Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this title to read and review. I read the first book, Seasons of Love, on New Year's Eve last year, and it was an instant 5-star read for me. I was looking forward to this story, which follows side characters from Seasons, Levi and Hannah, because there was clearly SO much to their history together hinted at in the first book. But my preexisting interest in these characters was probably the only thing keeping me following this read. I found this book super tedious to trudge through at times, because these characters are solidly in their mid-30s and keep circling around and around and around with their same problems and same philosophizing about the world, seemingly without looking for actual solutions. They're as angsty as teens, but this isn't YA, and they're stuck in the past in every possible way, but they're also modern young people with ambitions. The tone just didn't add up for me, and I was tired of both leads saying the same things across multiple chapters and using perceived childhood slights as fodder for their entire personalities. I did think the writing was very well done and brought me back to my joy for Seasons of Love - but specifically Levi and Hannah didn't do it for me.

I have thought about Hannah and Levi every single day since I read the end of Season of Love. That one scene between them was absolutely electric and rife with the most delicious tension. I loved this book and was so excited to finally be reading their story. There is no trope I love more than second chance romance and this is one of the best ones I've read. The history between them was so organic and Helena Greer wrote one of the rawest, most realistic romantic arguments I've ever read. I loved being back at Carrigan's and I cannot wait to read whatever comes next!

This was my first book by Helena Greer and I think that was my first mistake, because this is technically a sequel. As a result, at times, I felt that this was hard to continue reading. I felt that there was a huge amount of angst within the characters that I was disconnected to over the course of the novel.

Now, don't get me wrong, a little angst is fine; however, it just became too much. It went on for entirely too long and then the couple just magically got together really quickly.

For positives, I did love the small-town romance aspect and the representation of mental health as well as queer and Jewish characters. I also felt the found family aspects were pure and lifted the tone of the story!

Thank you Netgalley, Helena Greer, and Forever Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the Jewish representation, particularly the various holidays and traditions mentioned, but with both this book and Greer's prior book, I struggled that so much of what her characters are passionate about is connected to Carrigan's—a Christmas tree farm. I also have trouble feeling invested in her characters, and that was also the case for this book. It took me awhile to get into the plot, and for a fleeting moment I did care about Levi and Hannah's relationship, but then the book began to feel a bit tedious and too long—so much talking about feelings in a way that didn't resonate with me—and I lost interest. I think this book just wasn't for me.

Thank you Helena Greer, Forever, and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

First off, I loved the representation in this book, especially the Demisexual representation! I have not read Season of Love yet, but definitely plan to go back and read it after finishing For Never and Always. The characters were lovable and I really enjoyed the dual timeline. My heart broke for young Levi. This book will tug at your heartstrings!

Oh how I love a second chance romance, and this one was so lovely. I really enjoyed reading it. Loved all the representation in this book, and I will definitely pick up more books by this author.

Levi and Hannah were both great characters, and I loved their story. I really enjoyed reading their history and seeing both the hurt and the growth as they moved forward.

The setting was also delightful. Does anyone else wish they could visit Carrigan's? I'd love to go there for a weekend getaway...or maybe just live there...

Overall, I enjoyed this book as it was just the fluffy read I needed.

A sweet, sappy, small-town romance that follows almost every classic trope with the edition of Judaism. I learned so much while laughing at their shenanigans. Every once in a while, you just need a quick little palate cleanse and this was great for that!

I have been excitedly anticipating this book since I read its predecessor (and one of my top reads of last year) season of love. Second chance romance is probably my least favorite trope but I already knew I loved this author, and at least one of this books MCs Hannah so this book had a lot to live up to. Good news it absolutely did.

I again loved how queer this book was. As an asexual person I loved getting some ace rep. I loved how this book was about real adults who had grown and worked on themselves not taking it for granted that they could continue to grow and work together. I love how our MCs communicated with each other and the emphasis on the importance of friendship. I loved the difficulty expressed in holding both your own truth of the past as well as the contradictory truth of someone you love. This book was just as super Jewish as the one before which I still love.

