Thank you NetGalley, Montlake and Adriana Locke for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gabrielle and Jay are neighbors who meet in the most unexpected way. There is an immediate connection but both have a lot of previous trauma that causes hesitation and miscommunication.

Overall I enjoyed the book. I liked the main characters but think there could have been a little bit more development in parts of the book.

Things I liked:
I felt the pull between them and loved the build there.
A wonderful single mom and two realistic kids
Entertaining side characters
Open, vulnerable communication (once they got past the miscommunication)

Things that were a miss:
7yr old without any issues after losing his dad
Side character storylines that felt unnecessary or underdeveloped
No talk of therapy or professional help (especially for kids)
Relationships shown in extremes and insanely fast paced - either completely miserable or amazing within a day. Most live in the middle so showing some of that would have been nice

Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Neighbors to lovers
Small town romance
Single mom

I enjoyed Between Now and Forever. It was a lighthearted, cute, sweet and fun small town romance. I adored the main characters, Gabrielle and Jay even though their first meeting left me with a serious case of second hand embarrassment. I loved how their relationship developed. There was lots of crackling tension and chemistry between them as well as a lot of push and pull too with a sprinkling of angst thrown in. I loved watching them navigate their hang ups and the external things that came against their relationship. This was an awesome, easy read that I just flew through. If you're looking for something lighthearted I definitely recommend this.

Oh wow…I’m not often someone who cries while reading a book but gosh…Jay and Dylan got me good at the end there! Cue the water works! Gabby and Jay were wonderful! I loved this one! The side characters of Della, Cricket, and especially Carter! Great read if you like a heavier themed book and the single mom trope!

There are many layers to this story which I enjoyed, especially the way Gabrielle and Jay initially meet. Humor and intense emotion blended into a well-balanced plot with great characters. Although, the miscommunication between them was a bit much, to the point of wanting to knock some sense into these two. I absolutely loved the kids, each having their own unique personality that added intriguing as well as difficult moments needing to be addressed. Overall, the vibe of this book and the chemistry that could not be resisted drove the story forward which had a satisfying conclusion for this couple.

When I'm looking for a book filled with heart and sappy love moments, I turn to an Adriana Locke book every time. Every. Time. Why? Because she delivers like no other! Between Now and Forever is no exception. I was hooked from the second Gabrielle's towel fell off when she was (not so) subtly checking out Jay from across their yards! I love the grumpy/sunshine vibes, I loved what a sap Jay was for Gabby and I loved the girl squad- girl squads are my favorite!!

I also really appreciated how Locke didn't carry too much out throughout the book. The intrigue moments were definitely there and kept readers on the line, but they resolved pretty quickly so I didn't feel annoyed or disconnected to the story. The plot lines were easy to follow and made the book as a whole fun and easy to read. The characters were great and easy to connect with. I liked how Gabby was navigating life without her kids' father but wasn't a widow. I thought the way that dynamic was written was fresh and intriguing and was a favorite aspect of the book.

Overall, Locke's books are easy go-to's for me. I like that they aren't overly long or drawn out, and even if the tropes aren't your favorite there is something in the book that is easy to love and connect with. I enjoyed Jay's backstory and how it played out for him in his relationships with Gabby and her sons. And I really want to be invited into that girl group. What a freaking squad!

The small town Queen does it again!

No one writes small town romance better than Adriana, every story she writes has her special sort of magic that takes us on a journey that only she can.

Gabby moves back to the small town she grew up in with her two boys and a hope for a fresh start. What she wasn’t expecting was a neighbor that makes her heart beat again.

This story has all we could ask for plus a little bit more. It’s simply Adriana at her best. I am a fan and will always read her stories, and you should too!

I always love Adriana’s books. She’s the queen of small town family romance. Gabrielle is a widow who just moved back to a small town and is starting over with her boys. Her boys are her world. One is just living and loving life, and just straight adorable. But her eldest, that’s a different story. As much as he loves his mom, he still misses his dad. Jay, the hunky neighbor tries to stay away, not wanting to get hurt again. But he just can’t stay away. Jay’s heart is under the spell of Gabrielle and her boys. It is a sweet and wholesome book with a dash of spice.

OMG…grab the tissues for this all of the feels romance between Jay and Gabrielle. With trust issues leading the way, Gabrielle feels alive when she’s around Jay but Jay leads with fear of having his heart broke with her kids being involved. When things blow up as they most often do can Jay and Gabrielle get their heads out of said fears to find the love they both want? Don’t miss this heartbreaking and heartwarming emotional journey! Loved it!!!

Locke always gives us a sweet read. Between Now and Forever is a grumpy/sunshine-ish romance between two people that are starting to make decisions for themselves and not others. Single mom neighbor to a grumpy carpenter that keeps to himself. He tries hard to ignore them but they don’t make it easy. So many laugh out loud moments…Carter is hilarious! I enjoyed this whole story.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Another binge worthy book by Adriana. She has yet to let me down.

I was giggling from the very start of this book. Seriously at 5% I snorted. I had a smile on my face the majority of this book. But I also had tears in my eyes at one point. This one gave me all the feels and I loved every second of it.

But let’s get to the best part… Jay. Jay is everything. A top book boyfriend. Hot. Swoony. He did it for me on every level. What I found sexy was how he interacted with Gabrielle’s kids. His relationship with Carter was adorable and his patience with Dylan was admirable. I loved how those relationships developed.

Just an all around fantastic read for me. 10/10.

*Review will be shared to Instagram and Amazon on release day

Ummmm yes pleassseeee?? Just finished this and it left me with such joy in my heart. Jay is just a great guy. Gabrielle is a woman who knows her worth and Carter is solid gold entertainment. I laughed so hard and swooned even harder. It’s really a beautiful story. Also I love that the third act breakup wasn’t just a silly miscommunication; these characters had real life issues that were refreshing to see addressed in such a healthy way.

<b>My heart wasn't ready for the swoon and heartache overload in Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke. Gabrielle and Jay will steal your heart. For now and forever! The chemistry is sizzling hot but their circumstances and their emotional baggage made it a slow burn..and I am here for it because when the spice hits, it's heaven! Gabrielle amazed me with her sweetness, sass and courage. And we all love a book boyfriend who is alpha but comes with a side of vulnerability. If you are looking for one book to read before the year ends, choose Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke.</b>

✔️ small town romance
✔️ neighbors to lovers
✔️ grumpy sunshine
✔️ single mother ( divorced and then her husband died)
✔️ Great secondary characters
✔️ blue collar worker hero
✔️ she names babies for a job!
✔️ contemporary romance

<b>Adriana Locke gave us a great mix of all kinds of feels. Gabrielle moved back to her home town with her boys( Dylan and Carter) for a fresh start after her ex passed away. They were still best friends. She has been grieving and the boys are having a hard time with adjusting with their new reality. She is the best mother. She did everything She could to make it easy for the boys but she is still a mess. I love how big her heart is. She is witty and funny and charming and adorable but when she moved next door to Jay, she didnt have all the light in her soul.

Jay had a life altering experience with his previous serious relationship who was a single mother with a cute girl and who devastated him by cutting him off after their break up. He stays inside his own cage. Working, having occasional meeting with his friend, meaningless hook up..that's it. He definitely had no business feeling this urge to help the single mother next door. But their attraction was irresistible.

Gabrielle wants the love and adoration because she has been missing it so long. She just wanted someone to share her life with. Jay with his protectiveness and bossy attitude and surprising charm made her feel like she is living her life again. But Jay's demons were not so easy to beat. Her boys are the most important factor here and Jay ran when things became hard..but realised his mistake real soon. Their banter and sassy conversations were everything. Before they gave in to their passion, they became unlikely friends first. Gabrielle healed Jay and broke down her walls. And she found the man she deserved.</b>

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke is a great read. It kept me hooked. Gabrielle has 2 boys and they just moved back to where she was from after the boys dad died and she needed a fresh start for her and them. Jay is not into dating anyone after having his heart ripped out. Well in comes Gabrielle and her 2 boys. Will they be able to bring Jay back to living? Go one click because you will definitely want to read this book.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this arc.

Gabrielle’s ex husband has recently passed away and she decide to move her kids to a small town. She meets her grumpy neighbor, Jay, and he isn’t very kind. Jay has been burned before by another single mom and he can’t stop comparing Gabrielle to Melody.

However, when faced with the chance that Gabrielle would be with anyone else, Jay faces his fears. Gabrielle’s two sons are grieving their father. Her oldest has been the biggest challenge. He doesn’t want any of them to move on.

