I love a Teagan Hunter book. This one made me sad for all the things they missed out on but I do love a second chance.

Parker and Noel were childhood best friends. When he left their small town to go pursue acting, they stopped talking to each other for 10 years.

Parker is finally getting her dream of getting the town theater up and running again. A mysterious, anonymous donor insists on naming the theater after Noel. He has to return to break ground on fixing up the theater.

Inevitably, Noel and Parker run into each other. There is a combination of them falling back into their old friendship immediately and them being angry at each other and bickering about it. Their feelings towards each other become apparent quite quickly, and the sparks start to fly. He supports Parker with the theater project, but then his responsibilities back in LA come knocking...

I love the life Parker has built for herself since school. Her friendship with Axel is very fun, and I would have loved seeing more of that. I would also have loved to see more of the story Axel and his wife. It feels like that will be an awesome story.

I like that Parker and Noel both grew through the story and that they realised their past mistakes.

4 Stars for this second chance romance

This is a sweet romance to curl up in front of the fireplace with. I really liked that even though Noel was a big Hollywood actor, he wasn't arrogant. Parker is a little quirky ... but in a good way. She is just so friendly and everyone in their small town loved her. This is a slow burn ... but once the fire started, it became an inferno.

Parker and Noel were best friends since childhood. But when they graduated high school, Noel went to LA to pursue acting and Parker stayed in their small hometown and started a renovation business. Ten years later, the town's long abandoned theatre has an anonymous donor with a stipulation that it be renamed the Noel Carter Theatre. Parker has been working toward re-opening the theatre for years and she's not gonna let a small thing like seeing Noel again get in her way. Parker hasn't been back to his home town for years and he's kinda nervous about seeing Parker again. He just can't figure out why he offered to extend his stay for six weeks to help Parker with the renovation.

I received an ARC courtesy of Montlake through NetGalley.

Off the bat, not a fan of the actor thing for Noel. Very hallmark channel. It is a cute setup but Noel’s little narrated fade ins like he’s pictured everything like a movie is annoying. Parker is great. Love the axel and Parker relationship. Also love the axel and Mary dynamic, it’s sweet, and endearing. Safe and healthy relationship.

It was cute, a little endearing even. A little lack luster in the development of the relationship. There could have been more to the change.

*ARC*
3.75 🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Small town, second chance, best friends to lovers romance. The author did a great job providing enough background throughout that book that really makes you understand the two main characters and how they fell in love. I love the banter between the two and the found family aspect. The book felt a little long for what it is and the rekindling of their love felt a little fast.

A second chance romance with heart, I loved Parker, Noel was a great character but my favorite was the grandmother, Astrid. The romance was well done although I did think that the characters felt a little young and immature. Overall, I enjoyed the interplay between the characters, the small town feel and the second chance at a sweet HEA.

What a great little read that had me captivated in the storyline. The writing with was well done and the characters developed in a believable ways to keep the reader interested and plot moving in a realistic manner. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Quick Summary: A second chance, homecoming romance

My Review: Best Friends for Never by Teagan Hunter is a 2025 adult romance release.

About the Book: "The movie star and the small-town girl he left behind. They have a lot of catching up to do in an emotional and rousing romantic comedy about fame, second chances, and making dreams come true."

In My Own Words: Timing is everything when it comes to true love.

About the Characters: Parker and Noel were sweet together. What they felt for each other was special. It was timeless. It was unconditional. It was hard and real. It was authentic. The strange triangle aspect of their relationship/friend-enemy group made things interesting, yet no less meaningful. Lastly, Gran, Astrid, and the whole community were charming.

My Favorite "Gotcha" Emo Scene:

She shakes her head. “It’s fine. It’s . . . fine.”“It’s not,” I tell her, stepping closer. “It’s not fine. I didn’t mean to stay gone. It’s just . . . We stopped talking, and I thought . . .”“You thought what ? That I just forgot about you, like you forgot about me?”

My Final Say: I felt this story. It was classic in the way that first love stories are. I was hopeful for a redo between this couple. All the extra trimmings were frosting. (Happy sigh.)

*** Sign me up for the audiobook. I absolutely want to hear this story come to life. ***

Other: Readers who want a simple, love conquers all, second chance love story will enjoy this romance.

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💖

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Montlake), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to read this novel. I am grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

The main character, a famous actor, returns to his hometown for the opening of an old theater, which has been named after him and is currently being restored. He immediately meets his childhood friend with whom he has been in love since school. Despite ten years apart, the hero has never been able to forget her, and now he realizes he doesn’t want to miss his chance anymore.
I really enjoyed this book! The story is set in a small town where everyone knows each other. The book is so cozy and gives off only positive vibes! The main characters are cute, and I loved how, despite being a famous actor, Noel didn’t act arrogantly but instead was always supportive of Parker. I also can’t help but mention the secondary characters—Astrid, grandmother, and Axel! I was delighted by the relationship between Parker and Axel; I read those moments with a smile. He’s the true friend she deserved.
If you love small-town or second-chance romance tropes, this book is for you!

Tropes:
✓ small town
✓ second chance
✓ childhood friends to lovers
✓ celebrity
✓ return to hometown
✓ banter

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved this book! The pace was perfect, the story was perfect. That's Netahlley and to the publisher for the ARC.

This is my first book by Teagan Hunter. She built a cute little town 3 hours outside of Seattle and introduced us to Hollywood actor Noel and his ex best friend Parker.
Of course they had their chance 10 years ago, but life gets in the way. Noel gets dragged back to this small town he hasn’t returned to and we get a small town romance playing itself out. It was a cute read and a cute town that comes together and rally’s around their own.

