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Never Blue #2
Never Again
They were a perfect storm of bad decisions and tragedy...
We thought our forever kind of love would protect us.
We thought we were strong enough to withstand any storm.
But we were so young then. We couldn't have known what was coming.
"First loves will mess you up until the end of time if you let them."
Older now, we're both stronger than we've ever been. Brought back together by chance, we have a second chance to discover if forever is still the truth or yet another broken promise.
(This is the conclusion to Tali and Jude's epic love story.)
We thought our forever kind of love would protect us.
We thought we were strong enough to withstand any storm.
But we were so young then. We couldn't have known what was coming.
"First loves will mess you up until the end of time if you let them."
Older now, we're both stronger than we've ever been. Brought back together by chance, we have a second chance to discover if forever is still the truth or yet another broken promise.
(This is the conclusion to Tali and Jude's epic love story.)
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2019
218 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Julia Wolf
49 books3,499 followersJulia lives in Maryland with her patient husband and three crazy, beautiful kids!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
December 19, 2019
Note if you see the same pattern as thousands of other books in this one:
"Laughing, I zipped up my toiletry case—I’d already checked it before Nina got here. “It’s more like celibacy, a glass of wine, and…okay, rock ‘n’ roll. That part’s true.”
...........
“Is that really how you think my life works? I see a man I find attractive, I point to him, and say, ‘Hey, you, come to my lair and pleasure me’?”
She giggled-snorted, rocking forward on her stool. “You kid, but you’re hot as hell, and I highly doubt any man would say no to an offer like that.”
I waved her off. “Most of the guys who work on our tours, I’ve known for years. And if not, they’re far too young for me.”
............
"That wasn’t true, but I’d had enough wine and my insides had been scraped so raw, I couldn’t avoid lashing out. I hadn’t been able to when he’d made a mess of our lives, nor when he married the girl I’d once found him in bed with."
“My marriage was based on alcohol and grief. It lasted exactly ninety-two days, but it never should have happened. When I woke up the next morning with a ring on my finger, all I could think about was you reading about it.”
My chest constricted with the memory of the day I’d finally decided to let him go and move on. I’d let him go, but his claws still clung to my flesh.
“Did you fuck her?” I asked.
He raised his head, eyebrows pinched. “Wha…?”
“You’re telling me it was a massive mistake, yet it lasted three months. You didn’t have it annulled the second you woke up in a panic, so you must’ve been fucking her if you tried to make things work, right? How long did you wait to fuck Claudia after we broke up? Since you brought the subject up, I’d really like to know.”
His finger hooked with mine. “Stripes…”
I pushed his hand away. “Not long, huh?”
"He stayed quiet, but had the decency to appear contrite"
..........
"The guy I’d been seeing for the last six months recently broke up with me because I wasn’t able to be as present emotionally as he needed."
“I can’t love anyone else, because my heart isn’t mine to give away. I gave it to you when I was nineteen, and you’ve never given it back.” She fisted my T-shirt and brushed her lips against mine. “Why won’t you give it back?”
“I can’t, Tali. It’s part of me.” I laid my hand on her trembling chest. “Mine’s part of you. It can’t be undone.”
..............
"I had condoms in my wallet, not for her, but the other girls I planned on fucking. And I had to use a condom with Tali because she wasn’t my girlfriend anymore. She’d fucked other people too. That was the raw, crude, painful truth of it."
.............
"But maybe I’d acclimated her to my presence. Two weeks ago, when she told me I shouldn’t be here, I could have never imagined she’d be sitting "
.............
“It’s allowed. And yes, I’ve only ever brought home one boyfriend besides you. Five years ago, and it ended fairly quickly after that visit"
.............
“Still, I wish I could have done something besides writing a note and running away. I broke up with that guy the next day, by the way. He was falling in love with me, and I realized I still wasn’t capable of giving myself over to love him back. "
...........
I hate this. Every time I think I’ve moved on, fate or the universe or your beautiful girlfriend put him in front of me again. My memories of Jude Goldman are supposed to stay tucked away with all the dusty memories of boyfriends past. Yet, every few years, they get shaken up, the cobwebs are blown away, and he’s shiny and clear again.”
...........
“We don’t need to do this. I told you from the beginning we wouldn’t be friends after this. I’d say let’s cut our losses now, but we cut our losses on my front porch when you punched my dad. We just did that in different ways. I cried myself to sleep for a month, you got high and married another girl.”
"My chest went hollow at the thought of Tali crying for a month. The even worse feeling was acknowledging how right she was. I’d coped by telling myself letting her go was the selfless thing to do, followed by drowning my sorrows in drugs and bad decisions."
............
“Do you know the first time I went out with another man, I came home and vomited? The first time I slept with someone else, I had to stop him in the middle because I began sobbing uncontrollably. The first time I started to fall in love…well, you were there. You know how that turned out. It took me years not to want to claw my traitorous heart out when I developed feelings for someone else, but I’m not sure I’ve ever been in love again. Nothing has ever come close to what we had.”
.............
“Truthfully, I haven’t had a good cuddle in ages.”
His arms closed around me, holding me the way he always had. I pushed my cheek into his chest, the fine hairs tickling me.
“Me either. Haven’t wanted to.”
...........
“Shit. I don’t have a condom.”
She shook her head. “It’s okay. I’m on birth control. I want it.”
Studying her in the mirror, I searched for any sign of her being unsure. “I want you more than anything, baby, but you gotta be sure. If we do this, it’s you and me. You get what I’m saying, Tali?”
For a second, I thought she’d back out. Say no thanks, that’s too intense. But only for a second. In the next breath, the next heartbeat, she arched her back, raising her ass and pussy in offering.
“I’m sure."
.........
“I know Claudia’s married and you’re not with her. I understand what I saw in Italy was two friends hugging after spending the day together with her family. But she is a sore spot for me I’m not sure will ever heal.”
I kissed her nose and eyelids. “I’m sorry.” I kissed her chin and earlobe. “I’ll work like hell to earn your trust.” I kissed her bottom lip and cheek. “I can’t undo what I’ve done, but I can prove I won’t do it again.”
............
BTW "Claudia" is the sister of their best friend who committed suicide thirteen years ago and instead of comforting the woman "he loved", he spent the night with her in bed ... and only after a few months, having stated that nothing it had happened he married her. If this is a love that lasts forever to you, I really am sorry.
..........
My initial review:
I hope the author can be convincing enough because saying that the kind of "love forever" is one where "for the heroines own good" he marries someone else six months after the breakup that he himself caused btw, or spends 13 years fucking with all the women around "because he loves heroin so much and can't forget her" is just ridiculous and no one (really) believes in this kind of shit anymore. Oh Of course! Let's see if she doesn't repeat the ridiculous cliche in which a woman stays emotionally and sexually frozen for over a decade because of a man who treated her like garbage. Particularly I find it difficult for the author to be an exception or at least creative and not repeat the same story that has been written a million times, but as the saying: hope is always the last to die.
............
NOPE, just another cliche like thousands more. Honestly I don't know why some authors bother to rewrite the same book multiple times.
"Laughing, I zipped up my toiletry case—I’d already checked it before Nina got here. “It’s more like celibacy, a glass of wine, and…okay, rock ‘n’ roll. That part’s true.”
...........
“Is that really how you think my life works? I see a man I find attractive, I point to him, and say, ‘Hey, you, come to my lair and pleasure me’?”
She giggled-snorted, rocking forward on her stool. “You kid, but you’re hot as hell, and I highly doubt any man would say no to an offer like that.”
I waved her off. “Most of the guys who work on our tours, I’ve known for years. And if not, they’re far too young for me.”
............
"That wasn’t true, but I’d had enough wine and my insides had been scraped so raw, I couldn’t avoid lashing out. I hadn’t been able to when he’d made a mess of our lives, nor when he married the girl I’d once found him in bed with."
“My marriage was based on alcohol and grief. It lasted exactly ninety-two days, but it never should have happened. When I woke up the next morning with a ring on my finger, all I could think about was you reading about it.”
My chest constricted with the memory of the day I’d finally decided to let him go and move on. I’d let him go, but his claws still clung to my flesh.
