Caitlin Hewitt has been engaged to Brandon Dodds for what feels like forever. She is in love and believes he loves her. The night before the wedding her best friend, Sophie, tells her something that changes everything.
It was a normal Saturday for paramedic, Jay O’Connor. If he ignored the fact that Caitlin Hewitt, the woman he loved was, at that moment, marrying another man. Jay expected the call-out to attend a young woman who had crashed her car in the middle of Leytonsfield town center, to be routine. The last person he expected to see was Caitlin—in her wedding dress.
After really enjoying the first two books in The O’Connors series, which revolve around the O’Connor family with each book focusing on a different sibling, I couldn’t wait to find out which sibling would take center stage in this one and whether we’d get another second-chance romance or something different. Fortunately, the story takes a slightly different direction by focusing on Jay O’Connor, a paramedic for the Leytonsville Medical Center, and his longtime friend and coworker Caitlin Hewitt. Rather than a second-chance romance, this is more of a second chance at love, with friends-to-lovers at its core. And like the previous books, there’s family drama and real-life relatable themes, along with difficult patient storylines. And trope lovers will find a lot to enjoy here—friends to lovers, he falls first, mutual pining, forced proximity, workplace romance, runaway bride, family secrets, and more!
Just like the first two books, this is told through a dual POV, following both Jay and Caitlin. It starts with Caitlin engaged to her longtime wealthy boyfriend, Brandon Dobbs, and Caitlin’s parents are heavily invested in the marriage because the two families are merging their businesses. One thing I did find a little difficult to believe was how invested Caitlin was in the relationship because she and Brandon are completely different people, and there seemed to be very little real love between them. It seemed like she convinced herself she was happy and was going along with what her parents wanted—but still a bit unbelievable given that she’s in her late 20s. Meanwhile, we quickly learn that Jay’s been in love with her for years but has kept his feelings to himself because she’s with Brandon. He attends her hen party, and after they both get drunk, things get momentarily heated, which createsan interesting setup for the book. We also quickly learn that Brandon’s ex-girlfriend is still in the picture, and Caitlin’s best friend Sophie suspects they’re having an affair. All of this drama comes crashing down on the wedding, and things only spiral from there. Without giving anything away, Jay and Caitlin suddenly have an opportunity to spend more time together and get to know each other in a different way. I appreciated that their relationship doesn’t transform overnight. They already have a strong foundation of friendship and trust from working together for years, so their slow shift from friends to something more felt authentic—and it was a relationship I could root for!
I also really enjoyed the thread involving Caitlin’s parents, and their marriage and the entire family situation ended up being just as interesting as the main romance. Her parents couldn’t be more different, and as more of their history and secrets are revealed, I liked how Caitlin saw them differently and began reconsidering what she wanted for her own life rather than following the path expected of her.
Just like the previous books, there are patient storylines woven in that add another layer of depth. One of my favorites involved Betty, an elderly woman Jay comes to aid who leaves her dog, SpongeBob, in his care while she has to spend time in the hospital. SpongeBob was such a fun addition to the story, and his own chaotic little subplot also feeds into the rocky dynamic between Jay and Caitlin. There are also emergency calls involving patients dealing with serious personal struggles, including alcoholism and suicidal depression. Jay and Caitlin show a lot of empathy and compassion, and the scenes emphasize the emotional and psychological toll that working as a paramedic can take—and made me respect the profession more!
The series continues with short chapters and a fast-moving plot, so it’s easy to read this in a day or over a weekend—or binge the whole series. The second half has lots of mutual pining and some miscommunication—but thankfully not enough to distract me. I liked that the ending had a more realistic feel to it considering the ages and circumstances of the characters. Despite Jay’s love for Caitlin, it’s clear throughout that he still wants to experience other things—but just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, there was a last-minute little surprise that brought it more in line with the feel of the other books. The epilogue also has the same heartwarming, hopeful vibe of the first two books.
After finishing, my only real complaint is that there were a couple of minor subplots and lingering questions that I wish had been explored more. One of Jay’s friends behaves strangely for much of the story and seems determined to keep him and Caitlin apart, to the point that I wondered whether he was jealous or possessive—but that never really gets answered. There’s also another potential love interest for Jay who gets very invested in his life, and I found myself wondering what happened to her because the story doesn’t give full closure there. A few additional chapters could have helped flesh out those details and made the ending more satisfying. Having said that, these are minor issues, and I still thought this was a great addition to The O’Connors series. With one sibling left to get their own story—Jay’s twin sister Jade O’Connor—I’m curious to see how her story/romance compares with her siblings’, and I’m also looking forward to seeing what’s next for Jay and Caitlin, as I have a feeling we’ll see more of them in book 4!
