In the Fall Away series, there are lovers, friends, enemies, and families. There are fights, races, and secrets.

Secrets it seems someone has decided secrets don't need to be kept. If you are a fan of the series, you know all about Jared/Tate, Madoc/Fallon, and Jax/Juliet. You are aware of the crazy train that their lives have been. But what about the original drama, what about where it all started...

Quinn's mysterious delivery has her on edge. It's disturbing and it's creepy but...it can't be real, right? None of them are really like this...it didn't happen this way?!

The feels are there- the unease, the distaste, and the sheer disbelief. There is history and there is the present. They are going to collide in a spectacular way. next to Never gives an eye opening look at the bigger picture and leads into the next round of Fall Away stories.

4.5 stars

I was late to the party when it came to the Fall Away series, but I'm completely ADDICTED now. I cannot get enough of this series, and LOVE how Penelope is spinning off the original character's stories.

Her writing is engrossing and edgy, but just enough, she's never over the top. Smart, sexy, and amazing. I love these characters and will read anything Penelope writes about them.

This book wasn't what I excepted; it's so much more. It's told by Quinn who's Katherine and Jason daughter. Her brothers are Madoc and Jared. The poor girl doesn't have a shot with them. Quinn is seventeen and struggling with her path in life. It's starts with Quinn receiving a book (journal) in the mail no return address. It's a bit of a mystery. Once she begins she starts to think this is someone's real story.

We see how Katherine and Jason first met at a young age and how their relationship grew and how the struggles arose that had them separated for so long. Penelope Douglas has written a beautiful love story. We see all the characters throughout which was enjoyable. Jared and Madoc has parents how the handle there children. Quinn has a crush on Lucas which is a new character who's just being introduced. Their book is coming and who knows what to expect. If you read the all the books, you would understand why it's hilarious to see. There's so many different things going on throughout the book and it's a fast paced read.




Next to Never is goes from the past to the present with Katherine and Jason story the struggles they had and why.

Penelope Douglas became an instant favorite of mine after I devoured Bully and the rest of the Fall Away series. So as soon as Next to Never was offered up to review, I jumped on the chance, I couldn’t wait to get back to some of my favorite characters. While I have read all of the Fall Away series I wasn’t aware of the future plans for writing about the children, so imagine my surprise while starting this book, ten minutes I start googling and get even more excited for future Penelope Douglas books. Next to Never is a catch up novella, a story within a story, a good segue to reintroduce the families, and all the children that are in high school now.

We’re first introduced to Quinn Caruthers, Jared’s mother and Madoc’s father’s daughter. Though this isn’t Quinn’s story she’s the one who receives a mystery book from an unknown sender and no return address. We dive into this mystery book right along with Quinn and get a story I didn’t know I needed until I was hit with it (I’ll let you discover it on your own). Quinn starts to learn more about her family, her brothers, and finally what she wants to do. We also get to meet all of the kids from our Fall Away couples, Douglas provides a family tree (I may have had to check it out a time of two). Furthermore it makes you anticipate the next series even more, there’s definitely a couple of those kids I can’t wait to see what they get into, especially after having Jax, Madoc, and Jared as their fathers.

Any fans of The Fall Away series should pick this up and if you’re not aware of The Fall Away series, what are you waiting for?! Get on it. It’s intense, the feels are there, good and bad, and everything you need in a good angsty romance. I seriously cannot wait to get my hands on Quinn’s story, I don’t know if that was Douglas’ intentions, but it worked. Hook, line, and sinker.

Hot damn. This was fantastic. I didn't realize I missed the Fall Away gang quite as much as I did until I started reading this novella. What an introduction to the next generation of characters... all while reminding me just how much I loved the original gang. I cannot wait for more from this! I want EVERYONE'S stories.

