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Never Let You Go

by Emma Carlson Berne (Goodreads Author)

3.36 of 5 stars 3.36 · rating details · 131 ratings · 28 reviews

A love triangle goes horribly wrong in this dark, romantic suspense-thriller from the author of Still Waters.Megan never meant to hurt her best friend, Anna. She made a mistake, and she’s spent all year trying to regain Anna’s trust. So when Anna invites her to spend the summer on her uncle’s farm, Megan is excited…and relieved. The past is finally behind them.

On the farm,...more

Paperback, First Edition, 240 pages

Published December 4th 2012 by Simon Pulse

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The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

2012 YA Contemporaries

139th out of 239 books — 1,803 voters

December 2012

46th out of 125 books — 219 voters

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Apr 23, 2013 Pinkie Pie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-read, contemporary-challenge

I read Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne last year and wasn't wholly impressed. I thought it was lacking in many places, especially in characterization. On the whole it was entirely forgettable. I wasn't expecting much from Never Let You Go but it's hard to stay away from something described as 'a love triangle gone horribly wrong'. You all know how I feel about love triangles - and what's more is this one involves one boy and two girls. So of course, I snatched it up, and I was actually pleasa...more I read Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne last year and wasn't wholly impressed. I thought it was lacking in many places, especially in characterization. On the whole it was entirely forgettable. I wasn't expecting much from Never Let You Go but it's hard to stay away from something described as 'a love triangle gone horribly wrong'. You all know how I feel about love triangles - and what's more is this one involves one boy and two girls. So of course, I snatched it up, and I was actually pleasantly surprised.

This time around (which looks like her sophomore YA effort) Berne was able to create rich characters in just over 200 pages, who are distinct and vivid. The protagonist, Megan, moves onto a farm for the summer and joins a large cast of characters. But I never felt that I couldn't distinguish who was who - each character had a separate voice and distinct story and I felt like I really knew all of them. Megan and Anna have the classic 'frienemies' relationship. Anna saved Megan from social exile, and I honestly don't see what they liked about each other. Now they are are older, and Megan has betrayed Anna by kissing her boyfriend, I really don't see why they even tried to be friends. The romance I thought was great - no insta-love. It was cute and adorable and organic. I really liked Jordan. He had a great head on his shoulders, and goals and a history outside of Megan, which I thought was a breath of fresh air.

Berne masterfully wove suspense into what, on the surface, could seem like a cute story about navigating romance and friendships. But you could always tell something wasn't quite right. Anna was throwing herself at Jordan to the point where I was embarrassed for her. It was really uncomfortable to watch Anna take the smallest snippet of conversation with Jordan and twist it and stretch it into something completely different. Her way of bending reality was truly scary.

Throughout the story we're given glimpses into Anna and Megan's past together, and it's easy to see how each girl turned out the way they were, and how they made the decisions they made. Megan was always the out cast, the loner, and Anna always made jabs at her. Boys always flocked to Anna first, so when Anna's boyfriend was giving Megan attention I can see how she could make that terrible decision. And we could see where Anna's head was just never in the right place.

When Anna finally snapped, it was wild and terrifying. I don't feel like I'm spoiling anything here, because that's basically what the story was about. While I waited for the climax, anticipation kept mounting. You know what's coming, but you don't know when and you're powerless to stop it. And the ending? Totally creepy.

The reason why I only rated it three stars is for how forgettable is it. While I thought the story was masterfully woven, and the characters were great, I really don't think I'll reflect back on it like I do other books. I might reread it one day, since I own it, but I won't look back on the lessons it's taught me, or the way it provoked me. It's just a simple thriller, albeit with a great cast of characters.

I do recommend it, if your library has it. It's a fun, quick read, with quite a dark side. The characters are grabbing, and there are a couple you'll be rooting for, no doubt. And with anticipation high, Never Let You Go practically forces you to keep turning the pages.(less)

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Apr 15, 2013 Leann rated it 4 of 5 stars

Megan made a mistake one year ago when she made out with her best friend, Anna’s boyfriend. So when Anna asked Megan to work on her uncle’s farm with her for the summer, she jumped on the opportunity. Upon arriving, Anna is back to her same mean remarks to Megan and an obsession with a boy, Jordan. Jordan and Anna arrived a week earlier than Megan and according to Anna were already in a relationship. Megan was happy that her friend as finally moved on and their friendship is back on track. Excep...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Abigail rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: it-could-be-better, so-much-hope-but-really-crappy, serious-stuff-going-down-man, why-did-i-read-this

This book seemed really good. With all the 3-4 stars it was getting, i assumed that it would be a good book.
But no. It was messed up (on purpose,seeing how it was a thriller) but not the right kind of messed up,if that makes sense. I mean,Megan was so...dumb. Like,c'mon, if Anna has done some messed up things before,like really messed up, why are you still friends with her? I felt that Megan was too easily won over. Or maybe a pushover. Yep,that's it. When Anna started doing some creepy sh*t, wh...more This book seemed really good. With all the 3-4 stars it was getting, i assumed that it would be a good book.
But no. It was messed up (on purpose,seeing how it was a thriller) but not the right kind of messed up,if that makes sense. I mean,Megan was so...dumb. Like,c'mon, if Anna has done some messed up things before,like really messed up, why are you still friends with her? I felt that Megan was too easily won over. Or maybe a pushover. Yep,that's it. When Anna started doing some creepy sh*t, why didn't Megan,i don't know,call for police? I don't remember, but unless they didn't have a police department (yeah,what town doesn't have one nearby?) But still,she could've done something.Like,jeez,Anna had a razor for godsake!(godsakes?godsake's?oh,you know what what i'm trying to say)

Now,Anna,she was,i have to hand it to the author,creepy. She was just....*shudder* She was freakin' crazy. The last few chapters...eww. i think the kicker was when she was screaming in the forest after trying to scratch her eyes out. Fine and dandy,wasnt it?
Am i the only one wondering if there's going to be a sequel? Becuse can i assume that the (view spoiler)

This book could've been better, but,well,life does let you down sometimes.

But it never lets you go (less)

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Jan 03, 2013 Angelyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay... Consider me kind of scared and creeped out :|
Anna really creeps me out now and the last part left me kind of hanging and wondering if there's gonna be a second book.

So the story is that Anna and Megan are pretty close friends, but then when anna leaves to go somewhere for the holidays she tells Megan to go to her boyfriend's party. And so Megan does, but she got so drunk and well...has a mistake with Mike, Anna's boyfriend.
So eventually they become "friends" again and Anna invites her t...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Aly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Honestly, I didn't know if I would like this book. It had a great premise and it was recommended on Teen Reads, but that doesn't make a great book. But then I read Never Let You Go and I finished it and I loved it. This novel was dark and I absolutely loved every second of reading it.

After betraying the summer before, Megan never wants to repeat the same mistake of choosing a guy over her best friend. Now that they are finally over that debacle and Anna has forgiven Megan, their friendship is, o...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Tarra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: craaazy-stuff-man, cute-love-interest, eye-roll, family-baggage, run-of-the-mill-human-characters, scary-shit, thriller, under-200-pgs

Holy Effing Jesus! That's some creepy shit.

Um, yeah. Wow. I'm super scared right now. And it's midnight so that's awesome.

This book. Hmmmm. What to say. Let's see.

It was well written. There wasn't much to the story so I understand why it couldn't have gone on any longer. The ending read just like ending of any of those crazy-possessive-boyfriend/girlfriend movie. That was great!

What I don't get is how this whole book took place in the course of about a week...Yeah. What? All the MC kept saying...more Holy Effing Jesus! That's some creepy shit.

Um, yeah. Wow. I'm super scared right now. And it's midnight so that's awesome.

This book. Hmmmm. What to say. Let's see.

It was well written. There wasn't much to the story so I understand why it couldn't have gone on any longer. The ending read just like ending of any of those crazy-possessive-boyfriend/girlfriend movie. That was great!

What I don't get is how this whole book took place in the course of about a week...Yeah. What? All the MC kept saying was how it felt like they had been there for ages but in reality it had only been like four days. The book set itself up to take place over 10 weeks but in actuality took place in 6 days. That was really weird.

The love interest:
Jordan, sounded pretty cute for Gingery Blonde buuuuttt he says that he was into Psycho McPherson (Anna) for the first week before all the other help got there and then when he met Meg he switched gears. That is all well and good but what is not well nor good is that he loved Meg in 5 days and had the slap in the face to say that Anna had gotten intense in her swooning over the course of a week and a half... Weird. At the rate we're all developing feelings here Anna was in the right to expect him to wife her up after 9 days. That's the way I see it.

The MC/best friend:
Megan. She took crazy in stride and I'm not sure I understand that. Anna was showing signs of instability from word "go". The whole weird thing with that teacher *shudders* and yet she still was accepting of the absolute crazy sparkling in her friends' eyes. Hmmmm. I don't know that Meg would have stayed an outcast her whole life if she tried to distance herself form Anna before high school. I could be wrong though. I guess there are people like this character out there.

