Shain Rose is a new author to me, I wasn’t aware of this series until I read Between Never and Forever. A story of second-chance love, Keelani and Dex show just how love can survive through distance and years. I do like this genre!

Keelani and Dex grew up together and became so much more than friends until her singing career took off and a car accident left them broken. Keelani left to further her career and help her family. Dex went on to become a billionaire and owning a casino. Years later, Kee is set to perform at Dex's casino due to contractual obligations. Her record company is forcing her to do things she doesn't like but she needs money for her mother's medical bills. Dex has tried to get over Kee but he can't forget her. A fake marriage proposal may allow the couple to get over the past and each other. Problem is they can't stop their obsession with each other. A great read, looking forward to Dimitri and Olive's story.

"Between Never & Forever" by Shain Rose is an angsty rollercoaster ride of love, betrayal, and second chances.
Dex Hardy, the brooding billionaire, and Keelani, the once-up-and-coming popstar, share a tumultuous history filled with teenage love, tragedy, and misunderstandings. As they reunite years later, sparks fly amidst a backdrop of revenge and manipulation. Dex's character is captivating, but he’s also hiding a deeply wounded soul. While Keelani's journey from a one-dimensional persona to a more empowered woman is compelling, I wished for more development in her character. Despite this, the story is filled with intense chemistry, wicked banter, and suspenseful twists.

Overall, "Between Never & Forever" is a captivating read that will keep you hooked until the very end. And I’m excited to see if we get Dimitri’s book next.

Very grateful to the publisher and author for this copy, opinions are my own.

The emotion in this book is very heartfelt, and the romance starkly passionate. You will feel the struggle that these characters go through, but more than that you see their growth and journey together and finding different ways to heal and become more empowered in such a precious way that felt so relatable.

If you love a good, angsty romance then this one is for you! Soooo much angst and tension between Sav and Levi. I love the friends to lovers and second chance tropes, and this book hit me with both so I was sucked in from the start. I’m not normally a fan of the single dad trope, but this was done well and didn’t detract from the romance, I will definitely be reading more from Brit Benson. Thanks Netgalley and publisher.

Billionaire, second chance romance set in the Hardy family world. I liked being back in this world. The interactions between the Hardy’s are so funny, especially when the twins are involved.
Dex, (Dexton, love that name) and Kee were teenage sweethearts before they broke each other’s hearts. Can a decade and a six-month forced proximity force these two to admit their real feelings? Dex is the typical Shain Rose possessive H that I love. Kee, on the other hand is trying to figure out who she is after letting others decide her life for her. Their romance was angsty and painful and I loved the ride they took me on. Seeing other SR couples was a bonus too. It reminded me how much I love her FMC’s.
If you like Catharina Maura, you’ll love Shain Rose. They both write very similar books, and they’re fantastic.

The story had everything I’ve come to expect from Rose; the funny cute romantic side, the steamy, sexy, and hot scenes, but also the deeper and more meaningful conversations that help form a real relationship. It’s definitely one of top fav reads of the month.

Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing group and Shain Rose for allowing me to review this ARC!

I have read a few Shain Rose novels and they are sweet and spicy romances that are quite enjoyable to read. This book took me quite awhile to finish, perhaps because I felt like I didn't quite connect with the plot and characters. The beginning of the story pulls you in but once the story comes to present time I felt like it got a little difficult to understand. I did like the banter between the main characters and would recommend to anyone who likes a spicy romance but the plot's meaning was slightly disconnected.

Between Never and Forever by Shain Rose is book three in the Hardy Billionaires Series. This is the story of Keelani 'Kee' and Dex. Their story spans from an early age when they were pulled apart toward their adulthood. I do think reading the books in order does add enjoyment to their story. Enjoyed this book and loving this series.

"Between Never and Forever" by Shain Rose is a captivating and emotionally charged romance novel that explores the complexities of love, betrayal, and second chances. The story follows the tumultuous relationship between the protagonist, who remains unnamed in the provided synopsis, and Dex Hardy, her best friend's older brother.

From their forbidden summer romance to the present day, where Dex has transformed into a cold and ruthless billionaire tycoon, the novel is filled with passion, tension, and longing. The author skillfully weaves a tale of heartbreak and redemption as the protagonist finds herself entangled in a web of secrets and lies.

The dynamics between the protagonist and Dex are electric, with their unresolved feelings simmering beneath the surface despite their attempts to deny them. As they navigate their fake engagement, readers are drawn into a rollercoaster of emotions, rooting for the protagonists to overcome their past hurts and find their way back to each other.

