Thank you to Dreamscape and Aurora Rose Reynolds for the ALC. Pippa Jayne is a great female narrator. The audiobook was well done. This is a superficial fake dating workplace romance with almost no true emotion.

Things I liked:
-cute story line
-likable side characters

Things I didn't like:
-spice seemed ill placed
-no tension/banter
-instalove

"For Never" by Aurora Rose Reynolds is a captivating contemporary romance novel that seamlessly intertwines the tropes of a fake fiancé and a boss-employee relationship. With its engaging storyline, likable characters, and sizzling chemistry, this book is a wonderful quick read perfect for the beach or hammock this summer.

Jace Evans, a successful and brooding businessman, and Penny Reed, his temporary employee, filling in for her friend. When Jace heads out of town, he hires a fake fiance, who cancels on him at the last minute. Jace, calls Penny at the last minute and proposes a fake engagement to Penny, hoping to appease his relatives and keep his family off his back while he works on a business deal. As they embark on their charade, they discover an unexpected connection that blurs the lines between their arrangement and real lives.

One of the strengths of "For Never" lies in the portrayal of the main characters, Jace and Penny. Jace is a complex and enigmatic protagonist, harboring past wounds that make him guarded and reluctant to trust. Penny, on the other hand, is a resilient woman who exudes kindness. Their dynamic is filled with tension, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry, making their romance a joy to witness.

While "For Never" is a highly enjoyable read, there is one main area that could have been strengthened. Some readers may find the plot predictable, with familiar tropes and narrative arcs. On the other hand, that's what makes this story perfect for anyone looking for a quick easy summer read.

In conclusion, "For Never" by Aurora Rose Reynolds is a charming contemporary romance that skillfully combines the elements of a fake fiancé and a boss-employee relationship. With its likable characters, captivating romance, and a touch of steaminess, this book is a delightful escape into the world of love and professional dynamics.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC.

I really enjoyed this, it’s a pretty straight forward low-stakes, low-angst, fake relationship. It's simple and sweet.
Jace is the most basic of bros. I wish we had more time to get to know him beyond “is a work-a-holic”. This being from her POV and then taking off to his family so early means we don’t know much about him and we don’t get to see much of what transpires after their few initial interactions.

Audiobook 4/5

Spice rating: 4/5
(Spice scale: 1 Kissing, no sex implied or stated, 2 Closed door (sex implied or stated but reader not present), 3 Open door (on page sex), euphemistic language, 4 Explicit 1-3x, 5 Explicit and repeated > 3x or; on page kink)

For nEver is a fake romance troupe, which is always a favorite of mine. Jace asks Penny to pretend to be his fiance at his family reunion. Penny has been temping for Jace while her best friend (his normal assistant) is on maternity leave. Penny needs the money that Jace offers, so she accepts the temporary position of fiance. While I really enjoyed Penny and Jace's interactions, the real fun of this book for me is the games/competition at the family reunion. I would LOVE to attend a family reunion that had families compete against each other like that, it sounds so fun. The supporting characters were really great and the angst of the book isn't overwhelming, which is nice for a change. 5 stars for the book

I listened to the audio edition of this book, so I want to include a review of that as well. I thought it was well done and could picture Penny as she was speaking and thinking throughout this book. Made for a very enjoyable listen. Thank you NetGalley and Aurora Rose Reynolds for an advanced copy for this honest review!

My first book by Aurora Rose Reynolds, For nEver will certainly not be my last!

Like many others, I’m a huge fan of a fake dating trope. Add in a hysterical family reunion filled with mishaps galore and you have the exact right mix of steamy, swoony, and silly.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

Okay, I have to make it clear that this is a review of the audiobook because honestly the actual content was 5/5 for me. It was the quintessential billionaire boss (grumpy) with some fake dating sprinkled in there. I thought the family reunion was such a fun setting. When a romance has a tournament or any kind of progression of activities I brace myself because it’s typically page filler to me. That is NOT the case with this one. I felt like all of the reunion shenanigans were fun and also paced perfectly (with some of them happening off page). This is a quick fun read. The grandma genuinely had me smiling with some of her sassy comments. The heroine was a little too perfect but I can forgive that for the chemistry.

