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Over Duet #2
Ever over After
Marlo … wild-eyed, untamed, and every single thing I’ve ever wanted from this life. I wasn’t ready for her back then. I was a stupid boy with adult feelings and no idea what to do with them. I squandered away every chance she gave me.
Yes, love like ours either burns white hot or crumbles under the pressure.
And now I’m back to sift through the rubble.
Questions and excuses are two things I have in spades. What I need now are answers.
Answers and Low.
Always Low.
My name is Ever Montgomery, and this is my story of love resurrected.
Yes, love like ours either burns white hot or crumbles under the pressure.
And now I’m back to sift through the rubble.
Questions and excuses are two things I have in spades. What I need now are answers.
Answers and Low.
Always Low.
My name is Ever Montgomery, and this is my story of love resurrected.
Unknown Binding
First published January 9, 2017
106 people are currently reading
845 people want to read
About the author
J.A. DeRouen
10 books1,290 followersJ.A. Derouen resides in South Louisiana with her husband, son (aptly nicknamed "The Professor"), and her furry friend, Scout. She has a bachelor’s degrees in psychology and nursing. When she's not writing or inhaling romance novels by the stack, she works as a women's health nurse. She’s been an avid reader and daydreamer since childhood, and she's never stopped turning the page to get to the next happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
February 10, 2017
ARC kindly provided by SFab PR.
What an amazing ending to a beautiful series!
J.A. DeRouen writes one of the most beautiful, breathtaking love stories you will ever come across and I’ve been her fan for a long, long time. Her Over series will always stay in my top ten series ever. She is a very talented author who creates most wonderful characters, you wont’t easily forget.
Angsty and emotional books are my faves, so this one sucked me in right from the start, as i knew it would. I was anxiously awaiting this second instalment, and I could not put it down.
It played with my head, and I loved every second of it. Since this is the second installment in the Over Duet, I highly recommended that you read the first instalment prior to this one.
First book was mainly focused on the past, and this one on the present.
Low and Ever’s story started while they were high-school students. And if you’ve read the first book, you know how their love story evolved and ended, due to many unfortunate circumstances. Now, eight hears later, they are different people. Low is not the girl she used to be, and Ever won’t stop at nothing to get her back. So, when their paths cross again, they will embark on a complete new journey. Can their wounds be healed this time? Will they have their second chance in love?
In the end, I loved when book brings the best qualities in characters. Their ability to forgive and love.
“Love changes over time. The edges may dull, the butterflies hibernate…but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as years pass. Ever is the best thing.“
i highly recommend ti! :)
What an amazing ending to a beautiful series!
J.A. DeRouen writes one of the most beautiful, breathtaking love stories you will ever come across and I’ve been her fan for a long, long time. Her Over series will always stay in my top ten series ever. She is a very talented author who creates most wonderful characters, you wont’t easily forget.
Angsty and emotional books are my faves, so this one sucked me in right from the start, as i knew it would. I was anxiously awaiting this second instalment, and I could not put it down.
It played with my head, and I loved every second of it. Since this is the second installment in the Over Duet, I highly recommended that you read the first instalment prior to this one.
First book was mainly focused on the past, and this one on the present.
Low and Ever’s story started while they were high-school students. And if you’ve read the first book, you know how their love story evolved and ended, due to many unfortunate circumstances. Now, eight hears later, they are different people. Low is not the girl she used to be, and Ever won’t stop at nothing to get her back. So, when their paths cross again, they will embark on a complete new journey. Can their wounds be healed this time? Will they have their second chance in love?
In the end, I loved when book brings the best qualities in characters. Their ability to forgive and love.
“Love changes over time. The edges may dull, the butterflies hibernate…but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as years pass. Ever is the best thing.“
i highly recommend ti! :)
February 6, 2017
4 second chances stars
This book begins where the last one ended, with Low having a real cynical view of love, and life. She doesn’t really believe in HEA’s and I guess that is completely understandable, since the boy she loved chose drugs over her and then she was brutally raped by a man she trusted.
But then things go to shit, her entire carefully constructed life begins to crumble when Ever returns, and isn’t ready to take no for an answer.
This entire book is like a tug of war, with Low insisting that they both move on- from the past and the people in it, and Ever wanting to just show her that they are made for each other. It was hilarious, extremely sweet and kinda frustrating, because all I wanted to do was stand up scream at Low to just give Ever a fighting chance, and to let him help her heal.
The secondary characters were fantastic, they were funny, and very supportive and protective of Low. Something tells me that they probably have a story of their own, and I am definitely gonna check it out.
That being said, DeRouen’s writing really was amazing. It had just the correct pinch of haunting, and angst, and dry snarky humor. She’s definitely an author I’m gonna keep coming back to. No doubts about it.
This book begins where the last one ended, with Low having a real cynical view of love, and life. She doesn’t really believe in HEA’s and I guess that is completely understandable, since the boy she loved chose drugs over her and then she was brutally raped by a man she trusted.
But then things go to shit, her entire carefully constructed life begins to crumble when Ever returns, and isn’t ready to take no for an answer.
“Time passes, memories fade, but feelings are forever. I know you can feel this, Low. So give in to me.”
This entire book is like a tug of war, with Low insisting that they both move on- from the past and the people in it, and Ever wanting to just show her that they are made for each other. It was hilarious, extremely sweet and kinda frustrating, because all I wanted to do was stand up scream at Low to just give Ever a fighting chance, and to let him help her heal.
The secondary characters were fantastic, they were funny, and very supportive and protective of Low. Something tells me that they probably have a story of their own, and I am definitely gonna check it out.
That being said, DeRouen’s writing really was amazing. It had just the correct pinch of haunting, and angst, and dry snarky humor. She’s definitely an author I’m gonna keep coming back to. No doubts about it.
“I’ve spent nearly two decades of my life tormenting myself and everyone around me, so trust me when I say I know what I’m talking about. There comes a time in life where you make the decision to either nurture the pain … or let it go. One is much more gratifying than the other.”
January 9, 2017
4.5 Star Spoiler Free Review for Duet (Books 1 and 2)
‘Love changes over time. The edges may dull, the butterflies hibernate… but sometimes, the best things sharpen and flourish as years pass.’
The Over Duet is our first foray into the work of J.A. DeRouen and it’s safe to say, we’ll be checking out more of her work in the future because we both loved this story. The drama element was intense though not prolonged for unnecessary reasons, the wit between the characters lightened the load when needed, J.A. DeRouen’s prose ensured we instantly connected with her writing and fell in love with her characters, all playing a part to tell the story of Low and Ever, and what a story!
This is a spoiler free review for the complete Duet and it’s imperative you read Low Over High first as the story in Ever Over After continues on, eight years down the track from the events that unfolded in book one, with Low (Marlo) and Ever (Everett’s) story concluding in book two.
“I’m a better man when I’m loving you. I don’t think I can stop, even you beg me to.”
J.A. DeRouen delivered a heartfelt, believable and beautifully moving story and she did so without the melancholy that could have so easily brought it down. Yes, she deals with some very heavy subject matter in this duet, and yes we felt the emotional and mental fallout from this, but it was handled sensitively. We met a bunch of friendly, outgoing and wonderful characters who burrowed into our hearts, who, together with Low and Ever, ensured we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this first love, second chance story with friendships, family and loyalty at its heart. Grab this one!......... Click here fore full review at TBB
The Over Duet is available to purchase below for 99c/99p each
LOW OVER HIGH BOOK ONE
Amazon US
Amazon UK
EVER OVER AFTER BOOK TWO
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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February 11, 2017
Ah, the conclusion! I put off reading this – I had to let myself build up my defenses before starting.
Ever is back and he’s not willing to let go of his need to win back Low. But Ever doesn’t know everything that happened when he was sinking low. He has no idea that as he neared his rock-bottom, Low had hers fall out from underneath her.
Adult Marlo is jaded. Love is grand for everyone else, but for her – nope, not gonna happen. Her heart still beats, but long ago a boy broke it and it still hasn’t healed. But Ever isn’t walking away and is going to show Low just how he’s changed, how much she still loves him and that sometimes you have to forgive and risk everything you fear.
Ever Over After was another emotional read. Another fantastically written romance that was gritty and heartbreaking and all the damn things. All. Of. Them.
J.A. DeRouen took a broken love story, dusted it off and put it back together – piece-by-broken-piece. I fell in love with Ever and Low in book one and that love just grew deeper in book two.
A must read.
Ever is back and he’s not willing to let go of his need to win back Low. But Ever doesn’t know everything that happened when he was sinking low. He has no idea that as he neared his rock-bottom, Low had hers fall out from underneath her.
Adult Marlo is jaded. Love is grand for everyone else, but for her – nope, not gonna happen. Her heart still beats, but long ago a boy broke it and it still hasn’t healed. But Ever isn’t walking away and is going to show Low just how he’s changed, how much she still loves him and that sometimes you have to forgive and risk everything you fear.
Ever Over After was another emotional read. Another fantastically written romance that was gritty and heartbreaking and all the damn things. All. Of. Them.
J.A. DeRouen took a broken love story, dusted it off and put it back together – piece-by-broken-piece. I fell in love with Ever and Low in book one and that love just grew deeper in book two.
A must read.