The Cray-Cray:
Anna. She was totally, awesomely, gawddamned insane and that my friends was wonderful.

All in all: this was good. A short read that will have your hair standing on ends and will probably give me a nightmare (I'm a lightweight when it comes to scardy shit) but it's worth the read.(less)

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Dec 29, 2012 Gabby Rohland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: one-shots

The book was overall good, except for some minor things. The main character for example was very needy throughout the whole book and showed lack of knowledge for some regularly known things. Some of the "twists" in the book you could almost see coming, but I won't tell which in case someone's interested in reading the book. The part I did not like the most was definitely the giant cliff hanger at the end of the book that left you to wonder. Through all of this, I would recommend this book to any...more

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May 02, 2013 pdbkwm rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: cray-cray-characters, bff, abuse, weak-mc

Megan and Anna have been best friends since first grade. Megan, was that kid who wore the wrong clothes, did weird stuff, but that all changed when she was saved by the popular and beautiful Anna from social suicide. From that day on, Megan feels like she owes Anna everything and Anna won't let her forget what she did.

Then, during one drunken night at a party, Megan did the unthinkable. She makes out with Mike, Anna's boyfriend. She becomes an outcast once again. No one will speak with her. No o...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Brittany rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: wishlist, young-adult

Megan made the mistake of making out with her best friend's boyfriend at a party. For the past year Megan and Anna worked on mending their friendship. Anna invited Megan to live and work on her uncle's farm for the summer, so Megan takes this as good news for their relationship. On the way to the farm Anna tells Megan about a boy she's fallen for, Jordan. Anna is sure that her and Jordan are meant to be. Problems start to arise when it's obvious that Jordan's affections lay elsewhere. Everyone s...more Megan made the mistake of making out with her best friend's boyfriend at a party. For the past year Megan and Anna worked on mending their friendship. Anna invited Megan to live and work on her uncle's farm for the summer, so Megan takes this as good news for their relationship. On the way to the farm Anna tells Megan about a boy she's fallen for, Jordan. Anna is sure that her and Jordan are meant to be. Problems start to arise when it's obvious that Jordan's affections lay elsewhere. Everyone seems to notice except Anna. Megan doesn't want to hurt her friend again, especially after she finally seems to be forgiven. Anna may take things too far in order to keep what she wants and Megan may not be the only one who suffers.

Anna. Is. Crazy. I don't even understand how Megan can be friends with her. Anna is terrible to Megan, always insulting her and cutting her down. I realize that Megan feels she owes Anna for something, but I think putting up with her as long as she had was more than enough payment. Anna take being a bad friend to the extreme. Some of the scenes with her made me so uncomfortable and I don't understand how Megan could even stand it.

Jordan seems like a nice enough character, he handled Anna well at least. It's tricky trying to fend off someone as unstable and obsessive as Anna. The novel didn't seem to even fully explore how crazy Anna was. From the level of her acts you can tell that she's much further gone then a typical person. Jordan remained fairly calm through all of her episodes though, which is admirable.

I didn't love all the soul mate talk. It seemed a bit much for the story. I mean, Anna though Jordan was her soul mate, but then Megan and Jordan thought they were meant to be together. It was all just a bit too much for me. Maybe Megan and Jordan were meant to be, but based on what? Statistical probability of love at first sight I guess. ;)

The psychological thriller aspect of this was lovely though. Anna was totally sketchy and it made me a bit sick thinking about what she might do next. If you like being kept awake and on the edge of your seat, definitely check this out. The beginning might not suit you, but the last third of the book is intense. Enjoy.

First Line:
"The party had been going on for hours."

Favorite Line:
"With her heart pounding, Megan pulled an index card from the envelope."

Warning: there is some animal cruelty in this novel.

Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz2IQk...(less)

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Jan 24, 2013 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It had some suspense, and it was hard to put down. I really got drawn into the story. The reason I didn't rate it 4 or 5 stars is because I didn't think it had the depth, character development, or plot twists that I find in those books. The story was enjoyable, but it was easy to guess what was going to happen. I like more suprises, but it was entertaining and I would definately recommend it to other people.

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Feb 12, 2013 Laura Mcgee rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Megan never meant to hurt her best friend, Anna. She made a mistake, and she’s spent all year trying to regain Anna’s trust. So when Anna invites her to spend the summer on her uncle’s farm, Megan is excited…and relieved. The past is finally behind them."

Is it really??

This is a deeply intense and creepy read. It was quite disturbing , thrilling and I could not put it down!

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Jan 13, 2013 Lai Mckinney rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-books-read

Ok, can you say loony toons? Wow, Megan really has some self esteem issues and Anna just has plain old ISSUES. I often found myself thinking, "How old are these people?" There were so many things wrong. I really felt Megan had a lot of growing up to do. And Anna just has growing to do. Wow, I don't even really know what to say. This just left me feeling discombobulated.

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Jan 26, 2013 Purple rated it 1 of 5 stars

Why would I like a main character that is so very weak (in every aspect!)?! Megan debilitates the story. She never stands for herself. She is manipulated by Anna in such obvious ways that is nauseating. Martyrdom doesn't fit with this story.
A simple writing style. Never intriguing.Just a dull exposition of some facts.

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Jan 14, 2013 Marilyn rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 9th grade and up

Shelves: realistic-fiction, romance, psychological-fiction, youngadultfiction, thriller

A love triangle that goes very wrong is the set-up for this teen thriller. I didn't really like the main character though and her best friend, the psycho, was was such a stereotype that she was never believable as a real person. And the ending was a total rip off. Some language.

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Jan 17, 2013 J.M. Stone rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book, but I hated Anna! You can tell from right off that there's something not right about her. Megan is a sweet girl, but is definitely a follower who needs to grow a backbone. Other than that, I enjoyed (and got creeped out by) this book!

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Jan 31, 2013 Amy Butcher rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok so this is an awesome book but I wish it were longer.The main character is savvy and smart Anna creeps me out she is so weird.Megan's grows aware of Anna's crap and grows wise quickly She is smart to dodge Anna's ways but the book ends to soon.I am hoping g for a sequel.

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May 15, 2013 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is really good, Anna is CRAZY!!!! If you want a good and easy one day read i recommend this book. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.....

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Jun 04, 2012 Denise rated it 1 of 5 stars

SIL gave me her arc to read. Way too over the top. The heroine is almost as unlikable in her neediness as the villian is in her evilness. blah.

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Mar 21, 2013 Issaaabella savill rated it 5 of 5 stars

quite dull at the start, but so like a roller coaster in the middle to the end, youll be sleeping with the lights on for ages....

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Feb 21, 2013 Shirley McCann rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loved this book, even though it seemed a bit slow at times. Still the subject matter was riviting.

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Aug 06, 2012 Clair rated it 3 of 5 stars

Single White Female meets Revenge meets CRAZY EYES OMG THOSE ARE SOME CRAZY EYES ON THE COVER.

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Apr 20, 2013 Logyn Knott rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall this book was ok in the begining it was kinda boring but as i read it more in more i liked it more.

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Apr 10, 2013 Azra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Drags on at the begging but eventually does become creepy which was enticing.

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Feb 01, 2013 Xtîñà rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was one crazy book. Anna was just way too intense. I wish I knew what was really wrong with her.

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Jan 20, 2013 Trinitie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Creepy but good at the same time.

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May 07, 2013 Cassidy rated it 5 of 5 stars

this book is a must read!

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Dec 06, 2012 Rebecca rated it 2 of 5 stars

Meh!

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Jan 01, 2013 Jordan rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book started off a little slow but really picked up towards the ending. I loved the cliffhanger at the end of the book and it really left me wanting more. This book was a lot better than the other book "still waters" by this same author. I think that this book had a great plot but I would have liked a little more reference as to what made Anna so crazy. Overall, I would give the book a 3.5.

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May 02, 2013 Riley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, young-adult

Horror/thriller isn't really my thing, but I picked this up for a friend. The characters could have used a bit more depth, but both the story and the relationship between Megan and Jordan really pick up in the second half. And the prose was a delightful surprise. Very smooth and evocative, with perfect word choices. I felt completely immersed in the world, able to picture every scene vividly. (Which was both good and bad at the end when Anna really gets her creepy on... *shivers*)

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Mar 29, 2013 Melody Lui marked it as dnf

I wasn't a fan of the writing style at all. The plot came off as way too boring and cliche. I couldn't connect with the characters either, they both have some serious mental problems. Had to put the book down.

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About Emma Carlson Berne

Emma Carlson Berne is the author of the YA thrillers STILL WATERS and NEVER LET YOU GO (coming Fall 2012 from Simon & Schuster). She has also written the thrillers FIGMENT and CHOKER under the pen name Elizabeth Woods. She lives and writes in Cincinnati. Learn more about Emma and contact her directly at her website, www.emmacarlsonberne.com. Or check out Emma Carlson Berne Books on http://www....more

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