Never Ever Forever (Karina May, Macmillan)

A charming contemporary Australian romance novel, Never Ever Forever by Karina May is a heartfelt tale of love, second chances and self-discovery. The story revolves around Rosie Royce, an endearing protagonist navigating the ups and downs of life and Tinder swiping, whose childhood sweetheart, Wes, abruptly left her six years earlier. After trading her Sydney life and high-pressure job for a local radio gig in Mudgee, Rosie begins a quest for a fresh start, introducing readers to a cast of charismatic characters, including her celebrity vet co-host Dr Markus Abrahams. The novel captures the essence of small-town life, with all its quirks and charm, and offers a familiar and comforting cadence to romance readers. As Rosie’s new life takes her to India, vivid descriptions inspired by the author’s own travels make the narrative not just a romance but also something of an armchair travel adventure. As in her previous book, Duck a l’Orange for Breakfast, May gives us a resilient and tenacious female lead at a crossroads in her life, and her writing is engaging, witty and filled with supporting characters that you can’t help but root for. In Never Ever Forever, Karina May has created a heartwarming love story that reminds us that life and love are complicated but often more straightforward than we think. This is a welcome addition to the genre for fans of authors like Beth O’Leary and Jessica Dettmann.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Hannah Cartmel is an editor, former bookseller and co-founder of The Rag & Bone Man Press Inc. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews