2.25/5 ⭐

Maybe it was more a me problem here, but I did not enjoy myself that much.
The author's writing is fine, maybe I'll give her another try with something else she wrote.

But this book didn't do it for me. I'm usually a sucker for second chance & friends-to-lovers, but here I found it unsatisfying.

Spoilers ahead!

I didn't like the fact that neither of them made a move, anything, for 10 whole years but still thought of each other during their whole separation. They each had 'meaningless' relationships, nothing serious as they said and still thought of each other, but the FMC couldn't try to reach him, and he couldn't try coming back, at least for his grandmother? I just can't stand this kind of second chance anymore where both MCs could have done something to end the whole 'no talking for 10 years' but they are either too dumb or too coward to take the leap. Either ways, the explanation of what happened 10 years ago felt weak and a little ridiculous: what was the rush after spending so much time as only friends, to wait for her to be ready? Why did she promise if she felt it wasn't right? I got that she's scared but, her so wise and know-it-all mother couldn't put some sense back in her head or something? And I also felt like he could have tried harder too.

While they reconnected, they jumped right into the sex with benefits thing (without even talking about it by the way). It was just mentioned she had won the date with him, there was a lot of 'are you dating?' from nosy people, but it wasn't an official relationship. At least that's how I felt. It was more like friends to friends with benefits than lovers. Every time spent together was spent having sex and avoiding the big subjects as 'what are we?' 'what are we going to do after these 6 weeks?', nope, nothing important was discussed for this relationship to work.

I hated how, to make their relationship work, it was the MMC's grandmother and the FMC's mother and also, her new best-friend, that had to say the right thing for them to open their eyes about their feelings, what they wanted, what they should/could do... It was truly frustrating. MMC thinking of maybe, staying in the small town? 'Yes, but she didn't ask me to stay'. Them confessing they'll miss each other, again, and having a goodbye sex? Nope, thank you, Grandma, for mentioning that long distance relationship is also a thing. It's like, they kept saying they loved each other but didn't want to be together.

At the end, it ended up working fine, but if nosy side characters weren't there, would they even be together? Pretty sure, they wouldn't.

Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake and Teagan Hunter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

🎥✨ Best Friends For Never by Teagan Hunter ✨🎭

If you love:
💔 Second chances that tug at your heartstrings
🌟 Hollywood drama meets small town charm
🔥 A slow burn friends to lovers romance

Then Best Friends For Never is calling your name! Noel Carter is a Hollywood heartthrob returning to his roots, while Parker Pruitt is the small-town girl with big dreams—and an even bigger heartbreak. Their reunion? Equal parts awkward, emotional, and downright sweet and satisfying.

The chemistry between Noel and Parker is magnetic, and the journey from rekindling old memories to rediscovering buried feelings will have you hooked. It’s funny, heartfelt, and a perfect blend of small town coziness and red carpet allure.

The question remains: can love survive the glitter of Hollywood and the simplicity of Emerald Grove? ✨

📖 This book is a perfect cozy weekend read! It's my first Teagan Hunter read but won't be my last!

Thank you to NetGalley, Teagan Hunter, and Montlake for the eARC of this book.

Okay, I loved this book. Devoured it in 2 days. I needed a feel good romance with some spice and Teagan Hunter delivered!

This was the perfect example of a small town second-chance romance done well: the setting and world of Emerald Grove felt cosy and lived-in, populated with three-dimensional characters who made up the cast of friends, family, former schoolmates and more. Noel Carter is the town's prodigal son, having left to make his career in Hollywood and never set foot in town in nearly a decade, the implosion of his relationship with former best friend, Parker, keeping him away. Back in town to launch the renovation of the town's theatre, which is going to bear his name, Noel is thrust back into the thick of it - both life in the small town he left behind, and forced proximity to Parker, who is in charge of the renovation work, and who was equally devastated by Noel's abandonment.

There's a certain inevitability to any romance trope, but the key is in the journey the author is able to take us on, and this was one that I really appreciated. Both Noel and Parker have plenty of baggage to get over in order to get their happily-ever-after, and it's impossible not to have sympathy for both of them. I also loved the study of friendship in all its forms - the platonic relationship between Parker and her now-bestie and business partner, Axel, who himself had history with Noel. It might have been easy to make this into a love triangle, and I LOVE that this wasn't that, but something much more complex and profound.

I also really enjoyed the offhand references to some of the author's other books (name checks for the two hockey teams, and for a couple of actors we've previously met), but this is still very much a standalone; the Easter eggs are just that - a nice bonus for those who happen to spot them.