There are some plot issues that I didn’t love, including how quickly Parker forgives and gives in to Noel. And her whole no cursing bit. I did not find it charming. Like you’ll be an exhibitionist down by the waterfall but won’t curse?

Also …where is Gran the last ~week that Noel is in town?!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC.

Theres nothing more that I love like a good angsty second chance romance and Teagan Hunter did that with Best Friends for Never!

After 1o years, two friends meet again and one thing I loved about this is that it has the invisible string theory where time can pass, they can meet other people, life can change and take you different directions but maybe when the time is right, one day the time will align and what's meant to be will be. It's got mutual pining, tension, he's a famous actor, so many things against them but when they finally break and admit theres tension and a connection between them its chemistry filled and hot! Much like Hunter's writing. it's witty, full of chemistry, engaging dialogue and a romantic ending that leaves you feeling warn and soft inside. Such a cute story!

3.5 ⭐️ A small town second chance with a different vibe to it.

Parker, but he calls her Peter, for Peter Parker. And his childhood sheets are Spider-Man…

Parker, I love when a FMC makes something of herself in their “time apart”.

Noel. Nerdy theatre boy to movie star heart throb.

It’s always been you.
Meddling Gran.
Theater restoration to bring them back together.

This was cute.
Ten years was a long time tho…

Arc review ✨

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Montlake and Teagan Hunter for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review purposes!
2.5 ⭐
Best friends for never is the story of Parker of Noel, two childhood best friends that haven’t seen each other in 10 years but never stopped thinking about each other.

When I first read the synopsis I knew I had to read this, because there’s multiple tropes I usually enjoy and the “famous actor” twist was something new for me, but really intriguing. Unfortunately, this fell a bit flat for me. I had no connection to the characters and their love story, and I also couldn’t really feel their connection to each other. They spent 10 years without seeing each other and with no contact, but then, after meeting one time, they were pretty much back to the way they were when they were younger. And then, everything between them started and they spent weeks and weeks without ever discussing the relationship they were building. They talked about it at the last second, when he was basically already leaving again, and even then, the subject was forgotten almost immediately. Both characters kept talking about how much they loved the other and how they wanted to make it work in their own povs, but it never really felt like they really wanted those things. In order for them to really get together and resolve the “conflict”, they need the help of every side character existent. So yeah, how am I supposed to believe they love each other when there’s more chemistry between each of them and the side characters, then between the two of them?

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, and I know she also writes sport romances, so I will definitely check out some of her other books!

I love Teagan and I love small town romance, which means I was beyond thrilled to see she was gifting us with her own take on it. Add in the second chance romance trope and I was hyped from the get go.

While Noel left their small town, Parker stayed and started up her own renovations business with her friend, Axel. After 10 years of not talking, Noel is back in town to be honored with a theater dedication.

I had a good time reading this story. The angst level was just right, and I love the nosy family and neighbors. Honestly, is it a small town setting if the entire town isn't in the couples business? The flashbacks worked really well and didn't feel awkward or clunky. While the reason for them to stop talking might have felt silly, we have to look at it through the lens of teenagers getting ready to try and take on the world, and figure themselves out.

I loved Axel and I want to see more of him! I'd love a book about his relationship with his wife. And I can't say I was surprised by his little secret that he shared with Parker.

If you're familiar with this author, this book wasn't as spicy as her indie titles like the Carolina Comets. It had just enough spice though to scratch the itch. As an avid Teagan reader, I loved all the little easter eggs that were placed in the story. I'm a sucker for things like that.

This is everything you want in a smalltown romance.
There's banter, tension and "the one who got away"

Saving the theater and taking a walk down memory lane, makes a great re-friends to lovers story between Mr Hollywood: Noel and Stayed in the Smalltown: Parker.
And FYI Noel is defently bookboyfriend materiale!

Post on IG the 10.jan 2025 (one_fairy_tale_at_the_time)

Second chance and friends to lovers are some of my favorite tropes! There was so much hope filled in this book for the FMC and MMC. The love and loss between them felt palpable and realistic.

Parker Pruitt’s dream is to restore her small town’s long-shuttered theater—one to be named in honor of Noel Carter, the boy who followed his dream from Emerald Grove, Washington, to Hollywood…and broke Parker’s heart. Now he’s back to attend the kickoff ceremony.
Oh my heart 💝 this book was adorable and beautiful. Amazing characters that you fall in love with from the off.
The depth of emotion between these two friends is tangible.
Hunter writes wonderful books, her characters are real, they feel like your friends and brings you easily into their world.
Her writing style flows like a gentle stream causing you to keep reading and binge reading.
It's breathtaking these two long life friends who spent ten years apart until their lives join again.
This book was so enchanting that I had to put it down to not finish it.
If there is one book I wish could go on forever it's definitely this one.

4 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved Noel and Parker so much!

A sweet tale of child hood friends to lovers with a second chance romance weaved in!

I love how the Teagan Hunter-verse always references back to other characters (Comets and DM Diaries mentioned!)

Parker is an ambitious young entrepreneur with a passion for restoration and Noel is her childhood best friend who she hasn’t seen in a decade.

Their story is sweet, spicy, and a fun little stand alone!

I’ve only read hockey romances from Teagan Hunter before so this was such a lovely surprise! I had no idea what to expect from her when starting this book and I was so glad to have picked it up.

After leaving town 10 years ago, Noel is back, now a big shot Hollywood star. By a twist of fate he just so happens to find himself staying in town for weeks to help Parker on a project, after leaving her behind all those years ago… Parker and Noel are definitely a good embodiment of « right person, wrong time », and it’s heartwarming to see them finally reconnect. I loved seeing their second chance story unfold.

*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*