One of the greatest thing about Next to Never is that it was a book within a book. I loved how we were introduced to the next generation by glimpses back in time at Jase and Kat's story from decades ago. A story within a story is often hard to pull off, but Penelope rocked it. I was totally wrapped up in both Quinn's story AND her parents. (As long as I didn't focus *too hard* on the idea that she was reading a sexy story about her parents. Haha.) At 200 pages, it was a SUPER quick read, too. And it's one that absolutely left me wanting more. I don't know when Quinn's story will be completed, but I will be waiting with total grabby hands until I find out if Lucas comes back and what happens when he does. (You can tell I'm shipping this hard, right? I'll be so disappointed if I don't get their story.)

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I went into this book a bit blind. I didn’t realize what the story was about until I started reading it and then slowly it clicked. This is the story of the parents we saw throughout the Fall Away series. But the author tells it in such a unique way, I have to give her credit for both teasing a new story and giving us such a good understanding of the past at the same time.

Basically this story is “technically” told from the POV of Quinn Caruther. You may remember her as Jaxon, Jared and Madoc’s little sister. Let me get this out of the way. There is no HEA for her in this book but I am definitely itching to find out more. I need to read her story soon. What is compelling about NEXT TO NEVER is that through Quinn’s eyes we discover how her parents came to be together. A story of love that persevere to be a happy ending when it could’ve easily turned out very different. I really liked the author’s approach on how she told this story, and the glimpses we get of the whole gang from the series. Both from the past as well as the future. A small window after their HEAs.

Overall, this was a short and welcomed addition to the series, and it’s left me very interested to read more about Quinn. If you are a fan of the Fall Away series, you won’t want to miss it.

When Penelope Douglas announced that she was going to be writing the second generation of the Fall Away series, I torn between excitement and trepidation. Excitement because, "Yay! More Fall Away Lane! We get to see Jared, Tate and the rest of the gang again!!" And terrified because second generation stories are always tricky to write. For one, there's the timeline. Especially for contemporary books like this, it's going to be hard convincing readers that 16 years has already passed even though it's only been like a year in reality.

But Penelope Douglas totally nailed it. She create new characters that are so easily relatable and easy to root for.

Next to Never is a bridge book. A bridge between the previous generation and the new one. And Quinn Caruthers is perfect for the role.

Spoilers for the Fall Way Lane series up ahead!

Quinn is the daughter of Madoc's dad, Jason and Jared's mom, Katherine. We learned in Aflame that Jason and Katherine have a history together. That history is something that's explored more in this book.

So yes, this is Quinn's book but not...if you know what I mean. We see things through her perspective. We get to know her nieces and nephews through her interaction with them. We get to find out how cool Juliet still is and funny Madoc still is (and really this holds true for the rest of the gang) through her conversations with them.

On the other hand, this book was ultimately Katherine and Jason's story. And yes, we get to experience it at the same time Quinn does via a semi memoir/autobiographical account written by a mystery author who gave the book to Quinn. And their story was just everything I could ever hope for.

It has the emotions, the angst, the sexiness, the angst, the heart, the angst! Oh yeah, I was quite happy with the amount of angst in this book. And for those who are wondering....(view spoiler)

Penelope Douglas didn't shy away from showing how toxic and destructive Katherine and Jase are to each other. And that (view spoiler) has consequences. It also gave me more insight into Jared. Still doesn't excuse his bullying Tate but I truly get why he's like that. Despite the general feeling of doom concerning Katherine and Jason's relationship, there were also moments of tenderness and genuine love and affection not just between Jason and Katherine but Jason and Madoc. Although I would love to have more of them being content and finally happy, it didn't change the fact that I enjoyed the hell out of this book.

Next to Never has all the elements that a Penelope Douglas fan would love. It definitely sets the tone for the what the new series is going to be about. I'm not going to spoil it for you but OMG, I am dying for more.

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

3. 75 Sweet Stars!

I have to admit that this book didn't grab me right away and I had to force my way to read it because I was so confused with all the kids and where they were on the family tree and THEN boom it all came together and I realized what was going on. Which was a brilliant concept on how Kat and Jase's story came to light and we get to see into Quinn and it set us up for her own book which will hopefully come out soon.

Here are some highlights of some of my favorite parts:

"Because we all eat lies when our hearts are hungry,"

No one else can make you happy, and putting that expectation on the other person will doom both of you. You don't look at someone and say "you can make my life better." You look at them and say "I can make your better."

