This was an interesting novel in several ways. Cora has been with Jack for 11 years and married for one year when everything comes crashing down. Her crazy friend, Olivia gets her to go out to live a little when she meets “green eyes,” who rocks her world. However, this is just the beginning of a lot of awkwardness, drama, and soul-searching, especially since he is about 10 years younger than she is. You know how you can’t help but look when you drive past a car accident? Never Again was somewhat like that.
So, first of all, I immediately sympathized and empathized with Cora because of her nasty, cheating husband. Not only did her personal/love life crash because of him, but it also resulted in professional consequences. So yes, she needed a night out with her best friend Olivia. Where she lost me was with her lying. Whether outright or lying by omission, I’m not a fan and I lose any affection for a character, real-person, etc. once lies are present.
Then there is Brandon. Young, gorgeous, charming, and obviously an expert in the bedroom. I loved that he made Cora feel so alive again, and I really tried to believe that there were real, true, emotional feelings between them. But it just didn’t feel right with me. No worries about hooking up with a younger, hot, world-rocking man after what had happened in her marriage, but as things progressed and as more information came to light about Brandon, I just didn’t feel like rooting them on.
Despite all of this, I was completely sucked into this novel and found it completely engaging (albeit like a car wreck, but still). I read along with this novel watching Cora dig a deeper and deeper grave, and was consumed with the plot and what would happen next. So, despite any moral conflicts, I can still recognize a page-turning plot when I see one!
Never Again isn’t at the top of my favorite reads list just because I didn’t trust the main characters, but this was still a great read. The hot, steamy scenes are off the charts (think Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Angelina and Brad), there is never-ending conflict keeping you on the edge of your seat, and there is also some wonderful scenes where Olivia embraces some serious life changes. If you can separate real-life from fiction and connect with these characters despite their faults, then this will be one hell of a read.