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The Forbidden
Never Back Down
Theodore Moore was never meant to get a second chance at love, but when Blake Adams walks back into his life, will he find it again, or will he destroy everything she’s worked so hard to achieve?
Ten years ago, the woman who owned my heart, body, and soul destroyed me.
I became lost in my own mind, surrounded by demons of old.
Sure, I laughed, smiled, and joked around, but underneath, I was drowning, suffocating.
And now she’s back.
Blake Adams is the new junior associate in my office, and guess who’s her mentor… me.
I’ve waited a long time for this. To bestow upon her the same world of hurt she left me with.
I’m going to burn her career to the ground and bask in her tears.
Aren’t I?
Never Back Down is an enemies-to-lovers workplace romance, featuring a heavy mental health representation and dark themes.
Please check TW’s before reading.
Ten years ago, the woman who owned my heart, body, and soul destroyed me.
I became lost in my own mind, surrounded by demons of old.
Sure, I laughed, smiled, and joked around, but underneath, I was drowning, suffocating.
And now she’s back.
Blake Adams is the new junior associate in my office, and guess who’s her mentor… me.
I’ve waited a long time for this. To bestow upon her the same world of hurt she left me with.
I’m going to burn her career to the ground and bask in her tears.
Aren’t I?
Never Back Down is an enemies-to-lovers workplace romance, featuring a heavy mental health representation and dark themes.
Please check TW’s before reading.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 22, 2026
This book was a bit out of my comfort zone as I usually go for simple romance novels but I really enjoyed switching it up. I really loved the that Luna put a lot of care into these MC’s and their past trauma. Talking about/through the mental health was done in such a caring way that I really appreciated that it wasn’t just a short snippet in the book. I really hated Theo at first but he quickly grew on me. My heart broke hearing him talk about his past and I just wanted to give him a big hug every time. This book is messy but knows how to pull at your heartstrings. Thank you so much Luna Peters for this ARC copy, your books are magical ❤️
June 2, 2026
Never Back Down was a perfect addition to the Forbidden Series. Each book takes you on a wild ride. Never actually knowing where the roller coaster is turning next. Throwing Theo through the loops, and tossing Blake around the curves Luna knows how to torture the characters. They def earned their happy ending. Life knew how to get these soul mates back together but maybe add a little spice. And by spice I mean green dye. Glitter, glue and transformers 💀 i absolutely love reading all of the guys fall for their girls and i can't wait for book 4!!!
May 10, 2026
Another great standalone dark romance. Great captivating storyline that took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
Looking forward to the next book.
Noah is very extra but finding out more about his past broke my heart a little, it helps explain his personality.
Good strong well described characters which have you emotionally invested.
Looking forward to the next book.
Noah is very extra but finding out more about his past broke my heart a little, it helps explain his personality.
Good strong well described characters which have you emotionally invested.
May 22, 2026
Loved this story. Theo was still so hurt and angry about how things ended between him and Blake ten years ago…and now stress working in the same company and he’s her mentor. He vows to make things hell for her as payback. But things don’t exactly go that way. This turned around quickly for them. And I loved every minute of it. This was a really good read.
May 19, 2026
Honestly this backstory killllllllled me; but it was soooooo good. Luna Peters does such a good job with her novels. I am beyond obsessed with Theo and Blake.
June 30, 2026
This book was written beautifully! I cried so much reading this, I absolutely adore theo hes amazing 🥹❤️
May 7, 2026
Blake and Theo were once deeply in love. Two people from broken homes and painful pasts who found comfort and salvation in each other…until something tore them apart. Now, years later, they’re forced back into each other’s lives as partners at Theo’s law firm. But being together again means finally confronting the past, uncovering truths they never knew, and realizing that maybe everything they believed about each other wasn’t the full story.
Going into this, I thought I was getting an enemies to lovers second chance romance, maybe a prank here, some jealously there…but I had NO idea the level of emotional damage this book was about to cause me. Theo and Blake both went through absolute hell ten years ago, and watching them come back together while all those buried truths slowly surfaced genuinely had me SOBBING, CRYING, KICKING. Like seriously, load up on the tissue boxes because y’all are not ready for this one. Luna, where do I submit my reimbursement request for emotional distress and all the tissues I used up crying over these people? Drop the form please!
Theo…where do I even start with this man? Sweetheart of the century is one way to describe him. A full cinnamon roll of a man despite carrying so much pain inside him is another. My heart genuinely ached for him throughout this book because he’s just been through so much. And I loved that Luna Peters allowed him to be emotional without ever taking away from his masculinity, I just felt like a lot of MCs don’t get that and this is where he truly shined. He felt raw, vulnerable, and incredibly real…I love an MMC who isn’t afraid to feel deeply and Theo absolutely delivered that.
“You light me up from the inside out.”
And Blake was my fiery, spunky girl. On the surface she comes across strong and sharp, but underneath all that was someone carrying so much hurt and unresolved pain. There were moments where I just wanted to reach into the book and hug her. She’s so strong for surviving everything she did without completely losing herself in the process.
Honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve related this hard to an MMC. Usually I connect more with FMCs, but Theo’s insecurities and inner demons were hitting me right in the chest so kudos to Luna Peters for really making that happen. And I can’t review this without talking about the Forbidden boys because I just LOVE them so darn much. The support system between these men is honestly one of the best parts of the series. They’re affectionate, emotionally open, willing to hug it out and lean on each other, and it’s so refreshing to see in an MC friend group. It gives this series such a unique warmth underneath all the angst and heartbreak.
At the end of the day, every bit of pain and suffering in this book felt worth it because of how deeply Theo and Blake loved each other. Luna Peters truly delivered the most heartfelt and emotional book in the series yet. Her writing always has so much depth to it, and she creates characters that feel so lovable and human that you can’t help but become completely attached to them.
Going into this, I thought I was getting an enemies to lovers second chance romance, maybe a prank here, some jealously there…but I had NO idea the level of emotional damage this book was about to cause me. Theo and Blake both went through absolute hell ten years ago, and watching them come back together while all those buried truths slowly surfaced genuinely had me SOBBING, CRYING, KICKING. Like seriously, load up on the tissue boxes because y’all are not ready for this one. Luna, where do I submit my reimbursement request for emotional distress and all the tissues I used up crying over these people? Drop the form please!
Theo…where do I even start with this man? Sweetheart of the century is one way to describe him. A full cinnamon roll of a man despite carrying so much pain inside him is another. My heart genuinely ached for him throughout this book because he’s just been through so much. And I loved that Luna Peters allowed him to be emotional without ever taking away from his masculinity, I just felt like a lot of MCs don’t get that and this is where he truly shined. He felt raw, vulnerable, and incredibly real…I love an MMC who isn’t afraid to feel deeply and Theo absolutely delivered that.
“You light me up from the inside out.”
And Blake was my fiery, spunky girl. On the surface she comes across strong and sharp, but underneath all that was someone carrying so much hurt and unresolved pain. There were moments where I just wanted to reach into the book and hug her. She’s so strong for surviving everything she did without completely losing herself in the process.
Honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve related this hard to an MMC. Usually I connect more with FMCs, but Theo’s insecurities and inner demons were hitting me right in the chest so kudos to Luna Peters for really making that happen. And I can’t review this without talking about the Forbidden boys because I just LOVE them so darn much. The support system between these men is honestly one of the best parts of the series. They’re affectionate, emotionally open, willing to hug it out and lean on each other, and it’s so refreshing to see in an MC friend group. It gives this series such a unique warmth underneath all the angst and heartbreak.
