Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)

Hello friends! My October Book of the Month pick was Never Over by Clare Gilmore, and I was lucky enough to also receive the audiobook through NetGalley. Let me just say that Carly Robbins absolutely shines as the narrator here. Her subtly Southern twang brings Paige Lancaster’s Tennessee voice to life in the most natural, heartfelt way.

Paige, a budding songwriter from Bristol, TN, has always lived in the glow of other people’s spotlights. She is the youngest of 5 sibilings and her best friend Maisy is a small-town pageant star and everyone’s darling. So much so that Paige often feels like the side character in her own life. That all begins to change when she meets Liam in a bookshop and while she thinks he’s cute, She assumes he’s trying to get Maisy’s number! From there, Gilmore takes us on Paige’s journey of self-discovery, artistic confidence, and emotional courage.

What really stood out to me was how real Paige’s growth felt. Listening to Carly narrate her evolution from an overlooked dreamer to the woman who goes after what she wants was truly inspiring. I also adored Liam’s arc. Between losing his father and a promising baseball career (was ranked 15th), he’s quietly dealing with his own grief and uncertainty. Watching him rebuild his life as a stage manager on the music tour to eventually finding a new purpose in life, gave his story so much heart and emotion, I couldn’t help but cheer for him as well.

This story hit all the right notes for me, my friends, authentic growth, meaningful relationships, and just enough romance without overshadowing the personal storytelling. The pacing is excellent, and even the side characters feel fully developed, adding warmth and realism throughout the entire story.

A quick note for anyone who picks up this story: Never Over does include mature themes such as grief, parental loss, divorce, abandonment, and a bit of sexual content (not overly graphic, but all are handled with care and thoughtfulness. You may, however, want to listen with your headphones on.

Overall, I loved this heartfelt story of second chances and rediscovery. Clare Gilmore beautifully captures the bittersweet rhythm of starting over, and Carly Robbins’ narration makes every emotional beat sing.

So friends, I highly recommend this one if you love contemporary romance with a heartfelt Southern twist. Pick it up at your favorite bookstore. Also, it’s that time of year to find a cozy spot with a nice hot bevy and a warm blanket where I am, so I hope you can snuggle up and enjoy this one too.

Until next time, happy reading and listening!