Gabrielle and Jay was a story I loved from beginning to end. I loved the other characters in the book especially Gabrielle's son Carter, he had me laughing out loud.
It is a small town, hot neighbor next door, single (widowed in a way) mom story. The first meeting is in a towel in a bush....

This was such a good read. Another favorite book for me by Adriana Locke!

Another wonderfully well written story by Adriana Locke! Possibly the best "meet cute" in history, combined with AL's cast of dependably well developed characters and plot line full of real human emotions that cause us all to be stupid at times makes this a MUST READ!

Gabrielle Solomon moves back to her small hometown with her two boys, Dylan and Carter, not long after the boy’s father, Christopher, passes away in an accident. Gabrielle and Christopher had been divorced for a couple of years and had remained in each other’s lives. Moving back to Ohio will make a fresh start with the boys. They all need to grieve, but at the same time they need to start living again.

Jay Steton moved to town about four years ago. He mostly keeps to himself, except when his friend Lark makes him be “social”. Jay dates a little, but not enough to become attached. He likes it that way… until his new neighbor tumbles into the bushes off her porch and is in need of a rescue. Not that Jay is doing anything more than being neighborly. He refuses to pick up the signals Gabrielle is giving him. His heart is too walled off from his past.

As hard as Jay tries to stay out of her orbit, he finds himself helping Gabrielle get her house all fixed up. Gabrielle’s younger son, Carter, likes to wander over to Jay’s for things like air for his basketball and a zillion questions about a whole host of subjects. And then there’s Gabrielle teenage son, Dylan, who’s angry at the world for being moved from Boston to Ohio, and who is making his mother’s life a little difficult at the moment.

Gabrielle and Jay are pulled together by the spark between them. They try to keep it from the boys, as Gabrielle knows it’s not an easy time for either of them right now with just losing their dad. But then one argument between Gabrielle and Dylan makes Gabrielle realize that she needs to take care of her son and doesn’t need Jay’s help, sends Jay spiraling back into the ptsd from his former relationship.

Are the feelings that both Gabrielle and Jay have for each other strong enough for them to weather Dylan’s surly teenager years? Will Dylan realize that his mom will never not put him and Carter first, but also needs an adult companion to love and be loved by? Will Jay see that Gabrielle is nothing like his ex and is worth a little pain for a lifetime of happiness?

This book has a grumpy hero, a mostly sunshine heroine, a mouthy teenager and an inquisitive child, what more could anyone ask for? It’s sweet, sexy and has a lot of heart. What we’ve all come to count on from Adriana Locke. You won’t ever be disappointed picking up one of her books.

Between Now and Forever Author- Adriana Locke Series- Standalone Rating-3.75 Stars out of 5 Genres- Contemporary Romance Tropes- Single Mom, Grumpy Neighbor, Grumpy x Sunshine, Neighbors to Lovers, Small Town Main Characters- Gabrielle and Jay Spice Level- 1.5/5 HEA Between now and forever felt different from Adriana's other books, and to be honest I can't but my finger on what exactly it is that is that is so different. It wasn’t a bad different just as I said different. If I'm going to be honest I don't know if this book is strictly a contemporary romance, I think it is more of just a book about now families move on after loss as Gabrielles ex-husband and the father of her two boys had died in an accident. All three of them were in their own stages of grief throughout the story. Even Jay was going through his own grief that he hadn't moved on from. I felt that the book was a little slow to start and it took a bit for me to get pulled into the story like I usually am. But once I was pulled in I thought it was an enjoyable story. Gabrielle and Jay had a dynamic that just worked. Gabrielle being a single mom means that her boys come first and Jay being the great guy he is understands that. He's also such a great guy that he is understanding when one of Gabrielle's son is struggling with her dating because he doesn't want his dad to be replaced in his life and he rolls with it not wanting to replace his father. Personally I just felt that the end of the book just came bit suddenly. In the second to last chapter they’re happily dating and the sons ok at least mostly ok with them dating then in the epilogue (which doesn’t give an indication of how much time has passed but it seems like time hasn’t actually passed) all of a sudden everything is perfect and there are no problems? I just felt there were a few elements that were left unfinished. Overall I thought this was a enjoyable story.

Gabrielle moves to a small town after her husband passes away for a new start for her and her sons. When her next door neighbor, Jay, realizes she is a single mother he does not want to get involved with her after a prior bad breakup with another single mother. I loved how Adriana Locke brought this whole story together. The sweet chemistry between these characters struck the right nerve and the opening scene was hilarious. Quick read that I could not put down!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Jay is just the guy next door, sure he’s handy and doesn’t mind helping out a neighbor, but when Gabrielle Solomon moves in next door, they both find themselves in over their heads.