“Did you fuck her?” I asked.
He raised his head, eyebrows pinched. “Wha…?”
“You’re telling me it was a massive mistake, yet it lasted three months. You didn’t have it annulled the second you woke up in a panic, so you must’ve been fucking her if you tried to make things work, right? How long did you wait to fuck Claudia after we broke up? Since you brought the subject up, I’d really like to know.”
His finger hooked with mine. “Stripes…”
I pushed his hand away. “Not long, huh?”
"He stayed quiet, but had the decency to appear contrite"
..........
"The guy I’d been seeing for the last six months recently broke up with me because I wasn’t able to be as present emotionally as he needed."
“I can’t love anyone else, because my heart isn’t mine to give away. I gave it to you when I was nineteen, and you’ve never given it back.” She fisted my T-shirt and brushed her lips against mine. “Why won’t you give it back?”
“I can’t, Tali. It’s part of me.” I laid my hand on her trembling chest. “Mine’s part of you. It can’t be undone.”
..............
"I had condoms in my wallet, not for her, but the other girls I planned on fucking. And I had to use a condom with Tali because she wasn’t my girlfriend anymore. She’d fucked other people too. That was the raw, crude, painful truth of it."
.............
"But maybe I’d acclimated her to my presence. Two weeks ago, when she told me I shouldn’t be here, I could have never imagined she’d be sitting "
.............
“It’s allowed. And yes, I’ve only ever brought home one boyfriend besides you. Five years ago, and it ended fairly quickly after that visit"
.............
“Still, I wish I could have done something besides writing a note and running away. I broke up with that guy the next day, by the way. He was falling in love with me, and I realized I still wasn’t capable of giving myself over to love him back. "
...........
I hate this. Every time I think I’ve moved on, fate or the universe or your beautiful girlfriend put him in front of me again. My memories of Jude Goldman are supposed to stay tucked away with all the dusty memories of boyfriends past. Yet, every few years, they get shaken up, the cobwebs are blown away, and he’s shiny and clear again.”
...........
“We don’t need to do this. I told you from the beginning we wouldn’t be friends after this. I’d say let’s cut our losses now, but we cut our losses on my front porch when you punched my dad. We just did that in different ways. I cried myself to sleep for a month, you got high and married another girl.”
"My chest went hollow at the thought of Tali crying for a month. The even worse feeling was acknowledging how right she was. I’d coped by telling myself letting her go was the selfless thing to do, followed by drowning my sorrows in drugs and bad decisions."
............
“Do you know the first time I went out with another man, I came home and vomited? The first time I slept with someone else, I had to stop him in the middle because I began sobbing uncontrollably. The first time I started to fall in love…well, you were there. You know how that turned out. It took me years not to want to claw my traitorous heart out when I developed feelings for someone else, but I’m not sure I’ve ever been in love again. Nothing has ever come close to what we had.”
.............
“Truthfully, I haven’t had a good cuddle in ages.”
His arms closed around me, holding me the way he always had. I pushed my cheek into his chest, the fine hairs tickling me.
“Me either. Haven’t wanted to.”
...........
“Shit. I don’t have a condom.”
She shook her head. “It’s okay. I’m on birth control. I want it.”
Studying her in the mirror, I searched for any sign of her being unsure. “I want you more than anything, baby, but you gotta be sure. If we do this, it’s you and me. You get what I’m saying, Tali?”
For a second, I thought she’d back out. Say no thanks, that’s too intense. But only for a second. In the next breath, the next heartbeat, she arched her back, raising her ass and pussy in offering.
“I’m sure."
.........
“I know Claudia’s married and you’re not with her. I understand what I saw in Italy was two friends hugging after spending the day together with her family. But she is a sore spot for me I’m not sure will ever heal.”
I kissed her nose and eyelids. “I’m sorry.” I kissed her chin and earlobe. “I’ll work like hell to earn your trust.” I kissed her bottom lip and cheek. “I can’t undo what I’ve done, but I can prove I won’t do it again.”
............
BTW "Claudia" is the sister of their best friend who committed suicide thirteen years ago and instead of comforting the woman "he loved", he spent the night with her in bed ... and only after a few months, having stated that nothing it had happened he married her. If this is a love that lasts forever to you, I really am sorry.
..........
My initial review:
I hope the author can be convincing enough because saying that the kind of "love forever" is one where "for the heroines own good" he marries someone else six months after the breakup that he himself caused btw, or spends 13 years fucking with all the women around "because he loves heroin so much and can't forget her" is just ridiculous and no one (really) believes in this kind of shit anymore. Oh Of course! Let's see if she doesn't repeat the ridiculous cliche in which a woman stays emotionally and sexually frozen for over a decade because of a man who treated her like garbage. Particularly I find it difficult for the author to be an exception or at least creative and not repeat the same story that has been written a million times, but as the saying: hope is always the last to die.
............
NOPE, just another cliche like thousands more. Honestly I don't know why some authors bother to rewrite the same book multiple times.
June 4, 2020
4 💔💔💔❤️⚡️⚡️🌈🌈🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️❣️❣️❣️
I didn’t expect this epic downfall!
Jude didn’t manage to give Tali the forever he had promised to. He was a broken soul that had fallen apart completely and reached his lowest point.
They had been separated for thirteen years. They grew up, matured, changed. But no matter what, Tali was the love of Jude’s life.
“My heart knew it from the second I saw her on that elevator. That was nearly fifteen fucking years of owning and being owned by this woman. It had never faded.” Jude
Tali had accomplished her dream and was a strong, independent and ass-kicking business woman but still had feelings for Jude.
“I can’t love anyone else, because my heart isn’t mine to give away. I gave it to you when I was nineteen, and you’ve never given it back.” Tali
Their journey to forever was emotional, intense, gut wrenching and dramatic.
Jude was an impressive character. He almost lost his life from his addiction, he lost his closest friends, Tali and her family. He was human. He was not perfect. With all of his baggage, his struggles, demons, flaws and insecurities, he came out clean and sober, settled and determined to reach for his and Tali’s forever.
Their journey from never lasting to never again apart was full of heartbreak, sad and ugly moments, revelations, forgiveness and redemption.
“You’re looking like forever to me
From the ashes of never agains,
you and I are gonna rise.” Jude
The author delivered a strong and tough story, filled with love, music and lyrics, emotions, serious issues, but also with a great support of amazing secondary characters.
The epilogue was the perfect closure for the forever couple❣️
I didn’t expect this epic downfall!
Jude didn’t manage to give Tali the forever he had promised to. He was a broken soul that had fallen apart completely and reached his lowest point.
They had been separated for thirteen years. They grew up, matured, changed. But no matter what, Tali was the love of Jude’s life.
“My heart knew it from the second I saw her on that elevator. That was nearly fifteen fucking years of owning and being owned by this woman. It had never faded.” Jude
Tali had accomplished her dream and was a strong, independent and ass-kicking business woman but still had feelings for Jude.
“I can’t love anyone else, because my heart isn’t mine to give away. I gave it to you when I was nineteen, and you’ve never given it back.” Tali
Their journey to forever was emotional, intense, gut wrenching and dramatic.
Jude was an impressive character. He almost lost his life from his addiction, he lost his closest friends, Tali and her family. He was human. He was not perfect. With all of his baggage, his struggles, demons, flaws and insecurities, he came out clean and sober, settled and determined to reach for his and Tali’s forever.
Their journey from never lasting to never again apart was full of heartbreak, sad and ugly moments, revelations, forgiveness and redemption.
“You’re looking like forever to me
From the ashes of never agains,
you and I are gonna rise.” Jude
The author delivered a strong and tough story, filled with love, music and lyrics, emotions, serious issues, but also with a great support of amazing secondary characters.
The epilogue was the perfect closure for the forever couple❣️
June 8, 2020
4.5 "You are my forever stars"
Loved it so much ❤️
Loved it so much ❤️
September 12, 2020
Pages: 323
My rating: 4
Read other books by this author in the future:
MC: Tali, Jude
Second part of the duet starts when Tali is 34. 13 year have passed since Tali broke up with Jude. She is still friends with TIno and Juan. Nina has a new girlfriend, a great woman which we will meet briefly.
