Never Let You Go: (inspired by "Hansel and Gretel") (A Modern Fairytale Book 2) Kindle Edition

Despite the fact that this book is completely far fetched, I really loved it. It's a bit outrageous of an idea... these two foster kids, kidnapped by a crazy man, held for years in a basement. This is a second chance/childhood romance with about ten times the normal level of angst and weirdness. Despite all of that, I was really loving this book. I loved bad boy, grown up Holden (with his tattoos, stutter, and fighting) and I even loved Gemma, with her fragile sense of determination.The second half of the book was just a mess though. I was pretty sad with where it went. Geez I hate to give spoilers, so I won't. But let's just say that the trope was one of my least favorite of all kinds. And it wasn't even just the awful, horrible trope... it's like the story just unraveled. Gone was the intimacy and sweetness and openness that the two shared (as children and adults) of the first half of the book. And in it's place was just the Big Misunderstanding. It was practically unreadable, but I forced myself through it. Boo. I should read the one star reviews more before plunging ahead.

USA Today & NYT bestselling author Katy Regnery delivers a breathtaking masterpiece in her modern day version of the fairy-tale "Hansel and Gretel". This love story is not only beautiful and inspirational, but it will be etched into your mind for years to come. Definitely a must read!.........Throughout the years, Griselda "Zelda" Schroeder never once forgotten the one boy who captivated her heart more than a decade ago, and the only person she will ever love for the rest of her life. As much as she tried, she couldn't rid the painful memories from her mind consuming her with guilt and regret on that awful day thirteen long years ago when she and Holden were abducted by a madman, who not only kept them both captive in a dirty cellar for three miserable years, but treated them like animals where they were beatened , starved, abused, and tortured on a daily basis forcing them both of having no other choice by making the most difficult decision of their lives. Deciding it was time to escape from the evil clutches of their abductor, Zelda and Holden bided their time and ran for their lives, only when they came to the rough waters of the Shenandoah, only one made it across, while the other was left behind. After ten long years since the day the girl of his dreams escaped from their captor, Holden Croft swore he would never love another, and the way to fill the void in his heart, he fought back the hurt, the rage, and the lost love he once had, he fought in grudge matches by using his fists, body, and soul, and any other dirty way to win against his opponents, but soon, the life he lived for the past ten years was about to change the moment he looked far beyond the crowds and first saw her....After being dragged to a fight club by her abusive boyfriend, Griselda couldn't believe her eyes when she spotted Holden walking into the ring ready to fight for his life, and it was in that moment, the painful memory of leaving him behind terrified, bloodied, battered, and utterly alone on the other side of the rough waters of the Shenandoah came crashing back, and she knew with a certainty that she would never leave his side ever again. Like the water that separated them that ripped their world apart more than a decade ago, they were known throughout the country as the modern day "Hansel and Gretel" due to their newsworthy kidnapping case, and even though Holden and Griselda were meant to be together forever, it still didn't stop or prevent those old emotional and physical scars to surface between them, but soon, they will discover that only love will overcome any obstacles they now face as they both made their vow to each other to never let the other go ever again.........

This is a very well-written story but I had a really hard time reading it. There are a TON of possible triggers for people that should be considered before diving in. I wish I had known.First, there is a LOT of abuse throughout the story - both child abuse and domestic violence. While not extremely graphic, it is gut-wrenching and continues throughout the book. It also deals with kidnapping and violence against children (aside from the abuse to begin with.)The overall feel of the story (understandably so) is very dark and depressing. There is really no bright spots at all throughout 75% of the book. Even when one believes things will FINALLY start looking up for our two main characters, something will be thrown in to ruin any hope of happiness. In this, I believe the story went a little overboard.So, why the four star rating? Because, while it was very hard to read and a doomingly depressing experience for the most part, it was written extremely well and the subject matter was dealt with in a realistic and believable way. I can’t punish the author for tackling a horrific subject even if I thought the angst was a bit overkill. It was moving and hard to forget.The upside that ultimately made it worth the misery was the wonderful and much-needed HEA that gave us enough time to finally smile and close the book happy.

I can usually finish a book within a few hours of starting it but this book took me 48 hours to finish, the emotions I felt whilst reading this book blew me away, I laughed, I cried and at the end I squealed.The love that H&G had is a love that most people only ever dream about, the things they went through both together and then after being separated were heartbreaking. The fact that their love for each other got them through such horrible time is so heart warming.When Holden was first brought back into the book as Seth I gasped and I thought oh god he has turned into a nasty person, which would be understandable after everything he went through, but as soon as he seem Gris again he was the Holden we had heard about in the book before.The toughest part of the book for me to read was when Holden gave up his parental rights to Hannah, as a parent you are always trying to do what is right for your child, I could never imagine ever making that decision especially after everything Holden had gone through in his life, his need to finally have his own family was over ridden by the need for his daughter to have a loving family surrounding her, Katy I think this was the moment that Holden became my new favourite book bf.My favourite line from the book is " I jump you jump"Thank you for a great book, emotional but definitely a great read and I will be recommending it to anyone and everyone

