Oh My Heart!!

I’ve just started reading Ms. Locke, and I’m finding the depth of emotion, and development of characters is absolutely superb - every time. Gabrielle was divorced, but remained friends with her ex in raising their two boys. His death in a car accident toppled her world, and her sons.

She moves to Ohio for a fresh start and to be near her cousin Cricket. Seven-year-old Carter is adaptable, fourteen-year-old Dylan shows his adolescent attitude. Neighbor Jay is a carpenter, and tries not to watch her hurt herself attempting home improvement projects. But she is a bit accident prone.

Jay helped raise his girlfriend's daughter, until in a snit she left, and allowed no further contact with what he considered his “daughter”. He has built high walls around his heart.

Small town wonderfulness, therapeutic kitchen painting, wine drinking and crying. A great cast of characters, and a journey of healing, growing up and finding love. Wow - stellar!

This was my first Adriana Locke book - and I was instantly captivated by her humorous yet poignant writing style.

I loved that this was focused on "elder millennials" - it was refreshing to read a book about a woman my own age. I loved how the complexity of motherhood was addressed throughout the book, and the concept of sacrificing oneself for others. I loved how both Jay and Gabrielle acknowledged their own issues - and listened to others. I'm happy that Gabrielle was given a "found family", as it made the story more feasible and lighthearted

Overall, I found the book to be well written, humorous and with a nice level of depth - although it was a bit rushed. Though the end was a little far-fetched (the timeline of when Gabrielle and Jay met to the conclusion was about 3-4 months), I liked the way the author tied everything up.

Many thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Recently one of my favorite things in a book is an explosive first kiss, especially when the tension has been mounting. Gabrielle and Jay’s story had exactly that type of first kiss and their chemistry had been building from the beginning. The story could have shown more of their journey, but it still brought the feelings of these complicated characters out in a realistic way. I enjoyed Gabrielle’s new friend group. They brought much needed humor to the story and a couple of them could easily have stories of their own. Also if this were a movie, Carter would have been stealing all the scenes.

OH MY GOSH!! I don't know where to start! I loved this one so much! Like so much. This one had me so dang giddy and then had me so emotional I was crying! Miss Adriana! You killed it!

Gabrielle and her two boys move back to her hometown after her ex-husband passes away. They move across the street from Jay, the grumpy carpenter. Between helping Gabrielle with things around the house and her youngest son that won't leave him alone, Jay can't seem to stay away from his gorgeous new neighbor.

The meet cute for this one was absolutely hilarious and adorable all at the same time! Jay was prickly at first, but once he let his walls down, he was incredible! The way he was with both of Gabrielle's boys was my favorite thing about him! He was so patient and understanding! Gah!! He was so hot! Gabrielle was so relatable as a mom. She was trying to do it all herself, but sometimes, as moms, we need help and companionship, and that was what Jay was for her. He was someone to lean on, and I just adored their relationship! The banter was fun, and the chemistry was immediate between them! This was a quick, easy read full of sweet and funny moments but also an emotional aspect that brought me to tears.

Thank you, Adriana and Netgalley, for this ARC.

Jay and Gabby's story is one about healing after loss. While they are grieving different types of loss, they are still learning to move forward and understand that it’s okay to keep living. Carter and Dylan add an extra layer of depth to Gabby and her healing because she has to be there for them and while it’s not easy, show them it’s okay to move forward with life. This book is a beautiful story and Adriana Locke will forever be an auto buy author. Thanks to Montlake Publishing, NetGalley, and Adriana Locke for the ARC!!

DNF’ed this book at 30%. I tried to push through but I just couldn’t keep my focus on the book and I didn’t want to skip paragraphs or full pages to do say I read it.

However, I do give a 3 star because it’s not a bad book. It’s just wasn’t for me.

