Book: First and Forever by Lynn Painter
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 5/5
ARC REVIEW
First and Forever by Lynn Painter
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Duffy and Connor’s banter-filled fake dating romance is absolute perfection. From the moment they’re thrown together under the most ridiculous circumstances possible (seriously: never push a mascot), the chemistry is immediate. Their flirting is built on teasing, chirping, and genuinely enjoying each other’s company, which made the romance feel effortless and so much fun to read. This is exactly the kind of relationship dynamic I love most—one rooted in friendship first.
I adored Duffy. She’s the kind of FMC who feels fully rounded and real. Growing up with three older brothers gave her a lot of traditionally masculine interests and hobbies, but the book never treats that as mutually exclusive with softness or femininity. She can throw herself into sports and chaos AND love dressing up for dates and melting over Connor’s kisses. Those layers made her feel authentic instead of tropey. I also loved the emotional grounding of her storyline with her parents. Her caretaking role with her father and the lingering grief over her mother added depth without weighing the story down.
And Connor? Elite book boyfriend material. He’s thoughtful, funny, emotionally open, and fully committed to proving that their fake relationship should become something real. The way he plans fun dates and consistently shows up for Duffy made him impossible not to love. I also really appreciated his relationships with both Duffy’s dad, Tony, and his own grandfather—those quieter emotional moments gave the romance even more heart. Even when he messed up, it was impossible not to root for him.
This is genuinely one of the most fun romances I’ve read this year. I was constantly grinning, chuckling, and fully invested in every ridiculous and heartfelt moment. Even when the story touched on heavier emotions, it never lost that warm, feel-good energy.
If you love romances with chemistry, humor, and characters who actually like each other, save this one for your TBR immediately.
Thank you to the author, Berkley Publishing, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!
For fans of:
🎭 Fake Relationship | ✨ Opposites Attract | 💘 He Falls First | 💬 Banter | 💔 Grief & Loss