This book gives a new meaning to slow-burn.

It is a cute story between both MC's but is terribly slow. I like slow burn in an adequate measure and with a propose, but this book needed more moments between both MC's. I feel the base of the story was good, the chemistry was well build but it needed a few more chapters about the relationship of the two characters, not only the build up.

The interactions of both with the son of Camila were cute and fulfilling, is nice to have a character like that to make the story feel lighter.

Is a nice and short read, but the slow burn can make you feel you need more. Also at the end of the book you will want to know more about their life together.

<b>Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for gifting me with a free copy. Opinions are my own and are freely given.</b>

Synopsis
Camila hires Emily after she fired her last nanny. Slowly they start seeing each other however Camila is struggling with coming to terms with her last relationship. Emily is understanding of it until finally she breaks.

Thoughts
I really liked this one. It wasn't as heavy as some of the other books I read. It's interesting how the relationship formed. It's really cozy and there's more of a focus on the romance than the other plot. I liked that. It was a nice break. I think it's also partly because it's Christmas period when I read this. That's probably why it was a lighter read for me.

Audience
Definitely 16+ book. Great for anyone who likes a slow burn romance. :

Never Say Never is an age gap work place, ice queen, opposites attract slow burn romance….yup, it’s got a few things happening. Although the slow burn wears thin and never ignited, made for a disappointing ending, which felt rushed. The storyline is choppy in places and never really reaches a level I was hoping for. However, I enjoyed the story but was not totally invested in either character. It was an easy read.

**Book Review: *Never Say Never* by Rachel Sommers**

In *Never Say Never*, Rachel Sommers crafts a heartfelt, slow-burn romance that sizzles with emotional tension before melting into a deeply satisfying conclusion. At the heart of the story is the electric dynamic between Camila Evans, a no-nonsense media mogul, and Emily Walker, her young, soft-spoken nanny. Camila, reeling from a divorce and juggling the demands of single motherhood, is the quintessential ice queen, whose sharp edges are gradually softened by Emily’s warmth and earnest charm. Their evolving relationship is a study in opposites attracting, with every interaction brimming with chemistry and carefully restrained yearning.

What sets this book apart is Sommers' knack for developing rich, multidimensional characters. Camila’s drive and professionalism are tempered by glimpses of vulnerability as she grapples with emotions she never expected to feel again, while Emily’s gentle nature is matched by quiet resilience and determination. The inclusion of Camila’s sweet five-year-old son adds an extra layer of tenderness, providing moments of levity and showing how Emily seamlessly becomes a cornerstone in their lives. The age gap and power dynamic are handled thoughtfully, creating a relationship built on trust, respect, and mutual growth.

Fans of slow-burn romance will adore the gradual unraveling of Camila’s icy exterior and the steady deepening of their bond. The story beautifully balances moments of humor, tension, and heart, culminating in a finale that feels both hard-earned and utterly romantic. *Never Say Never* is a must-read for anyone craving a poignant, opposites-attract love story that proves even the most guarded hearts can find their happy ending.

Camila Evans walks in on her son's nanny, Amelia, having sex on the couch. Fired! Now she needs a new nanny, fast...
Emily Walker needs a job... plus she's had a crush on TV star Camila Evans for years. But can she work so closely with her idol?
Emily seems like the perfect nanny, but Camila realizes she's attracted to the young woman. However that is hugely unprofessional, and she does her best yo ignore it... until Emily kisses her on impulse.
Very intense slow burn relationship. I liked both Emily and Camila, and Jamie, the kid, is adorable.

Never Say Never is Rachel Sommers’ debut novel and it shows why she has become a known name in sapphic fiction. The book follows the story of Emily, a young woman who recently finished college and wants to make money before starting her master's degree. She gets a job as the nanny of Camila Evan's son. Camila is the head of a television network and Emily's teenage crush. Their relationship soon begins to go beyond the boundaries of professionalism. Still, Camila is determined to keep Emily away, believing she would only hurt the young woman. Sommers does a great job of showing their conflicting emotions. There's a good balance between sweet moments when they open up to each other and ones in which they are at odds. The way Sommers portrays Jaime, Camila's son, is incredible. He shows the innocence, perceptiveness, and honesty that makes children so special, being responsible for some of my favorite scenes in the book. Emily's foster sister and her girlfriend are great characters as well, the relationship between the sisters is one of true love and loyalty. A few passages in the book feel slightly repetitive and others could have been expanded more, going deeper in what makes each character be who they are. Never Say Never is a delightful novel sure to bring a smile to your face.

After requesting the ARC for this one I realised I actually had already read it.
I remember liking it the first time around and the second time is no different. I just wish we had more time with them as an actual couple.
Sommers has a writing style that just works for me. Even with something like an age gap story, not my favourite, she manages to keep my attention and keep me entertained.