At the end of the day, every bit of pain and suffering in this book felt worth it because of how deeply Theo and Blake loved each other. Luna Peters truly delivered the most heartfelt and emotional book in the series yet. Her writing always has so much depth to it, and she creates characters that feel so lovable and human that you can’t help but become completely attached to them.
May 11, 2026
MF Age Gap / Second Chance Romance
Great read!! This was super emotional, heartbreaking, gut wrenching, yet it was also sweet, inspiring, angsty and funny. It was a slow burn and not much spice to it but the story leading up to it was well worth it.
Both Blake and Theo are ‘broken’ with tragic pasts… and even though they were together years ago, they don’t know the full story of each other’s pasts. Watching Theo deal with his mental health issues, breaking down and getting the help he needed was truly beautifully written and made me feel all the feels. And once they decided to move on from the past and start new, Blake was so understanding and compassionate towards Theo and his needs.
No cheating, no OWD, no third act breakup with a HEA
I’d definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a bit of a forbidden read that takes you through nearly every emotion possible while watching two people who never truly hated one another find their way back to each other and deal with their hardships together.
* Enemies to Lovers
* Second Chance
* Age Gap 28 / 36
* Workplace Romance
* Forced Proximity
* Pranks/ Banter
* Single Mom
* Borderline Personality Disorder Rep
* Tatted & Pierced 🍆 MMC
* Good Boy / Good Girl
“Because my needy Viking needs reassurance, and I’m more than happy to give that to you,”
“I care about you, big guy, so I want to do everything I can to support you. I’ll also have to work extra hard to make you see that those voices have no meaning here. They don’t hold any power over you. Only I do.”
“I’ll always let you be you, firefly. You’re the calm to my crazy, and I don’t ever want to be without you again,”
“You light me up from the inside out, Blake Adams. I don’t have to ask with you, you just know. You remember all the small details, all the things that could easily trigger me, and remove them without batting an eyelid. You pay attention to me, you make me smile, and when I’m quiet, you ask if I’m okay. You understand me without me having to explain, and I’m so grateful for that. Actions speak louder than words, firefly, and you speak my love language.”
“I know there are going to be hard days, big guy. I know you’re going to struggle, but I’m here. I’m going to be the rock to keep you standing, and if you fall, I’ll be right there with you, guiding you back. Your mental health doesn’t define you, Theo,” she says, cupping my cheek. “You are who you are, and I love every single broken thing about you. Some people will say you need fixing, but you don’t. You’re perfect as you are. You just need a bit more attention than most.” She chuckles, and I chuckle with her, knowing she’s not wrong.
Great read!! This was super emotional, heartbreaking, gut wrenching, yet it was also sweet, inspiring, angsty and funny. It was a slow burn and not much spice to it but the story leading up to it was well worth it.
Both Blake and Theo are ‘broken’ with tragic pasts… and even though they were together years ago, they don’t know the full story of each other’s pasts. Watching Theo deal with his mental health issues, breaking down and getting the help he needed was truly beautifully written and made me feel all the feels. And once they decided to move on from the past and start new, Blake was so understanding and compassionate towards Theo and his needs.
No cheating, no OWD, no third act breakup with a HEA
I’d definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a bit of a forbidden read that takes you through nearly every emotion possible while watching two people who never truly hated one another find their way back to each other and deal with their hardships together.
* Enemies to Lovers
* Second Chance
* Age Gap 28 / 36
* Workplace Romance
* Forced Proximity
* Pranks/ Banter
* Single Mom
* Borderline Personality Disorder Rep
* Tatted & Pierced 🍆 MMC
* Good Boy / Good Girl
“Because my needy Viking needs reassurance, and I’m more than happy to give that to you,”
“I care about you, big guy, so I want to do everything I can to support you. I’ll also have to work extra hard to make you see that those voices have no meaning here. They don’t hold any power over you. Only I do.”
“I’ll always let you be you, firefly. You’re the calm to my crazy, and I don’t ever want to be without you again,”
“You light me up from the inside out, Blake Adams. I don’t have to ask with you, you just know. You remember all the small details, all the things that could easily trigger me, and remove them without batting an eyelid. You pay attention to me, you make me smile, and when I’m quiet, you ask if I’m okay. You understand me without me having to explain, and I’m so grateful for that. Actions speak louder than words, firefly, and you speak my love language.”
“I know there are going to be hard days, big guy. I know you’re going to struggle, but I’m here. I’m going to be the rock to keep you standing, and if you fall, I’ll be right there with you, guiding you back. Your mental health doesn’t define you, Theo,” she says, cupping my cheek. “You are who you are, and I love every single broken thing about you. Some people will say you need fixing, but you don’t. You’re perfect as you are. You just need a bit more attention than most.” She chuckles, and I chuckle with her, knowing she’s not wrong.
May 24, 2026
4 ⭐️ “Even when I hated you, firefly, I still wanted you. There will never be a time when I won’t want you. You’re ingrained into my soul whether either one of us likes it or not.”
Probably one of the best mental health representation books I’ve read in a long time. And on top of that?? Luna Peters absolutely NAILED the enemies-to-lovers trope in this book. The tension, the resentment, the history between Theo and Blake… it was all written so well. I loved every second of it.
This book tackles a lot of really heavy topics, and honestly, after reading the previous books in the series, I always knew Theo was going to end up being my favorite character. So finally getting to dive fully into his story felt so rewarding. And wow… what a story it was. So much pain, tragedy, misunderstanding, and horrible timing constantly pulling these two apart. Their relationship genuinely felt layered and emotional instead of just dramatic for the sake of drama.
I think Luna Peters did an incredible job fleshing out both Theo and Blake throughout the story, but Theo especially was written with so much care and depth. His struggles with mental health felt painfully real at times, and the author captured the exhaustion and heaviness of living with your own thoughts in such an honest way. There were so many moments where I genuinely related to him and understood the way his mind worked. Mental health is such a difficult thing to portray correctly in books, and I really feel like the author handled his healing journey beautifully.
And Blake… ugh. I loved her so much. The way she loved Theo was exactly what he needed. She was patient, caring, understanding, and soft with him in all the ways that mattered. Their relationship felt so real because even through all the hurt, misunderstandings, and years apart, you could still feel how connected they were to each other. Watching them slowly find their way back to one another after everything they’d both been through was genuinely so emotional and satisfying.
I also loved the way Oscar was incorporated into the story. He never felt like he was just there for plot purposes. He fit so naturally into their lives, and honestly, seeing Theo become a father was one of the most beautiful parts of the entire book. You could truly feel how much Oscar grounded him and gave him a reason to keep fighting against the darkness in his own head. The love between them was written so beautifully and added so much heart to the story.
Overall, this was such an emotional, painful, healing, and beautifully written read. The Forbidden series has honestly been so entertaining so far, and now I’m ridiculously excited for the next book. ☺️
Probably one of the best mental health representation books I’ve read in a long time. And on top of that?? Luna Peters absolutely NAILED the enemies-to-lovers trope in this book. The tension, the resentment, the history between Theo and Blake… it was all written so well. I loved every second of it.
This book tackles a lot of really heavy topics, and honestly, after reading the previous books in the series, I always knew Theo was going to end up being my favorite character. So finally getting to dive fully into his story felt so rewarding. And wow… what a story it was. So much pain, tragedy, misunderstanding, and horrible timing constantly pulling these two apart. Their relationship genuinely felt layered and emotional instead of just dramatic for the sake of drama.
I think Luna Peters did an incredible job fleshing out both Theo and Blake throughout the story, but Theo especially was written with so much care and depth. His struggles with mental health felt painfully real at times, and the author captured the exhaustion and heaviness of living with your own thoughts in such an honest way. There were so many moments where I genuinely related to him and understood the way his mind worked. Mental health is such a difficult thing to portray correctly in books, and I really feel like the author handled his healing journey beautifully.
