships between the girls bring an extra layer of fun, while the alpha protectiveness from the men adds to the charm.
With a few hair-raising moments as danger escalates, the story balances humor and tension before settling into a satisfying and fabulous HEA.
May 13, 2026
It's a well-known fact that opposites attract, and from the very beginning, Piper and Everett felt an irresistible pull that led them to clash every time they met. She was an independent, intelligent, and ambitious city girl, undoubtedly a high maintenance woman, and he was a man who, realizing there were more important things in life than what had consumed him, had left his past behind. What a battle of wills! Especially when Piper's safety was at stake. I liked how, little by little, reason prevailed and everyone contributed to eliminating the threats with an unhinged villain ready to make wrong. An engaging story with action, suspense, conflicting emotions, serious family issues, danger, camaraderie, romance, and passion. It kept me entertained and intrigued the whole time.
May 13, 2026
This is the third book in this amazing series, and this is Piper and Everett’s story. Piper is city girl through and through, and she is the COO for the Langston Hotels, and she is town until her renovations are complete for her newest acquisition, while Everett, is protective, and is the head of the hotel maintenance, and he becomes the bane of Piper’s existence, while the sparks flying between them.
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, city girl / mountain man, opposites attract, rivals / lovers, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable small-town workplace romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, city girl / mountain man, opposites attract, rivals / lovers, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable small-town workplace romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
May 13, 2026
Piper Ellis is the Chief Operating Officer of the Langston Hotels.
Everett Murray is the Head of Maintenance of Langston Windward and also an engineer.
Chance Ellis is Piper’s brother.
Piper and Everett meet and the sparks fly, chemistry and attraction from slow burn to explosive.
Piper is a city girl and definitely high maintenance with designer labels.
Everett is a country mountain man with flannel shirts and denim jeans.
Besides that in the amidst that Piper’s brother , Chance brings danger, criminal element to her and the Langston Windward.
Can Everett keep her safe and together they overcome the obstacles to have a Happily Ever After?
This book has suspense, danger intrigue and twists and turns.
Great Job Anna Hackett !!!!!
Everett Murray is the Head of Maintenance of Langston Windward and also an engineer.
Chance Ellis is Piper’s brother.
Piper and Everett meet and the sparks fly, chemistry and attraction from slow burn to explosive.
Piper is a city girl and definitely high maintenance with designer labels.
Everett is a country mountain man with flannel shirts and denim jeans.
Besides that in the amidst that Piper’s brother , Chance brings danger, criminal element to her and the Langston Windward.
Can Everett keep her safe and together they overcome the obstacles to have a Happily Ever After?
This book has suspense, danger intrigue and twists and turns.
Great Job Anna Hackett !!!!!
May 13, 2026
Another fantastic instalment in this series!
Never and Always was such an addictive read. It had the perfect mix of action, tension, and emotional moments that kept me hooked from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Piper and Everett! Their relationship felt natural.
The pacing was fast, which made it easy to keep turning the pages, and I loved how the danger and romance balanced each other without one overshadowing the other. The hero was protective without being overbearing, and the heroine was strong and capable.
Anna always delivers entertaining, high-energy romance, and this book was no exception. If you enjoy romantic suspense with strong characters, plenty of tension, and a satisfying romance, this is definitely worth picking up.
Never and Always was such an addictive read. It had the perfect mix of action, tension, and emotional moments that kept me hooked from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Piper and Everett! Their relationship felt natural.
The pacing was fast, which made it easy to keep turning the pages, and I loved how the danger and romance balanced each other without one overshadowing the other. The hero was protective without being overbearing, and the heroine was strong and capable.
Anna always delivers entertaining, high-energy romance, and this book was no exception. If you enjoy romantic suspense with strong characters, plenty of tension, and a satisfying romance, this is definitely worth picking up.
