I really enjoyed this book. I will definitely look for other books by this author. I was a heart gripping book. It may have some trigger warnings. I would recommend this book.

Never Leave Me
by Jody Hedlund
Pub Date 04 Jan 2022
Revell
Christian| Romance

Revell and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Never Leave Me for review:

I was gripped by this book from beginning to end!


In the later stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out the remainder of her days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Although Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, he has never been serious about a relationship due to his paraplegia. However, he is desperate to save her by finding holy water, which is believed to be able to cure any illness.


She refuses to drink one of the flasks because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. After Harrison ingests the contents first to convince Ellen to take it, Ellen can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Ellen soon discovers that dangerous criminals are also seeking holy water, and they will go to any lengths to get it, including sending her back in time to find it.


I give Never Leave Me five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This is book 2 in the Waters of Time series, so it's hard to make a review without giving spoilers - but I'll do my best. This series centers around the premise that seeds from the Tree of Life in the garden of Eden survived, were planted in the past and that the roots of those trees spread into streams which changed the water into a miraculous holy water which can heal any disease....Somehow, this whole thing happened in medieval England. Why and how, you may ask? I have no idea, it's never fully explained.

In book 1 of the series, a modern day scientist discovers the historical reports of this liquid/healing. He begins a quest to locate some in order to heal his daughter from an incurable genetic disease, which already took the life of his wife. When he finds some and samples it himself, he also discovers that taking the water makes you time travel back to the 1380's.... Why? You never really find out. Some people it heals, others time travel, some do both etc - it's very unclear on how it works which drove me crazy. Also, in the past when people took it, apparently it only healed - why didn't it cause any of them to time travel?

In this book, the daughter that is sick - Ellen, and her best friend Harrison (who is paralyzed from the waist down) find themselves pulled in to the continuing storyline from book 1. They are in desperate need of the holy water to heal Ellen who has now become terminally ill. It could also heal his paralysis if they find enough. Harrison and Ellen also have feelings for one another, but neither will admit it to the other. That's about all I can say before getting into spoilers.

Overall, I just can't get past the inconsistent way the "holy water" supposedly worked in this series. It felt like a lame plot device that would change depending on what was needed for the scene. There was also a lot of miscommunication/lack of communication between Ellen and Harrison regarding their feelings for each other that I hated. Their relationship could have been cemented in the first 1/4 of the book if they'd just been adults and were honest with each other. There's also a whole section towards the beginning where they end up going on a trip together, staying in the honeymoon suite at a hotel (it's the only room available of course) and deciding to act as a fake married couple. They do this because another couple assumed they were together. Instead of just telling the truth, they decided to pretend which led to needing to convince others around them - which required lots of kissing, even though they claim it's fake and meaningless to each other- because, again, they can't be honest with each other. This all happens before you even get into the main plot of the book, which is more time travel etc. The whole thing was a mess from the start.

I received this free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest personal review.

I thought I loved Come Back To Me, this topped it! I love a good time travel book and glad I found a Christian author who writes them. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and couldn’t put it down. I loved Ellen and Harrison’s chemistry. I love Jody Hedlund’s writing style and I’m hooked on ‘The Waters of Time’s series. Can’t wait for the next one!

Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund is a fun novel of fantasy. I found the characters and their plights interesting and I felt concerned with how it would all turn out. This is not a genre that I read frequently. But I think that in order to read fantasy, there has to be a certain amount of accepting the reality of the fantastical world. Ms Hedlund does a wonderful job creating a story that stretches across time periods in a fantastical world. I really enjoyed this book and am interested in reading more like it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I've never read quite so much about holy water as I have with this book and Jody Hedlund's first book in this series...or imagined what it could do. In Never Leave Me, we see not only its time travel power but also the power it has to heal. All of this can get a little confusing, with different time crossings and the consequences of leaving one time for another. What I love about these books, though, is the way the characters are written. You see how much they change and grow throughout the novel, as well as how they deal with the various plot twists thrown at them. Speaking of plot, Jody is a master story weaver. She takes fantasy (time travel) and adds depth through scenarios and emotions, which makes you want to know what is going to happen next, even if you have to accept the unbelievable. The romantic moments are a particular favorite of mine, which are fun, clean, but still get the heart racing. The first book in this series is still my favorite, but I really enjoyed this one as well and would definitely recommend it. I'm looking forward to the next one!

84Cheryl-Lynn
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4 months ago
Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund
Never Leave Me (The Waters of Time, #2)
by Jody Hedlund (Goodreads Author)
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This book was fabulous! Jody Hedlund packed a lot of adventure into one book with likeable characters. The weaving of time is fascinating!

