Never Again, by Lilliana Anderson

Publication: December 14, 2017

never again About the book:

“This is highly inappropriate.”
“Why?” he rumbled in my ear.
“Because you’re so young, and because I’m now your boss.”
“That just makes it more exciting.”

Not even a year after marrying the guy she’d thought was the love of her life, Cora Knowles is already requesting a divorce. To her recollection, philandering was not a part of her wedding vows, and she wasn’t about to stand by while ‘Sally from accounts’ rolled about on her Egyptian cotton sheets.
While trying to soothe her broken heart with copious amounts of cake and liqueur chocolates, her best friend, Olivia suggests that the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. Problems arise when the one Cora ‘gets under’ turns out to be the son of the Director of Prosecution—her boss. Worse still, he’s young. Younger than Cora originally thought, and younger than she’s comfortable with.
But, when the attraction is undeniable, Cora needs to decide whether she’ll turn her back on the enigmatic Brandon Sharp, or take a risk and follow her heart, even though she promised herself she’d never do that again…

My Review:

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.

*Thanks to Give Me Books Promotions for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

GOODREADS LINK:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27883670-never-again

PURCHASE LINKS

US: http://amzn.to/2kOp3tW
UK: http://amzn.to/2yWo4wB
CA: http://amzn.to/2iMJZgU
AU: http://amzn.to/2Aq0bzz

Books2Read: http://bit.ly/2yc3Ye6

AUTHOR BIO

Bestselling Author of the Beautiful Series, Drawn and 47 Things, Lilliana has always loved to read and write, considering it the best form of escapism that the world has to offer.

Australian born and bred, she writes New Adult Romance revolving around her authentically Aussie characters with all the quirks you’d expect from those born Down Under.

Lilliana feels that the world should see Australia for more than just it’s outback and tries to show characters in a city and suburban setting.

When she isn’t writing, she wears the hat of ‘wife and mother’ to her husband and four children.

Before Lilliana turned to writing, she worked in a variety of industries and studied humanities and communications before transferring to commerce/law at university.

Originally from Sydney’s Western suburbs, she currently lives a fairly quiet life in suburban Melbourne.
AUTHOR LINKS

Website: http://lillianaanderson.com/

Blog: http://lillianaanderson.wordpress.com/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lilliana-Anderson-Author/444649528938470

Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/lilliana.anderson.12

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6533406.Lilliana_Anderson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Confidante_Lili

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/uw931