Never Over is the perfect summer read! Following Paige and Liam around the country while they get a second chance together was so lovely. I always love how Clare works in themes outside of the romance—the discussion of passion, work, and art was so well done. I’m so glad to live in a world where Clare writes romance!

The way that this is Liam’s reaction when running into Paige after YEARS apart:

"She's mine!" he calls out. And then, like he's correcting himself,
"She's with me."


So swoony! So good! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC.

I’d like to start by saying Clare Gilmore never misses. Wow—this book hit. As someone who lives for romance and rom-coms, this story delivered all the feels. I’m not the biggest fan of second chance trope but this book made me LOVE IT and delivered some of my favorite lines ever.

Story follows Paige Lancaster, an aspiring songwriter whose lyrics lack the emotional depth needed to make it big. Paige decides to reconnect with Liam, her ex, hoping to reignite her songwriting spark from getting her heart broken. What follows is a journey of rediscovery, both in love and in life.

The dual timeline—flashing between their college days and the present—adds layers to their story. You see how they fell in love, where things went wrong, and how they’re trying to find their way back. It’s emotional, raw, and so real.

Liam is the ultimate green flag. Supportive, patient, and still head over heels for Paige. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their banter? Chefs kiss!!!!!

It’s a beautifully written story about love, growth, and the power of second chances. I loved the epilogue of this and it will be embedded forever in my mind as one of my favorite things I have ever read.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

** A copy of Never Over was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

Never Over is the second chance romance of my dreams. Told in dual timelines, Never Over is the story of Paige, an aspiring songwriter and Liam, a former baseball player. What makes this a great story is the fact that Paige and Liam are flawed characters who grow up separately and together as they contend with their identities, families and traumas. I appreciate that there is no unnecessary drama but plenty of amazing banter! Highly recommend!

Clare has a way of writing her characters that makes you reflect so much on your own life. Never Over has a lot of depth, but is still a fun romcom!

Thank you to @NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Never Over was such a good read! This was a second chance romance between an aspiring song writer who needs her muse and their history, and a baseball player who's career path took him in a different direction. They cross paths and of course sparks fly! A must read for sure!

#NetGalley

Paige and Liam had a soft but knowing meet cute in a bookstore and they both knew deep down their world shifted in that moment. They become best friends quickly and even more rapidly, soulmates. But he’s on a path to become an MLB pitcher and she’s not really on a path at all. She’s also an insanely talented songwriter, a secret she shares with only Liam. Told in dual timelines, we meet Liam and Paige again in the present four years later, where she has graduated from a music education school but needs a muse in order to get signed by a music producer. She realizes she wrote her best music when Liam was in her life so she tracks him down and asks him to be her muse. He agrees and it becomes the most bizarre fake dating set up ever. But, as the title implies, it becomes clear quickly that these two never got over each other cause there’s pretty much not a single page in this book where they’re not in love.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

First and foremost, Clare Gilmore’s writing never ceases to impress me. It’s standout and spectacular. She manages to write heavy concepts in simple, breathtaking words. She also wrote some very very nuanced relationships and characters into this book.

This book felt different from many romances because, as stated above, these two are literally in love from page one. The conceit of their “fake dating” required a bit of suspension of disbelief insomuch as the whole setup was kinda wild: she’s going to ask him to date her and break her heart again so he can be her muse and she’s going to go on tour with him because he’s now a production lead for a major global popstar. On paper, it sounds silly. Somehow this book made it work.

Their relationship is so nuanced it’s almost a cerebral romance. These two have a constant push and pull, all of it driven by a desire for the other to be their best self even when they won’t admit to themselves what being their best self means. Some parts of this tension waged itself like the two of them screaming “I love you more!” “No, I love you more!” back and forth at each other.

I didn’t connect with Paige as a character too much (except her chronic imposter syndrome) but Liam is an absolute on-page delight. He’s one of those characters that always says the truest thing in a refreshing way. His love for her is so pure.

My nit with this book is that the tension doesn’t have much of an arc. I was missing the rising action in this one. The past timeline has a little more of it than the present one does. So there was just a little lacking for me there.

Overall, this was a well-written and unique story that I would recommend!

