Book Review:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The Emi Lost and Found series is one series that EVERYONE needs to read. Instantly, I fell in love with the the characters, Emi, Nate, and Jack. Not to mention, the wonderful side characters that are introduced throughout the series. I am so thankful that I was introduced to this series by some wonderful bloggers. I hope you take my advice and take part in the magic that is the Emi Lost and Found series. Reading through this series was an emotional journey. Along the way, I felt happiness, sorrow, love, anger, frustration, and nostalgic.
I was so elated to see Jack’s point of view when I started Never Look Back. I was swooning the whole time. I didn’t think I could love him more, but I totally do. Seeing how Jack saw Emi from the very, very beginning was incredibly touching and helped me let go of the past. (Yes, I was still clinging the past. Don’t judge me).
“…it was her smile that really drew me in, red lipstick highlighting the most perfect lips, curled up in that way that made it seem like she had a secret that no one else could know. I immediately wanted to know that secret, know every secret that she kept.”
The book opens with Jack’s point-of-view of Chris’s, Emi’s brother, engagement party at which he delivered the toast and that seemingly jerk-like wink to Nate. Then we get the frat party scene from his point of view. I loved seeing that scene from his point-of-view after getting Nate’s side of the story. Even then, the connection between Jack and Emi was there.
“I felt numb and incredibly aware of every sensation, all at the same time. My body was alive with energy, aching to burst free from the confines of my skin, yet I could no move an inch, wouldn’t move an inch away from her.”
In Time Stands Still, the focus was on Emi’s healing and the beginning of her and Jack’s relationship. In Never Look Back, Jack wants to take their relationship for the next level. He wants to get married and have kids. But is Emi ready for that? In this book, the events of the last book still haunt her. But not in the way you think. There were new complications that broke my heart.
We find out a lot about Jack that we didn’t know before. Jack has been engaged before, but he broke up with her because she didn’t want kids. Kids and family are very important to Jack and Emi. They want to have a family together. Everyone around them has kids – Jack’s sister, Emi’s sister, and Emi’s brother.
I love how opposite Jack and Emi are. Jack is so practical and logical. Every decision he makes he analyzes. He is also very old-fashioned and utterly charming, which only made him even more appealing to me. I am huge fan of beta males, the softies who are sweet and loving without being domineering. Jack is perfect, but not in an annoying “Oh my Gosh you don’t exist” sort of way.
“And I love finding new pieces, finding the right place for them, each one making you a little more…more visible to me. There are so many facets to you, Emi. And each one…each and every one reveals something completely new about you. Every time I learn something new, I realize there is so much more I don’t know. And I thirst to know everything…understanding that I never can…that I never will…that you will always surprise me.
See, where you need stability, I need a little unpredictability. It keeps me on my toes…and it keeps me completely enthralled with you. That’s why we’re so good together.”
The biggest issue in this book was communication between Jack and Emi. At one point, Emi began to withdrawal. She started acting strangely for no reason. And instead of talking to Jack, she lets him go on his business trip across the world – a trip that he had planned on taking her with him. They were separated by thousands of miles and Emi’s lack of contact drove Jack (and me) crazy. I was screaming at them to PLEASE TALK. I was so frustrated with Emi at this point. On one hand, I completely get why she withdrew after her issues were revealed. But at the same time, I wish she would have talked to Jack instead of ignoring him. There was a moment where I really admired Jack for finally speaking up and tell her off (nicely). She needed to hear those words and Jack needed to let it out for once.
Never Look Back was the perfect conclusion to the Emi Lost and Found series. The ending was bittersweet for me (well, more sweet than bitter). I loved it!
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
