Author Brit Benson is magical. That has to be the explanation. How else could she tell you before you even read a single word that the HEA is guaranteed yet have you feel every angsty moment, experience every bit of hurt, anger, despair, fear and uncertainty as if you are living it? Your brain doesn’t quite believe that HEA is coming but there’s a little sparkle of hope here and there so you keep reading (or listening) and then you reach a point where you have to finish and finish now, you have to know, to see that HEA for yourself. You can’t put the book down – or rip those earbuds from your ears; everything else in your life fades into the background until you can sigh and say, “Finally.”

Speaking of listening, Benson’s books are made to be heard. The thrills on the written page are amplified in the audiobook. The spice is spicier, if that is even possible. And the narration for Between Never and Forever is superb. I have a couple of absolute favorite narrators and Jacob Morgan is one of them. (If you listen to a lot of spicy audiobooks you probably know who the other one is.) And after listening to Between Never and Forever I’m adding Angelina Rocca to that list. The duet narration conveys all the emotions, the struggles, the frustrations and perfectly shows how they’ve grown and changed and yet still feel that desire, that need, that longing.

Both Levi and Sav have had rough early lives. Very different but equally hard. Levi is such a good guy, tries to do what’s right, tries to satisfy his rigid, sanctimonious parents, tries to follow the rules. But he can’t follow any rules that prevent him from trying to protect Savannah. In the beginning he can’t really describe what he feels for her except that from the first time they met as children he was drawn to her, needed to take care of her, to just be there. Savannah’s life is brutal, dangerous heartbreaking. Her mother is a drug addict who doesn’t protect her daughter. When they are 15 years old Levi can’t stand to just watch her pain anymore and tries to take action to help, tries to use the system he thinks is in place to provide that help. Savannah knows better. She’s an outcast and all that system wants to do is try to force her to conform. She won’t receive help; she’ll just receive more discipline and more rules. She can’t take it and leaves. Ironic that that is when they finally realize there might be a spark there between them. Levi doesn’t expect to ever see her again.

But there’s this thing called Fate. And Fate has big plans for these two. Big plans, it seems, to torture and torment them. To bring them together – almost – and then apart. To be betrayed, deceived. They’ve changed. Sav’s a rockstar now. Levi’s a single dad with a genius precocious daughter with big, big, big secrets. But what was a spark is now a flame that could either keep them warm and cozy forever or consume them.

Between Never and Forever is amazing. It’s sweet and romantic and hard and edgy all at the same time. Levi is a little tougher than he was years ago but he’s still so lovable, such a fantastic father, such a good friend and boss. Sav has had some tough times and is trying so hard to make sure the changes she worked so hard for stick. She can’t lose her music but she can’t lose Levi again either.

Can they really make it this time around or has too much happened? Levi has those secrets and author Benson springs a few surprises on us as well. Excellent, compelling, satisfying from start to finish, perfect narration, sweetness made sublime with the addition of the scorching hot spice. I recommend this book without hesitation and can’t wait to get my ears on the next thing this author writes. I was given a free audiobook via Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

And surprise! There is an entertaining little bonus extended epilogue on the author’s website. Be sure to check that out, too. ( )