Tali is going to go on tour. She is a music manager and her band is touring Europa. When she arrives in Amsterdam, she finds out that they have a new sound engineer. And this sound engineer is Jude. He looks healthy and he is clean too.
And again Tali and Jude are in for an interesting ride. The good news is that there will be some HEAs not only for the MCs.
I really liked that this story picks up when the MCs have their careers and a life. Not just a year or several years after they broke up. They both still think about each other and both are still not over with the other. Both are more mature too.
December 13, 2019
Have you had a chance to read the 1st part of Tali and Jude's heart wrenching duet, Never Lasting? If so, were you left a huge book hangover, possibly sobbing with crumbled tissues in hand and a broken heart? I sure was!!! I couldn't stop thinking about them long after that book left me devastated! Now Julia has a chance to make it all better for you with the 2nd part of the duet, Never Again. I think you'll find what you've been hoping for and like me, will turn that last page with a smile on your face .
Now, at 34, Tali was stronger than ever, a badass business woman, one who controls her own destiny and that of her band, Blue is the Color. The shock of seeing the man who still owns her heart, on her tour and in her world, is conjuring up more than she wants to feel...and she can barely breathe! Jude still stops her heart, time hasn't erased those feelings, but how could she ever trust him again? She can't let herself, doesn't want to take the risk again. Flashbacks to times where their paths crossed but weren't spoken of in Never Lasting, were revealed and they explained so much of why Tali feels the way she does now about Jude...so raw and heartbreaking.
I found myself entranced by the older and much wiser Jude. He's still sexy and gorgeous at 36, but reflective, sober and has matured into a man who's learned from the past but not forgotten it. I hoped so hard for him to finally be happy, whole and probably for the 1st time in his life, no longer trying to erase his pain under the addictive cloud of drugs and alcohol. He's become used to the dull ache of losing Tali, but needs so badly for her to see how far he's come, how much love he has and will always have deep in his heart for her. He craves a second chance for the future they never got to have all those years ago, because of his mistakes and bad decisions. She's it for him, will she see it?
Julia wrote the beautiful, all encompassing story I was hoping for, way beyond it really. Her words were masterful to say the least and I almost cried to see it end. There were so many amazing, touching and beautiful parts to this book that you'll just have to read to fully appreciate them. There are books that will always linger somewhere in the back of your mind, this was one of those for me.
The way she put their pieces back together was exactly how it had to be for them to find their forever. Tali and Jude would probably agree..it was pure perfection. I'm still thinking about the rise and fall, denial, hope and then the resurrection of a love that spanned 15 years. In letting go and finding forgiveness, these soulmates find peace, their missing other half and finally have the 'forever kind of love' that was always meant to be!
Melt into this must read book, enjoy the emotional journey with these characters that you've come to love by now. How could you NOT love them? I need to keep seeing them in future books (hint, hint)...Jude and Tali are engraved in my heart now and I don't want to let them go! They may be my most favorite couple Julia has written and that's saying alot!
My thanks to the author for the gift of an early copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions it.
Now, at 34, Tali was stronger than ever, a badass business woman, one who controls her own destiny and that of her band, Blue is the Color. The shock of seeing the man who still owns her heart, on her tour and in her world, is conjuring up more than she wants to feel...and she can barely breathe! Jude still stops her heart, time hasn't erased those feelings, but how could she ever trust him again? She can't let herself, doesn't want to take the risk again. Flashbacks to times where their paths crossed but weren't spoken of in Never Lasting, were revealed and they explained so much of why Tali feels the way she does now about Jude...so raw and heartbreaking.
I found myself entranced by the older and much wiser Jude. He's still sexy and gorgeous at 36, but reflective, sober and has matured into a man who's learned from the past but not forgotten it. I hoped so hard for him to finally be happy, whole and probably for the 1st time in his life, no longer trying to erase his pain under the addictive cloud of drugs and alcohol. He's become used to the dull ache of losing Tali, but needs so badly for her to see how far he's come, how much love he has and will always have deep in his heart for her. He craves a second chance for the future they never got to have all those years ago, because of his mistakes and bad decisions. She's it for him, will she see it?
Julia wrote the beautiful, all encompassing story I was hoping for, way beyond it really. Her words were masterful to say the least and I almost cried to see it end. There were so many amazing, touching and beautiful parts to this book that you'll just have to read to fully appreciate them. There are books that will always linger somewhere in the back of your mind, this was one of those for me.
The way she put their pieces back together was exactly how it had to be for them to find their forever. Tali and Jude would probably agree..it was pure perfection. I'm still thinking about the rise and fall, denial, hope and then the resurrection of a love that spanned 15 years. In letting go and finding forgiveness, these soulmates find peace, their missing other half and finally have the 'forever kind of love' that was always meant to be!
Melt into this must read book, enjoy the emotional journey with these characters that you've come to love by now. How could you NOT love them? I need to keep seeing them in future books (hint, hint)...Jude and Tali are engraved in my heart now and I don't want to let them go! They may be my most favorite couple Julia has written and that's saying alot!
My thanks to the author for the gift of an early copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions it.
November 16, 2019
And we’re back on the ride of Tali and Jude, folks! Trust me, this half of the duet is full of the pain and honesty they both experienced and need to share in order to finally be happy with their lives.
Jude and Tali slowly work their way through the past to paint the complete picture of who they are today, as well as why and how. Jude had a LOT of work to do, not only for himself, but for those around him. He’s never truly been happy or breathed a full breath since destroying himself and the woman he loves. He knows that, and he’s determined to show Tali just who he really is and just how much his heart continues to beat for her.
Tali has found incredible success and joy in her career, and at this point she’s decided to just be okay with who she is and what she has. That is, until she walks into the first day of a six week tour with her band, only to see her past working on the tour. She’s had so many questions and heartbreaks over the years that she’s not sure she can ever simply forget and move on. Luckily for Jude, Tali isn’t one to simply shy away and run from her past standing in her present.
This author managed to turn the second half of Tali and Jude’s duet into the balm that soothes the angst and pain of the first half. That’s not to say that it isn’t an emotional, sometimes painfully sad journey to take. Between chance encounters a few times over the years and the issues both Tali and Jude need to work through, their chance together now blossoms from “we’ll never be friends” to “okay, we can talk (and possibly more)” seamlessly and with just the right amount of humor, sadness, nostalgia, and mushy lovey dovey stuff...and with some serious heat. Jude and Tali became proof that you can’t truly have the happy and sweet without some bitter pain or tears. This duet was another win by this author in my eyes.
Jude and Tali slowly work their way through the past to paint the complete picture of who they are today, as well as why and how. Jude had a LOT of work to do, not only for himself, but for those around him. He’s never truly been happy or breathed a full breath since destroying himself and the woman he loves. He knows that, and he’s determined to show Tali just who he really is and just how much his heart continues to beat for her.
Tali has found incredible success and joy in her career, and at this point she’s decided to just be okay with who she is and what she has. That is, until she walks into the first day of a six week tour with her band, only to see her past working on the tour. She’s had so many questions and heartbreaks over the years that she’s not sure she can ever simply forget and move on. Luckily for Jude, Tali isn’t one to simply shy away and run from her past standing in her present.
This author managed to turn the second half of Tali and Jude’s duet into the balm that soothes the angst and pain of the first half. That’s not to say that it isn’t an emotional, sometimes painfully sad journey to take. Between chance encounters a few times over the years and the issues both Tali and Jude need to work through, their chance together now blossoms from “we’ll never be friends” to “okay, we can talk (and possibly more)” seamlessly and with just the right amount of humor, sadness, nostalgia, and mushy lovey dovey stuff...and with some serious heat. Jude and Tali became proof that you can’t truly have the happy and sweet without some bitter pain or tears. This duet was another win by this author in my eyes.