Once Jay and Gabrielle overcome the obstacles, they’re able to have their HEA. I really enjoyed Jay’s character and felt so bad about him losing little Izzy. The romance was a slow burn. Single parent romances aren’t my favorite, but it was a pretty good read!

A to and fro “relationship” between the Gabby and Jay a single mother of two and her next door neighbor, burned by previous relationships. Lots of fun and flirty banter, some spice in this “will they won’t they” scenario.
There were lots of well written characters including her sons. I also liked the relationships between Gabby and her old and new friends. All easy to identify with and understand.
An easy read.
3.5 stars

"Between Now and Forever" by Adriana Locke offers a delightful and heartwarming neighbors-to-lovers story packed with humor and endearing moments. The opening scene, where Gabrielle accidentally tumbles off her porch in to the lilac bushes while wrapped in a towel, sets a playful tone for their quirky and charming relationship.

Gabrielle, a determined single mother of two, is both fierce and lovable, while her neighbor Jay, with his grumpy exterior and hidden kindness, presents an intriguing mix of toughness and vulnerability. Their journey through the highs and lows of their blossoming romance is thoroughly enjoyable.

Jay's battle with his past introduces some emotional layers, but the narrative generally maintains a light and carefree atmosphere. While the romance is engaging and fun, I found it needing more depth to elevate the story beyond its solid feel-good premise. The last 1/3 seemed rushed and I would have liked to see more relationship development between Jay and the boys. Adriana writes the highs and lows of parenting teenage boys perfectly. You can tell she had first hand experience.

In summary, this book is an adorable and a straightforward read for anyone who enjoys a lighthearted romance sprinkled with humor with a HEA.

I would give this book 3.75 ⭐️

Thank you to Adriana Locke, Valentine PR, and Netgalley for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Single mom and neighbor next door.

Grumpy older boy and sweet, naive younger boy who are dealing with the aftermath of their dads sudden loss and a big life change move.

I honestly loved everything about this except that it ended so fast for me. Their banter was great. I believed both of their hesitation but the wrap up was way too fast for me.

This is a very light story and right in Adriana's wheelhouse. It had a very sunshine/grump feeling with Gabrielle being the sunshine neighbor and Jay being the grumpy carpenter who lives next door.

Even though Gabrielle and her boys have been through the devastating loss of her ex-husband, the boy's father, she still maintained a positive and hopeful outlook on life. Surely soon, the clouds are going to lift over her little family and they'll start to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Her oldest son Dylan is struggling a lot with the loss of his father, and she doesn't know exactly how to help him.

Jay came across as the grumpy, standoffish neighbor who did lots of nice things for Gabby and her kids, even though he made it very clear he wanted to be left alone. At first he annoyed me, until we learn what his backstory is and why he acts the way he does.

The evolution of Gabby and Jay's relationship felt very quick, but just right at the same time. It happened organically, and I truly commended Jay for how he handled Gabby's two boys. Carter was a joyous ray of sunshine and Dylan was very much the opposite, a dark cloud seeming to follow him everywhere. It was so obvious what his issues were, and Jay tried to help him, but he had to figure things out on his own in order to move forward with his life.

I loved the cast of side characters we met, and the ladies get together they held. Lark was a good friend to Jay, and I especially love the small town vibe throughout the story.

This was a great palate cleanser to read in between the dark and heavy stories I've been reading. Adriana does small town like no one else! Every book of hers I read, I think, I want to move there!

I very much enjoyed this visit to the town of Alden, Ohio and getting to know Gabby and her boys, and I really swooned over how Jay worshipped her and her sons. Highly recommend everyone read this book!

Adriana Locke never fails to make me laugh, smile, swoon and cry. Between Now and Forever did all of that and more. Gabrielle and Jay meet in a very unconventional way which really had me laughing out loud because just picturing it was hilarious. Moving on from that first meeting, they deal with many different roadblocks on both sides which are painful but truly realistic. Throw in a cute, absolutely precocious boy, a troubled boy and friends who will hide the bodies if needed and you get a rounded story about love and acceptance.

I loved Between Now and Forever! The plot, characters and story flowed so well and kept you turning the pages. It took me mere hours to read because i was enjoying it so much. I really liked both Gabrielle and Jay, they had such good chemistry from the moment they met. I loved all of the secondary characters especially the boys. The raw emotion and backstories were written very well and kept you super intrigued as to how it would go next for this couple and their family. Great book!