February 6, 2017
Não consegui parar até acabar o livro. A mensagem que a autora passa para o leitor é maravilhosa. Fiquei super surpresa com essa série. Comecei lendo despretensiosamente e adorei. Emocionante! Vale a leitura.
December 24, 2016
"He's the creation and the rapture. Every good and bad thing all wrapped up into one. And now, after all these years, he may just be my resurrection."
Perfect conclusion to Low & Ever's story! Ever, Ever, Ever...oh my. I fell hard for Low and Ever in Low Over High, the first book of this duet. What started out as an enemies to lovers story ended up jumping time and turned into an epic second chance love story. Low continues to be one of my favorite firecrackers, and Ever is just....yeah.
"How can we be anything different than what we've always been?"
"And what's that?"
"Everything."
Low Over High was the first book I've read from J.A. DeRouen, and I'm 100% a diehard fan now! Her writing is so witty, at times laugh out loud funny, and she can make you hurt, swoon and cry with her words. And oh, her words!!! I have pages and pages of highlights. I don't want to give the story away - all I can say is this is a must read favorite series of mine and I can't wait to read every other book J.A. DeRouen has ever written!
Perfect conclusion to Low & Ever's story! Ever, Ever, Ever...oh my. I fell hard for Low and Ever in Low Over High, the first book of this duet. What started out as an enemies to lovers story ended up jumping time and turned into an epic second chance love story. Low continues to be one of my favorite firecrackers, and Ever is just....yeah.
"How can we be anything different than what we've always been?"
"And what's that?"
"Everything."
Low Over High was the first book I've read from J.A. DeRouen, and I'm 100% a diehard fan now! Her writing is so witty, at times laugh out loud funny, and she can make you hurt, swoon and cry with her words. And oh, her words!!! I have pages and pages of highlights. I don't want to give the story away - all I can say is this is a must read favorite series of mine and I can't wait to read every other book J.A. DeRouen has ever written!
January 9, 2017
What an unbelievably beautiful ending.
This book pulled me in so many senses. My emotions were all over the place, if you have read book 1 you already know why I'm saying that. Low and Ever they met when they were seniors in high-school nothing was perfect, every emotion was intense by the baggage of family, letdowns, & heartbreak. Now 8 years later Low and Ever cross paths whether it is planned or just old fate, you'll need to read to see for yourself. These two killed me with every scene in this book. My heart cried out for the two of them so many times.
After so many years and so many struggles can they pull themselves together?
READ to find out.
"Love changes over time. The edges may dull, the butterflies hibernate … but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as years pass. Ever is the best thing.
The writing is uniquely beautiful and breathtaking, these two books in this series are my first from this very talented author and I can't wait to read so much more from her.
This story deserves to be be breathed in Every part of your soul.
This book pulled me in so many senses. My emotions were all over the place, if you have read book 1 you already know why I'm saying that. Low and Ever they met when they were seniors in high-school nothing was perfect, every emotion was intense by the baggage of family, letdowns, & heartbreak. Now 8 years later Low and Ever cross paths whether it is planned or just old fate, you'll need to read to see for yourself. These two killed me with every scene in this book. My heart cried out for the two of them so many times.
After so many years and so many struggles can they pull themselves together?
READ to find out.
"Love changes over time. The edges may dull, the butterflies hibernate … but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as years pass. Ever is the best thing.
The writing is uniquely beautiful and breathtaking, these two books in this series are my first from this very talented author and I can't wait to read so much more from her.
This story deserves to be be breathed in Every part of your soul.
December 20, 2016
I have 2 words for you...Grown-up Ever. Or would that be 3 words? 2 1/2 words? Oh who freaking cares how many words there are, just pay attention to what the words say... GROWN.UP.EVER. Holy freaking swoony grown-up Ever.
Ever Over After is complete perfection! This book is everything I wanted, and everything I didn't know I wanted, for the conclusion to Low and Ever's love story. (I'm so sad writing those words, I don't want this to be over!)
I'm just in awe of J.A. DeRouen and how beautifully she told this story- a story that was heartbreaking at times, but one that ultimately healed all the broken pieces. I loved this book, this duet, so much!
Read
February 7, 2017LIVE!!! ONE CLICK HERE ——> http://getbook.at/everoverafter
January 9, 2017
4.5 Star Spoiler Free Review for Duet (Books 1 and 2)
‘Love changes over time. The edges may dull, the butterflies hibernate… but sometimes, the best things sharpen and flourish as years pass.’
The Over Duet is our first foray into the work of J.A. DeRouen and it’s safe to say, we’ll be checking out more of her work in the future because we both loved this story. The drama element was intense though not prolonged for unnecessary reasons, the wit between the characters lightened the load when needed, J.A. DeRouen’s prose ensured we instantly connected with her writing and fell in love with her characters, all playing a part to tell the story of Low and Ever, and what a story!
This is a spoiler free review for the complete Duet and it’s imperative you read Low Over High first as the story in Ever Over After continues on, eight years down the track from the events that unfolded in book one, with Low (Marlo) and Ever (Everett’s) story concluding in book two.
“Time passes, memories fade, but feelings are forever.”
Low Over High begins with a gripping prologue set in the present when a very disillusioned and bitter Low tells us how she is sworn off relationships, has a cynical outlook on love and is, in general, quite disgruntled and not at all interested in seeking a relationship. The prologue ensured we voraciously turned the pages to find out what transpired all those years ago to make Low resentful.
The story then flicks back to eight years when a then 17 year old Low is about to leave her loving Dad, Nana and brother, Declan in Texas to attend her Senior year in New Orleans in order to reconnect with her mother, who had left Low and Declan when they were very small children.
It is at Orleans Academy Low meets Ever, the quintessential sullen ‘lost boy’, and the nephew of the Dean of the school. Ever is a 17 year old boy fighting many demons and heartache.
An accidental meeting has them taking an instant dislike to one another, though over a four month period, we lay witness to the growth of their relationship, their first love and the tragic incidents that would see Low disappear one day, never to return. This part of the story was heartbreakingly sad on both accounts and presented tough and tragic time for both Low and Ever individually.
"Please stay...even if my heart is scarred and my soul is dirty. Please stay...."
The build of the relationship was beautifully executed, and although the time span was relatively short, these two had dealt with a lot in their young years, and so we felt their love at first was very innocent, very real and beautiful. Those four month would shape their lives in many different ways, essentially determining who they are when we meet them again eight years later in book two.
‘He’s the creation and the rapture. Every good and bad thing all wrapped up into one. And now, after all these years, he may just be my resurrection.’
During their time apart we felt the characters had developed, matured and grown individually and felt the infinite pull that lead them back to one another. However, hidden secrets, unspoken words, and memories unearthed from the past lay beneath their hearts. What consequences will bringing them to the surface ultimately be and could Low and Ever rediscover the love they had?
“I’m a better man when I’m loving you. I don’t think I can stop, even you beg me to.”
J.A. DeRouen delivered a heartfelt, believable and beautifully moving story and she did so without the melancholy that could have so easily brought it down. Yes, she deals with some very heavy subject matter in this duet, and yes we felt the emotional and mental fallout from this, but it was handled sensitively. We met a bunch of friendly, outgoing and wonderful characters who burrowed into our hearts, who, together with Low and Ever, ensured we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this first love, second chance story with friendships, family and loyalty at its heart. Grab this one!
The Over Duet is available to purchase below for 99c/99p each
LOW OVER HIGH BOOK ONE
Amazon US
Amazon UK
EVER OVER AFTER BOOK TWO
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Come visit and follow us at:
✲ TotallybookedBlog
✲ TB on Facebook
✲ TB on Twitter
✲ TB on Pinterest
April 20, 2017
What an amazing and emotional conclusion to Ever and Low's story! Ever Over After takes place 8 years after the end of Low Over High and though both Low and Ever have moved on in their lives as best they can, it's clear that the scars of the past have altered the trajectory of their lives. This is book 2 in the Over duet and should be read after Low Over High.
Ever and Low will go down in my book as one of my favorite ships ever. They are raw and real and are both so beautifully broken. They have had their moments of rock bottom, but have crawled out inch by inch. They know that they will likely battle their demons for their entire lives, but both have risen up, if not for themselves, but for those that they love. I also loved that both Low and Ever have found themselves in fulfilling careers that spoke to their souls.
There was a lot of angst this time around, as the innocence and power of first love has been replaced with the fear and pain of opening one's heart again. Low is intent on keeping Ever away from the heart that she has buried so many years ago, while Ever makes it clear that he is no longer the boy he once was and will fight for the love he foolishly let slip away. This push and pull was heartbreaking, but felt necessary to show that Ever has matured and taken responsibility for his life and actions and that this time he would be the rock and anchor to Low. I was very thankful for Jeb, who brought a lot of much needed levity to the story. I'm hopeful that one day he will get his own book.
This was a powerful story of forgiveness, healing, and redemption. I liked that the duet focused not only on Low and Ever's journey back to each other, but also their individual journeys as well. Seeing Ever forgive his mother and his struggle to heal from his addiction and the loss of Easton was incredibly cathartic. I do wish that we would have gotten more about what Ever's life was like during the 8 years between the 2 books, but it made my heart happy to see both their lives come full circle and move forward. I may not agree with all the decisions our characters made throughout this duet, but I understand why they did. Baring yourself and allowing someone to see your darkness and sharp edges and asking for their acceptance is absolutely terrifying. If you can come out on the other side stronger though, there really isn't anything in the world greater than that kind of love. I truly enjoyed this duet and am a proud card-carrying member of the Unicorn and Glitter club!