This was a very slowburn romance with lots of angst. I waffled a little on how to rate this book. It was good, I enjoyed the story, I liked the characters, but some of them were a little over the top in how amazing they were. And it kept pulling me out of the story. Emily was the over the top, I am an amazing human being. She was an astrophysics graduate of Yale going on to get a masters at NYU, a black belt in karate, buff and strong, an amazing nanny, beautiful but didn't know it, kind to literally everyone...it was a little much. Especially compared to her love interest Camila, who was a sort of ice queen CEO stereotype. I did really like Jaime and how he was portrayed. He read as fairly age appropriate, maybe a little young at times and a little too intuitive at others, but most of the time he was just a cute five year old.

The romance between Camila and Emily was very idealized. If it hadn't been a romance book, where I knew exactly who was going to end up with whom, I would not have rooted for these two. Camila is very wishy-washy and sends all of the mixed signals. Emily just lets herself get strung along and takes anything Camila gives her. For someone with all the accomplishments she had, she was not very good at sticking up for herself. There was a ton of angst. They both felt attracted to each other and immediately started blurring the lines between boss and nanny, but neither really made any moves except poor Emily. And both those ended in disaster.

There is no third act breakup because they aren't actually ever together until the very literal end of the book. We get them being together for all of five seconds before we're in an epilogue. We never got to really see them as a couple or building up to admitting their love for each other.

A very well-rounded, slow-burn, age-gap love story.
Although things are anything but smooth and problem-free between Camila and Emily.
Camila Evans is a successful, ambitious corporate shark and Emily has had a crush on her since she was a teenager and used to follow her talk show like a religion.
Today she is supposed to be a nanny looking after Ms Evans' son.
These two couldn't live in more different worlds.
It still is a very well-rounded story, because I think Rachael Sommers writes very captivatingly without having to use any physical attraction or hot scenes.
The tension, the joy, the excitement, the infatuation of the Mc's comes across extremely well and you get excited with them.
I would have liked it to have been quicker in the development and with less heartache, but that is a big part of this complicated love story that I thoroughly enjoyed!
Thanks to the Author, to Ylva Publishing and NetGalley for the Arc!

I enjoyed the slow burn romance. Camila and Emily were wonderful characters, and Jaime was absolutely adorable. The C’s were complex and interesting, however, I was disappointed at the end where there could have been some steamy scenes, but there were none. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read.

"Never Say Never" by Rachael Sommers is an exhilarating and heartwarming journey that captures the complexities of life, love, and personal growth. From the very first page, Sommers draws readers into the world of her relatable protagonist, whose struggles and triumphs resonate deeply. This story is one of resilience and hope, as the character faces unexpected challenges while trying to navigate a new chapter in life.

Sommers has a gift for writing compelling, multi-dimensional characters, and her protagonist is no exception. As she faces various obstacles, we are given a front-row seat to her emotional journey, complete with moments of self-discovery and healing. What stands out is the theme of growth through adversity, where the central message is clear: no matter how tough life gets, there's always room for a fresh start, and sometimes, we must say yes to new possibilities—even when they feel uncertain.

The pacing of the story is perfect—fast enough to keep you turning the pages, but slow enough to allow for deep emotional connection with the characters. Sommers' writing style is engaging and immersive, and her ability to seamlessly blend humor with moments of poignancy makes this book a true standout.

The romance that develops throughout the novel feels genuine, with no clichés or forced moments. It's a love story that unfolds organically, built on trust, understanding, and mutual growth. The secondary characters also add depth and charm to the narrative, further enriching the story and giving it a sense of community and belonging.

Overall, "Never Say Never" is a beautifully crafted novel that is both uplifting and inspiring. It reminds us that while the future is often unpredictable, embracing change with an open heart can lead to extraordinary new beginnings. For fans of contemporary fiction, self-discovery, and emotional storytelling, this is a must-read.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a heartfelt, empowering read that celebrates the power of second chances!

Rachael Sommers’ Never Say Never is a heartfelt and captivating sapphic romance that artfully navigates the delicate balance between professional boundaries and irresistible attraction. The story takes readers on a journey from a tense boss-employee relationship to a blossoming love story filled with emotional depth and authenticity.

The novel’s strength lies in its complex and well-drawn characters. Both leads are compelling, with their vulnerabilities and personal growth beautifully explored. The chemistry between them is palpable, making their transition from colleagues to lovers feel natural and deeply satisfying. Sommers doesn’t rush their romance; instead, she lets it simmer, building tension and allowing the emotional payoff to resonate powerfully.

