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Ballad of Never After: A stunning sequel to Sunday times best Novel
The Ballad of Never After is the fiercely-anticipated sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Once Upon a Broken Heart, starring Evangeline Fox and the Prince of Hearts on a new journey of magic, mystery, and heartbreak.
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
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
130 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2023
32 people are currently reading
1197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 2, 2024
i still don’t know why tf he is eating so many apples
September 26, 2023
Well I have a new obsession and new book boyfriend now.
What a fantastic read. Wow. I am on the edge of my seat for the final book in the series next month!!!!
Rarely does a second book beat the first but this one definitely did. The slow burn in this. Wow. Although predictable it was perfect. It was *chefs kiss*.
Besides this being absolutely swoon worthy, part of the reason this is a 5 star read for me is because every character in this book had their place in the plot, they were weaved through the story perfectly and didn’t get dragged out for extra words.
The book was written beautifully, too.
Ughhhhhh is all
What a fantastic read. Wow. I am on the edge of my seat for the final book in the series next month!!!!
Rarely does a second book beat the first but this one definitely did. The slow burn in this. Wow. Although predictable it was perfect. It was *chefs kiss*.
Besides this being absolutely swoon worthy, part of the reason this is a 5 star read for me is because every character in this book had their place in the plot, they were weaved through the story perfectly and didn’t get dragged out for extra words.
The book was written beautifully, too.
Ughhhhhh is all
January 28, 2025
Eva and Jacks are perfect🫶. Jacks is my new book boyfriend ofcourse😍. Why did Apollo had to ruin everything?😢 I hope Evajacks has the end they deserve
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
SPOILERS 🛑 !! (just incase the button didn’t work)
Literally the flipppp. What have I just experienced ? THE END ?!?! I think not ?!? You got me there Stephanie ?!?!?!
THERE IS NOTHING OF EQUAL VALUE TO ME
Dead.
JACKS YOU SLAY ME
flipping chaos I’m coming for you 👊🤜
See when she was just like awww I should’ve told him I love you like that was the thing I was raging. I hate that trope so I’m really glad that she did in fact die but come back ? I think ? Who knows !!?! Flipping apollo I swear get your MITTENS off evangeline. She is NOT your little fox 😭😭😭 too soon I’m so sad
My favourite, most favourite, FAVOURITE trope in a book. Even more than enemies to lovers, even more than found family, is when they can speak to each other straight into their brains 😍😍 ahhhh that is the BEST and I feel so strongly about it. So strongly. I love the italics, just everything about it really. I just really really love it
Idk what to do because the 3rd book is £9.99 on kindle and I morally cannot purchase a kindle book for anymore than £2.99
Literally the flipppp. What have I just experienced ? THE END ?!?! I think not ?!? You got me there Stephanie ?!?!?!
THERE IS NOTHING OF EQUAL VALUE TO ME
Dead.
JACKS YOU SLAY ME
flipping chaos I’m coming for you 👊🤜
See when she was just like awww I should’ve told him I love you like that was the thing I was raging. I hate that trope so I’m really glad that she did in fact die but come back ? I think ? Who knows !!?! Flipping apollo I swear get your MITTENS off evangeline. She is NOT your little fox 😭😭😭 too soon I’m so sad
My favourite, most favourite, FAVOURITE trope in a book. Even more than enemies to lovers, even more than found family, is when they can speak to each other straight into their brains 😍😍 ahhhh that is the BEST and I feel so strongly about it. So strongly. I love the italics, just everything about it really. I just really really love it
Idk what to do because the 3rd book is £9.99 on kindle and I morally cannot purchase a kindle book for anymore than £2.99
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2025
OK SO
I get the hype! Ngl at first I didn’t get the hype it felt more like a young adult than a proper Romantasy but omg I totally get it I was so excited and the plot just had me so FREAKIN highly strung that I was reading sentences wayyyyy too fast.
You know a book is good when they don’t even kiss but the chemistry is unmistakable.
Jacks literally has my heart and that LAST SCENE WAS DONE SO WELL. The back. The forth. The MOOD SWINGS throughout the whole book SUDDENLY MADE SENSE, and without even giving us his MMC perspective. It showed his SAME BEHAVIOUR but gave context to his motives.
Stephanie ur a genius.
It’s rlly growing on me how fast paced these books like YES FEED ME THIS ENTERTAINING TEA!!
2 last things
1. This was one of those books were I like could NOT stop thinking about what happened in the end (jacks reaction and Apollo the WHORE) and I had a full click moment while doing the dishes - APPOLO TAKING HER MEMORIES WAS THE STONES
and 2. If jacks does not do some sexy thing with the last kiss being kiss me im gonna kill him
Thank you and goodnight 🫡
I get the hype! Ngl at first I didn’t get the hype it felt more like a young adult than a proper Romantasy but omg I totally get it I was so excited and the plot just had me so FREAKIN highly strung that I was reading sentences wayyyyy too fast.
You know a book is good when they don’t even kiss but the chemistry is unmistakable.
Jacks literally has my heart and that LAST SCENE WAS DONE SO WELL. The back. The forth. The MOOD SWINGS throughout the whole book SUDDENLY MADE SENSE, and without even giving us his MMC perspective. It showed his SAME BEHAVIOUR but gave context to his motives.
Stephanie ur a genius.
It’s rlly growing on me how fast paced these books like YES FEED ME THIS ENTERTAINING TEA!!
2 last things
1. This was one of those books were I like could NOT stop thinking about what happened in the end (jacks reaction and Apollo the WHORE) and I had a full click moment while doing the dishes - APPOLO TAKING HER MEMORIES WAS THE STONES
and 2. If jacks does not do some sexy thing with the last kiss being kiss me im gonna kill him
Thank you and goodnight 🫡
September 3, 2025
3.5⭐
unfortunately part 1 of this book takes up so much space and it just reads as a previously on...
the last two parts, after all catch up has been played, are really great though in pacing, storytelling, suspense, romance and mystery. a constant push and pull of emotions that i readily enjoyed!
unfortunately part 1 of this book takes up so much space and it just reads as a previously on...
the last two parts, after all catch up has been played, are really great though in pacing, storytelling, suspense, romance and mystery. a constant push and pull of emotions that i readily enjoyed!
November 17, 2023
3.5 stars
Unlike the first book, the second didn’t have such a strong chokehold on me until the last few hundred pages.
The story felt very draggy and repetitive at the start that made me so close to dnf-ing. But I ploughed on because everyone seemed to love this book and I guess it did pay off a little towards the end.
I say towards the end because the ending was just pure evil. Not to me but to Evangeline, honestly. It felt like I was watching someone getting tortured.
I’m still a little confused by all the past stories and questions left unanswered and I hope the last book would answer them.
I don’t really know why I feel a little lukewarm by this one. Maybe it’s because it was just too long at the start and Evangeline was starting to get on my nerves.
Also, I just wish Jacks would be straight with his feelings. Maybe he has good reason to not tell the truth but idk man. That last few pages when things started happening, he could’ve told her the truth but he still chose to be difficult and mysterious.
Initially, I thought I would just end the series here but I’ve already invested a lot of time reading and I might as well see how everything pans out. Though, I don’t have high hopes for the last book, seeing how it disappointed a lot of people.
Unlike the first book, the second didn’t have such a strong chokehold on me until the last few hundred pages.
The story felt very draggy and repetitive at the start that made me so close to dnf-ing. But I ploughed on because everyone seemed to love this book and I guess it did pay off a little towards the end.
I say towards the end because the ending was just pure evil. Not to me but to Evangeline, honestly. It felt like I was watching someone getting tortured.
I’m still a little confused by all the past stories and questions left unanswered and I hope the last book would answer them.
I don’t really know why I feel a little lukewarm by this one. Maybe it’s because it was just too long at the start and Evangeline was starting to get on my nerves.
Also, I just wish Jacks would be straight with his feelings. Maybe he has good reason to not tell the truth but idk man. That last few pages when things started happening, he could’ve told her the truth but he still chose to be difficult and mysterious.
Initially, I thought I would just end the series here but I’ve already invested a lot of time reading and I might as well see how everything pans out. Though, I don’t have high hopes for the last book, seeing how it disappointed a lot of people.
September 23, 2024
I love this story so much. The archer and the fox wow the last few pages had my heart beating 💓
January 1, 2024
This book was just mind blowing. I loved everything about it(still love it). The way she talks about life,love and him it's just amazing. She is a very loveable character and for sure I Iove her. This book has one of the best endings ( it's not really the end-thank god but still) and if someone says something bad about it I swear...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2024
‘Winning at love was less about succeeding and more about continuing to fight, to choose the person you loved as the one as the one you were willing to die for, over and over’.
Jacks, Eva, The Hollow. I’m so in love. And THAT ENDING??? I did not expect that at all. This series is my new obsession. The writing, world AND Jacks are all so beautiful.
Jacks, Eva, The Hollow. I’m so in love. And THAT ENDING??? I did not expect that at all. This series is my new obsession. The writing, world AND Jacks are all so beautiful.