I usually enjoy the single mom trope, so Gabrielle being a mom wasn’t the issue. The issue is that there was 0 chemistry between her and Jay, at least in my opinion. They were grown up adults around my age and it didn’t feel like I was reading a 38 year-old and a 40 year-old talk normal. It was… weird. I don’t know how to explain it other than maybe Adriana Locke’s writing style is simply not for me.

Thank you Montlake, NetGalley and VPR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Gabrielle returned to her hometown with her sons, Dylan and Carter, seeking a fresh start after the loss of her ex, who had been her best friend. Despite her grief and her boys struggling to adjust, she remained a devoted mother, doing everything she could to ease their transition. Though witty, funny, and full of charm, Gabrielle was still grappling with her pain, and when she moved next door to Jay, the light in her soul had yet to fully return.

Jay, scarred by a past relationship with a single mother who cut him off after their breakup, had withdrawn into a solitary life of work, occasional meetups with a friend, and meaningless flings. Helping the single mom next door wasn’t something he intended to get involved with, but his undeniable attraction to Gabrielle pulled him in.

Gabrielle, longing for love and connection, found herself drawn to Jay’s protective, bossy, yet unexpectedly charming nature. He made her feel alive again. But Jay’s unresolved demons made it difficult for him to commit, and he ran when things got tough. However, he quickly realized his mistake.

Their journey from unlikely friends to lovers was filled with banter, sass, and healing. Gabrielle helped Jay confront his fears, while Jay brought love and joy back into her life. Together, they broke down walls and found the love they both deserved.

Adriana is an auto read author for me and I just love her writing. She never fails to deliver a sweet, witty and heartwarming romance that hits me in the feels.

Gabrielle is a single mama who’s returned to her hometown with her two sons. A little accident prone, she ends up falling and being rescued by her neighbour Jay. Due to past hurt, he’s sworn off love but he never expected Gabrielle and he can’t deny the pull between them.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: small town romance, neighbours to lovers, single mama, grumpy neighbour.

Gabrielle was the typical boy mum I could relate a lot to. She was strong and determined and I really admired her. Her home improvement attempts had me giggling at times and I loved the way Jay stepped up to help her and her boys. While this dealt with navigating loss, grief and second chances it was balanced beautifully with witty moments that had me giggling.

I love a man who steps up for children who aren’t his and Jay was the perfect fit for this little family. The bond he builds with Gabby’s sons, especially Dylan, was a highlight for me and I really loved their moments. He understood Dylan in a way others didn’t, knowing the way he acted was out of fear due to his grief and helped him to navigate it.

I loved the friendship group in this, the found family vibes and warm and fuzzy feelings they bought. Looking forward to what’s next from Adriana!

Gabrielle is a single mom to two sons, one teen and one in grade school. She moves back to her hometown and has a meet-cute disaster with her hot but surly neighbor, Jay.
He ends up spending time helping her with some projects at her house, and they give in to their attraction for a bit. Jay has baggage, too. It was interesting to see if they could work things out and how, especially with her kids and some other factors.
The book was a quick read, almost too quick. I wanted a bit more development of their relationship, but overall it was a good story with likeable characters I rooted for.

Adriana Locke delivers a heartfelt, emotional journey in Between Now and Forever. This grumpy-sunshine, single-mom, neighbors-to-lovers romance beautifully balances humor, heartache, and the irresistible charm of small-town life.
Jay and Gabrielle are compelling opposites. Jay, with his guarded heart and reluctance to let anyone in, is a classic grump who you can’t help but root for. Gabrielle, on the other hand, is a ray of sunshine—a strong, determined mom trying to piece her life back together for herself and her two sons. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their slow-burn romance feels authentic and deeply satisfying.
Speaking of her sons, they steal the show in the best way. The older boy’s teenage angst adds depth and tension, while the younger son’s hilarious and surprisingly wise remarks bring much-needed levity to the story.
The small-town vibe is another highlight, with quirky neighbors and a setting that feels like home. Locke’s writing captures both the humor and the struggles of everyday life, creating a story that’s as heartwarming as it is poignant.
If you love grumpy-sunshine romances with strong family themes and plenty of laughs, Between Now and Forever is a must-read. Adriana Locke has once again crafted a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

