SO good!! Single mom with 2 boys and a grumpy neighbor who is trying to stay away!. I loved the banter and the heartfelt moments. Gabby is dealing with a teenager who is having a hard time adjusting not only to living in a new place but not having his dad and his mom moving on. The sweet moments with the younger boy and the Jay the grumpy neighbor will melt your heart. Jay and Gabby are swoon-worthy! The narration of this book brought the story to life. Adriana created a cast of characters that you will fall in love with.

This is such a sweet, light hearted romance. Jay and Gabrielle are both easy to root for as characters in a romance. They each have some healing to do from past relationships, both for vastly different reasons. I appreciated the real-life issues these two faced in working to come together. The prevalence of Gabrielle’s children in the story was a welcome addition in a single-parent romance. I feel like the kids disappear into the background a lot with this trope and that is not the case here. We also meet some side characters full of personality that I hope to see more of in the future. If you like small-town, grumpy/sunshine, single mom, this book will be perfect for you.

The audio was an added bonus. These narrators were amazing and really brought personalities to life in their performances. I loved the interpretation of the children as well.

✨️💚✨️Audio Book Review✨️💚✨️

Book: Between Now And Forever
Author: Adriana Locke
Rating: 4.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

Another amazing spicy contemporary romance by Adriana!

I really enjoyed this story and felt the grumpy x sunshine vibes right from the beginning.

When I heard the story that the MMC had, I felt for him so much and I was so happy when I figured out where this story was line going!

I loved how this one all got wrapped up.

You get:
• Single Mom
• Contemporary Spicy Romance
• Neighbors To Lovers
• Grumpy X Sunshine
• Love After Death
• Past Trauma
• Small Town

I recommend this one! Available on KU, ebook, paperback, and audiobook on Dec 17th.

This is such a wonderful single mom romance between Gabrielle and her next-door neighbor, Jay. She moves back to her hometown after her divorce and her ex-husband's death. He two children are with her. Jay is reluctant to be friendly with her, but he just can't stand by while Gabby is trying to fix up her home. He's had some past pain in his life that he just doesn't want to go through again by getting involved with Gabby and her sons.

This is very emotional as the two navigate through their feelings. Gabby's sons are a big part of this story, too. Fourteen-year-old Dylan is missing his dad and doesn't want a replacement for him. Little Carter is just adorable and some of the things he says are too cute.

I listened to the advanced readers copy narrated in dual format by Oliver Clarke and Rachel Vivette. Both are wonderful. Rachel is a new to me narrator and I would definitely listen to her again.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed Between Now and Forever. It was a lighthearted, cute, sweet and fun small town romance. I adored the main characters, Gabrielle and Jay even though their first meeting left me with a serious case of second hand embarrassment. I loved how their relationship developed. There was lots of crackling tension and chemistry between them as well as a lot of push and pull too with a sprinkling of angst thrown in. I loved watching them navigate their hang ups and the external things that came against their relationship. This was an awesome, easy read that I just flew through. If you're looking for something lighthearted I definitely recommend this. I enjoyed listening to the narrators and think they did a wonderful job with this title.

I always love Adriana’s books. She’s the queen of small town family romance. Gabrielle is a widow who just moved back to a small town and is starting over with her boys. Her boys are her world. One is just living and loving life, and just straight adorable. But her eldest, that’s a different story. As much as he loves his mom, he still misses his dad. Jay, the hunky neighbor tries to stay away, not wanting to get hurt again. But he just can’t stay away. Jay’s heart is under the spell of Gabrielle and her boys. It is a sweet and wholesome book with a dash of spice.

I thought the narrators did a really good job. They aren’t ones I listen to normally but they did very well with expressing the emotions of the characters.

Finding a way to move on from the past no matter what your past was can be difficult. Gabrielle and Jay both have a past that is steering how they handle their todays. I love a story where the draw between the main characters is felt through the words on the page and into yourself. Listening to the audio of this book made it even more palpable. The pain, the love, the fight they had to keep going.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

*Between Now and Forever* by Adriana Locke is a sweet love story about Gabby, a single mom who finds herself drawn to her sexy neighbor, Jay. Both Gabby and Jay have been through tough times in their past relationships, which makes their journey together feel real and relatable.

From the very start, Gabby and Jay have a strong connection, and the opening scene is both funny and engaging, giving you a taste of the lighthearted vibe of the story. The romantic moments between them are passionate, but they feel just right—nothing over the top.

Along Gabby’s journey, she meets some really fun and quirky friends. Each of them has their own interesting stories to share, which brings some added joy to the plot.

I found this audiobook to be such a good listen. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. I highly recommend this audiobook if you're looking for a super entertaining romantic, sexy story.
4.25 Stars!

❤☺❤AUDIOBOOK REVIEW!!❤☺❤

Between Now and Forever
By: Adriana Locke
Narrated by: Rachel Vivette, Oliver Clarke

How lucky for Gabrielle to have a carpenter live next door. After several mishaps in trying to fix things, Jay, has come to the rescue, even when she doesn't want him to. A single mom, she wants to be independent, and that grumpy man is enough to make her crazy. Jay is a bit obsessed. Watching Gabby's house, helping her son Carter, and doing his best to keep his distance something is pulling him. These two broken people have a chemistry, but neither wants to give in. And the kids need to be taken into consideration too. Where does it lead? Adriana Locke is a master at the small town romance, but there is something about this one that touched my heart in a way that is lasting. It could be the incredible boys, Carter and Dylan. It could be the determination Gabby has to keep her life moving. It could be the grumpy man that seems to have an interest from afar. The combination was addicting and I loved every minute

Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke are fantastic together! I loved their voices. Vivette becomes Gabrielle, with the mom voice and the wanton sound. I loved her! Clarke is the sweet Jay, the distant Jay and the passionate Jay! Their collaboration made this story come alive.

Between Now and Forever is a story of two people who have experienced loss, only to have that ultimately change their lives. Jay and Gabrielle's story is heartwarming and full of love.

💛Single mom
💛Neighbors to lovers
💛Grumpy x sunshine
💛Sweet story

After an unfortunate meet cute, Jay and Gabrielle keep getting pushed together and their bond starts to form. Both of them have had some serious things go on in their lives that they are trying to navigate. Gabrielle is trying to find a new normal for her boys after losing their father, and her ex-husband/best friend, a year ago.

This book is low angst and so sweet. Jay and Gabrielle were able to break down each others walls and find love together.

I loved Gabrielle's younger son so much - he had me cracking up! And I totally understood her older sons actions and feelings.

Oliver Clarke and Rachel Vivette narrated this book and gave a voice and soul to these characters. Both are new to me narrators, which I loved! Oliver was able to encapsulate Jay's pain and reclusiveness, while Rachel's voice was able to shine a light on Gabrielle's sunshine and her ability to find love after loss.

This was another wonderful read by Adriana Locke! Jay & Gabrielle were so good together. Gabrielle and her two boys moved in next door to him. She met him when she literally fell over a porch railing in nothing but a towel. Talk about a funny meet-cute! Jay tries to stay away but something about her just pulls him in. I loved seeing her break down his walls and him give into the attraction. This book was just so easy to get lost in & the perfect length for a good story. I do wish we got to see Jay's relationship with her boys develop a little bit more but that didn't affect my rating.

I listened to the audiobook of this and it was narrated by Rachel Vivette & Oliver Clarke. These two are both new narrators for me and I was captivated. Their voices drew me right in to this story and I didn't want to come out. I definitely recommend it.

💛Neighbors to lovers
💛Single Mom
💛Grumpy/Sunshine

Thank you so much to Adriana Locke, Netgalley, & Brilliance Audio for this advanced reader copy & audiobook. This is my honest review.

Swoon! Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke was a heartfelt neighbors to lovers romance that consumed me from start to finish. I adored everything about Gabrielle and Jay’s journey to HEA. Adriana Locke is the queen of writing the best kids in her books, and Dylan and Carter were no exception!

Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke perform this audiobook in dual narration. Both narrators are new to me and did a great job conveying the past pain and pent up tension between Gabrielle and Jay. Rachel’s portrayal captured Rachel’s resilience, passion, and love for boys and desire for Jay. Oliver’s performance encompassed Jay’s doubts and dedication to Gabrielle that made him simply irresistible. Plus, both narrators did a fantastic job presenting the longing and undeniable chemistry between Gabrielle and Jay.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a small town romance with a devoted single mom, a hot reclusive carpenter, falling-off-the-porch meet cutes, new neighbors, fixer uppers, two apprehensive brothers, dirty talk, ladies night out, jealousy, explosive first kisses, slow burn steam, coming clean, accepting new realities, starting fresh, love declarations, and a HEA that will last from now till forever, then you will love Gabrielle and Jay’s romance. I always look forward to more from Adriana Locke.

Gabrielle has just moved back to the town where she grew up to raise her boys. They have recently lost their dad and they're having some difficulty adapting, especially her teenage boy. She was divorced from her husband but they remained best friends, so the loss has been deeply felt by them all. 

She moves into a "fixer upper, but she (to the deep concern of her cousin) has no talent whatsoever to fix things up. And that's how her hilarious meet cute with the grumpy neighbor next door happens - with her toppling into the bushes in nothing but a teeny towel and coming face to face with a snake... and Jay.

Jay is a dream in flannel, but he's as closed off as they come. He has every reason to avoid the single mom and her kids, but apparently staying away isn't going to happen. He can't keep his eyes off the mama bear and the youngest cub is determined to be friends with the new neighbor. As the days go by, walls (real and metaphorical) come tumbling down and we keep rooting for them to become a family. 


