This romance deals with navigating grief in a new relationship, asking how soon is too soon to move on. It is a delicate situation and I felt like this book handled it respectfully. I was a little frustrated with the push to get Greer back in the dating scene by her loved ones as I don't believe that being in the relationship is the only way to be happy. However, I liked how Luke worked to make sure her deceased husband was not forgotten.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another beginning to a new small town romance series! This was a firefighter/teacher romance with found family, a sweet old dog and all the grumpy sunshine vibes. This was super sweet and emotional story and this will not be my last Sara miller book.

Enjoyed reading even though it's not my vibe...

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2025
I will definitely preempt this by saying country boy plots are not my vibe. So I own that some of my disenjoyment from this book is on me. What drew me to the story was first the name, "Greer..." ironically, a name that reminds me of my own first life. And while my second life came after divorce and not death, I felt I could really connect with Greer.

Greer is starting over, new home, new job, fresh out of loss. The book starts with a choice that appears to have a lot of effect on her: new dog. And since I thought this story was going a somewhat different route (why is Matt even introduced as an interested party?) I never entirely warmed up to Luke. Again, I lack the country gene. That's on me.

Now, the story moves forward with less turmoil than you would expect, but I found that refreshing because sometimes you just want the right thing to happen for people.

Until Then by Sara Miller is a moving and heartfelt story of loss, healing, and new beginnings. After a devastating accident leaves Greer Ashbury widowed and physically injured, she retreats from the world, unsure of how to move forward. A fresh start at a new school and a supportive community help her regain her strength, but it’s her kind and understanding neighbor, Luke Bradley, who truly challenges her to open her heart again. This emotional journey explores the delicate process of rebuilding a life after tragedy, offering readers a touching reminder that healing is possible, even in the face of fear and uncertainty.

Thank You to Netgalley, Victory Editing and Sara Miller for my review copy. Theses are my thoughts:

4.5⭐️

Greer's life is shattered after an accident left her widowed and physically and emotionally scarred.
Moving on with her life after loss is no easy task and Greer resorts to isolating herself. When work relocates her, she is physically pushed to move - to a new school and a new house. What once seemed like a daunting task, soon proves to be a blessing in disguise. Her handsome new neighbour Luke, is always ready to lend a helping hand and a flirty smile and her new girl friends can't seem to leave her alone. Greer seems to have come into the ideal situation to mend her broken heart and move on with her life. Will she be able to conquer her fears and live her life according to what she wants and not what society expects in order to find happiness once again?

This was a beautiful second chance story. Not your typical "they meet after decades to try again" second chance. But one where a broken hearted woman who lost her person has the possibility to give herself a second chance at love and happiness.

Greer started off closed-off and shy, but gradually comes out of her shell with the help of the new friends - Luke and his sister Sutton, as well as their group of friends. I loved how she was embraced by them, making them one big found family. The girl gang was everything! Greer, Sutton and Navy became the most loving and supportive trio, knowing just when to push Greer or just sit with her and let her be.

Luke. Oh captain Luke! He was hot and flirty, patient and caring. This man felt like a warm embrace and was perfect for Greer and vice versa. Their chemistry and deep emotional connection allowed them both to grow together.

This is book one in the Blue Collar Boys series and I'm very curious to find out what happens next!

This book is sweet—the idea of the plot pulled me in, the friendships kept me reading (so sweet 🥹), but the romance felt off to me. Miller says countless times in her book that there is no timeline for grief (so true), and Greer is the only one who can dictate how she works through her grief and begins to step forward (also true). BUT I was expecting an emotional read and didn’t get that, so maybe that’s on me! I just think she could’ve done more and gone deeper, here.
Overall, it’s cute and very hallmarky! I recommend if you’re in the mood for a feel-good, easy story!

Read if you like:
* female friendships
*small town romance

It has Elsie Silver vibes with less general grunting by the MMC 😂

A story of grief, moving forward with personal life and new found love. Greer is dealing with the loss of her husband but a new neighbor is distracting her in more ways than one. Greer also forms new friendships in Sutton and Navy and quite the trio they are.

I enjoyed the journey witnessed in Greer and Luke’s story. Hope, peace and new love are highlights in this book. A little on the spicy side but overall story was 4.5 stars.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

"Until Then" – A Rollercoaster of Feels
Alright, so Until Then by Sara Miller is one of those books that pulls you in with the promise of heartbreak and healing, and it definitely delivers... mostly. The story follows Greer, a widow trying to piece her life back together after a devastating loss. Enter Luke, her late husband’s best friend, and things get complicated.
First off, the vibes are strong. The grief is raw, the emotions feel real, and Sara Miller knows how to hit you right in the heart. Greer’s journey is super relatable for anyone who’s dealt with loss (or just loves a good cry read). The slow-burn connection between her and Luke? Sweet but also a tiny bit predictable. Like, we saw it coming, but we’re still rooting for them.
That said, it’s not perfect. The pacing dragged in a few spots, and sometimes it felt like the characters were stuck in their heads forever. Also, a bit more dialogue and action could’ve balanced out all the introspection.
Overall, this book is like a warm hug with a side of tears. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s definitely worth a read if you’re in the mood for something emotional. Just don’t expect it to blow your mind.
Rating: 3.5/5

I loved this debut novel and its story. The relationship between Luke and Greer was so sweet, and I really loved the found family aspect of the story as well. I did like that a book that has so much grief throughout the story still felt so hopeful. I’m really looking forward to reading about Hunter and Sutton in the second book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Greer has a great life, a happy marriage and a career she loves. Until a tragic accident takes it away. Greer shuts herself off from life and is struggling. She buys a new house with the help of Sutton, a realtor who she knows from school. When she meets her new next door neighbor Luke and his friends, (including Sutton his sister who has befriended Greer) she starts to open up a bit. The friends are true and loyal. They are there for Greer as she tries to go forward. Luke and Greer develop a close relationship and become a couple. This is a very emotional, well written book about grief, friends and moving forward. I highly recommend this debut book. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Torn Page Books and Sara Miller for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great debut book, I enjoyed her writing and style.

Greer was such a refreshing character. She was honest and vulnerable. She felt broken, wanted to avoid living her life and the reality of losing her husband.

Luke is such a thoughtful and supportive man who finds himself drawn to his new neighbor, Greer. I appreciated the people pleaser storyline as that is so frequently a female trait in books so it was nice to see it from the MMC.

From the description I was assuming it would be extremely sad and emotional (and there were aspects of that) but overall it was a story about love and life after loss. Living with grief. Moving forward.

I haven’t been through that kind of loss personally but felt it was handled with a lot of compassion and thoughtfulness.

The friendship with Greer, Sutton and Navy was so fantastic to see. Especially since it was a new friendship and we all know making friends as adults can be challenging. The entire friend group was great and so supportive.

I’m excited for Sutton and Hunters book. Not knowing their history but knowing there was history is such a tease and that cliffhanger has me itching for their story.

Tropes:
Neighbors
Small town
Love after grief
Slow burn

Dual POV

this was a good book! It tugged at the heart strings, was emotional and raw. It had good themes of love, loss, grief, and growth and moving on. I really enjoyed this book, it was a greatly written book, and it was amazing

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

A debut novel is such a big deal! I’m so honored I got to read this ARC of Until Then. It was a sweet story and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in book two.

What a solid debut novel.

Luke x Greer
Firefighter x teacher
Neighbors
Grief/love after loss
Widow, cloudy sunshine FMC
Golden retriever MMC
Small town
Found family
Old man dog

This was sweet and emotional.
It had its funny moments too tho.

I feel it had its kinks, sometimes things felt drug out and I was maybe hoping for the more fun moments to be drawn out. I feel like this author has some solid potential. And I love blue collar men so I will most likely read the other books in the series.