What do you think?
Rate this book
Never a Bride #1
Can't Help Falling in Love
Keeping this staycation fling casual turns out to be impossible when you just can’t help falling in love.
----
Dr. Rosie Snyder doesn’t do vacations. Period. So when she's ordered to take three weeks off, she’s at a loss until her best friend ropes her into fulfilling some bridesmaid duties by organizing an engagement party. Gus Cuevas, a cute gardener at the party’s venue, might be the perfect distraction.
When Rosie suggests Gus complete her vacation checklist with a fling, he quickly agrees. He knows the driven doctor would never fit into his live-for-the-now lifestyle of surfing, sunshine, and cerveza, but spending a few weeks with the beautiful brunette suits him just fine.
It’s not long before Gus realizes that three weeks together isn’t enough—he wants a lifetime. But Rosie's not looking for happily ever after…even if it turns out she just can’t help falling in love.
----
Book one of a steamy new series about four bridesmaids at a Santa Barbara society wedding who form a pact to be Never a Bride.
----
Dr. Rosie Snyder doesn’t do vacations. Period. So when she's ordered to take three weeks off, she’s at a loss until her best friend ropes her into fulfilling some bridesmaid duties by organizing an engagement party. Gus Cuevas, a cute gardener at the party’s venue, might be the perfect distraction.
When Rosie suggests Gus complete her vacation checklist with a fling, he quickly agrees. He knows the driven doctor would never fit into his live-for-the-now lifestyle of surfing, sunshine, and cerveza, but spending a few weeks with the beautiful brunette suits him just fine.
It’s not long before Gus realizes that three weeks together isn’t enough—he wants a lifetime. But Rosie's not looking for happily ever after…even if it turns out she just can’t help falling in love.
----
Book one of a steamy new series about four bridesmaids at a Santa Barbara society wedding who form a pact to be Never a Bride.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2020
385 people are currently reading
826 people want to read
About the author
Libby Waterford
28 books104 followersLibby Waterford is the author of the Sawyer’s Cove: The Reboot and the Never a Bride series. She’s obsessed with her pollinator garden, DIY fermentation, and writing swoony first kisses and hopeful happily ever afters. Her steamy contemporary romances mix witty banter and all the feels with a solid dollop of good old-fashioned sexual tension. Libby wrangles her two ever-growing sons and a husband in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Get a free story at libbywaterford.com.
Free books and newsletter sign up: https://book.libbywaterford.com/libby...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libbywrites...
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/libby...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/libbywa...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibbyWaterford
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/ap/81Y0lB/Libb...
Email me at libby@libbywaterford.com
Free books and newsletter sign up: https://book.libbywaterford.com/libby...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libbywrites...
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/libby...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/libbywa...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibbyWaterford
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/ap/81Y0lB/Libb...
Email me at libby@libbywaterford.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 10, 2021
I expected this book to be 'cute' because of the cover, but it was SO MUCH MORE! It was fun and realistic and steamy and had all the feels going on and perfectly paced.
HIGHLY ENJOYABLE and off to grab book 2 in the series.
And I'm telling everyone I know to read this book!
HIGHLY ENJOYABLE and off to grab book 2 in the series.
And I'm telling everyone I know to read this book!
May 5, 2024
Solid 3.5
Plot was cute - would have enjoyed this as a movie too!
I really enjoyed where the author took the characters, especially at the end. Was a complete story all in its own, but suggested more to come.
Plot was cute - would have enjoyed this as a movie too!
I really enjoyed where the author took the characters, especially at the end. Was a complete story all in its own, but suggested more to come.
June 4, 2024
Ummmm so this was one of the sweetest books I've ever read (and a nice bit of spice that was actually realistic)!!!! A badass female doctor and a dude who's obsessed with plants and speaks Spanish. He was walking green flag imo. I couldn't put this down.
February 25, 2022
Rosie and Gus stole my heart
This book was smartly written with a good pace that lets you get to know the characters who end up stealing a piece of your heart.
I just finished and my heart is soaring. Rosie and Gus were the perfect Hero and Heroine. They were relatable, witty, and I think just about anyone could relate to a small part of each of these characters. Rosie is a workaholic doctor with trauma from her past making her feel as if she's not worthy of a healthy relationship. Gus is fighting with trying to prove himself to his family, that working at a Garden is more than just being a gardener.