" . . . A strong person realizes that the only love you truly need in this life is the love you have for yourself. If you have that, it's like armor. No on can stop you. No one else matters."

I did quite like this book but it did take me about 25% through to get hooked into it. I loved the concept on how it was set up and I'm excited we get more from this great family but all the kids besides Quinn are still a bit confusing to me. I will have to keep the family tree from Pinterest handy while I read more from this series.

I finished reading this series last year and absolutely loved every single book and character that Penelope wrote. With such addicting romances, I was so excited to see that Penelope was releasing a new novella in the series. And that cover?! I knew I had to read it ASAP!

As the baby sister to three much older boys, Jared, Madoc, and Jaxon, Quinn is used to having a big family who would always have her back. Having so many overbearing men in her family, though, means that they are all protective to the extreme. When a package shows up on her doorstep with no return address, Quinn can't help but wonder if it's from Lucas, the guy she's always loved who's been gone for two years. From the first page, Quinn is sucked into the story of the couple who wanted to be together but could never just give themselves to one another. Quinn thinks about romance and relationships in a new way, and has to decide what she wants to do about her own life.

If you love the Fall Away series, you are going to absolutely love this book. All of the characters from the series are now adults with kids who are in high school, so you get to see them as parents and fall in love with them all over again. The kids are so much fun and have tons of drama on their own, which I loved seeing. And with Quinn as the baby sister, you got to see the men you fell head over heels for in their own books as adorable, overprotective big brothers. It was like saying hi to old friends and I loved every minute of it.

This was a story within a story, so we got a lot of the book that Quinn was reading and got to follow the love story of a couple who wasn't meant to be together and couldn't actually be together. You follow them over a long time and actually get to see moments that happen in the previous novels of this series from a different perspective. It was cool being able to get a different look at the stories that I love and understand some of the decisions that certain characters had made.

Every single person who has read the Fall Away series needs to read this novella. You get the characters you know and love, as well as a new set of characters that you'll fall in love with as well. I am dying for another book in this series (*cough* Quinn and Lucas *cough*) and more time in this world. If you haven't even started this series yet, get your hands on Bully and fall into an addicting series you won't be able to put down.

Next to Never by Penelope Douglas (Amazon | B&N | Kobo) is a trip back to her beloved series, Fall Away. These are the children of the original characters and Next to Never is an introduction to them. A novella, it introduces new dynamics and shows how everyone has changed. Quinn, our narrator, is grown up and through her eyes, we are reacquainted with these old friends. I can’t wait for more.

To be honest, I expected this book to be about Quinn. I thought it was the kick off to a new series about the Fall Away Lane kids. While I enjoyed getting to know Jase and Kat's story, I took exception to Kat having her daughter reading such explicit sex between her mother and father. I do look forward to hearing more from the kids as they reach adulthood.

Lindy's Thoughts:

Next to Never was a phenomenal novella! What a great addition to the Fall Away Series! Penelope Douglas is a gifted and extremely talented story teller. I fall completely in to her stories, and never want them to end. They are the perfect reading escape!

Next to Never brought me another chance to experience some of my favorite fictional characters. It was such a treat getting reacquainted with Jared, Tate, Madoc, Fallon, Jax, and Juliet. I also got to know their children, and am really looking forward to each of their stories.

In Next to Never, we get to know Quinn (Jared, Madoc, and Jax's younger sister.) Quinn fantasizes about Lucas, her brothers friend. She hasn't seen Lucas in years, but hopes for the day when he will return. One day a book arrives in the mail with no return address. Quinn is reluctant to read it, because it is a romance, and she doesn't enjoy that genre. However, when her niece Dylan, begins to read aloud, she becomes drawn in. The story begins to take an interesting twist, when family secrets begin to come to light.

Next to Never hooked me! What an incredible story! I highly recommend this novella to fans of the Fall Away Series.

Rating:

I give, Next to Never, by Penelope Douglas, 5 Frenzied, Passionate, Tumultuous, and Riveting Stars!