Ellen Creighton has lost her Dad and sister who were seeking a cure-all for her genetic disease. Wheelchair bound Harrison Burlington, her Dad's close friend and associate, has made it his mission to help her, ideally by finding the holy water.

When he finds two flasks, presumably holding the holy water, he convinces Ellen to take the water only after he takes a flask first- and is cured from the paraplegia he has had the majority of his life. She soon agrees to drink the water and is also healed.

Suddenly instead of only having a few days left to live, Ellen finds herself whole and well. After a weekend getaway for the miraculously healed duo, Ellen is kidnapped and sent back in time to the dark ages- and the era her sister is living in.

There is action on both sides of the space/time continuum. As Harrison rushes to find Ellen's comatose body, Ellen attempts to avoid marriage with an abusive man in the 1380s while finding her sister. It was fascinating to be reminded all the rights women lacked during this time. So many lacking comforts and things we take for granted. Watching Harrison and Ellen not only get used to their new, healthy bodies but also the possibilities in their relationship was dreamy.

This is an action packed book that I could not put down! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys time travel. It is best read after the first book from this series- Come Back to Me.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the author and publisher. All thoughts are my own.

I’d heard such great things about this series from Hedlund so I was very excited to read it. Unfortunately, I found myself skimming pages about half way into the story just so I could read the ending.

I received this book from the author/publisher for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are my own and this review is voluntary.

I wanted to DNF this by 20% but...I pushed on. Then I did DNF it at 50%. But I came back to it and forced myself to finish it. I really didn't enjoy this sequel. Which surprised me after ADORING Come Back to Me (like, the first book was almost in my top 10 of last year...I LOVED it! So, so much!).

I think what irritated me about this one is that the plot that's promised on the back of the book was resolved in the first three chapters and then the first book is repeated with just a few differences. There was really nothing new in this book. I had hoped that Never Leave Me would revolve around Ellen and Harrison's plot to track down the water for themselves and that their relationship would be explored, but what it is, is nothing more than an incredibly rushed resolution (I'm not kidding, by chapter three), a haphazard romance that is so awkward I couldn't even read it (that old couple was creepy as heck, y'all--like, ew. Why was that okay? And why did a thirty-nine-year-old man--who is a LORD--cave under peer pressure like a twelve-year-old boy? TWICE), and the "dangers" that happened in the first book...it's literally the same here.

Sequels are hard, I get it, but why is this sequel even here? Come Back to Me should've been a standalone with a few extra chapters at this point. And I very rarely write reviews like this, especially for Christian books, because I want this genre to succeed--but even the faith in this book felt like it was added as an afterthought. There's a place near about 27% that Ellen says, "Even though he didn't say it, she could tell that Harrison thanked God." And it was so random. Because she's absolutely right, Harrison hadn't said that. In fact, in his point of view which WE have read, he never even THOUGHT it. It was added just so we could call this book "Christian" and it felt so, so out of place and even forced. I just, goodness, I'm so disappointed in this book...and it was one of my most anticipated releases of this year...

And for a "Christian" romance...the kissing scenes were spicier than most secular YAs. My eyebrows raised quite a few times as I looked at that "Christian Fiction" tag.

As I started reading this book, I realized I should have read book one in the series first, but it turned out okay because author Jody Hedlund does a terrific job of laying out the background and merging it all into this book, Never Leave Me.

My heart was breaking for Ellen Creighton, as she was content living out her last days with her best friend, Harrison Burlington at his estate. The cancer and genetic disorder was incurable unless they find the holy water that was introduced in the first book. Her best friend Harrison was desperately trying to find the holy water for her. Will the holy water show up somewhere as they take the trip back in time?

I really enjoyed Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund. Ellen and Harrison were fun characters, to follow. Their relationship was sweet, though sometimes I didn't understand why Ellen treated him so badly. Sometimes she acted so immature, but Harrison didn't let it bother him. I was just waiting for them both to finally acknowledge their love for each other. I mean just tell her already Harrison!! But it was learning more about them both that I so immensely enjoyed.

There is so much in this book. The time travel was interesting and intriguing and had me wondering. It was the twists and turns that has readers searching for what's happening next. All in all, this was a pretty good read from Ms. Hedlund. I can't wait to see what's coming next from this author.
I'm giving this 4 Stars.
I received this book courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

He'd give anything to see her healed...

