Between Now and Forever

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 621 ratings

Price: 3.99

Last update: 12-22-2024


About this item

Neighbors to lovers can be a risky proposition in this funny, sexy, and swoony romantic comedy between a single mother and the grumpy man next door by USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke.

When Gabrielle Solomon falls, she falls hard. Even if that means literally toppling over a porch railing in nothing but a flimsy towel—right in front of her sexy new neighbor.

Jay Stetson is 100 percent hero material with those arms, that chest, and his deliciously oh-so-sexy smirk. The chiseled hunk in flannel has an irresistible off-limits attitude while plucking Gabrielle out of the bushes and saving her from a snake. Unfortunately, he’s not indulging in what Gabrielle is offering—not with his emotional train wreck of a past.

Just neighbors. Just friends. Or so he says.

Secretly, he’s smitten with the single, fierce mama bear of two who plays Miss Fix-It at the house next door. He doesn’t even really mind the noise or the chaos her young sons cause. What he does mind is how his lonely heart races when looking into her emerald-colored eyes.

Can Jay let his painful memories go, or will he let the woman of his dreams slip between his fingers?


From the Publisher

When a woman falls, there are no better three words from a man than I got you.

Top reviews from the United States

  • Dianna Little
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heart warming
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2024
    I love everything Adrianna writes and this is no exception. If you want a standalone that will make you laugh at the antics of a young boy and the snarkiness of his older brother then this is for you. You have Gabby a single mother of Dylan and Carter who have just lost their dad and move back to Gabby's home town to try and start over. Dylan hates the fact and Cater is all about his new home much to his brothers dismay. Gabby thinks she can do everything by herself but finds herself in an embarassing situation when Jay comes to her rescue. Jay is the sexy guy next door who catched Gabby's eye. He has been through a lot and the last think he wants or needs is a single mom with 2 boys. He is happy with his life like it is but Carter has other plans for Jay. Jay and Gabby decide to see where things are going to go with them but when harsh words are spoken will Jay cut his losses and leave before he get hurt again or will Gabby, Carter and Dylan make him realize they are worth it? This is one of those books everyone should read.
  • Jen Valencia
    4.0 out of 5 stars Second chances at love
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2024
    Between Now and Forever is a new small-town romance standalone from Adriana Locke and published through Amazon Publishing's Montlake imprint. Thirty-eight-year-old Gabrielle Solomon has just moved back to Alden, Ohio, ready to begin a new chapter after some major life-altering events in her life. She and her husband, Christopher, divorced a few years back, but they remained the closest of friends, which is why his sudden passing devastated her. Now, she's moving forward, raising their two sons, Dylan, fourteen, and Carter, seven, the best she can. She's not quite sure, however, that tumbling into a flower bed while covered with nothing but a bath towel was the best way to make a first, albeit lasting, impression on her new neighbor. Forty-year-old Jay Stetson is hot and single, and as much as he's attracted to the single mom next door, he can't afford to be anything more than friendly with her. He can only resist for so long, but can Jay let go of the past and fight for a future with Gabby, Dylan and Carter?

    I love the romance genre in general, but I confess that being the age that I am, there's something about having the main characters be older than the usual twenty-somethings that calls to me. Gabby was a great female main character, what with her independence and her protective nature, especially when it came to her sons, Dylan and Carter. I know that quite a few readers adored the younger of the two boys, but Dylan was someone I could relate to, empathizing with what how he was dealing with the recent changes in his life. Could he have handled some things better? Definitely, but he was also a teenager who had gone through his parents' divorce and his father's death. As for Jay, I admit that I was surprised to how he was during his first encounter with Gabby, but it certainly caught my attention. I understood why he made the choice that he did near the end of the book, but I was really hoping there wouldn't be the dreaded third act break-up here. Still, Between Now and Forever was heartwarming, four-starred read.
  • Brigid Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2024
    I'm a big fan of Adriana Locke's writing. Not once have I been disappointed, and Between Now and Forever is no different.

    It's the story of Gabrielle, a single mom to two sons dealing with the death of their father - her ex-husband/best friend. She has moved them back to her hometown. She wants to live again and show her boys it's ok to move on.

    Enter the grumpy neighbor next door, Jay. The eye candy she didn't know she needed, and oh boy, does she make an impression!! Hilarious!! Jay's been hurt in the past and has spent the last three years keeping people at arms length.

    It's a quick read, but it is packed with what Adriana writes so well - laughter, steam, and emotion.
  • BT
    5.0 out of 5 stars Banter and a towel
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2024
    - Single mother
    - Grumpy neighbor
    - Meet cute in a towel

    Oh, my, do I love a grumpy hero. And being grumpy because of a backstory we find out about later? I gobbled that up!

    Gabrielle is such a hot mess of a character. That made her so relatable and believable. But the towel incident? Girl, how did you think that was a good idea?

    Jay doesn't want to be connected or have friends or really be happy, but there is something about Gabrielle that has him doing things he doesn't expect! I adored Jay. I was rooting for him and his story the entire book.

    I cannot even describe how much this book made me feel. It is superb.
  • Beckyrae99 (Becky Wise)
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gives you all the feels
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2024
    Between Now and Forever gives you all those feels. I loved this one so much. I laughed, I cried and everything in-between. This is filled with so much heart you will not be able to put this down. Single mom Gabrielle is trying to hold it all together for her two sons as they move back to her hometown. She's a bit accident prone when it comes to diy projects. Jay is a bit of a grumpy who wants to keep people at arms length. He's a handyman you always want as your neighbor. As you learn more about Jays history you understand why. The meet cute is chef's kiss. I love the chemistry build between Jay and Gabrielle. Gabrielle has this way of breaking down walls that Jay holds tight to. I love how Jay slowly gets comfortable with Gabrielle's sons and his own little way with each boy to show her is not looking to replace anyone. Jay and Gabrielle will take you on this beautiful emotion packed ride as they navigate what their relationship is. I could not put this down. I loved every moment of this one. You need to one click this today.
  • Kristen Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Small town swoon
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2024
    It's of course the hot, lonely and grumpy neighbor Jay to the rescue. Oh wait he doesn't want to be a hero. Somehow he works his grumpy lonesome self into Gabrielle's heart. it's clear from the start they have chemistry. I loved the bushes scene to start and then her inability to complete any electrical work. This is a cute small town neighbors to lovers and I wouldn't have it any other way.

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