The Fall Away series is one that stays with you long after you have read it. I was sad when it ended, but wait Penelope Douglas the angel who I adore decides to continue with a second generation. Like is it Christmas? It certainly felt like it. Reading it was like getting together with old friends whom you haven’t seen in a long time. It was a prequel within a new story, and genius. She gave me a story I knew I was dying for (Quinn) and then one I didn’t even know I wanted (Quinn, Madoc, and Jared’s parents). I loved every minute of it.

You will need to read the previous books for sure. There are a lot of different couples that have a history. If you haven’t gotten through the entire series this book is full of spoilers. The book sets up the new series, you will definitely be interested in the new characters (the kids) dynamics. They are so much like their parents, and I fell hard for one in particular. It also was a coming of age for Quinn, and a understanding of where she comes from, and who she wants to be. I enjoyed watching her grow in a very short time and blossom into a woman was a nice.

The synopsis is a little misleading, and this isn’t just all about her, but her parents, and their love story. I can’t go into the details without spoiling the series, but I will say it will make you laugh, want to pull your hair out, and even cry. The message love is never easy, but a love that transcends years, and tribulations, is one you hang on to, never let go of. I expect Quinn to go through the same type of love.

Thank you Penelope for bringing us back to Fall Away Lane, I wish I lived on the house on the corner, because I never want to leave. I can’t wait for where you take us with this new generation.

Next To Never by Penelope Douglas is what I would call a transition novella to continue a series loved by so many. And what a great continuation it is. We get to see what our favorite couples are up to. How life has been for them and meet the next generation of characters to love. We also finally learn about Katherine and Jason’s past. Really, what is there not to love about this! Especially if you have been a fan of the Fall Away series.

In true Penelope Douglas style, we get a beautify crafted story that we love to read and find hard to put down. We see Quinn as she comes of age and begins to plan for her future. We learn what she dreams of, wants and how much she has to deal with in regards to her older brothers. Though we cannot really be surprised considering how we know Jared, Madoc and Jaxon.

We also get to learn about Jason (Madoc’s dad) and Katherine (Tate’s) and their history together. Their love story really. Though I loved learning their past, it was also at times so sad and emotional to read. What they went through, what they lost and so much wasted time. And though it was a hard road for them, we see how they found each other again. Not a spoiler, as you should read the all the books before this to really understand this story and the impact it has.

At the end, this was a great closure to the one story we did not have, a great way to catch up with beloved characters and a smart way to set-up the next generation. I cannot wait to get Quinn’s story. After what older generation went through and the trouble they got into, this new generation is going to be a lot of trouble. And I, for one, cannot wait!

I give Next To Never by Penelope Douglas 5-stars

Having older brothers can be unpredictable. For Quinn - life with Madoc and Jared proves to be a bit limiting on having any type of ‘freedom’. Guys really don’t stand a chance of dating Quinn. First - her brothers love to scare prospects away with just their presence. Then there are those lingering feelings for Lucas. No longer a presence in her life, Lucas still has a way of sneaking into Quinn’s daily life. Causing all those feelings from the past to rear their head again.

While this story revolves around Quinn - it isn’t really her ‘tale’ that is told. After a book is delivered without a return address, the story of Kat and Jase’s story begins to unfold within the pages. A tale full of missed opportunities and a way of finding the peace at the end of your journey. A story that needed to be devoured by those that needed to understand Kat and Jase’s past.

Penelope Douglas has really outdone herself. Writing a story within a story!! While Next to Never is ‘suppose’ to be a novella. It certainly doesn’t seem that way when you are caught up reading about the characters in this book. A love that was truly deserving of such a unique history. While I could let you in on more details…..I feel that the author’s unique writing style should be experienced for yourself. Fans of the series will definitely enjoy the glimpses at Quinn’s character. Hopefully - readers will get more of her story in the future!!

From the outside, Quinn Caruthers has it all. She has the love of her family, the protection of her brothers and the security of her parents. But growing up under the weight of such great expectations is starting to make its mark on her soul.

Day after day, she can’t bring herself to forget about the boy who captured her young heart and then disappeared. He’s just another reminder of all the things that she really wants but can never have.