December 16, 2019
With my heart left in shambles and utter disarray after Never Lasting, I dove into the second part of this duet holding my breath. It takes us for a leap into the future showing us how Tali and Jude have changed and giving us insight into the past. These two have grown, matured but are still fractured in so many ways. As their lives cross paths Tali is cautious and Jude is intent to make amends. Their journey is a hard one and one not all connections and loves would survive. The road for them is filled with heart wrenching moments, set backs and confrontations, but you know what they say no pain no gain. This highly emotional conclusion made me cry a river, frustrated me beyond belief but ultimately left me breathless from a forever kind of love, ensuring that never again would Jude and his Stripes be without the beat to their heart.
February 4, 2020
Never Again picks up years after the horrible ending of Never Lasting. At first, it gives no indication that Tali and Jude are even in each other's orbits at all. But then Tali comes face to face with her not so stable past, and she's rocked off her axis. Jude might be a tad less surprised to see Tali than she is to see him, but he's no less staggered because his first and only love is finally face to face with him and he wants her back. The ball is all in his court. Redemption and second chances are all within his grasp, IF he can work his admittedly fine ass off enough to prove to Tali they should allow the love between them that never died to flourish. Can they work through their past pain and into a bright future? Only time, and lots of talking, will tell.
Damn...I loved this duet! It's heartbreaking in its first stage when Jude's demons overtake him and sever their young relationship. But in its conclusion, where both have matured into amazing adults, wow, it's quite beautiful as they work toward a future and happiness. I'm going to remember Tali and Jude for a long time to come.
ARC via HEA PR for an honest review.
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December 19, 2019
Ever have one of those oh S#$! moments? Yeah, welcome to my world. I just finished typing up my review...so very shiny and Grammarly-approved. Hit the wrong button and *poof* it's gone.
So, here we go again.
I am being really honest here. Never Lasting left me sad and broken-hearted. I needed happy again. I genuinely like Tali and Jude. Ok, honestly, I think Jude is one of the coolest guys ever. He brought his life back from the ashes by transforming himself not by hiding or ignoring his addiction, but by working his program. Jude is honest about his struggles, and lives in a way that each day he doesn't drink or do drugs is a good day. He takes his sobriety very seriously and does not let anything mess with it. Grown-up recovering Jude still loves Tali, but Tali does not know Jude 2.0, and we get to go on tour with them. Squee!
The getting back was a slow dance of sweet dates and getting to know each other all over again. Jude, his very name brings thoughts of the Fab Four. So they had pastries and coffee and listened to Beatles tunes in a foreign country. The tour and the slow burn keeps going as that flame from 13 years ago get re-kindled. Then Tali says, "He smelled like the best time of my life and tasted like music." And we know. All the beautiful broken bits from Never Lasting are going to get put back together. But it won't be seamless, or look like before, it will be like that Japanese art, Kintsugi, where precious things that break are glued back together with precious metal, so imperfections are not hidden but highlighted and made more beautiful.
This book made me verklempt...
I never take notes in a book, but I was sniffing, tearing up that then bloomed into full-blown ugly crying, feels that intense need NOTES! This book had me highlighting up a storm wanting to keep these nuggets of hope and love from Jude and Tali. Dang, these two. They loved hard and broke HARD in Never Lasting. Walking with them as they came together older, maturer, and stable individually and even more solid together, it was resplendent — so much beauty.
Remembering the defeats and disappointments, we saw Jude not handle well in Never Lasting, losing his art in the machine of the industry, losing Ben, losing his battle against addiction, and ultimately losing Tali. Now to see Jude winning against addiction, finding his art on his terms, being himself and comfortable in that skin, walking through those fires to come out the other side sober and committed to his recovery. You want everything for both of them, and thank goodness Jude, and Tali get the triumph.
Dang...getting verklempt again...talk amongst yourselves...*grabs another tissue*
So, here we go again.
I am being really honest here. Never Lasting left me sad and broken-hearted. I needed happy again. I genuinely like Tali and Jude. Ok, honestly, I think Jude is one of the coolest guys ever. He brought his life back from the ashes by transforming himself not by hiding or ignoring his addiction, but by working his program. Jude is honest about his struggles, and lives in a way that each day he doesn't drink or do drugs is a good day. He takes his sobriety very seriously and does not let anything mess with it. Grown-up recovering Jude still loves Tali, but Tali does not know Jude 2.0, and we get to go on tour with them. Squee!
The getting back was a slow dance of sweet dates and getting to know each other all over again. Jude, his very name brings thoughts of the Fab Four. So they had pastries and coffee and listened to Beatles tunes in a foreign country. The tour and the slow burn keeps going as that flame from 13 years ago get re-kindled. Then Tali says, "He smelled like the best time of my life and tasted like music." And we know. All the beautiful broken bits from Never Lasting are going to get put back together. But it won't be seamless, or look like before, it will be like that Japanese art, Kintsugi, where precious things that break are glued back together with precious metal, so imperfections are not hidden but highlighted and made more beautiful.
This book made me verklempt...
I never take notes in a book, but I was sniffing, tearing up that then bloomed into full-blown ugly crying, feels that intense need NOTES! This book had me highlighting up a storm wanting to keep these nuggets of hope and love from Jude and Tali. Dang, these two. They loved hard and broke HARD in Never Lasting. Walking with them as they came together older, maturer, and stable individually and even more solid together, it was resplendent — so much beauty.
Remembering the defeats and disappointments, we saw Jude not handle well in Never Lasting, losing his art in the machine of the industry, losing Ben, losing his battle against addiction, and ultimately losing Tali. Now to see Jude winning against addiction, finding his art on his terms, being himself and comfortable in that skin, walking through those fires to come out the other side sober and committed to his recovery. You want everything for both of them, and thank goodness Jude, and Tali get the triumph.
Dang...getting verklempt again...talk amongst yourselves...*grabs another tissue*
December 4, 2019
Well this author did it! After I felt like my heart went through a blender at the end of Never Lasting, she joyfully and painstakingly stitched up the broken pieces of my heart in this 2nd and final installment of Jude and Tali’s duet. Their journey was long, winding and wrought with heartbreak, but their story was also breathtakingly beautiful, sexy, and sweet complete with a love that was deep-seated, hard earned and never ending.
This book predominantly takes place 13 years after the gut wrenching end of Never Lasting and is interspersed with a few encounters throughout those years. Tali has become the successful manager that we all know and love. She remains super organized and the “thinkiest of thinkers”, but she has never fully moved on from Jude. Jude displays great character growth and has gained in maturity that comes from life’s hard lessons. A white hot spark remains between these two as their flame was never fully extinguished. A second chance is not easy given as trust, forgiveness, and healing are needed to move past old hurts. Jude’s and Tali’s love story obliterated all of my expectations.
I received an early complimentary version of this book.
This book predominantly takes place 13 years after the gut wrenching end of Never Lasting and is interspersed with a few encounters throughout those years. Tali has become the successful manager that we all know and love. She remains super organized and the “thinkiest of thinkers”, but she has never fully moved on from Jude. Jude displays great character growth and has gained in maturity that comes from life’s hard lessons. A white hot spark remains between these two as their flame was never fully extinguished. A second chance is not easy given as trust, forgiveness, and healing are needed to move past old hurts. Jude’s and Tali’s love story obliterated all of my expectations.
I received an early complimentary version of this book.
December 5, 2019
Book 2 in this duet was just so amazing. It takes place 13 years after book one so both Jude and Tali have grown. For them to get the HEA that they deserve, they are going to have to go on a roller coaster ride that will wring them out but, in the end, it will be worth all the ups and downs. I highly recommend this duet.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 22, 2019
I thought the first part of this duet wrecked me, but heavens.. the emotions these two took me on was absolutely everything.
Thirteen years after their breakup, Tali is the badass manager for Blue Is The Color. She is so happy with her professional life, and is convinced that is this is all her life will bring, she will be immensely happy. She is glad for all the wonderful things her life has brought her: her amazing family, her wonderful friends, and a career she's always wanted. If only there wasn't a Jude sized hole in her heart.
Jude, who is now clean and sober, is doing what he should have done all along: fighting for Tali. He knows that he destroyed them all those years ago, and ever since then his life has been missing the light she brought him. When he takes a job on the Blue boys tour as a sound guy (knowing full well that Tali manages them.) He needs her back in his life, needs her to see that he's changed and not the same man that broke her heart. When they meet again, you can *feel* the heartbreak, the anger, the unfairness that this is the way things are, when they should have been together all along.
