Adriana is an auto read author for me and I just love her writing. She never fails to deliver a sweet, witty and heartwarming romance that hits me in the feels.

Gabrielle is a single mama who’s returned to her hometown with her two sons. A little accident prone, she ends up falling and being rescued by her neighbour Jay. Due to past hurt, he’s sworn off love but he never expected Gabrielle and he can’t deny the pull between them.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: small town romance, neighbours to lovers, single mama, grumpy neighbour.

Gabrielle was the typical boy mum I could relate a lot to. She was strong and determined and I really admired her. Her home improvement attempts had me giggling at times and I loved the way Jay stepped up to help her and her boys. While this dealt with navigating loss, grief and second chances it was balanced beautifully with witty moments that had me giggling.

I love a man who steps up for children who aren’t his and Jay was the perfect fit for this little family. The bond he builds with Gabby’s sons, especially Dylan, was a highlight for me and I really loved their moments. He understood Dylan in a way others didn’t, knowing the way he acted was out of fear due to his grief and helped him to navigate it.

I loved the friendship group in this, the found family vibes and warm and fuzzy feelings they bought. Looking forward to what’s next from Adriana!

Gabrielle is a single mom to two sons, one teen and one in grade school. She moves back to her hometown and has a meet-cute disaster with her hot but surly neighbor, Jay.
He ends up spending time helping her with some projects at her house, and they give in to their attraction for a bit. Jay has baggage, too. It was interesting to see if they could work things out and how, especially with her kids and some other factors.
The book was a quick read, almost too quick. I wanted a bit more development of their relationship, but overall it was a good story with likeable characters I rooted for.

Adriana Locke delivers a heartfelt, emotional journey in Between Now and Forever. This grumpy-sunshine, single-mom, neighbors-to-lovers romance beautifully balances humor, heartache, and the irresistible charm of small-town life.
Jay and Gabrielle are compelling opposites. Jay, with his guarded heart and reluctance to let anyone in, is a classic grump who you can’t help but root for. Gabrielle, on the other hand, is a ray of sunshine—a strong, determined mom trying to piece her life back together for herself and her two sons. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their slow-burn romance feels authentic and deeply satisfying.
Speaking of her sons, they steal the show in the best way. The older boy’s teenage angst adds depth and tension, while the younger son’s hilarious and surprisingly wise remarks bring much-needed levity to the story.
The small-town vibe is another highlight, with quirky neighbors and a setting that feels like home. Locke’s writing captures both the humor and the struggles of everyday life, creating a story that’s as heartwarming as it is poignant.
If you love grumpy-sunshine romances with strong family themes and plenty of laughs, Between Now and Forever is a must-read. Adriana Locke has once again crafted a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

What I love about Adriana Locke is that she can write amazing stories about regular people. They don't have to be billionaires to make an interesting story. Regular single mom moves next door to a regular construction working carpenter. Their problems are relatable because they could happen to any one of us. I'm usually a series reader, but sometimes it's nice to read a book that stands alone. No waiting for the next installment, no guessing/hoping about who will the next couple be. I loved this book. The relationships between friends, parent and child, neighbor and child, they're all so important and relevant.

“The smirk on his lips lifts my spirits, and I realize I’m not dealing with a little boy. I’m dealing with a young man- one that understands a lot more than people give him credit for.”

First of all, the quote is from Jay’s perspective, and it was in this moment I realized that he was worth Gabrielle and her two boys. Gabrielle moved her boys back to her hometown after needing a change. The loss of her husband was tough on all of them, but her oldest was struggling the most as he was old enough to really understand what was happening. The house Gabrielle bought needed some extra love and she decided she was going to tackle it. The good thing was her new neighbor happens to be handy and offers to help her. As these two get closer they both have to make decisions on if this is what they want. Jay has his own things to work through and some of that does include the fact that it isn’t just Gabrielle in the relationship, but also her boys.

Adriana always writes stories that grab you and take you on a ride. Sometimes it is super emotional and sometimes it is emotional as we watch the characters figure things out. Her characters struggle and it is watching them find their way through the obstacles and getting their love at the end. The warm feelings at the end are worth the trials for them to overcome their past to find their future.

I fell in love with this book from the beginning to the end or should I say between now and forever?

Imagine moving back to your home town as a single mother and attempting to get a better look at your hot new neighbour only to forget that you went outside in your towel and fall into a bush right in their line of sight then requiring their assistance to extract you from said bush? Sounds to me like the perfect meet cute for Gabby and Jay!

This book had all the feels. There tension was coming off the pages in waves, the heat, the spice, it was all perfect as per usual from Adriana! This one had me laughing out loud and there were a few tears leaked…

It was so easy to connect with these characters. They were funny, sweet, and their personality all complimented each other which made for a really nice flow to this book.

