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Happily Ever Never
Janna Hargrove’s life wasn’t a fairy tale, not even close. She’d never imagined her life would have its happily ever after moment. Until she met Ryan. The moment their eyes met, everything changed. She knew he was the one - he was the happily ever after she deserved.Five years into their two-year plan, Ryan finally popped the question. The moment was everything Janna had dreamed of. She had the man, the ring, the wedding date, the house, the career and the plan for 2.5 kids living in suburbia bliss. Everything was just as she’d always dreamed, designer dress and all.Everything she’d ever wanted was within reach.Until it wasn’t.
- GenresContemporary
260 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2018
153 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Nourse
7 books92 followersAndrea is the author of women’s fiction novels, including Happily Ever Never and After Everything.
Andrea currently lives outside Nashville with her husband, their two children, and their puppy, Cosmic Brownie. She has a BS in Mass Communication from MTSU and an MBA from the University of Memphis.
When she’s not reading, writing, or Bookstagramming, she enjoys pretending to know how to bake, memorizing and dissecting Taylor Swift lyrics, starting (but rarely finishing) crochet projects, and scrolling Netflix without ever finding something to watch.
Andrea currently lives outside Nashville with her husband, their two children, and their puppy, Cosmic Brownie. She has a BS in Mass Communication from MTSU and an MBA from the University of Memphis.
When she’s not reading, writing, or Bookstagramming, she enjoys pretending to know how to bake, memorizing and dissecting Taylor Swift lyrics, starting (but rarely finishing) crochet projects, and scrolling Netflix without ever finding something to watch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 14, 2018
I want to start by saying this book was out of my comfort zone of what I normally read but I really loved it! Id recommend it to anyone looking for a drama filled romance story or a story about a young lady trying to find herself and figure out her life.
One reason I loved this was it left alot to the mind meaning the sexual parts were not like fifty shades descriptive. It hinted at where it was going but still kept it rather clean and left you imagining those parts without giving too much away. I dont have anything against those kinds of books but I actually found it very refreshing about this book.
The setting of the story was Nashville which is awesome because who doesnt love Nashville? I went there for my honeymoon so I loved that the story took place there.
The characters were also very enjoyable and relatable. Janna is the main character who is 28 and basically sexy as heck with perfect hair, makeup and fashion sense so it was fun to get inside her head. She is also smart and a hardworker. She had a rough time as a kid with two crazy parents and is seeking a better family life. She is engaged to Ryan who seems to be the total package. Perfect family, hot body, dentist ($$$), caring and compassionate. He seems like the perfect guy and perfect husband until you find out its a scam which being honest hurt my heart a little bit. But the way Janna rises above all her challenges in the second half of the book (there are many!) is so uplifting. She makes me feel like I can do anything. Her mom is hilarious too and so outspoken and has no filter. For fear of rambling Im going to wrap this up and just do yourself a favor and give this book a try! You wont regret it!
One reason I loved this was it left alot to the mind meaning the sexual parts were not like fifty shades descriptive. It hinted at where it was going but still kept it rather clean and left you imagining those parts without giving too much away. I dont have anything against those kinds of books but I actually found it very refreshing about this book.
The setting of the story was Nashville which is awesome because who doesnt love Nashville? I went there for my honeymoon so I loved that the story took place there.
The characters were also very enjoyable and relatable. Janna is the main character who is 28 and basically sexy as heck with perfect hair, makeup and fashion sense so it was fun to get inside her head. She is also smart and a hardworker. She had a rough time as a kid with two crazy parents and is seeking a better family life. She is engaged to Ryan who seems to be the total package. Perfect family, hot body, dentist ($$$), caring and compassionate. He seems like the perfect guy and perfect husband until you find out its a scam which being honest hurt my heart a little bit. But the way Janna rises above all her challenges in the second half of the book (there are many!) is so uplifting. She makes me feel like I can do anything. Her mom is hilarious too and so outspoken and has no filter. For fear of rambling Im going to wrap this up and just do yourself a favor and give this book a try! You wont regret it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2025
WHAT!
This book was good but also disappointing.
Up to the end I was enjoying this story. When I reached the end I was flabbergasted!
I read romances for the romance which includes an HEA or at least a HFN. Not for a book to end like something was missing.
So disappointed and will not get sucked in by this author again!
This book was good but also disappointing.
Up to the end I was enjoying this story. When I reached the end I was flabbergasted!
I read romances for the romance which includes an HEA or at least a HFN. Not for a book to end like something was missing.
So disappointed and will not get sucked in by this author again!
June 25, 2025
This is one of the biggest betrayal book ever.
Even knowing that this is a cheating book, the reader (and the fmc) is still blindsided with his cheating. Because he works overtime to make sure she doesn't see the real him, or realize the truth.
The fmc learns of the cheating too late in the book, and he lets her play happy homes for far too long, gaslighting and fibbing to her to lock her in deeper so that she won't leave, while he gets over his sexual obsession with the ow/skank, his school gf - the one who got away. Oh not just got away, but dumped, cheated on him got away.
“Do you want the details? I was weak. She, like you, knows how to get to me. She pushed my buttons, and I gave in.
Like you????
The worst bit?
After he starts his affair, he starts pressurizing the fmc/fiancee in getting pregnant! And she gives in despite misgivings, wanting to wait till after the wedding (obviously). She gives up coffee, wine etc and makes a sincere effort, not knowing how devious he is being...
'Ryan didn’t want to start a family with me, he wanted to keep me prisoner while he gallivanted with Shannon.'
