Thank you so much to net galley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book! I am so happy I decided to read this book because… I found a new favorite author! I will forever read anything by Scarlett!

Emilia is in love with her brothers best friend. Reeve knows he has feelings for her but is very confused. I enjoy A book with multiple characters. I enjoyed all the side stories mixed in with Emilia and Reeve’s story. There was a very strong sexual connection mixed in with a very heavy emotional baggage connection. This was definitely a page turner and I enjoyed reading this book.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own.

I loved this book so much! When I first read Saint Street by Scarlett Hopper, I absolutely fell in love with all of the secondary characters in the story. Emilia was a character that really stood out to me and I can't deny that Reeve's character is one that piqued my interest. I was so glad that they got their own story.

Hopper's writing is so easy to connect with. I really love that I can pick up one of her stories and feel so at home in the pages. The narration is smooth and the story flows beautifully. I loved how I was glued to the pages of the story.

The thing that makes Saint Street and this book so special is definitely the characters. These are the types of characters that become a part of you as you read their stories. My heart was really with these characters the whole way. I love how the author writes the characters so emotionally. It makes it so easy to connect with the characters. Emilia's character did not disappoint me. I fell in love with her personality and was so touched by her journey in the book. Reeve continued to be a mysterious character in the story but I couldn't help but adore him. As I previously mentioned, the secondary characters in this world are excellent. I felt so deeply for each and every one of them.

I loved how romantic Reeve was. He was so in love with Emilia and he showed it. Even when they were only friends he found ways to show Emilia that he cared about her. I loved that. He was there for her emotionally which really gave him points in my book. The sexual tension between them was palpable. They had intense chemistry that can only come from knowing someone very well.

Overall, this was a heart-stopping story that sinks into your bones. The story is emotional and compelling. This world and the characters in it have really imprinted on me. I can't even express how excited I am to read Lottie and Owen's story in Late Love that comes out this fall. If you have never tried this author before then I totally recommend it!

I didn’t get on with this book. It failed to grab my attention at the start which unfortunately meant I struggled to get into it and therefore didn’t get very far with it.

It took me a little bit to get into this book. However, a few chapters in, I was sucked in and found that I was up late at night, not sleeping, so that I could finish the book. 5-stars! Would definitely recommend!

This was a pretty good book. The story was well paced. The main characters were really exciting to follow on their journey. I hadn’t read this author before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was not disappointed!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This was the first book that I have read from this author. This was a really good book. I’m going to have to get the first one in the series so that I can get a better understanding of the story because I felt something missing. I don’t know exactly what, just know it’s something.

I hope to read the first one soon so that I can give this book a better review.

I really enjoyed this book! This is a second in the series which I didn't know but I could easily read it without the first. The writing was good, the characters were likeable and it was funny, sweet and had every emotion going at some point! I would definitely recommend

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review

Never Now by Scarlett Hopper offers a refreshing spin on the worn-out stories you’ll often see in this genre. It’s fun, quirky, sweet and captivating. It’s different in a very good way!

Emilia and Reeve have known each others for years, but besides a great friendship, they slowly realise that there’s something more growing between them. Being part of a close-knit circle of friends doesn’t make it easy for them to explore their newly developing feelings. They have to find a way towards each other and decide what is that they really want. And most importantly – do they have the courage to go after it?

The characters are nuanced and interesting enough to lead the story. Of course, there were a couple of instances where they might have come across immature to the reader. Needless to say they are depicted in their early 20s, so it’s not like they are that unrealistic. Not all twenty-somethings think and behave like they are in their late thirties.

This novel isn’t just about romance (though there’s plenty of it!), but about friendships, life twists and turns, and having someone to share the ups and downs with. It will make you join the characters on their journey. It’s inviting, relatable and free from unnecessary angst.

I have kindly received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange of a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Huge thanks to netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!

The writing came across as very amature, a lot of telling instead of showing. The characters felt pretty fake and the dialogue was not very natural but very forced. The beginning was cute with the romance but I had to dnf because the writing style was very kiddish to me and would repeat the same things over and over. The story itself definitely had potential although it is a plot that is very overdone but the author could have made it her own. I would have gotten more sucked in to the plot and the character dynamics if it was not for the writing style.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

"Never Now" by Scarlett Hopper is a brother's best friend romance, it's marketed as a standalone but seeing how there's a book before it ("Saint street") that would give you more insight into who the characters are & their friends group, I feel like it's more fitting to market the books as part of book series instead of standalones. Not to mention how you get spoilers about the couple from "Saint Street" while reading this one.

