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Reviewed by: Vickie McDonough
Dancing Word Reviewer

Title: NEVER SAY NEVER
By: Lena Nelson Dooley
Publisher: Heartsong Presents
ISBN: 1-59789-056-1
Release date: August 2006
Genre: Contemporary romance

The past year has been difficult for Charlotte Halloran and her daughter. With the first anniversary of her husband’s death approaching, Charlotte is hoping a cruise will help them shake the melancholies and give her and daughter Chelle some happy times. As they are waiting to board the Pearl of the Ocean, Charlotte’s gaze collides with that of ship’s captain, and she experiences an awareness she never expected to feel again. But Charlotte isn’t ready for another relationship and has her hands full with an angry, rebellious teenager.

Captain Gareth Van den Hout knows the pain Charlotte is feeling, having lost his wife three years earlier. But he can’t deny the sparks that sizzle whenever he and Charlotte are together. Not wanting to endure the pain of loss like when he lost his wife, he planned to never fall in love again. But that was before he met Charlotte. Now he finds himself re-evaluating his decision.

Charlotte knows there is something special growing in her relationship with Gareth, but Chelle is angry and afraid her mother is already forgetting her father. Can there be any hope for a budding romance when both sides have experienced so much pain and a hurting teen is thrown in the mix?

I really enjoyed NEVER SAY NEVER. Shipboard romances are always fun, given the tropical, romantic setting, but this one was especially interesting. Lena Nelson Dooley does an excellent job showing the caution both Gareth and Charlotte feel. I liked how they didn’t deny their attraction but slowly felt their way along, trying to figure out what to do and what was best for all involved. Ms. Dooley nailed Chelle’s character. The troubled teen makes havoc as she feels her mother is starting to forget her father. I loved Gareth’s character. He’s such a noble, gallant hero, just as concerned for Chelle’s feeling as her mothers. For a sweet love story with a romantic setting, try NEVER SAY NEVER.

Related Authors

• Lena Nelson Dooley

Related Books

• Never Say Never - H S #702 (Mass Market)