She catches them in their bed (in their new home!) as she comes home to get her heels/shoes to try her wedding dress - poor poor girl! Shockingly it seems he has turned into a sex addict/ deviant because just taht morning the fmc/him had sex 3 times! And now he is having an afternoon tryst with the skank!
'For the past five months, he’d been all over me, wanting me day and night. I’d thought the wedding planning; house hunting and baby planning had reignited his spark. Instead, he’d been with another woman and then came home seducing me out of what? Guilt? Obligation? My stomach rose again, and I heaved into the toilet.
I also hated her bff/his twin because she protected him, distancing herself from the fmc in order to keep his secret. She knew but not only did she not tell the fmc about it, but became hostile and rude! She did not deserve the fmc's forgiveness and grace imo.
'There was one friend I was hoping to see a message from, but she hadn’t called, emailed or sent a text. Rachel hadn’t even checked in the last week. No apology, no how are you, nothing. I was beginning to wonder if, like Ryan, I hadn’t really been that important to her.'
And as if the world decides to mega shyte on her - she unfairly loses her job well!
Surprisingly, the fmc's selfish, really non-parent mom and dad come through for her.
“So, you hated her. Hated sleeping with her. But, just kept doing it? Forgive me for not buying this bullshit. You enjoyed frolicking with another woman in our bed. She must have been an amazing lay. The constant lovemaking and attempts at making a baby, exhausted me. I could barely walk, let alone even think about fucking someone else,” I said.
'I’d never been raped or even touched without permission, but my entire being felt violated. He had manipulated my mind and heart.'
Glad she managed to serve some public just deserts via SM -
“Ryan and Shannon, I hope you find the happiness you stole from me.”
All said and done - the ending lets down majorly.
Because the author decides to let her be pregnant (letting him have his win after all), and then maintain her pregnancy after a scare.
Okay fine, but why let him be a part of her life, so much so that he goes along on doctor's visits, and is in with her during her labor etc.? The baby wouldn't know/care about that, would she?
So why not just keep him away till he is really required as a parent? Why let the creep back in so much?
Also, no real man for her?? :/
Even knowing that this is a cheating book, the reader (and the fmc) is still blindsided with his cheating. Because he works overtime to make sure she doesn't see the real him, or realize the truth.
The fmc learns of the cheating too late in the book, and he lets her play happy homes for far too long, gaslighting and fibbing to her to lock her in deeper so that she won't leave, while he gets over his sexual obsession with the ow/skank, his school gf - the one who got away. Oh not just got away, but dumped, cheated on him got away.
“Do you want the details? I was weak. She, like you, knows how to get to me. She pushed my buttons, and I gave in.
Like you????
The worst bit?
After he starts his affair, he starts pressurizing the fmc/fiancee in getting pregnant! And she gives in despite misgivings, wanting to wait till after the wedding (obviously). She gives up coffee, wine etc and makes a sincere effort, not knowing how devious he is being...
'Ryan didn’t want to start a family with me, he wanted to keep me prisoner while he gallivanted with Shannon.'
She catches them in their bed (in their new home!) as she comes home to get her heels/shoes to try her wedding dress - poor poor girl! Shockingly it seems he has turned into a sex addict/ deviant because just taht morning the fmc/him had sex 3 times! And now he is having an afternoon tryst with the skank!
'For the past five months, he’d been all over me, wanting me day and night. I’d thought the wedding planning; house hunting and baby planning had reignited his spark. Instead, he’d been with another woman and then came home seducing me out of what? Guilt? Obligation? My stomach rose again, and I heaved into the toilet.
I also hated her bff/his twin because she protected him, distancing herself from the fmc in order to keep his secret. She knew but not only did she not tell the fmc about it, but became hostile and rude! She did not deserve the fmc's forgiveness and grace imo.
'There was one friend I was hoping to see a message from, but she hadn’t called, emailed or sent a text. Rachel hadn’t even checked in the last week. No apology, no how are you, nothing. I was beginning to wonder if, like Ryan, I hadn’t really been that important to her.'
And as if the world decides to mega shyte on her - she unfairly loses her job well!
Surprisingly, the fmc's selfish, really non-parent mom and dad come through for her.
“So, you hated her. Hated sleeping with her. But, just kept doing it? Forgive me for not buying this bullshit. You enjoyed frolicking with another woman in our bed. She must have been an amazing lay. The constant lovemaking and attempts at making a baby, exhausted me. I could barely walk, let alone even think about fucking someone else,” I said.
'I’d never been raped or even touched without permission, but my entire being felt violated. He had manipulated my mind and heart.'
Glad she managed to serve some public just deserts via SM -
“Ryan and Shannon, I hope you find the happiness you stole from me.”
All said and done - the ending lets down majorly.
Because the author decides to let her be pregnant (letting him have his win after all), and then maintain her pregnancy after a scare.
Okay fine, but why let him be a part of her life, so much so that he goes along on doctor's visits, and is in with her during her labor etc.? The baby wouldn't know/care about that, would she?
So why not just keep him away till he is really required as a parent? Why let the creep back in so much?
Also, no real man for her?? :/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2025
This is the one where the h sees fiancé cheating in their bed. He’s been sleeping with his old high school girlfriend who was on The Bachelor. OW goads him into sleeping with her by threatening his masculinity. He was a nerd in HS. Dipshit falls for it every time. Heroine also gets pregnant by ex fiancé but stands firm on not getting back together! Ends with baby being born and they are civil to each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2019
Just finished this book and I have a lot of emotions going on..
My most favorite part of this book is Janna's transformation. It's not that I didn't dislike her in the beginning but I just couldn't relate to her and her girlyness lol. But her transformation throughout the second half is incredible. And I LOVED the ending!
