The Over Duet is a story first loves, second chances, and hard truths. I fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It’s not a gift, but rather, all skill, honed to a razor’s edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole. Some may dismiss my talent as misplaced and misguided cynicism, but they’d be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are concocted … and faith in mankind are concocted unicorn farts, an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming. Experiences don’t lie—people do.
While I’m not proud of the circumstances that led me to this way of thinking, I respect the journey. The road to enlightenment can be dark and foreboding, but the destination makes it all worthwhile.
But funny thing about the past—it’s a defiant child refusing to stay in time out. No matter how deeply buried, it can always pop up when least expected, and sink its fucking claws into the flesh of your heart. No, not my heart—I no longer have one. I foolishly gave it away years ago, but I still feel the ripping in my chest as I fist the crumpled note left on my porch.
I’ve avoided this day, ran from it, for the past eight years. And still we meet again.
But to truly understand … to feel my dread and fear my future as I do, it’s important to know what happened in my past.
Or who …
My name is Marlo Rivers, and this is my story of corrupted love.
Book 1 of 2 in The Over Duet. This book contains graphic content which may not be suitable for sensitive readers.
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Hate is a very strong word, and one I don’t use very much, but I hate this. You may look at my rating a wonder what the hell do I mean by saying I hate it. So I will break it down.
I hate that it had to end.
I hate that I don’t know what will happen next.
I hate that it all happened the way it did.
I hate that I have to wait until January to keep reading.
Ok, so no, I don’t hate the story, I just hate the circumstances of reading a book with a cliffhanger.
I have always loved Marlo. She has been one of my absolute favorite characters in this series. So FINALLY getting her story after so long, is making me do a happy dance. I knew she had some not so happy and not so bright moments in her past, but they went a little deeper than I thought. Her scars definitely run deep, and she definitely has a reason go be the way she is. I still love her. I loved reading about her past, and then thinking about her from in the previous books, I loved seeing how she has grown.
Ever…OH-EM-GEE EVER!!! I couldn’t quit put my finger on what was going on with him. I knew it was something major and something super close to the heart, but I just couldn’t figure it out. When it finally came out, oh my goodness, did my heart hurt. It made me see him in a completely different light. It made me love him more than I already did. Life definitely didn’t deal him an easy hand. Along with the messed up circumstances he wasn’t given the kind of support he should of had. He had to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, for such a long time, at such a young age, that it took a huge toll on him. Lost, alone, and afraid, he didn’t know where to go or what to do, so he tried to cope the only way he thought he could.
Young love, is the best love.
Young love, is a strong love.
But is young love, always everlasting and worth the fight?
I seriously can not wait until January to finish reading Low and Ever’s story. I stopped at the last chapter, because I didn’t want it to end. I didn’t want to have to read the words ‘the end’, because I knew it would leave me hanging. And hanging I definitely am.
**Just FYI, you don’t have to read the other Over Series books to follow along or read this. This can be read as a standalone.**
I was so captivated by Lo and Ever’s story! Marlo (Lo) Rivers has moved to New Orleans to finish High School and reconnect with her mother. She was raised in Texas by her loving father and is smart, spirited, and kind. When she has a run-in with a mysterious, sullen student, she is bold and tells it like it is. Ever may seem privileged, but he has lived a heartbreaking and tortured life. He is intrigued by the light Lo brings into his world and her unconditional support and loyalty she gives to those she cares about. As they get to know each other, they begin to understand and relate to each other. Their attraction soon grows into a thrilling and powerful love. But loving Ever isn’t easy, and soon his demons and secrets cause a pain that tears them apart. Narrators Neva Navarre, and Jeremy York are so perfectly cast as Lo and Ever, they absolutely nailed these characters. Their ability to convey Lo and Ever’s complex emotions from the dramatic to the funny, from panic to passion, and all the sweet moments in between was superb. I was so invested in their performance and in these characters, that I was totally stunned at the heartbreaking events in the end of this first book. DeRouen held nothing back from these sensitive subjects, but attacked them with honesty and empathy. She broke my heart but gave it hope as well. I was so riveted by this poignant, heartfelt, and provocative story. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to find out what happens next with Lo and Ever in the second book of the Over Duet, Ever Over After!