🫡 Tropes deployed: second chance, dual timeline, baseball romance sorta, songwriter FMC

Thanks so much to Clare Gilmore and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for the eARC of this book. First off, Im a sucker for a music romance-y book and this was perfect for that. I loved the forced proximity and how quickly I got caught up in this book! Now, Im not normally a Second chance romance trope gal, but this one was so good! Our FMC and MMC banter and fall back into each other so perfectly. It's also based around Nashville and country music, How can I ask for anything more?!?

Oh my god what in the five stars! This book was absolute page turning perfection. After reading the last line in the first chapter I paused and said to myself "oh. this is gonna be good." and boy was it! Paige Lancaster's singer/songwriter career is on the line when she realizes the only good music she ever wrote came from the deepest heartbreak of her life. Paige knows the only way to get back to that raw and authentic version of herself is by letting the person she has pushed out of her life forever back in, Liam Bishop. They were college sweethearts, their love burned bright and intense, until circumstances and pride got in the way and he broke Paige's heart. This second chance romance is honest, vulnerable, the slowest of burns, and will have you kicking your feet the whole time! It's the kind of engrossing book that makes you annoyed when people are trying to converse with you while reading. 100% whole heartedly recommend!!

This was such a sweet and surprisingly funny second chance romance. Set in dual timelines, we follow college-age Paige and Liam through their initial meeting and love story, and then again four years after their breakup, as they meet back up in order to help inspire Paige's songwriting- by asking Liam to break her heart.
What follows is a second chance romance that initially had me hooked- I felt sure it was heading to 5 star territory- I absolutely love Liam, which made looking past the somewhat strange not-really-fake-dating scenario a lot easier than I expected it to be. I related at times to Paige, who just wanted to be wanted as much as she wanted other people. Wanting to be needed by her family, by her friend, and ultimately by Liam, and always coming up short, led her to believe she wasn't worthy of much, and it was quite rewarding watching her realize she was worth more than she'd ever given herself credit for.
Unfortunately, the third act let this one down a little bit. When Paige and Liam finally talk about what happened four years ago, and have a long and, frankly, painful fight, I was torn between being so happy that a couple was actually TALKING instead of just breaking up, and then sadly being a little bored by the whole thing. The pacing just felt a little off for the last 40% or so of the book and it held me back from being completely in love.
The epilogue is satisfying and ultimately Liam will be making it onto my list of book boyfriends,. If the plot is speaking to you on this one, I would definitely recommend it!

The story was super sweet. I absolutely love Claire’s style of writing and this book is a new favorite. If you are looking for a lighthearted fun read that still has some deeper moments. This one is perfect to add to your TBR. I am so grateful to have been given an arc by SMP & Clare. If you read this, let me know so that we can go about it together.

10* stars! This author did it again. This book broke my heart and then slowly put it back together. What a beautiful, raw, and very real love story. I loved these two characters.

The BANTER in this book!?! The YEARNING!?! The CHARACTER GROWTH?!? All of it blew me away. This honestly might be Clare’s best novel yet. I’m normally not the biggest fan of second chance romances but the story flowed so seamlessly that the time jumps barely bothered me and made perfect sense. I loved so many moments in this book and look forward to seeing what Clare has in store next!

PS - that epilogue?!? Spectacular. It wrapped up everything beautifully and left me on cloud 9🥰

Thank you for the advanced copy of Never Over. I think fans of Clare Gilmore's past novels will love her newest story. I didn't really get that she needed to find her ex boyfriend to write better lyrics for her career...but I am glad that Paige and Liam found their way back to each other. I love the dual timeline and learning about their past while also reading about how they are navigating the present with each other. I would have reacted the same exact way as Paige did if my boyfriend applied to a college program for me without my knowledge. That was not okay. I wish there was more banter and maybe more chemistry overall. (I loved how they met in her sister's bookstore.) But overall it was a cute story.

I absolutely adored this book! Paige and Liam’s chemistry was evident from their first meeting and I loved their banter. I also just really loved how easily they were willing and able to fall right back into each other. Outside of the romance, I also enjoyed the familial pressure dynamic and all of the discussion of who we are outside of our dreams and how others see us. Overall a really enjoyable read that I had a hard time putting down!

Nashville, music, Clare Gilmore...Say less, but also, give me more. If you love fake dating, second chance romance, you'll love this one.

