Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund (Series: Waters of Time, book 2)

 Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time? What would it be like to wake up and have the home and city you live in look very different from our current day? Jody Hedlund has a time-traveling series that will transport you back and forth from current day all the way back to the year 1382. This series is called Waters of Time. The first book, Come to Me, released last year, and you can read my review at this link. This review is about the second book in the series, Never Leave Me, which just released at the beginning of this year.

From the Back Cover:

FACING DEATH TAKE COURAGE. FACING LIFE TAKES EVEN MORE.

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Though he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship due to his paralysis, Harrison cares deeply for  Ellen and is desperately trying to save her life by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease---the same substance Ellen suspects is responsible for the deaths of her father and sister.

But Harrison is not the only one seeking the holy water. Dangerous criminals are mere steps behind, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug---including sending her back into the past to locate it for them.

 My Thoughts:

   This book cover is beautiful! The graphics and colors all work so well together. It's mysterious, and the castle on the front is intriguing. Good covers are the reason I pick books up to read.

   This story picks up right where book one left off. Ellen is still dying and in need of a miracle. She and Harrison's relationship is complicated. There is quite an age gap between them, but Harrison wants this relationship to be more than friends. Ellen, on the other hand, has sworn off relationships knowing that she doesn't have long to live. They are both adept at hiding their feelings from each other; although, others have clearly figured out what is going on between them. The lengths at which they choose to hide their feelings from each other can get a little frustrating for the reader, especially after all they go through in the story. I wasn't a fan of the way their relationship was handled. They go on a vacation together, but only have one hotel room. Then, they fake a romantic relationship to fool others and go to great lengths to prove it by making out. This soured the story for me.

However, I did like that there were characters reintroduced into the story that helped wrap up what I had read in the first book. Also, a new character named Nicholas was introduced. He is a brave and honorable man willing to go to great lengths to do what's right. Definitely, a mystery man to be sure, and I'm convinced most readers are hoping he's in the next book. 

Overall, I liked the first book better. I thought this one was good in keeping the pace going, but the relationship between Ellen and Harrison was frustrating. It'll be interesting to see where she goes with the third book. 

My Rating: ★★★

 

 About the Author:

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

You can find Jody's website by clicking here!

 

 

*** I received this complimentary book from Revell publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.