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

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

Nice story, the characters are realistic and have lots of depth, but I struggled with the author clearly not researching properly. They mention a baby's scan and the picture showing the baby breathing out bubbles! This does not happen in the womb, there is no gas for bubbles!. They also mention the doctor saying the baby belched in the womb and little bubbles rise up, again, baby's don't belch in the womb, no gas, no bubbles.There's were others things like this but don't want to give spoilers away. The story's good if this sort of thing doesn't frustrate you .

“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.

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.