I honestly can’t decide if this should be a 4 or 5 star. I feel like once I read the next book, this will become a 5 star for me. …but! That ending has me with major mixed feelings. I have so many thoughts and not enough words.

In her typical fashion, Stephanie Garber has so many twists and turns in Ballad of Never After. We get to know some characters a little more. Some questions are answered, but above all, we have more questions.

The biggest question: how am I supposed to wait another year for the next book?!

Overall, I really enjoyed the adventure Jacks and Eva are on. I love my favorite morally grey character. He’s living up to all the hype. Eva… you’re questionable with how smart you are. Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t mean you should. (Stop opening doors!)

If you’ve been a fan of Stephanie’s in the past, you’ll want to grab your hands on this one ASAP.

Next big question for me: how many of the same book is okay to own… there are so many covers being released and I want them all.

Holy wow!! The second book in Stephanie's newest series absolutely blew me away. Going from the first book to the second book was a whirlwind of emotions. While I was reeling from the events of the first book, I wasn't sure nor prepared on what we were going to get going into "The Ballad of Never After". Obviously as a die hard Jacks fan, I couldn't help but still love him despite all that's happened, and Stephanie found a way to make me love him more in this than I could ever love him in the first book. Evangeline really grows into her own here and continues to be this badass character who pushes and sass's Jacks at every chance she gets. The plot continues to thicken and it was impossible to stop listening to this audiobook. Cannot wait to read more of Stephanie's books!

The narrator for this book was perfect. She's a great story teller and made the book come to life.
This series is incredible and The Ballad of Never After added so much to the story.
The book is full of adventure, twists, magic, and forbidden love. Stephanie Garber is a master story teller. The story weaves so many unique themes, tales, and people together. You never know what is going to happen next.
Just when you thought she couldn't do a bigger cliff hanger than the rest of her books.. this one takes the cake. WHAT JUST HAPPENED! I cannot wait to read the next and will be recommending this book lots. Just like I have the whole series.

Magically Fantastic!

Thank you to #netgalley and #macmillanaudio for the audiobook arc.

Apollo is alive! What a sucker punch at the end of the first book, but in Ballad we get to start unfurling all the dark secrets of the Magnificent North and the origins of Jack. Evangeline is distraught over Jacks betrayal of her, but when a the curse of the archer wakes Apollo from his sleep and forces him to hunt Evangeline she must work with Jacks to find a solution before it's too late.

Rebecca Soler nails the narration of this book. She brings each character to life and totally immerses you into the characters. It's not often that you find a narration where the characters sound exactly like they do in your head. I have not listened to any of Garber's books before so this was a treat.

Stephanie Garber is a Queen. Her unique voice and storytelling is such a pleasure to listen to. Her stories are playfully delicious and I just devour them. The Ballad of Never After is the second book in the trilogy. The focus of this book is more of the relationship between Jacks and Evangeline. For lovers of romance this works well. For those of us who are more drawn to the world/myth building and magical elements this book is not as fulfilling as I wished it to be. However, it is a second book and has to do what seconds book do which is details, drama, and tension. Garber finishes Ballad like she finishes most books - creatively and you don't see it coming... and it's not what you want, but you can't wait until that third book where she can finally bring the resolution.

I also pre-ordered a signed copy from Barnes and Noble and I can't wait to get my hands on that book so I can READ it.

Thanks again to #netgalley and to #macmillanaudio

This book is a mystery tied with the threads of fate wrapped up in magic delivered by hot air balloon.

I don't think I've ever read a book that was so equally balanced with magic and emotion.

I felt myself drawn into this world, where Evangaline, Jack's, Apollo, La La, Chaos, and a certain someone built this story that intrigued and mesmerized me equally.

I will say that the ending broke me, I cried and wanted to rage for Evangaline, what she lost, and what her future might hold.

The story itself was a dream to listen to Rebecca Soler seems to pour life into the story she's telling the listener. It truly feels as if someone is telling you a story, wrapping you into this fantasy and keeping you there until the very last word.

I have to say this is my new favorite Stephanie Garber book, for that matter it's now my top book of the year.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome back into the world of fates. I was over the moon excited to get an advanced listening copy of The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber.

Summery:
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. . . .

In the grad scheme of things a second book in a series usually does little for me. It is a world builder which is what we see at the beginning of this book. We are moving from the action of book 1 and into the new of book 2. I will say things do pick up. We needed some of the world building to understand what the different curses are and how they are affecting everyday life. Now midway through this book things pick up and what a journey it was! I honestly couldn't put this down. I wanted more of Evangeline and ok maybe a little more Jacks because I think he has some potential.

That Ending… I am truly sucked in and cannot wait for more.

In regards to the audio, NetGalley needs some upgrades to their audiobook service. The audio here was tinny and not always as clear as it is on my other listening services. The narrator Rebecca Soler was the same as book 1, which is a must when listening to a series. When previewing it on audible the sound quality was perfect and what I expect it will be when it is released later in September.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners for the advanced audio of this book.