June 20, 2024
‘there is nothing of equal value to me’ OH MY GOD
September 23, 2024
This is not the ballad of never after!! that book is written by Stephanie Garber not this imposter
May 26, 2024
Setelah tragedi yang menimpa suaminya-Apollo, Evangeline memutuskan bergabung dengan Jacks untuk membuka Pelengkung Valory. Pelengkung tersebut terkunci dan hanya Evangeline-kunci yang mampu membuka pelengkung tersebut. Bersama dengan Jacks, mereka harus mengumpulkan batu untuk membuka Pelengkung Valory.
"Aku sudah berusaha jatuh cinta kepada orang-orang lain. Tapi, tidak peduli sebesar apa pun perasaanku terhadap mereka, hanya kepada satu orang tertentulah aku ingin menyerahkan hatiku" - Lala.
Aku menikmati sekali petualangan di buku ini, dari segi kecepatan alur cerita buku ini jauh lebih seru dari buku pertamanya. Mungkin karena disini pembaca disuguhkan dengan petualangan dalam upaya pencarian batu untuk membuka Pelengkung Valory. Hubungan Jacks dan Evangeline semakin intens, meskipun Takdir hanya mempermainkan Evangeline untuk kepuasan dirinya sendiri. Namun hubungan keduanya berkembang semakin jauh.
Karakter naif Evangeline membuat pembaca semakin campur aduk. Evangeline tidak ada beda dengan remaja labil yang diliputi sifat impulsif dirinya yang akhirnya semakin memperkeruh keadaan. Masuknya karakter-karakter seperti Kaos, Luc, Petra dan Lala semakin menunjukan Evangeline ia telah tertipu dan mempertanyakan keputusannya sendiri.
Menurutku akhir cerita di buku ini sebenarnya bisa saja cukup berhenti sampai di buku kedua. Akhirnya benar-benar membuat pembaca harus lanjut ke buku ketiga karena menjadi menggantung. Ending yang benar-benar tidak tertebak sampai aku terheran kaget, perjuangan mereka lalui selama ini berakhir naas seperti itu.
Sungguh buku yang sangat progressif, mendebarkan dan intens. Aku tidak sabar melanjutkan ke buku ketiga.
"Aku sudah berusaha jatuh cinta kepada orang-orang lain. Tapi, tidak peduli sebesar apa pun perasaanku terhadap mereka, hanya kepada satu orang tertentulah aku ingin menyerahkan hatiku" - Lala.
Aku menikmati sekali petualangan di buku ini, dari segi kecepatan alur cerita buku ini jauh lebih seru dari buku pertamanya. Mungkin karena disini pembaca disuguhkan dengan petualangan dalam upaya pencarian batu untuk membuka Pelengkung Valory. Hubungan Jacks dan Evangeline semakin intens, meskipun Takdir hanya mempermainkan Evangeline untuk kepuasan dirinya sendiri. Namun hubungan keduanya berkembang semakin jauh.
Karakter naif Evangeline membuat pembaca semakin campur aduk. Evangeline tidak ada beda dengan remaja labil yang diliputi sifat impulsif dirinya yang akhirnya semakin memperkeruh keadaan. Masuknya karakter-karakter seperti Kaos, Luc, Petra dan Lala semakin menunjukan Evangeline ia telah tertipu dan mempertanyakan keputusannya sendiri.
Menurutku akhir cerita di buku ini sebenarnya bisa saja cukup berhenti sampai di buku kedua. Akhirnya benar-benar membuat pembaca harus lanjut ke buku ketiga karena menjadi menggantung. Ending yang benar-benar tidak tertebak sampai aku terheran kaget, perjuangan mereka lalui selama ini berakhir naas seperti itu.
Sungguh buku yang sangat progressif, mendebarkan dan intens. Aku tidak sabar melanjutkan ke buku ketiga.
December 25, 2024
This book.
I read it so fast that I was struggling to remember what happened but just thinking about it some scenes are EMBEDDED in my head. These books feel like i’m watching a film I don’t feel as if i’m reading.
The end.
GOT ME
I knew it wasn’t the end but the fact she did that just added the cherry on top.
then evangaline dies ?????
she dosent get to say she loves Jacks.
Jacks actually had feelings for her.
HES THE ARCHER?
The amount of subplots that came together at the end had me reading for 4hours straight. In SHOCK.
I have to also note how sinister this book was, although it’s fantasy and romance the mystery behind it is something I haven’t experienced yet, along with Jacks probably being the first true villain.
