In Never Gonna Happen, Sebastian is at his best friend’s 21st birthday party when the birthday girl overhears him promise to never date her. But she of course hears the worst part with no context. This sets off how their relationship works for the next few years. He feels like she barely tolerates him, but for his line of work, he figures that it’s for the best. She feels he only sees her as his best friends little sister, which he does, but to him, she’s off-limits.

Alyssa never knows how to act around Sebastian. He’s a big part of her life, and she sees him often, but she doesn’t want him to think of her as an annoying younger sister tagging along after her brother’s friend. But when Sebastian gets a text from her brother saying that his cover is blown and to protect Alyssa at all costs, all bets are off. He’s the kind of man who sets his sights on a goal and focuses all of his energy on that goal. Now? Alyssa is that goal. He is trying to keep his hands to himself every time she’s near, and she’s trying to figure out why he’s so concerned for her safety. The back and forth between them leads to some fun scenes, and I really enjoy when they bicker.

But this is more than a cute best friend’s little sister trope. There’s something big happening behind the scenes, and a couple of really big secrets are coming out. Can their budding relationship weather that storm?

This book is tangentially connected to the Wilde Ways series in that Eric Wilde is mentioned, but it’s a stand-alone book. This is a Romantic Suspense, but it’s not nearly as intense as some of this author’s other works. It is however, fun, sassy, suspenseful, and exciting all at the same time. With the fun cover, the lighter tone, and the great cast of side characters, this book has all the elements of my favorites, and I can’t wait to see if the author does more with it as a series!

***ARC courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley