The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber is a perfect fit for readers who crave a thrilling and romantic fantasy adventure, with a dash of magic and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, as they embark on a journey of self-discovery and heartbreak with Evangeline and Jacks in a world of fairytale wonder and dark mystery.

This was one of the most anticipated new releases of 2022 in my TBR list. I mean, after how we were left reeling by the end of the first book, I knew that things would get interesting in the second book. Mainly, the relationship between our main character, Evangeline, and the charming, and complicated Jacks. This is a book made for those that love the angst, the tension, and main characters that just cannot admit that there is something special between them. One step forward can then mean ten steps back. And this is one of the main reasons that this book had me so committed in every page: I was dying to see how all of this would be resolved and that we would FINALLY get a happy ending. Another very good thing about this book is the twists: I can never be comfortable enough to know where this story is going off to next. The unknown makes me hungry to know what will happen next and transformed this read into a book I devoured in just a few hours. But if we are being honest, I am here for Jacks. He is the perfect unknown variable, that perfect morally gray character that at the same time has hidden intentions and you just know there is something below the surface of what he shows. And he kept me hooked from start to finish. But its the tension and the sexual frustration and the utter heartbreak that had me loving this book and giving it a 4.5 stars. The only reason why it isn’t a five star read for me is because at times, I was tired of following Evangeline’s thought process and I just wanted to shake her. But apart from those small moments, the world and the energy in this book are just a perfect continuation of the first book and have left me reeling. The level of extraordinary writing and that perfect cliffhanger and shocking ending have left me dying for more, and that just makes it in my world, a perfect read.

I loved returning to the world of "Caraval." This conclusion to "Once Upon a Broken Heart" was understandable and satisfying but, at the same time, somewhat of a let-down. I felt as if Jacks' story was not developed completely...but maybe there will be more to come...

This is a wonderful continuation of the world Garber has created. It’s magical and fun, the way she weaves her story, the world, and her characters is wonderful, and I actually think I loved this one more than ‘Once Upon a Broken Heart.’

No idea why I didn’t review this book when I finished it but I absolutely loved this book. I might have even loved it more than OUABH and I LOVED that book. Jacks was everything in this story and the enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies dance is perfection. The romance, tension, and banter are unmatched. Dare I say it, but I like this book even more than the Caraval series!

I can’t wait for book 3!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

Jacks and Evangeline are back in the second installment of Once Upon a Broken Heart series. In this second book the romance and tension is cranked up and the mystery is even more deadly. Garber has a way of crafting a light fairytale but also mixing in layer upon layer with atmosphere and depth. This installment gave more depth to Jacks and a greater understanding of who he was and what lead to who he is now. This only made the story more captivating and hard to put down,

This is probably my favorite book that I have read all year. This delivered as a sequel and it left me wanting more. I loved seeing the progression of the main characters as well as their relationship to each other which was so nice to see. I also loved the magic that this sequel had and I can not wait to continue this series.

Another frothy, over-the-top melodrama with soap-opera worthy plot twists dropping every other page - but unlike previous installments I found myself cringing instead of being entertained by the ridiculousness of it all.

I feel like I’ve moved past this series - I had a lot of fun with Caraval and Once Upon A Broken Heart, but The Ballad of Never After was a lot of toxic, unromantic relationship stuff mixed with more than the normal amount of nonsensical plot points and melodrama in a way that felt distinctly unfun. I think my reading tastes have changed too much to find this entertaining in a way I might have 5 years ago.

I was delightfully surprised by the Ballad of Never After.. The stakes were higher than in the previous book! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to have access to this book.

This book was so wonderfully written. I so enjoyed the continuing relationship between Jacks and Evangeline. watching both their feelings change and become more obvious throughout the story left me constantly wanting more. Because of that, I refuse to accept that this book is the end of this series.

WHAT AN ENDING!!!! 🤯 The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber picks up right where book one left off. If you haven’t read the first book, there are minor spoilers to it in this review. Consider yourself warned. Evangeline is left to her own devices after Jack’s betrayal at the end of the last book. However, not all is at it appears, and quickly she finds herself turning to her enemy as an ally. There is SO much I could unpack about this book that I don’t really even know where to begin. I will say that while the last book focused on world building and setting the stage, this one focuses highly on our characters and the plot is driven by them.

Evangeline is one of my all time favorite characters. There I said it. I like her even more than I liked the main characters in Caraval and even more than Legend himself. She is learning who she is and how she fits in this world (aren’t we all?), and what she uncovers is both startling and freeing. All her life she’s felt like an outcast, unloved and unwanted by all except her parents who are no longer with her. And NOW she learns her fate, that she is a part of a prophecy, one that can free the Fates for good, even Jacks.

Jacks is an enigma. I love him for it too. As big of a character as he has been in this series and the previous, we don’t know much about him. That changes in this book. We learn more about Jacks that I thought we could. My heart broke time and again as more of his story is revealed. Even Evangeline who has every right to kill Jacks on sight learns to care for the broken prince. His development and storyline kept me reading long after I should’ve put the book down.