Paige Lancaster is pursuing her dream of becoming a songwriter, and is getting closer to reaching that goal. There's just one catch - she needs to write with a bit more depth and feeling. Like whoever the song the record label exec loved, is about. So, she does something a little out of character and runs back to the muse who gave her the inspiration for her best work. She asks him to "date" her for the sake of breaking her heart to get good writing material. Except, it's not that simple and the lines get blurred.

For two months, she joins Liam on tour, since he works behind-the-scenes in music production. And the two start to reminisce and wonder what happened so many years ago.

As a Nashville and music lover, this book was right up my alley. I love Clare Gilmore's style and story. This one had me in my feels, missing summer trips to Music City and CMA Fest. Overall, I really enjoyed the journey, the relationship between Paige and Liam, those "behind-the-curtain" stories and glances, As the book tag line says, "Paige and Liam will both have to decide which is more important: art for the sake of it, or love over everything."

Just a few favorite lines that had me swooning:

"Loving you is the honor of a lifetime. I will love you in endless places. You wrote that I always would."
"You're first-string on every team where I'm the captain."
"You're not in the ocean, Liam. You are the ocean. People go to the beach because they want to see the ocean. Because they're just happy being near it and marvel at its magnificence."

*MY HEART*

Spoiler alert: I hated Maisy's character, who was the absolute worst but realize what a catalyst she was to the storyline and overall character arc of Paige. But, Liam's character is a tender little sweetheart who I loved.

There were some things that felt a bit hurried with the fake dating or the challenges they were up against. But, it made the story more daydreamy and fun.

Loved this book, Clare Gilmore doesn’t miss! Loved the songwriting / concert backdrop and the first love/second chance storyline!

5 stars! It was so refreshing to jump into a book and get sucked in right away. I absolutely loved this second-chance romance. I also LOVED all the forced proximity. If you love these tropes and also a lovely meet-cute, you will not be disappointed. You may also have a new book boyfriend. I've already purchased this title for our library and told several friends about it. Thanks for the chance to fall in love with it early.

Clare Gilmore is fantastic at writing thoughtful romances with swoony heroes and quiet heroines working through what they want in life. There’s always just quiet observations when they have their revelations. 'Never Over', like her previous two books, is another heartfelt, swoony and thoughtful multi-layered story about forging your own path and using your voice.

Liam just got Paige and was so in tune with her. He respected her introversion, but challenged her to step out of the shadows which she sorely needed. Like Claire Gilmore’s previous heroes, he’s a caretaker and down bad for Paige. I also loved Paige's sisters and their complicated dynamics.

However, I think the set up is bonkers and out of step with the rest of the book. Asking Liam to break her heart again after four years’ silence just so she can write songs? There were also no real hurdles for them not to be together in both the past and present given they acted like a genuine couple from the start. I also wish that the story didn’t go back and forth in timeline – just a couple of flashbacks would’ve been enough. I also really would’ve liked if the author did not use real life company as Liam’s employer because it took me out of the story. Live Nation is a horrible organisation that has bought up so many venues and controls the ticketing. I don’t understand why she couldn’t have made up a fictional name.

The ending? Really sweet and an ode to the impact of music on people except I wish this was integrated a bit better within the storyline.

Another heartfelt and thoughtful gem from Clare Gilmore.

Thanks to St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you st.martins press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.
Wow, I loved this! It was such a sweet story of heartbreak and learning to love again. I loved Paige and how she slowly came out of her comfort zone to be even more. Liam was so so sweet, he made my toes curl and giggle whenever he said how much he loved Paige. Liam really grew and learned through out the story too. I loved the twist of Paige needing Liam to break her heart to write better songs and then traveling together on the road. She learned so much about herself and her music as she did it. If you love second chance romance, golden retriever MMC, found family, heartbreak and growth then this one is for you.

I dragged through the opening of this book because so much of premise didn't sit well with me. The concept of her 'why' sounded juvenile and that's hard to muster when the motivations of our heroine's actions ring false.

However, as a fan of Clare Gilmore's Love Interest, I know she can string a story well and write amazing book boyfriends. With the rough start for me, this concept didn't continue into smooth sailing and was ultimately a so-so read.