Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke. I loved Gabrielle and Jay. Their chemistry is 🔥 but their emotional baggage gave it a slow burn edge. Gabrielle was an amazing mom, with her sweetness, sass and courage. Jay was hurt and damaged but a sweet teddy bear. 

~small town romance
~grumpy/sunshine
~single mother (divorced and ex-husband died)
~Great secondary characters
~she names babies for a side hustle
~contemporary romance

Gabrielle moved back to her home town with her 2 boys for a fresh start after her ex passed away. She and the boys have been grieving and the oldest boy is having a hard time with adjusting with his new reality. I only wish everyone would have gone to therapy. Their Meet Cute was the best. But when Gabby accidently falls off her back deck in nothing but a towel, Jay "rescues" her, which is one of the funniest scenes. I look forward to Ms. Locke's next book, like I do all of her books! Oliver Clarke and Rachel Vivette narrated this book and gave a voice to the characters. Both are new to me narrators, and I enjoyed them.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

What a Lovely story by Adriana Locke...Very romantic,swoony and sweet,
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it.
Between Now and Forever is a small town single parent love story between Gabrielle and Jay.
Gabrielle has moved back to the town she grew up in with her 2 children Dylan and Carter,after their father and her ex husband passes away.
Gabby is hoping for a fresh start wanting to move on like her ex husband wanted her to.The house she has moved into though seems to need alot of fixing.. and she has no time for relationships though,dealing with her grieving children,the house and her job takes up alot of time.
Then her new neighbour Jay catches her eye,he looks like every woman's dream and she doesn't expect their first encounter to be her flat on her back in a towel,Jay getting an eyeful of all her assets.
From then on they have a flirty relationship...But Jay has secret and tries to keep Gabby away,his past relationship scarred him and he vowed he would never get involved with anyone with kids ever again.
But Like a Glutton for punishment Jay can't keep away,no matter how grumpy he apears to be Gabby's son Carter keeps inserting himself into his life.
I have to say Carter is funny and adorable he really steals the show sometimes and is a total contrast to his brother Dylan....Dylan is moody,angry and is at odds with everyone aiming his distaste at Jay and sometimes his Mum.
Jay and Gabby are obviously attracted to one another but past issues hold them back..until jealousy ignites a fire and they are an inferno of passion...But trying to have a relationship in secret is hard especially when old hurts and disapproval interfere.
This Audiobook is perfectly narrated by new voice actors to me Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke they are so Amazing at telling this story.
Both Narrators are so easy to listen to,and they did an excellent job at portraying the characters.
This book is classic Adriana Locke her writing giving us all the swoons, funny moments and the perfect amount of steam.
This is a wonderful audiobook and a fantastic romance, I absolutely loved it.
5 Stars

Thanauduo of this book was simply amazing. I can’t get over how well these narrators did bringing this story to life.

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.

Single mom
Small town
Grumpy hero
Neighbors to lovers
Blue collar hero
Second chance at love


Audio review
Narrated by: Rachel Vivette; Oliver Clarke

Gabrielle and Jay’s story give us a little bit of everything. Laughter, heartache, romance and angst.

Gabrielle returns home to start over after the death of her ex husband. Although they were not in love they still lived each other. His death was hard on her and her 2 sons, Carter and Dylan. Moving back to her hometown, closer to family seemed like a good idea.

Jay is the grumpy neighbor who comes to her rescue as she tries a few home improvements. His story is full of heartache. He tries to keep people at arms length to protect his heart. Somehow Gabrielle and crew slip in before he knows what happened.

The road isn’t easy but they eventually get there.

The narrators were great. The story was easy to follow and the personalities of the characters came through.

I think this is my new favorite book by this author. I loved the characters, not just the main ones, but also all the side-characters, especially the heroine's kids. I laughed out loud because of them so many times. This book was a rollercoaster of feelings because one moment I was crying and the next I was laughing so hard I was wheezing. It was perfectly balanced out. I wholeheartedly loved reading this book and enjoyed every single second spent between the pages. I definitely recommend this one!

4,5 stars!

Received this as an ALC!

I loved this story! Made me laugh, cry and want to punch someone at times 😉 I always have trouble with audiobooks since I really like to read and create my own “voices” in my head but this was really well done!