What I love about Adriana Locke is that she can write amazing stories about regular people. They don't have to be billionaires to make an interesting story. Regular single mom moves next door to a regular construction working carpenter. Their problems are relatable because they could happen to any one of us. I'm usually a series reader, but sometimes it's nice to read a book that stands alone. No waiting for the next installment, no guessing/hoping about who will the next couple be. I loved this book. The relationships between friends, parent and child, neighbor and child, they're all so important and relevant.

“The smirk on his lips lifts my spirits, and I realize I’m not dealing with a little boy. I’m dealing with a young man- one that understands a lot more than people give him credit for.”

First of all, the quote is from Jay’s perspective, and it was in this moment I realized that he was worth Gabrielle and her two boys. Gabrielle moved her boys back to her hometown after needing a change. The loss of her husband was tough on all of them, but her oldest was struggling the most as he was old enough to really understand what was happening. The house Gabrielle bought needed some extra love and she decided she was going to tackle it. The good thing was her new neighbor happens to be handy and offers to help her. As these two get closer they both have to make decisions on if this is what they want. Jay has his own things to work through and some of that does include the fact that it isn’t just Gabrielle in the relationship, but also her boys.

Adriana always writes stories that grab you and take you on a ride. Sometimes it is super emotional and sometimes it is emotional as we watch the characters figure things out. Her characters struggle and it is watching them find their way through the obstacles and getting their love at the end. The warm feelings at the end are worth the trials for them to overcome their past to find their future.

I fell in love with this book from the beginning to the end or should I say between now and forever?

Imagine moving back to your home town as a single mother and attempting to get a better look at your hot new neighbour only to forget that you went outside in your towel and fall into a bush right in their line of sight then requiring their assistance to extract you from said bush? Sounds to me like the perfect meet cute for Gabby and Jay!

This book had all the feels. There tension was coming off the pages in waves, the heat, the spice, it was all perfect as per usual from Adriana! This one had me laughing out loud and there were a few tears leaked…

It was so easy to connect with these characters. They were funny, sweet, and their personality all complimented each other which made for a really nice flow to this book.

This one is definitely a must read if you like sweet and spicy romance!

This was a super cute story, with lots of wit and humor and just the right amount of heat! Gabrielle is a single mom, divorced from her husband, with whom she was still good friends until his untimely death. She decides to move back to her home town to be close to family and bring up her two sons. Jay moved to Alden four years ago to heal after the breakdown of his relationship, and from his first meeting with Gabrielle, he knows she is something special. This book is such an amazing story, the characters are relatable and you can't help but laugh out loud at some of their interactions, especially their first meeting. But this isn't just a frivolous story, there are some real issues on dealing with single parents and the story was fairly low angst but high on family and love. One complaint I have is that the sons seemed to get over their dislike and distrust of Jay rather quickly, but I understand that the fast pace of this book necessitated this.

Ms. Locke is an amazing writer. Her skills in crafting her characters make them pop off the page and bring them to life. Another winner for Ms. Locke.

Between Now and Forever brings the tears and grins, the swoons and the spice, and all the heart. I had such a lovely time reading this one!

Single mom Gabrielle moves back to her hometown to raise her boys and restart her life, what she doesn't count for is her very tantalizing albeit grumpy neighbor who comes crashing into her world. Well, actually, more like she crashes over her back porch railing and he runs over to rescue her. What follows is one heart looking for love, while the other tries to shut it out. There is much to face in this narrative, from grief to hope to courage; and two vulnerable, wonderful leads who will take the steps to do that. Even if at times some of those steps fall back. The journey to the end will be worth it.