One of the highlights is the inclusion of the sister character, whose protectiveness and loyalty add an extra layer of warmth and complexity to the narrative. Her fierce support creates a sense of family and community, further enriching the story.

Sommers delivers a romance that’s not just about love but also about trust, healing, and taking risks to find happiness. With tender moments, witty dialogue, and a story brimming with “all the feels,” Never Say Never is a triumph in the genre. Fans of sapphic romance will find this book both delightful and deeply moving.

If you’re looking for a romance that balances emotional resonance with swoon-worthy moments, Never Say Never is an absolute must-read.

Emily Walker is a recent Yale graduate hoping to earn some money before working on her Master’s degree. She gets a job as nanny to Jaime, the five year old son of Camila Evans, who runs a TV network. Emily has followed and crushed on Camila in her teen years. And she isn’t intimidated by the older, hard working, woman. Camila may be an ice-queen at work but after her initial meeting she appreciates how good Emily is with Jaime. This is a nice age-gap romance. The story takes place over several months so the sexual tension between the two slowly increases.

The story is solid except for the ending, which is a let down. After so much slow burn build up you want the pay off of them being together physically. Good writers can even keep that behind closed doors but this story screamed for that moment. I believe this is the author’s first novel, originally published in March 2021. I’ve read four other novels Sommer's has written and she has gotten more comfortable or confident and includes more intimacy on the page. There is an epilogue which helps you believe in their HEA. Thank you to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for the digital copy and I am leaving an honest review. (3.5 Stars)

Debut novel by Rachael Sommers, is amazing! Her character development is well thought out and realistic. I truly hope she continues to write, if this is just a taste of what she will be bringing in the future.

Camila has been burned before; she believes she is unlucky in love and should be alone because she destroys her relationships. Emily had a difficult childhood, and she is still a bright light full of perseverance. Together the chemistry is outstanding, and they need to learn to let go and just let love happen. Especially with a little help from an inquisitive 5-year-old. I look forward to more by Rachael Sommers.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

its an age gap ice queen thriller of a ride

camilla is looking yet again for another nanny after catching the latest one in a very compromising position. so when she interviews emily she doesnt think she will last long but she is desperate

emily us to have the biggest crush on camilla whist she was growing up and was hoping that she wouldnt come across as weird at the interview....so she was very surprised when she got the job... she just had to get through meeting camillas son and not showing herself up....

have to say i did enjoy the angst between camilla and emily and i was hoping for a very sexy scene but also the ice queen was very good at mixing the signals for emily
a good read though

Never Say Never is really well written sweet age-gap romance. Camila is divorced single mom and burnt by cheating ex. Emily is working as a nanny while saving money to go to grad school.

The romance is very slow burn and intimacy in the book is written as fade-to-black. So the book can be read also by younger readers who are interested in sapphic love stories.

Although there's quite a big age gap and also employer-employee power imbalance, the romance does not feel shady.

I really loved this book. I found it a bit cheesy in the begging. But as I got further into the book I actually found it to be a really sweet love story. The MC connection to the kid was precious. She was always meant to be part of the family.

The love story felt realistic, I was rooting for them the whole time and loved the happy ending.

4.5⭐️

Promising debut novel (3.5 stars)
I liked this story for the most part; several places felt familiar as if I'd read something similar in another book or fanfiction story which is bound to happen given the amount of lesfic and fanfiction stories I read every year. I did feel though after I had a good sense of the characters and what they would do or say in certain situations that the mains in particular here upended that by doing/saying something that went against my perception of their characters; these moments felt like they were structured that way in order to advance and accommodate the plot rather than because it was in the personality of the characters to do or say these things. Those moments took me out of the story a bit and unfortunately along with it some of my emotional investment in the main characters. That said I do want to read more by this author because overall I had fun reading the story and rooting for certain characters, despite the ice queen trope not being a favorite for me. The secondary characters warrant their own stories to give readers more time with them. Emily's sister Cassie is a particular highlight in the story; her relationship with Emily was an element of the story that made me wonder if this book originated as a fanfiction story for one of the Supergirl lesfic fandoms. Camila's son Jaime brought to mind so many SwanQueen fanfiction stories beyond the usual 'ice queen corporate woman with a child and her sunshine in human form nanny' setup that is becoming common in the published lesfic I have read over the years. Jaime is adorable and Cassie is the kind of sister who's either fighting everyone as her sister's biggest ally or embarrassing her as only a sibling could.
If you want a large helping of fluff and some angst tossed in along the way give this one a read, or if you're a fan of the lesfic fandoms I've mentioned you'll probably want to check this one out too. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future and watching their storytelling ability blossom and develop further.
(Reviewed March 15, 2021)