Name: arwen's review of Next To Never by Penelope Douglas
Item: Next To Never
Rating: 3
Author: arwen

Penelope Douglas

New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas introduces Quinn, younger sister to Jared, Madoc, and Jaxon, in this compelling novella in the Fall Away series. Quinn Caruthers has several problems: her father, Jason, and her three older brothers, Jared, Madoc, and Jaxon. Under the close watch of the men in her family, Quinn has found it nearly impossible to spread her wings—or even date—without them jumping in to hover. And when a family friend—several years older—from her childhood captures her heart, she knows they’re going to be a problem. Lucas Morrow is a man—experienced, sophisticated, and important. And knowing her brothers, he may as well be forbidden. But Lucas left town years ago and shows no signs of returning. Quinn knows she shouldn’t wait for him anymore. But then a package turns up on her doorstep with no return address and its contents reveal family secrets that threaten to turn Quinn’s world upside down. She’s never asked about the tumultuous path of her parents’ romantic history, but she soon learns their happy marriage had a very rocky and passionate start. As she begins to see things around her with new eyes, Quinn will have to make tough choices about whether she’ll keep waiting…or finally go after what she really wants.

Next To Never

Breana Del Pozo

arwen

3 stars for the next gen. i haven't read quinn's parent story bc i'm not interested in them

Renata

honestly it was very nice to see quinn's perspective and katherine and jasons history. also it warmed my heart seeing tate, jared and madoc again just like old times 
and of course i am so excited for the next generation books

Samantha 

Can’t wait until the full stories finally come out. Just realized it’s been 3 years since this book came out.

'As gripping as it was sexy!' - Colleen Hoover New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Penelope Douglas returns to her Falling Away series, introducing the next generation in her brand new novella, Next to Never. Under the close watch of the men in her family, Quinn Caruthers has found it nearly impossible to spread her wings - or even date - without her three older brothers, Jared, Madoc and Jaxon, jumping in to hover. And when a family friend - several years older - from her childhood still holds her heart, she knows they're going to be a problem. Lucas Morrow is a man, and knowing her brothers, he may as well be forbidden. But years ago, Lucas left town and shows no signs of returning. Quinn knows she shouldn't wait for him anymore. Until a package turns up on her doorstep with no return address and its contents reveal family secrets that threaten to turn her world upside down. She's never asked about the path of her parents' romantic history, but she soon learns their happy marriage had a very rocky and passionate start. As she starts to see things around her with new eyes, Quinn will have to make tough choices about whether she'll keep waiting . . . or finally go after what she really wants.

Next to Never

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


Hot damn. This was fantastic. I didn't realize I missed the Fall Away gang quite as much as I did until I started reading this novella. What an introduction to the next generation of characters... all while reminding me just how much I loved the original gang. I cannot wait for more from this! I want EVERYONE'S stories.

One of the greatest thing about Next to Never is that it was a book within a book. I loved how we were introduced to the next generation by glimpses back in time at Jase and Kat's story from decades ago. A story within a story is often hard to pull off, but Penelope rocked it. I was totally wrapped up in both Quinn's story AND her parents. (As long as I didn't focus *too hard* on the idea that she was reading a sexy story about her parents. Haha.) At 200 pages, it was a SUPER quick read, too. And it's one that absolutely left me wanting more. I don't know when Quinn's story will be completed, but I will be waiting with total grabby hands until I find out if Lucas comes back and what happens when he does. (You can tell I'm shipping this hard, right? I'll be so disappointed if I don't get their story.) 

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FAVORITE QUOTES

"I'd crash and burn a thousand times just to have you."

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

“A strong person realizes that the only love you truly need in this life is the love you have for yourself. If you have that, it’s like armor. No one can stop you. No one else matters.”

Ugh, I’ve missed the Fall Away characters SO MUCH!!! This novella was the perfect way to introduce the second generation of characters while still rewarding fans of the series with cameos of the original characters. Plus, we finally get Katherine and Jason’s full story! Next to Never was the perfect tease from Penelope Douglas – it left me desperate for more, but I loved it all the same.

Quinn – Jared, Jax, and Madoc’s little sister – is now a teenager, but her life is being overshadowed by everyone in her family. There’s Jared’s Dylan, Jax’s Hawke, and Madoc’s twins Hunter and Kade, who all have their own personalities and problems that seem to be bigger than they are. They have a presence that Quinn doesn’t believe she has, and she’s afraid to go after what she wants and to mess up the status quo. She’s stuck in her life, with no direction out – but when a book lands on her doorstep, its contents changes everything for her.

It turns out the book is actually a diary… the story of her parents’ relationship. I don’t want to say much about Jason and Katherine’s story because I feel like it’s best to go in blind, but the road to their now-HEA has not been an easy one. They had an addicting, intense, and ultimately toxic relationship that broke them both… but you’ll have to read this novella to find out how they healed themselves and each other.

Honestly, there’s so much to love about this novella. Seeing the original cast of characters was such a delight – you have no idea how giddy I got every time they appeared on the page. Reading about them here made me fall in love with the series all over again, honestly. But now that I’ve finished Next to Never, I’m dying for more, especially Quinn and Lucas’s actual book! The wait for them is killer, but I know Penelope Douglas won’t disappoint. If you love the Fall Away series, I don’t know why you wouldn’t read this novella (that didn’t feel as short as a novella at all, thankfully), because it’s everything you expect and more from PD and the series!

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/2dyCqXT
Audible: http://amzn.to/2j19Ek3

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Next To Never by Penelope Douglas

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