Book Review: ‘Never Over’ by Clare Gilmore
There’s a certain point in your 30s where the romance books you used to love just don’t work the same way anymore. You’ve done enough self-reflection to recognize unhealthy dynamics quickly, and suddenly, the emotionally unavailable love interests feel less intriguing and more tiring. That’s why Never Over by Clare Gilmore felt like such a pleasant surprise. It’s a guilty pleasure in the sense that it’s a romance you happily sink into, but it’s also grounded and self-aware. The book assumes its readers have emotional intelligence, boundaries, and a clear sense of what a healthy connection looks like.
[Warning: Spoilers from Clare Gilmore’s Never Over are below!]
Healthy love thrives in Never Over
At its core, Never Over is about connection, timing, and choosing yourself without shutting yourself off to love. The emotional tone is calm, reflective, and intentional. There is attraction and desire, but it’s not built on confusion or emotional chaos. Instead, the tension comes from awareness. The characters notice what they’re feeling, name it, and pause when something doesn’t feel right. That alone sets this book apart from many romance novels that still rely on miscommunication or avoidance to create drama.
While the emotional foundation is strong, the book doesn’t forget that chemistry matters. The attraction between the characters is steady and believable, building through small moments, shared awareness, and mutual interest. The romantic energy comes from anticipation and connection rather than shock value. It’s the kind of chemistry that feels earned, where attraction grows because both people are paying attention to each other.
One of the most satisfying parts of the story is how clearly the characters have learned from past relationships. You can feel that experience shaping their choices. There are moments when someone stops themselves from reacting, asks a question instead of making an assumption, or chooses honesty even when it feels vulnerable. Those moments create tension in a quieter way, but they also make the relationship feel emotionally safe and real.
The male love interest is especially refreshing for readers who are tired of romanticizing insecurity. He’s confident without needing to prove it, emotionally present without being overbearing, and clear about what he wants. He doesn’t disappear to create intrigue or withhold affection to stay in control. When he’s interested, it’s obvious. When he needs clarity, he asks for it. That sense of steadiness makes the connection feel both appealing and grounded.
Consent is woven naturally throughout the book. It shows up in pacing, communication, and mutual choice rather than formalized moments. The characters respect each other’s boundaries and comfort levels, and that respect actually deepens the intimacy. The romantic scenes feel intentional and mutual, which adds to the overall sense of trust between the characters.
I also appreciated that the heroine doesn’t need to be changed or fixed to be worthy of love. She’s thoughtful, self-aware, and actively working through her own experiences, but the story never frames her as broken. She doesn’t abandon her instincts to be chosen, and she doesn’t minimize her needs to keep the connection intact. Watching her stay grounded in herself while remaining open to intimacy felt realistic and reassuring.
The tension in Never Over comes less from external drama and more from vulnerability and timing. The chemistry is clearly there, but the question is whether both characters can remain honest and present while navigating something meaningful. That creates a different kind of heat, one that lingers rather than explodes and disappears.
Clare Gilmore writes an imperfectly perfect romance novel
Is Never Over perfect? No. There are moments where the internal reflection runs a little long, and the pacing occasionally slows because the characters spend a lot of time thinking. But honestly, that felt appropriate for the kind of story this is. This isn’t a book about impulsive decisions or explosive drama. It’s about sitting with feelings, noticing patterns, and choosing connection with intention. If you’re in the mood for something fast and chaotic, this might not be it. But if you want something that feels emotionally safe and still romantic, it delivers.
Calling this a guilty pleasure almost feels unnecessary, because there’s nothing regressive about it. The book doesn’t glorify toxic behavior or suggest that love must be painful to be real. Instead, it presents a version of romance where attraction and emotional safety coexist, where intimacy feels steady and mutual rather than volatile.
Ultimately, Never Over is a romance for readers who are securely attached or actively working toward that place. It’s for people who value communication, consent, and confidence, and who still want a story that feels romantic and engaging. I finished the book feeling calm, satisfied, and affirmed in my standards, which is something I don’t say often about romance novels anymore.
If you’re in your mid-30s, emotionally aware, and still enjoy a love story that feels warm, grounded, and quietly compelling, Never Over is likely to land well for you.
My Rating: 6/10
Never Over by Clare Gilmore is available now! Have you read this novel yet? Let us know your thoughts @BoxSeatBabes!
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