Ever and Low will go down in my book as one of my favorite ships ever. They are raw and real and are both so beautifully broken. They have had their moments of rock bottom, but have crawled out inch by inch. They know that they will likely battle their demons for their entire lives, but both have risen up, if not for themselves, but for those that they love. I also loved that both Low and Ever have found themselves in fulfilling careers that spoke to their souls.
There was a lot of angst this time around, as the innocence and power of first love has been replaced with the fear and pain of opening one's heart again. Low is intent on keeping Ever away from the heart that she has buried so many years ago, while Ever makes it clear that he is no longer the boy he once was and will fight for the love he foolishly let slip away. This push and pull was heartbreaking, but felt necessary to show that Ever has matured and taken responsibility for his life and actions and that this time he would be the rock and anchor to Low. I was very thankful for Jeb, who brought a lot of much needed levity to the story. I'm hopeful that one day he will get his own book.
This was a powerful story of forgiveness, healing, and redemption. I liked that the duet focused not only on Low and Ever's journey back to each other, but also their individual journeys as well. Seeing Ever forgive his mother and his struggle to heal from his addiction and the loss of Easton was incredibly cathartic. I do wish that we would have gotten more about what Ever's life was like during the 8 years between the 2 books, but it made my heart happy to see both their lives come full circle and move forward. I may not agree with all the decisions our characters made throughout this duet, but I understand why they did. Baring yourself and allowing someone to see your darkness and sharp edges and asking for their acceptance is absolutely terrifying. If you can come out on the other side stronger though, there really isn't anything in the world greater than that kind of love. I truly enjoyed this duet and am a proud card-carrying member of the Unicorn and Glitter club!
February 10, 2017
“I don’t care about before or after or anything in between. The only thing I care about is us. It’s you and me, Low.”
“Everything.” One word. How can one single word erase years of hurt? How can it shift my world on its axis, making what should be wrong feel right; turning what’s forever been impossible into inevitable. It can’t be that simple. It can’t be, but somehow it just is. Everything.
I lift my head to his, forehead to forehead, mouth to mouth, and soul to soul, and beg him for what I need. “Just please stay.” Please stay…even if my heart is scarred and my soul is dirty. Please stay…because I’ll never survive it if you leave me again. He’s the creation and the rapture. Every good and bad thing all wrapped up into one. An now, after all these years, he may just be my resurrection.
Brilliant. Simply Brilliant. This book was absolute perfection.
Ever Over After picks up right where Low Over High left off. From the moment I picked up this book, I was sucked back into all the pain and heartache of the previous book. I was dying to know what would happen with Ever and Low. I had so many questions and could not wait to find out the answers….
Ever Over After is an incredibly well written and heartbreaking story. It is a beautiful second chance romance and will take you on the most intense journey. This story is filled with lots of delicious angst and frustrating moments. It is a story about hope and overcoming the past. It is a story about forgiveness and the chance to make amends for your mistakes. This is a story of real and true love. The kind of love that can move past anything, that can overcome any bump in the road.
Ever Over After will easily consume you and ingrain itself deep into your heart. The characters are real and raw and unforgettable. Their story is not an easy one, but I promise you the journey is 100% worth it. I loved every single moment of this story, from beginning to end and could not be happier with the way that things turned out. Simply put, I just loved this story.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
“Everything.” One word. How can one single word erase years of hurt? How can it shift my world on its axis, making what should be wrong feel right; turning what’s forever been impossible into inevitable. It can’t be that simple. It can’t be, but somehow it just is. Everything.
I lift my head to his, forehead to forehead, mouth to mouth, and soul to soul, and beg him for what I need. “Just please stay.” Please stay…even if my heart is scarred and my soul is dirty. Please stay…because I’ll never survive it if you leave me again. He’s the creation and the rapture. Every good and bad thing all wrapped up into one. An now, after all these years, he may just be my resurrection.
Brilliant. Simply Brilliant. This book was absolute perfection.
Ever Over After picks up right where Low Over High left off. From the moment I picked up this book, I was sucked back into all the pain and heartache of the previous book. I was dying to know what would happen with Ever and Low. I had so many questions and could not wait to find out the answers….
Ever Over After is an incredibly well written and heartbreaking story. It is a beautiful second chance romance and will take you on the most intense journey. This story is filled with lots of delicious angst and frustrating moments. It is a story about hope and overcoming the past. It is a story about forgiveness and the chance to make amends for your mistakes. This is a story of real and true love. The kind of love that can move past anything, that can overcome any bump in the road.
Ever Over After will easily consume you and ingrain itself deep into your heart. The characters are real and raw and unforgettable. Their story is not an easy one, but I promise you the journey is 100% worth it. I loved every single moment of this story, from beginning to end and could not be happier with the way that things turned out. Simply put, I just loved this story.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
March 9, 2024
4 Stars
Ever Over After, the second novel in this duet, is unlike its predecessor, set in the present. It focuses on Everett trying to make amends with Marlo since he messed up his chances with her eight years ago. He wants to fix what he has broken and he won't shy away from Marlo's rejection.
The prologue of Ever Over After is still set in the past and starts right off where Low Over High ended. Chapter one, however, is eight years forward and set in the present day. The reader finally learned what happened all those years ago to Marlo. I really enjoyed how DeRouen linked the prologue of Low Over High with chapter one in Ever Over After. With that one tiny detail, you notice how well thought out those books are.
Marlo is a totally changed person: she has new friends, a rewarding job (and I never would've seen her pursuing it after getting to know her in Low Over High) and does volunteer work during her free time. I was positively surprised by all of it, especially after learning her reasons for it. The setting of the storyline has changed too. Marlo does not live in crazy New Orleans anymore. She now lives in Providence, Louisiana.
But not only Marlo has changed in those eight years, Everett has too. It was a relief to see him doing better than ever, although it was hard to imagine, after seeing him in Low Over High.
Like the past storyline, the present storyline also had an unpredictability about it. After the ending of Low Over High, the story could have gone anywhere and nowhere. I enjoyed how it turned out, although I was a little put off by Marlo and Everett's relationship after their first few encounters. Despite that, it was a worthy conclusion and had everything from old feelings, heartache and most of all love.
Ever Over After, the second novel in this duet, is unlike its predecessor, set in the present. It focuses on Everett trying to make amends with Marlo since he messed up his chances with her eight years ago. He wants to fix what he has broken and he won't shy away from Marlo's rejection.
The prologue of Ever Over After is still set in the past and starts right off where Low Over High ended. Chapter one, however, is eight years forward and set in the present day. The reader finally learned what happened all those years ago to Marlo. I really enjoyed how DeRouen linked the prologue of Low Over High with chapter one in Ever Over After. With that one tiny detail, you notice how well thought out those books are.
Marlo is a totally changed person: she has new friends, a rewarding job (and I never would've seen her pursuing it after getting to know her in Low Over High) and does volunteer work during her free time. I was positively surprised by all of it, especially after learning her reasons for it. The setting of the storyline has changed too. Marlo does not live in crazy New Orleans anymore. She now lives in Providence, Louisiana.
But not only Marlo has changed in those eight years, Everett has too. It was a relief to see him doing better than ever, although it was hard to imagine, after seeing him in Low Over High.
Like the past storyline, the present storyline also had an unpredictability about it. After the ending of Low Over High, the story could have gone anywhere and nowhere. I enjoyed how it turned out, although I was a little put off by Marlo and Everett's relationship after their first few encounters. Despite that, it was a worthy conclusion and had everything from old feelings, heartache and most of all love.
Want to read
January 10, 2017Happy Book Birthday!
I can't wait to have some time to read this duet I've loved all of this author's books!
I can't wait to have some time to read this duet I've loved all of this author's books!
December 19, 2016
Review by Lisa Kane
When Low Over High ended, Low Rivers left New Orleans, became a nurse and tried her best to never look in the rear view mirror. Eight years later, Ever Montgomery is now an up and coming chef and along with his best friend Jeb, owns a restaurant. He cleaned up his act, faced his addiction and has been drug free for years. He isn't trying to leave his past behind. He's searched for Low for years and he's finally found her. Low finding his not to her, is how book one ended.
I need to put forth the same effort to forget him as I did into loving him.
Low hasn't been called by that name in years. She goes by Marlo now. She's cynical, believes in one night stands and thinks love belongs in fairy tales along with unicorns. The nightmares that plagued her after she was drugged and assaulted may be few and far between, but that attack and Ever's abandonment of her in favor of drugs, warped her perspective. The last thing she needs is Ever coming back in her life and upsetting the balance she fought hard to obtain.
I can't even recall the last nightmare; it's been so long. After all this time, it kills me to know those feelings still live and breathe inside of me. I thought they were gone. I know they were gone.
Until Ever Montgomery showed his face again, that is.
And he can leave just as quickly as he came, as far as I'm concerned.
