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The Story We Never Finished: A Sweet Small Town Friends to Lovers Romance
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 3, 2026
Jack and Emma met in their last year at university in Arizona, both with future plans already in place that will see them heading in completely different directions once they graduate – Emma to Boston and journalism and Jack to Nebraska and architecture.
They shared a table in the campus café and bonded over a game they both played, imagining the lives of the people around them, discovering they were on the same wavelength as they asked each other, “What’s their story?”.
Since he was a young boy, Jack has talked about his plans to renovate the 1920s railway station in his home town of Willow Spring, and several years after they parted Emma is sent to cover the story of the grand reopening. Part of the space is to be used to display old photographs which brings the local community together and attracts nationwide attention.
In their minds, both Jack and Emma know that they want to be together, but neither of them is brave enough to say it out loud. When they first met, it was a case of bad timing, but now they have a second chance if they are brave enough to do something about it.
The Story We Never Finished has a lot going for it such as the charm and community spirit of life in small-town America, and two characters who are obviously meant to be together. It didn’t quite work for me as the characters spent too much time with their repetitive thoughts to make their relationship believable.
I know that the spice level in a lot of modern romance novels is off-putting to some readers (and writers), but this went too far the other way and gave the narrative a strange unnatural quality. I am probably in a minority here, and though I enjoyed reading The Story We Never Finished there was just something missing.
Thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
They shared a table in the campus café and bonded over a game they both played, imagining the lives of the people around them, discovering they were on the same wavelength as they asked each other, “What’s their story?”.
Since he was a young boy, Jack has talked about his plans to renovate the 1920s railway station in his home town of Willow Spring, and several years after they parted Emma is sent to cover the story of the grand reopening. Part of the space is to be used to display old photographs which brings the local community together and attracts nationwide attention.
In their minds, both Jack and Emma know that they want to be together, but neither of them is brave enough to say it out loud. When they first met, it was a case of bad timing, but now they have a second chance if they are brave enough to do something about it.
The Story We Never Finished has a lot going for it such as the charm and community spirit of life in small-town America, and two characters who are obviously meant to be together. It didn’t quite work for me as the characters spent too much time with their repetitive thoughts to make their relationship believable.
I know that the spice level in a lot of modern romance novels is off-putting to some readers (and writers), but this went too far the other way and gave the narrative a strange unnatural quality. I am probably in a minority here, and though I enjoyed reading The Story We Never Finished there was just something missing.
Thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2026
It was like the entire book was a setup to Chapter 15 - What We Kept. Chapter 15 was the emotional lightening rod that charged the rest of the book. I had tears in my eyes multiple times as I was reading the notes and envisioning the photos. Every chapter that had specific photo references was a highlight of the book. They weren’t just a continuation of the authors book, they were an entire subset of additional stories woven inside another sorry. Stories that one day will be nothing but memories of stories being told by someone’s grandparents or even parents. And once those original story keepers are gone, the weight of history changes. I so wish the station and the traveling photos were real.
I do think that it took a little bit too long to get to Chapter 15 and then even to the end of the book. I know the author was creating a timeline for these two characters but I did feel like it could have been condensed somewhat. I also would have liked to have had their families in the book a little more. Especially Jack. I feel like we heard about TheThree Musketeers but not no much about his family.
I do think that it took a little bit too long to get to Chapter 15 and then even to the end of the book. I know the author was creating a timeline for these two characters but I did feel like it could have been condensed somewhat. I also would have liked to have had their families in the book a little more. Especially Jack. I feel like we heard about TheThree Musketeers but not no much about his family.
June 5, 2026
A special kind of friendship developed over the years between the adorable protagonists. Sentimental and noteworthy moments.
Knowing how the story should end, I still got worried around the middle: would they act on their harbored romantic feelings? Going through life on their appointed course with some sidesteps, they pursued one thing while letting another slip. It felt bittersweet until notable changes led to happiness together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Knowing how the story should end, I still got worried around the middle: would they act on their harbored romantic feelings? Going through life on their appointed course with some sidesteps, they pursued one thing while letting another slip. It felt bittersweet until notable changes led to happiness together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2026
I loved this story about Jack and Emma. It had emotions, humor, love, and just everything that makes for a great story. I was really drawn in by this one and had the best time with this. This is the first time I’ve read this author and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews