Between Never and Forever

Dex and Keelani's Fake Engagement Story (Hardy Billionaires)

By: Shain Rose

Narrated by: CJ Bloom, Wen Ross

From USA Today bestselling author of Between Love and Loathing comes another tantalizing, fake relationship romance.

As my best friend's brother, Dex Hardy has always been my downfall. Older, forbidden, and completely irresistible.

Our paths were never supposed to cross, but they tangled irrevocably during those summer nights where we exchanged forevers and I love yous under the stars. In secret.

He knew it had to be that way. Yet, he betrayed our relationship the moment he made it public. So I left him brokenhearted in order to save us both.

Years later, to help my family financially, I signed a six-month contract to perform within the Black Diamond Resort and Casino. It should be easy. But Dex Hardy is now the cold, ruthless billionaire tycoon who owns it. And he wants revenge.

When he finds out I have a ring on my finger, he makes his own deal with me:

Leave the man I'm with and get engaged to him instead. Or else.

Six months of calling Dex my fiancé... even if he stares at me with hardened eyes.

Six months of ignoring his electrifying touches and pretending I don't love him... when I still do.

The problem with faking this engagement is I’m starting to believe in forever with him. Yet, as more truths come to light, my fiancé may never want that with me again.

©2024 Greene Ink Publishing LLC (P)2024 Greene Ink Publishing LLC

Excellent .. Story A+.. CJ Bloom Perfection …Male narration?

This is by far one of my favorite series … Always a good read by author…CJ Bloom female narrator is so good as usual -the new male narrator though..(not the usual narrator) is sorta lisp and have a hard time seeing or listening to him as a alpha-really hard 😬

Hardy Brother Billionaires Are Utter Perfection

"We've always been together. Even when we weren't. And we always will be too Kee. I'm always going to protect you."

Summary:
Keelani is a raising star in the music industry when at the age of 17 they send her away leaving her first love behind. We get to see them at 17 in their early twenties then in their early thirties where the book takes place. Dex is heartbroken and throws himself into a highly successful career in tech.
The Black Diamond Resort is where they cross paths again at Declan's wedding ; he asked her to sing and then our very obsessed billionaire took over and wouldnt let Keelani get away again. He sees that she is "engaged" and he lost it.

“So… what? You’re going to make my life h*ll if I’m engaged to another man?”
“Absolutely. So, you ready to be done with his ring on your finger, Kee?”
“Dex. Honestly, why?”
“Because your *ss knows. You’re not marrying anyone but me.”

Tropes :
✨Alpha hero;
✨First love;
✨Obsessed hero;
✨Possessive hero;
✨Bad boy/Good girl; who does everything for her parents.
✨Protector;
✨Soul mate;
✨Secret romance;
✨ Forbidden love;
✨ Returning to hometown;
✨Marriage of convenience./ contract

I loved Between Love and Loathing last year , but Between Never and Forever I know I am going to read again. There is something about first love second chance especially when the guy has spent his life waiting for her.
There has been no one but Kei.. I love how he takes care of things and is her protector. His security beefed up for her.
He allowed her to do her music her way, and gave her the courage to move away from the toxic around her.
Hannah Chiclana who has an amazing singing voice would have been perfect for this role , Not to say CJ Bloom isnt , but I wish we could have had some of Kei's music in here. Maybe a future book!

Dex as a character is the protector I gravitate towards : he lets her be independent but not to sacrifice what she deserves for herself. He is loving in a passionate way that allowed her to learn to lean in to him. To trust him. To hand over some of the burden she had been carrying all alone.

Definitely will be in my top fave Billionaire romances of 2024.

Fire

Sexy with a plot line. Easy and fun to listen to! Shain Rose with another sexy storyline!

Great twist

I listen to quite a few stories from this author and this book is very similar to another but completely different. It’s almost the same exact troupe but the characters and the twist is a great way to change it up. I honestly love every book from her.

I liked it

Overall I liked it! There were a few parts that were a bit much, but overall it was good.