I don't think I can convey the words to describe how beautiful this book is.. it's just absolutely amazing. We get to see the flashbacks of the few times Tali and Jude saw each other, and the very last time they were intimate and she begged him not to die.. that absolutely broke my heart. Addiction never just affects the addict: it's hell on everyone involved. The author also paints how realistic Jude's addiction is; even when he has Tali in his arms for the last time, he can't let go and be with her. He's already thinking about how soon he can get high. Even though he knows better by now not to make promises he can't keep, my heart broke for them all over again. There were a few more times they saw each other again, each time more painful than the last.
Back in the present timeline, Tali and Jude end up spending time together and getting to known each other again agree all these years. They are nowhere near where they wish they were, but just as soon as Tali is opening herself to him again, she gets a blast from his past and is immediately reminded why she can't open her heart to him again. She barley managed to move on the last time, and she knows if she does again it would destroy her.
But a love like they shared? That never goes away. Their love never died, if anything it seemed to only grow through the years. (Even if Tali didn't want to admit it.) I loved, loved seeing Jude redeeming himself, realizing why he turned to drugs in the first place, and then making amends for all his wrongs. Jude and Tali have their HEA, but their journey after being apart for so long is more than I can say. It is so beautiful, so raw, so damn GOOD, that I again felt like I was watching them reconnect first hand. I can't get over how much I adore this couple.
I also really loved all of our side characters!! Jin, and his friendship with both Jude and Tali was amazing!! And then Tino, his husband and kids, Nina and her happy ever after with Lydia. It was all so perfect!!
I can't stop gushing, guys. Just read these amazing books as soon as you can! They will captivate you just as much as they did me.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from this one!!::
"Somewhere in the middle of Europe, holding my first love in my arms, I found my home again. I’d been wandering without realizing it. I’d been a vagabond with my heart tucked away in my satchel."
"I wasn’t the girl who cried over Jude Goldman. That girl had turned into a woman who’d perfected the art of being aloof and disinterested. Tomorrow, I’d be that woman. Tonight, I’d let the girl make an appearance. Just for tonight."
"My hands gripped the curves of a woman who was so fucking sure of herself and her place, she didn’t need me. She didn’t need any man. But she wanted me. She came to me willingly, lapped at my imperfections, and came back for seconds."
"We’d said a long time ago we had a forever kind of love. Our forever hadn’t gone in a straight line, but I was always going to end up back here , with my true north. Now that we were facing the right direction, forever was going to come."
Do yourself a favor and read this magnificent duet!!
**I I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!!**
Thirteen years after their breakup, Tali is the badass manager for Blue Is The Color. She is so happy with her professional life, and is convinced that is this is all her life will bring, she will be immensely happy. She is glad for all the wonderful things her life has brought her: her amazing family, her wonderful friends, and a career she's always wanted. If only there wasn't a Jude sized hole in her heart.
Jude, who is now clean and sober, is doing what he should have done all along: fighting for Tali. He knows that he destroyed them all those years ago, and ever since then his life has been missing the light she brought him. When he takes a job on the Blue boys tour as a sound guy (knowing full well that Tali manages them.) He needs her back in his life, needs her to see that he's changed and not the same man that broke her heart. When they meet again, you can *feel* the heartbreak, the anger, the unfairness that this is the way things are, when they should have been together all along.
I don't think I can convey the words to describe how beautiful this book is.. it's just absolutely amazing. We get to see the flashbacks of the few times Tali and Jude saw each other, and the very last time they were intimate and she begged him not to die.. that absolutely broke my heart. Addiction never just affects the addict: it's hell on everyone involved. The author also paints how realistic Jude's addiction is; even when he has Tali in his arms for the last time, he can't let go and be with her. He's already thinking about how soon he can get high. Even though he knows better by now not to make promises he can't keep, my heart broke for them all over again. There were a few more times they saw each other again, each time more painful than the last.
Back in the present timeline, Tali and Jude end up spending time together and getting to known each other again agree all these years. They are nowhere near where they wish they were, but just as soon as Tali is opening herself to him again, she gets a blast from his past and is immediately reminded why she can't open her heart to him again. She barley managed to move on the last time, and she knows if she does again it would destroy her.
But a love like they shared? That never goes away. Their love never died, if anything it seemed to only grow through the years. (Even if Tali didn't want to admit it.) I loved, loved seeing Jude redeeming himself, realizing why he turned to drugs in the first place, and then making amends for all his wrongs. Jude and Tali have their HEA, but their journey after being apart for so long is more than I can say. It is so beautiful, so raw, so damn GOOD, that I again felt like I was watching them reconnect first hand. I can't get over how much I adore this couple.
I also really loved all of our side characters!! Jin, and his friendship with both Jude and Tali was amazing!! And then Tino, his husband and kids, Nina and her happy ever after with Lydia. It was all so perfect!!
I can't stop gushing, guys. Just read these amazing books as soon as you can! They will captivate you just as much as they did me.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from this one!!::
"Somewhere in the middle of Europe, holding my first love in my arms, I found my home again. I’d been wandering without realizing it. I’d been a vagabond with my heart tucked away in my satchel."
"I wasn’t the girl who cried over Jude Goldman. That girl had turned into a woman who’d perfected the art of being aloof and disinterested. Tomorrow, I’d be that woman. Tonight, I’d let the girl make an appearance. Just for tonight."
"My hands gripped the curves of a woman who was so fucking sure of herself and her place, she didn’t need me. She didn’t need any man. But she wanted me. She came to me willingly, lapped at my imperfections, and came back for seconds."
"We’d said a long time ago we had a forever kind of love. Our forever hadn’t gone in a straight line, but I was always going to end up back here , with my true north. Now that we were facing the right direction, forever was going to come."
Do yourself a favor and read this magnificent duet!!
**I I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!!**
December 17, 2019
Never Again book two in the Never Blue Duet brings together all the pieces that fell apart in book one and sheds light on why things played out the way they did for a story that was impossible to walk away from!
When readers left book one Jude was a broken person, it had seemed that he had given up and surrendered to his demons. Yet not enough credit was given to the transformative power of love, the power of his love for Tali and the power of love that came with accepting who he was and learning to love himself. Jude always had choices but choosing the best ones or even the ones he really wanted were not as easy as it appeared especially when past choices kept incapacitating him. Tali showed a strength of steel even at her weakest moments but those weak moments were what made her human and infinitely appealing. Her denial of Jude showed the extent of her love for him and made her the kind of heroine who made hard decisions that despite being painful were from the depth of her caring.
This couple showed that even the best circumstances can prove not enough to bring you to a good place when you had unresolved issues requiring that they go their separate ways before they could come back and commit to being together. Part two of this duet brought their unfiltered truth to the forefront with all its ugliness and angst allowing the potential and beauty of Jude and Tali's love, giving them the ability to overcome their past. Over and over Jude and Tali were confronted with the question can you really move on once you found the "one" and in their case the answer was no. It was touching to watch this pair recognized their past even as they became reacquainted with the matured and evolved versions of themselves, finding that while they had changed for the better their hearts attachment to each other had remained as strong as ever.
This writer delved boldly into the complexity of Jude and Tali's struggle making theirs a powerful reading experience. While this work had an abundance of despair and loss it ultimately offered just as much hope coming out of unexpected places. This story dealt with some serious subject matter that was handled realistically and with care. There were moments that clutched so hard at readers emotions that it was impossible not to choke up and reel right along with the characters feeling the full impact of Ms. Wolf's writing. Never Again concluded the Never Blue Duet with every single feeling that makes an epic romance!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*This book should be read with Never Lasting part one of the Never Blue Duet.*
When readers left book one Jude was a broken person, it had seemed that he had given up and surrendered to his demons. Yet not enough credit was given to the transformative power of love, the power of his love for Tali and the power of love that came with accepting who he was and learning to love himself. Jude always had choices but choosing the best ones or even the ones he really wanted were not as easy as it appeared especially when past choices kept incapacitating him. Tali showed a strength of steel even at her weakest moments but those weak moments were what made her human and infinitely appealing. Her denial of Jude showed the extent of her love for him and made her the kind of heroine who made hard decisions that despite being painful were from the depth of her caring.