This one is definitely a must read if you like sweet and spicy romance!

This was a super cute story, with lots of wit and humor and just the right amount of heat! Gabrielle is a single mom, divorced from her husband, with whom she was still good friends until his untimely death. She decides to move back to her home town to be close to family and bring up her two sons. Jay moved to Alden four years ago to heal after the breakdown of his relationship, and from his first meeting with Gabrielle, he knows she is something special. This book is such an amazing story, the characters are relatable and you can't help but laugh out loud at some of their interactions, especially their first meeting. But this isn't just a frivolous story, there are some real issues on dealing with single parents and the story was fairly low angst but high on family and love. One complaint I have is that the sons seemed to get over their dislike and distrust of Jay rather quickly, but I understand that the fast pace of this book necessitated this.

Ms. Locke is an amazing writer. Her skills in crafting her characters make them pop off the page and bring them to life. Another winner for Ms. Locke.

Between Now and Forever brings the tears and grins, the swoons and the spice, and all the heart. I had such a lovely time reading this one!

Single mom Gabrielle moves back to her hometown to raise her boys and restart her life, what she doesn't count for is her very tantalizing albeit grumpy neighbor who comes crashing into her world. Well, actually, more like she crashes over her back porch railing and he runs over to rescue her. What follows is one heart looking for love, while the other tries to shut it out. There is much to face in this narrative, from grief to hope to courage; and two vulnerable, wonderful leads who will take the steps to do that. Even if at times some of those steps fall back. The journey to the end will be worth it.

I loved Gabrielle. She has so much on her plate but readily tries to juggle it all, with varying degrees of success. What cannot be denied is her love for her sons, and her motivation to find herself again and to keep moving forward. Enter Jay. Like Gabrielle nursing the grief of her ex-husband's death, Jay is facing his own sort of grief. Unlike Gabrielle, he stores the grief far away, hardening his heart and refusing to let his alluring neighbor in. The chemistry sizzling between these two is electric to watch, the push-and-pull that gives way to angst and cheers is my favorite as well! I rooted for them so readily and steadily throughout. I only wish Gabrielle and Jay's romance, once greenlit, had taken more breadth within the narrative before more hurdles were thrown their way. Nevertheless, I do think as a whole there's good pacing, with the final act truly shining above all.

Whenever I read single parent romances, I always enjoy when the incoming love interest bonds with the lead's child(ren). I'm quite used to that, which is why I appreciated what a different exploration is found in Between Now and Forever. While Gabriella's youngest instantly adores and accepts Jay, her oldest is resentful and angry. And while his behavior towards the adults is unwarranted, the emotions he is dealing with are absolutely understandable. He lost a father he loved and who loved him, and even if his parents were no longer together, they each fit into that their designated spot in his life. Seeing someone "threaten" (in his mind) that spot is a scary feeling. It becomes the catalyst for a decision Jay makes in the final act. What follows that decision strengthens that final act. I loved how this book ended, I loved how it wasn't all roses and rainbows, but rather getting to the nitty gritty of what is real. There is hurt that needs to be confronted-- from all sides. There is grief that needs to be reconciled. It is very moving how this narrative ended. I would say the second half of this one is the strongest half and my personal favorite. I adored the epilogue as well!

Between Now and Forever is an emotionally moving, heartfelt, and fabulously swoony read that is both about embracing love and reconciling grief. It's a book of comfort and a book of hope.

Oh! One more thing! I always get giddy when the title of book is mentioned within the narrative, and the way it folds into this one is just so perfect!

Thank you so kindly to Valentine PR and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Jay Stetson has been hurt before and does not want to get involved with anyone. Gabrielle Solomon just moved back to her hometown after her ex-husband was in a car accident and passed away the previous year. She sees her next-door neighbor and finds a hot man in flannel. After their meet cute, Jay explains that even though he is attracted to her, he is not willing to get involved with her. So, she decides it's time to live again and is ready to meet new men.

Jay goes to meet his friend at a new bar outside of town and finds Gabrielle and some guy getting friendly and he is so jealous he acts like a jerk. Gabrielle ends up confronting him when he leaves, and they decide to follow this attraction where it goes.

It was a wonderful story of a single guy afraid to get involved with a single mom with kids. You will love her kids; Carter is the younger son who is the typical kid who just wants to make friends in a new place and Dylan is the older teenage son who is afraid of losing his mom and hates that Jay is talking to Gabrielle. Jay is a wonderful grumpy guy that is finally willing to try another relationship again after being devastated by his last relationship with a single mom. It was so touching, and I couldn't put it down until the end.

