I am one of those lesbians who absolutely love the butch/femme pairings. There is something very sexy about that dynamic and Binfield did really well with the characters Casey and Olivia. There were some stereotypes in the stereo geared toward butch and femme women, but the author didn't go over board with it.

The plot was very good. I enjoyed that Casey was vulnerable despite her strength. She harbored a secret from Olivia because she was hurt in the past which caused her to make a poor decision. I am not sure how I felt about Olivia's lack of understanding and tendencies to prejudge. I felt like Casey had every reason to be skeptical.

All in all, things worked out well for the couple in the end. I do wish there was more to the epilogue. Whenever I read a novel and fast forwards to the future in the end, I always like to get a little more depth in the outcome. For instance, what happened to those secondary characters that had such a major impact on the main characters? Maybe a small insight as to how they ended up where they are in their life? Maybe I'm a petty person to want to know if there was retribution for Heather and Neil! How did other friendships play out?

With all that being said, I did love the book. I would recommend to others!

I received this ARC from NetGalley via the author for an honest review.

I think I should give a warning before you continue reading my review or at the very least a heads up. I enjoyed this book, but the comments I have might make it seem like I didn't.

So, what are the comments? Our mains, Olivia and Casey know each other for a mere two weeks, have a fight close to the 85% mark (way too late) and utter I-love-yous when they make up. And I'm not even talking about what happens next or at the same time really. They move fast! Maybe that's the way to go when you are a single lesbian in your mid-thirties?
What is good? I like the way the story is told, both characters have been betrayed in their last and are dealing with some trust issues. They gradually start to communicate more and better, this solidifies their relationship. But with everything I come back to it's just two weeks...Casey is Olivia’s driver while she and her co-stars do some PR for their immensely popular LGBTQ tv series (screams L-Word to me). Casey is in London doing this odd job for her friend because her mom needs her. Their are many stories interwoven and that is what keeps this book interesting, but again, so much happens in just two weeks.
The supporting characters Louise and Liam are cute too, I could have done with a little more of the both of them.
Most of the book takes place over 2 weeks, but all of a sudden from the 85% mark inwards time moves a lot quicker, but still a bit slow, I don't know how t describe it to be honest. As I said the big drama comes way too late, I'm deducting a star for it. Somehow I did enjoy this book although you wouldn't say so after reading this review. I'm giving 3.5 stars but because of the late drama it's 3.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗹.

This story is unnecessarily long but is still a decent piece. It belongs to the celebrity trope and tells a story about trust and betrayal.

Olivia and Casey live in different worlds - Olivia living the glamorous Hollywood life and Casey living a much more private one - But their worlds collide in London when Olivia ends up being one of the Hollywood celebrities whom Casey is paid to drive around in order to earn some spare cash to help her mother. Two things are immediately clear - The first is that they are attracted to each other. The second is that they are incompatible. But in reality, Olivia and Casey are more similar than they think. They are both kind people, they want the same things in life and in a way they have similar histories. Both of them have been victims of betrayal and both are still haunted by it in different ways. I like the premise of a famous celebrity and her handsome driver having a thing for each other. It is cute. I also like the trust and betrayal theme that goes on. It's a good theme that makes a beautiful story. And this is why I thought they should have had more time to progressively build on communication and earn that trust with each other, instead of blowing hot and cold for such an extended period of time and bailing at the first sign of trouble.

Casey is likable but Olivia is harder to love because she has defensive outbursts and can be a little insensitive or hurtful sometimes. And while I can understand her eagerness to separate her real self from her onscreen persona, constantly reminding people in conversations doesn't feel like the right way to go. That being said, I could still feel the chemistry and the sexual tension that goes on between them and I like that.

Aside from them, there are also two side characters who have feelings for each other. Their story is really cute and I kinda wish we had more of them.

Review

After fleeing London to escape tortuous humiliation brought on by her ex-girlfriend, Casey finds herself back in town to help her mom deal with an abusive ex-boyfriend. While there she decides, why not earn some money, so she takes on a driving job from her friend, Daniel. The job she's given is to drive around the stars of a popular queer oriented tv show and that includes Olivia Lang. Olivia is at her ends with the show business and Casey proves to be the breath of fresh air she needed.

In .Never Be The Same MA Binfield introduces us to Casey and Olivia, two incompatible people with an exhilarating chemistry between them. This is the first book by M.A. Binfield that I have read and it's definitely not going to be the last. Binfield gives us lovable characters and entertaining drama that together created a recipe for a hard to put down book.

Casey is probably my favourite character from this novel. Suffering from the weight of a giant chip on her shoulder from the way her ex screwed her over, Casey initially resents the memories and shame that comes with returning to London. The last thing she expected was the fall in love with hot actress Olivia Lang. Yet despite how much the world has let her down she's still the kindest soul in this book that you just can't help but feel sorry for her.

Olivia is the exact opposite. The second she feels screwed over, disrespected or embarrassed she acts out and gets defensive to the person who did it. She is very self centered and not at the very least aware of it. Which is actually a small problem I had with this book. There wasn't that much emphasis on character development which to me is what makes the perfect novel. The redeemable trait of Olivia though is how caring of a person she is.

This book also had entertaining side character such as Olivia's friends, Louise and Liam who also star on the tv show with her.

It's been a while since I've read such a drama filled book that kept me this glued to my phone. I absolutely recommend this book! It makes such an entertaining and easy read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for a honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publishers for the opportunity to read a review "Never be the same".
I enjoy reading books from this author. She has a multilayering approach to her storyline, the narrative and her characters who are always well-drawn and multi-dimensional.

"Never be the same" is full of recognisable contradictions. Good people versus bad people. People trying to be themselves rather than their personas or roles they play. Plotting and scheming, and resolutions, People thinking they are winning yet, do they?
It's a well-paced enjoyable lesbian fiction novel and I really enjoyed it.
4.5*

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were lovely and although I usually dont lile the actress trope much I liked this one. There was a little bit of angst and drama but everything got solved quickly and not stretched out annoyingly long. Well done!

A solid read. This is a slow burn romance. Both the main characters Casey and Olivia have been burned from their previous relationships, scarred and have trust issues. It also spotlights what someone famous might have to endure at any given time. The MC are likeable and the secondary characters are also delightful. I recommend 4.5 stars.


Thank you Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review,

Wow, I wasn't expecting much from the book and I certainly didn't expect to have a tough fight between four to five stars
.
Much had to do with the troop of employee and boss - star and someone common that I read in the synopsis but it is so well written that it is a clear enemy to lovers with the anguish of indecision to say what you think or feel in the first moments of a new relationship. Also steamy but with so much chemistry between the characters it is impossible not to fall in love with them and that blessed slow, very slow burn that leads them to very steamy and romantic scenes.
.
Both Casey and Olivia find it difficult to open up and trust others, both because previous relationships where there was cheating and violation of trust.
.
So Olivia is a big star of a queer tv show where she stars as a lawyer, femfatale and womanizer while Casey returned to London after a year to help her mom get through a bad time after the ending of an abusive relationship. Casey needs money to help her mother and this is how she ends up agreeing to be a driver for these tv stars during their stay in England
.
I really loved reading this book and meeting another amazing writer, thanks to Bold Strokes Books for give me this great book in exchange for my honest opinion

A slow burn, angsty romance that feels like you are on a hike, desperate to get to the top, where you stop and go again, but ultimately rewards with a glorious view.

Both characters are scarred, carry deep rooted fears and have trust issues. Rich vs poor, there is a lot of attraction and a lot of tension. The relationship might feel a bit drawn out as they are both very guarded with their emotions but all solid relationships do take overcoming of hurdles and tons of honesty. Readers who are looking for books where attraction between leads are instantaneous but enjoy the relationship taking its time to grow and room to make mistakes will enjoy the ending.

