4.5 stars. This is a sweet story. Gabrielle moves back to her home town with her two kids looking for a fresh start. Jay is her next door neighbor who has closed himself off because of his past. This is a story of being willing to move on and take a chance at love even though it is scary. I loved Jay’s grumpiness and his interactions with Carter. The meet cute was also such a fun scene. Great book.

I can say that this book shocked me all the way through and it’s well worth the read. Thank you so much for letting me read this arc

If you love single aren’t romances look no further than single mum Gabrielle (Gabby) Solomon and her neighbour Jay Stetson’s story in Between Now and Forever.
Gabby has moved back to her home town after losing her ex husband and father to her two boys. From the moment she meets her new sexy neighbour sparks fly but Jay has been hurt before and he is not to keen on letting a single mum and her boys into his life…….
So can Gabby break down his walls and more importantly what happens when a sad and angry teenager and a loveable but hyper 7 year come into the mix. Children often break down walls easier than adults and it’s not long before these kids worm their way into Jay’s life.
I loved this book, I fell hard and fast for Jay and I want Gabby in my corner. This is a well written, entertaining, witty and emotional story with wonderful characters but it was a loveable 7 year old that stole my heart. Great read that I highly recommend.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

3.5 ⭐
1.5 🌶️

Adriana has delivered with a beautiful small town romance, involving a grumpy carpenter and a single mom. With it being such an easy read, I was literally flying through the pages!

Gabrielle/Gabby has moved back to her hometown, Alden after the death of her ex-husband. When she happens to spot her ridiculously hot neighbour one day, luck would be on her side to fall off the porch railing, with just a towel covering her modesty.

Jay keeps to himself and wants it to stay that way. When he spots his new neighbours 'introduction' ending up stuck in a bush, he decides to help out. What he didn't expect to find was himself smitten with Gabby, but secretly avoids her from getting to close. He's been hurt before and the memories have never faded.... but he must chose between facing his fears once and for all or letting go of the best people he's ever known to love.

My thoughts 💭
In all honesty, whilst I did really enjoy the story, I do feel like something was missing! There were some unanswered questions I still had by the end of the book which I thought wasn't really resolved? Aside from this, I did love the whole friendship circle Gabby had going with Cricket, Della and Scottie and the heartfelt confessions from both Gabby and Jay when they knew they had found something worth fighting for. Although BNAF made a good read, would I remember this book 3, 5 or 10 books down the line? That's up for you to decide! 🤭

This book was beautifully written. There were many times in this book where I wanted to cry or did cry. The story follows Jay and Gabrielle. Gabrielle is a single mom to two boys and moved back to her hometown after her ex husband passed away. This book is a neighbors to lovers. I am obsessed with Jay as a person. He went through so much to get him where he is and only faced more challenges when he got together with Gabrielle. I love that they were able to face the challenges against them and have a found family aspect between Gabrielle, Jay, and the boys. I highly recommend this story. Thank you NetGalley and Montlake publishing for the ARC.

I had not read anything by this author, but will definitely be searching for her other books. An absolutely lovely and heart-warming romance. Gabrielle Solomon, divorced from her husband and the father of their two sons, is now trying to help her sons recover from their father’s death. Although they were divorced, he was still her best friend. She finally knows that it is time for her to move on for herself and her sons. She is attracted to her hot neighbor next door, contractor Jay Stetson, but he doesn’t seem interested until he rescues her in her yard. He is very attracted to her but after his past history dating a woman with a child, he is hesitant to get involved. She is concerned how her sons will react to her increasing friendship with Jay, especially when her older son seems upset with the idea. When things become serious between them, will he end up getting hurt again or will he fight for the woman he has come to love? I enjoyed every moment of this story, the laughter, the tears and then more laughter! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

When single mum Gabrielle moves back to her hometown with her two you boys, Dylan and Carter, who are still getting over the tragic loss of their father, she wasn’t expediting to have to deal with too much home DIY. She’s practical in oh so many ways, but not so good with actually doing handiwork, and there’s a lot needs doing to her new house. It just so happens her neighbour Jay, is very much handy when it comes to anything construction. He just isn’t a people person, and he’s definitely not interested in a single mum or her two young children. He’s been burned badly before. The problem is - the attraction - it’s real. No matter how much they fight or argue, fate has other plans for them. Some very emotional moments with two adorable young boys, a mum who’s trying her best to do right by them while also finding her footing in the world of dating, and the guy next door who doesn’t want to get burned again. I love how Jay kept trying to talk himself out of what he thinks would be a bad idea, but still knows it would be the best thing he ever had. Go on Jay, take a chance. A fun, sexy, and emotional read that entertained me throughout. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Gabrielle is a mother of two boys who are grieving their father who recently died. She moves home to have family close and a fresh start. The dedication that Gabrielle has for her boys is sweet. She is dealing with the typical teenager attitude mixed in with anger from losing his father and it’s a lot.

