Unfortunately archived before I realised my copy wasn’t working well, I can’t review this but I’ll definitely be seeking out a copy

Great book that started off a little slow but quickly picked the pace up over the first few chapters. Interesting for the rest of the read. Definitely one to give a shot to.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book.

It wasn't the right book for me though. I felt that a lot of descriptions were just fluff to hit a word count or something. It was okay, an easy read, a quick one, but it didn't really make me feel things. It was just... okay. But it could have been more

This book is a feel good book I am in awe that the author got all the feels into the book and truthfully it was a hard book to put down. I want to see these characters again, I want to know what happens later. This is a new author for me but one I will be looking out for.

**e-ARC received by the author and publisher of NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.**

This is so cute and it’s so easy to read book. What I learned about this book is you need to love yourself first before you love someone else. Everyone says that there’s a person for everyone, I think most people are not ready for a relationship because they have their own issues to deal with. And when you are in the relationship those issues will come to life onto that other person. Maybe that person is capable to overcome with you with all those issues but most of the time it became really toxic where people lives was wasted and ruined and I think it’s fair. Thank you for this book, it’s new and refreshing.

Thanks so much to Book of Matches Media, the author and Netgalley for the eARC!

As a plan to diversify my reads this year, I’ve taken on a couple of contemporary reads, graphic novels and sci-fi books that I could get my hands on. At first, I didn’t think that I would like this one because the blurb describes an instalove trope (which I dislike the most). However, with a cover as gorgeous as this one, I had to give it a chance… and I’m glad that I did.

Ben, Ruby and Mason’s story reflects real life scenarios that are becoming more and more common these days. There was no beating around the bush. It centered on family, and love, and life. It’s also a quick read that is enjoyable and can be finished in one sitting, but the effects of which could last long after you’ve put it down. I can’t wait to read more from the author 💜

I finished this book quite quickly, I read it in a bit more than two hours. I fairly enjoyed the story. The story in itself can be quite repetitive sometimes, always going back and forth between Ruby and Benjamin saying they still have love feeling but fearing for their stable relationship. However, I think the author did a good job when creating the characters because, even though they repeat themselves, I still found them loveable and not annoying. As the book is quite short, I felt like the arguments/debates the characters sometimes had ended too quickly and hence, not realistically. Nonetheless, it didn’t bother as I was in the right mood for this type of story; a short but touching love story.
I recommend to people looking for a short love story with not much drama.
3/5

Love is never lost is an uplifting story about finding true love, losing it and having the opportunity to find it again.

This was an enjoyable novella. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Love Is Never Lost follows a couple, Benjamin and Ruby, who have been going through some hard times as adults. They are separated. They met in college and instantly fell in love but as life dug its nails, the couple fought to stay together. Mason, their son, who is sick of having only one parent at a time, signs them up as volunteers for an upcoming camping trip. Would this trip rekindle any spark of love they had once?

It’s fun and eccentric story of two adults who wold anything for their child.

I did enjoy parts of the book, with scenes that got me begging to see them together. I liked the camp setting. It was different. I have never seen a camp setting for adults. I like the idea. Even though the book revolves around adults, their unique experiences gave them a much younger appeal. They had a lot of first time experiences, just like teenagers. This would appeal to a younger demographic, broadening the audience.

From the start, you’re rooting for the two characters to get together. You can feel it from the start. You know what they are feeling. You know what they are thinking. You just want them to gr together. That desperation kept me going.

There were scenes I’m sure wouldn’t have really happened the way it was described, and there were some sentences that didn’t fit in well. For example, when she first meets Ben, it seemed as though that was it. She was in love. It felt pretentious and unrealistic. Not that it’s badly written, but maybe a little more time, maybe even a conversation would’ve helped develop the relationship between them. I also felt that the author missed an opportunity. Instead of telling us, showing the same feeling with actions like them indulging in deep conversations hints towards the same thing but creates a better impact.

I’ve read a lot of cheesy novels before. I grew up reading Wattpad stories so it does put me in a place where i know the line exists. We don’t read cheesy novels for the plot, but for the fantasy it portrays. But there is a line. It has to be a little realistic. The characters need to reflect real people. I’m not sure I saw that in this book. I understand the book is very short but it still had time for development.

I also noticed a few errors in the book that makes me believe that it’s not well edited. It’s still a fun and casual read for those who are looking to indulge into a quick novella over the weekend. As I’ve mentioned before, it would appeal to both, adults and teenagers.

Love is Never Lost was a fun and easy read. I loved the main characters and adored their son and really felt sad about the aspect of how some kids try to understand and adopt to the situation of their parents being separated. Faye focuses on showing that even if life interferes in peoples way love may never be lost and that even after many years giving second chance to build a stable relationship is possible. Ruby and Ben are so sweet and I loved the way they were able to take necessary action for their kid.