I love how Adriana writes "real people" and I always love the families in her books. This one is no exception. It's heartbreaking to learn why Jay is so closed off and why he avoids getting attached to anyone. 

The audiobook is narrated dual style by two narrators that are new to me: Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke. They both do a great job portraying the characters and I will be looking for more of their work. 

This one is a standalone and, if you haven't read Adriana yet, it's a great introduction to her stories!

Thanks, Adriana and NetGalley for the e-book and the audiobook!

Content notes: mentions of death of a parent, "parental alienation"

Between Now and Forever is a single mom, neighbor, grumpy/sunshine story about Jay and Gabrielle and is told from both of their points of view.

Gabrielle and Jay meet when she stumbles off her porch in nothing but a towel, and it accidently comes loose. She is a struggling single mother to two boys. One teenager who is having a hard time and taking it out on every one else, and a younger one that always wants Jay to help him out whether it be to fill his basketball, or play ball with him.

Jay has been hurt in the past by a single mother. He instantly has feelings for Gabrielle and wants to help her fix up her house, but the more time they spend together feelings start to develop.

What happens when things from the past come back to him? Can he get past who he was treated by the other single mother? How can Gabrielle handle her kids with a new guy in their life?

I enjoyed this book and devoured it. I would love to see some stories from some of the side characters because they are always a good time!

Between Now And Forever is a sweet single mom romance. It started off strong with so many funny moments which truly grabbed me and hooked me to the story. The chemistry between Gabbie & Jay was palpable right from the start. I loved that it was a super fast read, straight to the point and delivered what it had to. As usual Adrianas always knows how to give us beautiful stories.

I really liked both MC's, they both had struggles to face and overcome which they did by the end. I do wish they would've communicated a little better for their age though, I did feel they came off a bit immature in some parts. In a way, I could understand that it was due to all their baggage. I did feel like the last part of the book was a little rushed, I would've liked a bit more relationship building there.

Overall, it was a great read. Super fast and easy to get lost in. Funny, emotional and addictive.

🎧 The narration by Rachel Vivette & Oliver Clarke was great. I thought they played the characters really well. The emotions were felt through their voices, the pain, the chemistry. They truly brought the story to life.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @brillianceaudio & @adrianalocke for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

What starts off as a hilarious first encounter turns in to so much more when Jay and Gabby break down the walls surrounding their hearts and embark on a romance that is filled with swoon worthy moments. But like most things, not everything is smooth sailing and sparkles, especially when Gabby's oldest son is not embracing this new romance. Adriana Locke proves once again that she understands family dynamics and intertwines the best of storytelling with honest interactions and a boat load of emotions. This might be a HEA but it is also a brilliantly portrayed family drama. Perfectly narrated and a joy to listen to. Bravo - this deserves more than 5 stars.

Between Now & Forever is a heartwarming and engaging story that captures the beauty of second chances, new beginnings, and the power of love and resilience. The story follows Gabby, a single mom still healing from the loss of her ex-husband, and Jay, a man wary of relationships after being hurt in the past. Their paths cross when they move in next door to Jay, and despite Jay’s initial reluctance, fate intervenes to bring them together in unexpected ways.

One of the highlights of the story is Gabby's two sons, Carter and Dylan. Carter, the youngest son, is sweetly naive and brings a sense of innocence and joy to the story. His endearing personality adds a touch of lightness and humor. On the other hand, Dylan, the older son, is struggling with the challenges of being a teenager in a new town and coping with the loss of his father. His journey towards healing and finding his place in the world isn’t an easy one and it takes him a while to ask for help and embrace change.

Addy's talent for creating relatable characters and genuine relationships shines through in their story. The small-town setting adds an extra layer of warmth and charm to the story, making it even more engaging and heartfelt. The sense of community among the characters creates a backdrop of support and love for Gabby, Jay, and their family.

Sweet and heartfelt, Between Now and Forever is a special treat.

With great banter, and a lot of humor, heat and heart, Gabrielle and Jay stole my heart.
I have a special love for these kind of books. With more mature MCs, where everything isn't rainbow, sunshine and instalove, but an actual slice of life. Characters with believable baggage, previous heartbreak, priorities and responsibilities, making this story feel real and relatable.
With special brownie points to narrators Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke, for breathing life into these characters, giving them extra depth.

4 stars and a second chance.

The narrators did their best with a bad story. It didn’t keep my attention at all I couldn’t get passed the childishness of the mother idk maybe it’s just me.

Adriana Locke writes stories that feel real-about real problems, real people. I absolutely love the single parent trope! I love how parenting as a "step" parent is also seen in this story. I don't really like to call them step parents because even if they didn't make you physically, they are shaping you as a person and that is a parent!!

One of my favorite lines from this story that I will take forward with me- "Grab whatever it is that makes you happy and run while you can." What a profound statement! I definitely needed to hear that.