Back to Never Now, I rarely DNF books & I just had to give up on this one. I'm stubborn af, but I just had enough once I reached a certain point. (DNF at 56%)

- The book, its plot were just too predictable, the characters, especially the heroine kept repeating the same thing over and over again, to a point you would wonder if the author thinks the readers have Dory's memory & she believed she absolutely has to keep reminding them what's going on every second or they'd forget and get lost.
- If you're going in expecting steamy scenes & so on, all you actually get is some generic kisses & fade to black "sex" scenes that are super YA. In one instance the author described the hero rolling a condom with one long sentence that showed she was clearly avoiding actually saying the word for some reason ( "That familiar rustle alerts me to the fact he’s not a moron and knows despite being caught up in everything, I’m not ready to be a mum." Just say that he put on a condom, what's the big deal, people know what those are for).
- The names of the characters (sometimes their full first names) would be said way too frequently when it's just two people talking.
- Some of the chapters kept ending the same, like for example Emilia dreaming of a certain thing & saying how everything changed with "this one night". A night you don't get to experience yourself, just read how the heroine can't stop thinking about it & dreams of it non-stop. Heck, you don't get to experience any of the intimate scenes between those two, just accept they're soulmates and all that. Show some & tell, maybe?
- The hero & heroine kept hooking up after getting drunk (realistic, I guess, but also clichéd & became way too repetitive as the book progressed), the biggest cliché was how it was all such "a big mistake" every time. Like if you can't behave around each other when drunk, don't drink around one another, it's that simle. You're adults, act like it.
- If Reeve cared so much about Emilia why did he keep refusing to talk to her about them hooking up, he owed her that much, instead he chose to hurt her feelings & exit the apartment like nothing happened.
- Don't believe how repetitive it all is? This is just one example : We kept hearing how Reeve isn't ready about a certain thing (trying to avoid spoiling, so the identity of the person is redacted, but really none of it is a twist or any surprise). For some reason Emilia kept repeating that many times in a row, like we get it, HE ISN'T READY . But you just keep repeating, you just keep repeating. ("(Redacted) has attempted to contact him again and again, but Reeve still isn’t ready. I’ve told him I’ll go anywhere with him, make sure he is safe and has people in his corner, but he isn’t ready. (Redacted) still contacts him,...")
- Emilia and Reeve wanted to keep their relationship a secret for no actual reason. It all just felt silly & unnecessary. (“Once we’ve figured everything out, it won’t matter who knows, Em. You said you didn’t want to go public right now. Has that changed?”) What's there to figure out? You love each other, your friends love you two, they won't give a fluff you date. This conflict is so artificial.
- Speaking of conflicts, the book, to the point I made it, had no actual ones to keep the plot going & keep you interested in reading. No good twist either. It all felt too repetitive & genetic.
- The most bizarre part: "But I do realize. This isn’t just any song. It’s a song about me. A song he’s been singing for years." - For some reason it took years for Emilia to realize a song was written about her, despite her singing it ever since she first heard it & being obsessed with Reeve for eternity, her excuse was she thought her brother co-wrote it, a song about a "LITTLE GIRL" !! Firstly, why wasn't she confused/bothered why her brother would be writing a love song about staying friends with some little girl & two, why wasn't her brother questioning why his best friend was writing a love song about a little girl? Just wth.
- I enjoyed the friendship between Emilia, Stana & Lottie to a certain degree, but like everything else in this book, it too got old because of how overused it was.
- The writing overall needs work, with sentences that had weird structure, all the repetitiveness was too much to handle, to a point it would make you feel like you accidentally reread the same page again & again.
In my opinion, the book should have included dual POV, making it possible for the reader to connect better with Reeve & get a deeper look into his character instead of only receiving Emilia's view of him & his hang-ups.

This being said, "Never Now" is not the worst book I've ever read, but it just couldn't keep me invested in the characters or the story, it was way too generic. It felt like a big waste of time at points, tbh.
I can't say I really recommend this one.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.

Never Now by Scarlett Hopper is a romance book about Emilia and Reeve. This pair have known each other since they were young, with Reeve being the best friend of Emilia's brother. She has been in love with him ever since she first saw him.

Throughout this book you see the two of them try to messily figure things out. Emilia and Reeve are joined by a group of friends who are really solid and important characters to them (so important that two of the characters have their own book called Saint Street) and due to their importance, we see why Emilia and Reeve are the way they are. Both characters have plenty of personal, realistic problems which makes their relationship all the more interesting.

The book includes the death of parents (with the grief) and an absent father.

Rating:
3⭐

Would I read it again:
No, as I think the story will stay with me

Would I recommend it:
Yes

*I received this ARC and I voluntary give my honest review.*

“Never Now” is a sweet, second chance romance book. It’s about Emilia and Reeve. Emilia has been in love with Reeve who is the best friend of her big brother. They become friends but then she develop romantic feelings toward him. In other hand, he’s a little insecure and he has to deal with some emotional issues, so, it becomes awkward and uncomfortable, changing the dynamic between them. They have to do some changes in order to the relationship workout. I love how the theme was developed by the author.

I totally enjoyed this book, definitely I want to read more Scarlett Hopper’s books.

Never Now by Scarlett has a pretty typical storyline, It's a friend to lovers story. Emilia and Reeve have known each other for along time. Reeve is Emilia's brother's best friend, who she had a crush on for a long time. Reeve is a loyal friend and is trying his best to stay away from his best friend's sister.

Although it was a typical storyline, I found the details and other characters in the story made it a great book. It was almost a modern twist to the pl0t. I found all the supporting characters were interesting and played a very important part in the feel of the story.

Overall a perfect romance, that I would recommend.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so enamoured with the outline of this book, and when i finally delved into the story it was just what i needed! Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
Emilia has always loved Reeve, but he will only ever see her as a little sister. He is her complete opposite, handsome and her brothers best friend. As Em decides to give up on ever having a chance, Reeve decides he wants to give them a chance.

But with family drama, a secret relationship and keeping themselves together will they be able to make their relationship work or lose each other forever?

Review:
The plot of this story was actually amazing. I was hooked from page 1 and couldn't put it down. I loved all of the typical British references- living in a large city, meeting up in a pub to see your friends play in a band. I also felt truly connected to all the characters within the story and their lives and i was fully rooting for them all to get happy endings.

The pacing of this story was really good and worked perfectly for the romance between Em and Reeve.

The characters were wonderfully written. I loved watching the development of Em and Reeve in particular, but seeing all of the side characters, like Lottie, open up and become more involved within the story was truly joyous.

Also as a massive bonus- the start of the book actually lists a playlist of songs to listen to whilst reading this novel and they are all such good recommendations and complement the story perfectly.

Overall:
If you are wanting to read a contemporary romance story that can be serious, lighthearted and hits all the right notes then this is definitely the book for you.

I was given this ARC by netgalley and publisher for honest review and opinion
I have never read anything by this author before and didn't realize it was part of a series. It was easy to follow and is a great standalone book.
Good book about your classic girl and boy romance but can't have it because its her brothers best friend

So my first Scarlett Hopper, not my last tho!

I received this for an honest review! Being in love with your brothers friend sucks. But what makes it worse is he only sees you as a little sister. Go through the ends and outs of confessing your feelings and being shot down. This is angsty as heck, but so good! The drama and laughter, the sadness and happiness....it’s all here in this book. The other friends their stories kinda overlap, but never overshadow who it is actually about! I love it, every aspect.

PSA: drinking for coping, gifting for forgiveness, and HEA!

Never now by Scarlett Hopper was the most adorable brother best friend/ second chance romance.
Emilia’s suffering from long awaited unrequited love, while Reeve is unsure what he’s feeling.
Spanning a total of 5 years, Never Now takes us on a journey of friendship, family, love and tough decisions.

I'm not to sure how to word this review...??
It is about a group of friends but concentrates on Emilia and Reeve, a typical best friends little sister/big brother's best friend.
I'll be honest I didn't like Emilia! She lost her cool to easy which came of as pure spoilt, even when Reeve tried to talk openly to her, when she realised it wasn't exactly what she wanted to hear then she lost the bap and threw him out and it wasn't just a one-time occurrence!
I liked Reeve at the start, however his character didn't really grow at all!

It did become quite repetitive as well - Reeve wasn't ready, she was angry and hurt, she had a deadline etc..

There are more books to come out about the other peeps in the group but I'll be honest, there's enough about them in this book that I wouldn't need to read them! We don't get Lottie and Owens ending but it's obvious what's going to happen!
Maybe hold off on the other characters stories as much, you want the reader to ask questions about them / be curious about them so that they want their story!

I think this would be a good story for a young adult, there's only a couple of sex scenes however there's nothing descriptive, it mentions putting a condom on but nothing more - that's not a complaint, just saying it would be suitable for the younger adults!

All in all, it was ok. Not my cup of tea, but definitely don't give up! 🤗

Thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this book!

I rated this book three stars, but that doesn’t mean I disliked it! I enjoyed the family dynamic that the group of friends had. I found myself wishing I had a large group of friends that were really close like that. I found Em and Reeve’s friendship/relationship a little strange at times. In the first half of the book I felt like Emilia was obsessed with him and it was a bit weird. I didn’t love Reeve’s character either. I really loved Lottie and Owen though, and Owen’s mom!

The writing was decent. I found myself pinging back and forth with all the time jumps. I felt they were a bit rocky and sometimes I wondered about what happened on the chunks of time we didn’t get to see.

I did love the bar that they frequented (I believe the first book of this series touches on that?). I think this is a good new adult book and I liked the tropes that were used. I wished there were more detailed romance aspects of the book, but overall, I enjoyed the book as a whole!