Teagan Hunter has stolen my heart again. Her small town romances are some of my absolute favorites. The friends that fall out and end up reconnecting is one of my favorite kinds of stories. I could not put this book down.

Parker and Noel are former best friends, who haven’t spoken to each other in a decade. Noel is a big-shot actor now, and he comes back to his hometown for the opening of renovated theater named after him. Parker has stayed in the small town and has since opened up a successful business with her former bully, Axel.

The chemistry between Parker and Noel is still strong, and it’s clear right away that they’ve still got that old connection. Their relationship is a mix of old feelings and new emotions that are mixing the waters. Even though they have some hurt feelings at the start and some tension, Parker and Noel just can’t seem to stay away from each other.

This was a sweet story that's perfect for anyone who's ever tried to rekindle an old relationship. It’s a reminder of how strong friendships can be and how important it is to keep and work on them to keep them strong!

*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*

Best Friends for Never

Noel Carter was a movie star and he returned to his hometown for the reopening of the theater named after him. Parker Pruitt was well-loved in their town, and she was Noel’s former best friend.

When Noel went back home, he ran into Parker pretty quickly. And she didn’t want to see him, but he was determined to at least be friends again.

This was a cute and slightly angsty read. I liked seeing Noel and Parker reconnect and slowly build that friendship again. And they took the chance they didn’t take all those years ago.

This book is super cute! Parker is a renovator in her beloved hometown and is taking on her biggest project yet - the defunct town theater. The catch? It's being named after movie star Noel Carter, her childhood bestfriend who left town for Hollywood and never came back... after asking her to go with him and her declining. They haven't spoken in 10 years and now are being thrown back together for the dedication. Will sparks fly? Or will they keep giving each other out after 10 years apart?

I don’t think Teagan could ever disappoint me. Her writing wraps me in everytime . Best Friends for Never was definitely in my top 10 reads for 2025

A 3.5 STAR READ!

Best Friends for Never is a heartwarming second-chance romance with small-town charm, nostalgia, and just the right amount of swoon. Parker and Noel’s love story is one of missed opportunities, unspoken feelings, and a decade of separation that only makes their reunion all the more intense.

The setting—Emerald Grove—was everything you’d want from a cozy small-town romance. The nosy neighbors, quirky side characters (shoutout to Axel and Nan!), and the whole theatre restoration project added depth to the story. The chemistry between Parker and Noel was undeniable, but I wished they had more meaningful conversations about their past instead of letting others push them toward a resolution.

While I enjoyed the lighthearted moments and the sweet romance, I did feel the conflict could have been stronger. They spent 10 years apart yet barely addressed why, and their reconnection relied more on outside meddling than personal growth. Still, if you love second-chance, friends-to-lovers, and a bit of Hollywood glamour mixed with small-town coziness, this one is a fun, easy read!

This started off really slow for me but ended up being a sweet small-town, second chance romance!

I wish there was a little more yearning and pining after one another, otherwise the sweet gestures and secondary characters made this an enjoyable read.

This was a quick read. It definitely isn't a world-changing, eye-opening romance, but it does what most small-town romance books do: it makes you feel good. A good palette cleanser when you are in the midst of reading all those dark romance books. 😂

3.5….A second chance at love. Noel and Parker were everything to each other…then Noel broke both of their hearts. Noel left town ten years ago to follow his dreams of being an actor and never looked back. Ten years later Parker is renovating the towns theater and it’s being named after Noel. When these two are reunited there is a lot of explaining to do…there are some hurt feelings and a lot of resentment coming from Parker….at first. This is a second chance at love story with a lot going on. There are two people who truly love each other but can all be forgiven. This was a story about past loves, big dreams and beautiful futures.

Best Friends for Never is a good small town, second chance romance that will squeeze your heart.

Tropes:
Childhood Best Friends to Not to Lovers
Second Chance
Small Town
Coming Home

Noel is an actor from a small town who hasn't been back some since he left. He's getting a theater named after him, so he has to return home to support the project. Things are rough for him when he runs into his ex-best friend and the one who broke his heart, Parker. Now he has to try and win her back over and see if they can get back what they had.

I love all of Teagan's books that I've read so far, but this one fell flat for me. I couldn't get into the characters as much as I normally would, and the story didn't hook me. This is my first one of hers I've read that isn't a sports romance, so that could play a part in why I struggled with it. I think most will like this book, though, especially those who like small town. I liked Noel's character and there were a lot of side characters I enjoyed too. The overall story and premise was good, I just wish there had been more depth.

🌶️🌶️

Noel was best friends with Parker however when his dreams of acting required him to leave their hometown maintaining a long-distance relationship was difficult. A decade later he is a successful actor who is returning home to celebrate having the theatre named after him, but it will also mean facing the woman he has never forgotten.

Even though Parker is happy that Noel achieved his dream of acting she is also nervous about their reunion due to the time and lack of contact between them. Seeing each other again they soon realize that the feelings between them remain, but they not only have their past to overcome but the very different lives they are living as well.

This is a heartwarming story of two people who took different paths whose lives intersect years later. An enchanting romance filled with humor and all the feels as Parker and Noel try to find their way back to each other.

I m so sorry for writting this. But this really wasn't my cup of tea. I was not into plot.

3 stars from me.

