Never Say Forever

By: Donna Alam

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Zara Hampton-Brown

Length: 15 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the French countryside to Manhattan, falling for my one-night stand wasn’t supposed to be the plan.

Dear Mr Hayes,

I’m sorry you found me floating in your bathtub last night. And that you didn’t realize I was housesitting. I’m also sorry I crept out of your bed five years ago without leaving my name.... 

My secret one-night stand.

In another lifetime, we might’ve been soul mates.

The memories of our passion have warmed my bed since. I’m going to pretend I don’t see the way your eyes devour me and ignore how that makes me feel. You’re wealthy, charismatic, and sinfully sensual, and I burn every time you whisper my name.

But I can’t give in to you. Not again.

I know you’re hiding something. I’m not that girl anymore.

My kisses aren’t trifles to be wasted.

Single mothers aren’t afforded those luxuries. Why must you be so hard to resist? Falling in love with you was never in my plans.

Discovering who you really are might devastate me.

©2021 Donna Alam (P)2022 Donna Alam

Passionate Strangers to Lovers Romance!!

Never Say Forever by Donna Alam was a passionate strangers to lovers romance that did crazy good things to my heart. Fee and Carson's romance had many laughs, some angst, lots of spice, and several swoony moments that captivated my attention from start to finish. This was my first Donna Alam book, and it will not be my last.

Joe Arden and Zara Hampton-Brown narrate this audiobook, and are simply pure perfection bringing Fee, Carson, and little Lulu (Gah, I just love her!) to life. Zara is a new to me narrator, and I adored her performance of Fee. Zara portrayed Fee's passions and dedication to her daughter with such fervor so that you couldn't help but fall in love with her determined spirit. Carson Hayes is such a complex hero with many dark secrets from his past which shape the man he is today. Joe Arden portrays all of these complexities including Hayes' dominant, protective, and seductive sides brilliantly. Also, Joe's British kid accent is adorable! Fee and Carson have a fiery, alluring chemistry that is irresistible and will burn up your earbuds!

Overall, I LOVED this audio and story. If you enjoy a strangers to lovers romance with a hunky alpha male, a fierce single mother, one steamy night in France, a sweet adorable little princess named Lulu, a touch of deception, hidden secrets, laugh out loud moments with "adult" toys, cute witty banter, even more steamy times, memorable side characters, and a swoon-worthy HEA that will leave your heart super happy, then you will love Carson and Fee's story. Donna Alam, you have a new fan, and I'm looking forward to more!

Completely unexpected!

*AUDIO REVIEW*Donna Alam is a new to me author and Zara Hampton-Brown a new to me narrator, but I can say I am now a fan of both! While this story had to much introspection at times, that definitely didn’t take anything away from this story. Fee and Carson’s story is full of twists and secrets, love and so hot! Narrators Joe Arden and Zara Hampton-Brown are spot on with this one! At times Lulu had me laughing so hard I was in tears. She is definitely the highlight in this story! I felt ALL the emotions with this listen. Love for Fee and Carson, hate for the bad guys, laughter with Lulu, shock and awe and at times aggravation when I THOUGHT it was predictable and found myself begging for it to stop and be different from so many other books. But then it happened! Another twist in the road and I thought, “wow, I love this story!” Every emotion was definitely worth it!

Second thoughts!!!!!

OMG! 6hrs in & 9 to go…. & nothing has happened. I got it because I love Joe Arden & I have barely heard him.

Fingers crossed it gets better soon

Not your typical single mom cliché. I loved it!

The Writer:
This was a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to more of her books. Her style of writing is totally my jam. Great storyline, comedy, drama, second chances, HOT sex, and love. Her play with words was hilarious. The use of certain descriptive words like “blueberry fluff muffins” had me in stitches.
As the many layers of the main characters were unraveled, I was slowly drawn in. What a wonderfully clever weaving together of a story. The twists and turns held my attention throughout. I could feel all the emotions of the characters coming off the page. The internal monologues were brilliantly done. The sexual tension and the actual sex were 5 star “HAWT”. The banter between Carson and Fee was witty, captivating, and hilarious at times. The inner monologues helped define the characters. Added to this, little Lulu is my favorite child character ever.
The narration:
As an ardent listener to audiobooks, I can tell you, the narration of a story can enhance or detract from the quality of a book. In this case, it was the former. This story was brought to life in a beautiful, honest, and amazing way.
This was my first listen to the female narrator, Zara Hampton-Brown, and I am impressed. Seems like the role was written specifically for her. She voiced the different characters with perfection, switching seamlessly between accents. Even the squeaks and chuckles which were part of each character’s personality were on point.
Joe Arden…what can I say, his voice was pure seduction. No surprise since he is one of the best. I just can’t get enough of him. Together they made this wonderful story come alive in the best of ways. They added depth and heart to their characters and made me love this book even more.
This was a very satisfying and enjoyable listen/read. My best listen of 2022 so far. Get this book, you need it in your life, that is all I’m saying.

AMAZING Story !

I love this Story & it is so well written, I couldn't stop listening even if I tried!

Lulu was the highlight of this book

This is the second book I listened from Donna Alam and it was quite good because I was a little disappointed at how the story ended. Mind you , yes it has a HEA but I felt it was a bit disjointed at the end. My favorite character is Lulu, the 4 year old daughter of Fee. She was the star that stole the show. I laughed, chuckled at her dialogue and both Zara and Joe did a fantastic job narrating her role. It is a good listen but just be weary of how the story ended.

Unexpectedly enjoyable listen

While I have listened to nearly 400 of Joe Arden's titles, this is my first from Donna Alam, writer and Zara Hampton-Brown, narrator.
The story of 2nd chance almost an enemies to lovers across two continents sucked me in from the beginning chapters.
The narration was well done, Joe's kid voices are always a treat, and Zara was fantastic, I really want to hear more from her.
I enjoyed the story however I felt a bit in the middle could have been tightened up a bit, but overall it was an entertaining and enjoyable title. Carson, Fee and Lulu are a family you won't forget.

Second chance story with some plot twists

Fee Abernathy leaves France for a year to work in the U.S. and build her career so that when she returns, she can establish herself more with her friend Rose’s foundation. Rose sets her up with a place to live, in Carson Hayes III’s apartment because he will barely be around as he travels often for work. Little does Fee realize Carson is the man she met five years ago but never knew his name. He’s the man that made her feel she could be loved again even after only one night. As much as she tries to fight the pull he has on her it’s clear it’s a losing battle for both of them.

Carson Hayes III has spent part of his adult life attempting to make amends for his family’s past in a detrimental way unto himself. Carson arrives home unexpectedly and finds his houseguest isn’t just a guest, but the woman he shared a night with five years ago…and her four-year-old daughter, LuLu. He soon realizes is that he is still attracted to her but tries to maintain his distance (this obviously doesn’t last too long).

Now that they’ve agreed to a relationship, albeit one they want to keep quiet to the outside world for a while, several truths on both sides could end up splitting them apart forever.

LuLu is a spitfire of a child and bit of comedic relief or ‘kids say the darndest things’ moments.

Audiobook narration: This was my first listen of Zara’s. It took me a little to get used to her voice and find the right speed at which to listen at with her inflections and accent. She does have some good emotional moments especially towards the end of the story that are well acted.

Joe Arden can narrate a billionaire bachelor any day of the week, but for this audio he got to use different accents (American, British and French) which you can hear over the years he has been improving upon. His voice for little LuLu is the best when it comes to her articulation of certain words. I couldn’t stop giggling a couple of times.

Story: Overall all I liked this book, even though I felt there were parts that may have been able to be shortened or cut out. Fee and Carson’s dynamic and chemistry make it worth seeing the story through to the end. The audio comes in just over 15 hours, and the book itself is shy of 600 pages.

💘 The Ending!

Although ended a bit as a cliffhanger, leaving some questions, such what's the baby's name? Did Carson crossed all Is and ts. What would Simon do, if anything regarding Lulu? The irony is how Lulu actually is the legitimate niece of Carson, eventhough if unbeknownst to both her and her mom Fi. As for Fi, she's a character I did not like much, she a hypocrite, for example, she criticized Carso regarding his sexual life style, yet she stayed at a sexual club and in essence participated by being a voyeur and by being upset because Carson failed to tell her some facts about his life, while she was keeping lies of her own. Enjoyed the narration of both Zara Hampton Brown and Joe Arden were good. Kudos to Donna Alam for a great story!

Never say forever

I enjoy listening to Jo Arden with great pleasure (especially his child’s voice) and regret that he was not the narrator of all male voices as Zara unfortunately I could only listen to her female voices , I love long audiobooks, but in this case a lot of unnecessary dialogues… Unfortunately this story wasn’t enough for me.

Soo good

I have been sitting on this review for a few days trying to work out the best way to approach it as nothing I can say really gives a full appreciation of how incredible this book is. There are so many moments that were full of laughter, others where I wanted to scream and still more where I just wanted to live in this world. The characters worked so well together there was intense chemistry and heat but a love that went beyond that.

I know that Donna is an author that I will have to be keeping an eye on as this was just amazing

Joe Arden 😍 and Zara Hampton -Brown 🔥

WOW this book is HOT and STEAMY but it’s also sweet and funny. That along with these narrators makes for a fantastic audiobook!
The steamy scenes are SOOO well done. How to explain that these scenes felt more realistic and sensual than most romance books? Their connection in bed seemed authentic. Very free and lots of dirty talking which is great for JOE ARDEN as narrator. He has one of the best male voices.
And Zara is new to me but I adored her in this and appreciated her real accent. It’s beautiful.
The little girl in this book is adorable and so funny.
Such a great audiobook!

The most spectacular debut audio!

Okay, so I can’t think of a better way to ride out the storms currently battering the UK than losing myself in Donna’s debut audiobook. This was the perfect escape, full of romance, heat, passion, and laughter.
Never Say Forever is a story about fate, being in the right place at the right time and taking chances. I was totally spellbound by Fee and Carson’s story from the very first chapter. I mean who doesn’t want to be rescued by a hot guy who not only knows his way around a woman’s body but knows how to wring every ounce of pleasure from her. Their attraction was instant, and they had the hottest, wildest sex of their lives for once perfect night and when lady luck strikes for a second time five years later and they meet again, the chemistry is just as fiery and smoking hot as it had been all those years ago.
Joe Arden and Zara Hampton-Brown bring Carson and Fee to life and what an absolute dream team this duo truly are.
Joe’s performance as the super hot and swoony Carson is stellar. Joe’s deep, raspy tone was perfect for the alpha, CEO kink club owner Carson. However, no one does kid voices quite like Joe and his British accented child voice when he was being Lulu was outstanding.
This is my first time hearing Zara and honestly, she was the perfect Fee. Zara portrayed the fact that Fee was a strong, independent, badass single Mum. Zara also manages to capture the sexy, wanton vixen side to Fee as well as her vulnerabilities. I’m looking forward to hearing more of Zara’s work.
This beautifully written story is the perfect mix of witty banter, innuendo, sizzlingly hot sex scenes, a four-year-old who gets into the most hilarious mischief and plenty of twists, turns and drama that all lead to the perfect HEA and have skyrocketed this to the top spot as my favourite book of the year to date.
Thank you so much Donna for bringing this amazing story to us readers/listeners and to Joe and Zara for breathing life into these characters.
My favourite quotes from the book
“There is one version. And that’s the one who wants you in his arms again. One who’s been guarding his heart for far too long same as you. The one who wants you to take a chance on him.” – Carson
“She tastes just like I remember, like today, tomorrow, like forever.” - Carson

Love this second chance💞

15 hours of yummy Joe Arden! Sign me up!! Bonus he’s a hot AF alpha god Carson! Carson has baggage but his love runs deep & he has found his second chance with Fee (his steamy one night stand from years ago). Only now Fee has a daughter who bewitches Carson immediately! She is so stinking cute & I love how smitten Car is with her.

Never say Forever is a perfect depiction of family isn’t not always blood. I love the close bonds that Car & Fee have with all of their friends.

Another Great Story from Donna Alam

Joe Arden and Zara Hampton-Brown bring Carson and Fee to life. Laugh our loud funny, coupled with hot chemistry between them is a great listen. The twist at the end is a shocker but the HEA is worth waiting for. Another great book from Donna Alam

Carson and Fee are amazing!

This romance is about instant connections and second chances. Carson and Fee meet and have a one-night stand after their off-the charts chemistry kicks in. Fee recognizes Carson as a good man who helped her in a moment in distress, but she sneaks off anyway. Years later, fate brings them together as temporary roommates, as they try to piece together what makes them tick and if they can have any kind of future together. There are great twists and turns and out-right laughs- Donna Alam can write a child’s hilarious voice with an ear for how honest and forthright only children can be. This book is deliciously long, but it feels so quick, it’s that engaging.

Brilliant!

A sexy, funny story with a good dash of mystery. Donna Alam never fails to entertain and Liar Liar lives up to her reputation of well written, entertaining books. Highly recommend

Loved this book

I don’t normally write reviews, but omg I absolutely loved this audiobook. Amazing sense of humour that made me laugh soooo much and the narrator’s were absolutely brilliant *****