Great story! Just another great book for Ms. Locke!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Super sweet & a very easy read (in the best way). I don't know if it was a shorter book or if I was just enjoying it so much that I didn't notice the number of pages, but I absolutely flew through this one.

Two characters who are a little older & have established themselves in life was a really interesting take on second chance romance. I haven't read many books where the single parent has older children, so it was neat to see how the kids reacted to the relationship. I think it was done in a way that made it seem very realistic, almost to the point where you could have told me it was based on the author's personal experiences & I would have believed you.

The entire book from start to finish was beautifully written, however I will say there were quite a few more internal monologues than I am used to, so it took me a little while to get used to that writing style. It was a great way to get into the mind of each of the characters, especially with the complexities of their relationship & their pasts - it was just something I'm not typically used to seeing.

It’s a sweet book.

The FMC Gabrielle has moved back to her hometown to try and help her boys 7&14 overcome a tragedy. She’s a single mum who’s trying to figure out solo parenting, who she is as a person and how to navigate being their for their sons and where to draw the line between grief and adolescence that’s crossing the line into bad behaviour.

The MMC Jay is the neighbour next door, he’s friendly enough if someone says hi but he keeps to himself and doesn’t go out of his way to speak to people, so when he find himself constantly drawn to the family next door, he knows it’s more than just ‘attraction’ but is scared of taking that step when there are kids involved and a past that left him heartbroken.

I enjoyed this book, I liked the banter between the FMC and MMC, I did find myself dipping in out and out of the book a little, especially near the middle. The slow burn was ok but I felt like the attraction was instant and if that had moved then there could have been some more time spent on the relationship between the kids and new relationships.

It did go very suddenly from my teenager can’t stand you to total acceptance from one conversation, which ironically could have happened a little sooner if all sides had been a little more open to communication. Which when they did it was great, but there was a lot of circling.

I did enjoy the book, it was cute and a nice read and I do enjoy the single mum trope, this book just didn’t grip me where I couldn’t put it down but I did enjoy what I read when I dipped back in.

3.5⭐️1.5🌶️

Awwwww! I just finished Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke and OH. MY. GOODNESS. it was ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! 🧡🧡🧡

Gabrielle Solomon falls over her porch railing in nothing but a towel while she is spying on her new sexy neighbour... landing in the bushes, she really hopes to be rescued by him. You know? 100% hero-like... but nothing goes as planned and the sexy, but also really grumpy, guy confuses... but also attracts her a lot. With her head held high and his shirt around her body, she definitely wants to find out more about him!

I love Adriana Locke and her writing style. This new small-town romance is no exception because it was a masterpiece right from the beginning. Well, for me!
The first encounter of Gabrielle and Jay was sooooo hilarious, and I could LITERALLY FEEL THE SPARKS FLYING through my Kindle! ✨️✨️✨️
OMG! I got goosebumps everywhere just because their chemistry was CHEF'S KISS! ❤️🙏🥰

The whole book is full of soooo many great interactions between the main characters, and with every little sentence, I even fell more in love with them!
It was refreshing to read a small-town romance with a strong and self-confident single mom of two boys! ❤️ Absolutely loved it!
How Gabby deals with her family being back in the town she grew up. Reconnecting with her friends from the past and finding new awesome friends. This group of women is AESOME! Loved them all so much! (And maybe we'll get to know more about them?! I'd love that! 🙏🙏)

And Jay? The sexy, broody neighbour who knows how to use his hands... and not just at work. 😉🤭🔥
I said it before, but... THEIR CHEMISTRY WAS JUST PERFECT! Jay is this kinda mysterious guy who knows how to push Gabby's buttons. Like cat and dog. 😉 SO GOOD! 😍

But next to all the funny and heartwarming and absolutely sexy times, there are also really emotional moments that made me cry. Oh boy... be prepared! 🥹

All in all, Between Now and Forever is the perfect small-town romance book if you love:

🧡 single mom
🧡 grumpy neighbour
🧡 hilarious group of friends
🧡 grumpy X sunshine
🧡 neighbours to lovers
🧡 really sexy times

IT WAS ABSOLUTELYWONDERFUL! LOOOOVED IT! 😍😍😍😍😍

Thanks to Adriana Locke and Montlake for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.

Adriana Locke has been on my list of one click authors for years. I love how her stories bring real life and love together so seamlessly.

This was such a fun read and I could not put it down. I’ll start by saying the audio book was amazing. I loved these narrators and the extra dash they brought o this story.

This family had been through so much and it was so easy to get sucked in and cheer for them along the way. I loved Gabbys kids from the start. Their trauma and past heartbreak felt so real and it hurt my momma heart while reading.