In summary, if you're looking for a small town friends-to-almost-lovers-to-estranged-to-lovers second chance romance with great characterisation, banter and a satisfying payoff, which also has interesting things to say about friendship, you've come to the right place. Oh, and the spice was spicing, too!

4.5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️ Swoooooon. I devoured this in less than 24 hours, it was such a sweet story.

Best Friends for Never is a small town, second chance romance set in Washington. Parker and Noel were childhood best friends who became a little more than friends shortly before graduating high school. Noel went off to Hollywood to become a famous actor, and Parker loved their small hometown, so she stayed and ran a small construction remodel business. Her project remodeling the town theater brings Parker back to Emerald Grove where the two of them reconnect, and their rekindling love story has all the spice but also lots of butterflies in your belly moments.

The setting gives major Gilmore Girls vibes - hello Fran’s Pie Shop and “town meetings”. A must read for my fellow GG fans.

While I don’t usually reach for celebrity love stories, this one just worked and Noel’s character was written into such an easy to like guy. The hallmark type story makes this book a nice palette cleanser read, especially if you’re reading a lot of heavy fantasy or dark romances and you just need a reset. The way Teagan described Emerald Grove made me feel like I was there, and honestly is the setting of my dream home town that I have yet to find in real life.

The side characters, like Noel’s Nan, and Parker’s friend Axel are such a hoot and well written, I’d love to see a book for Axel in the future.

🎬 Small town
🎬 Second chance romance
🎬 Childhood friends to lovers
🎬 Celebrity + small town girl


Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for sending this book for my review. All opinions are my own.

So I have been in a little bit of a slump recently - between wanting to continue series but the library currently not having the books in, to my emotions being all over the place and a filling breaking causing me pain for days - not to mention my daughter having to get braces that fell off two days later during the holidays when the dentist office isn't even open, I've just been dealing with a lot. So it was nice being able to get an arc of this book I have been looking forward to for months, to get lost in.

Noel is a movie star. A dream he has been working towards for a long time. He left town, and his best friend Parker who he was in love with ten years ago, not once returning to the town he grew up in. Not until an anonymous donor dontates funds to renovate the theater that closed down when Noel & Parker were teens. Parker just happens to be head of the renovation committee. What happens when Noel returns to the town, and best friend he left behind?

This was such a a cute contemporary romance. I loved Noel & Parker's story & it was exactly what I needed to get through a crazy few days. And I loved the references to her other books & characters as well. If your looking for a cute friends to lovers romance then I definitely recommend this book.

4⭐ out of 5⭐
2🌶️ out of 5🌶️.

ARC Review✨
Thank you Montlake for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Wow! I still can’t believe I had the opportunity to read this book. Let me tell you, it was an amazing experience. This was my first time reading a Teagan Hunter novel, and I absolutely loved her writing. It’s engaging, easy to follow, and incredibly fast-paced.

I’m a huge fan of friends-to-lovers stories, and the characters in this one were absolutely perfect for each other. On top of that, the town of Emerald Grove completely captivated me—Teagan Hunter’s descriptions are so vivid and beautiful that I found myself wishing I could visit it.

The people in the town were so charming, and the connection between Peter and Noel was so heartfelt and contagious. Please, make this into a series! I’m dying to know more about Axel and Astrid’s relationships.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves heartwarming romance stories with lovable characters and enchanting settings.

Parker y Noel eran mejores amigos que se amaban, pero eran demasiado jóvenes para tener una relación y perseguir sus sueños. No se vieron ni hablaron durante 10 años, hasta que él tuvo que regresar a su ciudad natal para atender una ceremonia. Fue entonces cuando se dio cuenta de que nunca dejó de amarla, y ella, aunque estaba molesta con él, también se dio cuenta de que sus sentimientos seguían intactos. Sin embargo, la misma razón que los separó en el pasado sigue siendo la misma: él es actor y vive en Los Ángeles, mientras que ella es restauradora y decoradora, y adora vivir en su ciudad. ¿Lograrán superar todos los obstáculos o su amor será la persona perfecta en el momento incorrecto, otra vez?



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great light hearted read!

Unrequited love at its finest. If you have that what-if person in your life then this is a book that will get you.

Parker and Noel’s love story was light hearted and deep enough to keep your attention throughout the entire book. I also enjoyed that the back story was given for Axel and Noel’s dynamic.

Throughly enjoy that stories are giving female leads personality traits that allow them to be strong, independent and successful while also being soft, gentle and loving. This was my first Teagan Hunter book and it most certainly will NOT be my last!