Rose's writing is evocative and immersive, capturing the intensity of the characters' emotions and the lush backdrop of the Black Diamond Resort and Casino. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

At its core, "Between Never and Forever" is a story about forgiveness, redemption, and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds. As the protagonist grapples with her conflicted feelings and Dex seeks revenge, the novel explores themes of trust, loyalty, and the transformative nature of second chances.

Overall, "Between Never and Forever" is a compelling and passionate romance novel that will keep readers captivated from beginning to end. With its engaging storyline, complex characters, and steamy romance, it's a book that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance and second-chance love stories.

Wow this really takes me back to the days when I’d download books to my iPad from the free list on Apple Books.

Do you remember those free romances in like 2011? They’re heavy on trauma, drama, random kidnappings, and immature/controlling men? This reminds me of those.

It’s an unhinged second chance, childhood-crushes-to-lovers, fake engagement, billionaire romance. I would’ve ate this up in high school, not gonna lie. But going into this, I was expecting a cute contemporary romance with banter, forced proximity, and maybe some brooding. This was more of a 2011 book.

Right out of the gate it starts with a childhood trauma that bonded them. (Side note: I wish this scene had been a flashback later in the book. Reading it at the start made me almost DNF). They “break up” and then this man proceeds to hold a grudge for 15 years. They’re in their thirties but the emotional maturity feels more like college.

This man hates her. Like, he does not like her but then becomes unhealthily obsessed. I didn’t understand that in 2011 with this style of romance, but it’s so clear now. There’s also an odd obsession with the FMC being a virgin.

If you like an unhinged, 2010s style romance with a controlling MMC, give this one a go.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

So I went into this book blind and I was hooked in the beginning. This starts off with Kee and Dex at a younger age when they end up in an accident. But soon after, Keelani gets sent away to work on her music career without any distractions. Now years later, they are back in each others lives and Dex is ready to get the closure he needs. It just wasn’t the way any of them were expecting. This man is totally jealous of any guys in Kee’s life and refused her being engaged to another. So he ends up being her fiancé instead. 😈 Dex Hardy is such a possessive protective hot billionaire! 😂🤭

✨ “You look pretty with my ring on your finger,”✨

This book had some suspense, lots of spice and was an enjoyable read for me!!🥰🥰

Tropes:
•Second Chance Romance
•Billionaire/Popstar
•Fake Engagement
•Obsessed Hero

Between never and forever have one of my favorite tropes
Second chance
Forced proximity
Best friend's brother
Haunted love
And as much as I love these tropes .. I ended dnf for the first time .. I didn't connect with the main characters and everything felt over repetitive and flat ..
Ive just went in blind and didnt notice there are one or two books before this one ..
But as Dex and Kee are adults now .. their relationships .. just wanst for me ..
Thanks to Netgalley and Publishers for this arc

STORY LIKES
⭐⭐⭐

SPICE
🌶️medium(ish)

RECOMMEND
💳 yes

Between Never and Forever ended up not being for me. I read the first two books in this interconnected series and enjoyed them. So, I was surprised that I didn't enjoy this one. I ended up DNF'ing this one around the 22-30% mark because I couldn't connect with Dex and Kee as adults. I enjoyed the initial chapters at beginning of their story because it depicted their relationship in the teenage years before the "event(s)" that broke them up.

Does this mean that I would not recommend Because Never and Forever? No. I think everyone who is a fan of Shain Rose & have read the first two installments of this series should give it read. So, please do not let my review deter you.

Disclosure: I don't rate below 3⭐'s because the review is posted online & from my understanding anything below a 3 hurts the author's promotability and income - especially for independent authors.

Right from the beginning the book is full of angst and I really felt for Dex. I was so frustrated with Keelani character , constantly being taken advantage off but never doing anything about it I wanted to scream at the beginning you just knew he was going to be set up with stories when the accident happened argh I wanted to throw my kindle across the room that Keelani couldn’t see this and just let it happen.

Eventually as you read more of the story you begin to understand her more but I was still totally team Dex in this book , I’m mean it doesn’t hurt that he is broody , possible and good looking 😀.

If you haven’t read other Shaun Rose books you will be happy to hear that some of our favourite characters make an appearance in this book and bring some of the laughter and lightness to the story.