“She loved him like the tide loves the sand – trapped together, one lost without the other, pushed and pulled, but never ripped apart.”What a beautiful, emotive and well-written novel!Holden and Griselda are foster children and are abducted during an outing with their foster family. Caleb Foster is not quite right in the head and thinks they are his sinful twin brother and sister. They spend three years in captivity, mistreated and beaten, until, one day, they make an escape bid, running through the cornfield and across the Shenandoah River. However, only one of them makes it across safely.Ten years later, Griselda is dragged to a bare-knuckle fight and her world tilts off its axis, again.Holden and Griselda are fantastically drawn characters. Both survivors, they are alive but not really living. When they are reunited, the love they had for one another as children burns into something brighter, deeper, and intensely sexual. The belief and devotion they had for one another left me breathless. Holden is absolutely all in from the moment he realises that she’s truly alive. He wants to be a better man and live a better life for Griselda. Griselda, having lived all her adult life with a barrier between herself and the rest of world, is beyond thankful and happy to find Holden again, but their situation is not without complications. Living with guilt of having survived without Holden, she also has to learn to accept that people can love her unconditionally and truly.So much happens in this novel – it really kept me on edge, and it really keeps you wondering if they’ll ever get their happy ending. Holden’s unwavering love for Griselda was a real anchor for me. There were so many heart-wrenching and beautifully-written passages – SO MUCH FEELING!!!This book is an absolute must-read (especially if you’re a fan of Mia Sheridan).

I always hate that I can't give flowing assertive reviews...so once more mine will probably be short but I hope sucent. There were times parts of this story were so sorrowful that it was difficult to read....but not in an unpleasant way. Rather in a way that I knew the author had done what a good writer likes to do. She'd wrapped her words around my emotions and tugged. Even in moments that were happy I felt sad for the couple because of what they'd gone through to get to that place where they were finally free of such a sad past.If you like to feel a range of emotions, while also knowing that it will be worth while, this beautiful book is a sumptuous read. Invest in chocolate, wine and tissues and savor what is a gorgeous summer read about young love, friendship, indurance and eventual peace. Utterally tearworthy with sniffles and smiles . highly recommended.

I have this 5 stars purely because I could not put it down. It’s a very addictive book that you just want to read forever. Based on a love story that starts when when two young foster children and kidnapped and held in a cellar where they are beaten. Fast forward 10 years and life is miserable when they find each other again and the magic of their special bond takes over. Love story with a twist!

Amazing book. I dont know where to start. Fantastic. I was emotionally drained by the time I had finished but now 24 hours later I wish I could read it for the first time again. It just grabs you and takes you on the heartbreaking journey of these two special young people. I loved Holden and Gris, what they endured and the love they had for each other just jumped out the page at you. Im not good a writing reviews but this book just had to be commented on. Its a must read. Its not an easy read but it is a rewarding one. Well Done Kate. I just adored this book.

A heartbreaker story of two foster kids who are abducted and held hostage for 3 years, enduring violence and suffering at the hands of a crazy man and the effect it has on their lives. It is essentially a love story about these two people, Griselda and Holden, and how despite life's twists and turns, ups and downs, their love and connection is so strong that they will always find their way back to each other. It is my first reading of anything by this author, but she is a beautiful storyteller and I loved every minute of this book. Wonderful!

This book was just so great that i just don't know how to describe it. i love to read and i read loads but this book had me hooked from the start , i was in work thinking omg i cant wait to go home to find out what happens to holden and griselda lol . some parts had me crying thinking how hard they had to fight to be together , and to have a love like that wow . i will be reading it again :) thank u Katy Regnery it was well worth the wait and i cant wait for the next book , the epilogue at the end was just the icing on the cake . once again thanks it was an amazing story

I loved this book so much. At first I wasn’t too sure as there’s quite a lot of back story in the beginning but it’s absolutely needed. This is the first book that made me cry; it’s so beautifully written with so much heartache and joy to be repeated over and over. Even if you don’t read the rest of the series, make sure you read this one!

This is the first book of Katy Regnery's that I've read. And what a way to hook me in. I totally love the story of Holden and Griselda. They both had a bad start in their young lives. They were brought together through tragic circumstances but they endured and survived because of their love for each other. This is one of my top reads this year and highly recommend this book to friends. Katy, I am your newest fan and looking forward to reading your other books!

I read alot of books and some stay with you and give you a huge book hangover and this is the first book this year to do this for me. The first chapter had my heart racing, my mind screaming, my heartbreaking, my soul bleeding, the book is that good. I'm not going to spoil the story because this is a book that you have to read without spoilers, I defy you to read this and not feel like your emotions are shredded, it will break and put you back together again.

A tragic story of two young children who suffer unthinkable horrors, who survive because of each other's strength.Horrors that rule their later lives until they find each other again, only to be tried and tested along the way.Brilliantly written story, loved it.

I absolutely love the way Katy can tell a story, I felt every emotion during this book, it ripped my heart out and put it back together again.Both characters in this book were so strong. The romance was written beautifully, and I now have another book boyfriend to add to my list, I'm totally in love with Holden 💖Can't wait for the next book in the series.

This book bothered me to the point that I stopped reading it before finishing it. It upset me too much with regards to the subject matter.The book is well written though. I saw zero connection between this story and Hansel and Gretel (besides their names beginning with similar letters), as the author supposedly tried to do. Constant flashbacks which in my opinion always destroys the flow of the story.

I enjoyed this book and the modern retelling of Hansel and Gretel.I was rooting for h/h to get together and for most part it happened though I did not like the spanner in the spoke that was the old girlfriend and she obstacle she put in front of them. However, their love was meant to be and we see this. Wonderful!

Wow wow wow, I've just finished this book and I've never felt so much emotion in a long time, reading this book, you are hoping and praying Holden and Gris have there HEA. It is my first book that I've read by Katy Regnery and I will be checking out all of her others. Loved loved this book. Would recommend to anyone who wants to fall in love with two beautiful people xx