Ever is equally determined not to let Low slip away. He just needs one chance. One opportunity to show her how sorry he is for his actions. He still doesn't know why she left New Orleans like she did. Could it just be because of him or did something else happen that he doesn't know about?
Does Marlo have the power to unravel me? Without a doubt. There's no question in my mind that she could be my undoing. But I also know she's worth the risk.
She's worth it all.
Low is one tough cookie and Ever has his work cut out for him, but he's a fighter and doesn't scare easily. In the first book I was so angry with him. I know that losing his brother caused him to totally derail but he took down everyone else around him. In this story he redeems himself. Reading his POV brings at least some understanding about why he fell so hard and how he literally clawed his way back to the living.
Her warning reminds me where I stand with the new Marlo. She may be giving in to me, but she's not giving it all to me.
But we still have Low's secret. Of course most secrets don't stay a secret forever. What will Ever do when he finds out who it was that drugged Low? How's he going to feel when he finds out he was the catalyst for it happening in the first place?
Both these books will wring you dry. Addiction is ugly and reading about it hurts. But people can change and fight to get their life back on track. Both Low and Ever have had a tough road, but maybe it's time for them to stop hurting and to forgive.
This. God, just this. If this is all I can have for the rest of my life, whether it be five years of five thousand, she is more than enough.
When Low Over High ended, Low Rivers left New Orleans, became a nurse and tried her best to never look in the rear view mirror. Eight years later, Ever Montgomery is now an up and coming chef and along with his best friend Jeb, owns a restaurant. He cleaned up his act, faced his addiction and has been drug free for years. He isn't trying to leave his past behind. He's searched for Low for years and he's finally found her. Low finding his not to her, is how book one ended.
I need to put forth the same effort to forget him as I did into loving him.
Low hasn't been called by that name in years. She goes by Marlo now. She's cynical, believes in one night stands and thinks love belongs in fairy tales along with unicorns. The nightmares that plagued her after she was drugged and assaulted may be few and far between, but that attack and Ever's abandonment of her in favor of drugs, warped her perspective. The last thing she needs is Ever coming back in her life and upsetting the balance she fought hard to obtain.
I can't even recall the last nightmare; it's been so long. After all this time, it kills me to know those feelings still live and breathe inside of me. I thought they were gone. I know they were gone.
Until Ever Montgomery showed his face again, that is.
And he can leave just as quickly as he came, as far as I'm concerned.
Ever is equally determined not to let Low slip away. He just needs one chance. One opportunity to show her how sorry he is for his actions. He still doesn't know why she left New Orleans like she did. Could it just be because of him or did something else happen that he doesn't know about?
Does Marlo have the power to unravel me? Without a doubt. There's no question in my mind that she could be my undoing. But I also know she's worth the risk.
She's worth it all.
Low is one tough cookie and Ever has his work cut out for him, but he's a fighter and doesn't scare easily. In the first book I was so angry with him. I know that losing his brother caused him to totally derail but he took down everyone else around him. In this story he redeems himself. Reading his POV brings at least some understanding about why he fell so hard and how he literally clawed his way back to the living.
Her warning reminds me where I stand with the new Marlo. She may be giving in to me, but she's not giving it all to me.
But we still have Low's secret. Of course most secrets don't stay a secret forever. What will Ever do when he finds out who it was that drugged Low? How's he going to feel when he finds out he was the catalyst for it happening in the first place?
Both these books will wring you dry. Addiction is ugly and reading about it hurts. But people can change and fight to get their life back on track. Both Low and Ever have had a tough road, but maybe it's time for them to stop hurting and to forgive.
This. God, just this. If this is all I can have for the rest of my life, whether it be five years of five thousand, she is more than enough.
April 11, 2017
Happily Ever After?..
Warning:There may be slight spoilers from Low Over High!
Ever Over After is the conclusion to The Over Duet. It picks up where book one left off. Marlo experienced a traumatic situation following Ever's increase in drug use. This forces her to finally give up on trying to save him and retreat from all she's grown to love in New Orleans. Eight years have gone by and Everett is now sober and looking for Low. When he finds her, he finds she's not the same woman he remembers. Determined to win back her heart anyway, he goes all in, but Marlo isn't having it.
I was fond of this book but I didn't love it as much as the first. It did what it needed to do, but it lacked tact. Marlo was rude beyond necessity, at times, directed at the wrong people. What was, however, great about it was that you could see character growth. All the main characters were in high-school in the first book. So with an eight year fast forward, you'd expect to see them transform into adults. This was done well. I didn't like that Marlo completely cut ties with all the people she befriended. I thought that was over kill but she picked up several new friends in this book.
Ever worked so hard to win Marlo back and Marlo gave him attitude every step of the way. He did deserved it though! I was happy to see Jeb again. He was one of my favorites from book one. He stayed close to Ever and they went into business together. Marlo became a S.A.N.E. nurse, helping collect DNA and console rape victims. She was flying by the seat of her pants and never getting close too close to men, convinced that HEA's no longer exist.
When she gets a riddled note on her door, she knows instantly it's from Ever. So she hunts him down and tells him to back the f*ck off. He doesn't! They argue, they fight but somewhere along the line, they rediscover each other. Marlo's whole "I don't care attitude " got old fairly quickly for me. She was doing way too much. It reeked of pain and grudges. It was obvious she was just trying to hurt Ever.
I thought the story wrapped up nicely. It was well written, I just think I was looking for a little more sweetness and romance. Over all, it was a solid duet.
Warning:There may be slight spoilers from Low Over High!
Ever Over After is the conclusion to The Over Duet. It picks up where book one left off. Marlo experienced a traumatic situation following Ever's increase in drug use. This forces her to finally give up on trying to save him and retreat from all she's grown to love in New Orleans. Eight years have gone by and Everett is now sober and looking for Low. When he finds her, he finds she's not the same woman he remembers. Determined to win back her heart anyway, he goes all in, but Marlo isn't having it.
I was fond of this book but I didn't love it as much as the first. It did what it needed to do, but it lacked tact. Marlo was rude beyond necessity, at times, directed at the wrong people. What was, however, great about it was that you could see character growth. All the main characters were in high-school in the first book. So with an eight year fast forward, you'd expect to see them transform into adults. This was done well. I didn't like that Marlo completely cut ties with all the people she befriended. I thought that was over kill but she picked up several new friends in this book.
Ever worked so hard to win Marlo back and Marlo gave him attitude every step of the way. He did deserved it though! I was happy to see Jeb again. He was one of my favorites from book one. He stayed close to Ever and they went into business together. Marlo became a S.A.N.E. nurse, helping collect DNA and console rape victims. She was flying by the seat of her pants and never getting close too close to men, convinced that HEA's no longer exist.
When she gets a riddled note on her door, she knows instantly it's from Ever. So she hunts him down and tells him to back the f*ck off. He doesn't! They argue, they fight but somewhere along the line, they rediscover each other. Marlo's whole "I don't care attitude " got old fairly quickly for me. She was doing way too much. It reeked of pain and grudges. It was obvious she was just trying to hurt Ever.
I thought the story wrapped up nicely. It was well written, I just think I was looking for a little more sweetness and romance. Over all, it was a solid duet.
February 6, 2017
Ever Over After by J. A. DeRouen is book two in the Over Duet. It is a story of letting yourself dream again; old dreams and new ones flow together seamlessly in this second chance romance.
"He's the creation and the rapture. Every good and bad thing all wrapped up into one. And now, after all these years, he may just be my resurrection."
Marlo is all grown up now. The sassy and spunky girl has developed into the comeback queen with quick whit and hilarity. But, she doesn't forget who she was, who he was, or what happened with them. Ever knows this. He knows her. He needs her. And he's not leaving until it's mission accomplished.
"So this is the lowdown. Accessories are king, cupcakes are everything, and men are like tissues. One use only....Remember these things and you're golden."
Ever Over After boasted so many things that I LOVE in a book. First, the quotes. Holy smokes! If you were to open my Kindle and click on this book, it would look like a machine gun went to town on the pages; fine writing at its best. Secondly, the laughs were in abundance. This is not a comedy. But laughter takes the edge off of angst. This book had plenty of both. I was scratching at the pages to get to get to the next word, sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter, all the while laughing uncontrollably at Low's quips and humorous comebacks as she fought valiantly to keep her heart under lock and key. Of course I have to mention that Ever was the most swoon-worthy and lovable male hero…and a true hero he was, saving my girl Low from the past and giving her a future filled with hope. In addition to all of these great qualities, Author J. A. DeRouen also chose very interesting backdrops for turning points, and I found a feeling of nostalgia in the fact that this book continued to be rich in New Orleans highlights although it did not wholly take place there..you can take the Cajun out of New Orleans, but you can't take New Orleans out of the Cajun.
“I won’t survive this time. Some lessons you don’t just learn. Some lessons are tattooed on your soul.”
This second book in the Over Duet brought me to my knees, in laughter, tears, and thankfulness. It was filled with beautiful memories, fragile presents, and hope-filled futures. Some moments felt like my chest had been instantly ripped open and my heart exposed in its most vulnerable state. But at the crescendo of this amazing symphony of love, I sank into its fading notes, crying tears of relief and joy at having blissfully reached what was truly just the beginning for our hero and heroine.
"Love changes over time. The edges may fill, the butterflies hibernate...but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as years pass. Ever is the best thing."
"He's the creation and the rapture. Every good and bad thing all wrapped up into one. And now, after all these years, he may just be my resurrection."
Marlo is all grown up now. The sassy and spunky girl has developed into the comeback queen with quick whit and hilarity. But, she doesn't forget who she was, who he was, or what happened with them. Ever knows this. He knows her. He needs her. And he's not leaving until it's mission accomplished.
"So this is the lowdown. Accessories are king, cupcakes are everything, and men are like tissues. One use only....Remember these things and you're golden."
Ever Over After boasted so many things that I LOVE in a book. First, the quotes. Holy smokes! If you were to open my Kindle and click on this book, it would look like a machine gun went to town on the pages; fine writing at its best. Secondly, the laughs were in abundance. This is not a comedy. But laughter takes the edge off of angst. This book had plenty of both. I was scratching at the pages to get to get to the next word, sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter, all the while laughing uncontrollably at Low's quips and humorous comebacks as she fought valiantly to keep her heart under lock and key. Of course I have to mention that Ever was the most swoon-worthy and lovable male hero…and a true hero he was, saving my girl Low from the past and giving her a future filled with hope. In addition to all of these great qualities, Author J. A. DeRouen also chose very interesting backdrops for turning points, and I found a feeling of nostalgia in the fact that this book continued to be rich in New Orleans highlights although it did not wholly take place there..you can take the Cajun out of New Orleans, but you can't take New Orleans out of the Cajun.
“I won’t survive this time. Some lessons you don’t just learn. Some lessons are tattooed on your soul.”
This second book in the Over Duet brought me to my knees, in laughter, tears, and thankfulness. It was filled with beautiful memories, fragile presents, and hope-filled futures. Some moments felt like my chest had been instantly ripped open and my heart exposed in its most vulnerable state. But at the crescendo of this amazing symphony of love, I sank into its fading notes, crying tears of relief and joy at having blissfully reached what was truly just the beginning for our hero and heroine.
"Love changes over time. The edges may fill, the butterflies hibernate...but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as years pass. Ever is the best thing."
June 27, 2017
4 STARS
REVIEW ALSO POSTED AT HEART VIA PAGES BLOG
Grown up Marlo is even worse than the younger Ever. Seriously! The girl who used to have so much faith in love became cynical and disengaged. But who could blame her right? Because of what happened to her in the past, she put on some impenetrable walls that can surely keep anyone at bay. Her new life has been all about taking control and security.
On the other hand, my heart is so happy to see what Ever has become and how he turned out. He deserves this redemption and he deserves everything that he has.
And above all, these two deserve each other.
That is why, I’m just so glad and my heart is so full with how Low and Ever found each other again. It may have been long, painful years that kept them apart but it was a reunion that made the pain all worth it.
Definitely a good follow up. Now, I’m just excited to read about the other girls.
I see a DeRouen binge read in the horizon.
REVIEW ALSO POSTED AT HEART VIA PAGES BLOG
Grown up Marlo is even worse than the younger Ever. Seriously! The girl who used to have so much faith in love became cynical and disengaged. But who could blame her right? Because of what happened to her in the past, she put on some impenetrable walls that can surely keep anyone at bay. Her new life has been all about taking control and security.
On the other hand, my heart is so happy to see what Ever has become and how he turned out. He deserves this redemption and he deserves everything that he has.
And above all, these two deserve each other.
That is why, I’m just so glad and my heart is so full with how Low and Ever found each other again. It may have been long, painful years that kept them apart but it was a reunion that made the pain all worth it.
Definitely a good follow up. Now, I’m just excited to read about the other girls.
I see a DeRouen binge read in the horizon.
March 13, 2017
If I thought the first part of this duet was great (and it was) I don't even know what word to use to describe Ever Over After. Sweet Lord there were times when I didn't think my heart could take the ache. It was constant while reading the this whole story but there was also this underlying sense of hope throughout as well.
Ever and Marlo had so much to overcome...years apart, lies, betrayal, hurt, suffering, loss...the list could go on and on. The one thing that wasn't lacking between them was a love so strong it had the power to destroy the fragile threads of the life they had built. Well this time Ever wasn't backing down. He was going for what he wanted and what he wanted was his Low. There were some bumps along the way and a lot of healing had to happen but it was almost worth the pain.
J.A. DeRouen did something special with this book. Everything that she broke in book one of this duet she put back together tenfold. Low and Ever's story was powerful and so much more than a love story. It's about family and friendship. The friends that become your family. It's about letting go and learning to love yourself despite the scars on your soul. It's about turning your pain into purpose and using it for good instead of letting it strangle you. It's about forgiveness- for yourself and others. It's about acceptance and never setting for less than what makes your heart soar. But most of all it's about a love so true that it is every single thing.
Ever and Marlo had so much to overcome...years apart, lies, betrayal, hurt, suffering, loss...the list could go on and on. The one thing that wasn't lacking between them was a love so strong it had the power to destroy the fragile threads of the life they had built. Well this time Ever wasn't backing down. He was going for what he wanted and what he wanted was his Low. There were some bumps along the way and a lot of healing had to happen but it was almost worth the pain.
J.A. DeRouen did something special with this book. Everything that she broke in book one of this duet she put back together tenfold. Low and Ever's story was powerful and so much more than a love story. It's about family and friendship. The friends that become your family. It's about letting go and learning to love yourself despite the scars on your soul. It's about turning your pain into purpose and using it for good instead of letting it strangle you. It's about forgiveness- for yourself and others. It's about acceptance and never setting for less than what makes your heart soar. But most of all it's about a love so true that it is every single thing.
February 9, 2017
Title: Low Over High (The Over Duet Book One) and Ever Over After (The Over Duet Book Two)
Series: The Over Duet
Author: J.A. DeRouen
Genre: (Book One) Mature Young Adult/Romance (Book Two) New Adult/Adult/Romance
6 STARS!
I loved both books in this duet. J.A. DeRouen writes beautifully, allowing both the story and emotion to build with perfect pacing. Within the first pages, I clicked with her author voice, which made her words flow fluidly. She sets the scene so well I could clearly see the streets of New Orleans in my mind’s eye, nearly taste and smell the scent of the local cuisine, and just about feel the humid heat on my skin. The banter is witty and humorous—a perfect balance to the much darker themes.
This duet as a whole is a story of first loves, first losses, new beginnings, and second chances. Told in dual POV, we are introduced to an amazing cast of well-developed, realistically flawed characters in book one. This part of the duet is the bones of Marlow (Low) and Everett’s (Ever) story. We meet them as 17-year-old high school students who are both facing their own demons. Their relationship is passionate, and dark, and completely hypnotic.
Book two picks up eight years later with Low and Ever, now adults, leading very different lives. Marlow has endured the unimaginable, and though it has changed her, altering the way she lives her life and skewing her views on love, she’s a survivor. When these two come together again, it’s pure magic. Low is protective of her damaged heart, but Ever still holds a burning torch for his first—and only—love. Where book one is packed with butterflies-in-the-tummy feelings, book two is chock-full of HEAT. Ever is a man on a mission, and he has Low in his sights.
Life is challenging. There are ups and downs. Wins and losses. Light moments, and unbearably dark ones. Each person has a past—a background, shaping them into the individual they ultimately become. J.A. DeRouen has masterfully crafted a thought-provoking story, conveying some important messages: our choices have consequences, one person can have a lasting affect on another’s life, and love, when given the chance, can withstand it all.
My Favorite Quotes:
“We all live in a world of bumps and bruises. No one lives on this earth for very long without collecting a few scars. That’s the meat of us all—what makes us who we are.”
“Can we give away our sin? And what if we could give away our hurts just as easily?”
“Moments of unimaginable sorrow seem to make the clock tick backward, make you feel like you’ll never be able to climb out of the hole where you’ve been buried.”
“How do you measure the weight of a whisper? It’s infinitesimally heavier than any word spoken aloud. Whispers shouted into the void, when no one else is listening? Those are the heaviest of all.”
“Grief and pain are fickle things—three people can experience the same slight and have three different reactions to it. It’s the bitch and the beauty of the human condition, isn’t it?”
“The laughter dies in my chest, leaving behind the all familiar ache—a yearning so much a part of me, it’s changed the beat of my heart, the direction of my soul. Who am I kidding? My fucking soul has been hunting her for years.”
“Sometimes, the smallest glimmer of light can shine through perpetual darkness.”
“Time passes, memories fade, but feelings are forever.”
“Love changes over time. The edges may dull, the butterflies hibernate…but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as the years pass.”
“Please stay…even if my heart is scarred and my soul is dirty. Please stay…”
“And isn’t that the beauty of it all? Somehow, after all the missteps, heartbreak, and regret, we are able to take the frayed edges of our past and braid them into a future full of love and hope.”
Series: The Over Duet
Author: J.A. DeRouen
Genre: (Book One) Mature Young Adult/Romance (Book Two) New Adult/Adult/Romance
6 STARS!
I loved both books in this duet. J.A. DeRouen writes beautifully, allowing both the story and emotion to build with perfect pacing. Within the first pages, I clicked with her author voice, which made her words flow fluidly. She sets the scene so well I could clearly see the streets of New Orleans in my mind’s eye, nearly taste and smell the scent of the local cuisine, and just about feel the humid heat on my skin. The banter is witty and humorous—a perfect balance to the much darker themes.