If you’re considering this series, or if this sounds like something you’d enjoy, I highly recommend listening on audiobook. Charlie Albers, who narrates the first four books in the series, does a spectacular job with the character voices, consistent from book to book. She also handles the variety of accents really well, and her pacing is spot on. Listening to this series has felt like an enjoyable mix of ER and a small-town family drama/romance TV series that I need more episodes of. I’m definitely continuing the series as long as new books are available!
Narrator Performance
Never Too Late is narrated by award-winning narrator Charlie Albers, who narrates the first four books in The O’Connors series, and having the same narrator throughout provides great continuity.
At the beginning of the story, Charlie gives protagonist Caitlin Hewitt a nervous but excited voice as she prepares for her wedding and gets ready for her hen party, but you can also hear an underlying uncertainty. The delivery makes it clear that Caitlin’s trying to convince herself that she’s happy with her fiancé, Brandon Dobbs, while still having questions about the relationship. In Caitlin’s conversations with her best friend Sophie Simons, Albers’ delivery is particularly effective, as there’s an immediate sense of suspicion surrounding Brandon that builds.
Albers also makes the dynamic between Caitlin and Jay O’Connor feel very comfortable and familiar from the start. When they unexpectedly share a kiss at the hen party while they’re both drunk, you can feel the warmth and surprise of the moment from both characters. Albers also does a great job establishing Jay’s feelings for Caitlin right away. Even though it’s clear Caitlin doesn’t feel the same sparks immediately, Albers makes Jay’s love for her undeniable and portrays him as a gentleman who refuses to interfere as she’s about to marry someone else—and I immediately liked Jay because of the portrayal.
The conversations between Caitlin and Brandon are another highlight. Albers really emphasizes how different they are, and their exchanges have an uncomfortable tension, especially as Caitlin begins questioning the relationship and Brandon’s loyalty to her. Albers also does a fantastic job giving the wide variety of characters distinct voices and personalities, including a wide variety of English and Northern accents, like the previous books. One of the most memorable voices for me was the elderly woman Betty. Albers conveys her determination to get out of the hospital and get back to her beloved dog SpongeBob so authentically, and she adds a lot of personality to her scenes. The interactions between other patients, Geraldine and Matt, with Jay and Caitlin are some of the most heartfelt moments, and Charlie narrates these beautifully.
Another highlight for me were the exchanges between Caitlin and Sophie. Albers makes their friendship feel authentic, especially when they go off on girl outings together. Sophie is given a carefree, free-spirited-sounding voice that contrasts her with Caitlin. When Sophie’s decisions get her into trouble and she becomes distressed, Albers shows a different side of the character, which makes her more interesting.
Toward the end, Albers shifts her performance of Caitlin as she begins making more concrete decisions about her future and reassessing her relationship with her parents—you can hear more determination and self-assurance in her voice as she becomes more confident about what she wants. Some of the final scenes have almost a rom-com movie vibe to them, and the way Charlie delivered them gave the ending a fun, heartfelt vibe.
Jay’s voice is probably my favorite character portrayal. Albers’ performance emphasizes his pining and love for Caitlin from the start while presenting him as a gentleman. You can hear how much he wants her but refuses to do anything about it because he respects that she’s marrying someone else. When Caitlin ends up staying at Jay’s cottage, Charlie continues to portray Jay in the same way—you know he’s not going to take advantage of the situation.
Charlie also gives Jay a very professional, grounded voice when he’s working as a paramedic, whether in conversations with coworkers or dealing with patients. The narration of his interactions with vulnerable patients such as Betty, Geraldine, and Matt really conveys his compassion, and it gave me an even greater appreciation of the pressures of the job. I also found the delivery of the exchanges between Jay and his friend and coworker Paul very interesting. Paul consistently seems determined to keep Jay and Caitlin apart, and although the story never fully explains his motivations, Charlie’s delivery made me suspicious of him from the start.
As the story progresses, Charlie continues to emphasize just how much Jay’s still pining for Caitlin, but she also captures his growing realization that he has to make decisions for himself, and that made his character arc feel believable. The delivery toward the end becomes increasingly heartfelt, and the epilogue has a romantic, hopeful vibe that will leave listeners smiling.
