Never Leave Me

Author: Jody Hedlund
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Series: Waters of Time #2
Release Date: January 4, 2022

Facing death takes 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 long-time 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.

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Reviewer: Joy Hannabass

As I started reading this book, I realized I should have read book one in the series first, but it turned out okay because author Jody  Hedlund does a terrific job of laying out the background and merging it all into Never Leave Me so readers can understand what's going on.

My heart was breaking for Ellen Creighton, as she was content living out her last days with her best friend, Harrison Burlington at his estate. The cancer and genetic disorder was incurable unless they find the holy water that was introduced in the first book. Her best friend Harrison was desperately trying to find the holy water for her. But maybe they will find this special water as they take the trip back in time?

I really enjoyed Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund. Ellen and Harrison were fun characters to follow. Their relationship was sweet, though sometimes I didn't understand why Ellen treated him so badly. Sometimes she acted so immature, but Harrison didn't let it bother him. I was just waiting for them both to finally acknowledge their love for each other. I mean just tell her already Harrison! But it was learning more about them both that I so immensely enjoyed.

There is so much in this book. The time travel was interesting and intriguing and had me wondering. It was the twists and turns that has readers searching for what's happening next. All in all, this was a great read from Ms. Hedlund. I can't wait to see what's coming next from this author.

I received this book courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Connie Porter Saunders

Are you ready for a trip to the past? Author Jody Hedlund sweeps us along on another time-travel adventure that satisfies romance lovers and teases other readers  with "What if?"  

Never Leave Me continues the saga of the search for the holy water, and it's the perfect follow-up  for Come Back to Me, the first book in the Waters of Time series. Finding this holy water is the only cure for the genetic disease that Ellen Creighton suffers. She has accepted that she is going to die, but Harrison Burlington thinks otherwise, and he personifies true friendship as he cares for her physically and ministers to her emotionally. Harrison, who secretly loves her and can't imagine life without her! Harrison, who is paralyzed and destined to spend his life in a wheel-chair, but is willing to help Ellen any way that he can.

Never Leave Me has romance that will take your breath away, and a thrilling adventure that keeps you hanging on, as villains join the race to find the holy water. Readers are reunited with Ellen's sister Marian and her husband William, from book one. I was very intrigued by Nicholas, who plays a big role in Ellen's visit to 1382! Can there be a third book in this series, and will Nicholas be the focus?

Hedlund has an amazing talent for suggesting intense romantic chemistry but never showing overly explicit details, and she also weaves thought-provoking faith messages into her plots. If you are looking for  heartwarming romance and riveting adventure, you need to read Never Leave Me. You will not be disappointed!

I received this book courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

What a great sequel in the Waters of Time series. I definitely recommend you read the series in order since the first book (Come Back to Me) puts down the groundwork for what happens in this book. It’s a bit different from the first in that friends-to-more romance plot line takes center stage here as Harrison desperately tries to find a cure for Ellen’s genetic disorder.

I loved Harrison and Ellen’s sweet, tender, self-sacrificing love and being back in 1382 with Will and Marian. Harrison’s devoted, steadfast heart and his keen intelligence makes him a uniquely unforgettable hero and Ellen’s compassionate bleeding soul makes her a worthy heroine. If you’re looking for a time-traveling adventure with heart-stopping romance and lots of action, look no further!

I received the book from Baker Publishing Group via Interviews and Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Monica Huyser

Jody Hedlund hooked me in the first Waters of Time book, Come Back to Me. It was one of my favorite reads of 2021, and I have been anxiously awaiting this one. For me, Never Leave Me did not disappoint.

Ellen Creighton is in the later stages of a genetic disease. She is living out what she believes are her last days at the estate of Harrison Burlington. Harrison is in a wheelchair with paralysis. As this book begins, Harrison finds the holy water that Marion has left for both him and Ellen so that they can be healed--and they are. But what happens next? Do they let people know they have been healed? Can they find more holy water to help others that need healing? Before they can figure things out, after a brief vacation, Ellen is kidnapped and forced to go back in time.

I enjoyed Never Leave Me. I liked that we got to go back in time and visit Marian and her husband, William, from the first book. I enjoyed the time travel adventures and the mystery as they try to track down where Ellen is being held captive. I also enjoyed the romance between Ellen and Harrison with the friends-to-lovers trope. Their time together in the present and in the past included some swoony romantic times.