This duet as a whole is a story of first loves, first losses, new beginnings, and second chances. Told in dual POV, we are introduced to an amazing cast of well-developed, realistically flawed characters in book one. This part of the duet is the bones of Marlow (Low) and Everett’s (Ever) story. We meet them as 17-year-old high school students who are both facing their own demons. Their relationship is passionate, and dark, and completely hypnotic.
Book two picks up eight years later with Low and Ever, now adults, leading very different lives. Marlow has endured the unimaginable, and though it has changed her, altering the way she lives her life and skewing her views on love, she’s a survivor. When these two come together again, it’s pure magic. Low is protective of her damaged heart, but Ever still holds a burning torch for his first—and only—love. Where book one is packed with butterflies-in-the-tummy feelings, book two is chock-full of HEAT. Ever is a man on a mission, and he has Low in his sights.
Life is challenging. There are ups and downs. Wins and losses. Light moments, and unbearably dark ones. Each person has a past—a background, shaping them into the individual they ultimately become. J.A. DeRouen has masterfully crafted a thought-provoking story, conveying some important messages: our choices have consequences, one person can have a lasting affect on another’s life, and love, when given the chance, can withstand it all.
My Favorite Quotes:
“We all live in a world of bumps and bruises. No one lives on this earth for very long without collecting a few scars. That’s the meat of us all—what makes us who we are.”
“Can we give away our sin? And what if we could give away our hurts just as easily?”
“Moments of unimaginable sorrow seem to make the clock tick backward, make you feel like you’ll never be able to climb out of the hole where you’ve been buried.”
“How do you measure the weight of a whisper? It’s infinitesimally heavier than any word spoken aloud. Whispers shouted into the void, when no one else is listening? Those are the heaviest of all.”
“Grief and pain are fickle things—three people can experience the same slight and have three different reactions to it. It’s the bitch and the beauty of the human condition, isn’t it?”
“The laughter dies in my chest, leaving behind the all familiar ache—a yearning so much a part of me, it’s changed the beat of my heart, the direction of my soul. Who am I kidding? My fucking soul has been hunting her for years.”
“Sometimes, the smallest glimmer of light can shine through perpetual darkness.”
“Time passes, memories fade, but feelings are forever.”
“Love changes over time. The edges may dull, the butterflies hibernate…but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as the years pass.”
“Please stay…even if my heart is scarred and my soul is dirty. Please stay…”
“And isn’t that the beauty of it all? Somehow, after all the missteps, heartbreak, and regret, we are able to take the frayed edges of our past and braid them into a future full of love and hope.”
January 4, 2017
YOU CAN NOT READ THIS WITHOUT READING LOW OVER HIGH FIRST
Now that I have that bit of info out of the way ;) I fell in love with Ever and Low and their love story and brokeness in the first book. The years that have passed for them hasn't dulled my love in here. Those years made Low stronger, yet more vulnerable and they turned Ever into one hell of a man that any woman would be lucky to have. Their road was not easy, nor was it pretty (I cried several times), but in the end it was perfect and beautiful.
*thanks to the author and Sassy Savvy Fabulous PR for sharing a copy of this with me*
Now that I have that bit of info out of the way ;) I fell in love with Ever and Low and their love story and brokeness in the first book. The years that have passed for them hasn't dulled my love in here. Those years made Low stronger, yet more vulnerable and they turned Ever into one hell of a man that any woman would be lucky to have. Their road was not easy, nor was it pretty (I cried several times), but in the end it was perfect and beautiful.
*thanks to the author and Sassy Savvy Fabulous PR for sharing a copy of this with me*
January 9, 2017
Ever Montgomery has made so many mistakes in the past. He’s used to running from them. But this time around, years later, Ever only wants to run toward the love he’s never forgotten, Marlo Rivers. The problem is that Marlo isn’t the same doe eyed young girl he knew back then. Her past has shaped Marlo into the woman she is today. Her heart belongs to no one but her. She is determined to never give someone the power to destroy it again. With Ever back in her life, it almost seems impossible. It’s as if her heart knows nothing else but to love Ever. But nothing is that simple. Loving Ever was dangerous. There are still secrets between them that may keep them apart. Especially when things start to unravel.
“I won’t survive this time. Some lessons you don’t just learn. Some lessons are tattooed on your soul.”
Their love story is tumultuous, but it’s theirs. It will break you. It will affect you on the most visceral level. How do they go back to what they once had? And can either survive if they don’t make it this time? This is a story of love unfiltered and raw. One that is told in honesty and grace. A love story of human resilience in the face of apprehension and despair. Out of fear comes fearlessness. And that is their love. Fearless. Inspiring. Absolute. Their love is permanent and steadfast. Even through all the darkness, their love endured. It persevered. It simply never stopped.
"How can we be anything different than what we've always been?"
"And what's that?"
"Everything."
Have you ever been so embedded deep inside a man’s heart that you can’t breathe? This is what the author does for her readers. She puts you THERE. Right deep within the heart of Ever Montgomery. You are overwhelmed by his grief, his regret, but most of all, the depth of his love for Marlo. His heart only knows hers. And you feel it with not only the conviction of his words but most of all the power in his actions.
"Love changes over time. The edges may fill, the butterflies hibernate...but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as years pass. Ever is the best thing."
The writing left me breathless. It was flawless in it’s delivery and remarkable in it’s execution. The author’s talent to truly capture such emotional complexities among her characters is unparalleled. The words of this book read like poetry. Deep, meaningful, and meticulous. The words will astound you with its eloquent and transcending prose.
"He's the creation and the rapture. Every good and bad thing all wrapped up into one. And now, after all these years, he may just be my resurrection."
Ever Over After is a story of choosing your forever over fear. Reminding us that love is the best risk we can take. It’s a story of the pursuit of love and forgiveness as well as hope for a second chance. Spellbinding and compelling, this was heartbreaking yet beautiful. There was light in darkness. This story was moving beyond words. To say this was one of the most poignant and heartfelt romance storylines I’ve ever read would be an understatement. Don’t read this book. Experience it. Love it. I know I did. I wholeheartedly, and without reservation recommend that every lover of romance reads this entire duet.
“I won’t survive this time. Some lessons you don’t just learn. Some lessons are tattooed on your soul.”
Their love story is tumultuous, but it’s theirs. It will break you. It will affect you on the most visceral level. How do they go back to what they once had? And can either survive if they don’t make it this time? This is a story of love unfiltered and raw. One that is told in honesty and grace. A love story of human resilience in the face of apprehension and despair. Out of fear comes fearlessness. And that is their love. Fearless. Inspiring. Absolute. Their love is permanent and steadfast. Even through all the darkness, their love endured. It persevered. It simply never stopped.
"How can we be anything different than what we've always been?"
"And what's that?"
"Everything."
Have you ever been so embedded deep inside a man’s heart that you can’t breathe? This is what the author does for her readers. She puts you THERE. Right deep within the heart of Ever Montgomery. You are overwhelmed by his grief, his regret, but most of all, the depth of his love for Marlo. His heart only knows hers. And you feel it with not only the conviction of his words but most of all the power in his actions.
"Love changes over time. The edges may fill, the butterflies hibernate...but some things, the best things, sharpen and flourish as years pass. Ever is the best thing."
The writing left me breathless. It was flawless in it’s delivery and remarkable in it’s execution. The author’s talent to truly capture such emotional complexities among her characters is unparalleled. The words of this book read like poetry. Deep, meaningful, and meticulous. The words will astound you with its eloquent and transcending prose.
"He's the creation and the rapture. Every good and bad thing all wrapped up into one. And now, after all these years, he may just be my resurrection."
Ever Over After is a story of choosing your forever over fear. Reminding us that love is the best risk we can take. It’s a story of the pursuit of love and forgiveness as well as hope for a second chance. Spellbinding and compelling, this was heartbreaking yet beautiful. There was light in darkness. This story was moving beyond words. To say this was one of the most poignant and heartfelt romance storylines I’ve ever read would be an understatement. Don’t read this book. Experience it. Love it. I know I did. I wholeheartedly, and without reservation recommend that every lover of romance reads this entire duet.
March 19, 2017
An utterly fantastic conclusion to this duet, J.A. DeRouen gives the reader the answer to every question and so much more. Ever Over After picks up eight years after Low and Ever parted ways. And neither one has truly let the other go. And when Ever leaves one of his mysterious poems at her doorway, it is both with dread and hope that their lives have crossed paths once again.
I fell right back into Low and Ever's world effortlessly. Gaining a sense of where they are now I waited anxiously when they would come face to face and I had my heart in my throat more than once. The author does not disappoint allowing both characters to grow into two people who can actually have a chance this time around. There are the demons that need to be conquered but there was no question these two would find their way back to each other's hearts.
The snarky humor that IS Low is still there and the girl she was when she was just shy of 18 emerges albeit slowly, when Ever reenters her life. I loved watching Low, whether it was helping a shy girl at her good friend's art classes, or a traumatized victim of rape during one of her shifts as a nurse. She knows when to be compassionate and when to throw in some humor. I really enjoyed her character and it's not often I crush on a heroine.