Alright, the actual audiobook. When this first started I felt liked I needed to double check that it wasn’t a text to speech retelling. It was so robotic. But then at one point it was like there was a new narrator putting in some emotion and personality and then flip back to robot. It was too off putting for me. Also the main male character speaking did not sound enticing in the slightest but that did get better as it went on. Improvements could be made on the children speaking as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for this ALC. All opinions are my own.

instalove:: Check
Fake dating: Check
Rich Guy: Check

I was honestly surprised how much I liked this book because I didnt like the title lol Finally a romance book where th emain female isnt a dimwit or insufferable. I love that Rich guy isnt flashing his money everywhere which is why I usually stay away from rich guy romances. I loved Jace's family, made me want to go to his family reunion. I do recommend this book. i also enjoyed the narrator. The only draw back I found was that it was single POV. I would have lvoed to hear Jace's side of the story. but i'll read more from Reynolds.

This was such a sweet and steamy fake relationship/forced proximity romance!

Characters: loved that they each knew who they were and what they were looking for. Loved grandma. And loved that despite the requisite “miscommunication because it’s a romance,” both Penny and Jace were able to talk it out without much drama.

Setting: loved the concept of a week-long family reunion that feels more like summer camp!

Plot: totally, 100% predictable and done well. Exactly what I was hoping for!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Narrator: I absolutely love Pippa Jayne, and she was perfect for this book.

Other notes: I definitely laughed out loud more than once! The writing was relatable and down to earth—as were the characters. Everyone acted fairly normal (quirky, but aren’t we all!) and seemed to love spending time together. The camp aspect reminded me a lot of family lake vacations when I was growing up!

This fake engagement romance was so much fun. It was lighthearted and addicting. Penny was such a relatable character and Jace was everything!!!! A bit of a grump, sexy, and protective.

Penny is a first-grade teacher looking to earn some extra money over the summer. Her best friend is on maternity leave and arranges for Penny to work in her place. From the moment she walks into the office her new boss is arrogant, broody, and hard to work for. She's hesitant when he demands she pack a bag and meet him for a week-long trip, but she needs the money. She was not prepared for Jace to tell her that she would be pretending to be his fiancée and will be spending time with his family while he works on closing a deal.

Everything about this book was entertaining. From their banter to the tiny bed they must share. Let’s not forget Jace’s grumpy grandmother and the 100+ family members in attendance. Did I have a slight cringe moment when I learned that his ex married his twin brother, maybe but I quickly got over it.

I’m more accustomed to ARR’s BOOM and insta-love alpha heroes with tension and angst. This one has the insta-love aspect and alpha hero but was much more lighthearted and focused more on Jace’s family. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I adored the cuteness of this romantic comedy. Mostly I laughed and had a huge smile throughout the entire book.

The book is heavy on Penny’s interactions with Jace’s family while he works, but that’s exactly what he brought her along for. I enjoyed the family relationships and enjoyed seeing his jealous and protective side come out when he arrived to find her doing something he didn’t like.

I listened to the auduobook. The performance was smooth and the characters came to life.

This is a fun quick read to pick up when you are looking for humor, some spice, and nothing heavy. This family-orientated romance is quick-witted and has some spicy scenes. It was the escapism that I needed.

In this delightful romantic comedy, readers are taken on a captivating journey of fake dating. The story revolves around a teacher who agrees to be someone's fake fiancée for financial reasons, setting off a whirlwind of events.

The chemistry between the protagonist and her fake fiancé adds excitement and tension to the plot. As they navigate the challenges of their charade, their true emotions begin to surface, leading to a heartwarming and entertaining development of their relationship.

Throughout the book, the author's storytelling expertise shines through. They masterfully balance humor, romance, and personal growth, providing an enjoyable reading experience. This captivating romantic comedy is a must-read for fans of the genre, showcasing Aurora Rose Reynolds' talent for crafting entertaining and heartwarming stories.

We also extend our thanks to the publishers for their contribution in bringing this book to readers.

This book was so sweet. Workplace romance, one bed, hilarious snarky grandma, forced proximity for an entire week, and fake engagement are all tropes you get to experience. I love the moments we spent with all the extended family members. My only critique is I wish we would have gotten a little deeper into the emotions. What did Jace and his brother actually say to each other? How was it for Penny watching her mom go through that? And I predicted the conflict, which is fine but just wanted a little more. Overall, if you’re looking for an easy sweet story, then definitely read this one!

This book was a damn delight. It has basically all of my favorite tropes squished into one book. I wouldn't say that there was anything hard-hitting or emotional or anything like that in the pages, however, I enjoyed every freaking second. This book reminded a little of the movie, The proposal, or the book The Bodyguard by Katherine Center and both of those are so completely my jam that this book was everything I want and need for an easy, quick read. I'd also really like to read the story about his twin brother and his wife. Can we get more from this world please?

A Delightful Blend of Romance and Humor: For nEver (Narrated by Pippa Jayne)

For nEver, written by Aurora Rose Reynolds and expertly narrated by Pippa Jayne, is a captivating audiobook that seamlessly combines romance, humor, and a dash of unexpected surprises. Fans of the movie "The Proposal" will find themselves drawn to this heartwarming story, which shares a similar charm and undeniable chemistry between the main characters.