And Blake… ugh. I loved her so much. The way she loved Theo was exactly what he needed. She was patient, caring, understanding, and soft with him in all the ways that mattered. Their relationship felt so real because even through all the hurt, misunderstandings, and years apart, you could still feel how connected they were to each other. Watching them slowly find their way back to one another after everything they’d both been through was genuinely so emotional and satisfying.
I also loved the way Oscar was incorporated into the story. He never felt like he was just there for plot purposes. He fit so naturally into their lives, and honestly, seeing Theo become a father was one of the most beautiful parts of the entire book. You could truly feel how much Oscar grounded him and gave him a reason to keep fighting against the darkness in his own head. The love between them was written so beautifully and added so much heart to the story.
Overall, this was such an emotional, painful, healing, and beautifully written read. The Forbidden series has honestly been so entertaining so far, and now I’m ridiculously excited for the next book. ☺️
May 27, 2026
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
This book ripped me apart emotionally and I loved every second of it.
Never Back Down is one of those romances that has tension creeping not only from attraction, but years of heartbreak, resentment, unresolved emotions, and two people who never fully moved on from each other. Luna Peters really NAILED that tortured timeline and dynamic.
I felt stressed from the beginning reading Theo and Blake’s interactions because you can sense how much history there is between them two. There is nothing easy about this romance because they both bring so much emotional baggage into their every interaction. EVERY CONVERSATION is layered with years of pent-up pain and frustration, and it really pumped up the chemistry.
Speaking of Theo…I really hurt for him. Beneath all of his snark and aggression, he’s hurting and the depiction of his mental health throughout the book was so raw. You can tell he’s been wounded deeply and holding onto things for way too long. I loved watching him battle with his desire for revenge vs his bitterness vs his still love vs his vulnerability. It made him feel so real.
Blake was great too. She worked so hard to put herself back together and start fresh, that being thrown back into Theo’s life set up this emotional tug of war that had me hooked. Neither of them are angels, and I loved that about this relationship. It allowed for their connection to grow in a way that felt messy and emotional and just real.
I also really loved their workplace relationship. Theo was literally Blake’s mentor who also wanted to sabotage her career. THE ATTACHMENT THEY HAVE and the rawness of every interaction they have is just BRILLIANT. The sexy time isn’t even the best part. It’s every awkward interaction where you know there are years of unresolved feelings that are just dying to explode…
I really liked that Luna didn’t hold back on the heavier elements either. There are some serious emotional moments throughout that book that build the characters without overshadowing the romance. It allowed their healing to happen slowly and realistically.
Overall this book stressed me out, made me cry, made me anxious, but had me rooting for them 100%. If you’re into emotional second chance romances that aren’t just angsty, but actually have the characters still love each other even when they’re fighting hard not to… pick this book up! !
Theo Moore, man…I need therapy after this book now. 🫠
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
This book ripped me apart emotionally and I loved every second of it.
Never Back Down is one of those romances that has tension creeping not only from attraction, but years of heartbreak, resentment, unresolved emotions, and two people who never fully moved on from each other. Luna Peters really NAILED that tortured timeline and dynamic.
I felt stressed from the beginning reading Theo and Blake’s interactions because you can sense how much history there is between them two. There is nothing easy about this romance because they both bring so much emotional baggage into their every interaction. EVERY CONVERSATION is layered with years of pent-up pain and frustration, and it really pumped up the chemistry.
Speaking of Theo…I really hurt for him. Beneath all of his snark and aggression, he’s hurting and the depiction of his mental health throughout the book was so raw. You can tell he’s been wounded deeply and holding onto things for way too long. I loved watching him battle with his desire for revenge vs his bitterness vs his still love vs his vulnerability. It made him feel so real.
Blake was great too. She worked so hard to put herself back together and start fresh, that being thrown back into Theo’s life set up this emotional tug of war that had me hooked. Neither of them are angels, and I loved that about this relationship. It allowed for their connection to grow in a way that felt messy and emotional and just real.
I also really loved their workplace relationship. Theo was literally Blake’s mentor who also wanted to sabotage her career. THE ATTACHMENT THEY HAVE and the rawness of every interaction they have is just BRILLIANT. The sexy time isn’t even the best part. It’s every awkward interaction where you know there are years of unresolved feelings that are just dying to explode…
I really liked that Luna didn’t hold back on the heavier elements either. There are some serious emotional moments throughout that book that build the characters without overshadowing the romance. It allowed their healing to happen slowly and realistically.
Overall this book stressed me out, made me cry, made me anxious, but had me rooting for them 100%. If you’re into emotional second chance romances that aren’t just angsty, but actually have the characters still love each other even when they’re fighting hard not to… pick this book up! !
Theo Moore, man…I need therapy after this book now. 🫠
Review of advance copy received from Author
that opening prologue absolutely wrecked me, like luna really said let’s make you cry immediately and it worked, and then we jump into Blake starting her new job at a law firm only to come face to face with Theo Moore after ten years and the tension is instant and so thick you can feel it, there’s so much history there and you just know it’s going to explode into something, Theo being his chaotic prankster self and constantly messing with Blake should feel light but underneath it you can feel how much he’s actually struggling with her being back and it honestly hurt to watch because his pain runs so deep, and their dynamic is just this mix of sharp banter, unresolved hurt, and something that clearly never went away, they both refuse to back down, she’s not happy to see him either and goes right back at him, but the more you read the more you see how broken he’s been since she left, and when everything about what happened ten years ago finally comes out it completely shattered me, like heart in pieces on the floor kind of pain, but also relief because finally there’s a chance for them to understand each other again and rebuild that trust, and through all of it the friendships were everything, Theo, Caleb, Noah, and James have this bond that just feels so real, the way they show up for each other, especially James with Theo, letting him be exactly who he is while still holding him up when he’s struggling, those group chats and moments of support just added so much warmth to such a heavy story, and the way Luna wrote Theo’s mental health, especially with the borderline personality disorder elements, felt so raw and real, like you could feel the weight of it, the constant battle in his mind, and it made it impossible not to empathise with him because there really are pieces of that struggle that feel universal, and at its core this is such an emotional second chance, enemies to lovers, age gap story where love, pain, resentment, and longing are all tangled together, Theo convincing himself he wants revenge, to hurt Blake the way he was hurt, but underneath it all he’s still that guy who never stopped loving her, and watching that unravel was heartbreaking and addictive all at once, just make sure you check the trigger warnings because this one goes deep.
May 31, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Never Back Down is book 3 in the Forbidden Series, and while characters from the previous books are present here, it can be read as a standalone.
While I enjoyed the romance side of the story, the heavy lean into mental health representation, and the overall character arcs, I'm on the fence about the plot. It didn't fully work for me because it often felt choppy and disconnected.
We start with the reunion, as this is a second chance romance with a strong enemies-to-lovers element. Set in an office environment, however, some of Theo's actions felt out of place. He's described as the office prankster, but some of his behavior reflected poorly on both his colleagues and the workplace itself, to the point where I found myself wondering how it was tolerated.
The workplace setting is also what brings Theo and Blake back together, as they're assigned to work on the same case. Yet once their relationship begins to develop, the case and much of the office setting fade into the background and are barely mentioned again. Considering that both the workplace romance and forbidden relationship aspects are heavily featured in the marketing, I expected them to play a larger role throughout the story.
In my opinion, when a trope such as workplace romance or forbidden relationship is introduced, it should remain relevant to the overall narrative. Here, it felt more like a starting point than an integral part of the story, which was disappointing given how much depth and introspection both characters showed in other areas.
That said, I did appreciate the author's approach to mental health and the way both Theo and Blake were forced to confront the lingering impact of their past. Their emotional growth and eventual reconciliation were the strongest parts of the novel for me and kept me invested even when the plot itself lost focus.
Overall, Never Back Down delivered a heartfelt second chance romance with meaningful mental health representation, but the underdeveloped workplace storyline and inconsistent plot progression kept it from being a stronger read for me.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Never Back Down is book 3 in the Forbidden Series, and while characters from the previous books are present here, it can be read as a standalone.
While I enjoyed the romance side of the story, the heavy lean into mental health representation, and the overall character arcs, I'm on the fence about the plot. It didn't fully work for me because it often felt choppy and disconnected.
We start with the reunion, as this is a second chance romance with a strong enemies-to-lovers element. Set in an office environment, however, some of Theo's actions felt out of place. He's described as the office prankster, but some of his behavior reflected poorly on both his colleagues and the workplace itself, to the point where I found myself wondering how it was tolerated.
The workplace setting is also what brings Theo and Blake back together, as they're assigned to work on the same case. Yet once their relationship begins to develop, the case and much of the office setting fade into the background and are barely mentioned again. Considering that both the workplace romance and forbidden relationship aspects are heavily featured in the marketing, I expected them to play a larger role throughout the story.
In my opinion, when a trope such as workplace romance or forbidden relationship is introduced, it should remain relevant to the overall narrative. Here, it felt more like a starting point than an integral part of the story, which was disappointing given how much depth and introspection both characters showed in other areas.
That said, I did appreciate the author's approach to mental health and the way both Theo and Blake were forced to confront the lingering impact of their past. Their emotional growth and eventual reconciliation were the strongest parts of the novel for me and kept me invested even when the plot itself lost focus.
Overall, Never Back Down delivered a heartfelt second chance romance with meaningful mental health representation, but the underdeveloped workplace storyline and inconsistent plot progression kept it from being a stronger read for me.
June 17, 2026
Games and heartbreak
I'm torn between 3-4 stars I don't have bpd so it makes me think differently but my husband does, so some aspects he agreed with and yet he's not like this especially with a certain scene that happens between so called friends I'm not sure where to put it.
First off how in the hell was he allowed to do the things he did in the office the pranks were okay but he clearly likes testing boundaries and I'm surprised he still has a job as I'm sure he's probably slept with someone in the office as it's a no go so how did he stick around.
I feel so bad for Blake she is seriously so strong and brave, and to put up with Theo wanting to sabotage her due to his hate annoyed me, 10 years of hate. That really ends up being a waste if he actually did something so this is where it gets me I'd probably want it out if I thought my partner cheated but my husband said he'd have ran too but knowing what happened to her was so rough.
Also what the hell was with Lauren and Caleb friendship with Theo if it wasn't for Caleb they would have had a threesome, my partner couldn't understand him mentioning he wouldn't mind a threesome and I find it disgusting she'd have gone along with it, I understand they've been kind and helped him but it doesn't want you to f*ck everyone in site or your friends.
I feel bad on this two for Blake what if she's busy at work or can't show him love for a moment is Theo then going to go back and get what he needs from those two I would never trust that friendship now.
Despite all that he was a decent father and when he got the stick out his a*s he was good to Blake after he learned the truth about her. They did work well together and his fear of failure at being the best for them was sweet. I'm glad they got the ending they did but would have loved to see the session with his therapist as I loved how she wanted to help and understand Theo more.
If you can get past the issues I had it is a great read the friendship with James and Noah is worth it. Though he does overthink it with Noah but Noah is just being Noah not that he hate Theo.
I'm torn between 3-4 stars I don't have bpd so it makes me think differently but my husband does, so some aspects he agreed with and yet he's not like this especially with a certain scene that happens between so called friends I'm not sure where to put it.
First off how in the hell was he allowed to do the things he did in the office the pranks were okay but he clearly likes testing boundaries and I'm surprised he still has a job as I'm sure he's probably slept with someone in the office as it's a no go so how did he stick around.
I feel so bad for Blake she is seriously so strong and brave, and to put up with Theo wanting to sabotage her due to his hate annoyed me, 10 years of hate. That really ends up being a waste if he actually did something so this is where it gets me I'd probably want it out if I thought my partner cheated but my husband said he'd have ran too but knowing what happened to her was so rough.
Also what the hell was with Lauren and Caleb friendship with Theo if it wasn't for Caleb they would have had a threesome, my partner couldn't understand him mentioning he wouldn't mind a threesome and I find it disgusting she'd have gone along with it, I understand they've been kind and helped him but it doesn't want you to f*ck everyone in site or your friends.
I feel bad on this two for Blake what if she's busy at work or can't show him love for a moment is Theo then going to go back and get what he needs from those two I would never trust that friendship now.
Despite all that he was a decent father and when he got the stick out his a*s he was good to Blake after he learned the truth about her. They did work well together and his fear of failure at being the best for them was sweet. I'm glad they got the ending they did but would have loved to see the session with his therapist as I loved how she wanted to help and understand Theo more.
If you can get past the issues I had it is a great read the friendship with James and Noah is worth it. Though he does overthink it with Noah but Noah is just being Noah not that he hate Theo.
May 11, 2026
📖 Book Review: Never Back Down
Enemies-to-lovers | Second chance | Workplace romance
⸻
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Never Back Down delivers a heavy, emotional second-chance romance that leans deep into pain, resentment, and unresolved love.
Theodore Moore is a man shaped by heartbreak. Ten years ago, Blake Adams destroyed him—and even now, he’s still carrying the weight of that loss. When Blake suddenly reappears as the new junior associate in his office, the power dynamic shifts instantly… and not in a good way. Theodore becomes her mentor, but instead of guidance, he’s fueled by bitterness and a desire for revenge.
What unfolds is a tense, emotionally charged story where past and present constantly collide.
⸻
💭 My Thoughts:
This book thrives on angst. Theodore’s inner turmoil feels raw and realistic—he’s not an easy character to love, and honestly, that’s what makes him compelling. His pain bleeds into everything, and at times, it’s hard to tell if he wants to hurt Blake… or himself.
Blake, on the other hand, brings a quiet strength to the story. She’s worked hard to rebuild her life, and watching her stand in the face of Theodore’s hostility adds another layer to the emotional tension.
Their chemistry?
Undeniable.
But it’s tangled up in hurt, pride, and years of unresolved feelings, making every interaction feel intense and unpredictable.
⸻
✨ What I Loved:
• Strong emotional depth and mental health representation
• Tension-filled workplace dynamic
• Messy, complicated characters
• The slow unraveling of their past
⸻
⚠️ Keep in Mind:
This story explores darker themes and heavier emotional struggles, so definitely check trigger warnings before reading.
⸻
📚 Overall:
Never Back Down is a gripping, angst-heavy romance that doesn’t shy away from the darker side of love and healing. If you enjoy flawed characters, emotional intensity, and second-chance romances that hurt before they heal, this one is worth picking up.
Enemies-to-lovers | Second chance | Workplace romance
⸻
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Never Back Down delivers a heavy, emotional second-chance romance that leans deep into pain, resentment, and unresolved love.
Theodore Moore is a man shaped by heartbreak. Ten years ago, Blake Adams destroyed him—and even now, he’s still carrying the weight of that loss. When Blake suddenly reappears as the new junior associate in his office, the power dynamic shifts instantly… and not in a good way. Theodore becomes her mentor, but instead of guidance, he’s fueled by bitterness and a desire for revenge.
What unfolds is a tense, emotionally charged story where past and present constantly collide.
⸻
💭 My Thoughts:
This book thrives on angst. Theodore’s inner turmoil feels raw and realistic—he’s not an easy character to love, and honestly, that’s what makes him compelling. His pain bleeds into everything, and at times, it’s hard to tell if he wants to hurt Blake… or himself.