At one point in the book my heart literally hurt with Janna, it was pounding and hurting and I just wanted to scream, for her, and cry because I felt her hurt.
Lastly, being from Nashville I love all the mentions of places and things in the area. Also that we had the same degree at the same University.
My most favorite part of this book is Janna's transformation. It's not that I didn't dislike her in the beginning but I just couldn't relate to her and her girlyness lol. But her transformation throughout the second half is incredible. And I LOVED the ending!
At one point in the book my heart literally hurt with Janna, it was pounding and hurting and I just wanted to scream, for her, and cry because I felt her hurt.
Lastly, being from Nashville I love all the mentions of places and things in the area. Also that we had the same degree at the same University.
April 14, 2019
Life doesn’t always work out the way we plan. That’s how we transform into the people we’re meant to be. This book showcases how Janna develops through life’s ups & downs. Well-written & a roller coaster of emotions. I enjoyed this story & kept looking forward to find out how it was going to turn out. I loved the realistic characters & situations.
March 3, 2025
3 ⭐️. More chick lit and family drama than romance. Decent bones but very light on the feels. Not for someone seeking a wicked gut punch. No real grovel at all. No HEA. And little comeuppance for the transgressors.
August 4, 2025
As it should be, no HEA.
Read
March 20, 2025This book was honestly just heartbreaking. I really wish we got his POV because I need to know what was going through his head.
So, they’ve been together for five years, and everything seems perfect… until it’s not. After a school reunion, he finds out (or maybe realizes?) that the hero started having an affair with another woman. It goes on for five months. And throughout the whole book, we never really get a clear reason why he did it. All we know is that he and this other woman had a history back in college—sounds like they were even engaged at one point. I’m not totally sure, but it feels like his ego took a hit when she rejected him, and maybe that played a part in it? I don’t know. It’s confusing because he clearly loves his wife/partner, but then… why cheat?
And the the heroine, she gets pregnant. And apparently, that was his plan? Like, he thought if she got pregnant, she’d stay with him. It’s so messed up. The whole thing was just painful to read, and then it kind of ends out of nowhere. It didn’t really wrap things up. She becomes this strong, independent woman by the end, which is great, but I was really hoping for more closure—like maybe she meets someone new and moves on or something. We’re left wondering if he stayed with the other woman. I mean, he went back to her even after his wife caught them together, so maybe it wasn’t just lust? Maybe there were actual feelings there? I don’t know, it just felt like a lot was missing in the story.
So, they’ve been together for five years, and everything seems perfect… until it’s not. After a school reunion, he finds out (or maybe realizes?) that the hero started having an affair with another woman. It goes on for five months. And throughout the whole book, we never really get a clear reason why he did it. All we know is that he and this other woman had a history back in college—sounds like they were even engaged at one point. I’m not totally sure, but it feels like his ego took a hit when she rejected him, and maybe that played a part in it? I don’t know. It’s confusing because he clearly loves his wife/partner, but then… why cheat?
And the the heroine, she gets pregnant. And apparently, that was his plan? Like, he thought if she got pregnant, she’d stay with him. It’s so messed up. The whole thing was just painful to read, and then it kind of ends out of nowhere. It didn’t really wrap things up. She becomes this strong, independent woman by the end, which is great, but I was really hoping for more closure—like maybe she meets someone new and moves on or something. We’re left wondering if he stayed with the other woman. I mean, he went back to her even after his wife caught them together, so maybe it wasn’t just lust? Maybe there were actual feelings there? I don’t know, it just felt like a lot was missing in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2020
I read this book in ONE SITTING!!!
I friggin’ loved it!!! Every single thing about it was exactly what I needed to read right now. I have so many favourite things about this book, but the one that sticks out in my mind the most is the realness of the characters. These characters go through some heavy stuff and I felt it all right along with them.
This book consumed me. Andrea’s writing is witty and hilarious, but it’s also deeply emotional and raw. A roller coaster of emotions - I laughed out loud numerous times, and then I bawled. You need to check this one out!
I friggin’ loved it!!! Every single thing about it was exactly what I needed to read right now. I have so many favourite things about this book, but the one that sticks out in my mind the most is the realness of the characters. These characters go through some heavy stuff and I felt it all right along with them.
This book consumed me. Andrea’s writing is witty and hilarious, but it’s also deeply emotional and raw. A roller coaster of emotions - I laughed out loud numerous times, and then I bawled. You need to check this one out!
May 7, 2025
I would’ve given this 4 stars before the ridiculously abrupt ending.
I should have realized the title Happily Ever Never was actually a warning for the reader! There’s no HEA here, period.
Way way way too many pages before the crisis of her discovering her fiancé cheating on her in her own bed. Then way way way too few pages to cover “the rest of the story” from her being 12 weeks pregnant and her giving birth.
No HEA. No HFN. No resolutions. No character closure. No situation updates. Nothing.
I’m sorry a good editor didn’t say the story was completely out of balance. I actually searched in hopes of a Sequel because this ending was THAT useless.
It’s too bad, because parts were very compelling and well written; there was a great deal of potential.
I should have realized the title Happily Ever Never was actually a warning for the reader! There’s no HEA here, period.
Way way way too many pages before the crisis of her discovering her fiancé cheating on her in her own bed. Then way way way too few pages to cover “the rest of the story” from her being 12 weeks pregnant and her giving birth.
No HEA. No HFN. No resolutions. No character closure. No situation updates. Nothing.
I’m sorry a good editor didn’t say the story was completely out of balance. I actually searched in hopes of a Sequel because this ending was THAT useless.
It’s too bad, because parts were very compelling and well written; there was a great deal of potential.
