Theres nothing more that I love like a good angsty second chance romance and Teagan Hunter did that with Best Friends for Never!

After 1o years, two friends meet again and one thing I loved about this is that it has the invisible string theory where time can pass, they can meet other people, life can change and take you different directions but maybe when the time is right, one day the time will align and what's meant to be will be. It's got mutual pining, tension, he's a famous actor, so many things against them but when they finally break and admit theres tension and a connection between them its chemistry filled and hot! Much like Hunter's writing. it's witty, full of chemistry, engaging dialogue and a romantic ending that leaves you feeling warn and soft inside. Such a cute story!

3.5 ⭐️ A small town second chance with a different vibe to it.

Parker, but he calls her Peter, for Peter Parker. And his childhood sheets are Spider-Man…

Parker, I love when a FMC makes something of herself in their “time apart”.

Noel. Nerdy theatre boy to movie star heart throb.

It’s always been you.
Meddling Gran.
Theater restoration to bring them back together.

This was cute.
Ten years was a long time tho…

Arc review ✨

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Montlake and Teagan Hunter for providing me with an advanced reader copy for review purposes!
2.5 ⭐
Best friends for never is the story of Parker of Noel, two childhood best friends that haven’t seen each other in 10 years but never stopped thinking about each other.

When I first read the synopsis I knew I had to read this, because there’s multiple tropes I usually enjoy and the “famous actor” twist was something new for me, but really intriguing. Unfortunately, this fell a bit flat for me. I had no connection to the characters and their love story, and I also couldn’t really feel their connection to each other. They spent 10 years without seeing each other and with no contact, but then, after meeting one time, they were pretty much back to the way they were when they were younger. And then, everything between them started and they spent weeks and weeks without ever discussing the relationship they were building. They talked about it at the last second, when he was basically already leaving again, and even then, the subject was forgotten almost immediately. Both characters kept talking about how much they loved the other and how they wanted to make it work in their own povs, but it never really felt like they really wanted those things. In order for them to really get together and resolve the “conflict”, they need the help of every side character existent. So yeah, how am I supposed to believe they love each other when there’s more chemistry between each of them and the side characters, then between the two of them?

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, and I know she also writes sport romances, so I will definitely check out some of her other books!

I love Teagan and I love small town romance, which means I was beyond thrilled to see she was gifting us with her own take on it. Add in the second chance romance trope and I was hyped from the get go.

While Noel left their small town, Parker stayed and started up her own renovations business with her friend, Axel. After 10 years of not talking, Noel is back in town to be honored with a theater dedication.

I had a good time reading this story. The angst level was just right, and I love the nosy family and neighbors. Honestly, is it a small town setting if the entire town isn't in the couples business? The flashbacks worked really well and didn't feel awkward or clunky. While the reason for them to stop talking might have felt silly, we have to look at it through the lens of teenagers getting ready to try and take on the world, and figure themselves out.

I loved Axel and I want to see more of him! I'd love a book about his relationship with his wife. And I can't say I was surprised by his little secret that he shared with Parker.

If you're familiar with this author, this book wasn't as spicy as her indie titles like the Carolina Comets. It had just enough spice though to scratch the itch. As an avid Teagan reader, I loved all the little easter eggs that were placed in the story. I'm a sucker for things like that.

This is everything you want in a smalltown romance.
There's banter, tension and "the one who got away"

Saving the theater and taking a walk down memory lane, makes a great re-friends to lovers story between Mr Hollywood: Noel and Stayed in the Smalltown: Parker.
And FYI Noel is defently bookboyfriend materiale!

Post on IG the 10.jan 2025 (one_fairy_tale_at_the_time)

Second chance and friends to lovers are some of my favorite tropes! There was so much hope filled in this book for the FMC and MMC. The love and loss between them felt palpable and realistic.

Parker Pruitt’s dream is to restore her small town’s long-shuttered theater—one to be named in honor of Noel Carter, the boy who followed his dream from Emerald Grove, Washington, to Hollywood…and broke Parker’s heart. Now he’s back to attend the kickoff ceremony.
Oh my heart 💝 this book was adorable and beautiful. Amazing characters that you fall in love with from the off.
The depth of emotion between these two friends is tangible.
Hunter writes wonderful books, her characters are real, they feel like your friends and brings you easily into their world.
Her writing style flows like a gentle stream causing you to keep reading and binge reading.
It's breathtaking these two long life friends who spent ten years apart until their lives join again.
This book was so enchanting that I had to put it down to not finish it.
If there is one book I wish could go on forever it's definitely this one.

4 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved Noel and Parker so much!

A sweet tale of child hood friends to lovers with a second chance romance weaved in!

I love how the Teagan Hunter-verse always references back to other characters (Comets and DM Diaries mentioned!)

Parker is an ambitious young entrepreneur with a passion for restoration and Noel is her childhood best friend who she hasn’t seen in a decade.

Their story is sweet, spicy, and a fun little stand alone!

I’ve only read hockey romances from Teagan Hunter before so this was such a lovely surprise! I had no idea what to expect from her when starting this book and I was so glad to have picked it up.

After leaving town 10 years ago, Noel is back, now a big shot Hollywood star. By a twist of fate he just so happens to find himself staying in town for weeks to help Parker on a project, after leaving her behind all those years ago… Parker and Noel are definitely a good embodiment of « right person, wrong time », and it’s heartwarming to see them finally reconnect. I loved seeing their second chance story unfold.

*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*

A sweet second chance small town romance. I was so entertained I read it in less than 24 hours. I’m glad I gave Teagan hunter another chance after not loving another one of her books.

I am charmed!! I absolutely adored Parker, and Gran, and Astrid, and Axel (redhead, duh), and OBVIOUSLY NOEL!
This is a friends to lovers dream come true!! Super sweet, a little spicy, just amazing!

I love Teagan Hunter books - I read all of her Carolina Comets series so I was very excited to read this. And it didn't disappoint. Best Friends for Never is a small town second chance romance - with a movie star returning to his hometown after ten years and the former best friend/love of his life that he left behind. The town definitely has Stars Hollow vibes with quirky and nosy characters (both good and bad) along with meddling family members and friends. Noel and Parker were great - their banter and teasing was top-notch. But of course their communication is terrible at times. Axel, Gran, and Astrid are great side characters and they each do their part to get Noel and Parker to realize they can't walk away from each other again. A fun yet emotional read - definitely recommend. Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel in advance.

“I want you to be my best friend. Forever.”
A small town story with a second chance romance? Yes please! I instantly fell in love with Emerald Grove and would love to visit this small town.

Parker Pruitt has spent the past 10 years building her business and lifting her town through her renovations. Noel Carter has spent the past 10 years becoming Hollywoods “it” actor. Now Parker’s latest renovation project is bringing Noel back to his hometown where all their memories have coming back full force.

Parker and Noel haven’t spoken for a decade but the love they both have for each other has clearly never gone away. They were an adorable couple who wanted different things but knew that it couldn’t stop what they ultimately wanted.
“Tell me what you want.” “You. I want you.”

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥: “Look at how good we look together.”

Please let me start by saying that Teagan Hunters 'Carolina Comets' series is one of my all-time favourites and I've reread it so many times...and this is why it pains me to say what I'm about to say..

I think this was more a 'me' problem than the actual book. I really struggled to connect with the characters or get into the storyline. I am so obsessed with Teagan's hockey players that it seems I'm finding it rather hard to read anything new that she writes. So, like I said, this is more about me than the book, but unfortunately I just didn't love it as much as I'd hoped I would.

This was just okay, I’m neither here nor there with how I feel about this book. Honestly I was just bored throughout most of it.

The title and cover caught my interest and the storyline kept me there. “Best Friends for Never” is a romantic, heartfelt and sweet second chance small town romance that gave me all the feels.

After being gone for 10 years as a movie star, Noel Carter is back home in Emerald Grove, Washington, to visit his grandmother and be there for the groundbreaking of the theater that inspired him to be an actor that is being remodeled and will be named after him. And the person behind the project is the girl and best friend he left behind, Parker Pruitt. Parker was devastated when Noel left but has worked hard to open her renovation business and slowly renovate the small town she loves. Noel and Parker have been best friends since they were 8 but still have unresolved feelings and issues that need to work through.

This second chance romance had so much in it and I loved Noel and Parker’s story. You could tell from the beginning that there was still something there. Noel left to pursue his passion in acting and I loved that he was brave enough to do that. He’s caring, smart and loves his grandma, you can tell how close they are. Parker is also so brave in staying behind because she knew that she wouldn’t be happy in L.A. and wanted to stay in her hometown. She’s passionate, caring and has a genuine personality that you can’t help but love her too. They had great banter which had me smiling as they worked through their issues. I loved Noel’s nickname for Parker, it was so cute and really showed their history. One of my favorite parts is how they worked through as adults and really made sure that their relationship was solid. The last couple chapters and ending were so perfect for them.

Wow!!! Such a good experience
4.8/5
Such a good story!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed it and Add it to your tbr like ASAP
Soo good
Waiting for her other works!!!💕💕

Actual Rating 2.5 — I’m going to preface this by saying I typically love Teagan Hunters riding. Truly her hockey romances are great. But this just wasn’t it to me. The first few chapters had potential and were off to a good start character wise and laying the plot down. But as it went on I started to disconnect to them because of how they acted and what they did (and didn’t) say.

This was a friends to lovers, second chance romance where in high-school right before Noel left for Hollywood they had this reveal and after he left things didn’t go to plan and they haven’t talked in 10 years and he’s never visited the small town again. Well now Parker is renovating this old theatre and Noel has to come back for a ceremony and they reconnect. They only briefly discuss the past and eventually apologize for the part each of them played and how they were just kids and didn’t want to disappoint thr other but ended up hurting them in the processes.

What I didn’t like is as soon as they reconnected it felt very insta lovey (even though there was a last connection) and starting being sexual without them ever having a real conversation about what it meant. They didn’t resolve the past, they didn’t talk about what their “relationship”/current status, and they definitely didn’t talk about the future. This just showed me they didn’t mature at all in those 10 years because they acted the same way and never revealed their feeling towards each other until after Noel left and there was a whole coming together scene. Idk it just felt unsatisfying to me and I didn’t care for them much by the end.

It was okay enough that I read to the end to see how it came together but by that point I didn’t care too much about the logistics of how they’d make it work.

Just Teagan doing what she does best!

What’s better than a second chance/best friends to lovers story? Umm, maybe have Teagan write it? Because let me tell you, no one can do it better. The way she tells a story with honesty and heart is what keeps bringing me back over and over.

Noel and Parker have been best friends since they were kids, so it only makes sense that when they grow up their feelings grow up too. But at eighteen neither were ready for that, fast forward ten years and things look a little different.

Teagan has given us a heartfelt story that is going to make you smile, and probably blush, and I am here for it. I am a fan, and books like this are the reason why.

I love a second chance romance and this is a good one. Noel Carter left the girl in a small town in Washington state to make it big in LA, but even as his dreams came true, he never forgot Parker Pruitt. When an anonymous benefactor donates a considerable amount of money to refurbish the old theater in town on the condition that it is named after Noel Carter, guarantees that Noel will return to Emerald Grove. What follows is a fast paced, second chance at love, fun novel with just the right amount of heat! How can Noel and Parker make their relationship work when both live very different lives?

This was such an easy going read, which really wrapped you in a hug and warmed the soul. Ms. Hunter's style of writing always appeals to me and this was no exception. The main characters were fun and the secondary characters really rounded out the whole story beautifully. Thoroughly recommend this book.