Best Friends for Never is classic Teagan Hunter—funny, fast-paced, and packed with sharp banter and sizzling tension. The frenemies-to-lovers vibe totally works here, with just the right amount of snark and sweetness between the leads.

The dialogue is a highlight (as always with Hunter), and the chemistry is undeniable. I loved the slow build of their relationship and how their history added depth to the story. A few plot points felt a little predictable, but honestly, I was hooked on the emotional payoff.

Perfect if you’re into lighthearted romance with bite and heart. Another solid hit from Hunter!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5

•Noel & Parker

*I was provided an ARC of this book by the author and their promotional team @valentine_pr_

Noel Carter is back in back in his hometown of Emerald Grove. For the last decade, he’s been in Hollywood, chasing his dream & making a name for himself on the big screen. A decade away has not allowed him to forget Parker Pruitt—his childhood best friend & the only girl he’s ever loved. He’s been home ever the years, but has been lucky enough to avoid her until now. What has supposed to be a short trip home to show face at the theater opening in his honor turns into a months stay helping his first & only true love restore the very building they fell in love in.

Parker Pruitt made name for herself in her hometown renovating & restoring businesses and buildings. She’s set to start on her biggest project yet—restoring the small theater she spent most of her childhood & teen years in. Per the instructions of the anonymous donor funding the product, the theater must be named after local celebrity, Noel Carter, so that means Parker will come face to face with the man that left town & broke her heart all those years ago. On top of that, Noel starts showing up all over town lending a helping hand making it impossible for Parker to pretend like she doesn’t still love & want Noel as much now as the day he left…

After not being in the same town for a decade, they’re now working side by side & Noel knows he only has a short time to get his best friend back & prove they were always meant to be together. 🥹

This was such a sweet and fun second chance romance! I found myself rooting for their HEA so hard from page 1! Gran was a true star of the show with her meddling ways! 🤭 Lastly, I ate up the little cameos from @teaganhunterwrites other books! Overall, such a sweet & fun read I’ll always recommend. 🖤

*available on KU

This book was so cute! It is a second chance romance, childhood love, and small town romance. Pretty Angsty. Not really a slow burn because once the burn kicked in, it never really died. I enjoyed this story SO MUCH. It had some of the angsty feelings that come with second chance romance, but it also had so much more! This book completely sucked me in from page one and I couldn't put it down (read this in less than 24 hours thanks to a train commute from hell last night).

I recently had the pleasure of reading Best Friends for Never, a delightful second chance romance by Teagan Hunter. This charming tale is set in a quaint small town, filled with lovable, quirky characters that add a dash of comedy to the narrative.

The setting was incredibly cozy, with a strong sense of community that made me feel like I was right there with the characters. The small-town atmosphere was warm and inviting, perfect for a lighthearted read.

The characters were well-developed and relatable, with witty banter that kept me smiling throughout the book. The quirky nature of the town's residents added a fun layer to the story. This book was a quick, easy read with minimal angst, making it perfect for those looking for a feel-good romance. The story was sweet and swoony, with a focus on atmosphere rather than deep emotional connections.

While the characters were lovable, I felt that the emotional connection between them could have been explored more deeply. The story focused more on the lighthearted aspects, which might not appeal to readers seeking intense emotional depth. The pacing was generally well-balanced, but at times, the plot felt a bit straightforward. However, this didn't detract significantly from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, Best Friends for Never was a delightful read that delivered on its promise of a fun, spicy second chance romance. While it may not have offered the deep emotional connections some readers prefer, it was perfect for a lighthearted, feel-good story. Teagan Hunter's writing style is engaging, and I look forward to more from her in the future. If you're in the mood for a cozy, small-town romance with plenty of humor, this is definitely worth checking out.

I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced release copy of this book. I can see this book making it to booktok!

Not normally a small town romance reader but I do love Teagan’s books so I had to give it a read.

Noel and Parker characters I liked but got a little frustrated with them at times, when you find out there back story it makes a little more sense, I enjoyed there journey when Noel return to town to see them grow together.

The side characters Astrid, Gran and Axel there brought me a few Lol moments especially Gran with her witting comments to Noel she was quick with her comes backs😀

For me it’s a 4🌟

This was a DNF for me at about 50%. The writing wasn't bad, but I wasn't a fan of the MCs from the start. There wasn't a lot keeping me in the story,
and when it comes out about the reason Noel and Parker didn't keep it touch, I was rolling my eyes so hard. It's implied that Noel was the one that ended the friendship,
that he was the one that left Parker behind. Even from her POV, she's constantly thinking about how he left her, and Axel is ready to fight for her because Noel hurt her.
That's completely wrong. He asked her to go with him, he kept up contact with her, SHE stopped communication with him. She yells that she was scared, but the whole story
is built around he left and needs to make amends to Parker. In my opinion, she was in the wrong more than he was, and I just couldn't keep reading and trying to enjoy these
characters. This was a first for me from this author, and although it wasn't my cup of tea, I would be willing to read her again.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

This was a heart warming, small town, friends to lovers, second chance romance, it basically had allll of the tropes! It was good and kept me engaged the entire time but it felt like it was missing something. I'm not sure what, I can't figure it out. I would give it 3.5 stars given that it was good but not great. I would however read more from this author as I've heard great things and I did enjoy this book as a palette cleanser.