May 7, 2025
Why Are White Women Terrified Of Abortion Pills? Genuinely, Why Are You Afraid To Choose Yourself? I Wanted A Miscarriage To Happen, Or Abortion, No Child Deserves Dysregulation Like This
Maybe being of a colonised cultured of planters, makes me hyperaware of the fact men colonise and then cheat on their wives.
Things just happened to work out for her.
Like its 2025, we're ready to choose ourselves and not a pregnancy right?
Poor kid, his environment is going to be wild.
Maybe being of a colonised cultured of planters, makes me hyperaware of the fact men colonise and then cheat on their wives.
Things just happened to work out for her.
Like its 2025, we're ready to choose ourselves and not a pregnancy right?
Poor kid, his environment is going to be wild.
October 17, 2018
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't sure what to think of the story at first. I didn't know if it was something I'd like, despite finding the synopsis intriguing. As I read on, I'm glad I did, because I was soon hooked into the story! I devoured this book quickly.
At first, Janna annoyed me a bit. Her description of her fairytale, princess wedding, complete with tiara and all, and her lifestyle dreams and goals of everything having to be exactly perfect just wasn't something I could relate to. But after reading more, I identified with Janna. I remembered the delight of wedding planning, and the moment I said "yes" to the dress. I remembered the devastation after going through the same situation in my own past, and it evoked all the familiar emotions.
Maybe it's because I was recently married 4 months ago, or maybe it's because I have experienced before what Janna has to go through, but as I was reading Jannas situation, I felt so deeply for her that I felt almost as if the events in her life affecting her were also happening to me. I felt her anger, her despair, her tears, and her shattered heart. The loss of breath, and the complete emptiness, coupled with the utter disbelief, all came back to me as I related with her and recalled my own past. I don't want to say any more for fear of spoilers, but I will say that this book was in my mind for days after finishing it.
I wasn't sure what to think of the story at first. I didn't know if it was something I'd like, despite finding the synopsis intriguing. As I read on, I'm glad I did, because I was soon hooked into the story! I devoured this book quickly.
At first, Janna annoyed me a bit. Her description of her fairytale, princess wedding, complete with tiara and all, and her lifestyle dreams and goals of everything having to be exactly perfect just wasn't something I could relate to. But after reading more, I identified with Janna. I remembered the delight of wedding planning, and the moment I said "yes" to the dress. I remembered the devastation after going through the same situation in my own past, and it evoked all the familiar emotions.
Maybe it's because I was recently married 4 months ago, or maybe it's because I have experienced before what Janna has to go through, but as I was reading Jannas situation, I felt so deeply for her that I felt almost as if the events in her life affecting her were also happening to me. I felt her anger, her despair, her tears, and her shattered heart. The loss of breath, and the complete emptiness, coupled with the utter disbelief, all came back to me as I related with her and recalled my own past. I don't want to say any more for fear of spoilers, but I will say that this book was in my mind for days after finishing it.
January 15, 2019
Oh, gosh. Where do I even start?
The title caught my attention, the description hooked me, but the story reeled me in.
I felt a whirlwind of emotions (I cried REAL TEARS during a couple of scenes) while reading this book. It did take me a couple of chapters to get into, but once I did I was sucked in quick, and could barely put it down (good thing my husband didn't have to work late tonight ;)).
I loved it! It was real, and not sugar-coated. I felt such a connection with Janna and became so proud of her, and how strong she is! Definitely would recommend this book to others. It's easy to read, and the characters are well developed!
The title caught my attention, the description hooked me, but the story reeled me in.
I felt a whirlwind of emotions (I cried REAL TEARS during a couple of scenes) while reading this book. It did take me a couple of chapters to get into, but once I did I was sucked in quick, and could barely put it down (good thing my husband didn't have to work late tonight ;)).
I loved it! It was real, and not sugar-coated. I felt such a connection with Janna and became so proud of her, and how strong she is! Definitely would recommend this book to others. It's easy to read, and the characters are well developed!
October 14, 2018
Love!
Several times, I caught myself tearing up a few times. I’ve been in these shoes. The character development was extremely well thought out. The details in EVERYTHING were so meticulously put together. I highly recommend this book! It’s not your typical “happy ending” romance. It will make you angry, then proud. It’s a complete roller coaster of feelings, which I adored! Janna has the strength I wish I had when I was in a similar situation. Andrea, great job! Looking forward to your next!!!
Several times, I caught myself tearing up a few times. I’ve been in these shoes. The character development was extremely well thought out. The details in EVERYTHING were so meticulously put together. I highly recommend this book! It’s not your typical “happy ending” romance. It will make you angry, then proud. It’s a complete roller coaster of feelings, which I adored! Janna has the strength I wish I had when I was in a similar situation. Andrea, great job! Looking forward to your next!!!
February 17, 2019
Ups and Downs of Life...
Good story around life’s unexpected twists. Strong character development, solid humor, good raw emotion surrounding the lead character, and a relatable tale around life’s plan not always working out.
Good story around life’s unexpected twists. Strong character development, solid humor, good raw emotion surrounding the lead character, and a relatable tale around life’s plan not always working out.
February 17, 2019
Great Story
I got lost in the story and the characters, which as a fellow writer - I think is the most important part of a great book. I hated to see her happy bubble pop, but Janna did exactly as most women I know would - she faced her future and gracefully took it one step at a time. I loved this and would even love to hear how things have turned out for them as life moved forward.
I got lost in the story and the characters, which as a fellow writer - I think is the most important part of a great book. I hated to see her happy bubble pop, but Janna did exactly as most women I know would - she faced her future and gracefully took it one step at a time. I loved this and would even love to hear how things have turned out for them as life moved forward.