📖 grumpy hero | single mom | neighbors to lovers | small town romance

3.5/5
I was really enjoying this book until the last part. I don't really understand how Dylan went from hating Jay to approving of the marriage to his mom. I was also a little upset that Jay was the one to apologize in the end. I felt that it was Gabrielle that screwed up

4 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶️ via Audiobook (ALC)

Adriana doesn’t miss!

This story was absolutely cozy, sweet and funny!

Jay and Gabby were so fun together, loved the grumpy sunshine vibe they had. I adored the girls nights and their side stories, trench coat advice was funny and solid reminder for married couples. Carter stole the show for me he was hilarious and I love how much he teased Jay for not knowing how to play baseball (which was very much not true) but it was hilarious.

Only note is that the male narrator didn’t really do it for me voice wise but I know if I had read with eyeballs I would have loved the character. I’m personally picky when it comes to narrator voices.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook! The story was captivating and kept me entertained from start to finish. It was unique, yet easy to follow, making it a pleasure to listen to. The narrators did an excellent job, bringing the story to life in a way that enhanced the experience. Highly recommend – it’s definitely a must-listen! 💜💙

This was such a sweet and swoony romance.
I absolutely love all of the banter between Gabrielle & Jay!
This was a fun, sweet & emotional story. There is so much heartache and grief, but also hope, love & passion.
There are so many awkward & hilarious moments, sweet tender moments, spicy & combustible moments.
I really enjoyed the chemistry and openness between Gabrielle & Jay.
Carter is just the absolute cutest kid, I love his energy.
Dillion is the perfect example of a grieving teenage boy, he is emotional, grumpy, and full of angst.

I was quickly sucked into this story!
The narration was amazing!

“Between Now and Forever” is the first book from Adriana Locke that I read and will not be the last.

Main tropes are:
- small town romance
- grumpy/sunshine
- single mom
- neighbors

Even of it is a short book, the story is not rushed. It kept me entertained from the start, with a funny meet cute between Gabrielle and Jay. Their interactions were interesting, filled with tension, banter and sparks.

They have chemistry from the start, but the relationship is a bit of a slow burn. Both have trauma from previous relationships and needed to take in consideration that there are kids involved.
Even if Carter, the young kid, befriended Jay immediately, the situation is more complicated with Dylan, who is a teenager.
I would have liked for them to communicate better, as they are both mature adults, instead of assuming some things after a short conversation.

🎧 I listened to the audiobook.
Narrators Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke managed to bring the characters to life and express their feelings using their voices. The story was improved through their performances.

Looking forward to reading other books from the author and listening to other book with these narrators.

Thank you Valentine PR and Brilliance Audio for the ALC.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story lured me in from the start with Gabrielle & Jay's hilarious meet cute, but held me captive with the great banter, emotional moments, and hot steamy passion that I crave! Gabby moved her two boys back to her home town for a fresh start. She never expected to have a gorgeous but grumpy neighbor inhabit her thoughts, especially at night. Jay keeps himself closed off after a heartbreaking past. When Gabby and her boys, Dylan and Carter move in next door, they find their way past his defenses, no matter how hard he pushes them away. Their lives are all complicated in their own way, as they help each other work through some heartbreak and the start of a new life. I loved the slow build and fiery tension in Gabby and Jay's relationship, along with Jay's interactions and connection to Gabby's boys, it was simply beautiful. But what happens when things get hard and they fall back on old hurts? Will the walls they thought they got past be back up, stronger than before, breaking all their hearts? Gabby and Jay are so perfect together, he showed her how to live again, and she showed him that love was worth taking a chance, and I really loved the sweet family they were building together. I also enjoyed all their family and friends who added fun and support and made this story even more heartfelt.
I really enjoyed Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke's performance. They both balanced each characters strength, vulnerability, heartache, and passion, and made me laugh, cry, and fall in love. They completely pulled me in to this world and I felt like I was right there with Gabby and Jay, and all their family and friends.
This is a wonderfully romantic, witty, tender, and steamy story that you can't help but devour as it captures your heart.

