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Never Say Goodbye by Mandi Blake Review

Hello Everyone :)


I hope you're all doing well, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.


I'm so happy to say that I survived the last couple of weeks at work, and I'm beyond belief thankful that everything should be back on its way to normal once again.


For today's post, I'm excited to share with you all an upcoming book that I know you're all going to love!


A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Mandi Blake's debut novel, Just As I Am, and I loved Addie and Declan's story so very much. You can check out that review here.


So when Mandi contacted me asking if I'd be interested in reading and reviewing the second book in the series, I couldn't have been more excited. After reading this one, I was completely blown away, and once again, I'm amazed by just how fantastic of a storyteller Mandi truly is!


But I'm getting ahead myself, let's go ahead and dive into my review.


Never Say Goodbye by Mandi Blake:



Source: Complimentary Copy From The Author

Genre: Christian Fiction/Christian Romance


Synopsis:

Lindsey Payne left her small, southern hometown six years ago for the bright lights of New York City with big dreams of becoming an actress. Now, she’s returning to Georgia with regrets and hoping to steer clear of those she’s wronged.

Dakota Calhoun fills his days with work to keep his mind busy. The last thing he wants is time to dwell on the past or the mistakes he made. When a ghost from his past comes barreling back into his life, everything gets harder—and more dangerous. Now, Dakota is struggling to stay on the straight and narrow.

Dakota and Lindsey have a past as long as their memories, but their future is tied up in old wounds. They’ll have to decide if they can forgive each other and themselves. Can they overcome the past and have the future they always wanted?

Never Say Goodbye is the second book in the Unfailing Love series, but the books can be read in any order.
 


(synopsis from goodreads)




My Review:

When I first read Mandi's debut novel, and the first novel in the Unfailing Love series, I found myself completely entranced in Addie and Declan's story. Their journey was turbulent, emotional, and faith filled, and I could barely bring myself to put the book down. However, throughout the entire story, I had such a soft spot for Dakota's character. I wanted to know what had driven him to the place he was currently in, and who the woman was who'd broken his heart so completely. When I found out that the second book in the Unfailing Love series was going to be Dakota's story, I literally couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I knew that it was going to be a roller coaster of a ride from start to finish, and I couldn't wait to dive right in.

Dakota and Lindsey were inseparable growing up. First connected from Lindsey being best friends with Dakot'a's little sister, Sissy, the two soon grew into the best of friends, and that gradually turned into something much more. Where one went, the other was soon to follow, and Dakota knew without a doubt that Lindsey was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Lindsey however, was desperate for a chance to try and make it on her own. She dreamed of a life in the glamorous acting world of New York City, and Dakota encouraged her to try and live her dream. Soon the long distance became too much, and Lindsey broke it off with Dakota, and in the process, crushed his heart and turned him into someone unrecognizable to his friends and family. Not knowing how to cope with the extreme grief Lindsey's departure from his life has left him, Dakota ended up turning to unsavory means to try and cope, and has become ashamed of the life he's turned to living.

Six long years have passed since Dakota and Lindsey have spoken to each other, but all that's about to change. Sissy is about to give birth to her first child, and wants her best friend to be there by her side. Lindsey's return pushes her back into Dakota's path, and both of them are forced to come to terms with the fact that they've never truly moved on from each other, nor have they ever truly wanted to.

Their relationship has been filled with hurt, misunderstandings, and turmoil, but both are determined to give their love a second chance to grow. God has given them a second chance at finding each other, and it's an opportunity that neither intends to take lightly. However, is it truly possible to move on from such hurt, and to find healing after such brokenness? Dakota and Lindsey are about to find out, and about to experience the truth that without God's healing hand upon every direction, life can never be completely fulfilling.

Once again, I was completely blown away with just how talented of a story teller Mandi Blake is. The plot twists and turns and weaves, and takes the reader along for an amazing, heartfelt journey. Just when I thought I knew where the plot was headed, the last few chapters came along and shattered every single expectation I had. I also have to applaud this amazing lady for always putting the faith element at the forefront, and it never being left in the background. When you pick up a book by this author, the faith element is always going to be front and center, and I couldn't appreciate that more.

As much as I loved Declan and Addie's story, I can say without a doubt that I enjoyed Dakota and Lindsey's even more. This book has a little bit of everything; a second chance romance, hurting and healing, faith, friendship, a hero and heroine you can truly root for, and an underlying bit of suspense that'll definitely keep each and every reader on the edge of their seat.

This one gets a perfect five star rating from me, and I can't wait to see what else Mandi Blake has in store for us readers of her Unfailing Love series. I highly recommend picking yourself up a copy of this one, as I can guarantee you won't be disappointed! I will be anxiously anticipating the day when Mandi reveals who's story we're getting in the third installment of this series!

Thanks so much to Mandi for providing me with a complimentary copy of her novel to read and review! 

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own. I was not required to give a positive review. 

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