What really pulled me into this story was that it really showed what a good healthy relationship is like. People agree people disagree, people can give space when asked and people can see you for who you are and not who they want you to be. Although there are some really spicy scenes between these two, I also love the "let's just hang" moments where they really get to know each other. I loved how Rosie really gave herself over to her staycation and all that Gus could give to her as a friend and as a lover.
After I finished Can't Help, I immediately went and bought the entire series! I can't wait to dive into more of these characters. This book had me laughing and crying (both from laughter and sadness.) Can't Help Falling was definitely a surprise for me and I'm so glad that the book was recommended to me.
This book was smartly written with a good pace that lets you get to know the characters who end up stealing a piece of your heart.
I just finished and my heart is soaring. Rosie and Gus were the perfect Hero and Heroine. They were relatable, witty, and I think just about anyone could relate to a small part of each of these characters. Rosie is a workaholic doctor with trauma from her past making her feel as if she's not worthy of a healthy relationship. Gus is fighting with trying to prove himself to his family, that working at a Garden is more than just being a gardener.
What really pulled me into this story was that it really showed what a good healthy relationship is like. People agree people disagree, people can give space when asked and people can see you for who you are and not who they want you to be. Although there are some really spicy scenes between these two, I also love the "let's just hang" moments where they really get to know each other. I loved how Rosie really gave herself over to her staycation and all that Gus could give to her as a friend and as a lover.
After I finished Can't Help, I immediately went and bought the entire series! I can't wait to dive into more of these characters. This book had me laughing and crying (both from laughter and sadness.) Can't Help Falling was definitely a surprise for me and I'm so glad that the book was recommended to me.
June 4, 2023
this book was okay. not much else to say about it. the storyline was cute but it was kinda boring. i do think it was a good length though, it didnt drag on or anything which was nice. idk solid 3/5 not amazing but definitely not bad either
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2022
This is the first book in the series Never a Bride and also my first experience reading something by this author, which I can tell definitely won't be my last. It was a fun read, but a story that also gave me all the feels. The characters are well-developed and endearing and so relatable you can't help but fall in love with them. Rosie is a doctor and a complete workaholic. Because of her past experiences, she doesn't believe a healthy relationship is in the cards for her. Gus is a handsome, fun, and carefree guy she meets when she is practically forced to take a vacation. They have a really strong connection, but Rosie isn't looking for relationship and Gus doesn't see Rosie, whose life is her work, fitting into his carefree way of living. But neither can deny the strong feelings they have for each other. It was so heartwarming to experience their relationship as it developed and grew. These two were so wonderful together. This was a really entertaining and enjoyable story and am glad I had the opportunity to read it. I will definitely be looking for the next one!
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
January 28, 2024
2.75 rounded to three stars
What I liked:
- Nurturing MMC
- Realistic background and conflicts
- Opposites attract
- Short chapters
- Dual POV
What I disliked:
- Instalove, so, I knew from the first few pages it wasn't for me. But I kept reading anyway, so, that's entirely my responsibility.
- The MMC POV. It's a bit confusing to read. The attempt at representation is cute, but kinda weirdly executed, so, it felt like more of a caricature with some of the clichés of the latin american characters
- The smut has some funky moments.
I feel it like an electric shock through my system. His mouth is the defibrillator and he’s shocking my heart back online.
Like, girl, if it feels like a kick to the chest (the most accurate comparison I can come up with for a defibrillator shock), don't know about you, but I would run.
Also,
Maybe this will be a chill prelude to the main event of vaginal intercourse.
This is the least sexy phrase I've ever read
What I liked:
- Nurturing MMC
- Realistic background and conflicts
- Opposites attract
- Short chapters
- Dual POV
What I disliked:
- Instalove, so, I knew from the first few pages it wasn't for me. But I kept reading anyway, so, that's entirely my responsibility.
- The MMC POV. It's a bit confusing to read. The attempt at representation is cute, but kinda weirdly executed, so, it felt like more of a caricature with some of the clichés of the latin american characters
- The smut has some funky moments.
I feel it like an electric shock through my system. His mouth is the defibrillator and he’s shocking my heart back online.
Like, girl, if it feels like a kick to the chest (the most accurate comparison I can come up with for a defibrillator shock), don't know about you, but I would run.
Also,
Maybe this will be a chill prelude to the main event of vaginal intercourse.