Ballad of Never After
Overall 5/5
Spice 1/5


• Book 2 Unfinished Series
• Enemies to Lovers
• Who Hurt You?
• Love Triangle
• Magical & Whimsical World.
• YA At Its Finest
• Secrets and Miscommunication
• Narrator Is Dramatic and Spellbinding
• Characters Come Alive In Audiobook
• Tension for DAYS



Big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC audiobook of the Ballad of Never After. This book is the enthralling sequel to Once Upon a Broken Heart, this is the second book in an unfinished series so do keep that in mind but if you love the magic and mystery of book one you will be captivated and shall I say spellbound in book two. I highly recommend this series as an audiobook due to the perfect performance by narrator Rebecca Soler who seems to effortlessly bring Evangeline to life.

The Ballad of Never After is just as amazing as the first. I'm impressed because many times the 2nd of 3 falters.im so glad this did not.
It makes me want a magic filled romance.
Thus book has so many layers and turns. It draws in magic and fan fair along with mythology.
Evangeline and Jacks make my heart happy.

There were some parts of the audio voice I wasn't sold on but I would listen to the narrator again in a different setting.

Just like the rest of the books in the Caraval world, I spent a majority of this book not knowing who to trust and being a little confused. The story picks up right where OUABH left off and Eva and Jacks are off to find what they need to open the Valerie Arch, even though Eva is struggling to decide if that's what she actually wants to do. There are plenty of twists and turns and things I definitely didn't see coming. There's a bit of delicious romance and I hope the author isn't just toying with us. Of course there is an insane cliffhanger, but I will say that it has me very intrigued and I really want to know what happens next. I personally prefer to be able to figure things out or solve the mystery along with the mc, but that's definitely not possible in this book, and that's more of a "me" issue. If you like the other books in this world, you'll like this one too. The audio was great. No complaints there.

Sequels are scary. It's hard to top a great story with another great story, but Stephanie Garber has created a simply amazing sequel. I dare say I enjoyed this book even more than the first, which I adored immensely. The plot and pacing of this story were well thought out and thoroughly developed, and I enjoyed the little twists and turns this novel held. Stephanie Gaber must have magic because I found myself bewitched by this enchanting tale and could not put it down until I was finished.

The story picks up where Once Upon a Broken Heart leaves off; Evangeline Fox is livid with herself for allowing Jacks to manipulate her and is determined Apollo's curse is his doing. She quietly looks for a cure, but a series of events speed up her search, forcing Evangeline to ally with Jacks once again. The story progresses with an incredibly rich storyline full of unexpected happenings that left me speechless.

The audio narration of this story was excellent. This is the same person who narrated Once Upon a Broken heart. The voices vary based on character, the narrator's tone is soothing and rich. I would highly recommend both the book and the audiobook!

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. The pacing of this book was perfection I loved how well thought out the world was and seeing Evangeline having to navigate through it. I love the way that Stephanie Garber writes that she’s showing us not just telling the story you truly feel like you’re experiencing it. I did receive the ARC in audiobook form so I would’ve preferred to have a male voice for the male characters to get me more into the story but that’s just an audiobook feedback. Also one of the chapters was cut off at the end of ch43 I thought I accidentally skipped it but there’s just an error with the audiobook. The tension between Evangeline and Jacks is unmatched! I loved being able to get answers on the Archer and the Fox tale. It was executed so perfectly! I cannot wait for the next book I honestly need to be sedated. The way this book ends will have you at the edge of your seat questioning your whole existence and those are the types of books that I love!

I absolutely loved this book. It was the perfect sequel. I love the way everything is described as more than it is. The descriptions of feelings are so precise and magical that I can't help but feel swept up into the world that's being created in front of me. This book was like "apples and magic and crisp cold nights that made me want to curl up in a blanket" as Stephanie Garber writes in the book. There are so many little seeds that are planted through out the book that I had to write down to remind myself to connect later on that it felt sort of like a puzzle, but in an exciting adventurous kind of way. For example Evangeline's mother mentions in the beginning of this book that the last page of the book isn't always the end of the story for the characters involved and that it's a happy for now kind of ending. The ending of The Ballad of Never After did leave me wanting more, but it was the type of more that I was satisfied, but excited for the characters to continue on their journey. I will definitely be reading my way through the rest of Stephanie Garber's books shortly to explore more of the way she creates magic.

Evangeline thinks she can stay away from Jacks. He has betrayed her in the past but is he as bad a guy as he says? Can Evangeline trust her heart but more importantly can she trust Jacks?

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the early audiobook of one of my most anticipated reads. The audiobook was fantastically done and Rebecca Soler is once again fantastic as narrator.

I don't know how to talk about this book without spoiling everything so I will keep it brief now and update my review once the book is released. But let me just say that this book did not disappoint.

Being back in Stephanie Garber's magical world was so wonderful and this book was indeed just as magical as the rest. I think I may have even loved this book more than the first one.