December 3, 2020
Sometimes, you know a book is going to hurt so good, that you have to save it for just the right moment. This is one of those books. Fantastic.
June 20, 2025
Not a fan of open ended endings. Needs an epilogue.
May 6, 2020
I am a huge fan of the author on Instagram so when I picked up Happily Never Ever I was excited to read it, but also nervous; I like to think we're friends online - what if I didn't like it? What if I didn't know what to say about it?
I should have known I would have nothing to worry about. The writing was quick, smart, and funny. Several times Nourse had a flashback/memory in the story, and then brought it back to present time - something I typically don't like, but the transitions out of a memory were completely natural.
I wasn't sure about Janna at first - she seemed a little abrasive, and her interests were so different than mine I wasn't sure how I would relate to her, but as I kept reading, that's why I ended up really liking her. This story was completely different than experiences I have had at work and in my relationships, but Janna's reactions to situations were so visceral and real, I was rooting her on! At one point when she was giving someone a piece of her mind, I actually said out loud, "Yes, thank you!"
Andrea Nourse is a self-published author, which is an additional reason why I wanted to pick up one of her books. I don't know a ton about publishing, but I know what I see (and don't see) marketed, and I can only imagine how hard it is to break into that industry. Knowing someone self-published makes me think they are a badass, because they want to share their story with the world so much they are willing to (I'm assuming), not make a lot, have to self-promote more, and knowing they may not get the attention they should.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend!
I should have known I would have nothing to worry about. The writing was quick, smart, and funny. Several times Nourse had a flashback/memory in the story, and then brought it back to present time - something I typically don't like, but the transitions out of a memory were completely natural.
I wasn't sure about Janna at first - she seemed a little abrasive, and her interests were so different than mine I wasn't sure how I would relate to her, but as I kept reading, that's why I ended up really liking her. This story was completely different than experiences I have had at work and in my relationships, but Janna's reactions to situations were so visceral and real, I was rooting her on! At one point when she was giving someone a piece of her mind, I actually said out loud, "Yes, thank you!"
Andrea Nourse is a self-published author, which is an additional reason why I wanted to pick up one of her books. I don't know a ton about publishing, but I know what I see (and don't see) marketed, and I can only imagine how hard it is to break into that industry. Knowing someone self-published makes me think they are a badass, because they want to share their story with the world so much they are willing to (I'm assuming), not make a lot, have to self-promote more, and knowing they may not get the attention they should.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend!
May 14, 2025
wanted to love it
Love betrayal stories like these! First, my fave part is there’s no HEA with a MMC. Love that it’s a HFN and she’s living life on her own terms! But, I feel like the plot had so much more potential, angsty goodness opportunities ignored or not developed enough. Pacing kind of ran like an outline sometimes and I was left wanting. Ryan didn’t give us anything except short excuses and whatever. Would’ve appreciated more dialogue and to see him finally accept he’s a loser out loud. I don’t feel like he got enough of a smack down, at least for us to see. I just wanted more meat.
Lastly, I read to escape the real world of politics…all politics. The mention of the current presidency not once, but twice was off putting. I don’t care what side you’re on, this isn’t a political book, I don’t need the authors opinion slipped inside a women’s fiction betrayal book. Poor form.
Love betrayal stories like these! First, my fave part is there’s no HEA with a MMC. Love that it’s a HFN and she’s living life on her own terms! But, I feel like the plot had so much more potential, angsty goodness opportunities ignored or not developed enough. Pacing kind of ran like an outline sometimes and I was left wanting. Ryan didn’t give us anything except short excuses and whatever. Would’ve appreciated more dialogue and to see him finally accept he’s a loser out loud. I don’t feel like he got enough of a smack down, at least for us to see. I just wanted more meat.
Lastly, I read to escape the real world of politics…all politics. The mention of the current presidency not once, but twice was off putting. I don’t care what side you’re on, this isn’t a political book, I don’t need the authors opinion slipped inside a women’s fiction betrayal book. Poor form.
May 17, 2025
I liked that from the jump Janna was never going to take back that disgusting cheater. What I hated was that she was still going to be tied to him because of the baby.
Not even the baby trapping was original because he wanted to do with Shannon too. These two cheaters had zero comeuppance for their behavior. It would have been so good if Shannon got pregnant and they both lived in misery as their penance while Janna thrived in her career and met someone worthy but noooooooo 😪
Maybe I’m just a petty bitch but the way I would’ve NEVER been friends with Rachel again after the cheating came to light. She may have been Janna’s friend but she’s still Ryan’s sister and that’s where her loyalty lies which was very clear in this whole situation. Not to mention her not making an effort after the fact and just waltzing in months later with a pathetic attempt at an apology. Miss me 🤚🏽
I hated Ryan so much I just wanted to stab him in the neck with an ice pick! Ugh 😒
Not even the baby trapping was original because he wanted to do with Shannon too. These two cheaters had zero comeuppance for their behavior. It would have been so good if Shannon got pregnant and they both lived in misery as their penance while Janna thrived in her career and met someone worthy but noooooooo 😪
Maybe I’m just a petty bitch but the way I would’ve NEVER been friends with Rachel again after the cheating came to light. She may have been Janna’s friend but she’s still Ryan’s sister and that’s where her loyalty lies which was very clear in this whole situation. Not to mention her not making an effort after the fact and just waltzing in months later with a pathetic attempt at an apology. Miss me 🤚🏽
I hated Ryan so much I just wanted to stab him in the neck with an ice pick! Ugh 😒
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2019
The story was real and the emotion was raw. I could connect with Janna in many ways. Friendships, what feels like true love and a baby.