I wasn’t quite ready to leave Adriana Locke’s world just yet since I finished another of hers right before starting this one, so I knew I had to dive in! Let me tell you, I’m so glad I did!

Gabrielle is a divorced single mom of two boys. I actually really love the story of their divorce. Her falling off her deck in nothing but a towel? Priceless 🤣 And I loved that that’s how she meets Jay. Jay is such a grumpy neighbor, but as he opens up, you can’t help but understand and be in his corner. These two really deserve that second chance at love.

🎧 This one was narrated by Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke. I don’t think I’ve listened to them before but I think they did a great job as Gabriella and Jay.

This one should definitely be on your radar! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for my early copies. All opinions are my own.

Fantastic Story & Narration🎧A Heartfelt Delight!

Adriana Locke pens another fantastic novel, a romantic comedy like no other, one that has the perfect balance of drama, charming and lighthearted humor that balances out the heavier storylines and a slow burn but worth the wait romance. You could feel how much heart Adriana Locke put into this story as the emotions flow off the pages and straight to your heart. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. Gabrielle “Gabby” Solomon, a single mother of two boys, who just lost their dad and she her friend, has moved back to her hometown for a new beginning, for herself and her boys. Her house is a fixer-upper, and she plans on doing most of the work herself, except the electric, because she runs into trouble with that. Her younger son, Carter, is a hoot and he is acclimating better to their new place than his older brother, Dylan, a teenager who holds the weight of the world on his shoulders. Jay Stetson, a local contractor who mostly keeps to himself, does not bother with the town gossip and avoids relationships, especially the romantic kind. The first meeting of his new neighbor was a memorable one, and a hilarious one too. He knew Gabby was going to be trouble the moment he looked into her eyes, trouble for his heart, one that someone in his past broke in the worst of ways and why he built a fortress around it. Jay’s grumpiness does not bother Carter or deter him from asking him for help, and since he is such a charmer, Jay helps him with what he needs, and then some. I loved all the layers of this story and how it all played out, watching Gabby and Jay get to know each other and navigate a relationship, their journey was not an easy one, He needed to get past his inner demons and Gabby had a battled of her own, including dealing with a teenage son. As always, the writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. Adriana Locke, thank you for another wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life, and I loved how they took their roles and made them their own, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. Vivette was a natural in Gabrielle role, grasping every aspect of her personality, and Clark did the same in Jay’s role, perfectly grumpy and broody, until he was. Both were equally amazing performing the roles of the side/secondary characters, including Carter, who was adorable and Dylan the angsty teen. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These two are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.

♥︎𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦
♡︎𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐬
♥︎𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧
♡︎𝐆𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞

✨Thoughts✨
𝐈 loved this story. The protagonist, Gabrielle, was an admirable single mom. She gave her boys the space to grieve in their own way, and their bond was genuine and heartwarming.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 Gabrielle returns to her hometown after her ex-husband passed away, she soon meets her very hot and reserved neighbor, Jay. Despite their initial spark, Jay was hesitant to open up due to his past hurts, while Gabrielle was navigating life in a new place with her two sons.

𝐉𝐚𝐲 and Gabrielle's relationship was a beautiful dance of push and pull. It was a slow burner, but when Jay eventually let Gabrielle into his heart, everything was wonderful. Until the past made an appearance and fears crept in. Jay was unprepared for what it entailed to be with a single mom. I loved that the author wrote the raw reality of relationships and parenthood; it was refreshing. I also loved that Jay quickly saw the way of his errors and fixed them. He also formed a bond with the two boys which definitely makes him top-tier book boyfriend material in my eyes!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 dual narration by Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke was phenomenal. I honestly had a great time listening to their portrayal of Jay and Gabrielle.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 those who enjoy stories set in small towns, this one is a must-listen.

𝐀 big thanks to 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞 and 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 for this ALC.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒.𝟓⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝟑/𝟓🔥

A must for lovers of the single mom trope.

Standalone book. A single mom of 2 boys moves back home (small town) after her ex-husband passes away. Her new house has a sexy, but grumpy, neighbor who helps with some home repairs. Interested yet? Add in a funny meet-cute and banter and you have a winning romance.

Rachel Vivette and Oliver Clarke are both new narrators for me. They were both great and represented the characters well.

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.