The Ballad of Never After
Series: Once Upon a Broken Heart #2
Author: Stephanie Garber
Published September 13th 2022 by Hodder & Stoughton

Goodreads Synopsis
The fiercely-anticipated sequel to the Sunday Times bestseller Once Upon a Broken Heart, starring Evangeline Fox and the Prince of Hearts on a new journey of magic, mystery, and heartbreak.

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. . . .
Goodreads

Review
In The Ballad of Never After, Evangeline faces the temptation of Jacks, and her newfound magic, over wanting to save her cursed husband, and refusing to open the Valory which she alone can do. As new curses and threats appear, Evangeline finds that as much as she wants to avoid Jacks, she needs his help, and the help of other Fates, in order to survive.

I'm extremely conflicted over this book. Once Upon a Broken Heart was such a good book, and I had been desperate to get my hands on the sequel, so dove right in when my copy arrived. However, I kept getting distracted and wasn't as hooked on the story line as I expected, and found myself reading other books instead. I was just getting back into it for the last 25% or so, but then the ending happened. I liked the characters, and felt like they were gearing up to the perfect ending, and then it just ended, and the ending was such a let down. I mean, I am glad that I've read the book, but I'm unsure whether I'll be in a rush to read any more of Stephanie's books in the future.

Dates Read:
November 29-December 5, 2022

Rating
3 Stars