dnwarren24's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun read! I am glad that we finally get to read Tali’s story. In past books we met Tali as the manager of a band called Blue. In this book we go back to a younger Tali. Tali and Jude meet on accident, but then they continue to “run into” each other. It must have been fate. Tali is a focused college student, Jude is a rockstar, who is trying to get his music career going. I am not happy with how this book ends, but I am happy their story continues. On to “Never Again.”
natneedsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars for this one. I knew this book would break my heart. I tried to prepare myself for a typical rock star - sex, drugs, and rock n roll - but still I hated watching the descent. There was so much good about Jude and Tali, I felt like the characters had depth and I was pulled into their story. But as expected, Jude throws it all away and the hurt was too much forgive. And though there isn't any actual cheating, I always hate when the so called Hero runs off and has sex with other people after declaring he wants our heroine. In this case, Jude does it in the beginning, and again in the end. Any time he can't have her he's off having someone else. Doesn't exactly scream devotion.
joskypay's review against another edition
5.0
This book! Above and well beyond her past books (and honestly there was not a bad one in the bunch I read, so that is quite the feat!), this book is to show us the background of manager Tali, and it makes you want to reread all the Blue Is The Color books so you can pinpoint everything she does and say 'Oh I get it now'! You can totally jump in here and read this as a stand alone (well, you can read the Duet alone I should say). Its set in the early 2000's so lots of nostalgia with an eclectic music lover like myself. Tali really goes through alot in this book, but I just know it will be made up to her in the end. I don't like Jude much in this book, I see ALOT of growing up for him to do if he ever has any hope of earning Tali back, but Tali has some growing to do as well. Can't wait for book two!
claire_86's review against another edition
5.0
Wow... this was such a ride of emotions, I cried, laughed and fell truly in love. I have read all the Blue books so far. (If you haven’t yet, you don’t need to have as this is set before them and focuses on Tali’s story but definitely do pick up the others they are fantastic reads). I can’t recommend Julia’s books enough. Her writing is beautiful and you truly fall into the setting of the story.
Tali and Jude’s story is a real tug on the heart strings and I really think you’ll enjoy it.
I really enjoyed following her journey from 19yrs old, young Tali was such a great character to read about.
Must read
Tali and Jude’s story is a real tug on the heart strings and I really think you’ll enjoy it.
I really enjoyed following her journey from 19yrs old, young Tali was such a great character to read about.
Must read
trish_beautifulchaosreviews's review against another edition
5.0
We have been getting to know all the characters from Blue is the Color for some time now in this most excellent series. We've seen all the members of the band find their happily ever afters and the only one left is their manager Tali. In Never Lasting we meet Tali as she enters the University of Maryland and meets Jude. And. It. Is. Magic. He is her first love. She is as he says, "...every song I ever wrote." This is a beautiful story of young love. The story of promises and hope birthed by that young love and how decisions and choices can break those promises and leave hopes shattered. We see that tragedy hits no matter the age and the fact that people don't always handle tragedy well. Tragedy often causes those hurt to act in unhealthy ways and there's a hellishly long road to get to the other side. This book deals with a lot of hard topics, and honestly, I cried many times through the book as I read about these young souls dealing with things they really shouldn't have to be dealing with. I watched in sadness as these characters I really care about head down dark dark tunnels and I have to wait to see them come out the other side. I also note, what we think is the road to our dream and our ultimate goal is often lined with temptations and ditches that often can end us. And those temptations and ditches can steer us to ultimate redemption. There is so much promise here for Tali and Jude I want to see them get through. I will have to wait for the second part of the duet to see that promise. Julia has truly stepped up her game here. I thought she knocked it out of the part with "Under the Bridge" and the emotional telling of Ian and Valentina's story. Uh no. I was, in a word, wrecked upon finishing this book, and it is going to be so worth waiting for the second part of the duet.
On a side note, I've always liked the Killers and White Stripes. My daughter and friends have entertained me many times screaming "Mr. Brightside." And one of the first songs she learned to play on the bass was the infamous riff from "7 Nation Army." Julia has nailed it with a playlist to go with the book https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48IpEKcVjfzItwo4A9QSRF?si=9OdvvchlS2yrZrTbg1rk4w
These songs only add feeling and atmosphere to the book. Give it a listen.
On a side note, I've always liked the Killers and White Stripes. My daughter and friends have entertained me many times screaming "Mr. Brightside." And one of the first songs she learned to play on the bass was the infamous riff from "7 Nation Army." Julia has nailed it with a playlist to go with the book https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48IpEKcVjfzItwo4A9QSRF?si=9OdvvchlS2yrZrTbg1rk4w
These songs only add feeling and atmosphere to the book. Give it a listen.
t_white51's review against another edition
5.0
My heart is broke
I love Jude and Tali. Bens death is devastating. Their break up gutted me. Jude’s choices gutted me. Tali’s heartbreak gutted me. There aren’t enough tissues. Hoping the sequel heals all wounds and wrongs. This couple deserves their HEA.