I've been looking forward to this second Waters Of Time novel since reading the first one last year. Jody Hedlund is probably best known for her historical romance but she is definitely one of the authors who can write multiple genres with equal dexterity. This series is proof positive of just that.

I'll be the first to confess that I didn't care much for the very few time travel stories that I read years ago but over the last couple of years I have discovered a couple, so far, of very good series. Quite obviously, Waters Of Time is one of them. The little details that are so necessary to decent time travel novel are all there. Explanations are given that are interesting and thorough enough to satisfy but still maintain the mysteriousness of time travel.

The first book in the series was probably my favorite but Never Leave Me was still a great read. I had been so curious how the holy water might affect both Ellen, with her genetic disease, and Harrison with his paraplegia. I also wondered whether, if she time traveled herself, would Ellen land at the same time as her sister and father? Jody Hedlund answered all of that, and plenty more, in Never Leave Me.

Once again I really enjoyed how the author chose to incorporate the wonder and belief in miracles of the Medieval time period without the usual modern condescension towards the people of history.

Whether you are into time travel stories or just enjoy Jody Hedlund's books the Waters Of Time series should be on your reading list. Make sure you read them in order, Come Back To Me first followed by Never Leave Me, but definitely take the time to enjoy them...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

✨Book review✨

📚Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund
🔥Sweet Time-travel Romance

Well, I realized something about myself while reading Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund that I should have realized a long time ago. I adore time travel romances. I haven't read shelf loads, but the ones I've read have been among my favorite reads.

Never Leave Me is the second book in the Waters of Time series. It's about water springs containing healing powers left over from the Tree of Life and the people who find themselves in the past looking for cures to present-day illnesses. The Heroine is resistant to love because her disease is a death sentence and will kill her sooner rather than later. The Hero is a man full of unrequited love and a world of patience.

If you like modern mixed with medieval, unselfish people, and bad-to-the-bone antagonists, pick up this series. And then let me know what you think. 😍

I finally got around to reading (or listening to) the sequel to Come Back to Me, Jody Hedlund's Medieval time travel novel, a novel I had a personal connection with, but I will say no more.
Overall, I did like this story. I especially liked seeing more of Harrison, Lord Burlington. He's a wonderful man and totally deserves to be with the woman he loves. I did love the slow burn relationship between Ellen and Harrison, even whilst both of them are denying their feelings for one another.
I like a couple of other reviewers, never really connected with Ellen though. She seemed more like an arcetype than a character and didn't act at all like someone who had known Harrison most of her adult life. Which was meant to be her backstory.

In the previous novel, I felt the world building and the method of time travel was quite credible. Well, as "credible" as time travel can be. You know what I mean. It was scientifically and historically interesting. Here..... not so much. It seemed to have become overused to the point of becoming common, almost tropey. Just some things with regards to the time travel and its effects on the body seemed to be resolved far too easily. To the point that one was left asking why they did not simply do that before.
The other thing which annoyed me was the parts of the novel set in the 14th century. These didn't feature very strongly in this story, more of which was set in the present day.

I also found they were far, far weaker than in the first novel and there seemed to be a couple of cliches about the period which kind of annoyed me. We're told for example in the Middle Ages didn't use Opiates because they thought they were of the Devil. Umm, hate to be that person, but what about the Cadfael novels? Or even seen the TV adaptations? Brother Cadfael's extensive use of "Poppy Juice" for medicinal purposes in the 12th century wasn't something Edith Pargeter just made up.
The idea that one could just have a person burned accused of witchcraft and burned witch willy-nilly on the basis of --- anything. Basically.
Nope. The laws which permitted the burning of heretics in England weren't even passed until 1401, nearly 20 years after this novel is set.

Actually, I really felt that I was reading recycled scenes from one of Hedlund's previous novels For Love and Honor at one point. Since that was a YA Fairytale Romance, it felt kind of off. As did the use of the Marriage of Convenience trope late in the novel. It wasn't really necessary and didn't add anything to the story.

I liked some of the earlier parts, and especially liked meeting the new character of Nicholas, but those parts kind of annoyed and the way that the action kind of ended abruptly. I don't want to give anything away, but after all the build-up the last few chapters seems rather anti climatic and left a lot unresolved.
Also, I think the motivations of the villain/villains should have been given more attention. [ Why did the modern villain have the same surname as the villain in the 14th century? The explanation for this just didn't feel plausible. They both wanted the Holy Water, 600 years apart. Are we supposed to believe the whole family had just been evil and greedy for more than 6 centuries ?) It might have been more interesting if the author decided to make the villain a time traveller as well, who had chased the protaganists to the past, or was in cahoots with his modern counterpart. (hide spoiler)]

Finally, I thought there were a couple of things that weren't really wrapped up very well. Although someone has mentioned there may be a 3rd novel in this series, and I thought there was only 2. So maybe it was being left open for the next book? A 3rd book would be fun, as I'd like to find out what happened to some of the secondary characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and Revell Books for an Arc of this title. This in no way influenced my review, and all opinions expressed herein are my own.

As much as I loved the first book this one wasn't as good. I enjoyed it, yes, but it just didn't stand out quite as much as I hoped it would.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Never Leave Me
Waters of Time #2
By Jody Hedlund

Ellen Creighton is dying. Each day finds Ellen slowly succumbing to the disease that killed her mother and obsessed her father. Harrison Burlington is determined to save her and he is putting all his vast resources into his search. He needs to find more flasks of holy water - the ultimate cure that Arthur Creighton gave his life to locate. But Harrison isn't the only one seeking these ampullae and the competition will do anything for it.

Ellen doesn't believe the ampullae or the holy water has any curative properties, rather she blames them for the death of both her father and her sister Marian. But Harrison uses compelling means to get her to take what she fears is a death sentence and not hope.

But curing her disease may put her in ever greater danger as the forces intent on stealing the holy water from Marian and Harrison have been watching. When she is forced to do the biding of Lionel, Inc. in the past, Ellen is more than a little unprepared for the world she is about to awaken in. Can she outsmart those who will surely see her die for their financial and criminal endeavors? Or will she die in the past?

Harrison is desperate to save Ellen's life and when her cure places her in danger he will do everything in his power to find her and bring her home. But how do save someone from the past when you are separated by centuries?

Never Leave Me is the conclusion to the Waters of Time duology and it is a must read! Come Back to Me introduced us to Creighton sisters Marian and Ellen and the Harrison and this book continues on as Ellen and Harrison deal with Arthur and Marian's deaths. But as we know Marian isn't dead in the past and Arthur's fate in the past was unknown. As this book progresses me get answers to some of our questions.

One really feels for Harrison as the book opens and Ellen's health is declining - He's lost his chance with the woman he has secretly loved. Ellen doesn't see how Harrison feels about her and doesn't understand his need for her to live - to beat back her disease and the cancer consuming her. So it is interesting when an incident occurs that reverses the position that both Ellen and Harrison find themselves in.

This book also addresses what do you do when you have a limited supply of a miracle cure-all. Do you use it until you run out? Who do you give it to? The highest bidder? Those you are closest to? A random person? This is the ethical dilemma that is soon facing Ellen and Harrison. How do you choose who is worth saving? Not a position I would ever want to be in.

Overall I loved this book and would highly recommend it. But you have to read these books in order, it is an absolute must. If haven't read Come Back to Me do so now before picking up Never Leave Me. This is the perfect series to start of your New Year as it offers new beginnings and second chances.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion ~ all thoughts expressed are my own.

This is the second book in Jody Hedlund's Waters of Time series. I enjoyed this book more than the first one. I still got a bit confused with how everything works, but it was still super interesting.

I think I enjoyed the first in the series more, however I loved this one as well. I felt that there were some possible plot holes and details that didn't add up, but what a story! I also liked the characters, they were well written and seemed to be very well developed. Thank you to NetGalley and Hedlund for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

I wasn't sure I wanted to complete reading this one. If like me, you look for Christian fiction books, this one isn't that at all. I decided to press on, and while I disagreed with some of the content (a lot, actually), it was an interesting story.
Ellen has a genetic disease that is killing her. She moves in with her dear friend, Harrison who is bound to a wheelchair. He is filthy wealthy and can provide for all their needs. While he has been in love with Ellen for many years, she is in the dark.
Harrison believes there is holy water hidden that may save Ellen's life. Ellen refuses any part in this as she believes it was the water that killed both her sister and father. Actually, it transported them back in time. While their bodies died in the 'here and now,' they live on in another place and time. See what I meant about this book?
I was given an advanced ecopy from the publisher, Revell through Netgalley. I was not obligated to leave a positive review.

This is the second book in the series, following after Come Back To Me. The premise of the series is interesting and imaginative. The pace of the book keeps you on the edge of your seat and some of the twists of the story are unexpected. I enjoyed this series and if you like time travel and intrigue then you’ll want to give these books a try.

I received a free digital galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I adore unique fiction, and this is such an interesting premise. I recommend because of the story itself, writing style, and its ability to transport you into a different world.