The Ballad of Never After

"emotional damage"

"The second installment to once upon a broken heart really constructed the development of feelings for the characters, while leaving much to discover for the next book. Although I could not put this book down, I do find the circumstances Evangeline finds herself in repetitive. Having a third and final book seems most appropriate for this series, I cannot wait to read it!"

"*WARNING THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS* OH...MY...GOSH!!!!!! Did all that just happen?! I am amazed and left in state of shock at that ending. First, I love how we basically get a rundown of what happened in the first book(OUABH), it's been a while for me but I remembered some of it, so thank you Stephanie for the brief on it, much appreciated! Jacks was bringing it on in this book! I love how he can be so straight forward with say something but actually meaning something else. Evangeline was a bit idiotic to realize what he was saying most of the time. I'm like "Girl! COME ON!!!" The plot twist with Lala being the one to curse Apollo made me angry, these Fates are so selfish, she could have just asked and basically convince Evangeline to open the arch. I love how this series is just one were you don't know who to trust, you know? You can't really tell who tells the truth anymore, some people are so deceiving that whatever comes out of their mouth no one believes. I'll admit I was getting a bit confused with the whole, who jacks was and who the original Archer was, I was "Huh?" But then it clicked when Evangeline got it lol! Why can't Jacks just say that he loves her and vice versa, I mean come on already! You don't have to kiss just say the words! Miscommunication is a big problem here lol. I legit thought she did die from Chaos or should I say Castor drinking problem, the tiniest thing would get her killed wouldn't it? But the fact that Jacks saved her by going back in time!!!! Please tell me he isn't dead, I will cry if he is! Freaking Apollo was the villian the whole time! Why would he erase her memories, it makes no sense, unless jacks was alive and had asked or made him to do it?! Ulterior motives are everywhere! I loved the tension in the book, I loved everything about it! Awesome read and I can't wait until next month to read the 3rd one!!!"

"I think a lot of these reviews give too much away :/ Stephanie Garber did it again and wrote a fantastic sequel. If you liked the previous books then you're not going to want to miss this one! I am simply not prepared to wait for the next book!"

"Here we have a rare case of “the sequel was much better than the original.” I know that this series has mixed reviews, but it’s still really growing on me! The Ballad of Never After really tends to focus on Evangeline’s quest to avoid opening/ Jacks convincing her to open the Valory Arch. Since the first book spent a lot of time jumping around with characters and exploring different lands, this book could really narrow in and focus on the main characters of the story. I really enjoyed the back and forth between both Evangeline and Jacks characters. Their friendship (or lack thereof) is the sole definition of “grumpy-sunshine.” Evangeline has been betrayed by Jack over and over and vows never to trust him again, but is that a promise she can keep? The whole plot point not every love is meant to be, is really driven home in this series. While so many characters are seeking their “happily ever after,” there are so many obstacles, curses, and Fates getting in the way of their true happiness. Throughout the story Evangeline puts forth so much effort to avoid Jack’s mind games, she fails to realize there are others who will betray her along the way. To throw a wrench in her plans, Jacks may be the only one that she can truly trust, but is she willing to let him back in again? As you read, you will get more insight on the fairytale of “The Archer and the Fox,” Evangeline’s favorite story from her childhood. You will uncover who the Archer is, the 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 ending to the story, and even an added twist. Another plot point that I was wholly invested in was the storyline between Evangeline and her husband, Apollo. We know Apollo has been put under a few different spells and now he is under a mirror curse, meaning any harm done to him, is also done to Evangeline. The most unfortunate part of the curse, is he is also under an additional curse, the Archer and the Fox curse. This means that he has this uncontrollable need to hunt her….and kill her. Can Evangeline find a way to break the curse? Will she and Jacks find a way to work together to get what they both want? What is truly inside the Valory Arch? All of these questions will be answered. However, there are a few curveballs thrown at you right at the end! The final scene between Apollo and Evangeline will have you screaming.Needless to say, I cannot wait for the final tale to come out in November."

"This book kept me coming back for more it was that good but the ENDING ????????"

"🌕🌕🌕🌕"

"Wow did this story grow on me. I thought that the first book was only ok. The first part of this book was marginally better. Then the more I read the more I couldn’t stop. That ending though. Why do I do this to myself with book series?! The wait for the next book is going to be painful. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 "

"WHAT JUST HAPPENED ?!?! "

"𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐵𝒶𝓁𝓁𝒶𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wow. This book was very unexpected. Hear me out okay. About 60% into the book, I was like okay it’s better than book 1 but something is still not there, but then Jack and Eva take a toll on my heart. after the 60 percent mark, I was hooked and I was devouring what was given to me only for it to be take away the way it did. I did not expect that? I didn’t see it coming? not this way at least. I adore Eva so much. I could really get use of being more like her. This slow burn is burning me truly like how has book two ended like this? thank God book 3 is coming out this year. When I started this book this morning, I didn’t think I was gonna sob uncontrollably over the last chapters. I love it when my feelings change so drastically about a book while reading. It really makes it worth it. I could easily give this a 5 star just because of how it made me feel when jack delivered that line to be honest. But I’ll control my sobbing and emotion and give it a 4."