I was granted a free copy of this text by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a very touching novel about family, relationships, parenthood, and second-chances. Leaving the Hallmark romance tropes behind made this novel timely for an era where people do not communicate effectively. The characters truly love one another, but losing sight of that leads to their son bringing them back together. A must-read for 2021.

*Thank you to Netgalley, [author:Faye Madden|21304972] and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for sending me a free e-ARC copy of [book:Love Is Never Lost|57493021] in exchange for an honest review. All quotations are subject to change upon publication.*

[book:Love Is Never Lost|57493021] is due to be published on the 28th of June 2021.

Stats:
Overall: 4/5 stars
Characters: 3/5 stars
Storyline: 3/5 stars
Writing: 5/5 stars
One-line review: [book:Love Is Never Lost|57493021] is a refreshing, enlightening short story which Is bound to leave a smile on the face on anyone who is lucky enough to read it.

[book:Love Is Never Lost|57493021] follows two divorced parents and their son, Mason, and It is immediately evident that the ex-partners still carry a deep affection for one another. This feeling of longing for one another is quickly accelerated when their son forges their signatures, roping them into chaperoning a camping trip together. They find once more their paths have collided and learn that truly that love is never lost between two who once held such affections for one another.

'Love is never lost, not when it is love at first sight. You were made for each other. Anyone can see that.'

----Plot----

The plot of this book, is simple, but sweet. At times it can be rather predictable, but due to the fast natured pace of the book, it doesn't have a large effect on the enjoyment of the storyline. Benjamin and Ruby go to the camping trip with their son Mason and reignite their love for each other after years of being divorced and mixed feelings towards each other. The predictability of the book is almost what makes it so sweet, as you are rooting for these two individuals who obviously have endearing feelings towards each other.

At some points I feel as the storyline and plot is rather rushed, as it is a book with little over 100 pages, the story has to move fast. At times, I felt as this was a little too fast - I longed for the writer to linger on the camping trip more and explore Ruby and Benjamin's love in the idyllic and romantic setting of the forest.

Other than that, I thought the book had such a beautiful message and the storyline accompanied that message perfectly.

----Characters----

Once more, as it is a short book, there is little room for in depth character development or a large range of characters. The book is primarily focused on Ruby, Benjamin and Mason, with side characters being infrequent and with little depth. This lack of depth is probably what drove my rating down to four stars. I just wanted more. The story moved too quickly for the reader to properly analyse the dynamic of their relationship at the beginning, and the lives they were living before they re-collided.

My favourite thing about the characters though is the journey that Benjamin and Ruby go on from being friends to lovers. In the later scenes, we really get to explore their affections for one another, even if it is evident that they are hiding their affections from the very start.

'His name is music to my ears, and I repeat it silently, noting each syllable as if inspecting a precious jewel from different angles.'

----Writing----

[author:Faye Madden|21304972]'s writing is phenomenal, she can make the simplest description transport you right into the characters world, with vivid imagery throughout the novel. I doesn't stop there either, her descriptions of her character's emotions accompany the storyline well, which really tugs on the heartstrings of the reader. I could go on all day about how magical [author:Faye Madden|21304972]'s storytelling is, which I believe is a sure sign of a promising and well thought out book.

'The all pine framed picture windows flood the studio with light, their cream blinds tightly furled, and frame beyond a panoramic view of ever-changing changing hues on the hillside beyond.'

From the beginning to the very end, the writing in this book uses strong metaphors and scene setting language to depict a vivid scene, and I truly commend the thought out placement of every single word in this book.

'Together we are transported into a private paradise only she and I share. The music and laughter provide a backdrop of joy, and we entwine our bodies lost in the moment, lost on that unbounded happiness only true love can bring.'

Faye Madden's 'Love is Never Lost' is labeled a "sweet romance" which I take to mean as a wholesome story with the bedroom door firmly closed. That's certainly the case here, with the focus of this short tale firmly on the trials of a young couple trying to co-parent their son following a divorce. These types of books are really not my brand of vodka, but others may enjoy it.
I struggled with the tense - first person present is tricky and I noted some tense errors. The language is very descriptive, to the point of being over-written. Every moment, every emotion, every thought is on the page...but the story doesn't really go anywhere. I didn't feel the tension of "will they or won't they?" and the manipulations by others - including a 7 year old - to get Ruby and Ben back together felt a little weak.
It's a very short book, and maybe could have benefited from a stronger subplot...or higher stakes for the main characters. Honestly, I'm not sure I understood the reason they divorced.