Exploring Love in Reverse: Review of Never Ever You by Sarah Echavarre @AuthorSarahS @brilliancepublishing

Never Ever You is a twisty romantic comedy exploring love through a unique reverse timeline.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Brilliance Audio and Netgalley for the ARC of the audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

Riley Ricci-Chase is living a perfect life in London with her loving husband, Tristan, as they celebrate their first wedding anniversary. But the next morning, she wakes up a year later to find her marriage gone, Tristan happily raising a child with another woman, and herself inexplicably with his insufferable cousin, Milo. As Riley moves backward through time, she relives a year she doesn’t remember, confronting what went wrong with Tristan and how she ended up with Milo. In this mysterious journey, Riley must unravel the past to discover where her future and true love truly lie.

My Thoughts:

Can you imagine waking up every day to a day you don’t remember from your past? That’s exactly what Riley Ricci-Chase experiences in Never Ever You by Sarah Echavarre, a romantic comedy that’s as twisty as it is emotional.

We meet Riley on the first anniversary of her marriage to Tristan. She seems to have it all—her shop, great friends, and a husband she adores. The only real blemish in her life? Her relationship with Tristan’s mother who clearly despises her. But despite that tension, everything seems perfect—until it isn’t.

At a celebration in the evening of their anniversary, things take a sharp turn after a family argument at Tristan’s restaurant. After the event, Riley dozes off during the car ride home, only to wake up one year later… and next to someone unexpected. She’s not with Tristan anymore. She’s with Milo, Tristan’s insufferable cousin. As Riley navigates this alternate reality, she realizes she’s moving backward in time, reliving her past year with new knowledge but no memory of how things got this way.

This narrative style—moving in reverse—took me a minute to adjust to. It’s not your typical linear story, but once I settled in after a chapter or two, I found it to be a refreshing and unique way to unfold Riley’s journey. As she rewinds through her life, seeing things from this reversed perspective, you start to question the choices she made and the way her relationships evolve.

The characters shine in this story. Riley is relatable, and it’s fascinating to see her romance develop in reverse, from something seemingly perfect to the unraveling truth. Milo, who initially feels like a thorn in her side, becomes a central figure, and watching the dynamics between them shift is both heartwarming and surprising.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook edition narrated by Jennifer Aquino. While she delivered a clear performance, I sometimes felt like she was simply reading the book rather than bringing it to life. Personally, I connect more with narrators who offer a more animated performance. That said, her narration was still enjoyable and easy to follow, making the story accessible for audiobook listeners.

Final Thoughts:

Never Ever You is an intriguing exploration of love, choices, and time. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted but thought-provoking romantic comedy, this one is worth a listen—or a read.

A Similar Book I’ve Reviewed:

The Love of My After Life by Kirsty Greenwood