This book is an excellent follow up to season of love and a truly delightful and deep second chance romance that I read in a day I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Forever for a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

For Never & Always was a fun follow up to Season of Love. I was not quite as enthralled as I was with the first book but I enjoyed it all the same. I was pleasantly shocked by how much I liked the male lead.

this was so lovely and Hannah and Levi were the most imperfect perfect match.
I have been seeking a marriage in trouble, queer romance for some time and this one was everything I hoped for. the deep care they had for each other and the way their history informed their future was written so well and I am so inspired by the writing of this story. so much lovely rep, two Jewish mc’s, demisexual exploration, anxiety disorder with agoraphobia. Love

I’m so deeply in love with every single character from Carrigan’s / this bookish universe in general.

Greer writes such intricate, complex characters who share just as complicated relationships and dynamics with each other. She writes so that no one is ever “THE” villain or completely at fault. She writes with such empathy and compassion for each character, that you find yourself sympathizing with a decision that maybe you wouldn’t have made yourself (well, that you THINK you wouldn’t have made in that situation).

I adore Levi and Hannah — these two perfectly imperfect chaotic honeys are everything. The angst, the pining!? AHHHH. I used to be such a hater of second-chance romance, and I think it’s due to my own journey with regards to forgiveness. However, it made so much sense for these two to unpack their conflicts, and to find their ways back to each other. If anything, I appreciate the importance that communication played in this character-driven novel.

Representation (which Greer does with so much love and care!!): Jewish, Queer (demisexual, pansexual)

This could also be considered forced proximity and a workplace romance!

CW: mental health struggles, grief, cursing, death, bullying

I think so many people will enjoy this holiday read when it comes out later this month.

For Never & Always by Helena Greer is a fantastic follow up to [book:Season of Love|60383010].
I absolutely LOVED Season of Love and was so freaking excited for this book and it did not disappoint at all. This book can definitely be read as a stand-alone story but I definitely think you will find more enjoyment knowing some backstory.

First and foremost, the demisexual, queer, and Jewish representation in this book is AMAZING!
Miscommunication trope, check.

There are many secondary characters, which I really enjoyed those dynamics.

I really enjoyed the different variances of LGBT relationships of all different characters.

As someone that suffers with anxiety, I really appreciate how this was handled.

Hannah and Levi are an unexpected pairing who I really was cheering for.
Friends to enemies to lover's trope, second chance trope, yes please.

There was a lot of drama and chaos in this book, and I loved the drama.

The characters were well written, and the story is fantastic. And the rep, I just feel so seen.

Highly recommend!

I had hoped to enjoy this as I constantly seek out books with Jewish representation but it was not for me.

Thank you to Forever for an advanced copy.

Who doesn't love a second chance romance?! This was so fun, so cute, the right amount of angst and steam and overall a great, and quick!, read.

Carrigan's is Hannah's entire world, and it has been ever since she convinced her parents to let her live at the family-run hotel for high school instead of continuing to travel the world with them. The one thing it's missing is Blue: her best friend, her ex... her husband.
Levi (or Blue, as he's known to Hannah) ran from Carrigan's as fast as he could, and his desperation to get away was only strengthened by Hannah and Cass, the then-owner, telling him to leave and never come back. But he's back now, fresh from filming a cooking show in Australia.
Hannah and Levi still have feelings for each other. But their life goals are diametrically opposed. And when Levi tells Hannah why he was so eager to leave Carrigan's in the first place--and why he hated Casss, her favorite person in the world--it shakes their foundation even further.
He asks for a chance to win her back: five dates. And all the while they're working together at Carrigan's, trying their best to believe that maybe, somehow, they can work things out.

For Never & Always explores the ways people fall apart and come together. It's a second-chance romance between two people desperate to make it work, and scared that they'll repeat the problems of their past. At first, I had a hard time rooting for them, just because there was SO much of an emphasis on their previous relationship being toxic. But we were shown a lot of the good from the past, too, and their growth really made me come around and root for them by the end. I also loved the exploration of Levi's sexuality (as well as Cole's subplot). The prose was a bit more straightforward than I'm used to (a lot of telling) and I found that I really liked it. Overall, though it did take me a little while to get into the book, I ended up loving it.

