Member Reviews
3.5 ✨
When Levi left the love of his life, Hannah, four years ago to explore the world and become the chef he wanted, he never expected to be called back home to sell his share of the Inn he grew up in and permanently cut ties with Hannah. However, Levi is determined to get Hannah back and make it clear he has changed for the better; even if it means daring her to go on five dates with him to see if they can make it work. When she agrees in return for him staying on at the Inn to cook for a wedding, the two unravel the reasons why they separated and what they would both need for them to get back together.
I'm conflicted. While this book showcased serious character development and a beautiful connection between the two main characters, I honestly don't know if I love or hate this book. The writing and plot are stellar yet at the same time so confusing and drawn out. There was so much going on and so many characters I couldn't keep track of, I was drowning and the flashbacks did not help the situation at all. What I did absolutely love about this book is the Jewish and queer representation, as well as the amount of work that was put into Levi and Hannah, individually and together. The second chance romance worked perfectly with both of them coming to terms with their issues and working on themselves and how they fit together.
This is the second in series but can be read as a standalone, although I am grateful I read Season of Love first. Characters and the plot from the first book are referenced and For Never and Always picks up where the first left off. This is Hannah and Levi’s story.
Okay to start I just have to say that I forgot just how much I liked “living” in Carrigan’s. The characters, the settings, the relationships, and even the feuds (cough, Levi and Noelle, cough) are just so fun and heartwarming.
The structure of this book was well thought out. We got flashbacks to fill in the gaps in Hannah and Levi’s love story, which I enjoyed. We had plenty of time in the present, too. Oh, don’t worry… we also caught up with everyone from book one. Levi even had a particularly full circle moment in a road trip.
I think everyone will find at least one character here they can relate to, and they are all amazing options. I have said it before and I’ll say it again … I can’t love a book if I don’t like the characters, and I liked them all. It took me longer than usual to read this book because I genuinely didn’t want it to end.
This book had no judgement that I noticed. Just overall love and understanding between characters. Well, any exceptions to this were called out as wrong. (And, I love that! No one is perfect and we all need to learn.) Even when talking about being alone and without a partner…there was no cruelty, micro-aggressions, or insinuation that everyone needs someone. It was just that a particular character or group of characters did need and were lucky enough to have found their person. Also, I loved how open Hannah was about being therapy. The thoughtfulness and consideration behind word choices and sentence structure was so incredibly kind and something I always want to see more in books, but especially romances.
This is just a hug in a five star book. I cannot wait to be back for Tara’s story. Also, please give us a Cole book? Please? Pretty please?
Lastly, I have to end this with … definitely pick up the book and go on a wild adventure full of shenanigans!
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an arc of this book.
This was such a sweet second book to this series! I loved hearing more of the back story. Helenas writing is just so beautiful and demonstrates healthy relationships and communication so well!
Thank you netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review
This story was not something I was prepared for in the best way possible. I haven’t read the first book that takes place at Carrigan’s - Seasons of Love, but I think I’m going to have to go and visit Miriam and Noelle’s love story at Christmas time this year!
This book was told in the present day from the point of view of our two leads Levi and Hannah with little flashback scenes throughout. I’m not normally a huge fan of stories that make me read passages from the younger child version of the characters but in this case it fully works. These characters are deeply wounded and oh boy the angst that we get when Levi returns to the inn after a 4 year disappearing act. Both of these characters have flaws and are deeply in love with each other but just aren’t equipped to get to where they need to make the relationship work at the start of the book.
Watching them get to know each other again and making amends with their past and trying to navigate their future was a joy. The world that is built in this story is rich and all the characters add something to it, they all feel important which is rare in a romance novel where sometimes the side characters are just an afterthought.
The representation in this book is wonderful, a plus size female lead, a demi-sexual male lead, an array of queer side characters all at different stages of their life all with a heavy dose of Judaism made this story stand out. Diverse books are important and I’m glad I had the chance to read another one!
I want to thank NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and the author Helena Greer for providing me a ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 Stars For Never & Always by Helena Greer was a cute second chance romance set against the backdrop of a Christmas tree farm and inn called Carrigan's. Levi "Blue" Matthews is back after 4 years away from Carrigan's so he could cook in kitchens around the world and "find himself" away from the place where he's lived his whole life. Hannah Rosenstein has only ever dreamed of living and working at Carrigan's, especially after a hectic childhood traveling the world with her documentary filmmaker parents. When Levi asked her to go with him, she said no and told him to never come back. Now, Levi is back and determined to win Hannah back, but he'll need to do some serious self-reflection and come up with a plan for how they can make their relationship work when they want diametrically opposed things.
I didn't realize this was the second book in a series of standalones, but it wasn't too hard to catch up with who the characters were and what had happened previously. That said, I think I would've enjoyed it more had I read the first book before this one. This book had great LGBTQ+ representation and is the first book I've read with a demisexual character. Overall, I enjoyed this one and liked reading about their individual journeys to becoming better versions of themselves so they could be together.
This book felt like a breath of fresh air and also asphyxiation at the same time. Levi and Hannah’s tension made it hard to breathe (compliment) and also gave me so much life. They’re so chaotic and unable to cope with the depth of their feelings for each other that it made me want to wrap them in protective blankets (but like together bc they love each other). The found family, the love, the angst, the everything about this book is just perfect. And all done with not an ounce of smut on page. Phenomenal work.
this book couldve been fine in alot of ways, but it was just so much info dumping. so much telling and not enough showing. i had no reason to really root for the main couple. I also found the fmc to be extremely childish and its just not for me unfortunately.
i received an arc from netgalley.
When chef Levi Blue was last at Carrigan’s All Year he left on very bad terms with his close family and friends. After being tracked down in Australia and asked to come back to the tree farm Levi must face his past demons and relationships, including the love of his life Hannah Rosenstein.
Hannah plans to ignore Levi and go on with business as usual, avoiding their tumultuous past. When Levi makes it clear he wants Hannah back they make an “Shenanigan”. Levi gets to take Hannah on six dates to prove he’s changed and they can be together and have a future.
While preparing for several important events at the farm Hannah and Levi grow closer, slowing unpacking their past and having the tough conversations they’ve always avoided. But will it all be enough?
I absolutely adored this book! I appreciated how many important issues were highlighted such as sexuality, religion, anxiety and familial relationships. This is also the perfect book showing the struggles couples can go through and learning to deal with them in a healthy way. This book packs a big punch in a fun tree farm setting with wonderful, complex characters. Don’t miss out on this one!
I didn’t find myself able to focus on anything going on. It’s not catching my interest. The writing is solidly okay, the characters are starting out solidly okay, and the setting is fine. I’m kind of seeing Alexandra Bellefleur here, although I feel like her books always start out with a lot more heart. Stopped at 7% in.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC.
A second chance novel. Hannah and Levi reunites after years apart. She is still angry and he asks her to give him 5 dates to win her back...
A fun romance. I love the comedy and the sass especially. It's fast-paced and so cute. Just as good as the first book!
Thanks to the publisher for the arc.
DNF @ 24%.
I really tried to like this but the writing, especially the dialogue, came off as being too juvenile for my tastes. A lot was going on and I just didn’t find the relationship between Hannah and Levi to be believable. The writer does a lot more telling than showing. When it comes to romance, these to these things are equally important. Some times the showing more-so. This book isn’t for me but maybe it’s for others!
This book was fantastic. It started off a little slow but once you get into the story it is great to see the Dynamic between these two. It was sort of a great mix between enemies to lovers and second chance romance. There are trigger warnings on the second page of the galley, so I would advise you to look at the content warnings before picking this book up. Both of the characters grow throughout the story. One of them moved around a lot and the other helps their father out in their inn. So that’s where the title comes in they will wait for each other for never and always.
Helena Greer’s wonderful queer, Jewish romances are just too good. For Never & Always picks up after Season of Love with the story of Hannah and Levi and their second chance romance. There’s secrets, shenanigans, and some sad moments as they figure it out against the backdrop of Carrigan’s, the Christmas tree farm where they grew up together. I really loved the little touches that spoke to who the characters are: Hannah is a logistics queen and loves lists, so the sections are interspersed with lists of the upcoming events that beautifully meld the secular and Jewish moments.
From one list-loving Hannah to another, this book made me swoon! Helena Greer does a beautiful, seamless job showcasing a Jewish American experience that is both assimilated in some ways, and fiercely protective and celebratory of our thousands-of-years-old traditions.
Thank you to the author and Hachette/Forever for access to the eARC of this book.
A lot of people will love "For Never & Always". There's a lot to love if you enjoy a slow romance bordering on Women's Fiction, a large cast of characters, ruminations on the past, picturesque writing, complicated situations, periodic flashbacks, and queer and Jewish and neurodivergent characters.
The structure and execution of this story unfortunately wasn't for me. I wish it had been. I wanted to love it. There was just too much going on with too many poeple involved which led to confusion, and when combined with narration laden with explanations, ruminations on things that weren't important, and unnecessary scenes, I ended up bored, mind wandering, and impatient for it to be over, which is why I essentially DNF'd around Chapter 6 though skipped to the last few chapters to see what happened, where I confirmed the book did not get better further in.
I just finished this, and OMG. I LOVED IT. There was so much growth that happened for both Hannah and Levi. I loved how we got chapters that went back in the past to give us their perspectives about growing up, falling in love, making massive mistakes, and working on how to repair said mistakes. I love how this wasn’t a quick forgive and forget scenario. It’s clear from the beginning they both love each other so much, but are continuing to wonder how in the world they can heal from their past failures in their relationship and be able to create a life pleasing to both of them when their dreams and goals look totally different. I loved how the author never made it seem easy, because when you love someone, it can be difficult to argue and discuss difficult things with one another! Helena Greer did not shy away from this in the book. I loved Hannah and Levi’s story. They were working on their relationship even in the epilogue, and I just love it!!
I also enjoyed how good and developed the side characters were. Miriam, Noelle, Cole, the Matthews, etc were all crucial parts to the story and Hannah and Levi’s second chance, and you could feel that!
Also, the representation in this book is fantastic. Levi speaking with Hannah about realizing he is demisexual, Miriam and Noelle’s relationship, Cole realizing his sexuality later in life, and more. This found family is messy and beautiful, and this book felt like a warm hug to me. So, so good.
Thanks Netgalley for a hotly anticipated second Helena Greer book! Loved being back with the gang at Carrigans. Levi didn’t win me over but this book did.
DNF @37%
This was tough. I didn’t like either of the characters and the backstory on their relationship isn’t given early enough for me to care enough about them to root for them. It had sooooo much potential which makes this hard, but ultimately the characters were making stupid decisions and I couldn’t deal with 60% more of this so… DNF.
this book is full of brooding and complicated characters who you can’t help but root for and love. i flew through For Never and Always and it was a super enjoyable read! i won’t say it was light or easy, as there is difficult subject matter (props to the author for including trigger warnings) but it is approached in a thoughtful way, which i appreciated!
there was so. much. representation in this book, and i know that will mean a lot to future readers. i didn’t completely resonate with this book, but i know for sure that many will. i had a good time reading this, and wanted to shake Levi and Hannah almost every chapter (which i think was intentional :)). these are broken characters who have problems that many people can relate to - for me, i empathized with Levi and his itch to see the world and get the heck out of his small hometown. did i agree with the way he went about those things?…. well, not really!
the second chance romance was hard earned in this one. Hannah and Levi’s rekindling was a slow burn and at times, i was exhausted FOR them.
you may enjoy this read if you like:
- second chance romance
- grumpy x grumpy (no sunshine here!)
- soulmate tropes
- jewish rep
- lgbtq+ rep
i can’t wait to see what other people think of this book!
thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for the honest review
The second book in the series this one can be enjoyed entirely as a standalone but I think you'll enjoy it more having read Season of Love
CW: homophobia (past as experienced growing up in the early 90s/early aughts that manifests in symptoms similar to agoraphobia and treatment thereof, and briefly current to a side character), death of a loved one (past), grief, severe anxiety over traveling,
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f contemporary romance
-second chance romance
-childhood best friends to lovers to estranged to lovers
-Jewish and queer rep
-It has only ever been you
-opposites attract
-feeding people is my love language
This was second chance and angsty and an amazing return back to Carrigan's. I was so intrigued about the hints of Hannah and Levi in book one, but gosh that twist at the beginning of the book had my jaw on the ground and these two just kept pushing and pulling. Wanting to be together but both wanting different things.
Hannah is a homebody, her dream of making Carrigan's successful and with her best friends is coming true minus her whole love of her life leaving her behind four years ago. She was a burst of organized sunshine and I just enjoyed her confidence in what she wanted, she pushed right back at Levi and made that man grovel.
Levi was chaotic, hurt, and not perfect in his choices. But he also wants to come home, He misses his friends, his family, and most of all he misses Hannah. I loved that he was just all in about her, this book never hides for a minute that Levi is here for Hannah and will do anything to get her back. But he also is a talented chef with a bit of an ego and wants to keep on with his career. And a man who quotes Logan Echolls, too good.
The way this book had me in a chokehold going how the heck are these two going to work it out. Full of big feelings and just tender emotions. The angst, the messiness, but also just the nostalgia of this is your person with all of your core memories who just means the world to you. My heart ached reading this one.
Steam: 1
For Never and Always is even more delightful than a Season of Love, which I enjoyed thoroughly. FNAA brings with it a story of two people grappling with anxiety and grief and trauma, it includes an almost immediate plot twist I did not see coming but rooted for so hard, and, most importantly, it includes Levi Matthews, a character I absolutely adored and felt so connected with.
Levi has experienced a much different and much crueler version of his hometown and the Jewish Christmas Tree farm than his best friends and the love of his life did, and as much as they overlooked the reality of his experience, he has also overlooked some of the reality of their experiences, especially Hannah’s crippling anxiety. When he returns from years running away and finding his path on a cooking show, he finds Hannah also finding her path working through her anxieties in therapy and living her dream of managing events at the inn she longed for during a childhood of traveling. Both of these characters grow tremendously in this wonderful second chance romance, but I have to say, Levi is my favorite.
Thank you so much to Helena Greer, Forever, and Grand Central Publishing for this eARC. I absolutely could not put it down!