This is the least sexy phrase I've ever read
August 24, 2020
A thoroughly enjoyable read on a day when you're at the beach or would like to be. The author has an effortless style laced with humor when writing about the essentials: characters, setting, and sex. The plot is a little predictable, but this is a romance, so that's as it should be. I don't want any sudden tragedies. And the factor that raises it above some others in the genre is the neat twist of the insecure female doctor falling for someone who might once have been considered unsuitable. I expect they'll live happily ever after, but read the book to find out how they work it out.
Then get the next book in the series...
Then get the next book in the series...
September 6, 2020
I LOVED Can’t Help Falling in Love. Rosie is a totally relatable heroine who uses her career as a defense against the sticky parts of life. She meets Gus and surprises herself by embarking on a simple, no commitment, staycation fling. Of course we know Rosie and Gus’s relationship won’t stay simple, because emotions have a way of sneaking up and clobbering those involved. Reading how the characters struggled to find a new path in life was a joy, and I can’t wait to read book #2 in the Never a Bride series.
January 22, 2022
This was lovely. I love opposites attract, especially when the woman is the serious one and the man is the nurturing one. It was just so soft and lovely. Also lots of found family. It was really plausible the ways both main characters grew and needed to grow.
Also, if there's going to be a third act breakup, I love it when the man respects the woman's boundaries and stays away. In this case, Gus did a really sweet thing and asked Rosie's friend to check on her to make sure she was ok.
I expect I'll read more of this author.
Also, if there's going to be a third act breakup, I love it when the man respects the woman's boundaries and stays away. In this case, Gus did a really sweet thing and asked Rosie's friend to check on her to make sure she was ok.
I expect I'll read more of this author.
July 23, 2023
Rosie Snyder is a doctor with no sense of work/life balance. Her hospital orders her to take her 3 weeks of unused vacation time and she is at a loss as to what to do with it. She decides to help her best friend with some wedding planning chores and meets the gardener at the venue they are checking out. He invites her to a block party and although it's completely out of character she goes. They decide to have a 3 week long vacation fling and then go their separate ways. Will that work? This was a cute start to the series. Plant people will love it.
November 16, 2023
Now listen… i’m not usually a fan of rushed romance and insta love stories but THIS WAS FUCKING GOOD
I always feel like insta love / attraction stories just never let the characters romance develop any further and just leave it feeling more like lust, but i really enjoyed the way the book was written!
The characters were amazing, funny, and just felt real. You could actually feel the chemistry between gus and rosie just reading about them, and i think that’s another reason why this fast pace romance worked for me!
It was super cute, funny and quite heartwarming 🫶🏼
I always feel like insta love / attraction stories just never let the characters romance develop any further and just leave it feeling more like lust, but i really enjoyed the way the book was written!
The characters were amazing, funny, and just felt real. You could actually feel the chemistry between gus and rosie just reading about them, and i think that’s another reason why this fast pace romance worked for me!
It was super cute, funny and quite heartwarming 🫶🏼
August 17, 2020
This was such a lovely, believable romance with two great characters. I loved Rosie, and I LOVED Gus, the guy she doesn't want to fall for. But he's so awesome, how could she help it? I also loved the fun relationships Rosie has with her bridesmaid friends, and the way the author uses text messages in the story. The romance between Rosie and Gus was sweet but with lots of steamy scenes, too. The author has a really nice writing style I enjoyed. Looking forward to book 2!
February 11, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
I think I am in love with Gus after this book! He sounds like my dream guy including being a plant lover! He’s pretty dreamy. I really like Rosie too but the storyline of her causing her mom and sister’s death got a little annoying towards the end . I loved it anyways and already bought book 2.
I think I am in love with Gus after this book! He sounds like my dream guy including being a plant lover! He’s pretty dreamy. I really like Rosie too but the storyline of her causing her mom and sister’s death got a little annoying towards the end . I loved it anyways and already bought book 2.