Ever has become the man Low always needed and the way he loves her made me swoon hard. Hearing why she left all those years ago was one of those moments I could feel his tension. His regret. The author wrote it beautifully and yet it broke me a bit just the same.
This story of redemption and of new beginnings is a must read. It flowed perfectly and was the exceptional compliment to the first book, Low over High. The secondary characters, especially Jeb, added the right touch and I can only hope we get his story as well. Where Low over High featured much more in the way of a collection of characters, Ever over After is truly Low and Ever's story. Get it. Read it. Love it.
A huge 5 stars!
I fell right back into Low and Ever's world effortlessly. Gaining a sense of where they are now I waited anxiously when they would come face to face and I had my heart in my throat more than once. The author does not disappoint allowing both characters to grow into two people who can actually have a chance this time around. There are the demons that need to be conquered but there was no question these two would find their way back to each other's hearts.
The snarky humor that IS Low is still there and the girl she was when she was just shy of 18 emerges albeit slowly, when Ever reenters her life. I loved watching Low, whether it was helping a shy girl at her good friend's art classes, or a traumatized victim of rape during one of her shifts as a nurse. She knows when to be compassionate and when to throw in some humor. I really enjoyed her character and it's not often I crush on a heroine.
Ever has become the man Low always needed and the way he loves her made me swoon hard. Hearing why she left all those years ago was one of those moments I could feel his tension. His regret. The author wrote it beautifully and yet it broke me a bit just the same.
This story of redemption and of new beginnings is a must read. It flowed perfectly and was the exceptional compliment to the first book, Low over High. The secondary characters, especially Jeb, added the right touch and I can only hope we get his story as well. Where Low over High featured much more in the way of a collection of characters, Ever over After is truly Low and Ever's story. Get it. Read it. Love it.
A huge 5 stars!
January 8, 2017
Ever Over After is Book 2 in the Over Duet. You must read book 1 first.
Ja DeRouen's character development is flawlessly written. She can make you feel like you know them in real life. You cry with them, you laugh with them, and ultimately fall in love with them.
Marlo is 8 years older and has turned her back on love. She believes men are like tissues, one use only. She is not interested in any type of relationship that involves feelings. She is still the sassy fun loving girl we've fell in love with, she just needs to let her heart thaw.
Ever has really grown over the past 8 years. He is no longer the lost boy. He is pure man. And he is hell bent to prove to Marlo that he can right the wrongs in their past. It was so amazing seeing his transformation, even though I always loved him, even at his worst. Can he get through to Marlo and prove to her that love can heal the past? You'll have to read the duet to find out!
Ja DeRouen is an automatic one click for me. Her books always remind me of the reason that I love to read. If you haven't read her, you're truly missing out.
Ja DeRouen's character development is flawlessly written. She can make you feel like you know them in real life. You cry with them, you laugh with them, and ultimately fall in love with them.
Marlo is 8 years older and has turned her back on love. She believes men are like tissues, one use only. She is not interested in any type of relationship that involves feelings. She is still the sassy fun loving girl we've fell in love with, she just needs to let her heart thaw.
Ever has really grown over the past 8 years. He is no longer the lost boy. He is pure man. And he is hell bent to prove to Marlo that he can right the wrongs in their past. It was so amazing seeing his transformation, even though I always loved him, even at his worst. Can he get through to Marlo and prove to her that love can heal the past? You'll have to read the duet to find out!
Ja DeRouen is an automatic one click for me. Her books always remind me of the reason that I love to read. If you haven't read her, you're truly missing out.
October 25, 2017
4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Ever Over After is the highly-anticipated conclusion to J. A. DeRouen’s Over Duet. If you have not read book #1, Low Over High, I recommend that you go back and read it prior to starting EOA. Low Over High ended with a cliff-hanger and had me counting down the days until I could get my hands on book 2!
Ever Over After takes place 8 years after Low Over High. Ever and Marlo’s paths have crossed again and Marlo immediately throws all her walls up, determined to keep Ever away. Ever is willing to do whatever it takes to bust through those walls and is just as determined to prove to Low that he deserves a second chance. "Give me more of a chance than you think I deserve... so I can prove you wrong."
Ever Over After is the highly-anticipated conclusion to J. A. DeRouen’s Over Duet. If you have not read book #1, Low Over High, I recommend that you go back and read it prior to starting EOA. Low Over High ended with a cliff-hanger and had me counting down the days until I could get my hands on book 2!
Ever Over After takes place 8 years after Low Over High. Ever and Marlo’s paths have crossed again and Marlo immediately throws all her walls up, determined to keep Ever away. Ever is willing to do whatever it takes to bust through those walls and is just as determined to prove to Low that he deserves a second chance. "Give me more of a chance than you think I deserve... so I can prove you wrong."
In Low Over High, your heart broke for Ever and Marlo, and in Ever Over After you will find joy in their healing.
This story is heartbreaking and beautiful. It will make you smile, laugh, swoon, and possibly cry. The Over Duet has definitely made it onto my 2017 list of book recommendations!
December 23, 2016
I don't even know where to start with this review. because I'm doing a dual book review. I'm totally blown away and in tears.. I don't think I can ever say goodbye to marlo and ever. Reading their story became my story. I felt every feeling and emotion of the characters. this is Jamiee's best work. I've always been a loyal fan. I just I can stop crying so I can write this review
February 18, 2018
*4.5 Stars*
This was another listen - thanks, Tantor! Neva Navarre has a new fan in me and I enjoyed Jeremy York's narration as well. But the real draw here is the story! Gosh! I adore Marlo "Low" and Ever! And I was so happy with how their story wrapped up.
***
Low Over High straddled the line between YA and NA but was essentially YA. Ever Over After jumps ahead eight years and firmly into Adult territory. I couldn't wait to dive into this story to see what would become of Low and Ever. DeRouen did not disappoint.
The way DeRouen continues Low and Ever's story was very well done. It felt fluid and she did a great job filling in the few gaps that needed filling over the last eight years so that we understood how Low and Ever came to be where they are...and what it'd take for them to find their way back to one another.
I liked seeing what they'd become in their lives despite the fact that part of their paths were not easy. I liked how DeRouen conveyed the way they'd lived without one another and how they'd not moved on in some ways. It was all very authentic and I loved how they got their second chance.
I didn't mention the emotional roller coaster DeRouen too me on in my review of Low Over High but hopefully it was evident. Ever Over After was equally as emotional if not more so. And DeRouen again proved her prowess with character development creating a new cast of secondary characters along with incorporating a few of the ones we'd already met. I admit that I missed Low's dad and Nana in this installment but Low's friends and Ever's best friend, Jeb, made up for their absence.
Again the narration from Navarre and York kept the story flowing smoothly as well as bringing these characters, whom I've come to adore, to life. I will look for other books narrated by both these voice actors. And, of course, I'll be reading more books from DeRouen!
This was another listen - thanks, Tantor! Neva Navarre has a new fan in me and I enjoyed Jeremy York's narration as well. But the real draw here is the story! Gosh! I adore Marlo "Low" and Ever! And I was so happy with how their story wrapped up.
***
Low Over High straddled the line between YA and NA but was essentially YA. Ever Over After jumps ahead eight years and firmly into Adult territory. I couldn't wait to dive into this story to see what would become of Low and Ever. DeRouen did not disappoint.
The way DeRouen continues Low and Ever's story was very well done. It felt fluid and she did a great job filling in the few gaps that needed filling over the last eight years so that we understood how Low and Ever came to be where they are...and what it'd take for them to find their way back to one another.
I liked seeing what they'd become in their lives despite the fact that part of their paths were not easy. I liked how DeRouen conveyed the way they'd lived without one another and how they'd not moved on in some ways. It was all very authentic and I loved how they got their second chance.
I didn't mention the emotional roller coaster DeRouen too me on in my review of Low Over High but hopefully it was evident. Ever Over After was equally as emotional if not more so. And DeRouen again proved her prowess with character development creating a new cast of secondary characters along with incorporating a few of the ones we'd already met. I admit that I missed Low's dad and Nana in this installment but Low's friends and Ever's best friend, Jeb, made up for their absence.
Again the narration from Navarre and York kept the story flowing smoothly as well as bringing these characters, whom I've come to adore, to life. I will look for other books narrated by both these voice actors. And, of course, I'll be reading more books from DeRouen!
February 23, 2020
Ever is trying to win back Low. He is not willing to let it go. Ever doesn’t know everything that happened when he was sinking low. He has no idea that as he neared his rock bottom, Low had hers fall out from underneath her.
Marlo is jaded. Love is grand for everyone else, but for her – nope, not gonna happen. Her heart still beats, but long ago a boy broke it and it still hasn’t healed. But Ever isn’t walking away and is going to show Low just how he’s changed, how much she still loves him and that sometimes you have to forgive and risk everything you fear.
These two are broken. Can they mend the pieces to fix there hearts to love one another again? This book pulls at your heart.
Marlo is jaded. Love is grand for everyone else, but for her – nope, not gonna happen. Her heart still beats, but long ago a boy broke it and it still hasn’t healed. But Ever isn’t walking away and is going to show Low just how he’s changed, how much she still loves him and that sometimes you have to forgive and risk everything you fear.
