It had been a while since reading a book that simultaneously made me smile uncontrollably while also clenching my heart in pain. This 2nd book in the ‘Once Upon a Broken Heart’ trilogy did just that. We picked up where the first book left off. Apollo is still dead and Evangeline has learned the truth that it was Jacks’ doing in order to manipulate her into opening the Valory Arch. However, as we learn in this book, there is so much more to this story. After she swore not to work with or trust Jacks again, Evangeline is forced to in order to save herself and Apollo. I loved how Garber entwined more lore to the world of the Magnificent North, as well as backstory to our morally gray male lead, Jacks. Evangeline has been through a lot in a short amount of time, but she still believes in having a happy ending…even if she comes to realize that her happy ending is meant to be with the person she thought she despised. The enemies to lovers are so delicious in this book between Evangeline and Jacks. She is so adamant at fighting her feelings, but he just keeps making it too hard to resist. At the end I was grateful the 3rd book was already out so I could start right away. It was a wild journey from start to finish…but especially that ending. It moved so quickly from the reveal of the Valors all being alive, to Jacks going back in time to save Evangeline, and finally Apollo coming in and stealing Evangeline’s memories away from her. Overall, I thought this book was a masterpiece. So many beautiful and amazing plot points and twists that kept me beyond engaged.
The Ballad of Never After