The author added so many crazy situations that Gabrielle kept getting herself into, that I found myself loving this story and preordering a copy to keep once it was released. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

Oh my goodness!! So many emotions. My heart was breaking for all of them but I also couldn’t contain my laughter! It was the best of both worlds!! Between Now and Forever was full of love, laughs, and swoon!!

Gabrielle made an interesting first impression with her sexy new neighbor. Tumbling off her deck in just a towel may not have been on her bingo card, but she did it with grace. Luckily for her, Jay was a perfect gentleman.

What started as just neighbors soon became just friends. Would just friends become more or would there be too much to overcome?

I loved how much depth this story had! Loved how different her sons were and all the entertainment they brought. And the swoon!! So much swoon! I really hope we see these guys again!!

Jay and Gabriel are the it couple. Loved how they fight what they are both feeling..the way that they want each other is steamy and had me swooning and giggling.

Oh my heart. I loved this book and the characters! The love Gabrielle has for her boys and her dedication to them was so sweet. Jay and his character growth throughout the book was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time when he finally reveals his past. The two of them together was full of tension and chemistry while showing realistic growing pains of having children while dating. I loved the world building, relationships with side characters and couldn’t put the book down! I definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy small town romance, funny banter and heartwarming moments!

How to make a great impression on your next door neighbor. Spy on him dressed only in a towel on your back porch and falling in the bushes after the railing gives way. Lay it all out from the get go. Gabrielle Solomon really knew how to make a great first impression. Jay Stetson wasn't a monk, and even though Gabrielle sparked attraction in him, he wasn't in the market for anything. Not even rapport with his next door neighbor. But there was something about her and her younger son Carter that kept him responding to them. Jay had his reasons. Getting close to anyone results in emotions he'd rather not revisit. Of course we're going to get the happily ever after. The author wouldn't do us dirty like that. But first we get to feel frustrated, at times angry, elation about Jay opening up, giddiness when Carter penetrates Jay's hard exterior, humor when Gabrielle tries and fails at many home improvement projects, sadness when Dylan lashes out at Gabrielle and Jay. All the emotions. Here is a family not only broken by divorce, but also the sudden death of the ex-husband/father and moving to a new place. In making this big change, Gabrielle and her boys found peace and love and a solid family support.

Adriana Locke has a talent for writing wonderful small town, blue collar heroes and she has hit the nail on the head with Jay Stetson.

I loved Jay and Gabrielle's story, it's a heartwarming and heartbreaking story of finding love after loss. Their journey is complicated by wounds from past heartbreaks, dreams for the future and keeping Dylan and Carter as a priority. They don't always get it right but they both strive to do the best that they can for those they love.

The relationships that Jay and Gabrielle each have with the boys are so well written, Adriana Locke hasn't glossed over the hard parts of parenting. I loved the realism that she gave us with Dylan and Carter.

Jay and Gabrielle's story is a beautiful mix of healing hearts, steamy chemistry and challenging relationships.

✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨
ARC REVIEW

Between now and forever - Adriana Locke

5/5⭐️

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The TEARS I shed for this book! OMG. Every book I’ve ever picked up by Adriana Love usually leaves me just feeling all the feels and speechless in all the best ways. This one did just that and more!! I did read this one in one sitting. I felt the pace of this one just made it go by so fast. Even with the fast pace it had great details and such amazing characters. Jay and Gabrielle I really enjoyed reading their story. They both have so much past trauma and fear with relationships that it definitely makes it a struggle for them. For single moms I feel like this book is so relatable. I feel like it shows the sweet moments and the struggles. I don’t want to give to much away with this one because you just have to read it and feel all the feels with this book.

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If you like to read:
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Single mom
- Small town romance
- Neighbors to lovers
… You should definitely check this out

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Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words. #giftedcopy

✨What’s a book release your excited for next year?

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WOW!! Adriana Locke never disappoints! This was definitely the type of book that takes you through all of your emotions.

Jay is the town grump and he now has new neighbor that he just wants to avoid. But when Gabrielle ends up falling off her deck into the bushes he can't help but come to her rescue. He tries to stay away but there is a connection between him and Gabrielle. He also tries to distance himself from her sweet boy Carter that is always stopping by and even though her other son can be a "Jerk Face" as Carter says, he starts caring about him as well.

Jay has a past he hasn't been able to let go and he needs to find a way to put it in the past. Will this single mom and her kids be able to help him get over his broken heart?

Gabrielle is a single mom who got divorced from her best friend and he ended up dying in a car crash. She's heartbroken and trying to move on but it's hard. Carter is doing the best out of her two boys. Dylan is really struggling and that's making things harder for her as well. Will Jay be able to help her heal and find new love?

This book had me laughing and smiling like crazy! Cricket and her friends will have you laughing so hard! The characters and the story are well written. I had a great time getting to know everyone and definitely didn't want the book to end. I would HIGHLY recommend this book.

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Love it Amazing Read. Jay And Gabrielle have the most hilariously amazing Meet Cute ever. I love it. Gabrielle has been through some loss. She was divorced then lost her ex-husband who was her best friend. Dylan is struggling the hardest with the loss of his Dad. Carter seems to go with the flow. The banter and the kids make this story. I couldn't put it down. This author has away of pulling me in that keeps me there long after The End.

I just love single parent, opposites attract, and found family stories because they are filled with great characters. I enjoyed the friendly banter between neighbors and instant attraction between them. Gabrielle and Jay are the complete opposites personality wise but they seem to click on a different level. They have both gone through a loss and have been trying to deal with it and move on. Gabrielle takes a more positive approach and tries to be optimistic because of her kids. Jay on the other hand is a grump who keeps people at a distance because he doesn’t want to get attach and loose someone else. The close proximity between their houses and the constant interaction allows for a beautiful friendship to grow between them and with her kids. As much as he tries to stay away he can’t and he understands that her kids are a package deal if he wants to be with her. Love how Gabrielle brings a softer side to Jay and how their friendship starts to form into more. The best part of small town romance of course are the found family the characters find and connect with.

This story was a little different than a lot of Adriana’s books but that didn’t mean I loved it any less! Gabrielle and Jay have both had a rough hand dealt to them when it comes to love but they’ve handled it differently. Jay moved to a new town and doesn’t let people in and Gabrielle moved back to her home town and while she spends most her energy on her kids she still wants the companionship from someone else.
This book really pulled at my heartstrings reading about everyone was dealing with their losses so differently. Gabrielle’s kids were also a very important part of this story so it was lovely to see everyone end up happy!

Another enjoyable story for Adriana...I'm so glad I discovered her and her books this year!

I really enjoyed the small-town storyline - everyone being neighbors and being able to pop in to each other's houses, I really liked that element - we had new friend connections, romantic connections, and family connections - really set us up well for more books to follow

Also, Carter was a hoot! Total scene stealer! Couldn't help but giggle at him and his unintentional attempts to hook his mom up with Jay.

So if you enjoy single mom, small town, and neighbor romances this is one to try out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. This is a standalone small town romance with a HEA ending.
Gabrielle and her two sons have just moved back to her hometown. Her boys have lost their dad, and they have been struggling to move on. She thinks a new start in her hometown is just what they need. While her boys are at school, she is going to fix up the house she bought for them.
Jay is a carpenter who keeps to himself. He definitely doesn't need to be helping his new neighbor. Even if she looks like she knows nothing about fixing up her house. And don't get him started on her kids.
I love single mom/dad romances. It's such a good book with some decent spice. I devoured this book in one setting.

Ms. Locke has done it all again - written an imaginative, engaging story with true-to-life characters that completely held my attention and had me internally cheering for Gabrielle and Jay all the way to the end. Gabrielle moves in next to Jay and "falls" for him almost right away (it's one heck of a meet/cute!). She and her two children are still reeling from the sudden death of her ex-husband, so she's pretty certain she's not ready for any kind of relationship. Jay has all the baggage that comes with a previous relationship failure that involved a single mother and her daughter, so of course he is wildly gun-shy. Gabrielle's sons bring even more complex emotions to the mix. The dialogue is wonderful - the kids feel real, the chemistry is all there, and there is plenty of teasing and humor. Even though I expected a HEA, things felt uncertain enough to make for a hard-to-put-down read. The spicy bits were just right. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I was given an ARC and volunteered to write a review.

As always Adriana Locke writes another favorite! A book you can sit down and loose yourself in. The neighbors to lovers is such an underrated trope for me, and I love a grumpy hero loving on the single mom next door who is fierce as fierce can be. Their friendship is one that will win you over from the beginning.