I loved Gabrielle. She has so much on her plate but readily tries to juggle it all, with varying degrees of success. What cannot be denied is her love for her sons, and her motivation to find herself again and to keep moving forward. Enter Jay. Like Gabrielle nursing the grief of her ex-husband's death, Jay is facing his own sort of grief. Unlike Gabrielle, he stores the grief far away, hardening his heart and refusing to let his alluring neighbor in. The chemistry sizzling between these two is electric to watch, the push-and-pull that gives way to angst and cheers is my favorite as well! I rooted for them so readily and steadily throughout. I only wish Gabrielle and Jay's romance, once greenlit, had taken more breadth within the narrative before more hurdles were thrown their way. Nevertheless, I do think as a whole there's good pacing, with the final act truly shining above all.

Whenever I read single parent romances, I always enjoy when the incoming love interest bonds with the lead's child(ren). I'm quite used to that, which is why I appreciated what a different exploration is found in Between Now and Forever. While Gabriella's youngest instantly adores and accepts Jay, her oldest is resentful and angry. And while his behavior towards the adults is unwarranted, the emotions he is dealing with are absolutely understandable. He lost a father he loved and who loved him, and even if his parents were no longer together, they each fit into that their designated spot in his life. Seeing someone "threaten" (in his mind) that spot is a scary feeling. It becomes the catalyst for a decision Jay makes in the final act. What follows that decision strengthens that final act. I loved how this book ended, I loved how it wasn't all roses and rainbows, but rather getting to the nitty gritty of what is real. There is hurt that needs to be confronted-- from all sides. There is grief that needs to be reconciled. It is very moving how this narrative ended. I would say the second half of this one is the strongest half and my personal favorite. I adored the epilogue as well!

Between Now and Forever is an emotionally moving, heartfelt, and fabulously swoony read that is both about embracing love and reconciling grief. It's a book of comfort and a book of hope.

Oh! One more thing! I always get giddy when the title of book is mentioned within the narrative, and the way it folds into this one is just so perfect!

Thank you so kindly to Valentine PR and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Jay Stetson has been hurt before and does not want to get involved with anyone. Gabrielle Solomon just moved back to her hometown after her ex-husband was in a car accident and passed away the previous year. She sees her next-door neighbor and finds a hot man in flannel. After their meet cute, Jay explains that even though he is attracted to her, he is not willing to get involved with her. So, she decides it's time to live again and is ready to meet new men.

Jay goes to meet his friend at a new bar outside of town and finds Gabrielle and some guy getting friendly and he is so jealous he acts like a jerk. Gabrielle ends up confronting him when he leaves, and they decide to follow this attraction where it goes.

It was a wonderful story of a single guy afraid to get involved with a single mom with kids. You will love her kids; Carter is the younger son who is the typical kid who just wants to make friends in a new place and Dylan is the older teenage son who is afraid of losing his mom and hates that Jay is talking to Gabrielle. Jay is a wonderful grumpy guy that is finally willing to try another relationship again after being devastated by his last relationship with a single mom. It was so touching, and I couldn't put it down until the end.

Great story! Just another great book for Ms. Locke!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Super sweet & a very easy read (in the best way). I don't know if it was a shorter book or if I was just enjoying it so much that I didn't notice the number of pages, but I absolutely flew through this one.

Two characters who are a little older & have established themselves in life was a really interesting take on second chance romance. I haven't read many books where the single parent has older children, so it was neat to see how the kids reacted to the relationship. I think it was done in a way that made it seem very realistic, almost to the point where you could have told me it was based on the author's personal experiences & I would have believed you.

The entire book from start to finish was beautifully written, however I will say there were quite a few more internal monologues than I am used to, so it took me a little while to get used to that writing style. It was a great way to get into the mind of each of the characters, especially with the complexities of their relationship & their pasts - it was just something I'm not typically used to seeing.

It’s a sweet book.

The FMC Gabrielle has moved back to her hometown to try and help her boys 7&14 overcome a tragedy. She’s a single mum who’s trying to figure out solo parenting, who she is as a person and how to navigate being their for their sons and where to draw the line between grief and adolescence that’s crossing the line into bad behaviour.

