The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

My review

4/5 stars

This book kept me company on a 6 hour road trip across the country, and it did a marvellous job. The audiobook was well-narrated and easy to sink into. It had been a while since I read the first in the series, but it didn't take long to refamiliarise myself with what was going on.

The author did a fantastic job of further developing the world and the characters to the point where the tension and chemistry between them was heartbreaking. Evangeline and Jacks are destined to be locked in a never-ending cycle of pain and attraction, and I felt every word of it as it happened.

Jacks is your stereotypical tortured soul, and I really enjoyed getting to know more of his history and motivation. The way their relationship played out over the course of the story was both endearing and heartbreaking in equal measure, and I certainly left the book feeling like I wanted more.

Evangeline's increasing strength and curiosity were also fascinating to watch. I took a lot of satisfaction from watching her discover her voice and use it for the right reasons, while still remaining vulnerable enough and human enough to feel utterly relatable.

The world around them became more intricate and engaging in this second instalment - the Hollow was especially monumental in so many more ways than one. Coming to understand the ways in which everything was connected was the main draw of the story for me, giving me so much more than the romance I came for.

I'm so glad I was able to dive straight into the third instalment of the series, I'm not sure how those who had to wait the year between releases coped with the tension.

Book blurb

Not every love is meant to be.

After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she'll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.

But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.

Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can...

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You can buy the book here now. It was published by Hodderscape.

For more on the author, you can follow her on Instagram, or check out her Goodreads page.