Janna is head over heels for her man, as he is her. Or so it seems. She catches him red handed in the act and it unravels from there. Great read, great dialogue.
Would recommend this to anyone who loves a good hearted story and strong woman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
Hmm
Well I’m glad she did not end up with that loser but def not a traditional HEA. This books was recommended on a romance facebook page so I assumed there would be a H and h HEA. No H in sight, maybe it’s an introduction to a book where she gets a worthy H? I would read that only to see Ryan suffer more.
Well I’m glad she did not end up with that loser but def not a traditional HEA. This books was recommended on a romance facebook page so I assumed there would be a H and h HEA. No H in sight, maybe it’s an introduction to a book where she gets a worthy H? I would read that only to see Ryan suffer more.
February 23, 2025
meh
A boring and predictable story of a couple who weren’t written with any depth… all wrapped up with a nice unrealistic bow. I didn’t care enough about any of them so skimmed most of the book
A boring and predictable story of a couple who weren’t written with any depth… all wrapped up with a nice unrealistic bow. I didn’t care enough about any of them so skimmed most of the book
November 12, 2025
Janna works for the marketing department of some clothing store, and talks A LOT about the brand names of her clothes. I didn't give a shit about her mid-level luxury brands, so I skimmed a lot. She has, maybe not a drinking problem, but she lives in that kind of "Mommy wine culture," even though she doesn't have kids. She's always thinking of how many glasses of wine she can have. If they go out, she can drink someone else's wine. She's on a business trip and drinks several glasses with her boss, on the plane. All the wine, all the time. She has really terrible parents who contributed to her luxury clothes and wine obsession.
Ryan is a dentist. He seems ok, with an ok upbringing, but we find out later he was keeping a lot of stuff secret.
At the beginning of the story, Janna practically strongarms Ryan into going to his high school reunion. Ryan disappears for a while, but he comes back eventually, and Janna forgets all about it. After that, he has a lot of "dental emergencies" and late nights doing "paperwork." Janna doesn't connect the dots, but she will.
The whole first half of the book is a lead up to their wedding. House hunting, dress shopping, etc. (She wants a specific Vera Wang wedding dress and spends a lot of time driving to different dress shops looking for it. She equates having this "right" dress to having this "right" husband, it's dehumanizing, IMO.) She's also working on a work project trying to get a promotion, while her immediate supervisor is trying to sabotage her.
I felt like this first half had some good info, but it was buried in the maximum number of words. For example, the fact that they only found the dress in her size in one store in all of Georgia - that whole story was told twice.
Janna comes home from one of these dress fittings early, and catches Ryan in bed with one of the classmates from the reunion, Sharon. She kicks Sharon out and then Ryan starts the typical "Please let's talk" bullshit. He ends up saying he didn't want to do it. (What does that mean?) And that he was "ending it." That just makes Janna angrier because she realizes that means they were having an affair, not just a ONS. She tells him, "Ok we talked, now leave." He starts saying "Don't do this, I'm not leaving, I'm not walking out on us." As if Janna is the one causing their breakup.
They had just started trying for a baby, too, so now Janna feels really confused, why would he push for a baby? To baby trap her so she wouldn't leave when she found out about his affair? He doesn't deny it, so she takes that to mean, yes, he just wanted a baby trap.
So Ryan is the brother of Janna's BFF, Rachel. After Ryan finally lets Janna leave the house (because he was blocking the door at first), she talks to Rachel who confesses knowing about the affair but not saying anything because Ryan told her it was over.
Come to find out, the affair started immediately after the reunion (or possibly at the reunion when Ryan disappeared.) But Rachel didn't find out till later. The reunion was five months ago, so the entire affair was five months.
She also keeps puking a lot, which she attributes to wanting to puke every time she thinks about Ryan, but we all know it means she pregnant. The baby trap was sprung!
She spends the weekend in a hotel. She shows up at work Monday and the supervisor that's sabotaging her accuses her of steeling her work project idea from someone and passing it off as her own. The boss (the one she sat with on the plane) doesn't necessarily believe it, but the supervisor has the right to hire and fire anyway, so it doesn't matter.
So, Janna's mom is a real piece of work. A total bitch. But when Janna shows up at her house after being cheated on and fired, her mom actually acts decent. Mom takes her house key and goes get her stuff so Janna doesn't have to. That was nice of her. Janna stays with her mom till she can find a new job.
One morning, Ryan shows up at the mom's house and asks Janna to talk again. This time, Janna agrees. His version of what happened is, Sharon was his high school sweetheart but she cheated on him with Aaron a classmate, because Aaron was a "real man." At the reunion, she approached Ryan, saying she regretted what she did in high school. He agreed to meet her for lunch for a closure conversation. A week later he was at his office and I guess his business partner keeps whiskey in the office, and he ended up drinking a lot after hours. Sharon showed up in a cheerleader uniform (ick!) and they had sex. He tells her it can never happen again but of course it does, anytime she shows up, they have sex. So basically, when he finally got caught and told Janna he was "ending it," that's meaningless because he'd go through the motions of "ending it" every time he fucked Sharon.
While they're having this conversation, she starts bleeding, and Ryan takes to the ER. That's how they find out she's pregnant. The bleeding isn't a miscarriage, she's still pregnant. Ryan thinks they should stay together because a baby is a "sign." She's like, "No it's not a sign, it's a trap. We're not getting back together." I'm paraphrasing.
He drives her back home, but to his house, not her moms. She's wants to go back to her mom's but he says no. He makes her dinner and wants to eat dinner together. I'm not going to lie, I don't think the author intended this to be a creepy horror novel, but this shit creeped me out. He acted like a total psycho, acting like they were still a couple. They get into an argument at the dinner table, and I swear to God I thought he was going to kill her and keep her in the house like Norman Bates kept his mother. But thank God, he lets her call her mother to come get her.