Oh my goodness, where to start?! First of all, Shain Rose is a new author to me, and I did not realize that Between Never and Forever was part of the Hardy Billionaires series. I most definitely will be going back for more because that book brought ALL THE FEELS!
A story of second-chance love, Keelani and Dex show just how love can survive through distance and years.

"Because you don't forget a love like ours and move on. You just survive without it, right?"

Let's talk about Dex Hardy. Holy smokes. Confident, rich, fit, tatted and pierced? YES PLEASE. and the fact that he's so highly protective of Kee is just a small part of his intrigue. I'm really looking forward to reading the other books in the series about his brothers, because you know they've got to be just as badass.
Keelani is a mega superstar and seems to be trapped in her dumb contracts with her recording company. It was so great to see her busting out of her shell after years of being told who to be. To see her finally feel FREE.

Loved the spice in this book, along with the romantic lines from Dex... **swoon....**

"I haven't loved a woman before you nor will I love another after you. I knew it then like I know now. I have always loved you..."

Wasn't expecting the tears towards the end of the book, but there were some really touching scenes (I'm not gonna spoil that).

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Shain Rose for this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Pub Date: 26 March 2024

4.5
“I think I might be falling in love with you, Dex.”

“Well, good. At least the fall is starting for you. I’m so far down the hill, I need you to catch up at some point.”

AHHHHH loved this one!!! The Hardy Brothers are obsessed with their women 🥹 This is a second chance, fake engagement, workplace, billionaire romance and it was hot and spicy and such a fun read!!

SO PUMPED FOR DIMITRI

The third book in the Hardy Billionaire series and Between Never & Forever was probably the most angsty story yet. It begins with teenage love between Dex and Keelani, an up-and-coming popstar until tragedy strikes and one of their friends is killed in a car crash. Once Trinity, her ruthless record company gets involved Dex is hung out to dry, blamed for everything by the town and dumped by Keelani as she swans off to fame and fortune seemingly without a backward glance. Dex soon finds his love turning to bitterness not realising she had been forced to chose between him and loyalty to her family. Years later they meet once again when his brothers engage her to sing at their casino against his wishes. Perhaps this will give him the opportunity to draw a line under that part of his life or could this be their second chance at love?

I loved the character of Dex in this book, I mean who wouldn’t love a tatted and pierced angry hero who oozed dominance! He swung between hating Keelani and being obsessed with her, his behaviour definitely stalkerish as he utilised his technology to follow her every move through his hotel. A part of me wondered why he let her affect him so deeply especially after the way she treated him. There was plenty of chemistry between the dirty talking Dex and Keelani with some fantastically wicked banter. For me though Keelani was a bit one dimensional, very much like the all American girl mould her record company had forced her into, allowing them to dictate everything about her life, from who she dated to the clothes she wore and I would’ve loved to have seen more development in her character as she learned to stand up for herself and be the kind of singer she wanted but I kind of got the impression she only found courage because Dex was standing at her shoulder, glaring threats at everyone who didn’t fall into place. The overall story was well written with plenty of sexual tension, lust, wickedly delicious banter and a stalker to add some drama and suspense to the plot but I can’t help but wish there had been more of resolution with her record company with her management called to account for their involvement in certain matters. With appearances from fantastic secondary characters in the shape of various Hardy and Armanelli family members and I was more than happy with this book.

I LOVE EVERY SINGLE book she has written and this one is absolutely no different.

Dex and Kee’s story is one of my favorites by far, absolutely phenomenal. I read their story within one sitting, i couldn't put it down even if I tried.



I highly recommend any and all of her books.

Keelani always knew she wanted to sing, but to live her dream she had to agree to her record company's many demands. It's good for her "brand" to be seen dating an approved boyfriend, but her heart belongs to her neighbor Dex Hardy. After a tragic accident causes negative stories about her and Dex, she's forced to move away and leave him. Years later, he's still bitter about the girl he's never gotten over, but now she's signed a contract to sing in his casino for six months and fake engaged to her longtime fake boyfriend. He proposes a deal to become her fake fiance instead... maybe then he can finally get over her.
I love all of Shain Rose's books so far but Cade Armenelli has always been my favorite character. I thought none could compare, but Dex... just wow! He brings his own kind of crazy and it's super hot! That theater scene... the cameras?!! About set my Kindle on fire, lol. I was so happy that Kee was finally able to find freedom and her HEA and step away from the toxic brand that her record company created. I was so excited to see all my favorite characters show up to help them in this book and they're all so great together. Just hilarious!! I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series!
Thanks to Shain Rose and Netgalley for the advance copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own and given voluntarily.