The story revolves around Penny and Jax, two individuals whose lives become intertwined out of the blue. Aurora Rose Reynolds skillfully crafts their connection, filling the narrative with witty banter, engaging dialogue, and undeniable sexual tension. From the beginning, the listener is immediately pulled into the banter that permeates their journey.

As the narrator, Pippa Jayne delivers a solid performance that captures the essence of each character. However, it is worth mentioning that Jayne's portrayal of Penny initially felt slightly off. Her voice initially gave Penny a more mature tone than expected, which momentarily distracted from the character's intended youthful energy. However, as the story progressed, Jayne's interpretation of Penny gradually evolved, aligning more closely with the character's age and personality. This transition allowed for a more immersive listening experience, ultimately helping to bring Penny to life.

While the plot follows a predictable trajectory, the journey is still delightful, thanks to Reynolds' ability to infuse the story with a surprising twist. Reynolds' writing style shines through the narrative, blending humor, tender moments, and a touch of steamy romance - including a nosey granny. The chemistry between Penny and Jax is relatable, and their interactions brim with amusing exchanges that will leave a smile on the listener's face.
Furthermore, Reynolds also incorporates a strong supporting cast of characters who add depth and complexity to the story. Each secondary character brings a unique dynamic. Jayne's narration effortlessly guides the listener through the story's highs and lows. Her ability to differentiate between characters, using distinct voices and accents, further contributes to the audiobook's immersive quality.

In conclusion, For nEver, narrated by Pippa Jayne, is an entertaining and enchanting audiobook that will captivate fans of romance, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. Although Jayne's initial portrayal of Penny may seem slightly mature, she gradually finds her stride. She successfully conveys the character's spirit and youthfulness. Aurora Rose Reynolds weaves a delightful tale filled with love, laughter, and embarrassing moments, ensuring that listeners are thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

If you loved the movie The Proposal (Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds) you will LOVE this book! Jace and Penny were such a fun couple. If you love the fake dating/forced proximity/family drama tropes, you need to add this one to your June tbr!

Grumpy/Sunshine, fake dating, one bed and a family reunion.
Yeah sounds like a disaster of giggles to me too.
This was funny, sweet, filled with vibrant characters and natural emotions.
There's a bit of insta love in here, but the way everything ties up I'm okay with it.
This was my first Aurora Rose Reynolds and I am excited she has a huge back catalogue for me!
Much love to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my DRC.

I was captivated from the moment I picked up Penny and Jace’s story and there was no putting down until the final word was read. A sure sign of a great read is when the story and they characters say with long after finishing their journey and that’s exactly what happened with For nEver.
Pippa Jayne did a great job with the narration and she really brought this story to life.
Jake is a broody grump and it’s Penny thats brings light to his darkness so it was fun and entertaining to watch how their journey panned out when she agrees to become his fake fiancée.
What starts out as fake soon becomes so much more as feelings come rushing to the surface and lines are crossed…..
For nEver is a heartwarming, entertaining read that will appeal to all romance lovers and I knew it was a very special read when I finished but I still wanted more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape for this ALC! I enjoyed this audiobook and finished it in one day! It was a sweet and fun story. I love that the grump fell in love so quickly!!!

What a crazy, but sweet read. Penny and Jace’s story gives readers all the feels regardless of its outlandish turn of events. I think I would have loved to see Jace support Penny’s love of history a bit as it seemed to be a critical element for Penny but all in all it was a fun, light read that I really enjoyed.
I received this copy to give an honest review for Netgalley.

For nEver had all the tropes I love, grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, but I just could not get into it. I couldn't feel any connection between Jace and Penny.

Penny was working for Jace for only a short time (like a week) when she's called early one morning and asked to pack her bags and meet Jace at the airport. From there he explains he needs a fake fiance for a family reunion, which he spends most of his time there on the phone working. I felt like Penny connected more with Jace's family then she did with Jace.

I think I just couldn't connect to this book because of the narrator. Sometimes she sounded robotic and others I felt like she tried too hard. It threw everything off for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this free audio in exchange for my honest review.

Loved Jace and Penny. Penny was clumsy to say the least and Jace was bothered by how many times she was getting hurt. The family loved Penny and how they believed she brought him back home. Penny was great with his family and I loved how she fit right in. I also loved how she was with her mom and her having just got through cancer. It is heartbreaking going through someone having cancer and the worry is real even after they are in remission. My husband is in remission and it is always scary how it can always come back