⚜️ SPOILER FREE REVIEW ⚜️

'Love is never lost' was an uplifting and an enjoyable read for me. The story was simple and elegant in it's own way.

The author's writings were expressive using poetical words and sentences.

The characters were lovable and the atmosphere where the story is set, felt pleasant to me.

It's that type of book where you complete the whole story in one sitting due to it's short pages and also because of it's fast paced ness.

In conclusion, 'Love is never lost' was second chance based, sweet and lovely book that one definitely will enjoy on a balmy day.

I'm a big fan of second chance romances but I felt like Love is Never Lost was lacking and I found it to be a rather boring read. I was expecting a lot more just from the blurb overall and am disappointed.

The writing was done well. The story didn't really keep me hooked though. I feel like it could have been... More.

Quick and easy read. A second chance romance which was beautiful and had great character and world building - so easy to get lost in!
I would’ve liked a little more background but still enjoyable regardless.

This story was short and sweet. The two main characters, Ruby and Benjamin who fell in love at first sight believed their love was strong enough to conquer any trial. Sadly, seven years later, divorced and with a young son, they both allow fear to control their true feelings they still have towards each other.

"Why is it we seem to be locked in a place where words no longer flow, where the conversation is robotic, awkward, and mechanical? I hunger for the past and fear the future. Is this to be our Destiny?"

The writing and character development was well written. The feelings of Ruby and Benjamin were well explained as well as the tension between the two. Great standalone, I only would have liked the ending to have been longer and not so predictable.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to have an ARC for a honest review.

This book is a wholesome second chance romance of two people who were separated by life - literally the entire book.

Love


Synopsis
Destiny brought them together during a freshers tour of the college library. It was love at first sight for Ruby and Benjamin who both believed it was a bond that would never be broken. But then life intervened and tore them apart.

Now seven years later they remain separate and devoted parents to their beloved young son Mason who they co-parent. But Benjamin is deeply unhappy and blames himself for their breakup. Will he have the courage to abandon his corporate career which was the cause of so much pain, or has Ruby moved on with her new life as an artist?

She too has regrets and cannot forget those magical first years together, but is fearful to change their relationship so carefully crafted for their son. Mason too has his own ideas and would like nothing more than for his parents to reunite. Can their young son find a way to bring his parents together and make them a family again?

But, who has the courage to reveal their true feelings and face the possibility of rejection causing yet more confusion and heartache for Mason? Will Ruby and Benjamin have a second chance and perhaps discover that love is never lost?

This book is a wholesome second chance romance of two people who were separated by life – literally the entire book.


What I like about the book
■ The emotional dump. It did not pull any punches and went straight to the heavy stuff – I love it.

■ I could feel the tension between Benjamin and Ruby all throughout the book. Their hesitance, their fears, that shy first moment when two strangers dance the waltz for the first time. They brought us to their journey of embracing each other again

■ It’s sweet and wholesome.

■ The setting of scenes is nothing short of magical. It was so easy to immerse yourself in the world that the book opened. Just read this:

"Tinder dry logs on the fire sputter and spit, sending tendrils of smoke wafting towards a brilliant star flecked sky, each pinpoint of light a sparkling rhinestone on a velvet canvas. The warm evening air is a heady blend of wood smoke and the tangy aroma of citronella candles which glow in tin foil trays." - 1st paragraph, Chapter 5, Love is never lost"

Meh
■ There were moments when the author would take too much time describing the setting and then the conversation or the entire chapter just falls short.
Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful description. They only failed to retain the energy consistently throughout the book. Sometimes, even the conversation would sound poetic in a non-realistic way.

■ I find the plot lacking. The backstory doesn't provide much which made it look like their reason for the divorce is lame - which in reality isn't the case. I need the nuances that lead them to separate in order to relate and accept that they needed to separate. In my head, there was absolutely no acceptable reason why they had to divorce.

I needed a more in-depth backstory, I needed to know the little details – the moment they decided to end things, the moment they realized it’s over. I need to feel the pain to relish the satisfying end.

■ I can't believe that they let it go for so long. I also can't believe that someone who claims to love somebody would let the very reason for his hard work, prioritize his career than solve his broken marriage. I mean, there must be something greater than "we failed to communicate"? Who divorces their spouse without talking to them, doing everything to salvage their marriage even as a last-ditch effort? This couple is not it.

In conclusion, It’s not bad but it’s not that good either. There’s a missing chunk in the plot that could’ve completed this and made it great. The book doesn’t have any problem evoking your emotions, its weakness lies in weaving the story consistently and fully. I am left with many questions.

This book is beautiful and has plenty of potentials, but it fell short in some ways somehow.

If you love a wholesome and sweet second chance romance, then this may be for you.

ARC provided by Faye Madden and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op through NetGalley for an honest review.