This couple showed that even the best circumstances can prove not enough to bring you to a good place when you had unresolved issues requiring that they go their separate ways before they could come back and commit to being together. Part two of this duet brought their unfiltered truth to the forefront with all its ugliness and angst allowing the potential and beauty of Jude and Tali's love, giving them the ability to overcome their past. Over and over Jude and Tali were confronted with the question can you really move on once you found the "one" and in their case the answer was no. It was touching to watch this pair recognized their past even as they became reacquainted with the matured and evolved versions of themselves, finding that while they had changed for the better their hearts attachment to each other had remained as strong as ever.
This writer delved boldly into the complexity of Jude and Tali's struggle making theirs a powerful reading experience. While this work had an abundance of despair and loss it ultimately offered just as much hope coming out of unexpected places. This story dealt with some serious subject matter that was handled realistically and with care. There were moments that clutched so hard at readers emotions that it was impossible not to choke up and reel right along with the characters feeling the full impact of Ms. Wolf's writing. Never Again concluded the Never Blue Duet with every single feeling that makes an epic romance!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own. *
*This book should be read with Never Lasting part one of the Never Blue Duet.*
December 29, 2019
I can tell you I've never been happier to have the second part of a duology as I was with this one. Never Lasting left my heart in pieces and I couldn't let that be the ending of Tali and Jude. Luckily the author realized her readers wouldn't be able to wait too long without getting more of these characters.
Never Again starts many years later, Tali is now 34 and has started her amazing career in the music world. Blue is the Color is her band. She manages them and has for the last seven years. It's so much fun getting more of a behind the scenes look of what she does after the Blue is the Color series. She's a strong, independent woman and loves what she does. Since Jude, she hasn't had much of a love life, but that doesn't stop her from living.
Jude wasn't at a good place at the end of Never Lasting. He's come a long way since then and his lfe has really changed. One thing he hasn't stopped thinking about it Tali. He was still kind of sneaky to get what he wanted, but I loved his motives. I loved how Jude has really come to know himself and what he needs. He's really changed and has a really good support system.
Once again, this author gives us an amazing love story. So much as happened, but there love is still there. Never Again has the perfect mix of past and present. I love that we were filled in on the missing years with the important events between them. It breaks your heart, but really shows us how much they loved each other even if it was toxic at times. Jude and Tali slowly start finding their way back to each other while on tour and I loved reading the trips they took together during some free time.
This book is really hard to describe and review, because it hits you in all the feels. That being said, I don't want to give away too much either. I will say that this story gives both characters what they deserve and need. On top of an epic love story, it's always interesting when we get to see our favorite characters. I loved the Blue is the Color series, so they're definitely a favorite. Also, characters we meet in the first book are also revisited and my heart was very happy when I finished reading. Jude and Tali will always have a special place in my heart!
Never Again starts many years later, Tali is now 34 and has started her amazing career in the music world. Blue is the Color is her band. She manages them and has for the last seven years. It's so much fun getting more of a behind the scenes look of what she does after the Blue is the Color series. She's a strong, independent woman and loves what she does. Since Jude, she hasn't had much of a love life, but that doesn't stop her from living.
Jude wasn't at a good place at the end of Never Lasting. He's come a long way since then and his lfe has really changed. One thing he hasn't stopped thinking about it Tali. He was still kind of sneaky to get what he wanted, but I loved his motives. I loved how Jude has really come to know himself and what he needs. He's really changed and has a really good support system.
Once again, this author gives us an amazing love story. So much as happened, but there love is still there. Never Again has the perfect mix of past and present. I love that we were filled in on the missing years with the important events between them. It breaks your heart, but really shows us how much they loved each other even if it was toxic at times. Jude and Tali slowly start finding their way back to each other while on tour and I loved reading the trips they took together during some free time.
This book is really hard to describe and review, because it hits you in all the feels. That being said, I don't want to give away too much either. I will say that this story gives both characters what they deserve and need. On top of an epic love story, it's always interesting when we get to see our favorite characters. I loved the Blue is the Color series, so they're definitely a favorite. Also, characters we meet in the first book are also revisited and my heart was very happy when I finished reading. Jude and Tali will always have a special place in my heart!
December 3, 2019
The second half to the Never Blue duet is even better than the first, and I loved the first A LOT. Never Again takes place 13 years after book 1 ended (with the exception of some necessary flashbacks). Jude and Tali are wiser and more mature but both still broken in many ways. When circumstances bring them back into each other's lives, Tali is understandably wary and Jude is determined to atone for his past behavior. Watching these two overcome their demons and find their way back to one another left me breathless at times. I cried, I cheered, I got frustrated, you name the emotion, I likely had it while reading this book. It's a long journey filled with heartbreak along the way but that only makes their eventual HEA that much sweeter. Everyone needs to read this duet.
January 31, 2021
I am so grateful to Julia for giving us part 2 of this duet to review together. Boy you think that Never Lasting brings out all the feels it is nothing compared to Never Again, and I think that I related to it better as the characters were so much older. While we have been on the roller coaster ride of Tali and Jude's passionate but gut wrenching young love, we now get to go with them on their journey to find happiness.
When we meet Tali again thirteen years later she is well established in her dream career in music as manager to Blue is the Colour. After a hiatus of two years Blue is back on tour with a new sound engineer and Tali's solid world is rocked as she realizes it is Jude. Unknown to Tali, Jude had been following her life throughout the years with help from his friend Jin, who is also a friend to Tali. Jude now believes enough time as gone by to win Tali back forever but judging by her first reaction to him it is going to be a difficult job.
Tali is so afraid to fall for Jude again, she has never got over her first love and cannot go through the pain of losing him again. She has suffered a lot over the years, when he got married to someone else, and when their pasts crossed and he was still in the throes of his addiction and could give her nothing not even the promise that he would not be a member of the Forever 27 list. The searing pain between them brought me to tears and I mourned for a wonderful passionate love that was lost to addiction. The two of them being made for each other and still being deeply in love was just not enough for Jude to give up drugs.
This second book is so romantic as these two lovers with such a painful past learn to know each other later in life as the people they are today, it is really heartbreaking watching both of them. Jude walks a fine line between getting his Stripes to trust him again and believe in a future together, without scaring her away for ever. Although Tali still loves him deeply and wants their forever she is not sure if wants to gamble her heart again.
Julia has given us such a gift in these two books which bring out every emotion possible in us. If you don't read anything else this month read this duet, you will be glad you have. Definitely one of the best books of the year for me. Thank you so much Julia for shattering me and mending me again, it was worth it all.
When we meet Tali again thirteen years later she is well established in her dream career in music as manager to Blue is the Colour. After a hiatus of two years Blue is back on tour with a new sound engineer and Tali's solid world is rocked as she realizes it is Jude. Unknown to Tali, Jude had been following her life throughout the years with help from his friend Jin, who is also a friend to Tali. Jude now believes enough time as gone by to win Tali back forever but judging by her first reaction to him it is going to be a difficult job.
Tali is so afraid to fall for Jude again, she has never got over her first love and cannot go through the pain of losing him again. She has suffered a lot over the years, when he got married to someone else, and when their pasts crossed and he was still in the throes of his addiction and could give her nothing not even the promise that he would not be a member of the Forever 27 list. The searing pain between them brought me to tears and I mourned for a wonderful passionate love that was lost to addiction. The two of them being made for each other and still being deeply in love was just not enough for Jude to give up drugs.
This second book is so romantic as these two lovers with such a painful past learn to know each other later in life as the people they are today, it is really heartbreaking watching both of them. Jude walks a fine line between getting his Stripes to trust him again and believe in a future together, without scaring her away for ever. Although Tali still loves him deeply and wants their forever she is not sure if wants to gamble her heart again.
Julia has given us such a gift in these two books which bring out every emotion possible in us. If you don't read anything else this month read this duet, you will be glad you have. Definitely one of the best books of the year for me. Thank you so much Julia for shattering me and mending me again, it was worth it all.