This book was a roller coaster. I was constantly screaming or laughing or crying while listening to this book and the ending had me shocked. Lots of emotions were had. The relationship between Jacks and Evangeline was definitely developed in this book and I LOVE IT. I always liked Jacks but this book (and OUABH too) has turned me into a full on Jacks girl. And I'm fully invested in Jacks and Evangeline.

In TBONA not only do we get a lot more of Jacks and Evangeline and their relationship, we also get to visit some new locations which I really enjoyed and we get some more depth to other characters that we met previously. This book gives plot and character development and relationships effortlessly and it does it all so well.

I could live in Stephanie Garber's writing forever. I don't know what her future projects will be but I would happily accept a dozen more books in this world. And definitely more of Jacks and Evangeline. 5 stars for sure!

I possibly liked this more than the first book in the series. I ship Evangeline and Jacks even harder now for sure! I can't wait to see what happens next. The ending in this book had my jaw on the floor- it hit me harder than in the first book's ending.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! That ending 😳, and we now have to wait how long for #3? We need a OUABH & TBONA support group, because I am unwell!

The narrator was phenomenal also.

If you haven't read Evangeline's beginning in Once Upon A Broken Heart, you must! The Ballad of Never After is book #2 but it's not the last!

Evangeline has had her heart broken, cursed, indebted to a God, betrayed by that God, and was convinced her kiss killed her 2nd chance at love.

Jack's, the God that befriended her and then betrayed her, wants Evangeline to open the Valory Arch. A secret tomb of sorts that either holds a dangerous monster or unending treasure. She doesn't want to open it, but it's the only way she can have another chance at love.

Will Evangeline find all of the pieces to open the arch in time, or will the curses against her take her down first?

This book was Such a wild ride! And the end I just don’t even have words!!! Stephanie Garber does such a good job at adding twists and turns constantly! The audio was so well done! Loved the reader!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It started where we left off in the first book, with Apollo in a coma curse and Evangline trying to save him. When Jacks shows up unexpectedly, can Evangaline trust him again? With another curse in the works, he might be the only one to trust... or is he? We have some amazing character development in this book, and we really get a behind the scenes look at how some characters act the way they do. Without spoiling anything, the banter between little Fox and the Prince of Hearts is STELLAR. This book is full of twists and turns, and I was not prepared for the end! And then the end, again..... I wasn't ready! I need book three stat!!

*Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book for my honest opinion/review.*

CONTENT WARNING: blood, murder

There’s something addictive and alluring about Garber’s writing that has me hooked and coming back time after time. Her stories have this dreamy, fairy tale quality that transport me out of my mundane, everyday life into a fantasy world where magic exists and Fates walk among the people, making deals that never work out as expected. A place where dresses are gorgeous and there are fabulous parties full of all kinds of outrageous things. And that’s just part of what keeps me reading.

The other part is the fantastic stories. I was on the edge of my seat after the ending of Once Upon a Broken Heart, since Garber tends to end her books on a bit of a cliffhanger, so it was a relief to get to start this story right away. It picks up right where the previous book ends, but naturally, things get worse for Evangeline. While she’s trying to reverse a curse with her own newly discovered magical abilities, she realizes that someone put a new curse on her, and even worse, it forces her right back into a dangerous partnership with Jacks, who she was hoping to avoid.

Over the course of the last book, Evangeline relied on her head and her heart to guide her path. But in this book, there’s a magic that interferes with both, and she doesn’t know who she can trust. She’s torn between what she wants and what she thinks is right, and her quest forces her to cross lines that she swore she would never cross. I loved seeing her journey even more in this book, because it gave her an even new depth of character. It made her more relatable, since she was pushed into difficult decisions. While they’re more extreme than real-life situations tend to be, the fallout from them were similar to the emotional reactions us mere mortals experience when we’re experiencing mental conflict from crossing our own moral boundaries, which does happen.

The story kept me hooked from beginning to end, despite my one pet peeve, which is the outlandish similes (he looked like heartbreak, it tasted like fresh-fallen snow and hope, it smelled like glitter and possibilities). I’ve grown to let those slide, even though I do flinch a little at how often those appear. Since I received an ARC of the audiobook version, Rebecca Soler did an outstanding job as narrator. Her voice was exactly as I had pictured Evangeline’s when reading the first book in the series, managing to convey both youth and naïveté, while maintaining the perfect amount of tension throughout the story.

As expected, the story wraps up beautifully, while still leaving us with a cliffhanger ending that has me sitting on tenterhooks for the final book in this series! I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Although I figured out one plot twist beforehand, I’m still thoroughly satisfied with how suspenseful the story was and how things worked out. I’m absolutely looking forward to seeing how everything resolves for all of our characters, including Jacks, but especially Evangeline, who is now torn between a few different potential outcomes.

Such a whimsical story. Stephanie Garber always knows how to captivate her audience and really feel them in. I was so excited to see what the second book to this series had to offer and it definitely didn't disappoint. I have never loved every character in a book and this book makes it hard not to love everyone. Thank you Stephanie for the audiobook ARC. I will definitely reccomend this book.