I just reviewed Never Be The Same by MA Binfield. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

Casey returns home to London to help her mom out of a difficult situation with her boyfriend and needs to face the reasons why she left her life behind a year ago. To make some money while staying in London she becomes a driver for her best friends company and her job is driving around 3 actors from a very popular American show.
Due to her ex she has an aversion to people who chase fame and she thinks Olivia is a perfect example of an actress with diva qualities. As it should in a romance they discover they like eachother but will their different lifestyles turn out to be too much for them to overcome?

I liked this one, it was a longer than usual book, especially since most of the story spans a timeline of 2 weeks give or take. Both Casey and Olivia have their flaws and while I understood their reactions in certain situations I also felt that after some time and they were growing closer they could have stopped jumping to conclusions. My interest in their relationship lessened a bit towards the ends because I felt their was no growth in their communication and connection and the big break up was the prime example. But overall a solid read again from M.A. Binfield, I'll surely want to pick up her future books.

***An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review ***

Four stars. I like Binfield's writing, but I couldn't really fall into this one. My main issue was with Casey: she is super quick to judge, while she herself has a couple too many secrets. She's also a little fixated on Olivia's "not-like-other-actresses" quality, which is kind of shallow in and of itself, as well as the implicit assumption that the majority of actresses are shallow and conceited. Olivia was fine, but I just couldn't root for her and Casey, especially when the onus is somehow on her to resolve the 80% conflict, when I didn't think it should have been.
Maybe this will be well-liked, and just wasn't for me. It was a shame, because the premise was fine, and I was surprised at how comfortable the pacing was, given the length of the story, and the time frame being only a week.

I am here for everything about this book. It was steamy but not extremely explicit which I loved. It was so good. I will definitely read more from MA Binfield.

The book "Never Be the Same" by MA Binfield is about Olivia, who stops in London to promote her series with her fellow actors. To get her from one appointment to the next, driver Casey is hired. After the two have a somewhat bumpy start together, they quickly realize that they are much more compatible than initially thought.

The story shows us what fame can do to someone and how other lives around them are affected by it. It takes us through how old wounds slowly heal and sometimes it just takes the right person by your side to find closure.

This book was warm, emotional and thought provoking. A recommended read.

I received a copy from netgalley in exchange for a an honest review.

Casey return to London to help her mother out of trouble she doesn’t want to be there because of the painful memories. She gets a job being a full time driver for celebrities to make quick money so she can go back to her life in Portland.

Olivia is break out star although her character Susie is more out there she the opposite she very quiet and wants live a peaceful life despite becoming famous.

Casey becomes Olivia driver at first the meeting doesn’t go well but as they get close and start to open up to each other they both struggle with commitment issues because they both been hurt in the past. I like both characters separate and apart you got the sense who they both are together and apart what make them tick. The other characters were great although I wish the ex got their comeuppance some drama and angst but work out at the end.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

I finished this book but for some reason forgot to make a comment. the first part was very enjoyable specially when they started to get to know each other but I thought the story was longer than needed and so I lost interest, I don't know if it was the story or the timing of my reading however I felt disconnected to the characters and the interaction started to be forced. regardless I would highly recommend this for ppl who love celebrity romance. its well written

Chemistry - check
Great characters - check
Great storyline - check
Kept me wanting to turn the pages - check

This is a great read, I highly recommend for those who enjoy lesfic books.
My review to follow on Instagram & Amazon
Thanks to Netflix for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I loved Casey and Olivia’s story because it felt real. They both have commitment issues and are afraid of getting hurt so this slow burn romance just made sense. I loved how the MC’s got each other and became the others safety zone. It’s just a great story and I am really loving this author.

Really had a good time reading this book. Loved the chemistry between the characters and the London settinf

Steamy adult romance! Good characters and writing. Simple to follow along and get into. Genuinely enjoyed reading this book. Great LGBTQ+ Adult romance.

Never Be the same is a real good book by MA Binfield.

Its the story of Casey and Olivia, both great characters that struggle with their feelings for each other. I particularly like Olivia, an the way she comes across in this story and I love the way they both develop through out the book.

You have the added bonus of their friends which makes it a great read, my only downside would be that I would have loved the ex's to get their comeuppance. .

Would i recommend: yes if you're looking for that slow burn, pleasant read