December 19, 2019
I have step up on my soap box for a minute, because see Never Again is Book 2 in the Never Blue duet, so YOU MUST READ Never Lasting (Book 1) FIRST! It's the continuing and/or ending to Tali & Jude's story. The next level talent of Julia Wolf is straight up addictive to the point that when I start a book of hers, I know I'm not moving until every last page is devoured, and this duet is absolutely brilliant, not to mention my favorite to date. In Book 1, we were left hanging big time which is why I'm not giving any details away. It seems like everything was bigger this time around, including all of my insane emotions out to play. Of course that could be because Tali & Jude's story picks back up about 13 years later (and obviously a ton of things have happened), and their chemistry is still just as intense, make this story off the chains intense for me. And what's worse is there's so much rage towards Jude had coming from me, because I'm still not over what be did, especially that last highly questionable douchey decision he made by the end of the story. It was something I never saw coming, and I'm still kind of calling him names of the colorful metaphor variety. The only reason that I don't completely despise him is because of the baggage he carries around, which I believe has been the driving force to his decision making. And it's this factor which gives this amazing story a realistic feel for me. So, how does it all pan out at the end of the day?! Hit your one click button to find out! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2019
Never again has moved on in time by some years, and brings Tali and Jude back together again in the work environment, he knew she’d be on the tour of a certain band we all know from previous Julia Wolf books. She didn’t know Jude would be there and this caused her to do some hard thinking and soul searching. I liked the side step of career direction that Jude took in order to keep his demons firmly at bay. But his love of song writing doesn’t leave him for too long!
Throughout this book you are taken back to the missing years to hear about what they’ve been up to, and how they’ve matured and become stronger individuals. Jude especially has worked so hard to right his wrongs. They reflect on their past losses and think how they can move on together in the world of music in which their paths are firmly headed in the same direction. Pure brilliance was bringing the Blue is the colour boys into the story and discovering what they’ve been up to. You’re never quite sure until quite a way through if Tali will follow her heart again, and the fact that Jude is still making mistakes that affect their relationship doesn’t exactly help. The involvement of the secondary characters from the first book crosses a lot of t’s and dots a few i’s for me. Really enjoyed finding out what stage their lives were at.This book calms the angst from the previous book and leaves you able to breath that sigh of relief that you’ve been holding in since the start of Never Lasting. I can’t say any more without spoilers. So I shall leave it there and just recommend that you settle down for conclusion of Tali and Jude’s story, you won’t be disappointed. Can’t wait to see what Julia has for us next.
Throughout this book you are taken back to the missing years to hear about what they’ve been up to, and how they’ve matured and become stronger individuals. Jude especially has worked so hard to right his wrongs. They reflect on their past losses and think how they can move on together in the world of music in which their paths are firmly headed in the same direction. Pure brilliance was bringing the Blue is the colour boys into the story and discovering what they’ve been up to. You’re never quite sure until quite a way through if Tali will follow her heart again, and the fact that Jude is still making mistakes that affect their relationship doesn’t exactly help. The involvement of the secondary characters from the first book crosses a lot of t’s and dots a few i’s for me. Really enjoyed finding out what stage their lives were at.This book calms the angst from the previous book and leaves you able to breath that sigh of relief that you’ve been holding in since the start of Never Lasting. I can’t say any more without spoilers. So I shall leave it there and just recommend that you settle down for conclusion of Tali and Jude’s story, you won’t be disappointed. Can’t wait to see what Julia has for us next.
December 17, 2019
I'm cracking up from this beginning. Jude is affecting me in a major way. He was a shitty friend, a shitty boyfriend and a cliche rock star having it all, but drowning in the process. Numbing his feelings and stress with drugs.
He's come a long way, but his remorse are still holding him back. We get to know him so well in this book. All the reasons for his behaviour is revealed and slowly I start the process of forgiving though the forgetting part will not happen. Some things need to be remembered.
Tali is strong, independent and so very capable of managing the hell out of anyone, including herself. She stuck to her life plan and got what she wanted, all except the love of her life. When he shows up as a sound engineer on the tour she is on, she tries to keep him at a distance but slowly he's making progress getting back in her good graces. The attraction is skyrocketing, his patience is admirable and his love for Tali is no secret to anyone watching him. Slowly she starts trusting again and their commitment to each other is enviable.
Jin is making tears stream down my cheeks as I read, I love him being friends with both parties.
This author is getting better by the book, and this series is my all time favorite.
He's come a long way, but his remorse are still holding him back. We get to know him so well in this book. All the reasons for his behaviour is revealed and slowly I start the process of forgiving though the forgetting part will not happen. Some things need to be remembered.
Tali is strong, independent and so very capable of managing the hell out of anyone, including herself. She stuck to her life plan and got what she wanted, all except the love of her life. When he shows up as a sound engineer on the tour she is on, she tries to keep him at a distance but slowly he's making progress getting back in her good graces. The attraction is skyrocketing, his patience is admirable and his love for Tali is no secret to anyone watching him. Slowly she starts trusting again and their commitment to each other is enviable.
Jin is making tears stream down my cheeks as I read, I love him being friends with both parties.
This author is getting better by the book, and this series is my all time favorite.
December 17, 2019
Confession: I was so turned off by Jude at the end of book one that I was DREADING completing this duet, despite the undeniable quality of the writing. I didn’t realize how much the story affected me until I sat down to read book two, but I definitely had an emotional reaction to their relationship. Had I not already committed to reading an ARC, I would not have continued... and I would’ve been missing out on an absolutely beautiful comeback.
This is an emotional punch to the gut, a story so angsty your blood pressure will skyrocket. Though 13 years have passed since the end of book one, the chemistry and connection between Tali and Jude is still so vibrant and alive. Their love story really needs to be read in order, so I won’t bother trying to explain the relationship. If you’ve read book one, you already know the obstacles Tali and Jude face (some serious trigger warnings on this one). I loved how the author turned things around - I had written off both Jude and this romance, but that was a big mistake. The emotion is tangible and the devastation overwhelming before the light begins to shine again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an emotional punch to the gut, a story so angsty your blood pressure will skyrocket. Though 13 years have passed since the end of book one, the chemistry and connection between Tali and Jude is still so vibrant and alive. Their love story really needs to be read in order, so I won’t bother trying to explain the relationship. If you’ve read book one, you already know the obstacles Tali and Jude face (some serious trigger warnings on this one). I loved how the author turned things around - I had written off both Jude and this romance, but that was a big mistake. The emotion is tangible and the devastation overwhelming before the light begins to shine again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 2, 2019
I received an ARC from the author and I am happy to give my honest review.
Guys. They're back. Tali and Jude. Thank God. Did you read the first book? If not, stop here and go grab that one. This cannot be read as a standalone.
I don't want to give any spoilers away because you definitely should pick up this duo. This book is way more my style because Tali and Jude are adults, over ten years after the end of the first book. They've both gone through some stuff which makes their relationship even stronger and beautiful.
Tali is an amazing manager and I loved seeing her "manage" all of her friends and family. Jude is a talented musician and dedicated to being a better person (shouldn't we all be?) My only point of complaint is a part in the epilogue that I could have done without as it's a trigger for me, although it wasn't handled poorly by any means.
Check this book out, after reading the first one, then I dare you to download all of Julia's backlist. You won't be disappointed.
Guys. They're back. Tali and Jude. Thank God. Did you read the first book? If not, stop here and go grab that one. This cannot be read as a standalone.
I don't want to give any spoilers away because you definitely should pick up this duo. This book is way more my style because Tali and Jude are adults, over ten years after the end of the first book. They've both gone through some stuff which makes their relationship even stronger and beautiful.
Tali is an amazing manager and I loved seeing her "manage" all of her friends and family. Jude is a talented musician and dedicated to being a better person (shouldn't we all be?) My only point of complaint is a part in the epilogue that I could have done without as it's a trigger for me, although it wasn't handled poorly by any means.
Check this book out, after reading the first one, then I dare you to download all of Julia's backlist. You won't be disappointed.
December 17, 2019
Epic conclusion!!
This duet is EVERYTHING. Jude and Tali’s story is one that will stay with me forever. So much pain and regret, but so much more love and passion.
I LOVED Jude so muchhhh but he was one very broken soul. And Tali? Well, she was one STRONG woman and I loved her just as much.
This sequel picks up around 13 years later but despite the amount of time that has passed, Jude and Tali’s passion still BURNS. Their chemistry is still very much there. Their love runs just as deep and true as it did from the very beginning. And I was EXCITED. I was READY for them to kiss and make-up and finally get their HEA!! Of course, it wasn’t that easy. There were many wounds to heal first.
There is so much more to Jude and Tali’s story than it just being a second-chance romance. Their journey is raw and one I HIGHLY recommend you devour.
This duet is a MUST. Five Stars and a TOP 2019 FAVE!!
This duet is EVERYTHING. Jude and Tali’s story is one that will stay with me forever. So much pain and regret, but so much more love and passion.
I LOVED Jude so muchhhh but he was one very broken soul. And Tali? Well, she was one STRONG woman and I loved her just as much.
This sequel picks up around 13 years later but despite the amount of time that has passed, Jude and Tali’s passion still BURNS. Their chemistry is still very much there. Their love runs just as deep and true as it did from the very beginning. And I was EXCITED. I was READY for them to kiss and make-up and finally get their HEA!! Of course, it wasn’t that easy. There were many wounds to heal first.
There is so much more to Jude and Tali’s story than it just being a second-chance romance. Their journey is raw and one I HIGHLY recommend you devour.
This duet is a MUST. Five Stars and a TOP 2019 FAVE!!
December 2, 2019
When you realise that you didn’t escape the perfect storm, you’ve been hiding in the eye for 13 years.
Falling in love with Jude shaped Tali into the woman she is today. But when she finds herself looking into his eyes across a stage pre-gig she needs to deal with that perfect storm. Will they come out unscathed? Was theirs a forever love? Can Jude show her his heart?
This book builds you back up, recovering from the emotional journey of book one, but it is it’s own emotional rollercoaster. It’s going to be a bumpy tour.
Exquisitely written, this book takes you through time one heart wrenching encounter at a time, each one changing the earth’s axis for either Jude or Tali. Writing like this, with Julia’s ability to make the reader feel is so ridiculously special. Absolutely first class!
Falling in love with Jude shaped Tali into the woman she is today. But when she finds herself looking into his eyes across a stage pre-gig she needs to deal with that perfect storm. Will they come out unscathed? Was theirs a forever love? Can Jude show her his heart?
This book builds you back up, recovering from the emotional journey of book one, but it is it’s own emotional rollercoaster. It’s going to be a bumpy tour.
Exquisitely written, this book takes you through time one heart wrenching encounter at a time, each one changing the earth’s axis for either Jude or Tali. Writing like this, with Julia’s ability to make the reader feel is so ridiculously special. Absolutely first class!
December 13, 2019
First heartbreaks are just as bitter as first loves are sweet. You never forget the taste of either. Likewise, I will never forget this duet. Tali and Jude will linger in my heart forever.
Despite having her heart shattered, Tali picked up the pieces and forged on to become exactly who she is meant to be. Now 34, she is the manager of the successful rock band, Blue Is The Color. Jude is a man with so much to atone for. Moving past his bad boy ways, he has worked hard to become a man worthy of another chance. Of all the things he has been able to shake, Tali is definitely not one of them.
In Never Again, Tali and Jude navigate their present situation while taking a few strolls down memory lane. This book will take you on a journey from pain and regret to honesty and forgiveness to trust and healing. Do yourself a favor and READ IT!
Despite having her heart shattered, Tali picked up the pieces and forged on to become exactly who she is meant to be. Now 34, she is the manager of the successful rock band, Blue Is The Color. Jude is a man with so much to atone for. Moving past his bad boy ways, he has worked hard to become a man worthy of another chance. Of all the things he has been able to shake, Tali is definitely not one of them.
In Never Again, Tali and Jude navigate their present situation while taking a few strolls down memory lane. This book will take you on a journey from pain and regret to honesty and forgiveness to trust and healing. Do yourself a favor and READ IT!
December 14, 2019
My heart has never been as full as it is right this moment after I’ve read a book. Julia Wolf had me 110% hooked on Tali and Jude with the first half of this duet but now I can honestly say after getting their full story these two are one of those couples I will never, ever forget. I’ll happily go back and read these books over and over again just so I can spend more time lost in their world.
There is just as much, if not more, overwhelming emotion in Never Again as there was in Never Lasting. The raw, real, sometimes painful, but always beautiful emotional impact the second half of Tali and Jude’s story had kept me glued to every page. I felt every emotion they went through as if it were my own and loved every second of it.
This book is so much more than just a second chance. This book is healing. This book is recovering. This book is the epitome of true once in a lifetime love.
There is just as much, if not more, overwhelming emotion in Never Again as there was in Never Lasting. The raw, real, sometimes painful, but always beautiful emotional impact the second half of Tali and Jude’s story had kept me glued to every page. I felt every emotion they went through as if it were my own and loved every second of it.
This book is so much more than just a second chance. This book is healing. This book is recovering. This book is the epitome of true once in a lifetime love.
December 17, 2019
Wow, so glad Jude and Tali had their ending. I adored this duet. Their emotions so clear and the tension just so obvious, I felt like I was living thru them. Julia Wolf has a way of writing that draws the reader in, so that you can't help but get swept up in the story, empathetic and feeling the highs and lows of her characters. The story so intrinsic, and well developed, with wonderful characters such as Tino and Tali's family all helping to propel the story along. Such as easy read book, but a difficult subject of addiction and suicide approached with great tact. This was one book I couldn't help but keep reading till the end. It was pretty much all I did today. So needless to say I highly recommend both the first book in the duet Never Lasting and then this book Never again. Just wonderful!!!
These were ARC and this is my totally voluntary reviews for these fantastic books.
These were ARC and this is my totally voluntary reviews for these fantastic books.
November 25, 2019
This was the PERFECT epic conclusion for Tali and Jude. Serious book hangover from this one! Its so hard to write a review when all I want to do is sigh and smile at the journey these two tortured twisted souls took us on. I was so mad at the author after the first book in the duet for throwing SO much of life's utter garbage at these two, but they get all that's coming to them and then some and no two deserved it more by the end of this wild ride. I loved these two from the start even when I didn't like them all that much. This author wrote about some very twisted topics beautifully and I devoured each and every word. I love when a book can make me feel EVERYTHING and this book did, in spades.
November 22, 2019
Never Again, book 2 in this duet series, picks up with modern day Tali getting ready to fly to Europe with the boys from Blue Is The Color. They will be touring for 6 weeks and the last person she expects to see on tour is Jude.
This book was absolutely everything I needed it to be. It's full of healing and heart. It was the kind of read that just gets better as you get deeper into the book. My heart was bursting with happiness by the end.
I truly love Tali and Jude's story. I don't believe I have ever rooted so hard for a couple.
5 wallet chains out of 5 ❤️
This book was absolutely everything I needed it to be. It's full of healing and heart. It was the kind of read that just gets better as you get deeper into the book. My heart was bursting with happiness by the end.
I truly love Tali and Jude's story. I don't believe I have ever rooted so hard for a couple.
5 wallet chains out of 5 ❤️
November 29, 2019
The second book in the duet brings closure that you yearn for from the second you open it up. Can Jude and Talia truly move on from their past and conquer all the betrayals and miscommunication that occurred before? I clung to every world in this duet as I delved into their world and I felt every emotion and indecision as if it was my own... that is how good these books are. Julia Wolfs words always have a way of making you feel like you are a fly on the wall. And you run the gauntlet of emotions along with the characters and this story is no different. Amazing author and amazing books.
January 1, 2020
After reading Never Lasting, I immediately had to pick up Never Again. I was nervous and scared to see what happens but Julia did NOT disappoint! This story is such a great ending to the duet. You fall in love with Jude and Tali and their lives they have taken. I love that Blue is the Color made appearances also and the love they have for Tali made my heart want to explode! As much as I didn't want this story to end, it was the PERFCT ending to Tali's story.
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