I did see glimpses of God through Never Leave Me as Ellen and Harrison share their thoughts with the reader in some of their struggles. I thought the spiritual aspect was well woven into the plot. I also liked that Never Leave Me caused me to reflect on what I would do in that situation. I would surely want to heal others I know need it, but what is the best way to go about that, and is it possible? I also enjoyed the character Nicholas who helped Ellen in the 1300s. I think he would make a great main character for another book--and I hope that the series will continue.

I received this book from Revell Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions within this review are my own.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

Never Leave Me is different than the typical time travel romance and I love it. What would you do if you had access to a small amount of holy water that would bring healing to any infirmity?

This is the moral dilemma that both Ellen and Harrison face. Each has a physical issue. Things are more complicated by their secret love for each other. Is one of them willing to die in order for the other to live? Should they drink the holy water in hope of securing more in the past, or should they only use it for the good of others? Spanning time from the present to the year 1382 they must trust each other, and trust God’s wisdom as they battle evil men for control of the wellspring. 

This book draws you into both the present and the past with well written descriptions, and a storyline you want to be a part of. I couldn’t put it down.

I was given a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group by Interviews and Reviews through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

What an incredible follow up to Come Back to Me.

We now encounter Ellen Creighton as she is ravaged with a rare disease and cancer. Her trusted friend, wheelchair bound Harrison Burlington, a wealthy nobleman, has tried to make her last days as comfortable as possible while trying to keep his love for her a secret.

After a miraculous recovery for both of them, they are still searching for the source of the holy water and the whereabouts of Ellen’s sister and father. But evil thwarts their plans and puts everyone in danger. They ponder if they are worthy caretakers of this secret. “In their quest for the holy water, had they unearthed something God had not wanted them to disturb? While healing and health were incredible gifts, was healing always the best course, or did the suffering and hardship that came with disease serve a purpose, too.”

Lots of intrigue in this well written time travel tale. The main characters shine with their selflessness. Harrison is the best kind of hero. He is kind, thoughtful and has integrity. And Ellen has some self-realization as she grows closer to Harrison: “Courage. Instead of always giving up or running away in fear, maybe it was time to pray that she could face the uncertainty of the future with courage.”

Suspend belief and enjoy this captivating book!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant

What an enthralling addition to the Waters of Time series! 

This beautifully executed time travel saga kept me riveted from beginning to end. The intriguing, fast-paced plot, twists and turns with perilous action and suspense. With her amazing storytelling skill and evocative prose, Ms. Hedlund has created a story in which the concepts of time travel and miraculous cures are entertainingly plausible. 

As in the first book, the historical element is awesome with descriptions so detailed and vivid, you feel like you are living in Medieval times.  Masterfully created characters capture your heart and linger in your mind long after the last page is turned.

The sweet romance between long-time friends Ellen and Harrison is heartwarming and at times heart-wrenching. This couple is definitely on my favorite fictional couples list! The faith thread is inspiring with a reminder that God’s timing is always perfect.  

Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading Come Back to Me first to gain background information and a clearer understanding of the premise.  I totally enjoyed this read and recommend it especially for lovers of time-travel and historical romance. I look forward to reading Book 3 in the Waters of Time series.  

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Jody Hedlund brings us another heart stopping, time-travelling romance that will delight her fans.

Ellen Creighton has cancer and a genetic disorder. She is the sister of Marian (from the previous novel Come Back to Me). Ellen has decided to live out her remaining days with long time friend Harrison Burlington. She has also decided that she would never marry anyone because of her condition. Harrison is paralyzed, and though he has loved Ellen for a long time, he also decided to never marry because of his condition. What gets these two together will take a miracle and maybe a little bit of dangerous time travel.

Now, if you didn't read the last book, you might be a tad confused. I read it, and it still took me a few chapters to recall the characters and the significance of the holy water. Therefore, I highly recommend you read Come Back to Me before reading Never Leave Me. 

I loved seeing Marian and Will again, and while I enjoyed this story, I was sad to see that it didn't really have a lot of Christian content. But, that did not stop me from enjoying the book. The author does a fabulous job of getting the reader invested in her characters. Harrison is my favourite because he was so honourable. But, he and Ellen were a little dense on picking up the clues they were clearly throwing at each other on how they felt. I found myself yelling at the book, saying, "Kiss her already!" 

The transitioning scenes from the past to the future were so vivid I felt like I was watching a movie. Always a good sign of an excellent writer.

If you love time travel and romance, this is one book you need to pick up.

I received this book courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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