Jacks was so unpredictable he made me scared for evangaline. In Hollow hall especially I was convinced Jacks was about to flip out.
The suspenses behind revealing jacks past through the context of the ballard of the archer and the fox WAS SINISTER AND SO INRUIGING. I was so invested in this plot.
The merry wood massacre.
Chaos behind a Valor.
What the stones were gonna be used for.
JACKS WANTING TO GO BACK TO DONATELLA
so many questions
the perfect amount of them answered.
I’m upset I’ve finished reading this for the first time.
I read it so fast that I was struggling to remember what happened but just thinking about it some scenes are EMBEDDED in my head. These books feel like i’m watching a film I don’t feel as if i’m reading.
The end.
GOT ME
I knew it wasn’t the end but the fact she did that just added the cherry on top.
then evangaline dies ?????
she dosent get to say she loves Jacks.
Jacks actually had feelings for her.
HES THE ARCHER?
The amount of subplots that came together at the end had me reading for 4hours straight. In SHOCK.
I have to also note how sinister this book was, although it’s fantasy and romance the mystery behind it is something I haven’t experienced yet, along with Jacks probably being the first true villain.
Jacks was so unpredictable he made me scared for evangaline. In Hollow hall especially I was convinced Jacks was about to flip out.
The suspenses behind revealing jacks past through the context of the ballard of the archer and the fox WAS SINISTER AND SO INRUIGING. I was so invested in this plot.
The merry wood massacre.
Chaos behind a Valor.
What the stones were gonna be used for.
JACKS WANTING TO GO BACK TO DONATELLA
so many questions
the perfect amount of them answered.
I’m upset I’ve finished reading this for the first time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2025
After Jacks betrays her, Evangeline swears she will never trust him again. Now that she has discovered her own magic, she plans to use it to restore the happily ever after that Jacks stole from her. A terrifying curse is revealed, and Evangeline finds herself teaming up with Jacks once again. Not only is Jacks someone she needs to be wary of, but he just might be the only person she can trust. While trying to break this murderous curse, Evangeline realizes that for once, she may not be able to trust her heart.
I liked the first book in this series a lot, but somehow I liked this one even more. The first 100 pages were a bit slow, and I had a hard time getting into the story, but then the last 300 pages absolutely had me in a chokehold. I sat down and finished the book in one sitting. It was so good. The plot twists and turns you didn't see coming really have you wanting to read more. Now, if you don't mind, I HAVE to go read the next book.
Spice Rating 1/5
Star Rating 5/5
I liked the first book in this series a lot, but somehow I liked this one even more. The first 100 pages were a bit slow, and I had a hard time getting into the story, but then the last 300 pages absolutely had me in a chokehold. I sat down and finished the book in one sitting. It was so good. The plot twists and turns you didn't see coming really have you wanting to read more. Now, if you don't mind, I HAVE to go read the next book.
Spice Rating 1/5
Star Rating 5/5
May 21, 2025
I might just hate audiobooks but the minutes were back so I could finally finish this one. I still think Evangeline is so dumb and annoying but I can’t tell if I would like her more if it wasn’t audio?? She’s just so naive where it makes me constantly angry.
Jacks is the best he was so good in this book but like what’s with the apples when are we gonna learn?! Only reading these books for him at this point.
This book was definitely better than the first and the ending??? Excuse me sir gtfo of here you’re not the one!!
Jacks is the best he was so good in this book but like what’s with the apples when are we gonna learn?! Only reading these books for him at this point.
This book was definitely better than the first and the ending??? Excuse me sir gtfo of here you’re not the one!!
February 6, 2025
A darker twist of fairy tales.
A broken hearted naive girl goes to the church of the Prince of hearts hoping he would help her. However she doesn’t know that this one act would change her life forever.
I struggled with this book, I found the girl so naive it became abit annoying but I felt that was how the character was meant to be written. Love jacks, bit of a dick but kind of love it. No spoilers but after the first half of the book it was such a good read.
A broken hearted naive girl goes to the church of the Prince of hearts hoping he would help her. However she doesn’t know that this one act would change her life forever.
I struggled with this book, I found the girl so naive it became abit annoying but I felt that was how the character was meant to be written. Love jacks, bit of a dick but kind of love it. No spoilers but after the first half of the book it was such a good read.