Blake, on the other hand, brings a quiet strength to the story. She’s worked hard to rebuild her life, and watching her stand in the face of Theodore’s hostility adds another layer to the emotional tension.
Their chemistry?
Undeniable.
But it’s tangled up in hurt, pride, and years of unresolved feelings, making every interaction feel intense and unpredictable.
⸻
✨ What I Loved:
• Strong emotional depth and mental health representation
• Tension-filled workplace dynamic
• Messy, complicated characters
• The slow unraveling of their past
⸻
⚠️ Keep in Mind:
This story explores darker themes and heavier emotional struggles, so definitely check trigger warnings before reading.
⸻
📚 Overall:
Never Back Down is a gripping, angst-heavy romance that doesn’t shy away from the darker side of love and healing. If you enjoy flawed characters, emotional intensity, and second-chance romances that hurt before they heal, this one is worth picking up.
May 7, 2026
Never Back Down by Luna Peters is the third book in The Forbidden Series, and honestly, this might be my favorite one yet. While each book in the series can stand on its own, this story feels deeper emotionally and more intense than the previous installments. If you love forbidden workplace romance, emotionally damaged heroes, explosive chemistry, and redemption arcs that actually hurt in the best way, this book delivers all of that perfectly.
Theodore Moore completely stole this story for me. He isn’t your typical smooth, perfect romance hero. He’s stubborn, emotionally guarded, frustrating at times, and carrying so much weight on his shoulders that you can feel it in every interaction. Watching his walls slowly crack throughout the story was one of the strongest parts of this book. The emotional tension between the characters felt constant, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic had just the right amount of angst, banter, and vulnerability.
What I loved most was how emotional this romance felt beneath all the chemistry. This wasn’t just attraction for the sake of drama. Both characters felt like real people trying to survive their own emotional battles while fighting the connection growing between them. Some scenes genuinely made my chest ache, while others had me smiling like an idiot.
The writing also felt very addictive. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and suddenly I was halfway through the book. The pacing balanced emotional moments, tension, and romance really well without feeling rushed.
This book felt raw, emotional, messy, and beautifully human. Theodore’s journey especially stayed with me long after I finished reading, and I already know this is going to become a favorite Forbidden Series book for a lot of readers.
Theodore Moore completely stole this story for me. He isn’t your typical smooth, perfect romance hero. He’s stubborn, emotionally guarded, frustrating at times, and carrying so much weight on his shoulders that you can feel it in every interaction. Watching his walls slowly crack throughout the story was one of the strongest parts of this book. The emotional tension between the characters felt constant, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic had just the right amount of angst, banter, and vulnerability.
What I loved most was how emotional this romance felt beneath all the chemistry. This wasn’t just attraction for the sake of drama. Both characters felt like real people trying to survive their own emotional battles while fighting the connection growing between them. Some scenes genuinely made my chest ache, while others had me smiling like an idiot.
The writing also felt very addictive. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and suddenly I was halfway through the book. The pacing balanced emotional moments, tension, and romance really well without feeling rushed.
This book felt raw, emotional, messy, and beautifully human. Theodore’s journey especially stayed with me long after I finished reading, and I already know this is going to become a favorite Forbidden Series book for a lot of readers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I recieved an arc from the author and these are my honest reviews.
This is the story of Theo and Blake. A forbidden age gap love story with so many emotional back stories.
Blake broke Theo’s heart years ago. His heart was never fully healed. Blake comes back into his life as someone he has to train at work. He will not just let her come in and let her be happy. So he will sabotage her at every chance he gets.
Blake isn’t happy to see Theo either. He left without even a goodbye. She’ll go toe to toe with him.
I cannot get over the banter between Theo and Blake. It makes me cry and then it makes me laugh. Not getting over it but trying to be over it. Gosh their whole tension and pranks was so entertaining.
The bromance between Theo and James is just perfect. It also makes me appreciate James even more. The way he is there for Theo and understands him perfectly. James lets Theo be Theo but will have his back. Their friendship is just too cute. The whole bromance between the 4 friends was too cute and those group messages were so fun to read. Caleb, James, and Noah banded together to support Theo. Love them!
I don’t know much about borderline personality disorder but I feel for Theo so much. I couldn’t imagine living everyday with those thoughts that Theo has. The emotional toll it can take on a person. The way Luna wrote Theo and his thoughts is relatable to people. There’s a little bit of Theo in all of us.
There was no boring moments in this book. I cried. I laughed. I got angry. Everything I wanted to read in a book. I will not get over this book for a while. Will definitely be a re read for me over and over again.
This is the story of Theo and Blake. A forbidden age gap love story with so many emotional back stories.
Blake broke Theo’s heart years ago. His heart was never fully healed. Blake comes back into his life as someone he has to train at work. He will not just let her come in and let her be happy. So he will sabotage her at every chance he gets.
Blake isn’t happy to see Theo either. He left without even a goodbye. She’ll go toe to toe with him.
I cannot get over the banter between Theo and Blake. It makes me cry and then it makes me laugh. Not getting over it but trying to be over it. Gosh their whole tension and pranks was so entertaining.
The bromance between Theo and James is just perfect. It also makes me appreciate James even more. The way he is there for Theo and understands him perfectly. James lets Theo be Theo but will have his back. Their friendship is just too cute. The whole bromance between the 4 friends was too cute and those group messages were so fun to read. Caleb, James, and Noah banded together to support Theo. Love them!
I don’t know much about borderline personality disorder but I feel for Theo so much. I couldn’t imagine living everyday with those thoughts that Theo has. The emotional toll it can take on a person. The way Luna wrote Theo and his thoughts is relatable to people. There’s a little bit of Theo in all of us.
There was no boring moments in this book. I cried. I laughed. I got angry. Everything I wanted to read in a book. I will not get over this book for a while. Will definitely be a re read for me over and over again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Luna Peters absolutely delivered with Never Back Down and I am still thinking about this story long after finishing it. This is book three in The Forbidden series and it hits hard in the best way. It is raw, emotional, and packed with intensity from the very first chapter.
Theodore and Blake’s history pulls you in immediately. You can feel the pain, the resentment, and everything left unsaid between them. Their reunion is not soft or easy. It is messy and complicated and honestly so real. Theodore’s mindset had me hooked because you can see how deeply he is still affected by the past, even when he tries to mask it. His internal struggles add so much depth to his character and make every interaction with Blake feel heavier.
Blake brings this quiet strength that I loved. She does not just fold under pressure and watching her stand her ground while facing someone who once meant everything to her was powerful. Their dynamic is intense in a way that keeps you turning pages because you need to know what happens next. The tension, the emotional push and pull, and the slow unraveling of everything between them was done so well.
This book dives into heavy themes and mental health in a way that feels honest and impactful. It is not sugarcoated and that is what makes it stand out. You feel the weight of their experiences and the way it shapes their choices.
The enemies to lovers aspect here is everything I want in this trope. It is not just tension for the sake of it. It is layered with history, pain, and unresolved feelings that refuse to stay buried. When things start to shift between them, it feels earned and incredibly satisfying.
Luna Peters created something powerful with this story. It is emotional, intense, and completely consuming. If you love dark, angsty romances with real depth and complex characters, this one is a must read.
Theodore and Blake’s history pulls you in immediately. You can feel the pain, the resentment, and everything left unsaid between them. Their reunion is not soft or easy. It is messy and complicated and honestly so real. Theodore’s mindset had me hooked because you can see how deeply he is still affected by the past, even when he tries to mask it. His internal struggles add so much depth to his character and make every interaction with Blake feel heavier.