Overall, Charlie Albers really elevates this story, just like the first two books. This isn’t the strongest installment, but Albers keeps it entertaining and engaging from start to finish, even during moments where you need to suspend your disbelief or where plot points are not fully explored. If you’re considering this series, I highly recommend the audiobooks, and I especially recommend listening to all four books back to back. You’ll likely become as quickly invested in these characters as I have been!
Narrator Performance
Never Too Late is narrated by award-winning narrator Charlie Albers, who narrates the first four books in The O’Connors series, and having the same narrator throughout provides great continuity.
At the beginning of the story, Charlie gives protagonist Caitlin Hewitt a nervous but excited voice as she prepares for her wedding and gets ready for her hen party, but you can also hear an underlying uncertainty. The delivery makes it clear that Caitlin’s trying to convince herself that she’s happy with her fiancé, Brandon Dobbs, while still having questions about the relationship. In Caitlin’s conversations with her best friend Sophie Simons, Albers’ delivery is particularly effective, as there’s an immediate sense of suspicion surrounding Brandon that builds.
Albers also makes the dynamic between Caitlin and Jay O’Connor feel very comfortable and familiar from the start. When they unexpectedly share a kiss at the hen party while they’re both drunk, you can feel the warmth and surprise of the moment from both characters. Albers also does a great job establishing Jay’s feelings for Caitlin right away. Even though it’s clear Caitlin doesn’t feel the same sparks immediately, Albers makes Jay’s love for her undeniable and portrays him as a gentleman who refuses to interfere as she’s about to marry someone else—and I immediately liked Jay because of the portrayal.
The conversations between Caitlin and Brandon are another highlight. Albers really emphasizes how different they are, and their exchanges have an uncomfortable tension, especially as Caitlin begins questioning the relationship and Brandon’s loyalty to her. Albers also does a fantastic job giving the wide variety of characters distinct voices and personalities, including a wide variety of English and Northern accents, like the previous books. One of the most memorable voices for me was the elderly woman Betty. Albers conveys her determination to get out of the hospital and get back to her beloved dog SpongeBob so authentically, and she adds a lot of personality to her scenes. The interactions between other patients, Geraldine and Matt, with Jay and Caitlin are some of the most heartfelt moments, and Charlie narrates these beautifully.
Another highlight for me were the exchanges between Caitlin and Sophie. Albers makes their friendship feel authentic, especially when they go off on girl outings together. Sophie is given a carefree, free-spirited-sounding voice that contrasts her with Caitlin. When Sophie’s decisions get her into trouble and she becomes distressed, Albers shows a different side of the character, which makes her more interesting.
Toward the end, Albers shifts her performance of Caitlin as she begins making more concrete decisions about her future and reassessing her relationship with her parents—you can hear more determination and self-assurance in her voice as she becomes more confident about what she wants. Some of the final scenes have almost a rom-com movie vibe to them, and the way Charlie delivered them gave the ending a fun, heartfelt vibe.
Jay’s voice is probably my favorite character portrayal. Albers’ performance emphasizes his pining and love for Caitlin from the start while presenting him as a gentleman. You can hear how much he wants her but refuses to do anything about it because he respects that she’s marrying someone else. When Caitlin ends up staying at Jay’s cottage, Charlie continues to portray Jay in the same way—you know he’s not going to take advantage of the situation.
Charlie also gives Jay a very professional, grounded voice when he’s working as a paramedic, whether in conversations with coworkers or dealing with patients. The narration of his interactions with vulnerable patients such as Betty, Geraldine, and Matt really conveys his compassion, and it gave me an even greater appreciation of the pressures of the job. I also found the delivery of the exchanges between Jay and his friend and coworker Paul very interesting. Paul consistently seems determined to keep Jay and Caitlin apart, and although the story never fully explains his motivations, Charlie’s delivery made me suspicious of him from the start.
As the story progresses, Charlie continues to emphasize just how much Jay’s still pining for Caitlin, but she also captures his growing realization that he has to make decisions for himself, and that made his character arc feel believable. The delivery toward the end becomes increasingly heartfelt, and the epilogue has a romantic, hopeful vibe that will leave listeners smiling.