Love is Never Lost is a second chance romance book I absolutely loved. We all have relationships that we wonder if it was just another time or if I was older/younger or whatever. This book is a feel good book I am in awe that the author got all the feels into the book and truthfully it was a hard book to put down. I want to see these characters again, I want to know what happens later. This is a new author for me but I plan on stalking her on Amazon. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to spend a few hours with the characters in this book

Thank you to Netgalley, Faye Madden and Victory Editing Co-op for the e-ARC of Love Is Never Lost in exchange for an honest review.

Love Is Never Lost is one of the sweetest and most touching second chance romance I've ever read. The love that Ruby and Benjamin still have for one another, even if they're divorce, is palpable since the beginning. The writing is amazing. While reading you can really feel the regret and the melancholy of the main characters for their lost love...it really tugs on your heartstrings and makes the ending of the book extremely emotional and heartwarming.

The camping trip was the turning point for them realizing that maybe it was not too late for them, but I feel like it was a little rushed and could have been the perfect occasion for the reader to get a glimpse into Ruby and Benjmin's past, their story, their dynamic and, above all, for the characters to actually discuss and have a conversation about what went wrong in their marriage and what they wished they had done differently.

All in all, despite being a short read, I found the story extremely touching and emotional and the ending had me almost crying. 100% would recommend and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

I was granted a free copy of this text by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a very touching novel about family, relationships, parenthood, and second-chances. Leaving the Hallmark romance tropes behind made this novel timely for an era where people do not communicate effectively. The characters truly love one another, but losing sight of that leads to their son bringing them back together. A must-read for 2021.

*Thank you to Netgalley, [author:Faye Madden|21304972] and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for sending me a free e-ARC copy of [book:Love Is Never Lost|57493021] in exchange for an honest review. All quotations are subject to change upon publication.*

[book:Love Is Never Lost|57493021] is due to be published on the 28th of June 2021.

Stats:
Overall: 4/5 stars
Characters: 3/5 stars
Storyline: 3/5 stars
Writing: 5/5 stars
One-line review: [book:Love Is Never Lost|57493021] is a refreshing, enlightening short story which Is bound to leave a smile on the face on anyone who is lucky enough to read it.

[book:Love Is Never Lost|57493021] follows two divorced parents and their son, Mason, and It is immediately evident that the ex-partners still carry a deep affection for one another. This feeling of longing for one another is quickly accelerated when their son forges their signatures, roping them into chaperoning a camping trip together. They find once more their paths have collided and learn that truly that love is never lost between two who once held such affections for one another.

'Love is never lost, not when it is love at first sight. You were made for each other. Anyone can see that.'

----Plot----

The plot of this book, is simple, but sweet. At times it can be rather predictable, but due to the fast natured pace of the book, it doesn't have a large effect on the enjoyment of the storyline. Benjamin and Ruby go to the camping trip with their son Mason and reignite their love for each other after years of being divorced and mixed feelings towards each other. The predictability of the book is almost what makes it so sweet, as you are rooting for these two individuals who obviously have endearing feelings towards each other.

At some points I feel as the storyline and plot is rather rushed, as it is a book with little over 100 pages, the story has to move fast. At times, I felt as this was a little too fast - I longed for the writer to linger on the camping trip more and explore Ruby and Benjamin's love in the idyllic and romantic setting of the forest.

Other than that, I thought the book had such a beautiful message and the storyline accompanied that message perfectly.

----Characters----

Once more, as it is a short book, there is little room for in depth character development or a large range of characters. The book is primarily focused on Ruby, Benjamin and Mason, with side characters being infrequent and with little depth. This lack of depth is probably what drove my rating down to four stars. I just wanted more. The story moved too quickly for the reader to properly analyse the dynamic of their relationship at the beginning, and the lives they were living before they re-collided.

My favourite thing about the characters though is the journey that Benjamin and Ruby go on from being friends to lovers. In the later scenes, we really get to explore their affections for one another, even if it is evident that they are hiding their affections from the very start.

'His name is music to my ears, and I repeat it silently, noting each syllable as if inspecting a precious jewel from different angles.'

----Writing----

[author:Faye Madden|21304972]'s writing is phenomenal, she can make the simplest description transport you right into the characters world, with vivid imagery throughout the novel. I doesn't stop there either, her descriptions of her character's emotions accompany the storyline well, which really tugs on the heartstrings of the reader. I could go on all day about how magical [author:Faye Madden|21304972]'s storytelling is, which I believe is a sure sign of a promising and well thought out book.

'The all pine framed picture windows flood the studio with light, their cream blinds tightly furled, and frame beyond a panoramic view of ever-changing changing hues on the hillside beyond.'

From the beginning to the very end, the writing in this book uses strong metaphors and scene setting language to depict a vivid scene, and I truly commend the thought out placement of every single word in this book.

'Together we are transported into a private paradise only she and I share. The music and laughter provide a backdrop of joy, and we entwine our bodies lost in the moment, lost on that unbounded happiness only true love can bring.'