Jay is a great guy, but he keeps to himself and doesn’t interact with anyone past who he absolutely must. When Gabrielle falls into his life, all of the walls he built over the years start to come down. He has major character growth though out the book and it is both beautiful to watch and heartbreaking because he has to overcome heartbreak that he suffered in the past.

I think this book showed the difficulties of dating while parenting and introducing someone new to your kids. I loved the community and support that Gabrielle had started to build for herself. I think the side characters were hilarious and I could not put the book down. I recommend this book and hope you enjoy Jay and Gabrielle’s story.

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from Adriana Locke and NetGalley.

SPOILER

This started off somewhat strong. I found so much gave me a giggle, I loved the banter between Gabrielle and Jay, Carter's constant chatter and the dynamics between all the side characters.
It was a really sweet and fun read, but the ending felt very rushed. I'm not saying drag it out either, but suddenly everyone (including a grieving child) had an epiphany and saw everything clearly. Jay says he needs a plan to get Gabrielle back, she deserves more than just 'I'm sorry', but that's basically what he does. He shows up, says a little bit more than just sorry, and everything is resolved.

I really liked the story of Gabrielle's son struggling with his grief. There could have been so much more added to this. It would have been nice to see him grow and have him and Jay build a relationship, not just have it happen (literally) overnight.

I have read many books by Adriana and recommend them. Just because this wasn't for me in the end doesn't mean it wasn't a sweet read that I'm sure other people will love.

What does Adriana Locke do best? She writes the best small town romances with these men who just can't help but be genuinely great guys. Jay Stetson is no exception. Between Now and Forever hit me in the feels as it hit so close to home. It takes a special person to love someone else's kids. While there are hiccups, you have to keep showing up. Jay forgot that for a minute but when it clicked, it was so special. Gabrielle and Jay had that palpable chemistry from the moment they met. I especially loved their banter. While I loved watching Gabrielle and Jay grow together, I fell for the relationship he was building with Gabrielle's children. Such a beautiful sight!

What a fun and hilarious meet cute! Jay and Gabrielle both have tragic pasts and with her sons they have a lot to work through. It takes a lot to get to their happily ever after. There were a couple of points where if felt like my chest was caving in, but that epilogue made the pain worth it.

Gabrielle: FMC, divorced, single mom, a do-it-yourselfer. Comes back home to Alden, Ohio with her two sons, Dylan and Carter. Chaotic & klutzy.

Jay: grumpy, hot carpenter next door neighbor, OCD about organization, the very opposite of Gabrielle.

Both MCs overcome traumatic past experiences to become a sweet blended family. Such a great HEA! Loved this one by Adriana Locke!

Many thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest review.

What a great book! I loved that both of the MC’s were older and I’m a sucker for a single parent book. I was a single mom with younger kids years ago and I still remember feeling some of the same things as Gabrielle. I also had a son that acted out like Dylan as I started dating again….those were some difficult times and Adriana Locke portrayed them perfect. With all that said however, Carter was the star of this book! Gah I love that kid!!

I absolutely loved this book! I devoured it in almost one night. Adriana Locke perfectly balances humor, heart and angst in this new stand alone.

Gabby is a divorced mother of two whose ex just passed away. She moves back to her hometown for a fresh start. Her oldest is struggling with grief, teen angst and anger. Jay is her neighbor who is closed off and grumpy. Jay is dealing with his own grief which keeps him distant from most people until he meets Gabby and her boys.

Gabby and Jay have the funniest meet cute. And their witty banter will keep you laughing and wanting more. Gabby’s sass keeps Jay on his toes and wanting more. Their push/pull is desire and angst at its best. Gabby is absolutely adorable with her desire to DIY home projects but badly. And Jay with his attempt to keep his distance but inability to watch Gabby harm herself with such projects. It makes for such fun reading.

Jay is so swoony with his inability to stay away from Gabby. His vulnerability is just another layer of his attractiveness. And the way in which his relates to Gabby’s boys will melt your heart. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh while melting your heart go ahead and pick this up.

Thanks to Adriana Locke, NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC opportunity.

this was such a cute read. i love reading neighbors to lovers books. i met my husband when he bought the house next door to my parents. i loved seeing jay and gabrielle work through things and how great jay was with his two boys, carter and dylan. especially dylan who was having a hard time with things. i’d really like to see the side characters with books too!

Between Now and Forever is a modest yet sweet and endearing single mother romance. This book had tons of swoony and amusing moments, while also interlacing a smidge of drama throughout to balance the plotline and add some depth.

Gabrielle meets her grumpy neighbor Jay by falling off the porch after shamelessly checking him out, but who can blame her. It was an adorable meet cute and set a good beginning to the story. Gabrielle is a fiercely protective and caring mother who’s trying to start a new life after her ex-husband passes away. Her boys are endeavoring to navigate a new world without their dad in it and it causes some tension and irate moments with her son. While his anger is expected and warranted it still hurt to witness this boy break.

Jay is the grumpy guy next door that keeps literally everyone at a distance. His past and struggles with coming to terms with his attraction to his neighbor adds some much-needed angst to the story. Watching his internal struggles throughout the story really sheds light on just how hurt he was and everything he’s trying to overcome. He keeps a fierce wall up but slowly Gabrielle and her boys break it down.

Whereas the story was overall a light and diverting romance, it fell flat at times and was a little boring at others. I needed more build up between them to really feel their connection and to add more fire, more passion, just more to the overall story. There was next to no expanse of time for their relationship to grow, Jay denied his attraction for a minute and then bam they were together, it happens in what feels like a single day. I love Adriana’s writing, and her books will always be recommended by me, and while I didn’t get what I needed from the story it was still a simple easy to read book that will leave you feeling good by the end.

I wanted to love this more than I did, as I've read/listened to Adriana's books in the past and have loved them.
Jay and Gabrielle's story felt a little superficial to me, particularly as a book featuring a widow and single mom. The fact that Gabrielle's younger son accepted Jay as a father figure so readily seemed unrealistic, even though he was only 6 when his father passed. I anticipated more push-back and drama like what came from her teenaged son.

The meet-cute was funny, and it was clear that there was chemistry there from the beginning. I appreciated that this book had humor, was low-angst, and an easy read, but I feel as though it could have had a little more character depth and polishing.

Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke 🧡
Standalone (but I’m hoping for more in this world 😁)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Romance
ARC Reader
253 pages
🗓️ December 17

🧡small town
🧡single mom
🧡neighbors to lovers
🧡grumpy x sunshine
🧡found family

📍 “I could never hate you, Gabrielle. Not when I think I love you.”

📍”They are mine—all three of them.”

Just call me Santa because this is my gift to you! The gift of a recommendation that will hit all the marks. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Wholesome, incredibly well paced and with all the right elements to capture one’s attention, Between Now and Forever was a bag of chips; one can’t just read a chapter at a time… the same way we can’t eat just the one chip; the whole bag is gone by the time you look.

Gabrielle’s interactions with Jay made my heart burst with joy, but it was the found family in this group of girl friends that made this book insanely good. That and her kids… Jay and her kids… Gabrielle and her kids. I can’t express the way my heart is trying to break free of my chest. 🥹

I’ve been a fan of Adriana Locke for a while. Her books are always what I need, when I need them. But this one? This one is special 🫶🏼

What would you do if you basically fell off your porch in nothing but a flimsy towel right in front of your hot neighbor? I would simply pass away. However, Gabby takes it like a champ, just like all the other unfortunate things life has recently thrown her way. That said hot neighbor is your typical grumpy guy who ends up with a soft spot, but for only one girl in particular. I really enjoyed this story and the fun, quirky friends we met along the way. This was a quick, to-the-point romance read, and I’m glad there wasn’t too much fluff thrown in there. It was the perfect amount.

Release day: 12.17.24

🖤Grumpy/Sunshine
🖤Small town romance
🖤Single mom
🖤Dual POV
🖤Neighbors

Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A grump who wants nothing to do with anyone and a single mom trying to put herself out there.

A laugh out loud meet cute that leads to both Gabrielle and Jay constantly thinking about each other.

I enjoy reading this author because while she is witty in her stories, she also writes stories with heart. This one was one of those with heart. I couldn't help but feel for both these characters backgrounds. I loved how the children were written into the story and wasn't just a mention here and there, they were a part of the story and somewhat of a matchmaker.

A book with banter, laughs, friendship, starting over and allowing oneself to move on from the past is what you'll find.

I gave Gabrielle and Jay 4 🦋