Overall, Charlie Albers really elevates this story, just like the first two books. This isn’t the strongest installment, but Albers keeps it entertaining and engaging from start to finish, even during moments where you need to suspend your disbelief or where plot points are not fully explored. If you’re considering this series, I highly recommend the audiobooks, and I especially recommend listening to all four books back to back. You’ll likely become as quickly invested in these characters as I have been!
Never Too Late is narrated by award-winning narrator Charlie Albers, who narrates the first four books in The O’Connors series, and having the same narrator throughout provides great continuity.
At the beginning of the story, Charlie gives protagonist Caitlin Hewitt a nervous but excited voice as she prepares for her wedding and gets ready for her hen party, but you can also hear an underlying uncertainty. The delivery makes it clear that Caitlin’s trying to convince herself that she’s happy with her fiancé, Brandon Dobbs, while still having questions about the relationship. In Caitlin’s conversations with her best friend Sophie Simons, Albers’ delivery is particularly effective, as there’s an immediate sense of suspicion surrounding Brandon that builds.
Albers also makes the dynamic between Caitlin and Jay O’Connor feel very comfortable and familiar from the start. When they unexpectedly share a kiss at the hen party while they’re both drunk, you can feel the warmth and surprise of the moment from both characters. Albers also does a great job establishing Jay’s feelings for Caitlin right away. Even though it’s clear Caitlin doesn’t feel the same sparks immediately, Albers makes Jay’s love for her undeniable and portrays him as a gentleman who refuses to interfere as she’s about to marry someone else—and I immediately liked Jay because of the portrayal.
The conversations between Caitlin and Brandon are another highlight. Albers really emphasizes how different they are, and their exchanges have an uncomfortable tension, especially as Caitlin begins questioning the relationship and Brandon’s loyalty to her. Albers also does a fantastic job giving the wide variety of characters distinct voices and personalities, including a wide variety of English and Northern accents, like the previous books. One of the most memorable voices for me was the elderly woman Betty. Albers conveys her determination to get out of the hospital and get back to her beloved dog SpongeBob so authentically, and she adds a lot of personality to her scenes. The interactions between other patients, Geraldine and Matt, with Jay and Caitlin are some of the most heartfelt moments, and Charlie narrates these beautifully.
Another highlight for me were the exchanges between Caitlin and Sophie. Albers makes their friendship feel authentic, especially when they go off on girl outings together. Sophie is given a carefree, free-spirited-sounding voice that contrasts her with Caitlin. When Sophie’s decisions get her into trouble and she becomes distressed, Albers shows a different side of the character, which makes her more interesting.
Toward the end, Albers shifts her performance of Caitlin as she begins making more concrete decisions about her future and reassessing her relationship with her parents—you can hear more determination and self-assurance in her voice as she becomes more confident about what she wants. Some of the final scenes have almost a rom-com movie vibe to them, and the way Charlie delivered them gave the ending a fun, heartfelt vibe.
Jay’s voice is probably my favorite character portrayal. Albers’ performance emphasizes his pining and love for Caitlin from the start while presenting him as a gentleman. You can hear how much he wants her but refuses to do anything about it because he respects that she’s marrying someone else. When Caitlin ends up staying at Jay’s cottage, Charlie continues to portray Jay in the same way—you know he’s not going to take advantage of the situation.
Charlie also gives Jay a very professional, grounded voice when he’s working as a paramedic, whether in conversations with coworkers or dealing with patients. The narration of his interactions with vulnerable patients such as Betty, Geraldine, and Matt really conveys his compassion, and it gave me an even greater appreciation of the pressures of the job. I also found the delivery of the exchanges between Jay and his friend and coworker Paul very interesting. Paul consistently seems determined to keep Jay and Caitlin apart, and although the story never fully explains his motivations, Charlie’s delivery made me suspicious of him from the start.
As the story progresses, Charlie continues to emphasize just how much Jay’s still pining for Caitlin, but she also captures his growing realization that he has to make decisions for himself, and that made his character arc feel believable. The delivery toward the end becomes increasingly heartfelt, and the epilogue has a romantic, hopeful vibe that will leave listeners smiling.
Overall, Charlie Albers really elevates this story, just like the first two books. This isn’t the strongest installment, but Albers keeps it entertaining and engaging from start to finish, even during moments where you need to suspend your disbelief or where plot points are not fully explored. If you’re considering this series, I highly recommend the audiobooks, and I especially recommend listening to all four books back to back. You’ll likely become as quickly invested in these characters as I have been!
