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Always, Never Almost: Second Chance Romance, Single Dad, Family Drama, Ex-drama, Slow Burn, Emotional (Fragments of Love Book 3)
by Mireille Martinelli
Summary
Andi Doyle built her life on her own terms. She owns a coffee shop in South Boston that she’s poured everything into, shows up fiercely for the people she loves, and learned one thing the hard way: she won’t be an afterthought. Not for anyone.So when Gavin Byrne walks into her life with quiet intensity and a smile that makes her forget herself, she lets herself believe this one might be different. He’s steady. Present. Real.Until she realizes she’s been waiting for a place in his life he never f...
From our reviewers
Mireille Martineli’s Always, Never Almost is a cozy romance that explores love, second chances, and familial ties. Andi had her heart broken; she made an oath to only be with someone who chooses her. Her only demand is that she should be that person's it girl, no maybes. Gavin, on the other hand, fully immersed himself in raising his daughter. Divorced for eight years, his priority has always been Charisee, but Andi has caught his eye. Could they build something together with the trauma they each hold? This book was not only well written but also captured different relationship dynamics. I mostly loved the simplicity of the relationship and how they listened to each other after having a conflict. I personally feel like I've been recently enjoying books that don't promote toxicity in relationships, and this happened to be one of them. Exploring love, teamwork, and justice, this book fully captures readers' attention. With thoughtfulness around sensitive topics, the author made an impression. I truly loved Martinelli's writing. I highly recommend this book to lovers of romance.
by Lesley OdhiamboWow....let me start by commending Martinelli for such an amazing read. I just found myself smiling and very intouch with all the feelings as the story unfolds. And I can't definitely wait for more series from this author. The story introduces Andi and Gavin. Andi who runs a coffee shop in South Boston where she pours everything into and shows up for the people she loves. She's hesitant with relationships after discovering her ex cheating on her and made a decision never to be an afterthought for anyone. And here comes Gavin, who walks into her life. Although not so perfect, he seems real and stable and seeks someone who could love him in spite of his dynamics as a single father. Andi realizing he was once married and has a 10 year old daughter, adds both warmth and complication to their growing bond. And then there’s his ex, Rebecca, an absentee mom who decides to turn her neglect to Interference once she realized Gavin is serious about Andi. With Gavin trying to balance a daugher and an ex-wife and a new wife realizes his not getting it right and messes things up and then have to work to getting Andi back. I must say the dynamics in this story is so relatable and something we can connect to things that happens in our world of family and relationships. I love the realistic romance. It was quite an addicting story.
by Ayomide AkinfolarinWhat happens when the past inhibits you from a joyful present and seems to be in the way of a blissful future? Mireille Martinelli narrates this crescendo of conflict in Always, Never, Almost. Gavin, an accomplished architect and devoted father, moves through his daily routine, walking his usual route to his corner office. But life seems to hold other plans as his world stops the moment he lays eyes on an otherworldly beauty behind the glass of a coffee shop. Will his steady present be able to make room for this new entry point to an intimate form of happiness? Andi, an independent coffee shop owner with a supportive family, seems to have it all until she sets her eyes on a strikingly handsome man through her cafe's glass. But fate seems to have other plans as she meets this enigmatic man. Will her hurtful romantic past stay in the past, or will it hinder a future with him? Mireille Martinelli developed each character without being overly shallow with them. The author highlighted the dilemma of Gavin bringing a romantic relationship into his daughter Charisse's life while also struggling to give his newfound love all the attention she needs to have a stable romantic relationship. The story moved from a place of giddy affection and blissful romance before present reality sets in. What I really appreciated was how the book showed that sometimes there is always a connection that can be banked on, like Andi's family and friends and Gavin's daughter. Sometimes there are relationships that are never meant to last because of past romantic hurt, and sometimes fear seems to keep each character from almost attaining the blissful connection they seek. I recommend Always, Never, Almost to readers seeking an empathetic romance that explores the reality of blending new love with past wounds and present responsibilities. I received an advanced reader's copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
by PRISCILLA LAWALMireille Martineli’s Always, Never Almost is a cozy romance that explores love, second chances, and familial ties. Andi had her heart broken; she made an oath to only be with someone who chooses her. Her only demand is that she should be that person's it girl, no maybes. Gavin, on the other hand, fully immersed himself in raising his daughter. Divorced for eight years, his priority has always been Charisee, but Andi has caught his eye. Could they build something together with the trauma they each hold? This book was not only well written but also captured different relationship dynamics. I mostly loved the simplicity of the relationship and how they listened to each other after having a conflict. I personally feel like I've been recently enjoying books that don't promote toxicity in relationships, and this happened to be one of them. Exploring love, teamwork, and justice, this book fully captures readers' attention. With thoughtfulness around sensitive topics, the author made an impression. I truly loved Martinelli's writing. I highly recommend this book to lovers of romance.
by Lesley OdhiamboI liked this book as it has a gentle and honest tone. The author takes its time and doesn’t rush to build up the cosy emotional drama. The heroine is easy to connect with. She is hurt yet she is not annoying or bitter in any way. She works hard, runs her cafe, and has a hope for more. The book has a lot of family drama. What makes the book different is the fact that it never turns into silly soap stuff. There are fights and the author made sure everything looks believable. The slow burn is truly slow, but in a good way. You see trust grow step by step. The emotional scenes in the later part of the book are great. To me the book seemed a bit wordy at times. But that's my personal opinion. However, I believe some readers might want the romance to move faster. But personally I liked the slower pace. It gave space for all the little moments, small talks, and day to day life. Overall, "Always, Never Almost" is a very human second chance story. This book is more a cosy emotional drama and less (just) romance.
by MOHAMMAD ASIFWe ought to find that place or somebody that makes us feel like home. Mireille Martinelli has written about one in her romance novel, Always, Never Almost: Second Chance Romance, Single Dad, Family Drama, Ex-drama, Slow Burn, Emotional (Fragments of Love Book 3) The Grind in South Boston is in good hands, being owned and managed now by Andi. She has her dependable barista Marcus, Mrs. Murphy who makes the best soda bread in Boston, supportive friend Bridget and her family. Then there’s this coffee-shop-guy, twenty-dollar-tip guy, and a hot single dad entering her cafè. Gavin is the name, a father of his only child Charisse. The two can be a really good couple, but the repercussions make them go through a needle’s hole like Andi seeking for assurance in her relationship and the concerns of Gavin’s ex-wife. Always, Never Almost is one of Martinelli’s romance stories sure to give another pleasurable read in this genre. The message of love is perspicuous almost in every situation in the story. The challenges in Gavin and Andi’s love story show the usual dilemma on relationships of single parents such as the complexities of family, co-parenting and the psychological effects of family life situations. Their love for each other on the other hand, tells about patience, commitment, honesty and fighting for it. There’s nothing to dislike in this book, it’s free from profanity and inspiring, I almost overly like, never to dislike, and looking forward to always like romance genre from Martinelli, hence I give a five-star rate, justifiable and well-deserved. I recommend this book to romance love story fanatics alike, read about love and learn about love.
by Karen GurtizaMireille Martinelli's Always, Never Almost fully captures love, relationship dynamics, and injustice. Andi finds herself at the receiving end of a selfish ex-wife who isn't scared to stoop low to threaten what she has. Her insecurities come out to play, and maybe Rebecca might win. After eight years, Gavin finally lets himself explore the idea of a relationship. The woman who owns a coffee shop has captured his attention, but there might be a price to pay. The simplicity and straightforwardness of this book captured my attention from the start. The transparency between the two protagonists after getting over their own obstacles was refreshing no more hiding, but genuinely showing up for each other. The characters were well developed, giving the story a beautiful structure. Being plot-driven, the book unfolded at a steady pace, creating a good, entertaining narrative. It also shows the importance of family, commitment, and loved ones. Martineli wrote this book with romance lovers in mind, and I highly recommend it. It holds no spicy scenes for those curious.
by Agnes OdekWow....let me start by commending Martinelli for such an amazing read. I just found myself smiling and very intouch with all the feelings as the story unfolds. And I can't definitely wait for more series from this author. The story introduces Andi and Gavin. Andi who runs a coffee shop in South Boston where she pours everything into and shows up for the people she loves. She's hesitant with relationships after discovering her ex cheating on her and made a decision never to be an afterthought for anyone. And here comes Gavin, who walks into her life. Although not so perfect, he seems real and stable and seeks someone who could love him in spite of his dynamics as a single father. Andi realizing he was once married and has a 10 year old daughter, adds both warmth and complication to their growing bond. And then there’s his ex, Rebecca, an absentee mom who decides to turn her neglect to Interference once she realized Gavin is serious about Andi. With Gavin trying to balance a daugher and an ex-wife and a new wife realizes his not getting it right and messes things up and then have to work to getting Andi back. I must say the dynamics in this story is so relatable and something we can connect to things that happens in our world of family and relationships. I love the realistic romance. It was quite an addicting story.
by Ayomide AkinfolarinThis is an engaging book whose story takes place in Boston and focuses on Andrea “Andi” Doyle, a thirty-two-year-old woman who, after being broken-hearted a decade ago, is now thriving as a successful coffee shop owner. She meets Gavin Michael Byrne, a thirty-five-year-old architect and single dad who is trying hard to balance his work and his social life, just like Andi. The two immediately click and start dating each other. Months into the relationship, they experience ups and downs. Andi desires to be loved and acknowledged publicly, while Gavin desires a new and healthy relationship after his divorce from Rebecca Walsh eight years ago. However, Rebecca is not yet out of the picture; she remains determined to disrupt their relationship and disturb their peace of mind. Will Gavin and Andi survive this ordeal? Are they truly made for each other? Readers are in for an incredible emotional rollercoaster full of twists and turns that will surely keep them on the edge of their seats till the very end. The author’s writing style is very smooth, poetic, and appealing to the reader’s senses. I love how each scene emotionally tugs at the heartstrings of the readers and whispers promises of incredible romance. I am immersed in the picturesque scenes, actions, and meaningful conversations between the characters. Andi and Gavin’s truth or dare game on their first date is so exciting, for example. I also appreciate how the author adds a touch of daintiness to simple things, such as holding hands and oculesics. The emotional intensity surrounding the two protagonists is touching, and that is what makes their story truly endearing. The author also brings attention to the reader’s mind on the essence of setting healthy boundaries, physical contact, good verbal and nonverbal communication, self-worth, transparency, and honesty in relationships. This book’s content is excellent for single parents and readers who are going through rocky relationships, recovering from heartbreaks, trying to deal with their exes, feeling lovelorn, or forging newer and more meaningful relationships. I admire the subtle topics of family dynamics, co-parenting, child safety and wellbeing, emotional language, and many others being discussed in this book. The character traits are well-planned, relatable, and excellent, and I think this is an interesting read. I admire how Andi reacts well to her initial breakup by focusing immensely on her career instead of being an emotional wreck. She is bright, talented, resilient, and always smiles amid the hustle and bustle. Her best friend Bridget’s vivacious and supportive nature, as well as family support, always adds to Andi’s positive outlook on life. She is very sensitive and loves to be challenged when necessary. Andi’s character development is very noticeable, as she changes from a quirky daydreamer at the beginning, to a more critical and assertive person. This is heightened when she is down or faces tough issues such as Rebecca’s interference in her love life with Gavin. Gavin is a very analytical, hardworking, honest, and introspective, as well as a literary bibliophile, just like me. He is warm-hearted, an avid complimenter, an amazing dad, and a role model to his daughter Charisse. His qualities are very appraisable, such that the lawyer Victor takes note of him. Overall, I am impressed with the depiction of passion, intrigue, drama, and plot twists that surround Andi and Gavin’s relationship. The parent-child relationships in this book’s content are also amazing, and I think readers can learn a lot from this. I also believe that the ending is well justified. A question that still lingers in my mind is why Rebecca doesn't get a stable job if she truly desires to take care of Charisse. I do not have any dislikes to offer about the book, nor did I encounter any grammatical errors while reading. It is well-written and excellently edited. The dialogues between the characters during phone calls or texts make reading so much more comfortable. I cannot help but be compelled by the book’s cogency and authenticity. Its context and style are sensational, engaging, and captivating, and therefore I rate it a perfect 5 stars. I recommend this book to young adult readers who love romance fiction and happy endings. Reader's discretion is advised, because of mild sexual content and profanity in this book.
by Michael LarteyAlways, Never, Almost by Mireille Martinelli is a beautiful love story that follows the life of Andi, a girl who has endured horrible heartbreak and is determined never to experience something like that again. She is happy with her job as the owner of a café and enjoys spending time with friends when, one day, a beautiful stranger enters her life, and everything changes. Andi needs to rethink her priorities and decide whether she will allow herself to feel love again, while Gavin, on the other hand, also needs to do some work on himself to be the best version he can be, so he can be worthy of Andi. Although the main focus of this book is the romance, which I found interesting and engaging, it was the other relationships that the characters had that gave the story something special; the support system between Andi and Gavin made me emotional and elevated the book's finale. Overall, Always, Never, Almost is the perfect cozy book for those looking for a love story that centers around family and trust. With some comedic moments, as well as tear-inducing dialogues, this is a story about choosing the person who is right for you and fighting against everything to keep them.
by Abril ZaccaJoin Gavin and Andi in this amazing love story where they each hope to find love. Gavin is a divorced father who's hoping to find someone who will genuinely love him without thinking of him as a divorced person. While Andi, who's 32 years old and still single, is hoping to find someone who'll understand her and have fun with her.Gavin's daughter is very observant and straight away could tell that her father likes her friend's aunt.This is an amazingly cozy read; I just found myself smiling and very in touch with all the feelings depending on the state of the story.It's an amazing slow-burning romance story that takes you through different stages; nothing feels rushed, and everything feels just right. I love how it has such a calm vibe, and I totally enjoyed this setting. The story makes your immersion work overtime, and you get to really tap into the story. For this reason this book was absolutely delightful; I just really loved this read.Everything about this book was absolutely beautiful. From cover to cover, it exceeded my expectations by far. I think this is my favorite read of the year so far.
by Scovia Odek