These two are broken. Can they mend the pieces to fix there hearts to love one another again? This book pulls at your heart.
October 19, 2017
I've devoured this book in 1 day, such a great conclusion to the Over Duet books. It's a well written, beautiful story about love lost and found again, about forgiveness and redemption and it's interwoven with the characters from the Over series. It was such an awesome read, I just could not put it down. Definitely recommended, but the experience would be better if you read the Over series first, you get to know the adult Marlo and i just couldn't wait to find out what shaped her into the adult she is. Then it's a must to read Low over High before this terrific conclusion.
January 9, 2017
****4 ‘Fiction Over Reality’ STARS****
Generally I like books that make me think. Story and plot lines don’t necessarily need to be terribly complex, but I often like to exercise my brain while reading. When I went in to Ever Over After I knew that there would be a challenging story, Low’s journey wasn’t an easy one in Low Over High and I didn’t agree with the choices she made then – who knows what I was in for as we fast forward to her present. I knew learning more of her story would make me think hard about my judgements and perceptions of Low – and maybe they wouldn’t all be what I expected. It was bittersweet; in some ways exactly what I expected and in others nothing at all like I thought.
“One day, Marlo Rivers, you’re going to wake up and realize you pushed away every good thing in your life.”
Picking up where we left Low in Low Over High, we get a front row seat to the eventual reunion of Marlo ‘Low’ Rivers (h) and the boy she used to love (or at least that’s what she tells herself) Everett ‘Ever’ Montomery (H) – all grown up. While Low is buried in denial and anger, a sober Ever is determined to win back the love of his life and show her he’s ready, willing and able to be there for and with her. Forever.
“I’m sure she remembers that boy who used to give up every other day and twice on Sunday.”
It seems to me most romance novels dealing with sexual assault and/or Rape have a standard trope: character is attacked (suffers PTSD even if it’s not spelled out), pushes down all emotion and associates love and or ‘happily ever after’ with negative emotion and thought process as a result of attack, is portrayed as ‘moving on’ and a ‘survivor any way he/she can be’, enter promiscuity and/or a string of ‘(non)friends-with-benefits pseudo-relationships that proclaim ‘I am a survivor because I can have consensual sex’, at some point the H enters the scene, the h figures out how to ‘really’ deal with the attack and the story line advances to the Good and True Happily Ever After, The End. While I loved seeing the history of this story and the characters developing, I hate the choices Low made – they made me feel the cliché of the above referenced troupe. And…they made me angry – but that’s not always a bad thing.
“I’ll never get back what’s been ripped away from me, and I’ll never be who I once was.”
I’m at an impasse. It’s certainly a stand-off for me; making me feel…some sort of something. I could say that Low made the best decisions she could at the time, but really, I wanted more from and for her. Truly, I think the source of my disappointment is that Low isn’t the strong survivor I believed her to be. She was a victim letting her attacker shape her life whether she realized it or not. One could make the case that ‘survivor’ is a relative term, and perhaps that’s the case. In my lexicon a rape survivor goes to therapy learning how to deal with the attack not suppress it, forms a network of support (be that friends or family or medical professionals), has positive and healthy emotional and sexual relationships and is able to acknowledge mistakes and/or bad decisions and move forward. And that is not what Low did. Low’s story was a showcase in broken claiming to be whole…which has a real life connotation I didn’t over look.
“I’ve spent so much time hating, forgetting, wishing away every memory from that time of my life. I’ve buried myself in bad.”
Low was stuck in limbo lying to herself that life really was good. And that piece of the puzzle is so relatable and what so many victims struggle through – that’s why my higher rating. Because even though I wanted a different story for Low, clichés and all, it’s relatable and shown in an amazing voice to the thoughts and motivations of a rape victim. This happily ever after was tough to swallow for me because I still have this nagging feeling that Low is pushing down and suppressing rather than dealing, but ultimately, it did make me think and it did challenge my perceptions of Low and her life choices. And I do respect that she did move forward in her own way – the only way she knew how – to be her version of successful on her terms, not mine. In the end, she and Ever both were success stories moving on into their blissful love and life together.
“I guess we all had a lot of lessons to learn back then.”
Although I found Ever Over After to play out like so many other survivor stories I’ve read, it’s to the credit of the author that I read this book in one sitting glued to the pages. I am consistently amazed with JA Derouen’s voice and complex developed characters. I still love her stories, I’ve read every one – and I will continue to do so. I find the mark of an excellent author isn’t that I agree with or love every story they’ve told or written. It’s that in some way, large or small, they left a mark on my heart. And Ever Over After certainly did.
“Never underestimate another person’s ability to love…and forgive.”
K’s Category: Serial Dater – I’ve read every novel/novella released to date.
Characters: M/F
Sex: Yes, Descriptive.
Trigger Warning: Scenes of h’s rape and memories of the attack.
OM/OW: h-brief encounter with no sexual activity.
HEA: Yes
Standalone: No, this is part 2 of The Over Duet. You need to start with book #1 Low Over High.
Generally I like books that make me think. Story and plot lines don’t necessarily need to be terribly complex, but I often like to exercise my brain while reading. When I went in to Ever Over After I knew that there would be a challenging story, Low’s journey wasn’t an easy one in Low Over High and I didn’t agree with the choices she made then – who knows what I was in for as we fast forward to her present. I knew learning more of her story would make me think hard about my judgements and perceptions of Low – and maybe they wouldn’t all be what I expected. It was bittersweet; in some ways exactly what I expected and in others nothing at all like I thought.
“One day, Marlo Rivers, you’re going to wake up and realize you pushed away every good thing in your life.”
Picking up where we left Low in Low Over High, we get a front row seat to the eventual reunion of Marlo ‘Low’ Rivers (h) and the boy she used to love (or at least that’s what she tells herself) Everett ‘Ever’ Montomery (H) – all grown up. While Low is buried in denial and anger, a sober Ever is determined to win back the love of his life and show her he’s ready, willing and able to be there for and with her. Forever.
“I’m sure she remembers that boy who used to give up every other day and twice on Sunday.”
It seems to me most romance novels dealing with sexual assault and/or Rape have a standard trope: character is attacked (suffers PTSD even if it’s not spelled out), pushes down all emotion and associates love and or ‘happily ever after’ with negative emotion and thought process as a result of attack, is portrayed as ‘moving on’ and a ‘survivor any way he/she can be’, enter promiscuity and/or a string of ‘(non)friends-with-benefits pseudo-relationships that proclaim ‘I am a survivor because I can have consensual sex’, at some point the H enters the scene, the h figures out how to ‘really’ deal with the attack and the story line advances to the Good and True Happily Ever After, The End. While I loved seeing the history of this story and the characters developing, I hate the choices Low made – they made me feel the cliché of the above referenced troupe. And…they made me angry – but that’s not always a bad thing.
“I’ll never get back what’s been ripped away from me, and I’ll never be who I once was.”
I’m at an impasse. It’s certainly a stand-off for me; making me feel…some sort of something. I could say that Low made the best decisions she could at the time, but really, I wanted more from and for her. Truly, I think the source of my disappointment is that Low isn’t the strong survivor I believed her to be. She was a victim letting her attacker shape her life whether she realized it or not. One could make the case that ‘survivor’ is a relative term, and perhaps that’s the case. In my lexicon a rape survivor goes to therapy learning how to deal with the attack not suppress it, forms a network of support (be that friends or family or medical professionals), has positive and healthy emotional and sexual relationships and is able to acknowledge mistakes and/or bad decisions and move forward. And that is not what Low did. Low’s story was a showcase in broken claiming to be whole…which has a real life connotation I didn’t over look.
“I’ve spent so much time hating, forgetting, wishing away every memory from that time of my life. I’ve buried myself in bad.”
Low was stuck in limbo lying to herself that life really was good. And that piece of the puzzle is so relatable and what so many victims struggle through – that’s why my higher rating. Because even though I wanted a different story for Low, clichés and all, it’s relatable and shown in an amazing voice to the thoughts and motivations of a rape victim. This happily ever after was tough to swallow for me because I still have this nagging feeling that Low is pushing down and suppressing rather than dealing, but ultimately, it did make me think and it did challenge my perceptions of Low and her life choices. And I do respect that she did move forward in her own way – the only way she knew how – to be her version of successful on her terms, not mine. In the end, she and Ever both were success stories moving on into their blissful love and life together.
“I guess we all had a lot of lessons to learn back then.”
Although I found Ever Over After to play out like so many other survivor stories I’ve read, it’s to the credit of the author that I read this book in one sitting glued to the pages. I am consistently amazed with JA Derouen’s voice and complex developed characters. I still love her stories, I’ve read every one – and I will continue to do so. I find the mark of an excellent author isn’t that I agree with or love every story they’ve told or written. It’s that in some way, large or small, they left a mark on my heart. And Ever Over After certainly did.
“Never underestimate another person’s ability to love…and forgive.”
K’s Category: Serial Dater – I’ve read every novel/novella released to date.
Characters: M/F
Sex: Yes, Descriptive.
Trigger Warning: Scenes of h’s rape and memories of the attack.
OM/OW: h-brief encounter with no sexual activity.
HEA: Yes
Standalone: No, this is part 2 of The Over Duet. You need to start with book #1 Low Over High.
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