Blake brings this quiet strength that I loved. She does not just fold under pressure and watching her stand her ground while facing someone who once meant everything to her was powerful. Their dynamic is intense in a way that keeps you turning pages because you need to know what happens next. The tension, the emotional push and pull, and the slow unraveling of everything between them was done so well.
This book dives into heavy themes and mental health in a way that feels honest and impactful. It is not sugarcoated and that is what makes it stand out. You feel the weight of their experiences and the way it shapes their choices.
The enemies to lovers aspect here is everything I want in this trope. It is not just tension for the sake of it. It is layered with history, pain, and unresolved feelings that refuse to stay buried. When things start to shift between them, it feels earned and incredibly satisfying.
Luna Peters created something powerful with this story. It is emotional, intense, and completely consuming. If you love dark, angsty romances with real depth and complex characters, this one is a must read.
May 21, 2026
Finally I’ve got round to reading book 3. I’ve had a bit of a break lately as some may have noticed but when I saw Never Back Down as an arc I was on that sign up like a shot!
Luna Peters never disappoints! This is her third book in The Forbidden series and it was just as good as the first two.
As always the four men in these books are the perfect bromance.. honestly I wish I had friends that would happily help me bury a body if needed. But that kind of friendship stays with you and as soon as I started reading this book I suddenly flashed back to the other books too because they’re just the most caring, loving and yes slightly obsessive men who would do anything for those they loved.
I loved Theo and Blake’s story. I’m not one for spoilers but oh my heart when we go through their own stories and how they then come together. I screamed at my screen at the start that they needed to just talk because I thought I was stubborn but god those too I wanted to bang their heads together.
The thing that I think I loved the most actually was that it jumps back to the second book timings. The story line flows perfectly but kind of jumps back so I really recommend that you need to read the first two if you haven’t already!
I have already reviewed her other books so feel free to have a nosy at them if you want a bit of background text on those as well but wow, what an amazing read once again!
If you love a forbidden romance then I highly recommend you get following Luna Peters and get her books downloaded. Now I just have to wait until book 4 and the naughty little bonus chapter at the end has not helped me at all, I’m going to be impatiently waiting!
Luna Peters never disappoints! This is her third book in The Forbidden series and it was just as good as the first two.
As always the four men in these books are the perfect bromance.. honestly I wish I had friends that would happily help me bury a body if needed. But that kind of friendship stays with you and as soon as I started reading this book I suddenly flashed back to the other books too because they’re just the most caring, loving and yes slightly obsessive men who would do anything for those they loved.
I loved Theo and Blake’s story. I’m not one for spoilers but oh my heart when we go through their own stories and how they then come together. I screamed at my screen at the start that they needed to just talk because I thought I was stubborn but god those too I wanted to bang their heads together.
The thing that I think I loved the most actually was that it jumps back to the second book timings. The story line flows perfectly but kind of jumps back so I really recommend that you need to read the first two if you haven’t already!
I have already reviewed her other books so feel free to have a nosy at them if you want a bit of background text on those as well but wow, what an amazing read once again!
If you love a forbidden romance then I highly recommend you get following Luna Peters and get her books downloaded. Now I just have to wait until book 4 and the naughty little bonus chapter at the end has not helped me at all, I’m going to be impatiently waiting!
May 23, 2026
Just wow! Theo and Blake’s story is certainly one full of ups and downs but filled with all of the heart and soul that you could ask for in their story. I adore that the author represents mental health in such a way which makes it clear that our mental health does not define us and we are still worthy of love regardless of our demons, that found family is just as important as, sometimes more than, blood, and that we can change our fates if we put in the hard work needed to better ourselves. Theo is a wonderful depiction of the struggles faced by millions of people regardless of status and he puts in the work to better himself despite how difficult it is. Blake’s story is one of grit, determination, and steel, choosing to not let her past trauma define her and her ability to perform as one of the top lawyers in the region. This story resonated with me on so many levels, it is hard to explain. I struggled to put it down and I struggled to know that the story was coming to an end, for now at least. I can’t wait for the next installment of the series to see where things go from here and how Theo and Blake’s legal case develops.
Favorite Quotes:
“I act strong when all I want is for someone to hold me and tell me everything’s going to be okay.”
“Sometimes we have to be broken down to the barest of shells to be rebuilt into the person we were meant to be.”
“People can change, firefly. They can become better versions of themselves if they do the work.”
“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough, because you are.”
“I have the family I need, the ones who choose me every single day without questions, and that’s enough for me.”
Favorite Quotes:
“I act strong when all I want is for someone to hold me and tell me everything’s going to be okay.”
“Sometimes we have to be broken down to the barest of shells to be rebuilt into the person we were meant to be.”
“People can change, firefly. They can become better versions of themselves if they do the work.”
“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough, because you are.”
“I have the family I need, the ones who choose me every single day without questions, and that’s enough for me.”
May 25, 2026
ARC Review
I dont know where to start
This book was written with such care towards the characters, and every part of the story was represented so well
My emotions were all over the place
This stories couple knew each other years ago but something happened that change both of their lives, years later life puts them in the same place once again. They were one lovers, now they hate each other, but how long until the line between love and hate blurrs...
Our MMC, Theo, our needy viking, had me in the palm of his hands. He is a gentle giant and a seriously good lawyer but deep down he really struggles. We learn about his past, we know what he is going through in the present and throught this book I was just hoping his future had a HEA. My heart broke for Theo, I wanted to give him a hug so many times, he just needs someone who understands him, who accepts him as he is, someone who is there for him, who chooses him everytime (besides his amazing group of friends obviously) he does not someone need someone to fix him.
Enter Blake our FMC, we slowly get to know her and we learn not only about a huge secret she has but also about what really happened to her. We see and understand the strength she has even though the insecurities are there, we see her struggle but she will not let it get in the way of her goals and those she truly cares about.
Theo and Blake were ment to be, they support each other in the end in the exact way each other needs. After smiling, laughing and crying throught this book my heart is happy they finally got their HEA together
I dont know where to start
This book was written with such care towards the characters, and every part of the story was represented so well
My emotions were all over the place
This stories couple knew each other years ago but something happened that change both of their lives, years later life puts them in the same place once again. They were one lovers, now they hate each other, but how long until the line between love and hate blurrs...
Our MMC, Theo, our needy viking, had me in the palm of his hands. He is a gentle giant and a seriously good lawyer but deep down he really struggles. We learn about his past, we know what he is going through in the present and throught this book I was just hoping his future had a HEA. My heart broke for Theo, I wanted to give him a hug so many times, he just needs someone who understands him, who accepts him as he is, someone who is there for him, who chooses him everytime (besides his amazing group of friends obviously) he does not someone need someone to fix him.
Enter Blake our FMC, we slowly get to know her and we learn not only about a huge secret she has but also about what really happened to her. We see and understand the strength she has even though the insecurities are there, we see her struggle but she will not let it get in the way of her goals and those she truly cares about.
Theo and Blake were ment to be, they support each other in the end in the exact way each other needs. After smiling, laughing and crying throught this book my heart is happy they finally got their HEA together
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 5, 2026Never Back Down by Luna Peters, Book 3 of The Forbidden Series. This is an Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden, Workplace Dark Romance following Theodore “Theo” Moore and Blake Adams. 🚩🚩This is for adult readers only (18+) as it has mature content and not suitable for underage readers. There are dark and heavy themes that can be triggering so please check out the content warning before you dive in 🚩🚩
My thoughts 💭
I said this in my book 2 review for this series last and I’ll say this again….READ THIS BOOK, READ THIS SERIES!! Theo, oh my heart broke for him. This book hit way closer to home than I expected, it’s very heavy and I absolutely recommend reading the content warning because it’s warranted. Book 3 focuses on Theo and Blake and the banter is brilliant. I giggled so much because Blake does not let him win. They both have great chemistry and after everything is out in the open, the love they have for each other, even after all the time wasted on the heartache and the hate, outlasted it all. I can’t finish this review without mentioning James, Caleb and Noah because they really showed up for Theo in this book. He’s hands down the biggest teddy bear of them all and just wants to love and be loved in return 💙 I LOVE THIS WHOLE SERIES BUT DARE I SAY THIS IS THE BEST ONE!! Read it, you won’t be disappointed.