Tw for severe anxiety and agoraphobia, emotional abuse by parental figures, and mentions of homophobia

Still thinking about these two ❤️

For Never & Always isn't out until November 28th, but I am here to tell you to pre-order it!

Hannah Rosenstein's heart has always belonged at Carrigan's Christmas tree farm, and she thought that her childhood best friend/true love, Levi "Blue" Matthews belonged there with her. But when he leaves to see the world and breaks her heart, she has to pick up the pieces and focus on making Carrigan's an all-year destination.

Until one day, Levi returns. Determined to prove his love for her and explain why he left, Levi gets Hannah to agree to five dates to win her back. Shenanigans ensue (IYKYK).

If you love...

- Second chance romance
- Demisexuality and pansexuality rep
- A gender non-conforming MMC who wears EYELINER (hot)
- Celebrity chefs
- Jewish representation and traditions as a backbone of the story 🔯
- Positive experiences of therapy
- OCD/anxiety/undiagnosed ADHD representation
- Characters you kind of hate at the beginning but they exhibit so much growth and complexity that they grow on you
- A CAT
- A wonderful cast of secondary characters including friends, exes, and family

...then this is a book for you! ✨

I did not read Season of Love and, while I think I would have benefitted from reading it prior to this, it wasnt 100% necessary. BUT since this doesnt come out until 11/28, you have time!

Title: For Never & Always
Author: Helena Greer
Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Pub date: 11/28/23

A sequel to Season of Love, For Never & Always follows Hannah Rosenstein and Levi Matthews—Hannah should be happy, she’s finally in charge of her childhood home, an inn called Carrigan’s All Year, only aspiring chef and love of her life Levi is back in town and is determined to win her back. Honestly, I had a lot of trouble with this one. The queer representation and cultural representation and advocation for therapy was all wonderful, but I didn’t like these characters. They didn’t feel like they had chemistry; their love story relied entirely on their past and I didn’t feel like the flashbacks really showed them falling in love, it just showed their individual struggles. They both have a lot of growth and they both want to do right by each other, but there’s just a lot of angst and not a lot of resolution. And maybe if I had read the first one, I would have felt more connected but I didn’t know it was part of a series til halfway through. The writing itself was lovely and charming, I just wanted more overall from this.

Many of my favorite authors write characters I want to hang out with. Some of my favorite authors write characters I would run from if I were actually faced with them in real life. Helena Greer writes worlds I want to live in.

For Never and Always is a second chance/secret marriage/marriage in trouble romance with inspiration from Rapunzel. Carrigan’s has been Hannah’s refuge and her place of power. The way her anxiety manifests, it has also been her prison. In her relationship with Levi, it is the bone of contention. Unlike Hannah and Miriam, Levi was not a favorite of Cass Carrigan’s. She never seemed to approve of him, and being on the outs with the woman everyone else loved made growing up a Carrigan’s stultifying. But Cass surprised them all by leaving the farm to Hannah, Noelle, Miriam, and Levi. Now Levi has returned. More than anything, he wants to win Hannah back.

Because he’d seen every corner of the earth, and not a single mile of it was worth a damn without her.

Hannah and Levi have to deal with the fallout of knowing they were in love but still not able to make it work. Knowing that love isn’t enough, can they rebuild their relationship in a way that lets them both fully be themselves? Because this is a romance, you know that they will, so the fun is watching the way they rediscover themselves and each other. I love when a romance acknowledges that there needs to be more than love and good chemistry to make a relationship function. Can they listen to each other? Can they compromise with care and compassion? Having gone out into the world, Levi has learned that love is worth effort and compromise. What really makes this work is that Hannah and Levi are adults in their thirties who screwed up their marriage in their twenties.

Update: I have to add a whole new paragraph because another reviewer articulated something I dance around here in a review for a completely different book - making one’s self small vs. compromise. After a peripatetic childhood, Hannah needed to stay at Carrigan’s to feel safe. The conflict with Cass made Carrigan’s feel unsafe emotionally to Levi, he needed to leave. To make their marriage work one of them would have had to cut pieces of themself away to fit into the other’s idea of safety. After a few years of the safety they needed, they’ve grown enough that their safety is less about where they are and more who they are. 

I love that Greer lets Cass Carrigan be a hero, a villain, and an enigma. She was imperfect. We’ve gotten so bad at letting people be complex and difficult to know that it’s a relief to see a much beloved person also be problematic, and they can never explain themselves. The people who mourn Cass have to figure out their relationship to her as they process new information.

This is why I say I want to live in the world Helena Greer writes: she values imperfection over perfection. Season of Love and For Never and Always find their happiness as they settle into the imperfect. Happiness and joy are found in compromises, a little chaos, and the willingness to be uncomfortable occasionally. This really was a joy to read. I can’t wait for the next book and fingers crossed that there will be a next book.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Forever and NetGalley. I am friendly with the author on social media, and have done my best to ensure the review is based solely on the book itself. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

Hannah has loved Levi as long as she can remember. She spent her child nomadically travelling the world with her parents and has now found solace in Carrigan's Tree Farm & Inn, as the new co-owner. Her great-aunt left the farm to her, her cousin, her best friend, and her first and only love. Now Levi is back. When Levi left Carrigan he had good intentions. He was going to escape the small town and the Inn where no one seemed to understand him, except Hannah. He is now a famous chef, with some celebrity and a high profile bride wants his cooking at her wedding. Levi agrees to do this, if Hannah will agree to five dates to win her back. As they work through the pain and heartbreak, they discover the love is still there.

This book was full of so much heart and emotion. Hannah and Levi are both amazing characters going through their own thing, but are so deeply entangled with each other in their love. You never doubt that the two love each other, yet you find yourself wondering if they will be able to overcome the obstacles in their place. This book also showed serious character development of both characters. With many second chance romances the couple no longer have feelings for each other, but these two were sometimes nothing but feelings.

There is a lot going on in this book, which I think clouded what the characters were experiencing and coming to terms with. Some scenes I found to be unnecessary, where as some weren't in depth enough for my liking.

I loved the Jewish and queer representation in this book and only wish for more books like this. I also loved the normalization of therapy and seeking therapy to help when things are tough. Overall, this was a great book with some great messages. This was the second book in the Carrigan world and I have enjoyed both, I look forward to seeing what Helena Greer comes out with next! Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

3.5 ⭐️
I loved Season of Love. It’s one of the books that I recommend constantly, to really anybody who will listen. So naturally I was really excited for this book. While I loved many aspects of this, ultimately it just didn’t work for me.

Let’s start with what I loved:
a) I love the representation. There are so many queer characters, our main character Levi is demisexual and of course we have queer side characters (Miriam and Noelle make some appearances). Jewish culture is also infused in every corner of this book, from food, to holidays (we have a Passover Seder about 25% of the way in), and so much more. I really loved that.

b) I also love the whole idea of a childhood friends to lovers arc. Hannah and Levi have this history that really keeps them bound together. I also loved the flashbacks to their past because it helped show just how their feelings have been shaped by everything they’ve been through.

c) Carrigan’s in general is somewhere I would give anything to visit. Period.

Now. Where this didn’t work for me is pretty simple. I don’t think Hannah and Levi work as a couple. Separately? They’re great, I love them. But together? No.

There were several scenes where their dialogue just didn’t work for me. Like some other reviews have stated it felt more like therapy speak than an actual conversation. I also really struggled with how the dialogue is written at times because I couldn’t assess whether Levi was actually mad or if it was just the writing.

I’m also going to say right now that if my partner just up and left for FOUR YEARS I wouldn’t be considering any form of second chance.

So again. While I loved parts of this, other parts just didn’t work for me. I’ll probably still recommend this and I’m always thankful to my friends over at Forever for allowing me to arc read this book.