[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of (Never) Again

Theresa Paolo lives in the same town she grew up in on Long Island, NY with her boyfriend and Milton, their big eyed goldfish. She has a hard time accepting the fact she’s nearing thirty which is why she writes New Adult and Young Adult books, reliving the best and worst years of her life through her characters. She put her love of writing on hold while she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Dowling College. On November 11th 2011 at 11:11 she made a wish. Two hours later she was laid off. Jobless for the first time since she was sixteen she was determined to make her wish come true. Writing became her life again and after many nights of ignoring her boyfriend to spend time with her characters, she finally received the call that all her hard work, finger crossing and eye crossing paid off. She was getting published. When she’s not writing, she’s behind a camera or can be found in the blogosphere or on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook. She is repped by the amazing Brittany Booker of The Booker Albert Literary Agency.

Connect with Theresa online at her Blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

(Never) Again

by Theresa Paolo

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Publication Date:  10/15/13

Synopsis:

Just when she had finally moved on…
…He moved back.

When college freshman Liz Wagner hears her ex's voice for the first time since he moved clear across the freaking country, she does what any respectable girl would do: Dive into the girls' bathroom.

Zach Roberts—the Zach Roberts—is back. And he’s everywhere Liz looks—infiltrating her friend group, buddy-buddy with her brother. It’s enough to ruin college altogether. But what choice does she have but to put on a happy face and pretend he didn't leave her vulnerable and alone in a pile of emotional wreckage?

Pretending works, until tragedy strikes and the only person available for comfort is the one person she wants to stay away from. When Zach turns out not to be the jerk she convinced herself he was, but the boy she used to love, Liz needs to decide whether to open her heart again to the boy who tore it out.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Marta C:
*eARC received from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

My first read from this author and most definitely not my last! I loved it! The emotions just tore me apart; yes I even cried.

(Never) Again is a story told in first person about Liz Wagner and how she's starting life in college. At eighteen she knows all about heartbreak, as the boy she loved moved away and never kept in touch. Falling into depression, she let her school work slide and misses out on going to the college of her dreams. Now she's rebuilt her life and has even managed to find happiness with Joe. Then, one day everything changes. Zach Roberts is back! Feeling like life is kicking her in the teeth, Liz is expected to just smile and carry on as if her world didn't fall apart when he deserted her. To make matters worse Zach is constantly around and just so perfect!

Struggling to balance her feelings for Joe while avoiding Zach is not an easy task. To add insult to injury, Liz's own brother,Josh, is all friendly with him as well. Then one day life changes. Tragedy strikes, and Liz needs support more than ever. Can she trust Zach or will he let her down again? What about her relationship with Joe? Will it stand up to the pressure that surrounds them all?

I am speechless with admiration at the sheer depth of this book. The author has written a story that while aimed at a young adult market is full of heart. The heroine Liz is just a dream to read about, as she struggles with coming to terms with her adulthood and the complications that romance can bring. She's bright and funny, and her opinion that life just bitch slaps her is one that will resonate with a lot of readers. This story is full of well written characters and humor. It's impossible not to care for Liz and Zach. When tragedy strikes, it's a shock, and written in such a way that the reader cannot help but feel emotionally involved. Truly moving.

Well done Ms. Paolo, and... more please.

(Never) Again