I love Jude and Tali. Bens death is devastating. Their break up gutted me. Jude’s choices gutted me. Tali’s heartbreak gutted me. There aren’t enough tissues. Hoping the sequel heals all wounds and wrongs. This couple deserves their HEA.
su5hma's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
As it’s a duet I knew it wasn’t going to end well - but ouch!! Really puts you through the wringer!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
gwensreading's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC from the author and I am happy to give my honest review.
I'm somewhat of a Julia Wolf fangirl. I stumbled upon her earlier works a few years ago and I have gently been stalking her since. All through the Blue is the Color series I begged and pleaded for Tali's story (Julia's reader facebook group is a very good place to beg). This is it, folks. And it's a doozy.
First off, this can be read as a standalone. You don't need to read the other Blue books but you should because they are great and you get a better feel for Tali in current day. This book is Tali in college and sets the stage for the manager we know and love. Also, this is a cliffhanger but the second book comes out two weeks later so you don't have to pine for long.
Tali and Jude meet while she is in college. Tali is looking to branch out now that she's left the roost of her loving (and pretty fantastic) family so she becomes his friend. She becomes friends with a lot of people and there's partying and music and good times had by all.
I'll be honest - I'm not a huge New Adult fan. I was a little turned off by this story in the beginning just because of the age of the characters. It picks up heartily by about 75% in and I couldn't put it down. I stayed up late to finish reading because it was so engrossing even while my heart was breaking. I don't want to give any spoilers so I'll stop here.
Check this out if you love strong women who know their mind, a strong group of friends, and connection between two love interests so palpable your e-reader will start on fire (just kidding).
I'm somewhat of a Julia Wolf fangirl. I stumbled upon her earlier works a few years ago and I have gently been stalking her since. All through the Blue is the Color series I begged and pleaded for Tali's story (Julia's reader facebook group is a very good place to beg). This is it, folks. And it's a doozy.
First off, this can be read as a standalone. You don't need to read the other Blue books but you should because they are great and you get a better feel for Tali in current day. This book is Tali in college and sets the stage for the manager we know and love. Also, this is a cliffhanger but the second book comes out two weeks later so you don't have to pine for long.
Tali and Jude meet while she is in college. Tali is looking to branch out now that she's left the roost of her loving (and pretty fantastic) family so she becomes his friend. She becomes friends with a lot of people and there's partying and music and good times had by all.
I'll be honest - I'm not a huge New Adult fan. I was a little turned off by this story in the beginning just because of the age of the characters. It picks up heartily by about 75% in and I couldn't put it down. I stayed up late to finish reading because it was so engrossing even while my heart was breaking. I don't want to give any spoilers so I'll stop here.
Check this out if you love strong women who know their mind, a strong group of friends, and connection between two love interests so palpable your e-reader will start on fire (just kidding).
t_white51's review against another edition
5.0
My heart is broke
I love Jude and Tali. Bens death is devastating. Their break up gutted me. Jude’s choices gutted me. Tali’s heartbreak gutted me. There aren’t enough tissues. Hoping the sequel heals all wounds and wrongs. This couple deserves their HEA.
I love Jude and Tali. Bens death is devastating. Their break up gutted me. Jude’s choices gutted me. Tali’s heartbreak gutted me. There aren’t enough tissues. Hoping the sequel heals all wounds and wrongs. This couple deserves their HEA.
colescorner's review against another edition
5.0
This story had me from the beginning. I loved the characters. I love how they develop in the story and how they interact. Julia kept me guessing through out the story. I was sure that Talia was going to be with Ben, but then enter sexy Jude with his rockstar vibe.
Talia gave herself whole heartily to Jude, after giving him quiet a chase, then he broke her heart over and over again. But no intentionally. We see from his point of view his struggles and the reason's he does the things he does. I was hurting for them both when they lost Ben and hurting even more by the end when I realized we were not getting a HEA in this story. But I have to say that is what I loved about this story. Typical guidelines weren't followed, all the rules were broken and it was spectacular. I will promptly be downloading the next installment to see how Jude and Talia's story ends.
Talia gave herself whole heartily to Jude, after giving him quiet a chase, then he broke her heart over and over again. But no intentionally. We see from his point of view his struggles and the reason's he does the things he does. I was hurting for them both when they lost Ben and hurting even more by the end when I realized we were not getting a HEA in this story. But I have to say that is what I loved about this story. Typical guidelines weren't followed, all the rules were broken and it was spectacular. I will promptly be downloading the next installment to see how Jude and Talia's story ends.