May 15, 2026
I have been waiting for this Hate to Love you match-up between Big City girl Piper Ellis and Mountain Man Everett Murray. The chemistry between these two has been slowly brewing in the background of the first two books in this series but it could be read as a standalone. This book had everything: on the edge of your seat suspense, opposites attract and well written characters that make you stay up late for their HEA. Everett has been to the big city and returned for a less hectic life. Piper is only here until her work is done so they try to fight their attraction so hard and that tease leads to a great "finally" spicy moment. I loved seeing their walls fall and how protective Everett was of her. It's always great getting more of the past characters as well. Five star read
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved it! This is book three in the Langston hotel series and is a standalone, but I’ve read them all and this book is as good as the previous ones. Everett is a mountain man in charge of maintenance and Piper is the COO who everyone calls big city as she loves her designer clothes and heals. Two total opposites especially since Everett is always wearing his flannel. This book sure packs a punch as there is action, drama and steam. It also mentions gambling addiction and the impact it has on not only the person but family as well. I won’t say anything else other than I’d highly recommend this book!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
3.5/5...High heels meet flannel, and sparks fly—but not every spark sticks. Piper and Everett are a fun, mismatched pair, and I couldn’t help smiling at their constant bickering and awkward chemistry. The small-town setting is charming, and I loved the little touches of mountain life versus city hustle. That said, some moments felt a bit predictable, and the “opposites attract” storyline hits some familiar beats. Still, I had fun watching this high-maintenance city girl collide with a laid-back mountain man—sometimes you just want to see them wrestle over a snow shovel or a designer suitcase. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 13, 2026
I LOVE Piper and Ev!
They have been verbally sparring since book one, the sassy, city slicker workaholic with a thing for sky high heels and the quiet mountain man maintenance manager who lives in flannel shouldn't work. They should be too different, but at some point the verbal jabs became flirty and the icy glares became heated looks, the air around the two of them sizzles and everyone else sees it....but not Piper or Everett!
This is a fantastic series with an amazing cast of characters, I LOVE the opposites attract, co-workers....but not really, thing that Langston Hotels has going on and I cannot wait for Sierra's book later this year.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
They have been verbally sparring since book one, the sassy, city slicker workaholic with a thing for sky high heels and the quiet mountain man maintenance manager who lives in flannel shouldn't work. They should be too different, but at some point the verbal jabs became flirty and the icy glares became heated looks, the air around the two of them sizzles and everyone else sees it....but not Piper or Everett!
This is a fantastic series with an amazing cast of characters, I LOVE the opposites attract, co-workers....but not really, thing that Langston Hotels has going on and I cannot wait for Sierra's book later this year.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
May 14, 2026
Never and Always is a wonderful addition to the Windward Langston Hotel series. Small-town romance mixed with a suspenseful side story. Everett is the ultimate sexy alpha-protector and Piper is a highly competent, high maintenance, fiercely independent heroine. Together they find happiness that neither one of them expects. When Piper's younger brother arrives in Windward, bringing a dangerous mobster threat along with him, Everett’s protector instincts kick in forcing both Piper and Everett to reevaluate their feelings about each other.
Next up is about the hotel grumpy chef and the sunshine happy girl. Can’t wait!
Next up is about the hotel grumpy chef and the sunshine happy girl. Can’t wait!
May 17, 2026
Big City & Mountain Man!!
We were opposites. Oil and water. Chalk and cheese. High heels and flannel shirts.
Piper is big city all the way. High heels and a power job that takes up all her time.
I had no time for love and romantic nonsense. I had a partner penciled into my life plan, in about another five years.
Everett was born and raised in this small mountain town. When she needs protection he’s there in a heartbeat.
Everett Murray. The flannel-shirt-and-jeans-wearing bane of my existence.
There is lots of angst and suspense. You just can’t help but fall in love with this place and people.
We were opposites. Oil and water. Chalk and cheese. High heels and flannel shirts.
Piper is big city all the way. High heels and a power job that takes up all her time.
I had no time for love and romantic nonsense. I had a partner penciled into my life plan, in about another five years.
Everett was born and raised in this small mountain town. When she needs protection he’s there in a heartbeat.
Everett Murray. The flannel-shirt-and-jeans-wearing bane of my existence.
There is lots of angst and suspense. You just can’t help but fall in love with this place and people.
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