The MMC Jay is the neighbour next door, he’s friendly enough if someone says hi but he keeps to himself and doesn’t go out of his way to speak to people, so when he find himself constantly drawn to the family next door, he knows it’s more than just ‘attraction’ but is scared of taking that step when there are kids involved and a past that left him heartbroken.

I enjoyed this book, I liked the banter between the FMC and MMC, I did find myself dipping in out and out of the book a little, especially near the middle. The slow burn was ok but I felt like the attraction was instant and if that had moved then there could have been some more time spent on the relationship between the kids and new relationships.

It did go very suddenly from my teenager can’t stand you to total acceptance from one conversation, which ironically could have happened a little sooner if all sides had been a little more open to communication. Which when they did it was great, but there was a lot of circling.

I did enjoy the book, it was cute and a nice read and I do enjoy the single mum trope, this book just didn’t grip me where I couldn’t put it down but I did enjoy what I read when I dipped back in.

3.5⭐️1.5🌶️

Awwwww! I just finished Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke and OH. MY. GOODNESS. it was ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! 🧡🧡🧡

Gabrielle Solomon falls over her porch railing in nothing but a towel while she is spying on her new sexy neighbour... landing in the bushes, she really hopes to be rescued by him. You know? 100% hero-like... but nothing goes as planned and the sexy, but also really grumpy, guy confuses... but also attracts her a lot. With her head held high and his shirt around her body, she definitely wants to find out more about him!

I love Adriana Locke and her writing style. This new small-town romance is no exception because it was a masterpiece right from the beginning. Well, for me!
The first encounter of Gabrielle and Jay was sooooo hilarious, and I could LITERALLY FEEL THE SPARKS FLYING through my Kindle! ✨️✨️✨️
OMG! I got goosebumps everywhere just because their chemistry was CHEF'S KISS! ❤️🙏🥰

The whole book is full of soooo many great interactions between the main characters, and with every little sentence, I even fell more in love with them!
It was refreshing to read a small-town romance with a strong and self-confident single mom of two boys! ❤️ Absolutely loved it!
How Gabby deals with her family being back in the town she grew up. Reconnecting with her friends from the past and finding new awesome friends. This group of women is AESOME! Loved them all so much! (And maybe we'll get to know more about them?! I'd love that! 🙏🙏)

And Jay? The sexy, broody neighbour who knows how to use his hands... and not just at work. 😉🤭🔥
I said it before, but... THEIR CHEMISTRY WAS JUST PERFECT! Jay is this kinda mysterious guy who knows how to push Gabby's buttons. Like cat and dog. 😉 SO GOOD! 😍

But next to all the funny and heartwarming and absolutely sexy times, there are also really emotional moments that made me cry. Oh boy... be prepared! 🥹

All in all, Between Now and Forever is the perfect small-town romance book if you love:

🧡 single mom
🧡 grumpy neighbour
🧡 hilarious group of friends
🧡 grumpy X sunshine
🧡 neighbours to lovers
🧡 really sexy times

IT WAS ABSOLUTELYWONDERFUL! LOOOOVED IT! 😍😍😍😍😍

Thanks to Adriana Locke and Montlake for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.

Adriana Locke has been on my list of one click authors for years. I love how her stories bring real life and love together so seamlessly.

This was such a fun read and I could not put it down. I’ll start by saying the audio book was amazing. I loved these narrators and the extra dash they brought o this story.

This family had been through so much and it was so easy to get sucked in and cheer for them along the way. I loved Gabbys kids from the start. Their trauma and past heartbreak felt so real and it hurt my momma heart while reading.

Gabby and Jays chemistry was off the charts. From the first fall to the end i loved reading it. Their banter over house renovations was the perfect addition to what was a slightly more heavy plot.

Gabby friend group and support system added a whole extra amazing layer to this story and I cannot wait to see what’s next for them.