Gabby and Jays chemistry was off the charts. From the first fall to the end i loved reading it. Their banter over house renovations was the perfect addition to what was a slightly more heavy plot.

Gabby friend group and support system added a whole extra amazing layer to this story and I cannot wait to see what’s next for them.

Another great story by Adriana Locke!

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

Between Now and Forever gives us Jay and Gabrielle.
Gabrielle is learning a new life without her sons’ father and trying to help navigate her sons through this trauma with what life will look like without their father.
Jay isn’t looking for anything from anyone but here comes the new neighbor and her sons.

They are all searching for something, the boys, a new normal and Gabrielle and Jay, they are searching for each other, they just don’t realize it just yet!

I was elated to get this book with characters that are ‘older’ (late 30s & early 40s) because it’s a nice break from love stories only set with early/mid 20s characters! However there are bits and pieces of this story that if I had not known their ages I would’ve assumed they are a little more juvenile.

There’s a ton of swoonworthy moments in this book and really cute (but sometimes corny) quotes between the two but mostly from the MMC. It does also hit a good pool of tropes:
- hot next door neighbor
- Grumpy MMC
- Small down romance
- Single mom

Now… there were just a few things I didn’t love which was the amount of miscommunication.. I don’t mind it to build tension/slow down the burn but this just felt a little messy. I also felt like the pace of this book was off. It wasn’t technically an insta-love (I think?) but going from strangers to co parenting was FAST which just felt a little unnatural.

Regardless, the chemistry was good in some parts. There are some good side characters in here. It’s a decent quick read if you’re just looking for a surface level romance.

Thank you to Valentine PR & Montlake for allowing me to read this early!

This book was so so good! I’m a sucker for a good single mom romance and this one was a good one! I loved the banter between Gabby and Jay and how much of a grump he was trying to be to try to stay away from Gabby ( which of course didn’t work!). Carter was so adorable especially him “teaching” Jay how to play baseball lol. I felt all of the emotions Dylan was feeling and was so proud of his growth! I need more of Della for sure and would love a book about her! This book will have you feeling all the emotions! Highly recommend if you like a grumpy/ sunshine, single mom, small town, slow burn to finally exploding together romance!

3 stars | arc review

minor spoilers below

this book was the definition of short and sweet and had some lovely feel good moments. with that being said, while this was a sweet book to read i still had some issues with the book which i will get into

this story follows gabrielle, a single mum with two young boys and she’s moved them back to her hometown after their father (her ex) dies and she has to try and manage her life with two boys who are struggling. she’s a great mum throughout the book and you can see sense that so there was no issue with that for me.

jay is the neighbour they’ve moved next door to. he’s been living in town for 4 years and because of past traumas he’s avoiding making any true connections with people or women until gabrielle and her sons move in

so my issues with the book are quite minor but i think without them i could’ve given the book 4 stars. i thought the book needed to be fleshed out a bit more especially with how quickly the story developed from when the characters decided to take their relationship to the next stage until the end. if the story was fleshed out more then it would mean the boys would have more story line and ability to see their feelings towards jay develop. it kinda went from 0 to 100 sooo quick and i would’ve liked to have seen more of their feelings being dealt with towards the end of the book. there were also a few things about jay’s character i didn’t enjoy but it was more to do with things his character said here and there

overall, i liked the book and its a good one to read in between serious books. a decent palette cleanser

thank you adriana, netgalley and valentine pr for the arc 🫶🏻

Adriana managed to write the most relatable love story I have read this year. The trials and triumphs that happen for Gabby and her little family is one that is extremely relatable, heart wrenching and beautiful all in one big masterpiece of a book. This is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone but especially moms.

Between Now and Forever by Adriana Locke is a stand-alone neighbors-to-lovers, single mother romance. Gabby and Jay are both older (38/40). Gabby was a little immature, but I also really appreciated her sense of humor and her "go with the flow" attitude, knowing everything she had been through, and Jay was absolutely swoon-worthy! They were so perfect together. They're both trying to deal with their own very different relationship traumas, but they decide the other is worth all the effort in the world. I really enjoyed this one, and would definitely recommend it!

Single mom of two boys, Gabrielle, moved in next door to Jay, the grumpy neighbor who has sworn off relationships. Especially to single mothers.

As they navigate their past traumas and learn to heal emotionally you are feeling their pain too. It is so well written that is had me crying, cheering, and sick to my stomach as they navigated through the ups and downs of their relationship.

The realness of the story and the depth of the characters emotions really draws you into the story. And you find yourself rooting so hard for everyone involved. Especially the children and their new life together.

I received this as an ARC for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review.