Second chance romance about a successful actor and a girl who loves her home town as is thriving, I was a little concerned that she was so attached to her home town she literally never left it and hopeful that maybe she could ‘have it all’ including a short car journey. Noel is much nicer as the lead male character than you’d expect.
Based on the description and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Parker and Noel had once been best friends, however this story starts out where they hadn't spoken or seen each other in over 10 years. The reasons for their estrangement felt like it didn't really align with the closeness they shared in the past.

Don’t get me wrong, best friends to lovers is one of my absolute favourite tropes and this definitely fit that trope but I was more drawn to the second half of the story than the first.

Neither of the main characters really stood out to me, I didn’t mind their chemistry. I could see it but also there wasn’t anything about their relationship that stood out. However, I appreciated how they both learned to compromise by the end, and I thought the conclusion was pretty perfect for them.

Thank you NetGalley & Montlake for this arc!! *3 stars*

Thanks to Netgalley & Montlake for the E-ARC! Really enjoyed! Great characters & liked the romance. Glad I gave this author a second chance.

There were so many things to love about Best Friends for Never. The small town vibes were on point, the writing was excellent, and I found the characters super likeable. Was the story super realistic? Absolutely not, but this is FICTION and I loved how easy it was to get lost in the text.

Parker and Noel had the star crossed lovers angle going on, with some superb side characters (shout out to Axel and Grandma!) The small town had all the things we love- punny shop names, nosy neighbors, and bizarre gatherings that make small town romances so special. I loved how they ended up restoring an old theater together in homage to their childhood and first relationship. I also felt like this had the typical small town, second chance romance thing where its the nosy neighbors/friends/family members that drove them to be and stay together. I definitely could have used a shot of angst here and there driving them as well, but the cozy vibes were robust. It was definitely super comfortable and just a fun read.

Overall, Best Friends for never had the Teagan characters that steal my heart in a fun setting with some swoon worthy moments between the main characters. It was low angst and the best kind of hallmark cheesy predictable. I liked it a lot!

My first movie star romance and it didn’t disappoint! Great spice and character growth and development. Can’t wait to read more by this author!

I liked the second half of this better than the first half.

Parker and Noel were best friends but haven’t seen each other or spoken in over 10 years. The reasons for this are pretty weak and don’t really make sense considering how close they were beforehand.
I didn’t particularly warm to either character- they were quite bland so it was hard to root for them or believe their chemistry. I was glad they both learnt to compromise and the ending was nice. I was really intrigued by Axel and liked his character.

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc.

The book started out a little slow for me but then turned around quickly. It ended up being a real page turner and I really loved the chemistry and angst between Parker and Noel. It was a great book and I'd highly recommend. I love a good friends to enemies to lovers book and this hit the spot. I'm going to go back and read other books written by this author! Thank you for the chance to read this ARC.

It took me a few days to finish this book. It's a great romance book just the same as a lot of the celebrity and girl next door romances. Pretty good for a new author. I will keep reading her stuff that is for sure.

𝟹.𝟻⭐

I mean......you can never go wrong with a small-town romance, right?

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

𝕊𝕜𝕚𝕡 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤: 𝟡, 𝟙𝟙, 𝟙𝟚, 𝟙𝟞

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

I DNF'd a book of hers before BUT I'm willing to try again, let's hope for the best 🫠 Huge thanks to Netgalley and Montlake 🫶🏻

I love a Teagan Hunter book. This one made me sad for all the things they missed out on but I do love a second chance.

Parker and Noel were childhood best friends. When he left their small town to go pursue acting, they stopped talking to each other for 10 years.

Parker is finally getting her dream of getting the town theater up and running again. A mysterious, anonymous donor insists on naming the theater after Noel. He has to return to break ground on fixing up the theater.

Inevitably, Noel and Parker run into each other. There is a combination of them falling back into their old friendship immediately and them being angry at each other and bickering about it. Their feelings towards each other become apparent quite quickly, and the sparks start to fly. He supports Parker with the theater project, but then his responsibilities back in LA come knocking...

I love the life Parker has built for herself since school. Her friendship with Axel is very fun, and I would have loved seeing more of that. I would also have loved to see more of the story Axel and his wife. It feels like that will be an awesome story.

I like that Parker and Noel both grew through the story and that they realised their past mistakes.

4 Stars for this second chance romance

This is a sweet romance to curl up in front of the fireplace with. I really liked that even though Noel was a big Hollywood actor, he wasn't arrogant. Parker is a little quirky ... but in a good way. She is just so friendly and everyone in their small town loved her. This is a slow burn ... but once the fire started, it became an inferno.

Parker and Noel were best friends since childhood. But when they graduated high school, Noel went to LA to pursue acting and Parker stayed in their small hometown and started a renovation business. Ten years later, the town's long abandoned theatre has an anonymous donor with a stipulation that it be renamed the Noel Carter Theatre. Parker has been working toward re-opening the theatre for years and she's not gonna let a small thing like seeing Noel again get in her way. Parker hasn't been back to his home town for years and he's kinda nervous about seeing Parker again. He just can't figure out why he offered to extend his stay for six weeks to help Parker with the renovation.

I received an ARC courtesy of Montlake through NetGalley.

Off the bat, not a fan of the actor thing for Noel. Very hallmark channel. It is a cute setup but Noel’s little narrated fade ins like he’s pictured everything like a movie is annoying. Parker is great. Love the axel and Parker relationship. Also love the axel and Mary dynamic, it’s sweet, and endearing. Safe and healthy relationship.

It was cute, a little endearing even. A little lack luster in the development of the relationship. There could have been more to the change.

*ARC*
3.75 🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Small town, second chance, best friends to lovers romance. The author did a great job providing enough background throughout that book that really makes you understand the two main characters and how they fell in love. I love the banter between the two and the found family aspect. The book felt a little long for what it is and the rekindling of their love felt a little fast.

A second chance romance with heart, I loved Parker, Noel was a great character but my favorite was the grandmother, Astrid. The romance was well done although I did think that the characters felt a little young and immature. Overall, I enjoyed the interplay between the characters, the small town feel and the second chance at a sweet HEA.

What a great little read that had me captivated in the storyline. The writing with was well done and the characters developed in a believable ways to keep the reader interested and plot moving in a realistic manner. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Quick Summary: A second chance, homecoming romance

My Review: Best Friends for Never by Teagan Hunter is a 2025 adult romance release.

About the Book: "The movie star and the small-town girl he left behind. They have a lot of catching up to do in an emotional and rousing romantic comedy about fame, second chances, and making dreams come true."

In My Own Words: Timing is everything when it comes to true love.

About the Characters: Parker and Noel were sweet together. What they felt for each other was special. It was timeless. It was unconditional. It was hard and real. It was authentic. The strange triangle aspect of their relationship/friend-enemy group made things interesting, yet no less meaningful. Lastly, Gran, Astrid, and the whole community were charming.

My Favorite "Gotcha" Emo Scene:

She shakes her head. “It’s fine. It’s . . . fine.”“It’s not,” I tell her, stepping closer. “It’s not fine. I didn’t mean to stay gone. It’s just . . . We stopped talking, and I thought . . .”“You thought what ? That I just forgot about you, like you forgot about me?”

My Final Say: I felt this story. It was classic in the way that first love stories are. I was hopeful for a redo between this couple. All the extra trimmings were frosting. (Happy sigh.)

*** Sign me up for the audiobook. I absolutely want to hear this story come to life. ***

Other: Readers who want a simple, love conquers all, second chance love story will enjoy this romance.

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💖

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Montlake), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to read this novel. I am grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

The main character, a famous actor, returns to his hometown for the opening of an old theater, which has been named after him and is currently being restored. He immediately meets his childhood friend with whom he has been in love since school. Despite ten years apart, the hero has never been able to forget her, and now he realizes he doesn’t want to miss his chance anymore.
I really enjoyed this book! The story is set in a small town where everyone knows each other. The book is so cozy and gives off only positive vibes! The main characters are cute, and I loved how, despite being a famous actor, Noel didn’t act arrogantly but instead was always supportive of Parker. I also can’t help but mention the secondary characters—Astrid, grandmother, and Axel! I was delighted by the relationship between Parker and Axel; I read those moments with a smile. He’s the true friend she deserved.
If you love small-town or second-chance romance tropes, this book is for you!

Tropes:
✓ small town
✓ second chance
✓ childhood friends to lovers
✓ celebrity
✓ return to hometown
✓ banter

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved this book! The pace was perfect, the story was perfect. That's Netahlley and to the publisher for the ARC.

This is my first book by Teagan Hunter. She built a cute little town 3 hours outside of Seattle and introduced us to Hollywood actor Noel and his ex best friend Parker.
Of course they had their chance 10 years ago, but life gets in the way. Noel gets dragged back to this small town he hasn’t returned to and we get a small town romance playing itself out. It was a cute read and a cute town that comes together and rally’s around their own.

There are some plot issues that I didn’t love, including how quickly Parker forgives and gives in to Noel. And her whole no cursing bit. I did not find it charming. Like you’ll be an exhibitionist down by the waterfall but won’t curse?

Also …where is Gran the last ~week that Noel is in town?!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this eARC.