June 6, 2025
"every girl I've kissed had died, except for one. And you are not that girl."
the plot is still a mess... so many cliff hangers, some parts i found myself skimming through instead of reading? Eva keeps finding herself in very dangerous and most of the time stupid situations that keeps leaving Jacks to save her. But I also found myself liking this better than the first book... overall- that epilogue left me in shock.
the plot is still a mess... so many cliff hangers, some parts i found myself skimming through instead of reading? Eva keeps finding herself in very dangerous and most of the time stupid situations that keeps leaving Jacks to save her. But I also found myself liking this better than the first book... overall- that epilogue left me in shock.
June 28, 2025
It was so good but the ending😭😭 Sorry, I’m too scared to start the next book. I want to murder Appolo😭
Let me try to write a semi-comprehensible review….
It was fast-paced and I love how Evangeline matured by the end and all the Jacks content we got. I unfortunately knew a lot of spoilers so I think I’d enjoy this series even more if I read it a second time without any expectations. Anyway, it was really fun and I loved reading it. 4.25⭐️
Let me try to write a semi-comprehensible review….
It was fast-paced and I love how Evangeline matured by the end and all the Jacks content we got. I unfortunately knew a lot of spoilers so I think I’d enjoy this series even more if I read it a second time without any expectations. Anyway, it was really fun and I loved reading it. 4.25⭐️
October 1, 2024
Well, to say it simply, this book was amazing.
This book was better than the first one for sure !
I love Jacks ! We had his backstory, wich was so great !
The World building has really well developed since Caraval ! The plot was good, the romance ! The romance in this book was amazing ! And the ending !
Love Evangeline and Chaos by the way.
This book was better than the first one for sure !
I love Jacks ! We had his backstory, wich was so great !
The World building has really well developed since Caraval ! The plot was good, the romance ! The romance in this book was amazing ! And the ending !
Love Evangeline and Chaos by the way.
October 31, 2024
Es un digno segundo libro, conocimos mejor a Jacks. Quien cada vez es menos destino y más un simple chico. Evangeline sigue siendo un personaje digno de admirar por su realeza para vivir su vida, consecuente aunque sea tarde en algunas ocasiones. Inteligente aunque caiga en algunos hechizos.
Lo amé y es mi libro favorito de la saga hasta ahora.
Lo amé y es mi libro favorito de la saga hasta ahora.
April 30, 2025
I just don’t understand why everyone loves this trilogy, I don’t think I will read the third book. I don’t know if because I listened to them on audiobooks it changed my view perhaps? I don’t know, Evangeline annoys the life out of me, I don’t really get the fantasy stuff and the whole world I just don’t really care about it.
December 4, 2023
Feel like this fell under second book syndrome where it’s good but not great yet a means to an end - you need to go through it to get to the final book 3.
Love the world they love in but the ending is a major cliff hanger. Spice meter -1.
Looking forward to finishing series with book 3.
Love the world they love in but the ending is a major cliff hanger. Spice meter -1.
Looking forward to finishing series with book 3.
January 11, 2024
I can see why people like this series, the world building is very vivid, and I think a younger me might have liked the love triangle thing, but I cannot stand the narrator. I think this is the end of the series for me.
April 21, 2024
😍😍😍😍
jacks was everything
this book was everything
the romance, the suspense of what on earth could happen next and then the most wild thing thing coming and you are just left hanging in and hoping for the best!!
jacks was everything
this book was everything
the romance, the suspense of what on earth could happen next and then the most wild thing thing coming and you are just left hanging in and hoping for the best!!
November 8, 2024
Absolutely adore this series! Stephanie Garber’s writing is just perfection. Book 2 took me on another wild ride, with so many twists and turns and steam. I devoured this book the way Jacks devours an apple.
June 18, 2025
Omggg 4.75 Stars !!! This was such a good sequel to the first one!! I loved the character development from Jacks and the tension. The ending caught me off guard !! I definitely enjoyed it a lot more then the first one
July 5, 2025
I am so absolutely gob smacked and angry and sad because WHAT THE HELL. This book did not end how I thought it was going to end, and it’s put me through hell. I can’t believe I have only one book left this is devastating
August 25, 2025
It seems Evangeline had slight growth in character, it was interesting seeing her in the first book repeatedly making the same mistakes trusting people over and over again to this book where she's actually got some doubt going on.
November 11, 2025
This book was so interesting I loved it so much so much better than the last book
Spoiler⚠️⚠️⚠️
I really liked the idea of the forbidden love and I am obsessed with Jacks and the way he broke down on Evangeline’s death but why does he eat so many apples???
Spoiler⚠️⚠️⚠️
I really liked the idea of the forbidden love and I am obsessed with Jacks and the way he broke down on Evangeline’s death but why does he eat so many apples???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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