This was such a sweet and enjoyable read! It had just the right balance—light on the drama and angst, with a steady pace that kept the story moving. It’s the kind of book I’d happily revisit when I’m in the mood for something relaxing and feel-good.

Noel was absolutely endearing. I have such a soft spot for the He Falls First trope, and Noel embodied it perfectly. His crush on Parker started when they were just teenagers, and even after a decade of no contact, his feelings for her hadn’t wavered. Watching him try to win her over was heart-melting.

Parker made for a strong and layered female lead. She was independent and capable but wasn’t afraid to let someone she cared about step in and support her. The way she and Noel complemented each other was lovely to see—there was such a natural chemistry between them.

The small-town setting gave the book a cozy, Gilmore Girls-esque charm. The abundance of side characters added a lot of personality to the story, though it did feel a bit overwhelming at times. Still, they helped build the world and brought even more depth to Noel and Parker’s journey.

The only thing I wished for was more flashbacks to their teenage years. While we got a glimpse of their first kiss, a few more moments from their past would’ve made their long-lasting connection feel even more believable. It didn’t need to be overdone—just enough to reinforce the strength of their bond.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This isn’t my first novel by Teagan Hunter and it won’t be my last!

I thought this was a cute read. It wasn’t too stressful (full of drama or angst) and it had a decent movement to the plot. I could see myself picking this one up again when I wanted a laidback kind of book.

I thought Noel was just adorable. I’m such a sucker for He Falls First tropes. His attraction to Parker started when they were teenagers and when though they hadn’t spoken in 10 years, he still loved her and wanted to win her over.

Parker was complex b it a great female lead. She was strong, independent, but not afraid to let the man she loves take care of her. I really liked how she blended with Noel’s character.

I loved the small town vibe. It totally screamed Gilmore Girls in a sense. There were many side characters (it got a little crazy for a hot minute), but it added to the story and the characterization of Noel and Parker.

The only thing I wish was different would be more flashbacks. They don’t have to be long, but I think the believability of their long lasting love would have been better if we saw some of that when they were kids. Yes, we got a flashback of their first kiss, but I wanted a bit more.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

I love everything Teagan writes and this book was no different! I’m a sucker for childhood friends to somewhat enemies to lovers. Parker wants the best for her hometown but when Noel comes back for the theater groundbreaking that’s being named after him, Noel decides to extend his trip and help Parker raise money for the restoration. I loved seeing them work through their problems and realize they both still loved each other even though it had been 10 years. The side characters were so funny, loved LuLu and Parker’s mom. Axel sticking up for Parker throughout the book was great! I loved seeing how their friendship formed and how to evolved to them having their business. Noel realizing that he can have the career he wants and Parker, while Parker realizes the same, was so refreshing to see. Neither one of them had to give something up to be together. They were able to have the best of both worlds!
I absolutely adored this book!

Noel is a movie star returning home to see the theater renamed after him. Parker is his former best friend who he hasn't seen in over a decade. Noel tries to use this second chance to rebuild their relationship....

Love a movie star book. Noel is a terrific character. Love the humour and the fun in the book.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I have been a huge fan of teegan hunter for a while now. Best friends for never was great standalone read. Noel is a famous actor who left home ten years ago and never looked back. Parker, his former best friend/love interest is in the process of fixing up the old town theater, which is being renamed to honor noel. Noel and parker have not seen or spoken to each other in ten years and have a lot of unfinished business. Best friends for never was quick and easy read. I do wish the epilogue was a little longer and showed the characters a few years into the future.

Small town second chance romance with likeable characters and enough angst and emotions to keep things moving. You will root for them to get together, even though you know there will be a HEA eventually, a fun read.

I already know I’m going to obsess over this.

11/25/24 FUCK YES I GOT THE ARC 😭 immediately starting this gem.

Updates: Axel is the BEST best friend ever, he’s the best.
I’m so sad I had to sleep last night, I just wanted to stay up and read 😭
58% in and I’m just 😭🫶🏻🖤🥹
I love Teagan’s writing so much.

Officially finished! 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

I feel incredibly fucking invested into that small town and I love the entire vibe of it all, coming from a small towner myself. I hope and pray to the book Gods that Teagan will turn this into a series, I AM DESPERATE FOR MORE AXEL. I need him and his wife’s story, I need more with their sweet babies and damn it I need a good enemies to lovers about Cliff and Astrid.


If I could give this more than five stars, I absolutely would.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this book!!

What a great book! I enjoyed this one a lot!!! I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters. Great writing style!! This was a first by this author for me but will not be my last!