✨I would like to thank Author Luna Peters for the opportunity to read and review Never Back Down.
My thoughts 💭
I said this in my book 2 review for this series last and I’ll say this again….READ THIS BOOK, READ THIS SERIES!! Theo, oh my heart broke for him. This book hit way closer to home than I expected, it’s very heavy and I absolutely recommend reading the content warning because it’s warranted. Book 3 focuses on Theo and Blake and the banter is brilliant. I giggled so much because Blake does not let him win. They both have great chemistry and after everything is out in the open, the love they have for each other, even after all the time wasted on the heartache and the hate, outlasted it all. I can’t finish this review without mentioning James, Caleb and Noah because they really showed up for Theo in this book. He’s hands down the biggest teddy bear of them all and just wants to love and be loved in return 💙 I LOVE THIS WHOLE SERIES BUT DARE I SAY THIS IS THE BEST ONE!! Read it, you won’t be disappointed.
✨I would like to thank Author Luna Peters for the opportunity to read and review Never Back Down.
May 19, 2026
This was my first book by Luna Peters and now she’s officially on my TBR list because wow!! Never Back Down completely surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting an enemies to lovers workplace romance, but this book had so much more heart and emotional depth than I expected. Theo and Blake both carried so much pain from their past, and watching them slowly work through everything together honestly had me emotional more than once.
Theo completely stole my heart. I loved how vulnerable and real his character felt, especially with the mental health representation woven throughout the story. Blake was strong, compassionate, and exactly the person he needed, even after everything they went through. Their connection felt genuine, messy, healing, and full of love.
There were moments that made me angry, moments that broke my heart, and moments that had me smiling so hard. I also really appreciated that this story showed how important support, patience, and understanding can be when it comes to trauma and healing.
If you love second chance romance, workplace tension, emotional reads, and characters who truly fight for each other, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you for the ARC opportunity!
Theo completely stole my heart. I loved how vulnerable and real his character felt, especially with the mental health representation woven throughout the story. Blake was strong, compassionate, and exactly the person he needed, even after everything they went through. Their connection felt genuine, messy, healing, and full of love.
There were moments that made me angry, moments that broke my heart, and moments that had me smiling so hard. I also really appreciated that this story showed how important support, patience, and understanding can be when it comes to trauma and healing.
If you love second chance romance, workplace tension, emotional reads, and characters who truly fight for each other, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you for the ARC opportunity!
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I tell you that this is my favourite book of the year, even that doesn't do my guy Theo justice!!
This is such a raw, emotional, heartbreaking, heart-warming, heart repairing, beautiful book. I laughed, cried, had anxiety, you name the emotion I felt it. This book broke me and fixed me.
This book follows Theo and Blake. 2 college ex-lovers turned enemies who are forced to work together.
We follow Theo's daily struggles with his BPD and how he navigates his life.....and how he copes with the return of Blake entering his life again.
Blake is not willing to take any crap and stands up for herself despite being nervous about a secret she is keeping.
This book also has lots of jokes, pranks and laughs throughout which had me laughing along with them. We also return to the friendship of the 4 men and shown how beautiful their friendship really is and how supportive they are no matter what happens.
Luna has absolutely outdone herself with this INCREDIBLE book. This story is one that will stay with me.
As this book has some heavier themes including, MH rep (BPD) and talks of SA, please make sure to read the trigger warnings.
This is such a raw, emotional, heartbreaking, heart-warming, heart repairing, beautiful book. I laughed, cried, had anxiety, you name the emotion I felt it. This book broke me and fixed me.
This book follows Theo and Blake. 2 college ex-lovers turned enemies who are forced to work together.
We follow Theo's daily struggles with his BPD and how he navigates his life.....and how he copes with the return of Blake entering his life again.
Blake is not willing to take any crap and stands up for herself despite being nervous about a secret she is keeping.
This book also has lots of jokes, pranks and laughs throughout which had me laughing along with them. We also return to the friendship of the 4 men and shown how beautiful their friendship really is and how supportive they are no matter what happens.
Luna has absolutely outdone herself with this INCREDIBLE book. This story is one that will stay with me.
As this book has some heavier themes including, MH rep (BPD) and talks of SA, please make sure to read the trigger warnings.
May 11, 2026
You are not alone. Ever!
I have read all the books in this series so far and I have loved them all, but this book has blown me away!
Theo is the most adorable MMC I think I have ever read and I want to wrap him up in cotton wool, take him home and hug him!
Theo has BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and I knew nothing about it until I read this book. Luna Peters disclosed at the beginning of this book that Theo's journey is based on her own mental health and you can feel the reality of it oozing from the pages.
Authors that take the time to research their subject well write amazing books. But nothing eclipses an author who writes about their own personal experiences, trauma or diagnosis, and without a doubt these are the best books to become absorbed in, because it may be fiction but it is based on someone's reality and Luna has knocked this out of the ball park!
I also loved the friendship between the 4 main guys that these books are based on Caleb, James, Theo and Noah, these absolute big, beautiful alpha men do not have any issues with telling and showing how much they love each other and I think this was my favourite thing about this book.
I have read all the books in this series so far and I have loved them all, but this book has blown me away!
Theo is the most adorable MMC I think I have ever read and I want to wrap him up in cotton wool, take him home and hug him!
Theo has BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and I knew nothing about it until I read this book. Luna Peters disclosed at the beginning of this book that Theo's journey is based on her own mental health and you can feel the reality of it oozing from the pages.
Authors that take the time to research their subject well write amazing books. But nothing eclipses an author who writes about their own personal experiences, trauma or diagnosis, and without a doubt these are the best books to become absorbed in, because it may be fiction but it is based on someone's reality and Luna has knocked this out of the ball park!
I also loved the friendship between the 4 main guys that these books are based on Caleb, James, Theo and Noah, these absolute big, beautiful alpha men do not have any issues with telling and showing how much they love each other and I think this was my favourite thing about this book.
June 23, 2026
This one was by far my Favorite of the series! Cant wait to read the next in October!
Theo and Blake's story is an emotional rollercoaster filled with heartbreak, healing, second chances, and so much unresolved pain. Ten years after their relationship ended, they're forced back into each other's lives through work, and the tension, banter, and lingering feelings leap off the page. Theo's struggles with mental health felt raw and authentic, while Blake's strength and determination made her impossible not to root for. �
What I loved most was that this wasn't just a romance—it was a story about forgiveness, growth, and learning to fight for the people you love. The friendship between Theo, James, Caleb, and Noah was just as touching as the romance itself.
Be sure to check the trigger warnings because this book tackles some heavy topics, but the journey is worth every tear.
❤️ Second Chance Romance
❤️ Enemies to Lovers
❤️ Workplace Romance
❤️ Mental Health Representation
❤️ Found Family
This is easily my favorite book in The Forbidden Series so far. Theo and Blake will stay with me for a long time. 📚💕
Theo and Blake's story is an emotional rollercoaster filled with heartbreak, healing, second chances, and so much unresolved pain. Ten years after their relationship ended, they're forced back into each other's lives through work, and the tension, banter, and lingering feelings leap off the page. Theo's struggles with mental health felt raw and authentic, while Blake's strength and determination made her impossible not to root for. �
What I loved most was that this wasn't just a romance—it was a story about forgiveness, growth, and learning to fight for the people you love. The friendship between Theo, James, Caleb, and Noah was just as touching as the romance itself.
Be sure to check the trigger warnings because this book tackles some heavy topics, but the journey is worth every tear.
❤️ Second Chance Romance
❤️ Enemies to Lovers
❤️ Workplace Romance
❤️ Mental Health Representation
❤️ Found Family
This is easily my favorite book in The Forbidden Series so far. Theo and Blake will stay with me for a long time. 📚💕
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dare i say this is my favorite Luna drop EVER?!?!
Before I get started I just want to say the mental health aspect of the story is fantastic. It’s empowering and inspiring. We didn’t only read what Theo was going through. We FELT it. We EXPERIENCED it along side him. We SEEN him. Not the Theo the world knows, but the real Theo. The one who is messy, unconditional, who feels unworthy of love and we traveled alongside of him through his trauma and watched him not only grow but BLOSSOM into more than just the jokester- we read and watched him become a man. A man worthy of love. Worthy of happiness. Worthy of himself. It was truly beautiful. And I thank Luna for that.
The character development was phenomenal. Their love story wasn’t pretty. It was ugly and filled with so many ups and downs but their love prevailed.
I cried more times than I laughed… and that’s saying something with how hilarious Theo is.
The ending was beautiful and I’m excited to see how everything unfolds with the next!
Before I get started I just want to say the mental health aspect of the story is fantastic. It’s empowering and inspiring. We didn’t only read what Theo was going through. We FELT it. We EXPERIENCED it along side him. We SEEN him. Not the Theo the world knows, but the real Theo. The one who is messy, unconditional, who feels unworthy of love and we traveled alongside of him through his trauma and watched him not only grow but BLOSSOM into more than just the jokester- we read and watched him become a man. A man worthy of love. Worthy of happiness. Worthy of himself. It was truly beautiful. And I thank Luna for that.
The character development was phenomenal. Their love story wasn’t pretty. It was ugly and filled with so many ups and downs but their love prevailed.
I cried more times than I laughed… and that’s saying something with how hilarious Theo is.
The ending was beautiful and I’m excited to see how everything unfolds with the next!
May 25, 2026
Omg I fell in love with Theo and Blake 🥹 They were absolutely adorable together.
Their reunion definitely didn’t start off smoothly though. Miscommunication, tension, and Theo’s bullying towards Blake had me wanting to punch him in the face more than once 😭 Honestly, the moments where he broke Blake down emotionally had me in tears.
But Theo is also carrying so much pain and trauma of his own, and the mental health representation in this book was incredibly well written. Watching him struggle while also trying to work on himself and seek help was beautiful. He hasn’t had an easy life, and seeing his healing journey unfold added so much emotional depth to the story.
Once Theo and Blake finally start communicating and filling in the missing pieces from their past, everything shifts. Watching them rebuild their relationship and finally become a family was so emotional and rewarding.
Their HEA made my heart so happy 🥰
Such a beautiful, emotional story that I absolutely loved.
✨ What to expect:
💥 Enemies to Lovers
👩👦 Single Mom
💞 Second Chance
🧠 BPD Representation
⏳ Age Gap
💼 Workplace Romance
Spice Rating: 5/5 🌶️
Their reunion definitely didn’t start off smoothly though. Miscommunication, tension, and Theo’s bullying towards Blake had me wanting to punch him in the face more than once 😭 Honestly, the moments where he broke Blake down emotionally had me in tears.
But Theo is also carrying so much pain and trauma of his own, and the mental health representation in this book was incredibly well written. Watching him struggle while also trying to work on himself and seek help was beautiful. He hasn’t had an easy life, and seeing his healing journey unfold added so much emotional depth to the story.
Once Theo and Blake finally start communicating and filling in the missing pieces from their past, everything shifts. Watching them rebuild their relationship and finally become a family was so emotional and rewarding.
Their HEA made my heart so happy 🥰
Such a beautiful, emotional story that I absolutely loved.
✨ What to expect:
💥 Enemies to Lovers
👩👦 Single Mom
💞 Second Chance
🧠 BPD Representation
⏳ Age Gap
💼 Workplace Romance
Spice Rating: 5/5 🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
The representation in this book was everything! I really connected with the way Theo's thoughts tended to spiral and how he was just constantly moving from one thing to the next. Blake was also a really relatable character, she takes the information she has and makes the best of her situation. The banter and office pranks that wage back and forth bring some levity to an otherwise high emotion tense standoff between our MCs. The balance between heavy topics and just enough to lighten the mood was very well executed and though there were definitely tears, there was also some giggles and super sweet moments. It does take a while to get to the spice, but what's there is a little intense and well worth the wait. Check your triggers before heading into this, your mental health matters! Overall I would recommend this to anyone who loves a high emotion, tense read sprinkled through with pranks and surprises.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an intense enemies to lovers workplace romance with a strong emotional core. The history between Theodore and Blake immediately sets the tone, and you can feel the unresolved hurt and tension from the start.
The dynamic leans heavily into emotional conflict, especially with Theodore’s mindset and the way he initially approaches their reunion. His internal struggles add depth to his character, while Blake’s presence challenges that in ways that keep the story engaging.
The workplace setting adds another layer of tension, especially with the power imbalance and close proximity. The story does not shy away from heavier themes, particularly around mental health, which gives it a darker and more introspective tone.
Overall, this is a character driven romance that focuses on healing, confrontation, and whether love can survive past pain. Best suited for readers who enjoy emotionally heavy, tension filled second chance stories.
The dynamic leans heavily into emotional conflict, especially with Theodore’s mindset and the way he initially approaches their reunion. His internal struggles add depth to his character, while Blake’s presence challenges that in ways that keep the story engaging.
The workplace setting adds another layer of tension, especially with the power imbalance and close proximity. The story does not shy away from heavier themes, particularly around mental health, which gives it a darker and more introspective tone.
Overall, this is a character driven romance that focuses on healing, confrontation, and whether love can survive past pain. Best suited for readers who enjoy emotionally heavy, tension filled second chance stories.
May 21, 2026
I absolutely loved reading Never Back Down, it is easily a 5 star read for me!!
The chemistry between Blake and Theo, is electric right from the get go. The workplace dynamic, mixed with their complicated history and Theo’s revenge agenda, made the forbidden romance aspect completely unputdownable. Luna Peters knows exactly how to write tension, and watching the line blur between Theo’s plot and his actual feelings for Blake had me hooked through every twist. The pacing was fast, banter = chef’s kiss, and the emotional damage in this book is so real. It wrecked me in the best way possible!
I couldn’t put this down! The angst, high-stakes, and intense heat kept me flipping pages way past my bedtime. It is an incredibly addictive, emotional roller coaster packed with secrets and heartbreak. If you love an intense second-chance romance, you definitely need to add Never Back Down to your TBR pile immediately!
The chemistry between Blake and Theo, is electric right from the get go. The workplace dynamic, mixed with their complicated history and Theo’s revenge agenda, made the forbidden romance aspect completely unputdownable. Luna Peters knows exactly how to write tension, and watching the line blur between Theo’s plot and his actual feelings for Blake had me hooked through every twist. The pacing was fast, banter = chef’s kiss, and the emotional damage in this book is so real. It wrecked me in the best way possible!
I couldn’t put this down! The angst, high-stakes, and intense heat kept me flipping pages way past my bedtime. It is an incredibly addictive, emotional roller coaster packed with secrets and heartbreak. If you love an intense second-chance romance, you definitely need to add Never Back Down to your TBR pile immediately!
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