Low Over High is packed with witty and comical conversation between the characters, most of who are endearing, but also includes very heavy subject matter. Marlo’s sass and take no-shit-from-anyone ways made me love her. Marlo’s sass combined with Ever’s smart ass comments had me laughing throughout their story and provided some relief from the heavier emotional moments.
Even though I love Marlo, Jeb was my favorite. Jeb’s personality and humor is magnetic and left me hoping that maybe DeRouen will expand upon his story and maybe give him his own book one day. I feel as if Jeb has a lot to say.
My emotions are a swirling mess right now. This book. Wow. I am embarrassed to admit that this is my first book by J.A. DeRouen. Had I known the magic that was hiding in these pages, I would have devoured her entire backlist already and be biting at the bit for her next book. To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. This is the first book in the Over duet and the story concludes in Ever Over After.
I freaking loved Marlo! Her banter and dialogue had me both laughing and crying. She is snarky, sharp tongued, and a little bruised (but not broken). I loved her tell it like it is attitude and her unapologetic candor. Even though she may toss barbs around like missles, you can see that under her armor, she is just a regular teenager – vulnerable and unsure at times. Considering the majority of the book takes places when she is 17/18 years old, her naivety is both realistic and believable. Her journey will leave you rejoicing in the excitement of new experiences and adventures and then reeling from the harsh realities that life throws at her. Honestly, my heart broke for her in the last third of the book. I thought the author did a phenomenal job addressing some extremely difficult issues with care and honesty that did not blunt the impact and seriousness of the message.
Oh, Ever. I wanted to both hug and slap him. He is so broken when we meet him, that it doesn’t seem possible that anyone will break his walls down. His continued attempts to anesthetize his pain any way that he could was gut wrenching. His start with Marlo is rocky, but I loved watching their relationship evolve and grow naturally and organically, healing each other along the way. It is definitely a slow burn between them and was perfect for their story. I couldn’t help but root for them to find a way to their happily ever after. I may not agree with some of Ever’s decisions, but as painful as it is, I do understand. Grief and guilt are powerful motivators and sadly, we can only watch helplessly as Ever falls down the rabbit hole, unwittingly taking Marlo with him.
I loved this book so much that I read and listened to the audiobook as well. Let me tell you, the audiobook is phenomenal! Neva Navarre is the perfect Marlo and made me fall in love with her even more. Some parts that were difficult to read, ripped my heart out to listen to, but it really took the story to another level. I definitely recommend the audiobook if you have a chance to listen to it! I can’t wait to start Ever Over After!
I loved this story. It was not what I expected it to be but it was soooo good. I flew through it in less than a day and I could not stop myself from continuing right on to Ever Over After. I needed to know what was going to happen.
Low over High is a beautiful, sweet, raw, painful story of two young adults who haven’t always had it easy. One knew love, the other gave it but didn’t know what it was to feel it. Enemies to friends to sweethearts to lost souls.
I knew this book would get to me and that I would hurt, cry and feel the pain of the characters, but I didn’t expect it to take the course it did. I feel raw and keep thinking how unfair life can be. These two teens are mature beyond their years, traumatized and forced to figure their next course in life essentially by themselves. They both make mistakes in the face of pain and distance. Hearts broken and damaged.
I have a feeling book 2, Ever Over After, will be about acceptance and forgiveness and will be just as hard to read.
Simply put, this book was fantastic. It’s the first in a duet, so yes, it does leave you hanging, to a certain extent. But don’t let that put you off from reading it right now…the second book will be out soon! From the prologue to the epilogue, to every page in between, J.A. DeRouen had me enthralled with these characters and this story. The writing was flawless, the story flowed so effortlessly, I couldn’t put this book down.
Marlo and Ever and their relationship from enemies to friends, to so much more, was so sweet and so compelling. I adore them both. Ever had so much going on in his life, things that weighed so heavily on him, that I wanted to reach into my Kindle and hug him. Low made me laugh, and at one point had me sobbing. My heart swelled and it ached for Ever and Marlo. You’ll be rooting hard for these two.
I’ll be anxiously waiting for January, to see what Ms. DeRouen has in store for us, and for Marlo and Ever.