They have one more conversation where she tells him she is keeping the baby but they are not getting back together. He tries to manipulate her to have a two parent home for their child. She says a home with 2 parents who hate each other isn't a good home. We see that Ryan is really very manipulative.
Her boss figures out that the supervisor lied, and the boss offers her not just her old job back, but a promotion. So it all works out in the end.
Ryan is a dentist. He seems ok, with an ok upbringing, but we find out later he was keeping a lot of stuff secret.
At the beginning of the story, Janna practically strongarms Ryan into going to his high school reunion. Ryan disappears for a while, but he comes back eventually, and Janna forgets all about it. After that, he has a lot of "dental emergencies" and late nights doing "paperwork." Janna doesn't connect the dots, but she will.
The whole first half of the book is a lead up to their wedding. House hunting, dress shopping, etc. (She wants a specific Vera Wang wedding dress and spends a lot of time driving to different dress shops looking for it. She equates having this "right" dress to having this "right" husband, it's dehumanizing, IMO.) She's also working on a work project trying to get a promotion, while her immediate supervisor is trying to sabotage her.
I felt like this first half had some good info, but it was buried in the maximum number of words. For example, the fact that they only found the dress in her size in one store in all of Georgia - that whole story was told twice.
Janna comes home from one of these dress fittings early, and catches Ryan in bed with one of the classmates from the reunion, Sharon. She kicks Sharon out and then Ryan starts the typical "Please let's talk" bullshit. He ends up saying he didn't want to do it. (What does that mean?) And that he was "ending it." That just makes Janna angrier because she realizes that means they were having an affair, not just a ONS. She tells him, "Ok we talked, now leave." He starts saying "Don't do this, I'm not leaving, I'm not walking out on us." As if Janna is the one causing their breakup.
They had just started trying for a baby, too, so now Janna feels really confused, why would he push for a baby? To baby trap her so she wouldn't leave when she found out about his affair? He doesn't deny it, so she takes that to mean, yes, he just wanted a baby trap.
So Ryan is the brother of Janna's BFF, Rachel. After Ryan finally lets Janna leave the house (because he was blocking the door at first), she talks to Rachel who confesses knowing about the affair but not saying anything because Ryan told her it was over.
Come to find out, the affair started immediately after the reunion (or possibly at the reunion when Ryan disappeared.) But Rachel didn't find out till later. The reunion was five months ago, so the entire affair was five months.
She also keeps puking a lot, which she attributes to wanting to puke every time she thinks about Ryan, but we all know it means she pregnant. The baby trap was sprung!
She spends the weekend in a hotel. She shows up at work Monday and the supervisor that's sabotaging her accuses her of steeling her work project idea from someone and passing it off as her own. The boss (the one she sat with on the plane) doesn't necessarily believe it, but the supervisor has the right to hire and fire anyway, so it doesn't matter.
So, Janna's mom is a real piece of work. A total bitch. But when Janna shows up at her house after being cheated on and fired, her mom actually acts decent. Mom takes her house key and goes get her stuff so Janna doesn't have to. That was nice of her. Janna stays with her mom till she can find a new job.
One morning, Ryan shows up at the mom's house and asks Janna to talk again. This time, Janna agrees. His version of what happened is, Sharon was his high school sweetheart but she cheated on him with Aaron a classmate, because Aaron was a "real man." At the reunion, she approached Ryan, saying she regretted what she did in high school. He agreed to meet her for lunch for a closure conversation. A week later he was at his office and I guess his business partner keeps whiskey in the office, and he ended up drinking a lot after hours. Sharon showed up in a cheerleader uniform (ick!) and they had sex. He tells her it can never happen again but of course it does, anytime she shows up, they have sex. So basically, when he finally got caught and told Janna he was "ending it," that's meaningless because he'd go through the motions of "ending it" every time he fucked Sharon.
While they're having this conversation, she starts bleeding, and Ryan takes to the ER. That's how they find out she's pregnant. The bleeding isn't a miscarriage, she's still pregnant. Ryan thinks they should stay together because a baby is a "sign." She's like, "No it's not a sign, it's a trap. We're not getting back together." I'm paraphrasing.
He drives her back home, but to his house, not her moms. She's wants to go back to her mom's but he says no. He makes her dinner and wants to eat dinner together. I'm not going to lie, I don't think the author intended this to be a creepy horror novel, but this shit creeped me out. He acted like a total psycho, acting like they were still a couple. They get into an argument at the dinner table, and I swear to God I thought he was going to kill her and keep her in the house like Norman Bates kept his mother. But thank God, he lets her call her mother to come get her.
They have one more conversation where she tells him she is keeping the baby but they are not getting back together. He tries to manipulate her to have a two parent home for their child. She says a home with 2 parents who hate each other isn't a good home. We see that Ryan is really very manipulative.
Her boss figures out that the supervisor lied, and the boss offers her not just her old job back, but a promotion. So it all works out in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2025
Some Great Monologues
This book has one of the better caught in the act moments I have read. The h walks in on the H with the intent to have sex with him, and catches him having sex with someone else. 😂
This isn’t a cheating redemption romance because the H is a lying, cheating scumbag. Essentially, he’s been fooling the h for likely the duration of their relationship, and thankfully she catches on to his deceptive ways before it’s too late, but not before she gets pregnant.
This is written in only the h’s POV, so we don’t know what motivates the H, but the story isn’t about their relationship. If you are looking for romance, then this is not the book for you. It’s almost like a cautionary tale about not listening to your gut, and turning lemons into lemonade in a bad situation.
