Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Never Say Goodbye 
AUTHOR: Felice Stevens
NARRATOR: Kale Williams
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 7 hours and 39 minutes
RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2024
BLURB:
Who knew getting snowed in at the airport could be so much fun?
The nomadic lifestyle of a wildlife photographer is perfect for Ren Stewart—he travels the world with no obligations, no place to call home. With time between assignments, he’s ready to leave the cold New York winter for sunny California. But twenty inches of snow on a layover means his flight’s canceled and he’s stranded. It’s going to be a long, lonely night at the airport waiting for the snow to melt.
Lucky for Ren, he meets a gorgeous man and they hit it off. Too bad they’ll have to go their separate ways.
Or will they?
Something in Schaeffer’s eyes suggests he might be up for sharing the last available hotel room…and the bed.
Airline pilot Schaeffer Morgan is used to being alone. It’s hard to have a relationship when you’re only home for a few days at a time. He’s learned to live with stolen moments of pleasure as well as bigoted remarks from coworkers who don’t know he’s gay.
When a family vacation brings him face-to-face with the man he spent two lust-filled days with in a hotel room—the man he thought he’d never see again—everything changes.
Their days and nights together lead to the possibility of something Ren only dreamed of as a foster child—a family and a place to call home—while Schaeffer begins to open up about his painful past. As their time together comes to a close, they want to keep the magic of what’s building between them. But with Ren away for months on assignment and Schaeffer’s busy schedule, is that wishful thinking?
One thing is for certain: neither of them wants to say goodbye.
REVIEW:
Ren is a wildlife photographer who is heading to California for a much needed vacation after a long time on a recent assignment. His flight is delayed due to weather. He decides to get some food as he watches the snow come down. A very good looking man is also waiting and Ren invites the man to share his table. The man is a pilot who is deadheading on the same flight to visit his family in California. Once the flight is finally cancelled, they both get in the line to try to figure out their next move. They are sent to a local hotel but by the time they get to the desk, there is only one room left which is offered to Ren. Although Schaeffer hasn’t been over, Ren gets the feeling that he’s gay. He asks for a second key and asks Schaeffer if he’d like to share. They end up having a really good night 😉
Schaeffer is not out though, so when they head back to the airport, they keep things a bit more distant. Ren is a little sad because even though he’s not had a boyfriend, he wouldn’t mind seeing Schaeffer again. Schaeffer feels the same way, but as a closeted pilot who has survived his tours in Afghanistan but he’s lost a lot and he doesn’t want to rock the boat. He’s happy to see his family though 🙂
Serendipitously, Ren wants to spend time at the beach. Wouldn’t you know Schaeffer is at the beach with two kids – his niece and nephew. Schaeffer’s brother and sister in law are there too. They exchange numbers. Schaeffer asks Ren to join his family at his dad’s house. He’s reluctant, but he joins them anyway despite his fears. Having grown up in foster care, he’s not sure he knows how to act. But it turns out ok – even though Schaeffer’s dad is a little bit overbearing and overzealous in his desire for Schaeffer’s happiness.
They do keep in touch. It’s clear that they have a real connection – something that they neither chased or expected. Ren is off on an assignment, but they agree to meet in New York as soon as he is done with the assignment. The time apart is difficult for them both. But when they come back together, the spark grows into an inferno. The stars are aligning for them in both their personal and professional lives. They don’t want to ever say goodbye:)
Both Shaeffer and Ren are suffering from survivor’s guilt. They have each lost a lot. They’ve each built lives around not getting close to anyone for different reasons. When they meet by serendipity not once but twice, well maybe there is such a thing as fate 😉 Both men have their issues to work through, but they have each finally found someone that might be worth actually trying to do that and create something lasting. For the first time in their lives, they might be willing to fight for a real relationship despite the obstacles and perceived hardships. Things fall into place in a way neither of them could foresee and together they decide to take a chance on forever.
This is a swoony romantic and steamy story 🙂 I loved the way Kale Williams performed this emotionally satisfying romance. I always believe I’m a fly on the wall with this narrator – his performances are just so believable and authentic. I really admire the way he can bring characters to life – whether it’s suffering, elation, surprise, trepidation or pleasure, he really makes each moment memorable. Beautiful love story and performance. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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