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Teagan has provided a wonderful second chance romance. I was giddy when I heard the MCs were theatre kids growing up. I was a theatre kid growing up, into college, so this definitely made me nostalgic for that time of my life. That paired with a romance that was many years in the making, I ate this book up.

Noel is returning home after being gone for ten years. Since the town is restoring a theatre and naming it after him, he can’t not show up. However, coming home means facing people he’s ignored for just as long. This includes his former best friend that he has always had feelings for and has never forgotten. It was evident their relationship was messy and complicated; fueled by hurt and love.

Parker has built a life in her hometown. A successful business, still loves the theatre, and a theatre that she poured her heart into reopening actually opened again. When she started the process of restoring she never thought it would lead to her former best friend returning home. The best friend she hasn’t been able to stop loving, despite his ten year absence and silence.

The dynamics of these two and their relationship made this book one I loved reading. The wanting to see each other, but not wanting to each other provided tension that was evident to the reader. The behavior between the two once they do reconnect adds drama, as the teeter between hurting each other to save their own feelings and then giving into same said feelings.

If you enjoy low angst, instant chemistry, and a romance that finally comes to head after years of pent up energy, this book is definitely one I recommend reading.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

Tropes:
🎭Childhood Friends to Lovers
🎬Small Town Romance
🎭Second Chance Romance
🎬Mutual Pining
🎭Coming Home
🎬Celebrity x Theatre Gal
🎭Public Spice
🎬It’s Always Been You

I really enjoyed Best Friends for Never, especially the second-chance romance between Noel and Parker. Their history added so much depth to their relationship, making every interaction feel meaningful. The small-town setting was another highlight—the tight-knit community felt like family, adding warmth and charm to the story.

If you love small-town romances with a mix of heart, humor, and second chances, this book is definitely worth picking up!
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

💜 small town
🖤 second chance
💜 childhood friends to lovers

Parker and Noel were end game and everyone knew it expect them. After High school graduation Noel left for LA and never returned. Years later Noel comes back to town for the reopening of the town theater that he spent so much of his childhood in. Parker runs her restoration company with her high school bully Axel who is now her best friend. Even after 10 years of no contact they still have feelings for each other. The chemistry between them is amazing. This was a great book.

A quick and light-hearted small town romance that makes you feel good and warm! I'm a sucker for a small town romance, but this definitely wasn't no Lucy Score or Elsie Silver. I've read almost all of their backlists already so I'm on the hunt for more small town romances, and this one was alright. Also, if you love second chance romance, you'll DEVOUR the first half of the book. The longing, the push and pull, and the yearning was just... so good. Overall, the writing wasn't world changing or anything, so I'd recommend it, but it's nothing out of this world. Don't go into it expecting to find you next fav read, but rather a palette cleanser.

This is a really good it is very sweet. Highly recommendVery cute book. The romance is well written. I enjoyed the steam. The book was a fun read. Highly recommend very fun.

Another great read by Teagan Hunter. I have been a fan of her writing for a very long time. She really pulls you in immediately from chapter one. I loved Noel and Parker so much, a really great childhood friends to lovers. I loved this little town and the characters, too.

Rating: 3.5 ⭐

This was a quick read and a cute small town romance. I liked the writing a lot and the characters were good, too. I do feel like sometimes they could have used a little more depth, just because they fell a little flat every so often, but all in all they were good.

I liked the small town aspect of this one, and I love a good second chance romance, but the second chance part of this one didn’t always hit right just because both characters had been pining for each other for 10 years but never took the steps to try to be together. When they did see each other again, it felt a little too insta-love for me, and it didn’t seem like they worked as hard as I would’ve expected to get their second chance.

I liked the friendship between Parker and Axel, and I appreciated that they worked hard to mend fences from years before to become so close. I also liked the relationship between Noel and Gran; it was sweet to see them banter while knowing they loved each other a lot. The relationship between Parker and Noel was great once they worked things out, though they both still kept a lot to themselves during the story when it came to their feelings, and I felt like they should’ve just been honest with each other since they already lost 10 years by keeping their feelings secret the first time they parted. I did enjoy the friendship and banter between Parker and Noel; when they found their way back to each other, they picked up almost right where they left off 10 years earlier and that was great to see.

Overall, if you’re looking for a quick, lighthearted small town romance, I think this will be the book for you! There were times things felt too quick or not fleshed out enough, but the writing itself was great and the banter was great, too. I also think that the characters were great! So, if you want some small town cuteness that gives major Hallmark vibes, then this is the book for you!

I loved this book and I couldn't put it down once I started reading it and I was hooked from the very first page. I loved the chemistry, attraction and the banter between them was really amazing.

Sadly this was a miss for me. I typically love Hunter’s writing and highly recommend her other books, but this just didn’t work for me. It felt a bit too cheesy and lacked the sparks I love in her characters. I swear the mmc and fmc’s grandma and mom cared more about their relationship than they did!!! Frustrating!

This book is tailor-made for readers who delight in stories that blend humor and heart, particularly those that delve into the intricacies of rekindling past relationships and embracing the possibility of second chances. The characters are relatable and endearing, their witty banter and emotional depth drawing readers into their world. The charming small-town setting, with its quaint shops and friendly faces, adds a layer of warmth and nostalgia, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The author's evocative descriptions bring the town to life, making it feel like a character in its own right.

The story's pacing is expertly crafted, with moments of lighthearted humor balanced by poignant reflections on love, loss, and forgiveness. The plot unfolds organically, with each scene contributing to the overall narrative arc. As the characters navigate the complexities of their rekindled relationship, readers will find themselves rooting for their happiness, eager to see if they can overcome past hurts and build a future together. The book's satisfying conclusion leaves readers with a sense of warmth and hope, a reminder that second chances are possible and that love can find a way, even in the most unexpected circumstances.

I enjoyed this book. It was a second-chance romance between two people who hadn’t spoken to each other in about ten years. Noel is a famous actor who returns to his hometown and Parker is the girl who stayed behind when he left. They reconnect and a very cute story ensues. I enjoyed the pacing of this book and the second-chance story. I thought this was a very cute, feel-good book.
Thank you to the author, Teagan Hunter, NetGalley, and the publisher, Montlake, for a copy of this book!

4 stars

Best Friends For Never made me long for my little hometown and all its quirky people. .

I love a second chance romance, and this story had so much heart. Although I'm used to way more laughing out loud moments from TH books, the characters in this book just felt so authentic, I couldn't help but fall a little in love. (Honestly, Axel and Gram were my faves!) Great read from Teagan Hunter!

AnnMarie - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

This was a super cute read! Teagan never fails to make me fall in love with her characters! I love a second chance romance and this was executed PERFECTLY! Noel and Parker are still so in love it makes me kick my feet 🥹

Teagan Hunter is my hockey romance queen. Mostly because of the characters she writes that just happen to be part of a hockey team. This is everything I love about her writing! The characters, the heart, the side-kicks. Plus, this small town was the perfect side character! Parker is the abandoned bestie that Noel left behind in their hometown when he went to Hollywood.
But now he's back in their small town as the pretty face for the town's theater renovation, the project Parker is leading. So they have every reason to cross paths. It was only a matter of time before feelings were yelled and kisses were stolen. What happens when reality pops their tiny bubble and decisions have to be made? I can tell you what happened to me, my heart was a MESS! Of COURSE Noel wants to stay with Parker. And of COURSE Parker wants Noel to keep living his dream. Doesn't matter how famous he got, Noel Carter was still that hometown boy, the cinnamon roll that stole mine and Parker's hearts! And none of the fame matters if his whole heart isn't with him... I LOVED the way the town had Parker's back, while also supporting Noel in his dreams. The bond between Parker and Noel's grandmother was precious, as was the motherly bond with her mother and Noel.

This is my second book by this author & I’m thinking her books just may not be for me! I do enjoy her writing and how easy it is to follow the story but overall I’m just not wowed.

When I do find a second chance romance that I like, it’s always the angst that pulls it all together for me and I feel like that was lacking here.

Friends to situationship to strangers to friends and lovers again. Who probably should’ve probably just stayed friends. 2.75

Small town, second chance romance you say - well let me sign up! This book was another Hunter hit and I enjoyed it so much. Parker wants to make something good in her hometown and she knows how to make it happen, even if her feels are bruised in the process. Noel comes back to honour his hometown and has to stay…. Second chances were made for this.

All Parker wants to do is restore her local theatre, and then Noel.shows up, years after he left her behind and how a Hollywood star. Second chance romance, I liked how it was told from both points of view.

I enjoyed this small town/second chance/enemies-to-lovers story. Just naming those few tropes doesn't do this story or the characters justice; it is certainly much more than that. Noel and Parker had a close relationship when they were young; then Noel's career split them up. Now they are back in their hometown and can't deny the chemistry that is still there between them. Added to their personal interactions is the small town's cast of characters coming out to help reopen their local theatre. Noel and Parker both have wonderful close "back up" friends and relatives, and there is also a town bad guy in the mix. I especially appreciated the way Parker and Noel were able to communicate much of the time - being real human adults that try their best and make real human mistakes. They also sometimes succumbed to their very real chemistry, which kept things believable. I am definitely hoping for more stories from Ms, Hunter set in this charming town.
I was given an ARC and volunteered to write a review.

This one was a solid read/listen for me. Teagan Hunter is an author who I thoroughly enjoy, but I've only ever read her hockey books, so I was intrigued as to whether I would enjoy this as much... It's safe to say I did.
This second chance romance ticked all of the boxes. I loved seeing Noel have to fight for his place back in his small town, as well as his place in Parker's heart. I will say I really appreciate the lack of flashbacks in this story. That's one thing that always turns me off in second chance romances and this one was perfectly limited. Definitely a good read!

I also listened to the audiobook. It was narrated by Lee Samuels and Emma Wilder. I will definitely be looking for more books with Emma as a narrator because I loved the sound of her voice! No complaints from me with this audio!