Unfortunately, the poor formatting in the book made this a very poor read. I downgrade for poor formatting but this would have been three stars, even though the ending is very rushed and the book’s overall resolution and themes felt tacked on.
Still, if you want to read a good caught in the act moment and some delicious monologues that include the h spitting on the H, then click buy now. 😁
This book has one of the better caught in the act moments I have read. The h walks in on the H with the intent to have sex with him, and catches him having sex with someone else. 😂
This isn’t a cheating redemption romance because the H is a lying, cheating scumbag. Essentially, he’s been fooling the h for likely the duration of their relationship, and thankfully she catches on to his deceptive ways before it’s too late, but not before she gets pregnant.
This is written in only the h’s POV, so we don’t know what motivates the H, but the story isn’t about their relationship. If you are looking for romance, then this is not the book for you. It’s almost like a cautionary tale about not listening to your gut, and turning lemons into lemonade in a bad situation.
Unfortunately, the poor formatting in the book made this a very poor read. I downgrade for poor formatting but this would have been three stars, even though the ending is very rushed and the book’s overall resolution and themes felt tacked on.
Still, if you want to read a good caught in the act moment and some delicious monologues that include the h spitting on the H, then click buy now. 😁
February 23, 2025
I wonder
I thought the mfc very naive in regard to her fiance. As she admits later - all the signs were there. I don't think I am giving any spoilers as things are set out in the blurb. I am surprised by the ending though. For a supposedly strong woman the mfc surrenders totally to the idea of a baby. At 8 weeks of pregnancy it is not a baby, it is a collection of cells with potential to become a baby. Being a single working mother- even with family support- is extremely difficult. And as this tale points out, you are stuck with contact with your future l wonder how the mfc will felchild's father whether you like it or not. I'm tired of stories where having a baby seems to be a wonderful outcome. It's not. For you or the child. This story highlights it in every way.
I wonder just what the mfc would think a year it two in her future .
I thought the mfc very naive in regard to her fiance. As she admits later - all the signs were there. I don't think I am giving any spoilers as things are set out in the blurb. I am surprised by the ending though. For a supposedly strong woman the mfc surrenders totally to the idea of a baby. At 8 weeks of pregnancy it is not a baby, it is a collection of cells with potential to become a baby. Being a single working mother- even with family support- is extremely difficult. And as this tale points out, you are stuck with contact with your future l wonder how the mfc will felchild's father whether you like it or not. I'm tired of stories where having a baby seems to be a wonderful outcome. It's not. For you or the child. This story highlights it in every way.
I wonder just what the mfc would think a year it two in her future .
April 21, 2025
Good read
I really enjoyed this book, but I could have used a little more of an ending. That could just be that I didn’t want it to end, though. I really loved Janna and seeing her stand on her own. I guessed what was going on with Ryan fairly early, but not how it started. I really couldn’t stand him. I wanted things to really blow up for him and Shannon. I would have enjoyed a bit of revenge or more proof of how many guys Shannon was with at the time, since Aaron seemed to believe she was cheating with a few. I really wanted Ryan to hurt.
I’d definitely recommend the book and will read more by the author. I just would have liked a bit more of an ending. It seemed to end abruptly, but that could just be me. I still really enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed this book, but I could have used a little more of an ending. That could just be that I didn’t want it to end, though. I really loved Janna and seeing her stand on her own. I guessed what was going on with Ryan fairly early, but not how it started. I really couldn’t stand him. I wanted things to really blow up for him and Shannon. I would have enjoyed a bit of revenge or more proof of how many guys Shannon was with at the time, since Aaron seemed to believe she was cheating with a few. I really wanted Ryan to hurt.
I’d definitely recommend the book and will read more by the author. I just would have liked a bit more of an ending. It seemed to end abruptly, but that could just be me. I still really enjoyed it!
September 10, 2025
🦋 No Spoilers🦋
Trigger Warning: CHEATING
Ugh, I read this book so fast.
I absolutely devoured the cheating portion of this story, and I actually re-read the main elements, regarding the whole discovery, because I could not stop thinking about it later that night.
Although I thought the FMC was pretty shallow and superficial at first, she really redeemed herself by turning into this strong, brave woman.
And I love the fact that she had a career.
Let this be a lesson to all the ladies out there: get an education, so that no matter what, you can get a good job and not have to depend on a man for money.
Her parents really redeemed themselves too.
The sister (the MMC sister) would not be my best-friend after that, that’s for sure. What she did and/or didn’t do was unforgivable.
That was heartbreaking. I hated that for her.
And the MMC 🤯 what an idiot. I would have liked to have had more from him in terms of character development.
I wanted more answers and more from his side or point of view. I had so many questions that were left unanswered.
Trigger Warning: CHEATING
Ugh, I read this book so fast.
I absolutely devoured the cheating portion of this story, and I actually re-read the main elements, regarding the whole discovery, because I could not stop thinking about it later that night.
Although I thought the FMC was pretty shallow and superficial at first, she really redeemed herself by turning into this strong, brave woman.
And I love the fact that she had a career.
Let this be a lesson to all the ladies out there: get an education, so that no matter what, you can get a good job and not have to depend on a man for money.
Her parents really redeemed themselves too.
The sister (the MMC sister) would not be my best-friend after that, that’s for sure. What she did and/or didn’t do was unforgivable.
That was heartbreaking. I hated that for her.
And the MMC 🤯 what an idiot. I would have liked to have had more from him in terms of character development.
I wanted more answers and more from his side or point of view. I had so many questions that were left unanswered.
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