I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber Series: Once Upon a Broken Heart #2
Published by Flatiron Books on 9/13/22
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 405
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
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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. . . .
Short and Sweet Review
After being betrayed by Jacks, Evangeline swears to herself that she won’t trust him again. But after Apollo and Evangeline are cursed, Evangeline has no choice but to turn to Jacks for help. Jacks wants Evangeline to open the Valory Arch but Evangeline isn’t sure she wants to, but if she wants his help she’s going to have to play by his rules.
I loved being back in the Magnificent North. It seemed like things might be on the up and up for Evangeline and then boom her and Apollo are cursed and he’s hunting her. Evangeline tries to find a way to break the curse herself and find answers from other fates but it always leads her back to Jacks. Jacks and Evangeline have to find four stones that will open up the arch so its like a great adventure, also Evangeline has to avoid running into Apollo at all cost. We learn some more about Jacks and his past and it was really interesting because his past intertwines with some big families. There’s also a new Prince that will take the throne who Evangeline knows more than she wants to. We also have a lot of correspondence with Chaos and Lala and we find out their reasons for wanting the arch open.
I loved Jacks his wit and comments are unmatched. I didn’t love Evangeline though she felt self-righteous and that her way was always the best way. She gets herself into a lot of sticky situations with the way she wants to handle things. I think she’s stubborn and just wants to do the opposite of what Jacks suggests they do. There is attraction between them but they try to fight it off so much it becomes a little off putting like maybe they should just be with other people. Also who is Apollo!?
Anyway I love this series and I’m so excited to see what will happen in the next book especially because this book left off on a cliffhanger.
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