But now inspired by a mysterious book that seems to parallel the painful history of her parents, she decides to finally let go childhood dreams and forge a new future – now matter how much it will hurt.

“No one knows what I want.
No one looks closely enough.
No one except Lucas.”

With Next to Never, Penelope ushers in the new generation for her iconic Fall Away series. Her signature intensity is in full force and the blending of the latest characters into the fold is nothing short of flawless.

She once again creates such an intricate web of emotions that you never want to break free. And you’ll only wish that it would never end…

“All she sees is what’s right in front of her. Guys are drawn to her, because of her spirit and smiles. She’s a happy person, and she makes people feel good when they’re around her. I’m not like that. I’m just kind of there. Like empty space.”

If Penelope Douglas writes a book, I will read it! And this series is one of my favorites, so I could not wait to get back into these characters’ lives! And what a treat! Once again, Ms. Douglas surprises and puts a fresh spin on her beloved characters. This book introduces us to Quinn, but also sets up the next generation of characters and it was just a pleasure to read.

The author uses a story within a story here which added a layer of nuance and depth to what I thought would be a classic New Adult romance. Ms. Douglas gives us the backstory of Katherine Trent and Jason Caruthers and it broke my heart! Yes, you will absolutely need to read the other books in the series first but Bully and the later books are among my most cherished stories. From adult contemporary romance to new adult stories, Ms. Douglas can do it all.

“Why did you marry her?” she asked me in return.
I turned my eyes back out to the road as I would my way through her neighborhood.
Because I didn’t see you first.

My heart!! The author does a wonderful job of telling two parallel stories here. The book felt a little sad to me at times because of the theme of lost time but the author gives her characters the perfect conclusion here. Don’t miss Next to Never! It is a clever love letter to the fans of the Fall Away Series.

Next to Never is nothing like I expected it to be. The story is from Quinn Caruther’s POV, but it’s not completely Quinn’s story (from what I understand, her full length story is yet to come). Quinn is the little sister of Jared, Madoc and Jaxon. With three older brothers like them, she’s never had much freedom in her life. She also doesn’t have much dating experience. This is partly due to her older brothers, and partly because she’s had a long time crush on Lucas. Lucas is quite a bit older than her and left town years ago. Quinn knows she should move on, that waiting for him isn’t the smartest idea, but she can’t escape those feelings she has.

As I said earlier, this is Quinn’s novella, but it isn’t really her story. I'm glad we'll get that in the future more thoroughly, though. Quinn get’s an old book delivered to her anonymously and that is the true story told throughout this. I loved the unique way Douglas decided to tell this couple’s tale. Jase and Kat’s story was tumultuous and stressful at times, but there was always so much love there. I loved the way their damaged hearts were finally healed once they came together.

I love this series and all the characters. It was great to see the guys from the earlier books married with children of their own. And holy hell… Dylan, Hunter, and Kade! I’m SOOOOOO freaking intrigued! I really hope Penelope decides to write a few more books in this Fall Away series because, really!!! I need to know more about those three! I enjoyed the romantic element and steam of Jase and Kat’s story, and also the present with Quinn. Her character is one that I want to know more about! I recommend this to all fans of this series. It’s one you don't want to miss out on!

The Fall Away series is a favorite of mine. Like, top five. And now, it’s time for a new generation, which I’m ecstatic for! Next to Never is an excellent transition between the two, and the perfect intro for the newer characters. It’s a quick read, but fully satisfying.

I love Quinn and the different relationships she has with various family members. It’s especially fun seeing Madoc, Jared, and Jax as older brothers. But it’s really cool how we get to know Quinn while intertwining her parents story. Trust me, it totally fits. Fans of the series are already familiar with some of it, but now we know how things really went down.

I’m so glad we get to know Quinn and see this pivotal point in her life. It makes me even more eager to see what’s to come. I mean, I think we know what’s coming with that ending, but it only makes me exceedingly giddy for it!

This is definitely a must-read for fans of the Fall Away series. If you haven’t read it yet, then freaking do it already!