And the ending?! I read this one before it released, and it’s taken me a while to put my thoughts on paper. All I can say at this point is thank you Stephanie Garber for announcing that there will be a book three because I’m pretty sure my head exploded at that ending. Prepare yourselves for one hell of a cliffhanger 😅

Overall, I loved The Ballad of Never After. The character growth we see in Evangeline and even Jacks is enough to keep readers engaged, add in the fast-paced plot and danger surrounding them and you have a dark and twisted fantasy perfect for fans who love surprises. I cannot wait for more of their story!

This book was not for me. I adored the Caraval series and enjoyed Once Upon a Broken Heart even though it seemed like a few too many concepts. Ballad of the Never After went in a direction I was hoping it wouldn’t. I was hoping it redeemed what I didn’t care for in book 1 but it seemed like it got lost down the rabbit hole. The MC seemed to complain a lot more and I just decided I could not do anymore.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for providing the ARC.

In this scintillating sequel to Once Upon a Broken Heart, we see the aftermath of Jacks' betrayal, and Evangeline's resolve to never get involved with him again. But as things come to light, Jacks is the only one who can help her in this latest adventure.

Jacks remains, to this day, one of my favorite characters to come out of the Caraval series. He was so fascinating and interesting, and his motives for the things he does still remains very unclear. But that's what makes this series so amazing. It has a dubious morally grey lead and the woman who is trying desperately not to fall for him while he is doing the same. The tension is delicious, and the pining is next level. AND THE ENDING. I absolutely loved this book.

Absolutely cannot wait until book three comes out.

But where series opener Once Upon a Broken Heart arrived like a candy-coated glitter bomb, sequel The Ballad of Never After struggles to find its footing and only occasionally manages to recapture the sweet and whimsical feel of its predecessor. Perhaps it’s simply because this book is very clearly a middle of a trilogy story that needs to accomplish a lot of narrative and emotional table setting in service to the finale that hasn’t technically even been announced yet. But whatever the reason, its one-step-forward, two-steps-back style of storytelling becomes deeply frustrating very quickly.

Garber really outdid herself with this continuation of Jacks and Evangeline's story. I knew going in that the more books she's put out, the stronger and more twisty her writing has become. This series in particular had so many possibilities with both Jacks' story and the history of the Magnificent North. I mean come on, the way that no story can be finished?! That curse in particular is SO interesting to me. So naturally, when she started giving us crumbs in this one I got more and more excited. The whole last part....is a freaking whirlwind of chaos *smirks* and I loved every second. Not being 100% sure that there was a third book in the works make a LITTLE nervous but I was pretty sure it was happening. Overall such a great read and I'm dying for the finale!

The Ballad of Never After is another sequel that ends with the meanest but most surprising endings, but it certainly is one wild ride of a story. In this second book of the Once Upon a Broken Heart series, Stephanie Garber continues Evangeline's search for her happily ever after, including yet another tenuous partnership with everyone's favorite bad boy, Jacks. What makes the sequel so powerful is that we learn a little more about the Prince of Hearts' past, revealing him to be a much more complicated Fate than readers possibly imagined. The Ballad of Never After moves swiftly and is one of those novels that is over before you want it to end - always a sign of an engaging and well-written story. With that ending, it will be a long wait until the third book's release!

Source of book: NetGalley (thank you)
Relevant disclaimers: none
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.

Apparently ARC reviewers are requested not to reveal whether this series is a trilogy or a duology, and my review took it as read that the series was one of those things. Having checked my correspondence, I wasn't, at the time of requesting the ARC, told by the publisher to exclude this information from my review. I have therefore removed the review in order to honour this request, although I am, on principle, somewhat uncomfortable with withholding information from readers or, for that matter, having information withheld from me.

The Ballad of Never After is still full of Stephanie Garber’s trademark whimsical writing, yet this story, in particular, reveals some of the darkness hidden underneath this fairytale world. Jacks and Evangeline are thrust deeper into the plotting and lies of the Magnificent North. all while being wildly unsure if they can even trust each other. I adored it.

Also, Stephanie Garber is spectacular at writing chemistry. Evangeline and Jacks can’t kiss because he’s the Prince of Hearts and everyone who kisses him dies (unless it’s his true love) so the fact that I was blushing and swooning…well, that says a lot about Garber’s writing prowess!

OKAY BUT THE ENDING. OH MY GOSH. I won’t say anything more because the last thing I want to do is spoil it but I honestly need more books in this world for reasons. Please DM me once you’ve read this book so we can scream about it together!

The Ballad of Never After is undoubtedly at the top of my favorites of the year list right now.

Reviewed this book for School Library Journal. See review below.

This sequel to Once Upon a Broken Heart jumps right back into the action with Evangeline willing to go to desperate lengths to save Apollo. The only person she believes can help her is Jacks. She agrees to open the Valory Arch for him, but it's not long before a new curse slows them down and puts Evangeline's life in danger. Again, she's faced with the decision-can she trust a Fate? And can they both get what they want? Nonstop adventure and multiple twists will keep fans turning pages, and the will-they-won't-they nature of Jacks and Evangeline's relationship will leave readers breathless. Unfortunately, Evangeline hasn't grown much as a character, and her decisions are often frustrating. However, those who have yearned to return to this world won't be disappointed. Another cliffhanger ending all but ensures more to come. Most characters cue white; a few have "olive" or darker skin.