June 14, 2023
This book started off fairly cringey, I have to say, I thought it will just be a steamy everything, and they’ll live happily ever after, but then, it got better and better throughout. It attacked me on more than one occasion, and I fully and honestly related to Rosie so much it was actually a joke. Loved it all, so really excited to read the other books in this series:)
February 21, 2024
I read this book for free… FREE! And i loved it. Gus honestly deserves the world 🥹
Such a cute story with some really loveable characters. I think my mind is a little skewed because of the amount of contemporary romance novels i’ve read recently so i definitely think i would have enjoyed it more if i hadn’t have just come off the back of a book very similar
Such a cute story with some really loveable characters. I think my mind is a little skewed because of the amount of contemporary romance novels i’ve read recently so i definitely think i would have enjoyed it more if i hadn’t have just come off the back of a book very similar
July 1, 2024
Lots of Love in this story
Rosie & Gus aren't as different as their backgrounds, education, & careers might indicate. Their live affair began as a vaca-fling but quickly turned into something more - even if they didn't share the feelings with each other at first. It was fun to meet all their friends and family. Great story plot and only a few errors in the text.
Rosie & Gus aren't as different as their backgrounds, education, & careers might indicate. Their live affair began as a vaca-fling but quickly turned into something more - even if they didn't share the feelings with each other at first. It was fun to meet all their friends and family. Great story plot and only a few errors in the text.
December 29, 2024
Meh
I really really wanted to like this. Like the title is literally my favorite song so I was excited. But it was just the descriptive words. Like in the spicy scenes. I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt but it's saying something when it took me 9 days to finish 200+ pages. I had to force it.
I really really wanted to like this. Like the title is literally my favorite song so I was excited. But it was just the descriptive words. Like in the spicy scenes. I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt but it's saying something when it took me 9 days to finish 200+ pages. I had to force it.
February 19, 2025
i really enjoyed this book. it was super cutesy, i liked the relationship development, the characters and the background setting of both characters. I wish I could've seen more after they are dating and she goes back to work.
also I liked the independence of the female character Rosie and the hard job she is in compared to the male character and him being a gardener
also I liked the independence of the female character Rosie and the hard job she is in compared to the male character and him being a gardener
November 14, 2025
This was a cute story about an overworked doctor who is forced to take some time off. Rosie is surprised to meet someone she went to high school with and starts spending time with him. They begin a no strings attached fling, but you know what they say about the best laid plans... very enjoyable characters and story.
August 19, 2020
Loved it!!
Nothing like a good romance to get you through quarantine summer 2020. Loved this sweet California love story with a sensitive male lead and kickass leading woman!! Excited to read more in this series!
Nothing like a good romance to get you through quarantine summer 2020. Loved this sweet California love story with a sensitive male lead and kickass leading woman!! Excited to read more in this series!
February 14, 2024
Worth reading
More of a contemporary romance than romantic comedy. No laughs but good characterization and story line. Needs some proofreading and editing but nothing glaringly out of place. Decent romance.
More of a contemporary romance than romantic comedy. No laughs but good characterization and story line. Needs some proofreading and editing but nothing glaringly out of place. Decent romance.
April 23, 2025
A Lovely Story
I really enjoyed this book, I loved seeing Rosie and Gus' relationship develop with the dual POV. The book was well paced and didn't drag at all. Felt a bit sad when it ended, haven't felt this way about a story in a while!
I really enjoyed this book, I loved seeing Rosie and Gus' relationship develop with the dual POV. The book was well paced and didn't drag at all. Felt a bit sad when it ended, haven't felt this way about a story in a while!
September 22, 2025
I'm always amazed by the speed light of the romances. waw... love in two weeks must be a record.
Rosie is a doctor who is forced to take 3w PTO who meets Gus while helping to plan her best friend's engagement party.
what starts like a fling ends up somewhere else
Rosie is a doctor who is forced to take 3w PTO who meets Gus while helping to plan her best friend's engagement party.
what starts like a fling ends up somewhere else
Want to read
February 6, 2022Lelah’s novel!
April 10, 2022
Very sweet but steamy rom-com! Loved it
September 27, 2022
This is the first book I have read by Libby Waterford. A great mix of humor, angst and hotness. Well written mix of solid characters. I truly loved this book!!
May 5, 2023
it was sedate
maybe after starting this series with no.3, Katies story, I found Rosie as a heroine very colorless.
Her hero, Gus, is a snack but overall the book lacked depth.
maybe after starting this series with no.3, Katies story, I found Rosie as a heroine very colorless.
Her hero, Gus, is a snack but overall the book lacked depth.
May 24, 2023
girl…ik i’m not exactly the target audience but….what ☹️
June 4, 2023
this was a cute, steamy book that kind of had everything you want
a fling that turns into something more
a wedding
a love interest that is so cute
and a couple that are adorable
a fling that turns into something more
a wedding
a love interest that is so cute
and a couple that are adorable
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews