Review of Never Say Never by Danielle Steel – A Story of Love & Resilience #DanielleSteel @blackstonepub.bksy.social

Never Say Never is a heartfelt story about a woman rebuilding her life after betrayal, finding unexpected love, and discovering the courage to embrace change in the midst of personal and global upheaval.

Summary:

Oona Kelly Webster, a striking redhead with a loving family and a career she adores, faces an unraveling life when her husband, Charles, reveals he’s leaving her for a younger male lover. Devastated but determined, Oona travels alone to France, where she rents a house called La Belle Florence, only to face further heartbreak when her job is eliminated due to a company merger. In the months that follow, Oona begins to heal in the peaceful village, finding solace in the simple beauty of her surroundings, a rescued white dog, and the warmth of her neighbour, a charismatic Trinidadian actor she eventually recognises as famous. As their bond deepens, Oona grapples with the risks of opening her heart again. Never Say Never is a moving tale of second chances and the courage to embrace change.

My Thoughts:

Oona Kelly Webster had everything she worked her whole life for—a career she loved, a stable marriage, and grown children finding their own paths. But in the blink of an eye, everything falls apart. Her husband of nearly 25 years blindsides her with the news that he’s leaving her—for a man.

Despite the heartbreak, Oona decides to take their planned anniversary trip to France alone. Her children join her for the first week, but after they leave, she finds herself in a foreign country, adjusting not just to life without her husband but also to an entirely new reality. The story is set in 2020, and when COVID lockdowns hit, Oona unexpectedly ends up staying in France much longer than planned. If that weren’t enough, another devastating blow comes—her beloved job is eliminated due to a merger.

Danielle Steel highlights Oona’s loss of identity, both as a wife and as a professional, at a time when the world itself was in crisis. But as Oona settles into the charming village where she’s staying, she begins to rebuild. She finds comfort in the local shops and cafés, in a little dog she rescues, and in an unexpected friendship with Ashley, a famous actor and single father.

Their relationship develops slowly, with Oona resisting at first—partly because of their age difference, and partly because she fears being hurt again. Though Ashley is patient, kind, and clearly smitten, Oona struggles to believe in the possibility of love a second time.

One thing to note—this book includes several tragic deaths from COVID, which may be difficult for some readers. Steel also captures the stark differences in how the pandemic played out across countries, adding a layer of realism to the novel.

While the story is engaging, it does feel somewhat predictable. Given the emotional weight of the subject matter, I would have liked a deeper exploration of Oona’s feelings rather than the more surface-level approach Steel takes. That said, I still enjoyed the novel, especially the vivid descriptions of the French countryside, which brought back memories of my own visits to charming villages.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Michael Braun. While his performance was solid, I would have preferred a female narrator for this story. Since Never Say Never falls under Women’s Fiction, I think a woman’s voice would have made Oona’s journey feel more personal and immersive.

Final Thoughts:

Never Say Never is a light yet inspiring read about resilience, second chances, and the courage to embrace change—even when life throws unexpected challenges your way.

Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Danielle Steel:

The Wedding Dress

Royal

The Numbers Game